Chapter 917 - 294: The Presence Beneath the Magma Lake_6

It was suddenly an old man with a black face, slightly hunched over, standing on a strange ancient boat and wearing a wide purple robe.

"Such dense Earth Fire Essence Qi, could the earlier commotion be someone fighting for some kind of exotic treasure?"

The old man stood on the boat, his narrow eyes flashing with a sharp brilliance, continually surveying the freely flowing magma below.

"Huh?"

"That is... the Earth Fire Crystal Marrow used for cultivating the Three Pure True Fire!?"

His gaze suddenly focused on a strange crystal emitting a golden-orange glow in the churning magma below, a hint of joy flashed in the old man’s eyes, and with a thought, he immediately maneuvered the boat to fly over.

His withered hand lightly scooped, not caring about the scalding magma, directly grabbing the fist-sized Earth Fire Crystal Marrow in his hand.

"Not bad, not bad, it’s a top-grade Earth Fire Crystal Marrow."

"If I encounter a cultivator who urgently needs it, I should be able to sell it for a good price."

Having just arrived and already making a small fortune, the old man was in a great mood, and began to search little by little above the magma on his boat.

On the other side, two figures were rapidly flying under the moonlit night sky.

"Senior Sister, it seems the Shen family’s city has been attacked."

Gazing from afar at the Flame Lake City ablaze, Li Honghu spoke with a frown.

Ning Zhen kept a composed face, not replying, continuously praying in her heart that the Earth Fire Crystal Marrow beneath Flame Lake City was still there.

Back then, she and Junior Brother Li Honghu discovered the aura of the Earth Fire Crystal Marrow under Flame Lake City, but hesitated to act rashly due to not understanding the strength of the forces backing Flame Lake City.

Later, when Shen Li revealed herself, the two planned to buy the Earth Fire Crystal Marrow with Spirit Crystals, but Shen Li refused.

Wanting to continue probing the general location of other treasures in Yangnao Land, Ning Zhen chose to endure and planned to come to Flame Lake City at the first opportunity when the Daoist collapse occurred to retrieve the Earth Fire Crystal Marrow.

While the Fire Phoenix was wreaking havoc in Flame Lake City, the two were deep in the Western Wilderness building a ritual platform to relay news of the early Daoist collapse in Yangnao Land back to the Cyan Moon Dao Sect.

Upon sensing the commotion caused by the Fire Phoenix, the two immediately rushed over without stopping.

"Senior Sister, there’s someone!"

As the two flew to the location of Flame Lake City, they saw from a distance the figure on the ancient boat continually searching above the magma.

"Kui Mulv has crossed the boat; he’s someone from the Fengshui Realm Patrol Dao..."

Upon seeing the old man’s boat, Ning Zhen immediately recognized the other’s identity.

"Is that old geezer the one who attacked the Shen family’s city?"

Li Honghu, apparently unaware of the Fengshui Realm Patrol Dao, frowned and spoke.

Ning Zhen couldn’t help but sigh and shake her head, saying, "Cultivators from the Patrol Dao are usually adept in water attributes and cultivation systems derived from water attributes."

"The city was clearly attacked by someone especially skilled in fire attributes, so it obviously wasn’t him..."

Li Honghu scratched his head somewhat awkwardly at these words.

"So that old man’s treasure hunting?"

Ning Zhen slightly nodded.

The entire place where Flame Lake City was had been submerged in magma, and the Patrol Dao cultivator skimming over it, must be looking for treasures.

"Let’s go and have a look."

After a brief pause, noticing that the other seemed to have already spotted them and was looking over vigilantly, Ning Zhen spoke softly and flew straight over.

"Ning Zhen from the Cyan Moon Dao Sect greets the Fellow Daoist from the Patrol Dao."

Upon hearing her, the vigilance on the old man’s face slightly eased.

"So it’s a Fellow Daoist from the Cyan Moon Dao Sect, this humble one is Ke Yutao."

The Cyan Moon Dao Sect is somewhat renowned among the Seventy-Two Cangmin Realms. Though this reputation isn’t great, it’s at least better than the infamous Tribulation Fire Sect in the Ancient Central State Domain and the Underworld in the Netherworld Domain.

After an exchange of pleasantries, Ning Zhen slightly cupped her hands and asked, "May I inquire if you have seen who attacked this city?"

City?

Ke Yutao was puzzled as he looked below at the flowing magma: "Was there a city here originally?"

"When I arrived, it was already like this, I saw no sign of a city."

Ning Zhen nodded again and asked, "Fellow Daoist Ke, you must have been here for a while. Have you found some Heavenly and Earthly Treasures?"

People from the Patrol Dao are usually experts in water attributes; even if they find something like an Earth Fire Crystal Marrow, they can’t use it.

Ke Yutao’s face showed a hint of vigilance at these words.

Ning Zhen smiled softly and said, "Fellow Daoist Ke, don’t misunderstand. What I mean is if you have obtained some fire attribute Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, you can bring them to exchange with me."

After hearing this, Ke Yutao’s vigilance didn’t entirely dissipate; he just gave a slight smile and cupped his hands, "I see."

"I’ve just arrived myself and was just planning to try my luck."

"Fellow Daoist mentioned this place originally was a city, now obviously destroyed by someone. If there were any good things, they were probably already scavenged clean."

Ke Yutao still did not mention the Earth Fire Crystal Marrow he had found.

As someone well-versed in the cruel cultivation realm, he understood its harshness.

The two from the Cyan Moon Dao Sect spoke nicely about bringing out the treasures he obtained for exchange.

But once he releases the items, who’s to say if it will be an exchange or outright robbery?

"If so, the two of us shall not disturb you, Fellow Daoist."

Ning Zhen smiled, spoke, and then, taking Li Honghu with her, headed across the magma to search for the Earth Fire Crystal Marrow themselves.

"Senior Sister, that old guy lied, he definitely found something good."

"Observing his cultivation, he has only just entered the Purple Mansion Realm, and his vigor already declined, Qi floating, surely he took shortcuts, his internal Purple Mansion Dao Palace likely fragile, lacking much power of laws."

"Shall we..."

Murderous intent flickered in his eyes.

At this, Ning Zhen gently shook her head and spoke softly:

"The current situation isn’t clear, and we haven’t determined which forces have found Yangnao Land."

"Our Cyan Moon Dao Sect isn’t afraid of the Patrol Dao, but if we act rashly now, it’ll be easy for other forces to reap the benefits."

"Did you forget what I told you last time about ’restraint’?"

Li Honghu clenched his fists secretly, glanced back at Ke Yutao, who had already drifted away on his boat, and finally relaxed his grip.

This so-called ’restraint’, he wondered if he’d ever learn it.

In his view, cultivators ought to act on impulse, doing as they please, speaking as they wish.

Only by not going against one’s heart can thoughts remain unobstructed.

Just like the person from the Patrol Dao earlier, it’s not like they couldn’t kill him. Ning Zhen’s cautious approach really felt discomforting.

Yet, before coming to Yangnao Land from the Cyan Moon Dao Sect, his master had specifically instructed him to learn and heed everything from Senior Sister Ning Zhen, not to go against her.

No matter his reluctance, Li Honghu could only endure it now.

"Senior Sister understands your thoughts."

As a strong figure in the Purple Mansion Realm, Ning Zhen was naturally meticulous and could easily grasp Li Honghu’s thoughts.

She paused her steps, speaking sincerely, "You must understand the cruelty of the cultivation realm."

"When the strength gap is wide, you may strike without hesitation, annihilate the other, no need to waste words or energy."

"This is called the supremacy of strength."

"But when strength is balanced, and you’re not guaranteed to destroy the other without harm to yourself, then it’s about strategy, restraint, and seizing the opportune moment to act."

After a pause, Ning Zhen continued, "Do you know why Master wanted you to accompany Senior Sister to Yangnao Land this time?"

Li Honghu shook his head slightly, then hurriedly spoke, "Master wanted me to come with Senior Sister to broaden my horizons..."

Ning Zhen hearing this, smiled slightly and sighed, "You, not only must you learn restraint, but you also lack some ambition."

"No rush, these can be cultivated slowly, you’ll understand both mine and Master’s good intentions in time."

Ambition?

Li Honghu gazed perplexedly at Ning Zhen’s graceful silhouette ahead, brow furrowed tight.