Chapter 979: Elder Zhuang Debates the Elders (Part 4)

Junior Brother Zhao is not bad, but not when compared to myself.

Junior Brother Zhao was scolded; he was just an innocent victim of my troubles.

“Do you know why I’ve called you here?”

“Holy Fire Realm?”

“Hmm, you’re quite lucky not to have missed the Holy Fire Realm, but I don’t know if that’s a good thing for you,” Zhuang Lie said solemnly. “The reason the Holy Fire Realm hasn’t closed yet is that our sect’s disciples haven’t come out. As for why they haven’t, I’m not sure. If you go in, you might face the same outcome.”

“As for the reasons Haoyang mentioned to you, those are just guesses given to reassure the other disciples and cannot be taken as truth.”

Hearing Elder Zhuang’s words, Lin Chen showed a moved expression on his face. Elder Zhuang was being completely honest with him, without any concealment.

Earlier, Zhao Haoyang told him that the disciples of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect hadn’t come out because they encountered an innate fire storm inside the Holy Fire Realm. This fire storm was somewhat similar to the one in the Thousandfold Secret Realm, and Zhao Haoyang heard it from other senior brothers, while those senior brothers learned it from the sect’s steward.

But now Elder Zhuang tells him it might not be due to the storm; it could very likely be due to other dangerous reasons.

“Whether to go in or not is up to you. If you don’t want to go in, it’s okay. Two years ago, I promised you access to the Ten Thousand Flames Sect’s cultivation techniques, and that still holds. I can take you to the Library Hall.”

Seeing Lin Chen in deep thought, Zhuang Lie added another sentence.

“Thank you, Elder Zhuang, for your kindness. I am willing to give it a try.”

A few moments later, Lin Chen made his decision. He felt a pressing sense of crisis, and entering the Holy Fire Realm was his opportunity to improve his strength, which he couldn’t afford to miss.

“Good, then rest well today. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the Holy Fire Realm.”

Zhuang Lie wasn’t surprised by Lin Chen’s choice; it was within his expectations.

“I take my leave now.”

After bowing, Lin Chen walked towards the courtyard exit, and just as he reached the doorway, Zhuang Lie’s voice came from behind.

“Is that mysterious alchemist Xiao Yan from the Thousand Mechanism Domain you?”

Lin Chen paused his steps, turning back with some surprise to look at Zhuang Lie. How did Elder Zhuang guess it?

“I understand now.”

Even though Lin Chen didn’t answer, his eyes gave Zhuang Lie the answer he wanted.

“I brought a few disciples to the Thousand Mechanism Domain back then, to broaden their horizons.”

Lin Chen realized, Elder Zhuang was also present then, but how did he see through his identity?

Even the Innate Sixth Realm experts of the Thousand Mechanism Sect didn’t see through it, and Elder Zhuang is only Innate Fifth Realm.

“Kid, your talent in refining fire is indeed high, but remember, each type of innate fire has its own characteristics. Understanding them can aid you on your path. After coming out of the Holy Fire Realm, spend a few months at the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.”

Zhuang Lie sighed lightly. Such refining fire talent like Lin Chen’s is extremely rare. Even if he highly values Lin Chen, he couldn’t help but think that Lin Chen’s talent for refining fire is somewhat wasted.

Those disciples of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, before refining, didn’t they thoroughly understand many innate fire characteristics, choosing those that match them from hundreds of options? Whereas Lin Chen…

Zhuang Lie believed that Lin Chen definitely hadn’t gone through any selection process. Where outside could one find that many innate fires to choose from? Especially the Cyan Li Flame, Lin Chen refined it upon encountering it. Successfully refining it relied entirely on his own talent and strength.

If this got out, the disciples of the sect might end up with a broken martial heart.

“Thank you, Senior, for the guidance.”

Lin Chen nodded. He knew Elder Zhuang meant well, assuming he refined any innate fire he encountered without careful selection.

According to the records in the “Ten Thousand Flames Chart” that Elder Zhuang gave him, if the selected innate fires are conflicting, it would affect the refining of other innate fires later.

However, what Elder Zhuang didn’t know was that he wasn’t selecting randomly but had the prompt from [Racing Against Time].

PS: A big chapter asking for next month’s ticket, brothers, muah muah!