Chapter 520 - 527: Refining the Abnormal Fire

The gases hid themselves within her body, then vanished completely, as if nothing had happened.

Looking at the sphere in her Dantian, she saw a single, luminous point of light pulsing within.

It was the successfully refined fire seed.

At that moment, both the Immortal Qi and the Chaos Qi began to nourish the fire seed.

Song Wanning could even hear a crisp POP!

The fire seed immediately began to absorb energy and grow at an incredible rate. The speed was so fast that even Song Wanning was astonished.

The creation of an Abnormal Fire usually takes tens of thousands of years. After obtaining a fire seed, nurturing it to maturity would require several hundred years at the very least.

For the Red Lotus Karmic Fire to be growing this quickly was truly beyond her expectations.

Her expression turned serious as she gained a new understanding of the sphere in her Dantian.

It was remarkably mysterious. Even she, its owner, couldn’t fully comprehend its specific purpose.

Nor did she have any idea what its limits were.

But from her experience, she knew that it only absorbed precious, natural treasures. It completely disdained artificially refined items.

After observing the phenomenon in her Dantian for a while longer, Song Wanning relaxed. With just a bit more time, the Red Lotus Karmic Fire would mature.

When that time came, it would be a major asset.

Song Wanning opened her eyes, a smile touching her lips.

’I get to infuriate Mu Zixu and obtain the Red Lotus Karmic Fire. Killing two birds with one stone.’

She took another Elixir Pill and waited until her depleted spiritual power had fully recovered before walking out of the side hall.

The Netherworld King had been waiting in the main hall. Seeing her emerge, he smiled with satisfaction.

"Young friend, you are truly gifted. You’ve refined the Red Lotus Karmic Fire in just two short days."

As one of the most powerful Abnormal Fires in the Netherworld, the Red Lotus Karmic Fire was exceptionally proud.

Many geniuses who tried to refine it needed at least half a month. Just gaining the Red Lotus Karmic Fire’s acceptance alone would take several days.

But Song Wanning managed it in just two days—even faster than he had.

A talent like this would surely have a boundless future.

Song Wanning smiled at his words. "You flatter me, Senior. It was just good luck!"

The Netherworld King didn’t argue. He simply stood up. "Since you have finished, allow me to see you out."

His role was both protector and watchman.

Song Wanning was an outsider, after all. Gifting her the fire seed was enough to repay the debt of gratitude.

Naturally, he couldn’t let her stay here indefinitely.

"Very well, I’ll have to trouble you then, Senior!"

Song Wanning naturally understood his intentions. Without objecting, she followed him out of the Netherworld Palace.

"I came in through this passage here."

’I can’t give Mu Zixu another chance to come back, so this passage must be completely sealed.’

’The Immortal Realm is part of the Upper Realm; it shouldn’t have any ties to the Netherworld.’

’This mistake must be corrected.’

So, Song Wanning took the initiative to point out the hidden passage.

Hearing this, the smile on the Netherworld King’s face grew a little more genuine. ’This young woman is quite kind-hearted.’

"Young lady, I will remember this favor. If fate allows, we shall meet again in the Immortal Realm."

If his earlier words had been mere pleasantries, he now genuinely hoped to meet Song Wanning again.

"Alright! It’s a promise!"

Song Wanning smiled faintly, gave the Netherworld King another bow, then turned and strode into the passage.

A familiar white light once again filled her vision, and she felt her way forward.

The sound of the passage closing echoed from behind her. She didn’t know what the Netherworld King had done,

but its final fate was surely to be sealed shut.

In that instant, Song Wanning suddenly froze.

’Before I entered the time-space fragment, back when I first entered the Netherworld, this passage had already been abandoned. The Forget River, too—it was all completely abandoned.’

’And now, it was being sealed at my suggestion...’

This feeling of temporal dislocation, of some inexplicable connection, was utterly bizarre.

A look of dazed contemplation crossed Song Wanning’s face, and the very air around her seemed to shimmer.

Unfortunately, this strange state lasted only for a few moments before it was completely broken.

Song Wanning failed to achieve an epiphany, losing her first chance to break free of the time-space fragment.

Unaware of this, she shook her groggy head and continued toward the exit of the passage.

Halfway there, she activated a Space Rune. The next instant, she vanished from the passage.

After a brief moment of vertigo, she appeared on the seabed, now some distance away from the passage.

’This is to prevent Mu Zixu from launching a sneak attack. After all, that scoundrel is capable of anything.’

’Vengeful and petty—that’s always been my impression of him.’

Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly despite the risks. In high spirits, Song Wanning began to wander about the seafloor.

A treasure was said to have emerged here, but with so many distinguished seniors present, Song Wanning didn’t think it would fall into her hands. Thus, she felt no pressure.

She was more focused on how to return. After all, invaders were waiting for her to deal with them, and she couldn’t afford to waste too much time here.

...

「For the next ten days」 Song Wanning didn’t encounter a single soul on the seabed. Even the fish seemed to have vanished.

’This is very wrong.’

Then, a day later, she finally spotted a valley in the far distance.

A restrictive barrier covered the underwater valley, and an aura of solemn majesty radiated from it.

She approached cautiously. The valley seemed out of place on the seafloor, yet it was also harmoniously concealed. If not for the shimmering Array Patterns on the barrier above, she would never have noticed it.

Even the Dragon Spirit hadn’t detected any aura, which showed just how powerful the barrier was. ’No wonder I couldn’t get my bearings.’

Song Wanning took out her hairpin and entered the barrier smoothly, just as before. However, the moment she stepped inside, she nearly fell to her knees.

Fortunately, her powerful Divine Soul allowed her to stabilize herself instantly, but her knees remained bent, and she couldn’t straighten up.

’What powerful pressure!’

She furrowed her brow and, after a great deal of effort, finally managed to stand upright and walk toward the heart of the valley.

As she ventured deeper, Song Wanning saw many buildings.

They were arranged in neat rows, building after building.

’This... seems to be the ruins of a sect or clan.’

A flicker of curiosity in her eyes, she began to search among the buildings.

Unfortunately, the buildings had long since been plundered. There was nothing left inside besides furniture.

In some rooms, even the floor had been torn up...

Song Wanning scoffed. ’These people are even more ruthless than I am...’

After searching more than ten buildings and still coming up empty-handed, Song Wanning gave up.

’The Immortals must have already searched this place clean. Why would any treasures be left for me?’

So, she turned her attention to the pavilion in the distance.

The pavilion was exquisitely carved and exuded an air of mystery. It was clearly no ordinary structure. ’The other Immortals are probably there.’