Five days later.
Chu Xuan gazed at the black-red flames before him, a satisfied smile on his face. In these past five days, he had endured the searing pain of the Nether Fire while searching the valley for Nether Fire Crystals. By now, he had collected over thirty of these crystals. Some were even as large as a person!
All of them had been absorbed by the Blood Evil Yin Fire, which had now transformed from its original purple-black color into the present black-red hue.
Chu Xuan took out a mid-grade magic treasure and tossed it into the flames. In just ten breaths of time, the treasure was reduced to molten iron! If it had been a high-grade magic treasure, it would have lasted a bit longer—about twenty more breaths—but the result would have been the same.
Even top-grade magic treasures wouldn't survive long against such flames. Though they wouldn't melt immediately, they would still suffer deep cracks, causing their power to diminish considerably. Very few Nascent Soul cultivators would dare to use such treasures to clash with this kind of fire.
"The Blood Evil Yin Fire has grown far more dangerous than before," Chu Xuan mused. "It now possesses the power to harm both the body and the soul, far surpassing its former capabilities. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator in the later stages would tremble before its burning."
He observed the flames and smiled in satisfaction.
"It's no longer just Blood Evil Yin Fire. It deserves a new name. Born from the Nether Fire Valley, capable of devouring flesh and soul alike…"
After a moment of thought, he declared, "From now on, you shall be called Netherfire Devouring Flame."
The flames roared in response as if acknowledging his words.
Chu Xuan couldn't help but smile. He knew very well that this was merely his wishful thinking. Despite its great power, the Netherfire Devouring Flame was still just a fire—it wouldn't develop intelligence.
In other words, a fire that could develop intelligence, one created from the world's essence, would be far beyond the reach of any Nascent Soul cultivator, let alone himself.
"With my preparations complete, it's time to act."
With a thought, the Netherfire Devouring Flame blazed even hotter, and Chu Xuan felt an unusual coolness wash over him.
The Netherfire Devouring Flame, born in the Nether Fire Valley, surpassed even the flames here in intensity. It was this very power that helped to push back the oppressive heat around him. He was about to stride toward the valley's exit when suddenly, a deafening rumble echoed from deep within the valley. It sounded like a long-dormant giant had finally awakened.
"Netherfire King!" Chu Xuan's gaze sharpened.
Immediately, he thought of the information Yuan Zichu had provided. It was said that there was a Netherfire King in the valley, though it had remained dormant for an unknown period.
He hadn't believed it at first, but now, the truth had been revealed. The Netherfire King had awoken after so long. But why now? It could be because the Deity Transformation cultivator had entered the valley. Or perhaps…
Chu Xuan lowered his gaze to the black-red flames in his hand. It was precisely for the Netherfire Devouring Flame that he had come here! After a brief moment of contemplation, a smile crept onto his face. The awakening of the Netherfire King might actually prove to be a huge boon for him! He could seize this opportunity to blend in with the bandit cultivatorss and infiltrate their ranks undetected.
Chu Xuan swiftly flew toward the edge of the valley. He could sense that at the exits outside the valley, three bandit cultivators were currently in a state of panic. Not only them, but the cultivators guarding the other exits were likely in the same state of disarray.
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He had chosen these three in particular because he had previously noticed that the Nascent Soul cultivator stationed at this exit had a similar build and height to his own. The others guarding the exits were either too tall, too short, too fat, or too thin to match his physique.
The ground rumbled ominously. The Netherfire King was clearly getting closer.
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