Daoist Competition

Having formulated a strategy, True Master Tao did not hesitate. With the aid of the Array Diagram, he teleported himself and Zhang Yan out of the West Divine House, then initiated an Escape Skill to travel eastward. In just an hour, they arrived at a deep pit and cavernous opening.

The two ascended onto a cloud, gazing downward. Zhang Yan pointed below and said, "This is the place."

True Master Tao looked around. The terrain of Divine House Mountain was extremely high, not suitable for establishing an Earth Fire Sky Furnace. However, this spot was a deeply sunken valley, starkly different from the surrounding mountain shapes. Observing the Earth Cave further, it spanned hundreds of acres and was unfathomably deep, seemingly leading to an endless abyss; he praised, "What a natural Creation Land."

Zhang Yan asked, "In the master’s opinion, is this usable?"

True Master Tao used his Mana to capture a wisp of Qi Mechanism, made a slight differentiation, and was pleased, saying, "The earth fire here is already strong, nurtured for at least several decades with superior treasure materials, sufficient to refine this demon."

As this furnace had not been established long, he had initially worried about insufficient firepower, but it now appears there was no need for concern.

Bringing over the Essence Prisoning Pot, he gave it a gentle shake and issued a command. White light floated around him, Spirit Light shot forth, releasing eight White Flood Dragons. They soared skyward, each biting a segment of a remnant body and descended into the Earth Cave.

As they ventured deeper, intense heat began to rise. The White Flood Dragons, formed of essence, were truly hidden within the pot. As long as the pot remained undamaged, they would not be harmed, fearless in the face of earth fire’s sacrificial refinement and smelting, continuing without pause.

However, the Guo Monarch sensed danger, causing the remnant bodies to writhe violently, but the Essence Prison Lock firmly restrained it. Unable to escape the locks or employ Divine Powers, the action was in vain. After a while, he reluctantly ceased struggling.

After more than an hour had passed, they had yet to reach the bottom of the Earth Cave. Meanwhile, the surrounding pit walls glowed a bright red, with the heat surpassing the previous intensity severalfold. Tremendous logs could be seen protruding horizontally from the cave walls, enveloped by countless fire fragments, scattered like stars.

In this area, the White Flood Dragons each clung to a giant log, lying still without movement.

Using the Essence Prisoning Pot, True Master Tao could perceive the situation below and knew all was ready. He said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, might you present the token?"

Zhang Yan produced a talisman, holding it between two fingers, and waved it over the pit. Instantly, it turned to ash and dispersed into the air as a mass of black mist. With a sweep of his sleeve, he captured it, and when he opened his hand, it had condensed into a Prohibition Token.

This Prohibition Token was refined using Qingming Wood Ash during the establishment of the Earth Fire Sky Furnace. It is used to summon earth fire, becoming more vigorous with the strength of the practitioner’s Mana.

True Master Tao made a light gesture to retrieve it, channeling Mana into it to activate the Prohibition immediately.

All around suddenly became silent, with the sound of wind and waves disappearing. After a few breaths, a rumbling sound soon echoed, seemingly nearby yet as if from distant lands. In a moment, the mountain trembled, and the seas shook. After about the time of two incense sticks, smoke rose from the pit, followed by a red glow illuminating the sky. With clouds shrouding the cliff tops and the Four Realms surrounded by steep cliffs, the area soon became like a steaming furnace, filled with heat and mist.

At this moment, the furnace inside was ablaze with vigorous flames. Countless Kunyuan True Fires, hidden deep within the Earth Lungs, were drawn out, continuously incinerating those eight segments of remnant bodies.

The Guo Monarch immediately felt an immense threat, utterly shocked and furious, never imagining he’d fall into such circumstances. Desperately, he stimulated the Essence Blood stored within his Lifebound Primordial Pearl. For each portion of his shell refined away, another would grow, preventing his complete refining.

But this was not a permanent solution; once the Essence Blood dried, he would no longer be able to resist the earth fire’s invasion. Yet trapped here, he had no other recourse, forced to endure patiently, hoping for the timely return of his Lifebound Primordial Pearl, potentially allowing for an escape from death.

Zhang Yan and True Master Tao watched from above for half a day, seeing no disturbances within the Earth Cave. Knowing they’d reached this point, the Guo Monarch could no longer stir up any trouble, they both felt a slight ease of mind.

True Master Tao then remarked, "Guo Monarch is an Ancient Sky Demon. Since he has entered the Earth Furnace, it would be a waste not to use this excellent treasure material."

He raised his sleeve, reaching inside to bring out a piece of Jade Bamboo, opened its seal, and gently tilted it to one side. A trickle of seven-colored powder quietly flowed out. Having let out only a few ounces, he quickly stopped it, placing it back into his sleeve.

Zhang Yan, seeing him take such precautions, couldn’t help but ask with curiosity, "Might I ask, True Master, what is this substance?"

True Master Tao replied, "This is a fist-sized Seven-Colored Rainbow Crystal I obtained from the Immortal Mansion. I can’t determine its origins, possibly not of the Nine Provinces. When refining treasures, scraping off a thin layer to add to the furnace can enhance its spiritual properties and elevate its quality. On this trip, I specifically brought some along, with the intent to exchange with fellow Daoists for other treasure materials. Didn’t expect to use it here."