Chapter 905 - 689: Deadly Divine Eagle
Such acts of robbery and murder are common at the edges of the Southern Wilderness, and no one investigates deeply.
This is not Shen Xuan’s first time taking action.
These days, he has been lingering in this area, precisely to prepare several identities for easier maneuvering.
The identity "Shen Yan," if someone truly investigates, can still be traced back to his true self from the Golden Sun Sect.
An identity as a native "Qin Country Cultivator" is much safer.
This is also the reason he politely declined Yang Yunzhao’s companionship.
He not only wanted to sever ties completely with the Yang Family of Siming Mountain,
he also needed to completely sever ties with the identity of "True Master Profound Ice Shen Xuan from Song Country."
Only then can he act freely in the realm of Qin Country, without so many concerns.
...
Ten days later.
Shen Xuan had already changed his appearance, entering Mingyan Immortal City as "Guo Shiyan."
This majestic city perched atop the towering Mingyan Mountain is the fundamental stronghold of the Bright Flame Sect.
The city is built along the mountain, with halls and towers aligned, stretching over hundreds of miles.
Deep underground, a Tier Three Upper Grade fire Spirit Vein tirelessly absorbs and exudes pure Spiritual Qi, nourishing four to five thousand cultivators within the city.
Compared to Song Country, the Qin Country’s territory is more vast, but its population is sparse; such a scale of an Immortal City is already uncommon.
After entering the city, Shen Xuan did not rush into action.
He first settled at an inn run by the sect, spending several days quietly gathering information from all directions.
Upon confirming the "Guo Family of Flying Eagle Ridge" as merely an ordinary Foundation Establishment clan without strong connections within the Immortal City, Shen Xuan felt relieved.
Afterward, he went to the city affairs office to register and rent a second-class mansion under the name Guo Shiyan.
This is generally a standard configuration for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
With three Nascent Soul True Monarchs stationed in the Bright Flame Sect, the Immortal City’s security under the mountain is strict, and safety is quite assured, which is a significant reason for Shen Xuan choosing this place.
The mansion is located in a relatively quiet area on the western side of the Immortal City.
Entering the grounds, the courtyard is about three hundred square meters, not particularly spacious, but laid out intricately.
It includes a bedroom, reception hall, and kitchen—everything is complete.
Outside the core practice room, a set of Tier Two Upper Grade restrictive arrays is installed, effectively isolating Divine Sense probing from the outside.
Overall, the rental price for cave mansions in Mingyan Immortal City is high, but it is indeed worth the value.
Once inside the practice room, Shen Xuan did not pause.
He personally arranged an additional Tier Three Spirit Gathering Array inside the room, embedding several Upper Grade fire Spirit Stones.
With the array in operation, the fire attribute Spiritual Qi inside the room instantly intensified several times, transforming into a faint red mist that permeated the space, sufficient for his regular cultivation needs.
At this moment, the Ice Technique Golden Core within him remained sealed.
Even so, the powerful physique of a Divine Power Realm Body Refining Master can be activated at any time.
Moreover, his fire technique Foundation Establishment strength is enough to counter ordinary early-stage True Pill cultivators.
Even for a Nascent Soul True Monarch, it would be difficult to see through his true situation from thirty feet away.
In general, not unsealing the Ice Technique Golden Core does not pose any danger.
Having settled in and eliminated hidden dangers,
Shen Xuan then completely calmed down within this small second-class mansion in Mingyan Immortal City, embarking on focused and diligent cultivation.
...
Two years later.
Inside the practice room, red spiritual mist swirled around.
Shen Xuan slowly opened his eyes, the fire-element Spiritual Power around him gradually calming.
The last piece of True Master Yanghuo’s Golden Core in his hand was thoroughly refined.
With a slight movement of his mind, the golden characters of the Mysterious Jade Talisman floated before his eyes:
[Lifespan: 226/890]
[Dao Rhyme: 2687756]
[Nine Revolutions Fiery Sun Technique Great Success (1600/1600)]
[Pure Yang True Flame Formula Great Success (1600/1600)]
The progress bars of [Nine Revolutions Fiery Sun Technique] and [Pure Yang True Flame Formula] remained unmoving, stalled at the "Great Success" Realm, unable to advance further.
Shen Xuan fell into contemplation.
Refining True Master Yanghuo’s Golden Core did indeed increase his comprehension of fire techniques, and his Dao Rhyme Points steadily climbed.
Yet this accumulation seemed to have not yet touched the barrier of transformation.
"Ultimately, it still lacks something,"
he sighed softly.
Compared to True Master Primordial Fire’s Golden Core, the effect of this Yanghuo True Master’s Golden Core was only about thirty percent.
The essence of the fire-element truth and source power contained within was far too thin.
"No rush,"
Shen Xuan quickly calmed his mind.
This time, in forming the fire technique Golden Core, he has ambitions of grandeur, determined to forge an Upper Grade Golden Core.
Finally, a Primordial Golden Core.
The last time he formed the Ice Technique Golden Core, forced by circumstances, he did it hastily, achieving only a lower grade.
Later, relying on the Nine-Colored Treasure Lotus, he spent immense effort to gradually purify it to Primordial quality.
Now with abundant lifespan, residing in Mingyan Immortal City untethered, without favors or grudges, it is the best time to focus on refining and solidifying his foundation.
"Perhaps I’ve experienced too few battles,"
he suddenly realized a problem.
Since practicing fire techniques, he has fought with them very seldom.
Any occasional action relied on body refining power or ice techniques to defeat the enemy.
This kind of "one-sided development" is actually detrimental to thoroughly understanding and integrating the essence of fire.
On the path of cultivation, closed-door practice is important, but fights that walk the line between life and death often more readily inspire potential, illuminating one’s true nature in dire situations, unlocking barriers.
"Time to go out. Find opportunities to engage in real battles using these fire techniques."
Shen Xuan pondered to himself.
With a wave of his hand, he took out a large heap of loose materials from his Storage Pouch.
Among them were refined lightweight wood, flowing pattern iron, and several specially made spirit crystals and talisman components.
His ten fingers moved as swiftly as the wind, strands of Spiritual Light flicking from his fingertips, landing accurately within the materials.
The components seemed as if manipulated by invisible hands, floating, assembling, and integrating on their own.
In just a brief moment, a delicately formed puppet appeared in his hand.