Ch 4 - The All Things Melting Flame Cauldron

The Nine Flames Fire Tower was subdivided into nine layers, and each layer had a distinct

function. The First Layer was the area for refining the origin fluid. The reputed origin fluid was

regarded as the Spirit Liquid of all origins. All existing things that had spirituality could be refined

into the origin fluid through the Fire Cauldron.

The origin fluids also had various levels which were further divided into different volumes,

depending on their quantity. The more one consumed, the more strength one could develop by

ingesting the origin fluid.

It could be said that if one was at the stage where there was no impediment but merely a phase

where the accumulated energy would pass through within one's body, then the origin fluid's

strength refined through the Fire Cauldron would rapidly soar.

Apart from the Fire Cauldron, one would also have to attain the Exotic Flame first to refine the

origin fluid.

However, the mortal fires attained by regular Warriors didn't have adequate power. So for them

to produce a solid and unassailable Exotic Flame, they had to manipulate all kinds of

extraordinary techniques.

However, there was a series of magic spells hidden inside the Fire Cauldron. As long as one

had adequate fire elemental heaven and earth Spirit Creatures, one could readily cultivate

powerful Exotic Flames through these spells.

The Exotic Flames that could be cultivated all differed considerably, and the things that could be

refined varied as well. However, it would be improbable to refine some powerful spiritual objects

if the grade of the Exotic Flame wasn't high enough.

In addition to improving one's strength, the origin fluid also had another function. Its energy had

the ability to open the second, third, and even the seventh level of the Nine Flames Fire Tower.

Even after opening these levels, one would still need the origin fluid to increase the activity rate

within a particular level.

For example, the data stored in his subconscious revealed that the second level was a Spirit

Spring. Immersing one's body in it could enhance one's talent. But the newly-opened second

level had limited qualifications. Billy reckoned that it was unlikely for someone to advance

from the Lower-class Aptitude to the Medium-class Aptitude.

To stimulate one's potential to a higher level, the first step was to upgrade the Spirit Spring. As

long as there were enough origin fluids, the Spirit Spring's highest grade in the future could

effectively transform an ordinary person into a heaven-defying existence.

However, the energy required to carry out such an action was too great. There was no way one

could search the entire Desolate Continent.

Billy wasn't too inclined about this as his present level was too low. The Nine Flames Fire

Tower had absorbed all of his internal energy, and he wasn't even a Mortal-rank holder.

However, he wanted to reach the Spirit Spring's highest level, which was far beyond his reach

now. He lacked the confidence to reach it in this lifetime.

Billy's primary goal at this point was to break through to the Human Rank. In no time, he

stepped forward and reached out his hand to touch the Fire Cauldron. The cauldron's body was

bronze-colored, and it exuded a primordial aura. The Fire Cauldron, which was born within the

greatest treasure of the Great Path, had been around for generations.

The moment Billy laid a finger on the cauldron, a substantial amount of knowledge rushed

into his mind. Although this knowledge's magnitude wasn't as much as what he had previously

encountered, it was still quite a lot for him to absorb.

Billy gritted his teeth and kept going as he endured the deluge of information. He anxiously

bit his lips until it bled. Despite the blood dripping down his mouth, he didn't care much about it.

Blue veins popped out on his forehead, and beads of sweat trickled down his brows. His clothes

that had already dried up earlier were once again drenched with sweat.

If it was the former Billy who was absorbing so much knowledge, he might already have

fainted to the ground. But after experiencing the same data overload, his willpower and mental

strength had slightly gone up a notch. Even though it was hard, it wasn't to the point where he

would pass out.

After about seven minutes, Billy finally regained his strength.

"This is interesting. The Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art is the method for attaining powerful

spells requiring the Exotic Flame."

"Let's see. So the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art has ten levels, and its first level is the

foundation. It can be used to create mortal fires, and using the natural Spirit Creatures' fire

element won't be necessary for it to succeed."

"So that's how it works. One will only be considered to have crossed the threshold of the Exotic

Flame after successfully cultivating the second level."

"The Jade Fire is on the next level, the third level is the Blue Tide Profound Flame. Woah! The

Jade Fire's power is too strong since it can actually burn Vital Spirits! Does this mean that even

with the direct attack of the enemy's Vital Spirit, it can still refine and restore itself?"

"No, I don't think it could be this easy and unconventional. There must be restrictions.

Unfortunately, I won't really know until I get to the second level."

"Moreover, only Mystic Rank warriors are able to produce Vital Spirits. It's too far-reaching and

obscure for me to reach at this point."

Billy tried toning down his excitement. Although he was bent on reaching there

immediately, he knew the timing wasn't right yet. He went on to search his brain to get more

useful insights from his newly acquired knowledge.

"Skyfire Seal? Skyfire Battle Body? Skyfire Battle Fist? Sky Fire Armor?"

"These are all astounding combat techniques! It's just a shame that all of these necessitates one

to break through to the Human Rank first before they could be mastered! It's such a pity!"

Billy shook his head and decided to briefly set aside his plans to train for these skills.

...

Meantime, Alan shrugged off the thought that crossed his mind and went back to his room.

With Billy now alone, there was suddenly a sour odor in the air.

"It stinks so bad! Where's that stench coming from? Pfft! Is that my own body odor? It must have

come from my excessive sweating that soaked through my clothing when I endured those

memories. Woah! It smells nasty. Was I sweating out that much?" Billy rose immediately

and fetched some water to wash himself although it was already late into the night.

Since Billy was a young master, several maids and servants should have been entrusted to

him. However, as he still hadn't attained his Internal Strength because of the Nine Flames Fire

Tower, he was treated like a worthless person with a bleak future. So the family didn't provide

him any servants. The best they could come up with was to treat him with enough decency.

After washing the pungent odor off his entire body, Billy went back to his room and sat

cross-legged on the bed.

"Now that the Nine Flames Fire Tower has been activated, I no longer need to absorb my

Internal Strength. With my Lower-class Fourth-level Aptitude, I'm already at the top of the Third

Grade Lower-class. One night is more than enough for me to attain a lot of Internal Strengths."

He worked quietly using the Alexei family's basic techniques. It wasn't long before he produced

Internal Strength, which was then stored in his energy center.

If the current Billy used the Basic Fist Technique, Basic Leg Technique, and even the Claw

Condensation Technique, his final power would be indestructible.

After three years of training, Billy was no longer a novice. He had now succeeded in

gaining over ten times the Internal Strength of a beginner.

"The Mortal-rank Warriors aren't precisely as divided as the Human Rank Warriors. While the

latter have at least Twelve stars, the Mortal-rank Warriors only have the Early, Mid, and Late

Periods."

"Meanwhile, for the Early Period of Mortal Rank, the Internal Strength generated inside one's

body will gradually grow until it causes one to break through to one of eight levels. By then, the

warrior can enter the Middle Period of Mortal Rank."

"If all eight levels are passed, I will reach the advanced Middle Period of Mortal Rank. Next, I'll

have to condense the Internal Strength until it converts into a True Strength. Afterward, I can

generate attributes before ultimately reaching the superior Late Period of Mortal Rank."

"After that, once all twelve meridians opened up, I can strongly infiltrate the Human Rank!"

"After three years, I have become more proficient with the level of Early Period of Mortal Rank. If

I continue at this pace, I will be able to advance to the first level in a month or so!"

"The Mid Mortal-rank is the most difficult, and it also takes the longest time to attain."

"Once I've attained these Internal Strengths, I can practice the Art of Nine Flames and Strange

Fire. Once I reach the First Layer, I can try to refine some spiritual objects and turn them into

origin fluids. By that time, I should be able to easily make it to the Mid Period."