Immortality Cultivation

Chapter 246: Success

Beside the Geothermal Spring, Fang Hao sat there, unaware of how much time had passed. He looked as if he had just been fished out of magma; his skin was as crimson as blood, covered in fine, dense cracks like those found on crazed porcelain. Deep within those cracks, a dim red firelight flickered faintly. Wisps of white steam rose from the top of his head, twisting and dissipating in the high heat. His eyes were tightly shut, his teeth clenched, and the muscles on his face twitched slightly from the extreme agony. His sweat had long since dried up, making him look like a statue being forged in a blazing fire.

The cultivation of "Earth Fire Burning Body" was more painful and far more dangerous than "Lightning Induction Body Tempering." The power of thunder was fierce and violent, coming and going quickly; though painful, once it passed, it was a form of tempering. This Earth Fire Power, however, was like a maggot in one’s bones—sinister, soft, and lingering. it seeped into the body through every pore and meridian, then slowly and relentlessly burned and roasted every inch of flesh, bone, and even internal organs from the inside out!

At the beginning, Fang Hao had only guided a tiny wisp of Earth Fire Power into his body, yet the pain was so intense he nearly fainted. As he circulated his Cultivation Technique and adapted to that sliver of pain, he only then dared to slowly increase his intake of Earth Fire Power. The entire process was like walking a tightrope; the slightest carelessness would cause the earth fire to spiral out of control, incinerating him into charcoal from within.

Relying on the resilient will he had forged during the "war soul" trial, as well as the Chaos Derivation Art’s powerful capacity for containment and control, he gritted his teeth and guided the increasingly hot and pure Earth Fire Power through countless Great Circulations within his body.

Wherever the earth fire passed, the originally fragile Meridians were repeatedly scorched and widened, becoming tougher and capable of containing even more violent spiritual energy. His bones emitted an overburdened "crackling" sound under the high temperature, but their internal structure became denser and stronger, faintly shimmering with a jade-like luster. Impurities within his flesh were refined and expelled bit by bit, leaving it purer and full of vitality, greatly enhancing his ability to conduct and withstand power.

More importantly, his Physical Body seemed to be adapting to—and even... absorbing and merging with—this sliver of Earth Fire Power! The bronze luster beneath his skin gradually took on a layer of dark red, with faint flame patterns emerging. Within his Dantian, that Seven-Colored Golden Core also seemed to become a bit more solid and scorching under the nourishment of the dense earth fire spiritual energy.

An unknown amount of time passed—perhaps three days, perhaps five. When Fang Hao felt that he was nearly numb to the scalding spring water around him and that the Earth Fire Power flowing through his body was as easy to command as his own fingers, he knew the most critical moment had arrived.

"Earth Fire Burning Body, forging bones and melting gold, Condense for me!"

He let out a low growl in his heart, activating the final Hand Seal of the second layer of the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Art! In an instant, all the Earth Fire Power circulating within him surged violently toward his limbs, bones, internal organs, and the deepest depths of every inch of flesh and bone! It was no longer gentle, but like a bursting flood, violently penetrating and merging!

"Roar—!"

Fang Hao let out an irrepressible low growl of pain. The crimson cracks on his body’s surface expanded abruptly, as if he were about to split apart! Dark red flames actually erupted from the cracks on his body, enveloping him in a thin, flickering layer of dark red fire! The temperature of the flames was extremely high, causing the spring water beneath him to sizzle and evaporate into a massive cloud of white mist.

This was the sign that "Earth Fire Burning Body" was reaching Major Achievement! The Earth Fire Power had completely merged with his Physical Body from the inside out, granting his body the preliminary ability to manipulate and even unleash the power of earth fire!

However, this process was also the most dangerous. If he failed to control it, these externalized flames would backfire and truly burn him to nothingness.

Fang Hao focused his mind on his Spiritual Terrace, using his will to death-grip that violent Earth Fire Power, guiding it along the path of the Cultivation Technique for the final cycle and stabilization within his body. He felt as though his consciousness was also becoming more refined and pure under the scorching of these flames.

Time passed bit by bit. The dark red flames erupting from his body gradually became docile and restrained, finally shrinking back and re-entering the cracks in his skin. Those crimson cracks also healed and vanished at a speed visible to the naked eye once the flames were drawn back. In their place was a healthier bronze skin full of power and aesthetic beauty; beneath the skin, a dark red radiance flowed faintly, as if containing the power of a volcano.

When the last wisp of flame had completely merged into his body, Fang Hao snapped his eyes open! Within his eyes, two tiny dark red sparks flashed and vanished!

He rose to his full height, bare-chested, standing in the scalding spring water. The water was still scorching, but now it only felt warm and comfortable against his skin, with none of the previous stinging pain. He clenched his fists, feeling the surging, seemingly inexhaustible power within him, as well as that scorching energy that was perfectly merged with his Physical Body and as easy to use as his own limbs.

"The second layer of the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Art—Earth Fire Burning Body—is complete!"

A hearty and confident smile appeared on Fang Hao’s face. He could clearly feel that his physical strength had increased by at least thirty percent compared to before his cultivation! His power, speed, defense, and especially his resistance to fire and high temperatures had all reached a completely new level. He was now confident that he could take on a Late Golden Core Stage Cultivator with just his Physical Body without falling into a disadvantage! Furthermore, he now possessed the preliminary ability to manipulate Earth Fire Power; though it was still quite rudimentary, its power would definitely be greatly increased when paired with the Earth Core Flame Fire.

With a thought, he pointed his right fingers together, and with a "poof," a cluster of dark red, extremely high-temperature flames ignited at his fingertips. This flame was different from the pale purple of the Earth Core Flame Fire; it was more restrained and scorching, carrying the heaviness and explosiveness of the deep earth.

"Not bad!" Fang Hao nodded with satisfaction and dispersed the flames. This "Earth Fire Power" could serve as a new means of attack and defense, and since its attributes were similar to the Earth Core Flame Fire, he might be able to attempt a Fusion of the two to produce even greater power.

He leaped out of the spring, circulated his spiritual energy to instantly dry the moisture on his body, and changed into a clean set of black clothes. His temperament also seemed to have undergone a slight change, losing some of its previous etherealness and gaining a mountain-like stability and a faint, scorching aura.

"It’s time to go test my current strength." Fang Hao’s gaze once again turned toward the northeast, toward that terrifying pure white Earth Fire Pit. The fourth battle heaven axe fragment was still there. Previously, he hadn’t dared to approach, but now that he had mastered "Earth Fire Burning Body," his body’s fire resistance had greatly increased, and his control over flames was unlike anything before. Perhaps... he could give it a try?

Furthermore, he had a faint feeling that the terrifying Fire Creature within that Earth Fire Pit might not be impossible to deal with. Now that Earth Fire Burning Body was complete, his understanding of and resistance to fire had reached a new height; combined with the Earth Core Flame Fire and his preliminary control over Earth Fire Power, he might just have a fighting chance. Even if he couldn’t win, his certainty of protecting himself and escaping was much higher.

Of course, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to charge in and fight head-on. He had to find a way to win through wit.

He took out the star evolution plate again and carefully sensed the location of the fragment and the energy fluctuations of the Earth Fire Pit. Within his mind, a bold plan gradually took shape.

"Since you’re so sensitive to fire... then I’ll use fire to meet you!" A sharp light flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes. He no longer hesitated, and with a movement of his body, he once again began to stealthily head toward the Earth Fire Pit. This time, his steps were steady and full of confidence.

The confidence brought by his increased strength gave him the courage to face dangers that he previously could only flee from. This journey through the Savage Secret Realm was far from over, and he, Fang Hao, would continue to temper himself in this furnace where danger and opportunity coexisted, moving step by step toward even greater goals.