Chapter 304: Chapter 249: Exploring, Discovery
On the west side of Burning Ridge, on a low slope, Su Yuan stepped in. He had truly entered the realm of Burning Ridge.
“This dark energy, like ashes, seems to increase the activity of the Star Power within my body?”
Su Yuan was extremely sensitive to the Star Power. Even though the black ashes at the edge of Burning Ridge were sparse, he immediately felt the Star Power within him become a bit more active than usual.
With higher Star Power activity, the flow of Star Power was faster. Thus, refining Heaven and Earth Star Power would naturally be quicker.
“But this energy is highly fiery. At this concentration, it’s nothing. If the concentration is too high, it might cause burns…”
Su Yuan proceeded cautiously, while deep in thought.
The map drawn by Yang Yifeng was rather abstract. Although it pointed to a general area, it was not very precise.
However, Su Yuan speculated that this unique black ash-like energy on Burning Ridge might be related to the Undead Evil Fire.
According to his teacher, though the Undead Evil Fire hadn’t been around for long, these black ashes had existed prior.
There was a strong possibility that they shared the same origin or that the Undead Evil Fire was the evolved, sublimated result of these black ashes.
To give birth to the Divine Fire, one would need an astonishing amount of energy.
Such thin black ashes weren’t enough. If they shared the same origin, then where the Undead Evil Fire resided would certainly have a massive, ultra-high concentration of these gray ashes.
“So, I just need to search towards places with a higher concentration of these black ashes…” Su Yuan pondered, looking into the distance. “Although it appears that the ash concentration deeper in Burning Ridge is much higher than at the edge, it still seems insufficient to nurture a Divine Fire.”
Su Yuan furrowed his brows slightly. To nurture a Divine Fire, a type of Heaven and Earth Treasure, the right time, place, energy, and opportunity were all essential.
If his teacher hadn’t mentioned the Undead Evil Fire existing here, Su Yuan would never have believed that there could be a Divine Fire here.
Not just Su Yuan; others would likely be unable to perceive it either.
The birth of a Divine Fire would be earthshattering, a heavenly phenomenon.
While this place had this ash energy, there were too many areas on Hailan Star with bizarre energies; this was hardly remarkable.
For Lower Third-level, or even Shining Star-level Star Beasts, these ash energies could aid in cultivation. But for Star Beasts of Radiant Moon or Burning Sun level, the assistance was negligible…
“No use overthinking. First, let’s search in places with a higher concentration.” Su Yuan looked at Ruan Ruan and instructed, “Ruan Ruan, transform into a bracelet. Stay alert from now on, and communicate with me through thoughts.”
“Okay!”
Ruan Ruan responded excitedly, knowing that the adventure was about to begin. Transforming into a blue bracelet, it wrapped around Su Yuan’s left wrist.
With a thought, Su Yuan carefully proceeded forward.
…
Somewhere within Burning Ridge, in a seemingly closed space resembling an underground cave.
A pale-faced youth with long black hair, looking malnourished, walked slowly forward.
Suddenly, the youth seemed to sense something.
“Coming again?”
The long-haired youth grinned, turning his head towards a distant fork.
Soon, the sounds of incoming waves grew nearer.
However, it wasn’t sea waves but a tide of pitch-black, almost solidifying ashes!
These black ashes, unlike those outside, emitted bright black light, looking like black stars in this dim place, with energy concentrated a hundred times more than outside!
Such a terrifying energy conglomerate could incinerate a Gold Level being into ashes in the blink of an eye!
However, the long-haired youth remained unfazed, even spreading his arms as though to welcome it.
The tide of ashes didn’t go easy on him, roaring as it washed over him.
As the tide of ashes impacted his body, one could faintly see, through the exposed skin of the long-haired youth, red lines-like marks appearing on his body. A peculiar force filled his body.
Moments later, the tide of ashes passed entirely, and the long-haired youth turned around, surprisingly unscathed. His clothes weren’t even slightly damaged!
“Such special fire energy…” The long-haired youth turned to look at the black torrent with a hint of interest in his eyes. “This time, it’s stronger. Has it reached Gold Level?”
As soon as he spoke, a roar emanated from the black-gray torrent, coalescing into a sturdy Purple-eyed Barbaric Bull!
This Barbaric Bull was entirely pitch black. Even its large purple eyes contained quietly burning black evil flames.
Its aura was immensely powerful; it had reached Gold Level, mid-stage!
“Good!” The long-haired youth licked his lips. “This place is truly a treasure for me!”
“Moo!”
The Barbaric Bull, upon fully materializing, had purple-black flames igniting on its horns. With a furious stomp, it charged violently towards the long-haired youth.
The long-haired youth revealed a cold smile, opening his right hand. Along with a powerful Star Power of Gold Level, a peculiar force filled his palm. Without evading, he struck towards the incoming Purple-eyed Barbaric Bull!
In an instant, they collided. The long-haired youth’s precise strike landed on the bull’s forehead, right between its horns!
The Barbaric Bull’s strength was immense. The long-haired youth was pushed back several steps, but with a sudden stomp, he stabilized.
The long-haired youth grinned, “Trying to win with brute force, such a lowly Star Beast instinct…”
Feeling the contempt, the already furious Barbaric Bull grew even angrier. A large amount of blackened Star Power poured out, aiming to crash stronger into the human before it.
But as soon as the Star Power surged, it seemingly lost its force, receding and dispersing into the air.
Upon closer inspection, a peculiar energy waved from the long-haired youth’s right hand to the Barbaric Bull, crazily absorbing its heat.
The Barbaric Bull was formed from this ash energy. Now, as the energy was absorbed by the youth’s right hand, it visibly weakened.
“Moo, moo!”
The Barbaric Bull roared, attempting to break free from the youth’s grasp but failed.
Within a few seconds, its pitch-black body turned grayish-white, eventually exploding into a pile of ashes.
Meanwhile, the red patterns on the long-haired youth’s body became noticeably brighter!
“What a great supplement… Unexpectedly stumbled into a place perfectly suited for me. Soon, I will enter Bright Star. Once back, I will surely be selected!”
A burning intensity surged in the long-haired youth’s eyes. Smiling with curled lips, he ventured deeper.
…
A few days later, in a hidden cave in the eastern region of Burning Ridge.
Su Yuan sat cross-legged, silver patterns in his eyes lit up, looking in a certain direction.
Through the far-sighted ability of All-Knowing Vision, Su Yuan saw a valley surrounded by mountains.
Right now, a group of Star Beasts was orderly gathered in front of a massive stone gate in the valley.
Although the stone gate was crude, it bore the seal of a Shining Star-level Demon Beast.
The Star Beasts in the valley ranged from Gold Level to Silver Stage, mainly bovine and fox clans.
Between these Lower Third-level Star Beasts and the stone gate were two semi-human Star Beasts.
One was a bull-horned man with two black horns; the other, a cool fox-tailed young woman with five beautiful red fox tails.
From their features and powerful auras, both had reached Shining Star Level!
At this moment, the Star Beasts below eagerly watched the two Demon Beasts.
“Sister Li, isn’t it about time?” the bull-horned man asked, arms crossed.
The fox-tailed young woman closed her eyes. Red flames slightly swirled around her five tails, then she shook her head. “Wait a bit longer. It’s not time yet.”
The bull-horned man nodded, pondering aloud, “No idea what’s happening. The ash concentration below keeps increasing over the years. Shall we explore deeper sometime?”
“Maybe later. I’m at a critical point in my cultivation and nearing the Intermediate Stage.”
The fox-tailed young woman’s gaze fell on a three-tailed golden-eyed fox among the golden beasts ahead.
The fox’s red fur had bright golden strands, clearly extraordinary.
“Oh?” The bull-horned man, missing her glance, smiled. “Good news! If you break through, our say in Black Wood Valley’s next gathering might advance.”
The fox-tailed young woman replied, “Let’s hope so.”
…
In the cave, spying afar, Su Yuan had some speculation.
“It seems the Evil Fire is there.” Su Yuan’s eyes reflected thought.
A day before, Su Yuan had almost searched the entire Burning Ridge without finding any trace of the Divine Fire.
As anticipated, places of high ash energy concentration were also missing.
Su Yuan thought that it must be somewhere unseen or unperceivable, like underground.
If it was underground, ordinary people could do nothing.
But with his All-Knowing Vision, Su Yuan could try using its X-ray and far-sighted abilities to explore inch by inch.
Though a brute method, avoiding alarming Shining Star-level Demon Beasts, it was the best way, costing only extra time and Star Power.
Besides, Ruan Ruan had devoured the Sea Soul Tree’s Star Core, gaining the Master Level “Guardian of the Sea Soul,” an effective energy source.
Sadly, “Plunder” from Devouring Law couldn’t boost extra skills. “Guardian of the Sea Soul” and “Three Heads and Six Arms,” two Epic Skills, required self-cultivation.
As for Giantification, Regeneration, and Shape-shift, the Master Slime’s skills were raised to Perfect Level with accumulated Star Dust.
Making progress, during an underground search, Su Yuan found the valley activity and the stone gate.
The stone gate, crafted by a Shining Star-level Demon Beast, bore some seals but didn’t block Su Yuan’s Master Level All-Knowing Vision.
Beyond the gate, Su Yuan saw a tunnel extending deep underground, its end out of All-Knowing Vision’s far-sight reach.
Su Yuan already suspected the Undead Evil Fire being underground, so the tunnel matched his hypothesis.
“So, how to enter…”
Su Yuan’s silver eyes brightened, watching the valley.
At this moment, activity arose in the valley, signaling time…