novellhall Chapter 101 The Mountain of Flames
Chapter 101 The Mountain of Flames
Chapter 101 The Mountain of Blazing Fire (6000 words to pay off debts)
The first trial, "The Abyss of Weak Water: Soul and Spirit," has been completed.
[Rating calculation in progress————]
[Basic requirement: Crossing the Weak Water — Completed!]
[Hidden Challenge: Venture deep into the depths of the Weak Water and defeat the guardian's will — Complete!]
Overall Rating: Excellent
You have received the following rewards:
[Soul strength permanently increased by 15%, Willpower attribute +1]
【Kunlun Spiritual Essence x5 (Special resource, can be used to unlock subsequent trials or exchange for rewards)】
[Weak Water Enlightenment (Special Status): Your resistance to soul-type attacks is greatly increased, and you can begin to sense the strength of other people's souls.]
[Should I immediately challenge the second trial, "Mountain of Flames: Burning and Resting"?]
"yes!"
You have entered the second trial: the Mountain of Flames.
[Trial Content: Ascend to the Mountain Summit]
[Warning: The flames in this realm are no ordinary fire, but "Heart Flame," capable of burning blood, consuming life force, and forging muscles and bones. Those with weak will will be burned away from the inside out by the Heart Flame.]
[Note: This trial will test your physical foundation, vital energy, and resilience; your soul power will be suppressed.]
The dark and desolate abyss of the Weak Water was instantly replaced by intense heat.
Lu Qingfeng is currently standing on a scorched and cracked piece of land, the soil beneath his feet is scalding hot, and distorted heat waves are rising from it.
Looking up, there is a majestic volcano in front of you. The mountain is dark red and its surface is covered with lava cracks. Hot magma flows and pulsates slowly on the surface of the mountain.
The crater spewed forth towering crimson-gold flames, illuminating the grey-red sky as if it were a purgatory.
The air was thick with the smell of sulfur and burning; with each breath, the scalding air burned through my trachea.
"A test of physical strength?"
Isn't this a complete welfare level? Lu Qingfeng couldn't help but curl up his lips. In terms of pure physical strength, he could say that he was second to none.
However, his soul power was indeed suppressed. He only needed to sense it slightly to find that his divine sense was indeed suppressed by the omnipresent scorching force field, as the prompt had said, and its flow was sluggish.
Conversely, the abundant blood and qi within the body are unusually active, as if stimulated by the environment, accelerating their flow through the meridians and emitting a scorching aura.
"Wow, the effect is so good? Then, can this flame be used to temper the body?"
With a spirit of practice, Lu Qingfeng moved forward.
With each step, the soles of the shoes instantly radiated intense heat, but the terrifying defense provided by the steel body and the high resistance of various abilities to energy erosion made this heat feel like a mere scratch.
The heatwave materialized into a tangible impact, carrying the characteristics of a burning will, attempting to penetrate Lu Qingfeng's pores, ignite his blood and qi, and roast his internal organs.
[Warning: You are being infected with "cardiac inflammation"!]
[Physical fitness test in progress — Test passed!]
[The Qi and Blood Furnace is in operation, increasing Qi and Blood activity and improving the absorption and conversion rate of erosive energy!]
The effects of the Heartfire Corrosion have been significantly weakened; some of the energy has been converted into nutrients to nourish the body by the Blood Furnace.
Lu Qingfeng felt his skin slightly hot and his blood and qi slightly fluctuated, but then it returned to normal and even became more condensed.
The Heart Flame, which terrifies ordinary people and burns away life force, is only fit to be compared to bathwater on his body, which has undergone countless temperings and stepped into the realm of the extraordinary.
"this one?"
After figuring out the general situation here, Lu Qingfeng decided to quickly advance his score, not wanting to waste any more time, as the flames here were not effective for tempering.
A meteor streaked across the sky! Lu Qingfeng's figure instantly became like a crimson meteor, rushing against the raging heat towards the mountainside of the volcano!
Along the way, scorching lava flows erupted from the ground from time to time, and burning meteorites rained down from the sky.
The lava splashed onto his body, but only made a "sizzling" sound. It couldn't even burn the outermost layer of skin, leaving only faint white marks that disappeared in the blink of an eye.
[You have been subjected to the scorching heat of lava; a combined assessment of physical defense and fire resistance—a complete saving throw!]
[You were struck by the Heartfire Stone. Your constitution and energy resistance are combined—a complete immunity!]
[The Qi and Blood Furnace continues to operate, rapidly replenishing itself from minor losses —]
This wasn't a trial at all; it was more like a warm-up exercise tailor-made for him.
However, the higher he went, the stronger the Heart Flame became.
On the mountainside, the flames were no longer crimson, but gradually turned golden-white, the temperature rose sharply, and the air was so distorted that it was almost impossible to see.
The heart fire here has already caused Lu Qingfeng's blood and qi to boil slightly, and his body surface has begun to glow with a dark red light that resists the high temperature.
"This is getting interesting."
Lu Qingfeng stopped, took a deep breath of the scorching hot air, and meticulously regulated his blood and qi, attempting to analyze and absorb the purer Heart Flame power.
Can Qi and blood really have such powerful effects?
Dark gold patterns are subtly visible beneath the skin, and the barrier effect ensures that the heart inflammation cannot cause any control or stiffness.
In Lu Qingfeng's hands, the vast Qi and blood flowed as easily as an limb, forming a continuously circulating protective membrane on the body's surface. This membrane absorbed the golden-white heart flames, which were then crushed and purified in the Qi and blood furnace, transforming them into the purest life energy to nourish the physical body.
About an incense stick later, Lu Qingfeng opened his eyes. A flash of fire seemed to appear in his eyes. His physical strength had increased slightly, making him more adaptable to high temperatures and flames, and his blood and qi had become more powerful.
"continue."
He took another step, his speed undiminished, and headed straight for the summit.
On the final path to the summit, the Heart Flame had transformed into pure gold, solidified like liquid, flowing slowly in the air. Its temperature was so high that it could instantly vaporize ordinary steel, and even the space itself rippled slightly under this extreme heat.
The intense heat here finally made Lu Qingfeng feel the pressure.
The golden heart flame is all-pervasive; even with a protective membrane of qi and blood and an extraordinary physique, a slight burning pain still occurs, and the rate at which qi and blood are consumed accelerates significantly.
What's more troublesome is that the will to "extinguish life" contained within the heart flame has become extremely strong, constantly impacting his spirit and attempting to ignite the heart flame and cause him to self-immolate.
[The intensity of carditis erosion has reached its peak!]
[Comprehensive resistance assessment in progress — Assessment passed! Partial erosion effect is now in effect!]
[Current Health: 99.7% (Minor burn, recovering)]
[Willpower test in progress — Test passed! Willpower interference by carditis was ineffective!]
"That's more like it."
Lu Qingfeng let out a low roar, no longer holding back. His unleashed form was slightly activated, and the speed of his blood and qi flow increased by three points. Dark red flames rose from his body, forcing the approaching golden heart flames back a foot or so.
His leg muscles bulged, the rocks beneath his feet cracked, and against the almost liquid torrent of golden heart flames, he launched a final charge upwards in the most savage manner!
Each step was as heavy as a mountain, leaving deep footprints on the hard rock.
The golden heart flames scorched the protective membrane of qi and blood, producing a crackling sound like oil being fried.
Finally, Lu Qingfeng broke through the last barrier of the Heart Flame and stepped onto the summit of the volcano.
The mountaintop is a relatively flat red crystal platform.
In the center of the platform, a cluster of pure golden flames, no bigger than a fist but extremely condensed, like a liquid sun, floats—the Flame Heart Seed.
It burned silently, yet the light and heat it emitted seemed to contain the essence of the entire fiery mountain, causing the space around it to slightly collapse.
Beside the fire, lay the phantom of a giant beast.
It resembles a lion, but has the head of a dragon, covered in crimson scales, and its tail is like a ribbon of flame.
It sensed Lu Qingfeng's arrival, raised its enormous head, and golden flames danced in its dragon eyes.
[Trial Guardian: Huodou (Flame Spirit Avatar)]
[Warning: You must defeat it or gain its approval to take the Flameheart Seed]
[Network notification: Your actions during the trial have moved Huodou, and he has acknowledged you!]
Before Lu Qingfeng could react to the newly appeared divine beast, the phantom of Huodou gave him a deep look, then slowly lowered its body, its voice filled with admiration: "Your flesh and blood body can be refined and immortal like divine metal—your physique is close to the state of impermeability. You have passed this test."
It sidestepped.
"No, is that all? What about the test?"
"Young man, you have already passed your prime."
The phantom of Huodou didn't seem to want any interaction with him, only repeatedly saying that Lu Qingfeng had passed the test.
However—its slightly trembling forepaws were enough to reveal the true thoughts of this divine beast. With a click of his tongue, adhering to the principle of "better to avoid trouble," Lu Qingfeng walked to the center of the platform, reached out and grabbed the cluster of pure golden Flame Heart Seeds, hoping to quickly resolve the trial and obtain his inherited weapon.
The moment it touched him, the spark gently fell into his palm, then transformed into a warm current that traveled along the meridians of his arm throughout his body, finally sinking into the furnace of his dantian, where it slowly merged with his own qi and blood.
Oh wow! There's an unexpected surprise!
You have obtained: Flameheart Seed (Legendary Trial Item)
The second trial, "Mountain of Flames: Burning and Resting," has been completed.
[Rating calculation in progress————]
[Basic requirement: Reach the summit and obtain the Flameheart Seed — Complete!]
[Hidden Challenge: ———— Completed!]
Overall rating: Perfect
You have received the following rewards:
[Permanently increases constitution by 10%, significantly increases fire resistance (stacks with the Flameheart Seed effect)]
[Permanently increases Qi and blood strength and activity by 20%]
【Kunlun Spiritual Charm *8】
【Inferno Awakening (Special Status): Your perception and control over fire energy are enhanced; your attacks can inflict a slight effect of the Heartfire attribute】
You have successfully unlocked the qualification for the third trial challenge.
[Enter the third trial: Heavenly Gate Cliff - Inside and Outside?]
[Note: This trial will comprehensively test your strength, will, soul, and Dao heart. You must confront your true self, distinguish between inner and outer, and overcome your own shadow or the guardian beast before you can open the Heavenly Gate.]
[Current Guardian: Enlightened Beast]
[Warning: This level is far more difficult than the previous two and carries a certain risk of damage to your spirit. Please choose carefully.]
"The Dao Heart? The Shadow of the Self?"
Lu Qingfeng has always pursued the purest power and freedom. Dao Heart? What is that?
If I had to put it simply, it would be, "My fate is in my own hands!"
It seems the only option this time is to smash the Enlightened Beast, if the difficulty isn't too outrageous.
"Enter."