Chapter 144: Chapter 144(Luxury Car Extra Chapter)
The world seemed to dissolve before Ethan’s eyes, reality melting like wax dripping to reveal a clearer truth.
Moments later, he appeared in a different world, serene and real—the heart of the inheritance place.
Nestled among lush mountains blanketed in dense forest stood a pavilion, sturdy and aged with the wisdom of countless years.
Inside, the two figures sat opposite one another at a simple table, a chessboard between them—Ebon Azure, the founding ancestor of the Azure Origin Dao Sect, radiant with timeless power; and the mysterious man in black, cloaked in shadow and deep contemplation.
A constant rush of water whispered nearby, as a crystal-clear stream curved gracefully beside the pavilion before spilling into a tranquil pool behind it.
The breeze carried the scent of damp earth and fresh green growth, and the ambiance felt palpably alive.
Ethan took it all in, his senses tingling. The scene throbbed with authenticity so vivid that it seemed physical—the divine essence breathing life into every leaf.
"If my assumptions hold true, then this," he thought, "is not a mere illusion, but the genuine inheritance place itself."
The stone forests and twisting caves he had navigated before—the so-called ’secret realms’—were but fragments, conjured either by humanity’s hand or the collision of heaven and earth energies.
Secret realms, although mysterious, are bounded worlds with their own laws, often created by supreme cultivators or the power of heaven and earth converging spontaneously.
"Unlike illusions, secret realms are self-contained dimensions. Only those who have reached supreme cultivation levels possess the power to craft them." Ethan’s thoughts whispered softly.
After a moment, Ethan turned to the tall, white-robed figure and asked carefully, "Before I proceed, was the trial I experienced within the secret realm or an illusion?"
Ebon Azure smiled gently. "It was a secret realm. Illusions of this magnitude? Impossible without unprecedented power."
Ebon cast a sidelong glance at the man in black who had remained silent, his fingers loosely twirling a sunspot within the palm of his hand.
"He is the architect of illusions for the third level of the Heart-Questioning Trial, but he won’t converse much. His name doesn’t matter to the living anymore."
Ethan raised his hands, visibly intrigued. "What is your name, senior?"
The man did not lift his gaze but frowned deeply.
"You’ve already lost. What is there still to ponder?" Ebon Azure chuckled.
Turning to Ethan, Ebon said, "This one suffers from a brain ailment. He hasn’t spoken to another living soul in thousands of years. His tongue needs warming—it often falls silent."
Ethan nodded thoughtfully and peered at the sullen figure. Interest and curiosity wove together—a question rose amidst his thoughts.
Could it be that the Blue Void Ancestor had a twin? Or perhaps a strange physiology—one body, two souls?
"You care not for my inheritance," Ebon Azure said, "but you keep focusing on the secret trial realm."
"I am curious, almost like ants crawling on me."
"Kid, you truly are something special."
Ebon Azure’s voice softened. "I designed this secret trial realm to enable future generations to break through and claim the legacy I left behind."
He gestured behind Ethan, motioning towards a stone platform rising slowly from the earth.
On it rested three objects: a cold jade bottle, a glowing disc, and an ancient scroll sealed in thick leather.
The moment Ethan’s gaze alighted on the jade bottle, his heart skipped.
The aura radiating from it was fierce and terrifying—a flame unlike any he’d encountered.
His thoughts turned back to what Althea had told him—it was indeed the origin of the strange spiritual flame within the inheritance land.
"Is the innate spiritual fire... in this cold jade bottle?" he asked, voice almost hushed.
Ebon Azure’s smile deepened, pride shining through his aged features.
"Sharp eyes, young one. But within lies not the innate spiritual fire, but a higher-grade original spiritual fire—the rarest and most precious flame in existence."
"No ordinary flame can tame it; only the strongest cultivators can harness its full might."
"Long ago, I became invincible within my realm thanks to this spiritual fire."
"Original spiritual fire?" Ethan’s eyes gleamed with surprise and awe.
He soon recovered, his mind racing as the ancestor continued.
"My original spiritual fire is the Profound Purifying Fire."
"It purifies everything—spiritual energy, essence, blood—and even nourishes mental energy."
"In physical cultivation, mastering divine fire is essential to temper blood pills, which nourish the sea of consciousness within."
"The Profound Purifying Fire’s power closely mirrors that of divine fire. It’s a supreme treasure for those who cultivate the mortal body."
Ethan’s surprise turned to profound respect for Ebon Azure.
Even as the legendary founder, he understood the nuances of physical cultivation, a realm often ignored by spiritual cultivators.
"However, beware. The original spiritual fire is wild, volatile, and treacherous. Hasten carelessly and it could prove fatal."
Ebon Azure’s warning was firm, a reminder that power always demanded caution.
"Senior, worry not. My experience with strange flames is no small matter." Ethan smiled, his confidence rooted in his trials.
"What experience?" the ancestor’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
With a flick of his hand, Ethan conjured a flickering blue flame—gentle yet powerful.
"This is the natal flame of the ancient blue phoenix—it has transformed into a innate spiritual fire."
"Yet..." Ebon shook his head, "since you already have an innate spiritual fire, the Profound Purifying Fire is unnecessary to you for now."
"Absorbing two flames is impossible for one person."
"I’ll temporarily keep the profound purifying flame stored, perhaps one day to replace the Azure Flame."
Ebon Azure’s expression mixed regret and understanding.
"Yes, you’ll feel backlash when stripping one flame for another, but the benefit far outweighs the cost. The Profound Purifying Fire is many times stronger."
"Consider it wisely." He gestured toward the other artifacts.
"The cyan disk is a formation array—the Four Elephants Prison Formation."
"It requires the blood essence of four ancient spiritual beasts to activate, formidable once powered."
"It’s a formation of unparalleled force."
"When you advance to the Dharma Body Realm, you can wield it to trap or even slay Mahayana realm foes."
Ebon Azure’s pride shone as he spoke of this creation—his masterpiece.
Long ago, with this formation, he rose through the ranks, fending off three newly advanced Supreme Realm experts in a single battle, while he was just in the ninth turn of the Mahayana realm.
Ethan’s heart quickened. A trump card in this trial, one that might save his life.
Suddenly, Alicia’s voice rang softly in his mind.
[Warm reminder: The hidden Land of Peach Blossom map is now opened.]
A/N:
Extra Chapters
100 power stones - 1 Extra Chapters
200 power stones - 2 Extra Chapters
Capsule - 1 Extra Chapters
Massage Chair - 3 Extra Chapters
Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters
Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters
....
Thanks for the Luxury Car: @Skarlet_Retro