C7 Fire Spirit Body

The Fire Spirit Body is an exceptionally rare constitution.

In the Cultivation World of old, five supreme physiques were revered: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Among them, the Fire Spirit Body stood as one.

This fiery nature is aggressive and swift, akin to lightning. With proper guidance, it's the most conducive to overcoming the Tribulation Crossing and achieving ascension.

Now, Shen Xiaomei possessed this very constitution, a revelation that left him astonished.

"Brother, what's a Fire Spirit Body?"

After ingesting the Body Strengthening Pill, Shen Xiaomei felt a surge of warmth course through her, which quickly subsided.

"The Fire Spirit Body is a natural affinity for fire, allowing you to absorb fire elements with exceptional efficiency. It will accelerate your progress in cultivation."

"I can still practice cultivation?"

Shen Xiaomei was astounded. Her legs had been healed, and now Shen Xuan was telling her she could cultivate. In a world where strength was paramount, everyone aspired to be a cultivator, including her. Yet, she had never allowed herself to hope.

"Absolutely, you can cultivate, and not just that—you can become a formidable force to be reckoned with. Come, let's visit the apothecary."

With light-hearted banter, the siblings left the secluded courtyard, Shen Xiaomei's wheelchair in tow.

Navigating through the Shen family's estate, they encountered numerous young family members, none of whom engaged them in conversation. Some even looked on with a hint of trepidation.

Shen Xuan's recent display of power in the council hall, where he had slain Shen Wentao's bodyguard, had instilled fear in these sheltered relatives. Given the enmity between Shen Xuan and Shen Wentao, and the latter's influence within the family, their reaction was to be expected.

To Shen Xuan, their behavior was inconsequential. A millennium of ascetic cultivation in his past life had granted him profound insight into the world, rendering such sentiments unenticing.

Returning to the Shen family's apothecary where he had previously acquired ingredients for the Rank Three Spirit Gathering Pill, Shen Xuan pushed Shen Xiaomei through its doors.

Shen Pharmacy!

A renowned establishment within Emergence City, it was a direct extension of the Shen family. Its classic decor was crowned with a plaque, its three characters etched with vigor and strength.

"Ah, the Young Patriarch graces us with his presence. What medicinal ingredients do you seek today?"

As they entered, Shen Zhang, the shopkeeper and a Shen family deacon, greeted them warmly. Loyal to the Grand Elder, Shen Lang, Shen Zhang was eager to assist, especially given Shen Xuan's possession of the family token.

"Your strength, Young Patriarch!"

Shen Zhang noted a palpable increase in Shen Xuan's aura compared to the morning's visit.

"Just a modest improvement," Shen Xuan chuckled. "I've come to ask for Uncle Zhang's assistance."

"The whole apothecary is at your disposal, Young Patriarch. Whatever you need, simply ask."

"I'm in search of a particular medicinal ingredient."

"Which one?"

"The Thousand Year Chalcedony Lingzhi."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhang's expression flickered, the mention of the Thousand Year Chalcedony Lingzhi clearly leaving a profound impression.

The Thousand-Year Chalcedony Lingzhi is an exceedingly rare treasure of heaven and earth. Back when he was part of Earth's Cultivation World, after ascending to the status of a Rogue Immortal, he had to rely on his formidable Divine Sense to locate it deep within a volcano. Now, having advanced to the Abstention Stage, he serendipitously stumbled upon traces of the Thousand-Year Chalcedony Lingzhi within Shen Xuan's memories.

The Shen family knew of its location.

"Young Patriarch, the Chalcedony Lingzhi is incredibly scarce. I only have a vague idea of its location, and acquiring it is no easy feat," Shen Zhang said with a forced chuckle, his face betraying his unease.

"Uncle Zhang, could you share its location with me?" Shen Xuan inquired, his resolve to secure the Chalcedony Lingzhi unwavering. Securing it would not only awaken Shen Xiaomei's fire spirit body but also significantly aid his breakthrough to the Nascent Infant stage.

"Years ago, I accompanied the old patriarch on a journey. We were pursued by foes and found ourselves at a volcano where we detected the Chalcedony Lingzhi. Alas, even the old patriarch couldn't harvest it, and the matter was left unresolved," Shen Zhang reminisced, realizing it had been over a decade.

Shen Xuan sought out Shen Zhang precisely because he knew from those memories that only his grandfather and Shen Zhang were privy to the Chalcedony Lingzhi's location. After listening to Shen Zhang, Shen Xuan nodded in agreement. Indeed, only a live volcano could nurture such a Lingzhi, with its extraordinarily high temperatures making it inaccessible to all but the most powerful cultivators.

"And the volcano's location?"

"If the Young Patriarch is intent on this quest, here's a map I sketched back in the day. Whether it will lead you to the Lingzhi now, I cannot guarantee," Shen Zhang said, producing a detailed goatskin map from his Sumeru Ring.

"Thank you, Uncle Zhang."

Grasping the map, Shen Xuan expressed his gratitude. With this guide, his task was greatly simplified. He then collected some basic medicinal ingredients from the apothecary to concoct the Body Strengthening Pill. Medicinal herbs in hand, Shen Xuan wheeled Shen Xiaomei through the bustling streets of Emergence City.

As they navigated the thoroughfare, Shen Xuan went largely unrecognized, while Shen Xiaomei drew familiar gazes. Onlookers were intrigued by the sight of an unassuming Shen Xuan cheerfully pushing the well-known Shen Xiaomei, sparking a flurry of whispers and stares.

"Who's that guy pushing Shen Xiaomei?"

"No idea. Never seen him before, but he must be someone of note to be with the Shen family's daughter!"

"I've heard the Han family's young master has his eye on her. Does this guy have a death wish?"

The crowd buzzed with speculation. Just then, a cavalcade led by Han Dao thundered toward them. As the horses charged forward, Shen Xuan deftly maneuvered the wheelchair to the side, avoiding their path.

Han Dao, initially heading straight on, reined in his horse sharply upon spotting Shen Xuan at the roadside.

"Hiss!"

The horses came to a halt, their neighs echoing as Han Dao drew up beside Shen Xuan.

"Kid, it's you."

Han Dao glared at Shen Xuan and raised his voice. The memory of Shen Xuan slapping him earlier darkened his expression, and a murderous glint sparked in his eyes.

He still believed that Shen Xuan's slap had been a fluke, that it wasn't a matter of his own inability to dodge.

"Looking for another beating, are you?" Shen Xuan teased, a smile playing on his lips as he leaned on his wheelchair.

"Come on, today I'll teach you the true meaning of 'death.'" Han Dao was no ordinary spoiled rich kid; his strength was formidable, with few in Emergence City's younger generation able to stand against him. Moreover, the number of lives he had claimed could be counted on two hands.

As he spoke, his whip crackled with Battle Energy, poised to strike Shen Xuan, but a voice interrupted from behind.

"Don't waste time on this. We need to move on."

The voice belonged to Han Feng, emanating from the carriage in the rear.

With a cold laugh, Han Dao retorted, "You get to live a couple more days."

Then, he and his entourage galloped away.

Following their departure, a carriage trailed close behind. As it rolled forward, the window lifted, and Han Feng exchanged a fleeting, knowing smile with Shen Xuan before departing.

...

"Has the Han family's eldest son been called to action? Could it be that he has arrived?"

"It looks like it. I've heard he's from one of the Three Supreme Sects!"

The bystanders buzzed with speculation, their faces unconsciously betraying fear at the mention of that individual.

Shen Xuan simply chuckled at their display, utterly indifferent. To him, they were nothing more than insects.

Yet, as he was about to move on, a potent wave of soul energy enveloped him.