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The Star Shield is a Superior Spirit Artifact, just one step away from being a Celestial Artifact. It is a renowned treasure of the Nine Li Sect and the entire Immortal Sect. Currently, it is managed by Elder of Artifact Refinement Yue Changzi, who treasures it and keeps it in a secret location. Ordinary disciples cannot even hope to catch a glimpse of it, as it has not been revealed for nearly a thousand years. Its preciousness is evident. The fact that a Spirit Stone could persuade the Sect Leader to use the Star Shield shows that this plan is of great significance.
Although the Boundless True Fire from the Li Fire Formation is kept at bay, the youths inside the Star Shield are not faring well.
The materials used for the Star Shield are quite strange; it is said to be made from a meteor that fell in ancient times to Middle-Earth, burning fiercely upon impact and continuing to blaze for years without extinguishing. After being refined into an artifact, although it serves as a protective treasure, its essence is to counter poison with poison, showing no fear of True Fire because it itself embodies star essence True Fire. Only those at or above the Golden Core Stage can withstand it; while it is less convenient than using the Fire Separation Pearl, its advantage lies in accommodating many people at once.
However, these youths are merely novices who have just opened their connection to the heavens and earth; how could they endure the external Boundless True Fire from the Li Fire Formation combined with the high temperatures of the Star Shield? Within just an hour, some began to faint one after another.
Li Hong is the only one who can come and go freely within the Li Fire Formation. Watching this scene unfold makes him anxious. He moves to an unoccupied edge of the Star Shield and begins to converse with the Heavenly Torch.
"I don't want to watch these youths die like this. You have to help me!"
The Heavenly Torch responds with dissatisfaction, "This isn't about helping you; it's about helping others. I couldn't care less about those little brats!"
Li Hong feels speechless. This Heavenly Torch seems to care only for itself and no one else; how can he persuade it?
Heavenly Torch continues, "You can't tell anyone about me transferring my Dragon Soul into your body, especially those Old Ghosts from the Nine Li Sect. So far, you haven't let it slip. It's not that I don't want to help you out; I'm just afraid that if those Old Ghosts find out I'm in cahoots with you, things could get messy."
Li Hong is taken aback by this revelation: "What do you mean? No one among the elders knows of your existence?"
"Hmph! They think I'm just an ordinary formation spirit; they have no idea I still have tricks up my sleeve! Your Ancestor Master, that old fellow called Seasoned Master, agreed long ago to give me a chance for rebirth and refinement of my golden body. And now you are my opportunity! But I'm worried about keeping things under wraps. The Nine Li Sect has been established for over ten thousand years; things have changed drastically since then. Even Seasoned Master has gone off to enjoy life in the celestial realm. Those Old Ghosts won't easily let go of such a good worker like me; they will definitely try to interfere. Remember this: from now on, you and I are tied together; if I get discovered, you won't fare any better!"
Li Hong feels frustrated but knows he has more pressing matters at hand and doesn't want to dwell on this point. Rolling his eyes, he thinks seriously: "I have a plan. If you reveal your true dragon form outside the Star Shield and push the True Fire from the Li Fire Formation further away, wouldn't that lower the temperature inside the Star Shield? You can leave once someone comes in."
"Right!" The Heavenly Torch mutters to itself, "That's indeed a win-win solution; let me see what I can do."
Not long after, the heat inside the Star Shield began to dissipate, and Li Hong secretly wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Before long, Li Hong grasped the pattern. The four Elder Brothers, including Spirit Stone, could only stay in the Li Fire Formation for a maximum of one incense stick's worth of time. Generally, they took turns checking on the situation in the Star Shield every half an hour before quickly leaving. After a day, seeing that there was really nothing happening, the intervals between their entries grew longer, and Heavenly Torch's mischief lasted longer as well. The young ones managed to hold on, and when Li Hong could no longer endure, he would feed himself a Pill of Starvation to regain some strength.
When the fifteen-day deadline arrived, Spirit Stone put away the Star Shield and was astonished to see that most of the youths, while not exactly full of energy, could at least muster enough spirit to move around. Only a few had become so emaciated that they were almost unrecognizable, but their Divine Consciousness remained clear.
Spirit Stone grew suspicious and looked at Li Hong. Li Hong had been secretly vigilant all along, deliberately avoiding any water during these days and putting on a listless demeanor. After scrutinizing him for a long time, Spirit Stone ultimately did not ask a single word but instead instructed him to return to Nine Vermilion Peaks for a few days of rest.
Once back in his residence and after closing the door, Li Hong smiled triumphantly, feeling a rebellious thrill within.
********
Li Hong had no idea how the Divine Dragon Lantern separated its soul, how it recuperated, or what methods it used to restore its cultivation so that it could eventually ascend alongside him. During these days of rest, he pulled Heavenly Torch out again to ask. However, he discovered that Heavenly Torch was quite simple-minded—no, more accurately, like a dragon with a rather blunt personality. Aside from instinctual cultivation, it knew little about anything else.
Li Hong felt speechless; he had once boasted about his own brilliance. However, he was well aware that he was right about one thing: he absolutely could not tell anyone in Nine Li Sect about his Dragon Soul entering his Upper Dantian's Fire Separation Pearl—not even Master Spirit Stone.
Currently, aside from himself, only his second brother Chuxiong and Chu Xi were aware of this matter.
Despite Chuxiong's seemingly carefree and honest demeanor, Li Hong had grown up with him and knew him best. He was meticulous beneath his rough exterior and was a solid brother; even if a knife were held to his throat, he would never divulge a word—Li Hong felt secure in that regard. The only concern was Chu Xi.
Chu Xi had deep ties with Ling Xiangzi; although they were master and disciple by name, they were actually blood relatives. While she had a good relationship with Li Hong, over time she might inadvertently reveal something in front of Ling Xiangzi. Li Hong silently decided that when Chu Xi came again, he must clarify the stakes with her and persuade her to keep this secret together.
********
After resting for three days, Li Hong was called back to Golden Lantern Gorge.
These youths have endured the brutality of the Spirit Array and have gone through the Refining the Heart process. Now, they have heard that there is one final hurdle to overcome. Even with the great temptation of cultivation before them, their faces still show difficulty. Some are considering retreating.
Spirit Stone has already noticed this and pointed at Li Hong, saying loudly, "You must be wondering why he has been standing by all this time. I will tell you now: it is because he succeeded in Refining the Heart just like this! With such a living example right in front of you, who still has anything to say? Are you really so inferior to those we have carefully selected? If he can do it, so can you! You have already passed two thresholds; now only this last challenge remains. Whoever admits they cannot do it, I will take them out of the Mountain Gate immediately, and they will never have a chance to connect with the path of immortality in this lifetime!"
The youths lowered their heads in thought. Some, feeling unconvinced, looked towards Li Hong. Seeing his ordinary appearance, they felt a stir within and suddenly became eager to try.
Spirit Stone nodded in satisfaction and called for Ling Jizi and others to separate and place the youths around Golden Lantern Gorge, ensuring they would not disturb each other. Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, night had fallen. Spirit Stone looked at Li Hong and said, "Let's go." With that, he prepared to take Li Hong on his Flying Sword.
Li Hong was also helping to settle the youths, his hands busy while his mind was actively working.
The Evil Spirits within Golden Lantern Gorge were truly formidable. Even Chu Xi, who had such a strong will at first, nearly fell into madness. If not for assistance, he would have been finished long ago. What about these inexperienced youths? Li Hong shook his head inwardly; if two out of ten survived, it would be considered good. The two who did survive would likely be driven mad for quite some time; whether they could recover was still uncertain. It was too dangerous; since he was already involved, he might as well stir things up a bit more.
He said to Spirit Stone, "Master, I won't return to Nine Vermilion Peaks just yet; after all, I need to come back tomorrow anyway. Flying back and forth makes me dizzy. I might as well spend the night outside Golden Lantern Gorge and meet up with you in the morning."
Spirit Stone chuckled helplessly, "When did you start getting dizzy from flying? Fine then; it seems I will have to take you flying more often in the future."
He took Li Hong to a ravine outside Golden Lantern Gorge and gave him a few instructions before leaving on his sword.
Before long, Li Hong indeed saw three beams of sword light shoot up from Golden Lantern Gorge; Ling Jizi and the others had also departed. He began making his way toward Golden Lantern Gorge.
By the time he arrived at Golden Lantern Gorge, it was completely dark. The Golden Lantern Flowers emitted a hazy golden light, with golden pollen drifting slowly through the air, creating an otherworldly scene. Beneath this beauty lay an incredible danger.
Over a hundred youths were scattered throughout the vast Golden Lantern Gorge like grains of sand in an ocean; saving each one would not only consume effort but also time was running short. Li Hong frowned as plans began forming in his mind.
Shadows flickered around him; everything that should come had arrived. Li Hong stood resolutely unafraid, formed hand seals with his fingers, and recited loudly: "Heaven and Earth, All Things Have Spirits; grant me form from chaos! The heavens revolve and the earth turns as my spirit wanders through the purest realm; evil spirits compel demons and monsters to submit! Swift!"
A circle of Iridescence suddenly retreated. A fierce wind howled, blowing outward from Li Hong's center, bending the clusters of Golden Lantern Flowers.
Li Hong's robes fluttered wildly as he remained motionless, forming a hand seal.
The wailing of Evil Spirits echoed loudly as groups of them were summoned, standing awkwardly a yard away from Li Hong. The ghostly figures loomed like mountains, exuding a chilling aura. Even though Li Hong was accustomed to such sights, he felt a bit uncomfortable. However, he quickly realized that after advancing to the second stage of his cultivation, the power of his Summoning Technique had greatly increased. Indeed, the spells in the Six Spirit Salty Ritual grew stronger with his cultivation level!
Feeling more confident, he was no longer afraid. He adjusted his hand seal and pointed around him, saying, "Freeze! Freeze! Freeze!"
Streams of Iridescence flashed like lightning as groups of Evil Spirits were immobilized in place.
As long as most of the Evil Spirits were restrained here, the harm to those youths would be minimal. He believed they could withstand the few that remained.
Just as he was feeling pleased with his success, a wailing sound erupted, and a ghostly figure resembling a Whirlwind swooped down from mid-air. Li Hong was startled; this ghost actually dared to approach him! He pointed at it. The Evil Spirit twisted in mid-air, its body splitting into two halves to evade Li Hong's finger before rejoining and lunging at him again. The ghostly claws were less than half a foot from Li Hong's face.
Li Hong quickly pivoted on his toes and retreated rapidly, trampling several clusters of Golden Lantern Flowers in the process. The ghostly figure showed no sign of retreating; its dark claws followed him closely, sending an eerie chill straight to Li Hong's nose.
This Evil Spirit possessed formidable power! A Ghost King! Li Hong suddenly realized.
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