Chapter 561: The Upgrade Requirements of the Flaming Feather Sword
Lei Yuan Mountain.
On a quiet mountain behind the main peak, Lin Langtian and Lin Dong sat cross-legged. Mighty Yuan Power surged around them, forming streams that entered their bodies rhythmically with each breath.
As Yuan Power poured into them, their auras became increasingly stable, exuding an endless calm akin to an unfathomable ocean.
Whoosh!
At this moment, the distant wind broke as a familiar, sturdy figure descended swiftly, landing gently beside them.
Lin Langtian and Lin Dong slowly opened their eyes, greeting Little Flame with warm smiles.
After slaying Xu Zhong, Little Flame had gradually taken complete control over Lei Yuan Mountain. The fierceness naturally present in his face had now subtly shifted into an air of authority.
"Has Lei Yuan Mountain settled down completely?" Lin Langtian and Lin Dong asked, smiling at Little Flame.
Although Xu Zhong had fallen, and most of the generals of Lei Yuan Mountain had submitted, a few loyalists still stirred trouble over the past ten days. Fortunately, these disturbances had quickly been suppressed by Little Flame's decisive methods.
Now, Lei Yuan Mountain had almost fully come under Little Flame's control. After all, within the mountain, his prestige had always been second only to Xu Zhong's. With Xu Zhong's death, Little Flame's ascension had been natural and unchallenged. In the Demon Region, strength was everything, and succession by force was entirely justified.
"Yes," Little Flame nodded confidently, grinning. "With my two big brothers backing me, who would dare provoke us now, whether in Lei Yuan Mountain or its surroundings?"
Little Flame's words were not mere boasting. The news of the battle at Lei Yuan Mountain had spread swiftly, shaking the entire Beast War Region within three short days. The death of a Demon Marshal was no trivial matter; it was a seismic event across the region. Overnight, Lin Langtian, Lin Dong, and Little Flame's names had surged into prominence.
"Currently, external threats indeed aren't a concern," Lin Langtian remarked seriously. "But Little Flame, although your strength is impressive, among the current Eight Demon Marshals, you might still be considered the weakest."
Little Flame nodded in acknowledgment. Despite his extraordinary physique, he still lacked experience compared to those ancient monsters. He understood he needed to bridge this gap swiftly, perhaps by absorbing the other half of his inherited blood essence.
Lin Dong seemed to recall something as he smiled slightly. With a flick of his sleeve, a blood-red orb the size of a human head appeared in mid-air. Within it, pure and powerful energy surged visibly, forming patterns of a roaring blood tiger.
"The other half of the inherited blood essence!" Little Flame exclaimed with evident joy.
Lin Dong smiled knowingly. "Although Xu Zhong refined this blood essence, it still remained embedded within his body. The Devouring Ancestral Symbol can devour all things, so when I refined Xu Zhong's flesh and blood, naturally, the essence re-emerged."
Lin Langtian nodded, satisfied. "Good. With this, Little Flame, your chances of breaking into perfect Death Profound Realm are significantly higher."
Lin Dong gently waved his sleeve, guiding the orb downward. Little Flame caught it eagerly. However, as he prepared to absorb it, he suddenly uttered a curious exclamation.
Holding the blood-red orb, Little Flame lightly pressed his palm against it. A red glow surged forth before slowly dissipating, revealing a palm-sized, triangular ancient copper plate hidden inside. The plate was tarnished green with age, and two ancient characters could faintly be seen at one corner.
"Treasure Artifact?"
Lin Dong moved closer, examining it with a puzzled frown. Lin Langtian, however, seemed thoughtful, as if he had recalled something.
Little Flame rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then slapped his palm excitedly against the copper plate, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Lin Langtian and Lin Dong.
"I know what this is!" Little Flame exclaimed triumphantly. "Have you two heard of the Ancient Divine Treasure Vault?"
"Ancient Divine Treasure Vault?" Lin Langtian and Lin Dong exchanged glances before nodding cautiously.
"Inside that vault, countless ancient divine artifacts are stored, each possessing formidable power," Little Flame explained. "The Ancient Divine Treasure Vault is jointly guarded by the eight Demon Marshal factions of the Beast War Region. It opens once every three years. At that time, the region becomes extremely lively, drawing attention even from external forces."
"But," Little Flame continued, "not everyone can easily acquire these divine artifacts. Last time it opened, only a select few factions succeeded in obtaining any."
"Can anyone freely claim these artifacts when the vault opens?" Lin Dong asked with keen interest.
"Of course not." Little Flame shook his head. Raising the ancient copper plate, he explained further. "If I'm right, this is an Ancient Divine Token, something highly sought after among major factions in the Beast War Region."
"Ancient Divine Token?" Lin Dong questioned, eyebrows knitted.
"The Ancient Divine Treasure Vault has a unique power. To bypass it and acquire a divine artifact, one must rely on an Ancient Divine Token," Little Flame explained. "Each token allows the holder to claim exactly one artifact every time the vault opens."
"What did Xu Zhong obtain last time? Why didn't he ever use it?" Lin Dong asked curiously.
Little Flame chuckled dryly. "Because he had to surrender what he obtained."
"Surrender it?" Lin Dong looked astonished.
"Yes," Little Flame explained. "Though the Beast War Region has eight Demon Marshals, not all are equal. Three are Grand Demon Marshals, all established for over a hundred years and at the Reincarnation Stage. Xu Zhong was relatively new, only rising within the past decade. Thus, he had to affiliate himself with one of these Grand Marshals—the Heavenly Dragon Demon Marshal—and pay tribute by surrendering artifacts obtained from three openings. Only afterward could he keep his future acquisitions."
"How many Ancient Divine Tokens exist?" Lin Dong asked, raising the copper plate again.
"As far as I know, there are thirteen tokens," Little Flame answered. "The three Grand Marshals hold six tokens. Each of the remaining five marshals possesses one. The last two belong to other powerful factions within the Beast War Region, though they are slightly weaker than the marshals."
Lin Dong was astonished. "So, each opening releases thirteen divine artifacts?"
At this moment, Lin Langtian heard Ling Yí's voice echo in his mind. "Langtian, this Ancient Divine Treasure Vault seems interesting. If you enter, find some fire-attribute artifacts. Your Flaming Feather Sword has reached the level of peak Pure Yuan treasure. If it devours several fire-type divine artifacts, it may upgrade into a true divine artifact."
Lin Langtian was surprised. "Swallow divine artifacts? Can the Flaming Feather Sword handle that?"
Ling Yí explained proudly, "Of course. The sword is forged from my own flaming feather, uniquely imbued with my Nine Nether Flame characteristics. Fire-attributed items are its favorite food. Feed it a few, and you won't be disappointed."
Lin Langtian felt intrigued and nodded thoughtfully. If what Ling Yí said was true, his Flaming Feather Sword could indeed undergo an incredible evolution. He decided he would definitely participate in the next vault opening—the Xuan Tian Hall—and claim fire-type artifacts.
"When does the Ancient Divine Treasure Vault open next?" Lin Dong eagerly asked Little Flame, clearly realizing the significance of this so-called "vault"—the Xuan Tian Hall, ranked tenth on the Ancient Divine Artifact Ranking.
"Calculating the time, it should be within two to three months," Little Flame replied. "I just realized now: Qin Shi wanted Xu Zhong's corpse to take his Ancient Divine Token. That way, he could claim two artifacts—one for the Heavenly Dragon Marshal and one for himself."
Lin Langtian snorted disdainfully. "Just a clown."
"Are you two interested in the vault?" Little Flame asked.
Lin Langtian and Lin Dong smiled. "Acquiring a divine artifact would indeed be beneficial. But before that, you must first refine your inherited blood essence. Otherwise, we won't stand a chance against those fierce competitors."
Little Flame nodded resolutely. "Yes!"
Immediately afterward, Little Flame entered closed-door cultivation to absorb the inherited essence, leaving Lin Langtian and Lin Dong the task of managing Lei Yuan Mountain—a troublesome responsibility for both.
Thankfully, the mountain remained relatively stable due to Little Flame's trusted subordinates and Huo Miao's assistance, allowing Lin Langtian and Lin Dong to focus fully on their own cultivation.
Lin Langtian dedicated a month entirely to cultivating his Demonic Qi within the mirror world, rapidly advancing toward perfect Death Profound Realm. During this time, Little Flame also remained secluded, absorbing the essence.
A month passed swiftly. Lin Langtian's strength gradually approached the peak of Death Profound Realm Great Completion.
Suddenly, piercing sounds echoed above Lei Yuan Mountain. Two figures in cyan robes bearing blood dragon insignias appeared, radiating an oppressive aura.
"Envoys from Blood Dragon Hall! Demon Marshal of Lei Yuan Mountain, hurry and greet us!" their commanding voices thundered through the sky, shaking the entire mountain range.
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