Chapter 127: The Cauldron Acquired, Master of the Desolate Blood Cauldron!

Chapter 127: Obtaining the Cauldron, Master of the Desolate Blood Cauldron!
Chapter 127: The Water-Fire Fragment, the Arrival of Strong Enemies!

Under the sea.

"A cauldron?"

Bai Xuan stared at the phantom of the winged lizard. Within the belly of that phantom sat a massive cauldron, nearly seven or eight meters tall. Its entire body pulsed with majestic spiritual light, and countless complex runes flowed within it, faintly forming several grand arrays.

These arrays were composed of countless talismans, vast and astonishing. They were swallowing the fires of the earth, manipulating the natural forces within thousands of meters. Every movement carried terrifying power, enough to make even Bai Xuan feel a slight chill in his heart.

This far exceeded the level of a Grandmaster. Compared to it, the talisman sword Bai Xuan possessed was like a crude wooden sword carved by a child.

This was a true treasure, a cauldron inherited from ancient times, consuming the power of the volcano and continuously converting it into blood energy, manifesting as this winged lizard phantom.

"This cauldron... its level far transcends the mundane, reaching a truly terrifying height. I fear no one in the East Sea can compare to it."

Bai Xuan understood this clearly.

If one were to obtain this cauldron, all those "Taisui" medicines and "Taisui" pills would be mere trash, like straw. This cauldron was meant for cultivators beyond the Grandmaster level to refine potent medicines, and it held immense utility even for those in higher realms.

"If I obtain this cauldron, my own strength will likely skyrocket. Not only that, but a new path of cultivation will surely open up!"

Bai Xuan had not opened a new path in a long time. Partly because he lacked the time and energy—being greedy for too much would lead to poor digestion—and partly because he lacked the right opportunity.

"The Alchemy lineage is about projecting the Dao's essence outward, evolving various methods, and connecting with the universe. It is the true path to longevity."

The spirit of the cauldron spoke in a grand voice.

"The first step is to comprehend a wisp of the Dao's essence, allowing you to manipulate the natural forces of heaven and earth with a single thought!"

"If you possessed the Innate Water-Fire Dao Body, you could bypass the inheritance directly. However, I observe that you belong to the 'Body Refining lineage' and have not cultivated the innate water-fire methods. Clearly, your aptitude is insufficient."

Hearing this, Bai Xuan asked, "A wisp of Dao essence?"

"First, there is the assessment of alchemy skills."

"If you can use the fluctuations of water and fire here to collect the essence blood of sea beasts and refine a pure blood pill within a single incense stick's time, reaching a qualified grade, you can obtain the 'Pure Cauldron Alchemy' inheritance!"

Those with talent could often obtain inheritances directly; even the inheritances of great beings, no matter how precious, were no exception. As the cauldron spirit said, asking him to comprehend a wisp of Dao essence was like asking him to leap to the Divine Aspect realm within three months.

"However, given your current realm is still at the Blood Refining level, if you can comprehend a wisp of Dao essence, you would be a peerless genius."

"I see."

It was very direct and hid nothing.

Bai Xuan's eyes flashed, his path forward becoming clear. The cauldron spirit spoke with a booming voice. Alchemy was definitely a path worth opening. If he could carve out such a new path, it would pave the way for his future.

"But," the spirit of the Desolate Blood Treasure Cauldron changed its tone, its voice low and vibrating, "if you possess the aptitude, the inheritance can be skipped, and the treasure cauldron can be taken directly."

"Only those with such aptitude can take the cauldron immediately!"

"I have a question."

Bai Xuan pondered and spoke, "Who left these powerful inheritances in the sea?"

The East Sea was vast. Yet the wars for hegemony among the seas revealed the incredibly terrifying handiwork of Immortals; their every move possessed boundless power, far surpassing anything in the East Sea. It was clear this world was not just this small corner; beyond the East Sea, there existed a world of unfathomable vastness. This cauldron's inheritance was but a reflection from a more powerful and terrifying world. The Dao it spoke of, in just a few words, reflected that vastness.

"I am but a spirit of inheritance, and I have left no marks unrelated to the inheritance!"

The cauldron spirit spoke with a booming, indifferent tone. Although it possessed intelligence, it was an artificial creation, acting only according to established laws. It had neither joy nor anger regarding the inheritance beyond its duty; it was indifferent to other matters and felt no regrets.

"Very well."

Bai Xuan's expression hardened. "I am willing to accept the test. Give me the 'Water-Fire Fragment'."

He was very direct. Since the cauldron would not say anything else, he would accept the challenge. Although it would cost some time, a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush. Since he had encountered this cauldron in the sea, he would naturally give it a try!

"Good!"

The cauldron spirit opened its mouth and exhaled. With a boom, endless blood energy surged, forming a stream of light. Finally, the natural forces of heaven and earth emerged, the blood energy faded, and a series of runes surfaced, hovering in the sea.

Within those runes, the forces of heaven and earth surged, their light shining as if they could evolve water and fire and boil a patch of the sea.

The "Water-Fire Fragment"!

Bai Xuan looked at them, his Eyes of the Sea and Heavenly Phenomena manifesting, and he quickly immersed himself in the inheritance.

"I wonder if this successor can successfully comprehend it."

The cauldron spirit folded its wings, shielding its belly once more. Although in its eyes, Bai Xuan had not realized the Innate Water-Fire Dao essence, proving he was not a true Dao body and still had a distance to go before taking the cauldron directly, he was in a state of 'Unity of Heaven and Man' at all times. This was a rare trait, causing the cauldron spirit to reconsider and grant him an opportunity.

"Even if he fails the trial, this seeker actually loses nothing. Comprehending this 'Water-Fire Fragment' is a reward in itself. Only by grasping the changes of water and fire can one possibly refine pills."

"I, the spirit of the cauldron, am quite easy to talk to among the many medium-level inheritances in the East Sea."

The cauldron spirit was quite good-tempered. The "Water-Fire Fragment" was brought from beyond the seas, written by a terrifyingly powerful figure. It contained seven parts, and the water-fire section was just one fragment, yet even so, it was an incredibly formidable method for entering the Dao!

...

Time flowed by.

Inheritances erupted everywhere in the sea. A month passed, and the struggle for hegemony continued. Many ordinary inheritances were occupied, and some changed hands multiple times. But those who could truly complete an inheritance were few and far between. These ancient inheritances were over a thousand years old, having survived multiple wars for hegemony, and there was a reason they had not been completely claimed!

Every person who could complete a true final inheritance could leap to the forefront of the East Sea.

On the rankings, the winds and clouds shifted.

"Have you seen it? The 'Ten Divine Spears' moved like a meteor and reached second place in an instant. In just one month, he truly deserves the title of the strongest person on the sea!"

"The current strongest in the East Sea is generally acknowledged to be Duan Haiyuan, right? And he has firmly held the first spot."

"The two have never fought to the death. It is said that the Ten Divine Spears believes that neither is at their peak, and it would be a pity to fight to the death now; he is saving it for the final leap."

"It is said that the Ten Divine Spears returned from the far seas this time, gathered the Black Pirates, and cleared out several island chains in one go, reoccupying the vast sea area. I wonder if Duan Haiyuan will make a move!"

"The Ten Divine Spears has always traveled alone, hasn't he? They say he wanders the sea by himself, and whenever he sees a powerful inheritance, he seizes it!"

News spread across the sea.

"That person named 'Xianyu Tingyun' seems to have obtained an ancient inheritance and leaped into the top ten. Behind his name, it is noted that he obtained the 'Platinum Killing Technique' inheritance, capable of using the essence of Western Gold to sever all vitality!"

"Yes, it seems some forces have investigated, and he was just a coastal fisherman who suddenly rose to power. Not only that, but Wei Jinglue, Xi Tonghua, Changsun Shu... and others, all names we have never heard of before, must all be rising young experts!"

"In the East Sea, countless experts are about to emerge like bamboo shoots after the rain. This is the true Great Age!"

As news spread, many were amazed and stirred, wishing they were the ones receiving the inheritances. However, others looked on with cold indifference, shaking their heads.

In a temple, an old priest was performing a sacrifice. On the altar, blood flowed down—blood energy so powerful it flowed like a river—but it had been slaughtered and offered there! On the altar, the face of the Sea God was blurred, looking down at the world below.

"Rising young experts? Ridiculous. Do they think they can confront true, terrifying powerhouses with just one or two inheritances? They underestimate our foundation."

The old priest finished the sacrifice and looked up at the sky-scroll. His expression was cruel; he enjoyed this sacrifice.

"Besides, whether those so-called new names are truly newcomers is hard to say. I have already seen several familiar names. It seems they all survived and are now reviving!"

At this moment, several others like him looked up, their expressions cold, indifferent, or tyrannical! The East Sea was now a place of shifting clouds and gathering storms, filled with experts!

...

After the submarine volcano erupted, although it subsided, the spiritual light remained for a long time—that was the natural force of heaven and earth changing, which would not dissipate easily. Over the past month, it naturally attracted many gazes, and people gradually began to look toward this inheritance.

In fact, if the volcano were not hidden deep under the sea and if Bai Xuan had not restrained himself while undergoing the trial, the eruption of spiritual light would have long since attracted distant fleets. Even so, in the past half-month, two fleets had arrived. The first was a Black Pirate fleet that had scouted from afar and already left. Now, the second fleet had approached and was faintly surrounding the "Swallow Sea."

This fleet saw the Green Dragon flag fluttering from afar and, fearing the reputation of the Thousand Mountain Army, dared not attack directly. Instead, they found an excuse and were currently "sparring."

Clang!

Wan Yongdao drew his blade like a thunderbolt, like a scorching torrent. The blade light slashed out, crossing the sky! He was unleashing his power, suppressing his opponent!

Bang!

On the opposing ship, a Half-Step Grandmaster swung his blade, but upon colliding with Wan Yongdao's blade light, he was crushed instantly.

Boom, boom, boom!

He retreated seven or eight steps, his expression filled with shock.

"This is the Hundred-Blade Technique... Could he be a successor of the Ten Thousand Blade Manor!"

With that one strike, the Half-Step Grandmaster knew he was no match for Wan Yongdao. In fact, within half an hour, both Half-Step Grandmasters on that ship had been defeated by Wan Yongdao. The fleet they led had only five warships and belonged to a clan from a nearby island. With such strength, in the current East Sea, they could only wait for opportunities to find small, undiscovered inheritances; they would never dare to compete for them openly.

"The guardians of the ship are successors of the Ten Thousand Blade Manor. Could the person receiving the inheritance below be... that one from the Thousand Mountain Army?"

The Half-Step Grandmaster's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "Fine blade technique, fine blade technique! You have won this round of sparring. Let us part on good terms; we shall withdraw now."

Wan Yongdao remained cold and said nothing. Soon, the fleet fled in a panic, breaking through the waves and leaving from afar. But after they left, Yi Yuan's figure appeared, and Wan Yongdao finally revealed a look of exhaustion and faint worry.

"These two fleets were just appetizers. The ones coming here will certainly not be limited to just these people or this level of strength," Wan Yongdao said solemnly. "Vice-Commander Yi, we must prepare for a great battle."

"I know." Yi Yuan's voice was dry. He also felt the impending storm; this place would become extremely dangerous!

...

In the distance, several warships were sailing toward the submarine volcano. At the prow, a withered youth held a wooden talisman, from which green smoke drifted, pointing in this direction.

"The inheritance here... looking at the spiritual light, although it is like a fierce fire, it faintly contains water-fire changes. It seems to be an alchemy-related inheritance."

The youth watched the distant light, calculating. Not far away, a Grandmaster with blood energy like a river approached respectfully.

"Master Qian, I wonder how much longer until we reach the place of inheritance?"

He was powerful, but in the face of this withered youth, he was extremely cautious, even respectful. There was no other reason. A month ago, this Master Qian had come to hire their fleet. At the time, a Grandmaster had spoken rudely, thinking that since the fleet was the foundation of the clan—something a Grandmaster relied on to roam the East Sea—how could an "Immortal Master" just show up and hire them on a whim?

But this Master Qian had flicked a talisman, and with a boom, it shattered that Grandmaster's river of blood, smashing half his arm into pulp. Even with a divine weapon in hand, he could not resist this Immortal Master. Thus, the Grandmaster could only be respectful in front of the withered youth!

"Not much longer," the withered youth said slowly.

He thought to himself, "An alchemy inheritance... that is a very precious category. Whether it is alchemy techniques or pill-nurturing methods, both can bring me a great boost in foundation and lead to the path of longevity."

"Of course, the most precious thing is the treasure cauldron! If there is a treasure cauldron here, even if I lose this battle and fail to qualify for the Cave Heaven passage, I can extend my life by two hundred years and live until the next passage opens."

The withered youth understood very well. Although the East Sea was not lacking in resources, the strength of cultivators was limited, their lifespans short, and many true treasures simply could not be refined; divine weapons, at best, were only of the ninth grade. Only in ancient inheritances could one obtain true treasure artifacts, which used "True Talisman" methods to carve arrays, representing a realm above the Great Realm. Obtaining one would allow him to roam the East Sea unchecked!

"If I have a treasure cauldron, I could refine thousands of pills in an instant, enough to support a clan and rapidly increase everyone's combat power."

"When that time comes, I could cultivate a fleet of Grandmaster Dao Soldiers and pass down arrays to easily defeat most strong enemies on the sea."

The withered youth longed for this. He had a terrifying and powerful background, rarely heard of in the East Sea; he was a branch of an ancient inheritance with a history of several hundred years, and a terrifying ancestor had now also emerged! In his view, his ancestor could also contend for it!

On the other side, a massive fleet was sailing in this direction, flying flags depicting countless stars with a white streak of energy running through them. Anyone knowledgeable would recognize this as the flag of the "Thousand Island Alliance" of the Xuanzhi Temple!

In the past few months, after the Star-Hunting Pirates defeated the Ten Thousand Blade Manor, the Xuanzhi Temple finally emerged, forming the Thousand Island Alliance and uniting at least several hundred powerful islands. Compared to them, the Thousand Mountain Army was somewhat weak; besides the Whale Hunters, no one could compare to the Xuanzhi Temple. The Xuanzhi Temple had a long history, with numerous Immortal Masters and Grandmaster warriors. One had to know that with Immortal Masters gathering to refine pills, they could easily cultivate many Blood Refining level experts. Centuries of accumulation were not to be underestimated!

Just on this fleet, four or five streams of blood energy, like rivers, were rising, their pressure spreading far and wide.

"A submarine volcano has erupted in this sea area; there must be an inheritance reviving within."

On the flagship, a burly man, his blood energy surging like five rivers, spoke. He was powerful, cultivating the "Flying Origin Star Contemplation Diagram" of the Xuanzhi Temple, and held a divine weapon approaching the qualified level. Even within the Xuanzhi Temple, he held a seat of power.

However, he bowed respectfully to a youth, "Master Luan, do you recognize the origin of this inheritance in the sea?"

The youth looked indifferent, sitting on a cushion, meditating toward the sea. At this moment, he opened his eyes, and flashes of lightning appeared, then vanished in an instant, terrifying and shocking!

"The wooden talisman emitting smoke has its patterns. If one has participated in the wars for hegemony among the seas, one can deduce a thing or two."

The indifferent youth in Daoist robes pondered. "This spiritual light faintly contains water-fire changes. It must be an alchemy inheritance, which is a relatively precious type on this sea."

"However, to obtain this inheritance, I fear it will take some effort."

On the distant horizon, another fleet could be seen approaching!

...

Under the water.

"Water-fire changes..."

Bai Xuan was comprehending. In his eyes, the runes were flowing, constantly evolving new changes. While the thousands of blood energy changes in his contemplation diagram were exhaustive, this "Water-Fire Fragment" seemed inexhaustible.

This was a truly profound and terrifying inheritance, representing an understanding of the Great Dao—the true meaning of the water-fire method!

As Bai Xuan's body rumbled, the surrounding hundreds of meters of water flowed according to his will. Faintly, a wisp of mysterious and profound energy began to emerge from his body!

Inside the volcano, the winged cauldron spirit, which had been coiled there, widened its amber eyes, its slit pupils revealing a faint sense of shock.

"Half a month, and he comprehended a wisp of the Dao of Water?"

"How is this possible!"

Even the cauldron spirit felt shock and amazement.