CHAPTER 520: CHAPTER 520: THE APPEARANCE OF THE PILLING FIRE_1

Qin Feiyang looked at the shifty-eyed young man before him, a trace of appreciation in his eyes.

Those who know their place live longer.

It is a common enough saying, easy to understand.

However, few truly achieve that, but He Jiu did, which showed how high his level of self-awareness was.

Qin Feiyang’s eyes flashed as he asked, "You haven’t been talking to anyone else, have you?"

"Uh..."

He Jiu’s pupils instantly contracted, a hint of panic rising on his face.

"Hmm?"

Qin Feiyang raised his eyebrows, his expression becoming somewhat displeased.

Seeing this, He Jiu tensed up, anxiously saying, "I only mentioned that you killed Nie Yu, and nothing else."

"You did still mention it."

Fatty sneered coldly, Battle Intent flowing from his palm, a wisp of murderous intent spreading out.

Qin Feiyang waved his hand to stop Fatty and turned to He Jiu with a smile. "It doesn’t matter. Even if you didn’t say anything, others would have guessed."

"Thank you for your generosity, Senior Brother."

He Jiu quickly kowtowed his thanks.

Qin Feiyang asked, "Any news of the Elixir Fire?"

"No."

"For the past few months, everyone has been searching, yet there isn’t a single clue."

He Jiu shook his head.

Qin Feiyang’s brow creased immediately.

A full seven months had passed...

No, including the journey here, it’s been seven and a half months, yet still no trace. Where on earth is this Elixir Fire hidden?

Fatty was also vexed and turned to He Jiu. "Why haven’t you been searching?"

"Me?"

He Jiu immediately forced a bitter smile.

"What for?"

"I’m just a Three-star War Emperor. The depths are teeming with ferocious beasts stronger than me. If I went, it would simply be suicide."

"Besides, even if I had incredible luck and found the Elixir Fire, the three Kings wouldn’t let me take it out of the Spirit Cloud Mountain Range."

"So, instead of going through all that effort, why not stay here and enjoy the good times, while also ensuring my own safety?"

He Jiu said.

Qin Feiyang was once again impressed by He Jiu.

This guy wasn’t just cunning; he was smart too.

Fatty glanced at He Jiu, then looked at Qin Feiyang and said, "Boss, waiting like this isn’t a solution. Should we take the initiative to look?"

"How do we look?"

"The Spirit Cloud Mountain Range connects Yun State and Spirit State; it’s boundless. With just the two of us, searching for a wisp of Elixir Fire would be like finding a needle in a haystack,"

Qin Feiyang said.

He Jiu, standing beside them, asked in surprise, "Senior Brother Ma also wants the Elixir Fire?"

Qin Feiyang nodded.

It’s not about wanting it; it’s about having to have it!

A thought sparked in He Jiu’s mind, and he said fawningly, "How about this: I’ll help you gather information, as long as you spare my life."

"How will you gather information?"

Fatty frowned.

"Even if I don’t know where the Elixir Fire is, I have connections with many people. As soon as the Elixir Fire appears, I’m sure I’ll get the news first,"

He Jiu declared, patting his chest.

Qin Feiyang looked at He Jiu, his gaze flickering.

A moment later, he nodded. "If you can indeed find out, I’ll let you go."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

He Jiu was overjoyed.

Qin Feiyang turned his gaze to Fatty, who understood and withdrew his oppressive aura.

He Jiu didn’t dare delay, immediately taking out his Image Crystal Stone and contacting his friends and close associates.

Qin Feiyang and Fatty withdrew to one side, watching silently.

One had to admit, He Jiu’s network was indeed extensive; he contacted over fifty people.

And most of them had higher cultivation levels than him.

Less than an hour later, He Jiu finally put the Image Crystal Stone away and turned to Qin Feiyang and Fatty with a fawning smile. "Now, all we have to do is wait for news."

Qin Feiyang nodded. Having nothing else to do, he simply sat cross-legged on the ground and closed his eyes to meditate.

Another half a month passed like this.

There were only four months left until the Great War of the Nine States!

Early one morning, as the horizon lightened and the sun slowly rose, its crimson glow dyed the mountains and the great earth!

HUM!

Suddenly, the vibrating hum of an Image Crystal Stone sounded.

Qin Feiyang opened his eyes and looked at He Jiu.

Fatty, beside him, instantly perked up, a hint of expectation in his eyes.

He Jiu glanced at the two of them, took out the Image Crystal Stone from his robes, and infused it with Battle Intent. A figure quickly materialized—it was a youth in black.

He was over 1.7 meters tall, with very ordinary features—the kind of face that blends into a crowd.

Upon seeing this person, He Jiu asked anxiously, "Well? Any news?"

"Yes."

"The three Kings have found the Elixir Fire in a canyon,"

the youth in black said excitedly.

Upon hearing this, Qin Feiyang and Fatty immediately stood up.

He Jiu also sighed in relief. Finally, I can save my life. Then he too grew excited and asked, "Where is the Elixir Fire now?"

The youth in black replied, "Still in the canyon."

"Hmm?"

He Jiu was slightly taken aback, asking suspiciously, "If the three Kings found the Elixir Fire, then why didn’t they take it?"

This was also the question on Qin Feiyang’s and Fatty’s minds.

"There’s a War Ancestor-level ferocious beast in that canyon, stronger than the three Kings. It won’t be easy for them to get their hands on it,"

the youth in black said, gloating.

"Stronger than them?"

He Jiu was stunned, exclaiming, "Are you sure you’re not lying to me?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

"I saw it with my own eyes. The three Kings fought that ferocious beast, and with just one blow, they were beaten until they vomited blood."

"However, that canyon has already been sealed off by the three Kings’ people. Small fries like us can’t even dream of getting close,"

the youth in black said, a trace of unwillingness in his tone.

"SIGH!"

He Jiu also let out a long sigh.

How precious is a fourth rank Elixir Fire? If I could get my hands on it, I’d soar to the heavens! But facing the powerful three Kings, with his meager strength, he had absolutely no chance.

Fatty also frowned, asking in a low voice, "Boss, how do we seize it?"

"Let’s go to the canyon and check it out first."

Qin Feiyang raised his arm, his index finger dancing in the air. Four large characters, condensed from Battle Intent, swiftly materialized: Canyon Coordinates!

Seeing these words, He Jiu looked up at the young man in black and smiled. "Can you give me the coordinates of the canyon?"

"Huh?"

The young man in black was taken aback, asking skeptically, "What? You still want to try and snatch the Elixir Fire?"

He Jiu gave a wry smile. "I wouldn’t dare. I just want to go see the excitement."

Staring at him with doubt, the youth in black said, "I can give you the coordinates, but if you get anything good out of it, don’t forget me."

"Certainly, certainly."

He Jiu nodded repeatedly.

After the young man in black revealed the canyon’s coordinates, He Jiu deactivated the Image Crystal Stone. Then he turned to Qin Feiyang and Fatty. "You heard him. Are you sure you want to go?"

"How will we know if there’s a chance if we don’t go and see?"

Qin Feiyang smiled faintly, waved his hand, opened a teleportation portal, and walked in without hesitation.

Fatty stepped towards the portal but suddenly stopped before it. He turned his head and grinned at He Jiu. "It’s sure to be lively later. Want to join?"

Without any hesitation, He Jiu shook his head.

Even though Fatty’s attitude towards him had improved significantly after spending half a month together, he always felt that Fatty had ulterior motives.

Fatty wasn’t surprised. HEHE! With a chuckle, he turned and entered the teleportation portal.

In the blink of an eye, Qin Feiyang and Fatty appeared in an unfamiliar place.

Here, mountains rose in layers, and ancient trees were lush and green. Between the mountains flowed the Jiang Chuan River, like a colossal python, winding and twisting as it traversed the land in all directions. At this moment, Qin Feiyang and Fatty stood on one of its banks.

Qin Feiyang looked at the Jiang Chuan. The turbulent waters, like a ferocious torrent beast, churned up waves over ten meters high!

And beneath the surface, he could clearly sense the auras of numerous ferocious beasts.

The weakest were at the War Emperor level, and the strongest auras were so profound even he couldn’t fathom them!

This indicated that War Ancestor realm Water Beasts most likely lurked within the Jiang Chuan!

On both banks of the Jiang Chuan were vast primeval forests, also emanating the auras of many powerful, ferocious beasts.

Truthfully, without a Five-star War Emperor’s cultivation, it would be difficult to survive here.

"Where’s the canyon?"

Fatty looked around, his brows gradually furrowing. Apart from the desolate forests, giant peaks, and ferocious beasts, there was no canyon in sight.

Were they being fooled?

"Quick, quick!"

"The canyon is over there!"

Suddenly, shouts were heard.

Qin Feiyang’s eyes flashed. He grabbed Fatty and pulled him into the nearby jungle, whispering, "Conceal your aura."

Soon! A group of people flew over the jungle canopy, heading towards the opposite riverbank.

There were fifteen of them in total, young men and women. Some wore white, others black, and all had cultivations at Four-star War Emperor or above.

After watching the group leave, Fatty retracted his gaze and asked, puzzled, "Boss, you’ve broken through to Eight-star War Emperor. With the War Technique and the Counter Curse Manual, you’re perfectly capable of contending with those so-called three Kings. Is it necessary for us to lurk around like this?"

Qin Feiyang replied, "Mo Wushen has been waiting for me. If he finds out I’m here, he’ll definitely come after me. Although I’m not afraid of him now, it would interfere with my efforts to seize the Elixir Fire."

Fatty suddenly understood.

Indeed. Snatching the Elixir Fire while the three Kings were unaware would undoubtedly be easier.

"Let’s go. Follow them."

Qin Feiyang waved his hand, transforming into a streak of light as he darted out of the jungle.

Fatty followed closely.

Soon, the two crossed the Jiang Chuan, entered the forest on the opposite bank, and then, without pausing, followed behind the fifteen people, silently flitting forward.

Not long after the two vanished onto the opposite bank, another black-clad youth appeared out of thin air.

It was He Jiu!

"HEHE! A fourth rank Elixir Fire... I can’t give up until the very end. Ma San, this time, I’ll see who the real oriole is!"

With a low chuckle, he too immediately flew towards the opposite bank.

And just like Qin Feiyang and Fatty, he also chose to enter the forest and sneak forward stealthily.

...

「In the forest.」

Qin Feiyang and Fatty treaded extremely cautiously, not making a sound.

Fatty glanced up at the fifteen people high above and sneered, "They know the canyon is sealed off, yet they still fly openly across the sky. What a bunch of idiots."

Qin Feiyang smiled but said nothing.

"All of you, stop!"

As expected! About a hundred breaths later, a furious roar suddenly erupted high in the sky.

The fifteen people flying in the air immediately stopped, their eyes filled with fear.

Qin Feiyang also halted. Looking up, he saw a burly young man standing high in the sky ahead, scanning the fifteen people with an extremely hostile gaze.

Qin Feiyang frowned. He had seen this person before.

When he had killed Mo He, this was the man who had caught Mo He’s body.

Undoubtedly, this man was one of Mo Wushen’s subordinates.

His presence here meant he was likely blockading the canyon, which in turn meant the canyon was just ahead!

At this thought, a sharp glint flashed in Qin Feiyang’s eyes. He signaled Fatty, and they continued to race forward.