Chapter 121: Absorbing Two Seeds

Jiang Feng and Ji Moran stood within the burning chamber, the air thick with heat and the faint scent of ash. Before them stretched the long, fiery road of the Solaris Infernum, its surface shimmering with waves of intense heat. At the far end of the road, a glowing door of pure white light beckoned, its radiance a stark contrast to the inferno surrounding it. This door was the gateway to the next trial, a challenge reserved only for the most exceptional talents of their generation.

Those who could endure the trials of the Solaris Infernum and Lunara Glacies Battlegrounds were destined to become legends, their names etched into the annals of history. Jiang Feng knew this well, and it was precisely why he had to grow stronger—not just for himself, but to face the formidable opponents who awaited him.

His thoughts drifted to the world beyond the Obsidian Waterfall Realm. The older generation, with their entrenched grudges and ruthless ambitions, would not take kindly to his rise or to the actions he had done. They were often unreasonable, driven by greed and the desire to maintain their power and face. Yet, Jiang Feng couldn't entirely blame them.

The competition for resources, cultivation manuals, and techniques had always been fierce. Cities like Mists Ridge and Thunderclap City had their own dark histories, their hands stained with blood from countless underhanded schemes as well as the other city's young elites who had previously entered. Robbery, murder, and betrayal were not uncommon in their pursuit of power. The Obsidian Waterfall Realm was a once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity, and those who failed to seize it would likely perish before reaching the Nascent Soul realm. The stakes were high, and the consequences of failure were dire.

"We should get changed," Ji Moran said, breaking the silence. With a wave of her hand, she conjured two large blocks of ice. The first block was hollowed out, designed to collect water as the ice melted, providing Jiang Feng with a makeshift shower. The outer layer was thick enough to obscure any view, ensuring privacy. Jiang Feng and Ji Moran each stepped behind their respective ice blocks, the coolness a welcome relief from the oppressive heat. They washed quickly, the water soothing their skin, and changed into fresh clothes retrieved from their spatial rings. The act of cleansing felt symbolic, a renewal of their resolve before the trials ahead.

"I should get started now," Jiang Feng said, his voice steady but tinged with caution. "I don't know what effects consuming these four sunflower seeds and the Sunflower plant will have. We made breakthroughs after consuming one, but this... this is uncharted territory. There could be positive effects, or there could be risks. If anything happens, I'll be relying on you."

Ji Moran nodded, her expression calm but resolute. "Okay, you do what you have to. I'll be right here with the Phoenix Blood Leaf when you're ready for me." She moved to the side, settling into a meditative posture.

The Phoenix Blood Leaf, a treasure containing the full spiritual essence and insights of Lunara Glacies, rested in her hands. It was a legacy she had earned through her comprehension of the Dao Threads of Deepfrost, and its power would be crucial in the trials to come.

Jiang Feng took a moment to survey their surroundings. The chamber was vast, its walls glowing faintly with residual heat from the Solaris Infernum. The air was heavy, almost suffocating, but it was a reminder of the challenges they had overcome—and those that still lay ahead. "I've used up all my healing and detoxifying pills," he said, his tone thoughtful. "Going forward, we need to prioritize safety, especially against Mists Ridge. We haven't run into anyone from the top ranks from the other cities as yet, but when we do, they'll be stronger than we expect. Those two from the Celestial Shadow Church... they're probably making their breakthroughs as well. They won't be easy to deal with."

Ji Moran frowned, her mind racing through the information her family had gathered on the other cities. The younger generation from places like Verdant Sky City and Silver Sword City were known for their prodigious talents. "Ren Xiangfeng from Verdant Sky City is an oddball," she said, her voice low. "He's unpredictable and dangerous. And Cheng Yutian, the Little Sword Emperor from Silver Sword City... he's said to be able to defeat opponents in the same realm with ease, and he can even fight above his level. We'll need to be careful."

Jiang Feng smiled faintly, a glint of determination and an urge for battle burned in his eyes. "For geniuses like them to advance to the Golden Core Realm shows just how strong they are. And with the added resources here, they'll be even more unfathomable." His thoughts drifted to his and Ji Moran's near defeat at the hands of Zhang Huito and Gao Zhenlei, a reminder of how close they had come to death. It was a humbling experience, one that fueled his desire to grow stronger.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Feng centered himself. The area around his body began to heat up as his infernal breathing technique circulated through him, his essence lake—now an impressive 15,000 meters in diameter—rumbling with energy. With a wave of his hand, he retrieved the four remaining sunflower seeds, their surfaces glinting with an aura of solar light. Each seed was a treasure, a fragment of power that could elevate him to new heights—or destroy him if he wasn't careful.

The moment had come. Jiang Feng's journey was far from over, and the trials ahead would test him in ways he could scarcely imagine. But with Ji Moran by his side and the power of the sunflower seeds in his grasp, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The road to greatness was paved with fire and ice, and Jiang Feng was determined to walk it, no matter the cost.

"Here we go" he murmured.

Jiang Feng closed his eyes, slipping effortlessly into a meditative state. His breathing slowed, each inhale and exhale steady and deliberate as if the world around him had faded into silence. He placed one hand on his chest, and in an instant, blue flames erupted from his body, roaring to life like a volcano unleashed. The flames danced and spiraled around him, their brilliance casting an otherworldly glow on the area. Above his head, a fiery figure began to take shape, its form shimmering and shifting as though forged from the very essence of the heavens. The air around it trembled, distorted by the intense heat waves radiating from its body.

"Caelestis Fornax?" Jiang Feng murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. It was the first time he had spoken the name bestowed upon his Skyforge Flame by the heavens. The words felt strange yet familiar on his tongue as if he had spoken these words before, they carried a weight far beyond their syllables.

"Yes," a soft, ethereal voice echoed in his mind. It was neither male nor female, a sound that seemed to exist beyond the confines of gender. Jiang Feng couldn't help but smile faintly, shaking his head at the peculiarity of it all. He had grown accustomed to the mysteries of his flame, but this small detail—its voice—lingered in his thoughts, a fleeting curiosity he chose to set aside for now.

"You mustn't absorb the Golden Crow Flame essence," Jiang Feng said aloud, his tone firm yet laced with concern. "It may very well cause me to die if you attempt it." He knew little about the nature of his Skyforge Flame or the intricacies of the top ten heavenly flames.

It was only after witnessing the intelligence of the Sun and Moon Flames that he decided to communicate directly with his flame following its evolution. Still, doubts lingered. The Eternal Flame Codex had warned him repeatedly of the dangers of losing control, of the possibility that his flame might one day rebel against him. The thought was unsettling, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

"Rest assured, Solaris is exaggerating," the voice of the Skyforge Flame replied, its tone calm and measured. "The top ten flames can coexist, though it is challenging when housed within the same body. However, it is not impossible. The top ten flames cannot absorb one another. I believe Solaris was primarily referring to your Gate of Darkness, though it chose not to involve itself directly with the karma that might arise."

Jiang Feng's expression shifted as he processed the flame's words. The Gate of Darkness—a force both mysterious and terrifying—was not something he could control at will. Just based on feelings alone, he knew that it had a mind of its own, and would possibly appear when his life was in grave danger of its own accord.

If the Golden Crow Flame posed a threat, the Gate might intervene, consuming the flame entirely, which was very bad. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but he nodded slowly, a sense of reassurance settling over him after knowing the possibilities of what might happen and thinking what he should do to stop it in case it happened.

"Thank you for clearing that up for me," Jiang Feng said, his voice steady. He opened his hands, causing the four sunflower seeds to tremble faintly as they floated about. Behind him, on his back, the Eternal Character representing his bloodline ignited, its intricate lines burning with a fierce and commanding, otherworldly light.

His God-like comprehension activated almost instinctively due to his bloodline, and within his body, the dragon coiled around his heart stirred. Its eyes, gleaming like distant stars, snapped open, and its scales shimmered with the Dao threads of ice, sword, spear, fire, and darkness. The threads twisted and writhed across its body before being absorbed, each one adding to the dragon's already formidable presence.

For the first time, the dragon left the sanctuary of Jiang Feng's heart, its miniature form slithering through his meridians until it reached the devouring diagram etched into his stomach. The diagram flared to life, its intricate patterns glowing with an intensity that lit up the inside of Jiang Feng's body. His draconic bloodline roared in response, a surge of power coursing through him that made his entire body tremble, almost causing him to spit out blood.

"You can fuse with the devouring diagram?" Jiang Feng asked, his voice tinged with surprise and awe.

"Hmph," was the dragon's only response, its tone dismissive yet tinged with a hint of pride. Jiang Feng couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly, shaking his head at the dragon's aloofness.

Beside him, Ji Moran took a deep breath, her presence a stark contrast to the fiery energy radiating from Jiang Feng. The air around her grew icy, frost forming on the ground beneath her feet. Jiang Feng glanced at her, their eyes meeting briefly, and he gave a small nod to signal that he was ready to begin. Ji Moran's expression remained stoic, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of concern.

Lifting his hand, Jiang Feng pointed at the first sunflower seed. In an instant, it shot into his mouth, disappearing before Ji Moran could fully process what had happened. Her mind blanked for a moment, too shocked to comprehend the sheer audacity of his actions.

The moment the seed entered his stomach, the devouring diagram roared to life with an intensity Jiang Feng had never experienced before. Its glow illuminated the walls of his mouth and stomach, casting an eerie light that pulsed in time with his heartbeat. The diagram worked frantically, absorbing the vast energy contained within the seed, but even so, Jiang Feng could feel the sheer magnitude of the power threatening to overwhelm him.

Without hesitation, he waved his hand once more, and a second seed shot into his mouth.

BOOM!

The explosion of energy was immediate and overwhelming. Jiang Feng's body lit up like a miniature sun, his insides burning as though they were being reduced to ash. The devouring diagram shined even more, like a beast entering the deep sea, its patterns glowing brighter and brighter as it rumbled to contain the rampaging energy. Yellow flames burst from Jiang Feng's body, their heat so intense that the very atmosphere around him rippled, teetering on the edge of combustion.

Ji Moran took a step back, her eyes wide with alarm. "Jiang Feng!" she called out, her voice cutting through the chaos. But Jiang Feng was beyond hearing her. His entire being was consumed by the struggle to control the immense power surging through him, his body a battlefield between the forces of creation and destruction.