A Record of A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Chapter 156: Earth's Mantle Fire

Han Li listened calmly to the elder’s explanation, his expression unchanged as if he neither agreed nor disagreed. After hearing it all, he simply nodded lightly, said nothing, and reached out to pick up the replica Jade Tube before turning to walk toward the passage.

“Since young friend wants to refine pills, why not buy some pill furnaces? I can give you a discount, how about that?” The elder hurriedly started promoting his goods again as Han Li was about to leave.

“No need, I don’t need them for now!” Han Li did not look back, just waved his hand and said calmly.

“That’s really a pity. My pill furnaces can withstand the high temperatures of earth flame!” Old Master Xu expressed some regret at losing the sale.

“Earth flame?” Han Li, who had almost reached the passage entrance, stopped in his tracks.

“It’s the earth’s mantle fire, a few degrees stronger than innate true fire,” the elder said casually.

“But refining pills isn’t supposed to use innate true fire? Can this earth flame replace it?” Han Li tried hard to keep his voice steady, but his heart was pounding wildly. He knew that the solution to his foundation establishment pill refining dilemma might have just appeared.

“Heh! It seems young friend knows nothing about how in the immortal cultivation world the earth flame has long replaced innate true fire for pill refining! But that’s no big deal, basically anyone who has refined pills once or twice knows this. Well then, I’ll explain it to you for free!” The elder perked up, deliberately emphasizing the word “free.”

Han Li couldn’t help but smile wryly. The old man obviously meant that whether he said one word or seven or eight, it was all “free”—but the difference was huge.

However, since this was an important matter, Han Li didn’t want to waste time arguing.

He turned back without hesitation and said, “If what Old Master Xu says about earth flame is true, then I’ll pick out a pill furnace here.”

“Hehe! My pill furnaces are top-quality treasures. I’m sure young friend will be satisfied!” Old Master Xu squinted his eyes and smiled, pleased his goal was achieved.

“In fact, using innate true fire to refine pills is an old story from long ago! Nowadays in the immortal cultivation world, pill refining uses the earth’s mantle fire from the Xuanyang Fire Ground. This is because long ago, our predecessors discovered that earth flame is not only purer and hotter than a cultivator’s true fire, but also especially stable and long-lasting. It greatly improves the success rate of pill refining, and it’s equally effective for forging magical artifacts. Therefore, any sects or large cultivation families with the conditions have their own Xuanyang Fire Ground for their disciples to refine pills and artifacts. Only the isolated, rogue cultivators who cannot borrow the earth flame still use the high-failure innate true fire method,” the elder explained with a knowing nod.

“Our sect has earth flame available? Old Master Xu, do you know where?” Han Li was overjoyed but forced himself to stay composed as he asked the crucial question clearly.

“Hahaha!…” The elder burst into laughter upon hearing Han Li’s question, causing Han Li to blink in confusion.

“When you first entered Yuelu Hall, didn’t you see a passage without any markings? That passage leads to the Xuanyang Fire Ground. If you pay some spirit stones there, you can borrow the earth flame!” After laughing heartily, the elder finally revealed the truth.

“Really?” Han Li couldn’t help but show a hint of joy, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

“Do you think this old man would deceive a younger generation like you at my age?” Old Master Xu said, somewhat displeased.

“That was my mistake! Please forgive me, Old Master Xu!” Han Li sincerely apologized, believing that even if the elder was greedy, he wouldn’t fool him on such a serious matter.

“Hmph, in consideration of your youth, I’ll forgive you this time!” The elder’s expression softened, but then he frowned and added, “But I won’t give any more discounts on pill furnaces.”