Seizing Destiny From Heavens Hands

Chapter 287: The Mist State Expeditionary Army Merges with Eternal Flames

Five days later.

The list of cultivators for the expedition to Mist State was finally finalized.

The three sects and one king, representing four major powers, contributed a total of eight Divine Transformation cultivators, seventy Nascent Soul cultivators, and three hundred Core Formation cultivators.

Lower-realm cultivators were deemed unnecessary for the journey to Mist State.

After all, those with lower cultivation levels would have no opportunity to showcase their strength in Mist State.

Moreover, the number of armored cloudships was limited, and so was the capacity they could carry.

Naturally, priority was given to cultivators capable of fighting. Core Formation was set as the absolute minimum threshold.

The Supreme Purity Sect, known for its superior individual combat strength and expertise in artifact crafting, sent more people and sold spiritual artifacts at a discount to those going to Mist State.

The Pill River Sect, whose cultivators were slightly weaker in combat but skilled in alchemy, sent fewer people but provided a large number of pills as gifts to those participating in the expedition.

The Jade Cauldron Sect, being more balanced but excelling in no particular area, contributed both cultivators and resources in substantial amounts.

As for King Jing, he demonstrated his sincerity by providing four armored cloudships.

Thus, a grand expeditionary force was assembled.

As the Young Sect Master, Shen Mo naturally could not participate in this expedition.

However, people Shen Mo was acquainted with—such as Zhao Yaolu, Lü Dongxuan, and Ouyang Wei—joined the expedition.

Zhao Yaolu and Lü Dongxuan didn't have to go; they volunteered.

Shen Mo had already reviewed their life panels in advance. Although fraught with danger, they showed no signs of mortal peril, which reassured him.

"I hope they all stay safe and return alive," Shen Mo murmured.

Li Zhendao stood at the mountain gate, watching the Jade Cauldron Sect cultivators board the armored cloudships in an orderly manner, and sighed.

Beside him, Wan Muchun also sighed deeply.

No one knew what fate awaited them in Mist State.

Within the Jade Cauldron Sect, only Elder Eight had volunteered to go.

As for the second candidate, after much deliberation, Elder Seven was selected.

After all, Elder Seven's repeated failures in crafting Spirit Refining Pills in the Fire Pill Palace had drawn dissatisfaction from other elders, causing his reputation to plummet.

"How could you let Zhao Yaolu and Lü Dongxuan go to Mist State as well?" Li Zhendao asked.

Wan Muchun replied gravely, "Yaolu's family resides in the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom. She wants revenge, and I couldn't stop her."

"I just hope she doesn't expose her identity as a Heaven Ghost Clan member too early."

"As for Dongxuan… the moment he heard there'd be battles, he got so excited that no amount of persuasion could hold him back."

He chuckled wryly, his tone filled with helplessness.

Li Zhendao furrowed his brows. "I have a bad feeling about this expedition. It's likely to end in defeat."

"Elder Wan, how are the spirit beasts progressing?"

Wan Muchun chuckled. "Thanks to Shen Mo, the spirit beasts of Dragon Snake Mountain require very little effort to cultivate and already provide formidable combat strength."

"Additionally, I've selected a group of disciples with beast-taming talents, training them to abandon other techniques in favor of beast-taming skills."

"Within five years, we'll have a powerful beast-based combat force."

Li Zhendao nodded repeatedly. "Excellent!"

After a moment of contemplation, he sighed. "I hope Shen Mo makes progress during this time. If he can reach the Divine Transformation stage within twenty years, it would be fantastic news for the Jade Cauldron Sect!"

Wan Muchun laughed heartily. "Twenty years? Sect Master, you're underestimating Shen Mo."

"I predict he'll be ready to break through within fifteen years!"

Li Zhendao smiled and nodded. "Good, good! You've spent more time with him and know him better than I do."

"I look forward to that day!"

"By the way, I recall Shen Mo is from the Qingxuan Sect in Xuanjing Prefecture? That's dangerously close to Mist State. If the demon clans invade, Xuanjing Prefecture will bear the brunt."

"If that happens, Shen Mo won't be able to focus on cultivating."

"Send some trusted people to Qingxuan Sect to maintain a presence there."

Wan Muchun agreed. "I'll send Ouyang Wei with a few Core Formation deacons. His strength should be sufficient to protect Qingxuan Sect."

"Very well," Li Zhendao affirmed.

...

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, three years passed.

On the Dragon Snake Mountain wilderness, a bare-chested figure was controlling two eternal flames, conducting his ninth fusion attempt of the day.

The surrounding ground, scarred by countless explosions and scorched by the flames, had become a barren wasteland.

As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but charred earth, devoid of any vegetation.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that even insect eggs and grass seeds buried deep within the soil had completely lost their vitality.

Eternal flames—truly domineering!

Not far away, a small crimson flood dragon, about ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) in length, flitted about freely in the air, twisting and turning with unrestrained joy.

Occasionally, it would glance toward the bare-chested figure in the distance, its eyes brimming with both affection and reverence.

This was the young flood dragon.

Due to its mischievous nature, constantly attempting to sneak away, the old flood dragon—being a doting father in his twilight years—found it hard to discipline him with harsh scoldings or punishments.

In the end, the old flood dragon decided to let him stay by Shen Mo's side.

Since following Shen Mo, the young flood dragon had become far more obedient.

Of course, this change wasn't because the young flood dragon had turned over a new leaf.

It was primarily out of fear of the eternal flames.

The essence of eternal flames was too noble and overwhelmingly powerful, far beyond what a crimson fire flood dragon could contend with.

Seeing Shen Mo, a mere human, command such flames inspired a deep sense of awe in the young flood dragon.

Naturally, during his time with Shen Mo, he hadn't missed the opportunity to absorb traces of eternal flame energy that occasionally drifted away.

As a result, his growth had become astonishingly rapid.

Now, his cultivation had reached the fourth rank at its entry level—equivalent to a Core Formation cultivator among humans.

This rate of growth was so astonishing that even the old flood dragon, who occasionally visited, was left speechless.

On multiple occasions, the old flood dragon openly admitted, "He's growing just a smidge faster than I did back in my day."

However, every time Shen Mo heard the old flood dragon say "just a smidge," he couldn't shake the feeling that the elder was being a bit modest.

At this moment, Shen Mo was seated cross-legged in the wilderness.

In his palms, two eternal flames—the golden Solar Essence Flame and the crimson Red Lotus Flame—were slowly merging and intertwining.

For the first time in a long while, Shen Mo's usually calm face showed a trace of delight.

"It's almost done!"

Before him, a two-colored flame orb was gradually taking shape.

Time passed quietly, second by second.

What initially appeared as two distinct entities began to meld completely into one.

Eventually, the two colors fused seamlessly.

The Solar Essence Flame's inherently superior nature overwhelmed the Red Lotus Flame, and the resulting orb turned a radiant gold.

But this was not enough.

Shen Mo surged his spiritual energy, manipulating the golden flame orb like kneading dough, stretching it forcefully in opposite directions.

Simultaneously, he activated the Great Wilderness Flame Art.

Buzz!

A domineering and unparalleled giant spear began to take form.

Shen Mo's hands passed over the spear's tip and shaft.

Clang!

The resonating sound of metal rang out, and an explosive shockwave radiated in all directions.

In an instant, dust and smoke billowed into the air, and scorching heatwaves rolled outward.

The young flood dragon, who had been playfully sparring with a few hapless demonic beasts, suddenly felt an intense sense of foreboding.

Without hesitation, it darted behind a large boulder for cover.

As for the unfortunate fourth-rank demonic beasts, they were instantly blasted away by the searing wave of heat, left gasping for breath as they teetered on the edge of death.

Peeking cautiously from behind the boulder, the young flood dragon gazed toward the center of the wilderness.

The bare-chested youth stood there, gripping a golden flame spear more than ten zhang long with one hand.

His entire right arm was wreathed in flames, his eyes shone like brilliant stars, and his presence was awe-inspiring.

At that moment, he resembled a deity of fire descending upon the mortal world, radiating majesty and vigor, his aura soaring to the heavens!

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