章 145: Chapter 144: Desire and Pursuit
In front of the cave mansion.
A graceful figure dressed in white with white hair slowly walked out from within. After advancing to a Dou Huang, Xian'er's aura became even more ethereal, giving her an increasingly celestial presence. Her entire demeanor had subtly changed, making her appear more like a fairy.
"Xian'er sister," Qing Lin stood up and happily called out.
Xian'er nodded with a smile, then turned her gaze towards Wei Yang. Wei Yang picked up the teapot, poured a steaming cup of tea, and beckoned to her, "Come and sit."
With a soft, cheerful step, Xian'er walked over, her curious gaze passing over the towering, expressionless one-horn.
From him, she felt a strong aura of danger, and an expression of surprise and slight solemnity flashed on her face as she asked, "Who is he?"
Wei Yang pointed to the cushion beside him. "Sit down, have some tea, and we'll talk slowly."
"Alright." Seeing Wei Yang's demeanor, Xian'er relaxed and walked over to sit down.
"This is how it went…" Wei Yang began slowly, recounting the events once more. Xian'er listened quietly, her beautiful eyes focused on him.
Finally, Wei Yang gently brushed his finger over his storage ring, took out a jade bottle and handed it to her with a smile, "Mission accomplished, this is the Netherworld Poison Flame."
After doing this, he felt a sense of relief. At that moment, he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart, easing his whole body.
Since meeting Xian'er, he had always been thinking about how to solve the hidden danger of her cursed physique and had even promised her that he would help her resolve this issue. He felt a certain pressure in his heart. Now, it seemed, they were very close to the goal, just one step away.
After personally encountering the Netherworld Poison Flame and witnessing its bizarre and terrifying nature, Wei Yang felt an increased level of confidence that it could thoroughly solve Xian'er's hidden danger.
This unusual flame seemed as if it was tailor-made for the cursed physique. In this world, there probably wasn't any other flame more suitable for it than the Netherworld Poison Flame.
"Brother Yang..." Xian'er clasped the bottle tight, her eyes slightly red and filled with a mist of tears, along with a deep affection surfacing.
"I promised you, and now I've done it." Wei Yang smiled, "No need to say thank you, we're family. This is what I should do."
"Mm." Xian'er nodded heavily.
She felt an overwhelming sense of emotion, tears streaming down her fair, jade-like cheeks uncontrollably.
"Silly girl, why are you crying?" Wei Yang reached out, gently wiped away her tears, and playfully pinched her nose, speaking in a doting tone, "You've become a little crybaby, little kitten."
"Hehe." Xian'er immediately broke into a smile amidst her tears, lightly hitting Wei Yang as she pouted.
On the side, Qing Lin watched with some envy, feeling happy for Xian'er.
After a moment of emotional exchange.
"Open it and have a look," Wei Yang said with a light smile.
"Mm." Xian'er's eyes were filled with expectation as she gently opened the bottle cap.
Immediately, a small green flame about the size of a palm floated out from the jade bottle, hovering quietly before them.
The flame did not give off any intense heat. Instead, looking at it made one feel a sense of chill, like a ghostly flame wandering through a desolate graveyard at night.
Sizzle~
The air above the flame was corroded, making a sizzling sound.
"Netherworld Poison Flame!" Both women stared wide-eyed at it.
Particularly Xian'er, who became emotionally stirred—her usually calm demeanor now had an uncommon fervent light in her eyes as she stared intently at the flame.
She was trembling slightly, with an intense craving rapidly emerging from within her.
It was like a long-thirsty addict suddenly encountering a pure package of drugs laid out before them—the desire and craving almost overpowering.
The Netherworld Poison Flame held an allure far beyond any poison for the cursed physique. It was instinctual.
Her eyes shone with an increasing fervor, even faintly revealing a hint of red glow.
"Xian'er, wake up!"
Wei Yang's voice rang in her ears like a clap of thunder, instantly snapping her back to reality.
"You were just controlled by desire. Remember, it's you who controls your body's power, not the other way around!"
Wei Yang slightly frowned, "The same applies to the Netherworld Poison Flame. You control it, not it controlling you, otherwise..."
He gestured to the expressionless, vacant-eyed one-horn, "This is what happens."
"I understand." Xian'er took a deep breath and momentarily closed her eyes.
A moment later, as she opened her eyes again, a calm had returned, alongside a newfound determination.
Wei Yang nodded.
He felt assured about Xian'er's character. The previous lapse was merely due to the excitement of seeing the Netherworld Poison Flame for the first time, causing a transient state of distraction, where desire momentarily took over.
He understood that Xian'er had always longed for an unusual flame, especially the Netherworld Poison Flame.
Now, with it right before her eyes, such transient distraction was normal and not her fault.
Any alchemist or fire attribute cultivator, upon seeing such a flame, couldn't help but feel excited and eager to obtain it.
Everyone understands the principle—not to be driven by desire. Yet, in truth, all beings throughout their lives are invariably governed by desire, unless in death.
Even the strongest cannot escape this, it's inescapable.
For desire is the root of all troubles, and simultaneously the driving force of life, a pursuit.
How could one be without desire?
Desire is an intrinsic pursuit.
The need to eat is desire, the need to drink is desire, to sleep is desire, to grow stronger is desire, to obtain something is desire too...
As long as one has thoughts and pursuits, it is all desire.
Even gods and buddhas have desires, let alone humans.
The difference is merely in whether one can control their desires.
Knowing what should or shouldn't be done.
Mastering one's desires equates to self-discipline.
Failing to master them leads to indulgence.
Unless you have transcended all realms, utterly detached, with nothing in the world catching your eye.
When nothing holds secrets from you, and you can create anything at will.
Only then, perhaps, do you have neither desire nor pursuit.
"I'll help you subdue it."
Wei Yang said, "You place your soul force in the source of the flame and wait. Once I withdraw my soul imprint, immediately stamp your own soul imprint."
"Alright." Xian'er took a gentle breath, closing her eyes again.
From between her brows, a considerable and powerful soul force surged forth, slowly infiltrating into the Netherworld Poison Flame.
With Xian'er advancing to the Dou Huang realm, her soul force was now barely comparable to that of a low-level Dou Zong. In terms of soul realm division, her soul force was approximately at the initial middle stage of the mundane realm.
Though she was a fourth-grade alchemist, considering her soul strength, becoming a fifth-grade alchemist in a short time was marginally achievable.
Wei Yang also closed his eyes slightly. Detecting that Xian'er's soul force had enveloped the flame's origin, he reminded her, "One, two, three, begin!"
As the words fell, he instantly withdrew his soul imprint and rapidly retreated.
Suspended in midair, the Netherworld Poison Flame that had been quietly burning seemed momentarily stunned, its flickering motion paused, as if it had been freed from a shackle, a restraint.
Immediately, it attempted to flare up.
However, it quickly calmed down again.
Because Xian'er's soul force had seized this opportunity to infiltrate, successfully stamping her imprint and gaining control over it.
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Geriatric_Vibes
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