"What if I told you I could heal your damaged Dan Dao?"
Ye Feng's calm voice cut through the air. The moment he first saw Elder Lu, he had sensed something was amiss with the old man's condition.
Just as he was about to investigate the elder's situation, the Fire Control Bead within him emitted a signal, its source directly pointing to Elder Lu.
As a supreme treasure capable of controlling all exotic fires, the Fire Control Bead would typically react to either treasures like the Water Stabilizing Pearl or to exotic fires themselves.
Clearly, this was the latter, for if it were the former, the Sea God's Trident would have also responded.
Since there was no reaction from the trident, it could only be the latter, meaning the elder possessed an unusual exotic fire!
Coupled with his living quarters and the scorched appearance of his body, Ye Feng had reason to suspect that the cause of his damaged Dan Dao was likely that very exotic fire!
For any alchemist, an exotic fire was an unparalleled treasure, an opportunity not to be missed.
However, the temperature of exotic fires was terrifyingly high. Without treasures like the Fire Control Bead to contain them, few could acquire, let alone use them.
Consequently, many alchemists, in their pursuit of exotic fires, would forcibly suppress them within their bodies, gradually wearing down their power and refining them for their own use.
Yet, this often resulted in the alchemist being unable to withstand the terrifying might of the exotic fire, leading to a damaged Dan Dao, or in severe cases, being consumed by flames and perishing. At best, their Dan Dao would be ruined, turning them into ordinary individuals.
Therefore, if Ye Feng's guess was correct, Elder Lu was in such a predicament.
Indeed, upon hearing Ye Feng's words, Elder Lu was immediately shocked. "What? Young friend, you say you can heal my damaged Dan Dao? That's impossible. You're thinking too simply."
Elder Lu sighed. "To be frank, the cause of my damaged Dan Dao is none other than the exotic fire that all alchemists dream of. Forget healing, surviving at all is my greatest fortune!"
In his youth, he had suppressed an exotic fire within his body, intending to refine it for his own use in order to achieve a higher level of alchemy.
However, he had severely underestimated the terrifying nature of the exotic fire. As time went on, not only did he fail to refine it, but he was also backlashed by it, resulting in his Dan Dao being damaged.
Therefore, healing was out of the question; it was already a great fortune that he hadn't been consumed by flames.
"If that's the case, why don't you release the exotic fire? Wouldn't that solve the problem?" Geng Nian asked, perplexed. xxs壹贰
Compared to the preciousness of an exotic fire, shouldn't the Dan Dao be more important? After all, what use was an exotic fire if one's Dan Dao was gone?
"It's useless!" Elder Lu shook his head. "Over the years, this exotic fire has taken root and sprouted within me, like a maggot gnawing at bone. It's impossible to remove."
In the early years, he had forcibly suppressed the exotic fire for his own use, but now, the exotic fire was attached to him and refused to leave.
If that weren't the case, he would have acted long ago. How could he have allowed the exotic fire to backlash against his Dan Dao?
"This..." Geng Nian fell silent, unsure of what to say. The situation was indeed more complicated than he had imagined.
However, just as he felt helpless, Ye Feng spoke again, his voice grave. "Perhaps, I have a way to make that exotic fire leave your body!"
"What? You can make that exotic fire leave me?"
Elder Lu's eyes widened at this, but he quickly became disbelieving. "Impossible. This exotic fire is no ordinary flame; it has already developed some sentience. It's impossible to make it leave voluntarily!"
Exotic fires are called exotic not only for their terrifying power but, more importantly, for their sentience. Making them leave was highly unrealistic.
Ye Feng, of course, knew all of this. He didn't have a way to make the exotic fire voluntarily leave Elder Lu's body.
However, if voluntary departure was impossible, then passive removal would suffice. Holding the Fire Control Bead, he could control all flames in the world. He refused to believe that a mere exotic fire could defy the power of the Fire Control Bead.
With a thought from Ye Feng, a crimson bead immediately appeared from his brow, emitting terrifying fluctuations that made the entire small courtyard feel like it was engulfed in flames.
"Hmm? This is... the ancient supreme treasure, the Fire Control Bead?" Elder Lu recognized it instantly, his old eyes widening to an extraordinary degree.
"That's right. This item is indeed the ancient supreme treasure, the Fire Control Bead. With its power, it is more than enough to expel the exotic fire from you!" Ye Feng said confidently.
"However, it depends on whether you are willing to part with it, Elder. After all, this is a rare and precious treasure, a great opportunity for any alchemist!"
The allure of an exotic fire to an alchemist was no less than that of a peerless weapon to a cultivator. Few would be willing to give it up.
However, Elder Lu replied without a hint of reluctance, "Haha, what is there to be reluctant about? With my current alchemy skills, the exotic fire's effect is only so-so. Furthermore, compared to the Dan Dao, what is an exotic fire?"
"Haha, that's good!"
Ye Feng was relieved. He had truly feared that Elder Lu would prefer to keep his damaged Dan Dao rather than give up the exotic fire, in which case he would be powerless to help, even if he wanted to.
"Alright, there's no time to delay. Since you have no objections, I will begin the removal. Please do not resist during this process!" Ye Feng said earnestly.
"Good!" Elder Lu nodded and, without further ado, immediately released his internal restrictions.
Seeing this, Ye Feng did not hesitate and shouted, "Fire Control Bead, suppress it for me!"
As the words fell, a terrifying force spread out, transforming into an invisible giant hand that reached into Elder Lu's body, intending to suppress the exotic fire.
Sizzle~
The exotic fire, naturally unwilling to be captured, immediately erupted with terrifying might, attempting to resist the suppression of the Fire Control Bead.
For a moment, Elder Lu's previously sallow skin turned bright red, and large drops of sweat dripped from his forehead, leaving him drenched.
Yet, even so, he did not cry out in pain. Instead, he let out a cold snort. "Hmph, still trying to resist? Young friend, allow me to lend you a hand in suppressing this thing."
As he spoke, a soaring aura erupted from Elder Lu's body. Spiritual energy continuously surged into his internal body, attempting to help Ye Feng suppress the exotic fire.
The exotic fire was already struggling to withstand the terrifying power of the Fire Control Bead. Now, facing Elder Lu's suppression as well, it immediately began to retreat, unable to resist.
Seeing this, Ye Feng's face lit up with joy. He quickly shouted, "Very good, you little thing, now let's see if you don't obediently come over! Fire Control Bead, absorb it!!"
As the words fell, an even more terrifying suction force emanated from the Fire Control Bead.
Immediately after, accompanied by an unwilling hiss, a purple flame was instantly drawn out from Elder Lu's body and slowly merged into the Fire Control Bead...