Ye Qiu was utterly shocked.
Elder Monkey had said that strange fires were extremely rare, yet he had never expected the demon clan to possess nine hundred and ninety-nine of them.
Moreover, who possessed such great ability to seal so many strange fires?
Could it be…
The Eternal Azure Heaven Great Emperor?
As expected.
Elder Monkey continued, “When the Eternal Azure Heaven Great Emperor was alive, he travelled the world and collected numerous strange fires.”
“The nine hundred and ninety-nine strange fires sealed here were all his doing.”
“The reason these strange fires were sealed is that their power is very strong. If not sealed, the demon clan would probably be burned to nothing.”
“Now, there are still nine hundred and ninety-eight strange fires below.”
When Elder Monkey said this, pride appeared between his brows. He said, “I once entered a canyon and obtained a low-grade heaven-level strange fire. It was precisely with the help of that strange fire that I was able to advance to heaven-grade alchemist.”
Ye Qiu asked in surprise, “Strange fires also have grades?”
“Of course.” Elder Monkey explained, “Strange fires, like spiritual pills, have high and low divisions.”
“The lowest-grade strange fires are low-grade yellow-level.”
“The highest-grade strange fires are emperor-level!”
Elder Monkey pointed at the canyons below and said, “Those canyons contain numerous yellow-level strange fires, followed by low-level ones, a smaller number of heaven-level strange fires, and four saint-level strange fires.”
Ye Qiu asked curiously, “Is there an emperor-level strange fire inside?”
“There is.” Elder Monkey gazed into the distance and said solemnly, “In the most central canyon, there is an emperor-level strange fire, also brought back by the Eternal Azure Heaven Great Emperor.”
“I do not know exactly how powerful it is or what effects it has.”
“But it is definitely an emperor-level strange fire.”
Elder Monkey said, “Emperor-level strange fires are hard to find even in ten thousand years.”
“Whoever obtains one may in the future become an emperor-grade alchemist.”
“An emperor-grade alchemist. None has appeared in tens of thousands of years. Who knows when another one will emerge?”
Elder Monkey put away his sentiments and said, “Ye Changsheng, in a moment you will go into the canyons to try your luck.”
“With your talent, you should be able to gain the recognition of a yellow-level strange fire.”
“If your luck is good enough, you might even obtain an earth-level strange fire.”
“No matter what grade of strange fire you ultimately obtain, it will count as passing.”
“Remember, you must not only obtain the strange fire but also thoroughly control it and make it serve you.”
“Simply put, it is like taming a divine beast. Make the strange fire acknowledge you as its master. Do you understand?”
Ye Qiu nodded. “I understand.”
“Then go.” Elder Monkey warned again, “Strange fires are immensely powerful. If you cannot control one, do not force it, to avoid backlash.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Elder Monkey.” Ye Qiu asked, “How much time do I have this time?”
“Thirty days.” Elder Monkey said, “As long as you obtain a strange fire within thirty days, you pass.”
“Good.” Ye Qiu agreed readily.
Elder Sheep said, “Brother Ye, that area of canyons is very dangerous. Let me accompany you inside!”
“No need.” Ye Qiu refused without thinking, because he had some trump cards he did not want Elder Sheep to know about.
“Elder Sheep need not worry. I can go in alone.” Ye Qiu said.
Elder Sheep said, “Then be careful yourself.”
“Those canyons have seals. From here, we cannot see the situation inside.”
“If you encounter danger you cannot resist, come out quickly.”
“Anyway, Elder Monkey said you have thirty days. You can come out and go in again.”
Elder Monkey added, “Indeed, that is possible. Back then, after I entered the canyon, I also came out and went in again, going in and coming out hundreds of times before I obtained that low-grade heaven-level flame.”
“Good.” Ye Qiu smiled. “If it is too dangerous, I will come out.”
“Hurry and go.” Elder Monkey waved his hand.
“Then I am off.” Ye Qiu was about to leave when he suddenly said, “Elder Monkey, are you still interested in betting?”
“Get lost.” Elder Monkey’s face darkened, full of anger.
Alas, a bit regrettable.
“Brother Ye, hurry and go. For these thirty days, I will stay here waiting for you.” Elder Sheep said.
“Thank you.” Ye Qiu thanked him, then used his One Step Hundred Li technique and instantly appeared in front of the canyons.
“This kid’s speed is quite good.” Elder Monkey commented.
“Is it only his speed that is good? I think his alchemy talent is excellent too.” Elder Sheep smiled. “What do you say?”
Elder Monkey said, “To be honest, judging only from his performance in the first two stages, Ye Changsheng’s talent far surpasses mine. It can be said to be rare through the ages.”
“Even if he cannot obtain a strange fire, he can still become a good alchemist.”
“If he can obtain a strange fire, his achievements in the path of alchemy will not be low.”
Elder Sheep said, “Brother Ye has such strong fortune. I believe he will definitely obtain a strange fire. I just do not know what grade of strange fire he will get.”
Elder Monkey thought for a moment and said, “With Ye Changsheng’s current cultivation, he should be able to obtain a high-grade yellow-level strange fire.”
“If his luck is good, he might obtain a low-grade earth-level strange fire.”
“As for mid-grade earth-level or higher strange fires, it will be very difficult for him.”
Elder Sheep suddenly had a wild idea and said, “Old Monkey, do you think Brother Ye might obtain a saint-level strange fire?”
“Absolutely impossible.” Elder Monkey said, “There are only four saint-level strange fires in the canyons. Any one of them could burn a saint-level powerhouse to death.”
“Ye Changsheng is only at the peak of Cave Heaven realm. How could he possibly obtain a saint-level strange fire?”
“Let alone saint-level, even heaven-level is impossible.”
“You know how long it took me, enduring countless hardships, to obtain a low-grade heaven-level strange fire.”
“Let alone thirty days, even thirty years would not allow Ye Changsheng to obtain a heaven-level strange fire, not to mention saint-level.”
Elder Sheep said, “I do not know why, but I always feel Brother Ye will give us a surprise. Perhaps he really can obtain a powerful strange fire.”
“Old Sheep, you are not an alchemist and have never personally entered the canyons, so naturally you do not know how difficult strange fires are to subdue…” Elder Monkey said this, then his eyes turned a couple of times. He said, “Old Sheep, how about we make a bet?”
“Bet on what?” Elder Sheep asked.
Elder Monkey said, “If Ye Changsheng can obtain a heaven-level strange fire, I will give you a heaven-level spiritual pill.”
“If Ye Changsheng cannot bring out a heaven-level strange fire, you help me with something.”
Elder Sheep asked, “What thing?”
Elder Monkey said, “Get Elder Chicken over to my place.”
“What do you mean?” Elder Sheep said, “Kill the chicken to warn the monkey?”
“No, no.” Elder Monkey quickly waved his hands and said, “Lately, seeing you and Elder Rabbit enjoying nightly pleasures, I am a bit envious. I want you to help me find a companion.”
“I understand. You fancy Elder Chicken.” Elder Sheep smiled. “If you like Elder Chicken, why not approach her yourself? I remember you two had a good relationship before. Why do you need my help?”
“She ignores me.” Elder Monkey said with a bitter face, “A few years ago, I gave Elder Chicken a box of pills. Who knew I took the wrong pills? After she ate them, she had diarrhoea for dozens of days and nearly lost half her life.”
“Since then, she has ignored me completely.”
Elder Sheep smiled. “Alright, I will bet with you.”
“If I lose, I will help match you with Elder Chicken.”
“If you lose, give me a heaven-level pill.”
Seeing Elder Sheep agree, Elder Monkey said confidently, “Old Sheep, just wait. This bet, I am certain to win!”
