The Princess And The Lord

1286  Hidden Path

An enormous energy came suddenly like a wave that coursed through his veins as if trying to tear him apart from the inside out. Zhao Li Xin knew he could not waste any more time, hence he immediately got into the lotus position and then meditated to circulate the energy before it destroyed his dantian and ruined his whole cultivation.

He clenched his fists tightly as he tried to control the power raging inside him. His entire face became extremely pale and was drenched in sweat but he persisted, he didn't even scream.

On the side, the fire spirit watched its master struggle calmly unlike before he watched in silence. It wasn't coincident the spirit led Zhao Li Xin to the Blazing Fire Wolf, it was because as a fire spirit, it could sense the pure fire essence from the beast therefore it knew that this would be very beneficial to increase Zhao Li Xin's power, that is if he successfully assimilate the pure fire essence with the Immortal flame, if he failed then he would loose all his cultivation or worst crippled.

Unlike other fire essences that Zhao Li Xin had absorbed before, this fire essence was much purer as the Blazing Fire Wolf was born by absorbing its mother's fire essence which ultimately killed its mother when it was born.

Therefore creatures born like that would naturally have denser fire essence than other creatures. However, to increase immortal flame from blue to dark violet the fire wolf essence wouldn't be enough, but this should be enough, for now, at least, heck, he cannot be hasty or he would kill his master for real if that happened Emperor Lei Yu's soul and Huo Long will come from the other side to ripe him apart. The thought sends a shiver to the little spirit's heart.

The fire spirit let out a long sigh to calm itself and then continued to watch its precious master. Thankfully, the master is blessed with peerless talent, even among Lei Yu's descendants there is no one like him, not only does he have a divine body constitution that allowed him to cultivate even when he was seriously ill, but talent alone could only take you so far.

It was his hard work, resilience, and persistence that got him this far, also he had to admit this new Master was a little bit mad but in a good way not like Lazarus's 'mad'...well if he's not Huo Long wouldn't choose him as his last hope.

'Last hope'

Zhao Li Xin indeed became everyone's last hope, The truth is it was rather ridiculous to place everyone's hope in a cold-hearted man like him, but at that time there was no other choice.

 Zhao Li Xin more or less inherited Lazarus' bad traits, therefore, the chance for their plan to be successful was close to none, Thus, they sent Princess Lorient to encounter his negative traits, turning him into a different man only than the plan worked... in fact, it ended in flying colors.

Not only did he save the world with Princess Lorient, Zhao Li Xin also changed into a better man. Just look at him now, see how much he has changed. He was no longer a madman who sought blood and chaos everywhere he went, he was finally able to communicate normally with other people without scheming for benefit, he no longer hurts people at the slightest provocation, he avoids violence, and learns to be patient, isn't this mind-boggling, no one in the cultivator world would believe it, perhaps Mong Ki and Mong Yi wouldn't believe it either!

Although this might be a small change, but for someone like Zhao Li Xin, this was unimaginable progress, his sincere love for Princess Lorient is a miracle which is why he is probably the only one in Emperor Lei Yu's lineage who will have a fulfilling life.

Another hour passed until finally, the fire that engulfed Zhao Li Xin decreased significantly compared to before, and there was a slight change to the color of his flame, unfortunately, it wasn't clear, it seemed Zhao Li Xin still needed to absorb more fire essence to raise the level of his immortal fire, that's to be expected cause from this level on it would become more difficult to increase his cultivation but for now his cultivation stage had already risen to the core stage which was good enough.

There were no low-level beasts dared to get close, they might be able to sense the presence of much more dangerous creatures in this place. The fire spirit glances at Zhao Li Xin who is still meditating in the lotus position 'It won't be long now' the spirit's fire thought.

As predicted by the fire spirit Zhao Li Xin eventually finish stabilize his Qi, his wrecked clothes were soaked with sweat which was very uncomfortable for a clean freak like him but what could he do, he could not brazenly explore the labyrinth naked right?!

Luckily he still had wet wipes in his backpack, he also decided to fill his stomach when he heard his stomach growl. Even though his meal portions weren't as much as ordinary people, he still needed to eat in the future his meal portions would gradually decrease following how high his cultivation became, but for now, he needed to eat and drink.

[You feel better, master?] The fire spirit nudged his head cutely.

[En..] Zhao Li Xin replied briefly without turning his head from the food can.

After he finishes his meal he burns the can to ashes after that he picks up the backpack, He is preparing to continue his journey when he realizes something strange, he opens his palms then a blue flame floats above his hand soon after the whole room around him became brighter.

11:00

[Master, why don't you try to increase your array skill too by then you will be able to fix the spatial ring immediately because carrying a backpack didn't suit you, with your power now you can reach the profound array master just a bit more to reach transcendence array master] The spirit fire urged Zhao Li Xin because the spirit had a feeling Zhao Li Xin would lose his backpack again sooner or later.

[Later..] he gives a perfunctory reply as always.

After he finishes his meal he burns the can to ashes after that he picks up the backpack, He is preparing to continue his journey when he realizes something strange, he opens his palms then a blue flame floats above his hand soon after the whole room around him became brighter.

[Master, what's wrong?] The spirit fire asked. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

[Something in there?] Zhao Li Xin stared intently at the path entrance.

[What are you looking at?] The Fire spirit looks in the same direction as Zhao Li Xin then it notices a strange symbol engraved on the wall [Master why are there so many symbols in front of the entrance?]

[Why would I know...] Zhao Li Xin scoffed.

The same symbols were placed on the left, right, and above the path, if connected it would form a triangle, how does it work, and what this is for, unfortunately, he wasn't well versed in spells and magic.

[What is it for?] the fire spirit asked again

[Don't ask me?] Zhao Li Xin glares at the fire spirit. [...Could it be someone trying to hide this path?] the fire spirit chirping without care.

Zhao Li Xin shut his eyes trying to swallow his anger, later on, he continued to examine the symbols again and then noticed sharp scratch marks on the symbols on the wall, indicating that the symbols were deliberately damaged by someone.

[Master - master, look, there's a stone inscription beside the path!] The fire spirits hover above a small greystone that already cracked so the writing becomes unclear but even if it doesn't Zhao Li Xin wouldn't be able to read it either.

Zhao Li Xin took his phone and then took a picture of the symbols and the stone inscriptions so he could show it later to Lory, this might be important. After taking a few pictures he put his phone back in his backpack as he felt it would be much safer than his pocket.

[Should we enter master?] [What do you think?] he sarcastically said.

[Well, I felt a suitable beast with fire essence inside that could help you...] the spirit cheekily said.

[Then it goes without saying...] Zhao Li Xin steps onward into the entrance meanwhile the fire spirits chuckle then chassed it grumpy Master.

The path took them to a winding staircase that descended down the cave until they arrived at the end of the stair which was cut off because part of it had collapsed, Zhao Li Xin peered at the endless darkness below him, even though it was dark but thanks to his high cultivation he could see the continuation of the stair although it was quite far.

[With your abilities this distance should be nothing, right?] said the fire spirit.

Zhao Li Xin jumped down as if he was flying, with lightweight skills Zhao Li Xin landed softly without making a sound.

[Shall we continue down Master?]

[Do you need to ask?] Zhao Li xin becomes annoyed by this chatty fire spirit, he rather be left alone.

On the other hand, the fire spirit is actually delighted by Zhao Li Xin's cold answer because despite all that he always answers the fire spirit's questions.