Chen Mo lingered in the shadows outside the cave. A third-level formation enveloped the entrance. Unlike Fenglin City’s second-level protective formation, this one was more sophisticated, but it offered no resistance to his spiritual senses. He noted, however, that teleporting inside would consume noticeably more of his space energy, far beyond the cost of bypassing a second-level formation.

  Peering through the subtle gaps in the formation, he surveyed the interior. The air was thick with residual heat, and small pools of boiling, strange liquid bubbled intermittently, sending wisps of smoke curling toward the ceiling. Near one of the side rooms stood a human-sized statue, strange in shape and mysterious in purpose, yet posing no obvious threat.

  Three rooms were clearly labeled: Living Quarters, Medicinal Plants, and the Main Cultivation Room.

  The Living Quarters were sparse and dilapidated—scorched mats, tattered furniture, nothing noteworthy.

  The Medicinal Plants Room fared worse: residual heat had leaked through the walls, leaving most of the spiritual herbs shriveled or destroyed.

  Chen Mo finally focused on the Main Cultivation Room, guarded by the odd statue. Heat radiated intensely from the chamber, walls streaked with long-exposed scorch marks.

  At the far end of the room, on a large jade mat, sat a cross-legged skeleton, charred and blackened in places. On one finger rested a strange ring—a storage space ring, instantly recognizable to Chen Mo as holding treasures or techniques.

  The jade mat itself was a model of discipline and precision. Intricate channels etched into its surface faintly glowed with residual qi, guiding energy flow efficiently. Faint scorch patterns on the floor traced decades of concentrated cultivation, while shallow grooves marked the path of qi circulation across the room. Even the bubbling pools of heat were positioned deliberately, likely used to temper the body and refine qi, not as decoration or danger.

  Every element—the mat, the walls, the pools, the eerie statue—spoke of a Golden Core master’s methodical approach, prioritizing results over showmanship. The skeleton’s posture was perfect, as if frozen mid-practice, leaving Chen Mo with a clear impression of the rigor and foresight that had shaped this cave and its inheritance.

  Chen Mo didn’t hesitate any longer. Why wait for those idiots to fumble with the formations? Breaking it might even trigger some hidden trap or chain reaction. He willed his spatial energy, and in a blur, his figure teleported directly inside the cultivation room.

  He ignored the strange statue outside—he didn’t sense any immediate danger, but it could become a nuisance if provoked.

  As he appeared, a wave of intense heat swept through the room, instantly scorching his clothes to ashes and leaving him stark naked. Chen Mo’s body was monstrous, tough enough to withstand the infernal heat, but his ordinary garments stood no chance.

  Spatially inward, he cursed, “Damn… what a horrifying heat. Those idiots outside wouldn’t even last a minute in here.”

  He glanced down at himself and sighed. “Well… embarrassing if anyone else were here…”

  Before he could finish, the skeleton on the jade mat glimmered faintly, and from it, a ghostlike figure emerged, stoic eyes fixed on him. The air seemed to pulse around the apparition, carrying the weight of a Golden Core cultivator long gone, silently judging this intruder who had dared to step inside his final sanctuary.

  Chen Mo was about to react when the ghost spoke, its voice calm yet carrying the weight of centuries.

  "Oh… finally someone came. It’s been a long time… I don’t even know how much time has passed."

  Chen Mo instinctively retreated a step, hand already tracing the edge of his spatial energy, ready to teleport at the first sign of danger.

  The ghostlike figure let out an annoyed sigh. “Tsk… if you’re going to walk in indecently, I’d have preferred it be a female beauty at least, not a male.”

  With a wave of its hand, a robe floated in front of Chen Mo. “Wear this. It’s a magical robe—it can withstand the heat. Then we can have a proper conversation.”

  Chen Mo eyed the robe carefully, inspecting its weave and subtle qi traces.

  The ghost continued, “You’re so suspicious, junior. Don’t worry—I’m only a remnant soul wisp. I cannot hurt you.”

  Satisfied that the ghost posed no immediate threat, Chen Mo slipped the robe on, feeling it instantly adapt to his body, shielding him from the searing heat.

  He cupped his hands and bowed respectfully, voice measured. “This junior, Chen Mo, greets senior.”

  The ghost’s expression softened slightly, though its eyes still carried that stoic weight of a Golden Core master who had walked centuries ago.

  A ghostly figure hovered above the blazing skeleton, its form flickering like smoke caught in a storm. Flames licked the edges of its translucent robes, casting twisted shadows across the cavern walls. “How… how did you get here without triggering the formation—and that worthless puppet?” the figure hissed, its voice like a knife scraping stone.

  Chen Mo’s gaze met the specter’s, and a shiver ran down his spine. The ghost’s eyes swept past him, sharp and unrelenting, and fixed on his body as if weighing it against some invisible scale. “And I see a few juniors lingering outside… pathetic, insignificant. But you…” Its tone sharpened with curiosity, almost delight. “Your body refining… it rivals a mid-level demonic beast. Intriguing.”

  Chen Mo’s heart skipped a beat. This True Master had measured him without hesitation, seeing through every layer he had meticulously built.

  The ghost’s face darkened, regret flickering in its expression like dying embers. “I am Huo Zhenwei,” it said, each word heavy with sorrow and anger. “A True Master… an Elder of the Phoenix Fire Sect. Or, at least, I was—before that fateful day destroyed everything I had.”

  The fiery aura around the figure pulsed, a living warning: the past was scorched, and the present was about to ignite.

  Chen Mo bowed slightly, his voice calm but respectful: “This junior greets True Master Huo. As for how I arrived here…”

  Huo Zhenwei cut him off with a dismissive wave. “No matter. Your presence here is the work of fate. Since our paths have intersected, then so be it.” His spectral hand waved, and the storage ring clutched by the fiery skeleton hovered effortlessly in the air.

  “This is my storage ring,” Huo said, his eyes glinting with a strange light. “It contains my inheritance—the Phoenix Fire Cultivation Method, a path that leads directly toward the Nascent Soul Realm. This is the core of my legacy. Normally, passing it beyond the sect is strictly forbidden… but I am nothing more than a remnant wisp of a soul. What harm could there be?” His tone carried a hint of mockery.

  “There are also other treasures here that can aid your cultivation journey… but of course, all of this comes with a single condition.”

  Chen Mo’s initial excitement dimmed slightly, replaced by careful curiosity. “Could Senior clarify what this condition is?”

  “It’s simple,” Huo said, his spectral eyes fixed on Chen Mo. “In the future, if you survive and become strong enough, I want you to kill someone for me. I won’t bind you with oaths or formations—I’ll take your word for it. That man is my own blood brother, Huo Tianlei… maybe he’s already dead, and you won’t even have to act. So, what do you say, boy?”

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  Chen Mo thought inwardly: Not a bad deal… he’s not forcing me anyway.

  “I accept,” Chen Mo said calmly.

  Huo’s face broke into a rare smile. “Good.” The storage ring lifted from the skeleton’s hand and flew directly into Chen Mo’s grasp.

  Huo glanced at his own remains. “My skeleton could be considered a treasure as well, but I’d rather you bury it. I don’t want my old bones used as commodities.” He paused thoughtfully, then asked, “Which sect do you belong to, and what year is it now?”

  “This junior is a loose cultivator,” Chen Mo replied. “It is the year 10346 of the Spirit Realm calendar.”

  “Three hundred years have passed…” Huo murmured, eyes darkening. “Maybe that damn demon is already a Nascent Soul by now.” He studied Chen Mo closely. “I have only until the end of the day before this old remnant soul dissipates. If you have questions, ask now, and I will answer what I can.”

  Chen Mo bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Senior. First, I wish to know where exactly your esteemed sect is located.”

  “The Phoenix Fire Sect lies beyond the great mountain ranges that separate the southern and northern regions,” Huo explained. “Our sect occupies the Fiery Lands in the middle of the Azure Continent. In fact, the central region hosts another great sect, the Freaks of the Corpse Sect, and far to the north, the Golden Pillars Immortal Sect dominates much of the Azure Continent.”

  “How can I cross the mountain ranges?” Chen Mo asked. “I’ve heard they’re extremely dangerous.”

  Huo shook his head. “Unless you’re a Nascent Soul, crossing alone is nearly impossible. However, you can use the teleportation formation linking the Azure Pine Immortal Sect and the Phoenix Fire Sect. It’s much safer, though very costly. You’ll need to be prepared.”

  Chen Mo cupped his fists respectfully.

  “Senior, as you can see, this junior is but a loose cultivator. Accessing information is extremely difficult for someone like me. It was only through fortuitous encounters that I reached this place and obtained your esteemed legacy. I remain ignorant of much about the Immortal world. If not for some talent in body refinement, with my shallow Qi cultivation I would have died long ago.”

  Huo’s spectral eyes narrowed, studying him as though examining a rare specimen.

  “Indeed… you are strange.” A faint chuckle escaped him. “If I were still alive, I might have captured you and extracted your secrets myself. Body refining methods are monopolized by the Golden Pillars Immortal Sect. If they discovered you, they would be quite delighted to ‘invite’ you.”

  His tone turned colder.

  “But you are young. If you survive long enough, you may achieve great things. For that, you must be cautious. Never trust others casually.”

  His expression darkened, resentment seeping through like smoke from dying embers.

  “My own brother betrayed me. At the moment of my breakthrough to Nascent Soul, he interfered. My Golden Core disintegrated… my soul nearly incinerated from the backlash.”

  Silence lingered between them.

  Then Huo continued, voice steadier. “The world is vast. The Azure Continent is merely one of three great continents separated by the Endless Sea. But you need not concern yourself with that until you reach the Nascent Soul realm.”

  Chen Mo nodded slowly before asking, “Senior, what about the statue outside?”

  Huo waved dismissively. “That useless puppet? It is a Rank Two construct, comparable to an early Foundation Establishment cultivator. I purchased it at an auction long ago. Puppet arts originate from a foreign continent. Rare things.”

  A faint smirk appeared. “The control token is inside the storage ring. However, it consumes a great amount of spirit stones.”

  He suddenly tilted his head.

  “And those little fellows outside… are they your companions?”

  “No, Senior. I have nothing to do with them.”

  “Good. Good.” Huo laughed loudly, the sound echoing strangely in the cavern. “Then I shall enjoy a final show when the puppet slaughters them.” His eyes gleamed with twisted amusement. “I could spare that girl for you, if you like.” He gave Chen Mo a knowing look.

  Chen Mo’s mouth twitched slightly. This old ghost is unstable… and possibly perverted.

  “Senior,” Chen Mo said carefully, “those people are inner sect disciples of the Azure Pine Immortal Sect. I fear the sect may investigate.”

  Huo snorted. “Azure Pine? If not for the mountain range shielding them, they would not have prospered here. But relax. You will not be acting personally.”

  Chen Mo pressed further. “Is there a way to evade a sect investigation?”

  Huo pondered briefly. “Normally, whenever you act, you leave traces. If investigators arrive within a few months while your aura still lingers, they can register it. After that, you would be unable to enter major cities without being detected. The stronger you are, the longer your aura remains.”

  He continued calmly, as though explaining the weather.

  “If a Nascent Soul acts, even if your aura has faded, they can use divination to replay what occurred at the scene. Of course, such experts rarely bother unless the target is of similar standing. Divination carries karma. A weak Qi cultivator attempting it would incur tremendous backlash. That is why high-level cultivators seldom interfere with juniors unless absolutely necessary. Conversely, if a weak cultivator tries to divine a higher realm expert, the backlash could cripple or kill them.”

  Chen Mo’s thoughts churned.

  Karma.

  Divination.

  Lingering aura.

  The Immortal world was far more intricate than he had imagined.

  Still, he reminded himself: I will not act personally.

  Huo’s gaze sharpened again.

  “If you can obtain an exotic treasure related to fate, you may block such prying eyes. And believe me, once you reach higher realms, you will attract attention. Every breakthrough to a major realm invites Heaven’s tribulation. The higher you climb, the more violent it becomes… and the more noticeable you are to the world.”

  The cavern felt heavier after those words.

  Power was not just strength.

  It was exposure.

  Chen Mo’s thoughts rippled violently.

  Tribulations?

  Why didn’t I face one when I broke through to the second rank of the Primordial Body Art?

  The question lingered like a thorn.

  This was a rare opportunity. A Nascent Soul remnant was standing before him, and answers in the cultivation world were rarer than treasures.

  He bowed again. “Senior… are tribulations common even for body refining cultivators?”

  Huo looked at him oddly, flames in his hollow eye sockets flickering.

  “You already experienced it yourself,” he replied flatly. “Body refinement is a brutal path. Only those madmen of the Golden Pillars Immortal Sect pursue it wholeheartedly. Every major leap tempers the flesh against heaven and earth. Pain. Destruction. Reconstruction.”

  He narrowed his gaze.

  “However, since you survived, your foundation is stable. When you step into Qi Foundation Establishment, you should endure more easily. Your body is already this formidable.”

  Chen Mo froze.

  Experienced it?

  What tribulation?

  There had been no thunderclouds. No lightning. No heavenly pressure crushing him into the earth.

  Only the silent glow of the mysterious panel… and the seamless advancement.

  His breathing slowed.

  The panel… that mysterious space…

  A chilling possibility surfaced.

  Does it bypass tribulations?

  His heart skipped.

  If that were true…

  No heavenly lightning.

  No violent signs announcing his breakthroughs.

  No cosmic beacon declaring his growth to the world.

  No attention.

  Chen Mo almost gasped aloud but restrained himself with iron will.

  If the panel truly shielded him from tribulations, then it was not merely an auxiliary tool.

  It was a defiance of Heaven itself.

  And that realization was far more terrifying than any lightning strike.