I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

Chapter 253: Jin Feng — Fang Mu Must Have Awakened the Innate Fire Spirit Body!

"Junior Brother Fang, you're actually unharmed?"

Senior Brother Qi stared suspiciously at Fang Mu in front of him, his tone filled with disbelief.

Fang Mu appearing completely unscathed outside the fire chamber left Jin Feng and his group dumbfounded. They had waited here for so long just to watch a joke unfold.

But after waiting half a day, Fang Mu came out without a scratch. For a moment, none of them could accept it.

"Why would anything have happened to me?"

Seeing everyone standing there and thinking back to the abnormal ground fire inside the chamber, Fang Mu instantly guessed their intent. But he didn't plan to expose them.

Right in front of them, he returned the token for the Class D fire chamber to Senior Brother Qi.

"Many thanks, Senior Brother Qi."

"Of course, of course."

Though puzzled, Senior Brother Qi still followed the proper procedures.

Only when Fang Mu's figure disappeared from view did everyone come back to their senses.

Jin Feng looked at the Class D fire chamber token in Senior Brother Qi's hand and muttered, "Could it be that the fire chamber was repaired?"

"Impossible."

Senior Brother Qi had guarded the fire chambers for years. The Class D chamber had long been abandoned by Danhuo Peak and hadn't been maintained in ages.

"Why don't we go take a look?"

A disciple from Danhuo Peak suggested.

"Good idea."

Jin Feng immediately agreed. The others had no objections either—Fang Mu's allotted time hadn't run out, so there was no harm in them checking it out.

One cup of tea later.

Senior Brother Qi inspected the Class D fire chamber, feeling the residual heat and the temperature at the fire outlet. He said, "That brat Fang Mu definitely used the ground fire."

Jin Feng said, "Then we'll trouble Senior Brother Qi to activate the ground fire."

"Alright."

Senior Brother Qi used the token to draw out the ground fire. Boom—a flame burst out instantly.

Seeing the unstable flame, everyone's expressions turned ugly.

The ground fire in the Class D chamber was just as unstable as before, uncontrollably surging out from the fire vein.

To avoid making everyone look like fools, Senior Brother Qi shut off the formation after a moment.

Jin Feng asked, "Senior Brother Qi, among us, you know the fire chamber's ground fire best. Is there a way to control it freely without using a formation?"

"There is."

Senior Brother Qi replied, "First, if one possesses the Innate Fire Spirit Body, they can naturally attune to all kinds of fire in the world. If Fang Mu has awakened the Fire Spirit Body, then even though he's only at the Body Tempering stage, it would be more than enough to control this ground fire.

"Second, possessing a fire-controlling artifact. But from what I saw, Fang Mu was only using a regular storage pouch. He doesn't seem like someone who would have such a treasure."

"Innate Fire Spirit Body… that servant's luck is really something."

Jin Feng narrowed his eyes and said, "Spread the word that this servant has a great fortuitous opportunity on him. I imagine many people will be interested."

Senior Brother Qi gave a thumbs up. "Junior Brother Jin, what a fine move—using a borrowed knife to kill. Fang Mu surely didn't expect the consequences of offending you to be so severe."

Jin Feng shook his head. "Senior Brother, you're mistaken. The one Fang Mu offended isn't just some insignificant outer disciple like me—he offended the direct line of the Song clan."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly remembered—someone from the Song clan had long been pursuing Fairy Qinghe, and the Fang clan had been supporting their engagement.

With that man's temperament, seeing his so-called fiancée riding a crane with a mere servant would certainly provoke him to act.

Senior Brother Qi nodded. "You're right. This matter is beyond us small figures now. Let the big players deal with it."

Fang Mu had no idea that by refining a few batches of pills, he had supposedly awakened the Innate Fire Spirit Body.

He was currently preparing to trade his superior-grade Body Tempering Pills for some medicinal ingredients to refine Dao Foundation Pills, ensuring he could break through to the Dao Foundation stage.

A few days later—

Fang Mu had finally exchanged for the medicinal pills he needed. On his way back to Danhuo Peak, several figures suddenly blocked his path.

He didn't recognize this group, but one of them was wearing the attire of a core disciple. Fang Mu immediately saluted and said, "This junior greets the senior brothers. May I ask why you have stopped me?"

"You're that brat named Fang Mu?"

The leading core disciple spoke with clear disdain.

"Yes."

Fang Mu could sense the hostility coming from the man and instinctively raised his guard. But with his current level—only at the ninth layer of Body Tempering—he had no way to resist a core disciple at the True Fate stage.

The core disciple said, "Beat him. I want to see how tough this Innate Fire Spirit Body really is!"

"Yes, sir!"

With that, the group surrounded Fang Mu.

Just then, a cold shout echoed from the sky: "Stop!"

Everyone halted at once and looked up in the direction of the voice.

A celestial crane descended from the sky. Dressed in a sky-blue gown, Fang Linglong stood atop it, her face like frost as she glared at the group.

When she saw the man in the lead, a flash of disgust passed through her eyes, but she still forced herself to speak, "Senior Brother Song, I don't know how Fang Mu has offended you, but I ask you to show mercy."

Song Zhaoyuan's face turned unsightly. "Junior Sister Linglong, you don't understand why I'm hitting him?"

Fang Linglong's expression shifted slightly. Of course she had heard the rumors circulating through the sect.

But her family had never arranged a marriage between her and Song Zhaoyuan, nor had the two established any dao companion relationship.

She hadn't expected Song Zhaoyuan to be so petty—just taking Fang Mu on a tour of Yunlan Sect was enough for him to hold a grudge.

"If it's because of that, there's no need for Senior Brother to be angry. What I did before was only out of appreciation for his talent. Don't tell me Senior Brother intends to interfere with me establishing my own faction?"

At her words, Song Zhaoyuan's lips curled into a faint smile. "Since Junior Sister has said so, I naturally won't make things difficult for that brat. But I don't want to see you alone with any other man again. If I hear more rumors, don't blame me for being disrespectful."

Fang Linglong bit her lip, her hand tightening around her sword hilt.

"Let's go!"

Song Zhaoyuan did not stay any longer. He left with his people, riding on his artifact.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for resolving the crisis."

Seeing Fang Linglong's extremely grim expression, Fang Mu silently vowed: One day, I will make sure to get back what I suffered today.

Fang Linglong quickly regained her composure. "No need to thank me. This trouble came from me. But… have you really awakened the Innate Fire Spirit Body?"

"Innate Fire Spirit Body?"

Fang Mu paused, looking confused.

"You really don't know?"

Fang Linglong stared closely at him, but seeing the blank look on his face, she asked again for confirmation.

Fang Mu cupped his hands and said, "Please enlighten me, Princess."

"This news came from Danhuo Peak…"

Fang Linglong proceeded to tell Fang Mu everything she had learned.

"So that's why—they thought I awakened the Innate Fire Spirit Body because of what happened that day."

Fang Mu murmured, then added, "To answer Your Highness, I haven't awakened any Innate Fire Spirit Body. The reason I was able to refine pills in the Class D fire chamber… is because I didn't use the chamber's ground fire at all."

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