The Necromancer is amassing troops like crazy in the apocalypse

That explains why my turtle shell divination results in a 'neutral hexagram'.

It should match what the Short People said; it cannot be calculated, so it's a neutral hexagram, neither good nor bad!

"Can it only be used once?" Wu Heng continued to ask.

Leander stroked his beard and explained, "After each activation, the magma will remain liquid for three days. Beyond this period, it will gradually solidify and need to be reignited."

"So, if you want to add materials in batches, it's better to keep adding a certain amount over three days to maintain the magma's liquidity. Additionally, your longest usage period is fifteen days. After this period, regardless of success, you must exit the cave."

Wu Heng nodded again, noting down everything the other said.

This Special Item is perhaps the most complex among the Special Items I've encountered.

"So, do you intend to start now or go back and discuss with Leader Wu Heng first?" Leander asked.

At the moment, his appearance was still Harry Bogle.

"Let's start now," Wu Heng said directly.

The Space Ring was packed with Special Items and equipment seized from The Holy Court, unusable and too risky to sell.

Rather than leaving it as a hidden danger, it's better to take a gamble.

Moreover, he truly needs a powerful Special Item that belongs to him.

Leander wasn't surprised, taking out an agreement from the Space Ring, densely written with terms in gold-embossed runes.

"Sign this agreement, and for the next fifteen days, the Heart of Molten Fire is yours exclusively," Leander said, "But after this period, regardless of success, the usage rights will automatically terminate."

Wu Heng quickly scanned the contents of the contract, ensured there were no traps, signed 'Harry Bogle,' and wrote 'Gold and Silver Island' under the affiliation.

"2500 Gold Coins, and I'll help you activate the furnace." Leander put away the contract and extended his hand.

Wu Heng readily paid the Gold Coins.

The Short People nodded with satisfaction and took out a crystal bottle filled with magma solution as red as blood.

Carefully, he walked to the edge of the Heart of Molten Fire and poured it out.

Bang!

At the moment the solution touched the Heart of Molten Fire, the flames surged drastically, sending waves of heat engulfing the entire cave.

Much higher than when they entered.

The moisture in the air instantly evaporated, even making breathing painfully scorching.

The dim 'Heart of Molten Fire' ahead had flames rolling on its surface, like a mini 'sun.'

Retili instinctively stepped back half a pace, her fair skin immediately blushing, fine beads of sweat seeping from her forehead.

Leander quickly retreated, patting his singed beard, "Alright, the rest is up to you."

Retili glanced at Wu Heng and softly said, "Master, I'll be outside. Good luck."

Wu Heng nodded slightly.

The two walked towards the exit, and the temperature in the cave, compared to the third stage of the Body Refining Technique, was still far from it.

...

They exited the cave.

Both exhaled heavily, and Retili was drenched in sweat, feeling extremely uncomfortable with her shirt sticking tightly to her skin.

Fortunately, she was wearing leather armor on top, so it wasn't too embarrassing.

Leander took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead, "Do you want one or two rooms for lodging?"

Retili maintained an even expression, asking, "Where is the lodging?"

"In the guest building of Deep Furnace Castle," Leander said as he walked towards the carriage, "Though just guest rooms, the living conditions are quite nice. You can be assured, especially since the soundproofing is excellent!"

Hearing the banter from a big-bearded Short Person, Retili suddenly recalled the absurd dreams she had each time she slept in recent days.

Wu Heng's face, passionate kisses, and various scenarios...

Has she really longed for it this much?

She felt a bit warm on the tip of her ears, but she still displayed a perfect business smile, "Two adjacent rooms, thank you."

"Sure," Leander nodded.

Both got onto the carriage, heading towards the city.

...

Retili and the Short People left. Four Ghosts appeared beside Wu Heng.

Lady floated to the edge of the magma pool, her Spiritual Body slightly distorted by the heat waves, "This place is indeed suitable for practicing your Body Refining Technique; it's just missing the Heavenly Thunder Tempering Body."

Wu Heng looked at her unamused, "This is magma for refining Special Items. Are you trying to refine me into a Special Item?"

"What are you afraid of?" Lady floated with her arms crossed, "You're a Hero; you won't really die."

"Who knows which is more potent, a Hero or a Special Item!" Wu Heng gestured to the rolling magma, "Besides, there's no need for risks; using flames is fierce enough for us."

Lady pouted, "I'm teasing you, this is dwarf territory, 15 days for 2500 Gold Coins, enough to prepare materials for everyone in the Island Lord's Mansion."

"I say so too!"

As they talked, Bella flew back from outside, "They've left, and the Short People have prepared rooms for you."

"Hm! No one entered, right?" Wu Heng asked.

"No one, those guards are still stationed outside," Bella continued.

"That's good!"

Above the Heart of Molten Fire, Xiao Xiao flew around in circles, "It's like a small sun."

Glenda pondered, "No wonder the turtle shell divination shows a neutral hexagram; it seems all divination methods are unworkable."

"I thought about that too," Wu Heng added, "Now, all I can do is gamble."

"Your luck is pretty good," Glenda said with a smile.

Xiao Xiao immediately flew over, cheering, "Uncle, go for it! Believers in miracles are remarkable like miracles themselves!"

Wu Heng looked at her in surprise, "That's deep!"

Xiao Xiao proudly puffed her chest, "If I go back to school, I could definitely become the class monitor!"

"Yes, yes, our Xiao Xiao is the smartest!" Wu Heng agreed with a laugh.

"Enough chit-chat," Lady interrupted, "You've spent 2500 Gold Coins, let's quickly see if it's worth it."

Wu Heng restrained his smile, pulling a broken chain from the Space Ring and throwing it into the magma.

The chain instantly turned iron-red, engulfed by the magma.

Wu Heng looked at the 'Heart of Molten Fire,' observing the changes mentioned by the Short People.

Just as he looked at the Heart of Molten Fire, the information panel appeared again.

[Heart of Molten Fire (Special Item)]

[Effect: Refining (5.1%).]

[Side Effect: Destroy Equipment.]

Huh?

Wu Heng furrowed his brow.

Previously, when he saw the Heart of Molten Fire's panel, the number behind the effect seemed to be 3.6%.

Now it's 5.1%.

Did he remember wrong?

It shouldn't be!

From 3 to beginning with 5, it shouldn't be mistaken.

A bit puzzled, he took out another two-halved shackle and threw it in again.

The shackle melted into the magma, and the numbers on the panel changed directly.

[Effect: Refining (6.8%).]

Wu Heng's brows furrowed tightly, but then came delight.

So, the percentage after the effect represents the progress in refining items with the Heart of Molten Fire.

Does it mean that reaching 100% is the critical point of the Heart of Molten Fire?

The Short People mentioned the challenging critical value is perhaps because they can't see these numbers, guessing every time.

Now, with these values, I can control the entire refining process more directly.

Wu Heng clenched his fist eagerly; the panel remains as powerful as always.

"What are you smiling about?" Lady asked beside him.

"I found the pattern of using this item," Wu Heng said.

"What pattern?" Glenda asked further.

Wu Heng raised an eyebrow, "Uh, hard to explain, but I can manage it."

The four Ghosts exchanged glances before focusing on him.

Then, Wu Heng took out all the broken Special Items he had accumulated and tossed them into the magma.

And the magma started to boil violently, swallowing various fragments.

Most of these broken Special Items are ones he smashed during battles with The Holy Court personnel, which now seem to be useful.

With more broken Special Items added, the numbers began increasing systematically.

7.5%, 12.7%, 13.9%, ..., 24.5%.

So many fragments thrown in, reaching a value of 24.5%.

Wu Heng began sweating on his forehead.

Why does it feel like a bottomless pit?

Next, he took out The Holy Court's Holy Sword.