Chapter 426 - 246: Forging the Purifier, Where’s My Spiritual Fire!?

’Well then...’ The corner of Su Chen’s eye twitched. Fortunately, his resistance to Netherworld Creatures had increased significantly, so he managed to keep his composure.

"Believer of the Black Tuo God, what brings you here?" the giant serpent’s female face asked, her voice soft and alluring.

’This creature is stronger than Xiao Hei, but still a far cry from that Centipede Dragon.’

Su Chen guessed it was a Tier Seven Netherworld Creature, and he couldn’t help but feel a surge of anxiety. He would have a hard time fighting a creature of this Tier. If anything went wrong, his only option would be to flee the Nether Realm.

But he wasn’t without a plan. In a deep voice, he said, "By my Lord’s command, I have come to collect the Spiritual Fire."

"The Black Tuo God’s command?" the male face countered, his voice grave. "This Spiritual Fire has a master. Even the Black Tuo God can’t expect to take it just by sending a single Believer, can he?"

As he finished speaking, several more Netherworld Creatures emerged from the surroundings. Their bizarrely shaped eyes fixed on him as an unnerving aura reverberated through the area.

Su Chen stared back, his expression flat. "This place has been discovered by Outer Realm Spirit Bodies. The Ruler will likely be unable to hold it. Are you really going to defy my Lord’s command at a time like this?"

Su Chen’s voice was cold. A thoughtful expression crossed both faces, then the alluring female voice chuckled.

"It’s too early to say who will prevail. If ’Qiong Huang’ defeats those Outer Realm Spirit Bodies and returns to find the Spiritual Fire was taken by a Follower of the Deceitful God, we’ll be dead either way."

’So "Qiong Huang" must be the name of that Tier Nine Netherworld Creature.’

"I’ll ask one more time." Su Chen drew the short, red-handled hammer hanging from his back. The stern male face merely sneered.

There were hundreds of millions, if not billions, of the Deceitful God’s Believers.

Normally, they wouldn’t provoke one, but they weren’t afraid to kill one if necessary.

However, they then watched as the hammer split open down the middle and a drop of deep, black blood slowly floated out. Su Chen’s voice was chillingly quiet:

"Are you certain you wish to defy the Black Tuo God’s command?"

The expressions on the giant serpent’s two faces changed drastically as they heard the Believer before them begin to chant an obscure, incomprehensible Curse.

Meanwhile, the drop of Divine Blood began to transform. Black smoke billowed out, spreading and staining the air. Behind Su Chen, it faintly outlined a withered figure seated cross-legged in the void, its head bowed low. It was Black Tuo!

"Divine Blood!" the female face cried out in shock.

One might occasionally encounter the Deceitful God’s Followers in the Nether Realm, but a Follower who possessed Divine Blood—and could even wield it—was another matter entirely.

This meant he might truly be acting on the Deceitful God’s direct orders, and his status was anything but low.

The surrounding Netherworld Creatures stiffened, not daring to move.

Su Chen discreetly surveyed his surroundings and relaxed slightly. ’This is working great,’ he thought.

He had learned how to control the Black Tuo Divine Blood back on Red Thunder Star, but in all this time, he’d never had an opportunity to use it. He never imagined the first time would be here.

"I suggest you all leave as soon as possible," Su Chen said, pressing his advantage. "This place has been targeted by Outer Realm Spirit Bodies. It’s only a matter of time before it falls."

He walked straight past the twin-headed serpent toward the location of the Spiritual Fire.

The serpent’s two human faces exchanged hesitant, uncertain glances. Under these circumstances, they truly didn’t dare to move against a Believer who wielded Divine Blood.

But... in the end, the female face steeled herself. "He’s right. Let’s get out of here."

The male face looked resentful, but there was nothing it could do. Not even "Qiong Huang" could afford to offend the Black Tuo God.

Su Chen noticed the Netherworld Creatures behind him departing one after another, and only then did he fully relax.

’My old friend Black Tuo’s name really carries some weight.’

’I wonder where my old friend’s true body actually is.’

Su Chen muttered to himself, his gaze falling upon the Spiritual Fire, which was now within arm’s reach. His Spirit Body felt a faint, scorching pain. He gulped with his non-existent throat and took out the Divine Egg.

’This thing wasn’t just made from Divine Blood... I wonder if it still works.’

He tried to move closer. The Spiritual Fire, which had been burning for who knows how long, suddenly flared upon sensing the Divine Egg’s approach. It then sent two thin tendrils of flame snaking out to wrap around the Divine Egg.

"Tss..." A sharp pain seared Su Chen’s palm, and he snatched it back. The Divine Egg was already enveloped by the Spiritual Fire.

A faint crackling sound emanated from within as a blood-red glow began to spread from the center of the Spiritual Fire.

’So this is the Dust of the Morning Star, something weaker than the Morning Star Fire.’

Su Chen watched in amazement as the nature of the Spiritual Fire transformed. The process stopped halfway through, however, having seemingly permeated only about two-thirds of the fire. The outer layer remained enveloped in pale golden flames.

’Not enough...’ Unsurprised, Su Chen took out the other portion of pure Divine Blood and sent it into the flames.

Finally, the Spiritual Fire transformed completely into a crimson flame, burning with a quiet intensity. As it did, the scorching pain he felt from the proximity gradually faded.

’According to the information I gathered, all I have to do now is step inside. There shouldn’t be a problem, right? I’m only Tier Five.’

Su Chen hesitated. Information about Melting a Holy Profession was scarce; he’d only been able to glean occasional details from Wei Zhenghong, one of his few familiar contacts.

He knew the steps, but his Tier was far too low. Even within the Sect, one needed to be at least Tier Seven to attempt Melting a Holy Profession.

’It should be fine,’ he reasoned. ’If this is truly dangerous, the difference between Tier Five and Tier Seven probably won’t matter much in the face of a Spiritual Fire.’

His resolve settled. Su Chen tentatively extended an arm, gradually submerging it in the flames. There was no pain. This allowed him to relax, and he stepped his entire body inside.

’Melting a Holy Profession... how exactly does it work?’ he wondered. ’I have quite a few professions in my body. Can it accurately pinpoint the one I want?’