Just as Evan Yang was considering when to leave, more souls appeared around him.
The souls who arrived first looked at each other. One of them spoke, "Who are you?"
"And who are you?" the other group asked.
"Why are you here?" the leading soul asked suspiciously.
"Why am I here? Obviously, whatever you came for, we came for too," the soul replied.
The souls stared at each other, wide-eyed, as if ready to devour one another. Glossary recommends using 'Fire God Palace Ancestor' for '祖师' and 'Ember Core' for '法宝'. Revise translation for consistency: '...I can use my last bit of strength to send out the Ember Core, so from now on it's up to you to take the Ember Core away.'
Evan Yang watched these souls closely, trying to see what they would do next.
Unexpectedly, the souls started fighting. Their goal was simple: to monopolize the Ember Core. But Evan Yang hadn't even seen the Ember Core, and the souls were already brawling.
Just as he was wondering, a warm breeze blew by—strangely hot. One soul cried out in terror, "Oh no, it's erupting!"
The other souls didn't know what was happening. Before they could react, a massive wave of heat blasted out from within, instantly destroying the souls at the front.
The remaining souls were also injured to varying degrees, and some were blasted out. Even from outside, Evan Yang could feel the terrifying heat waves.
"What are these things?" Evan Yang exclaimed. Just then, a burst of flame shot out from inside.
Seeing this, Evan Yang was shocked and quickly retreated. The other souls weren't so lucky—many were devoured by the flames. The bead is inside the Fire-Gathering Gourd. People think there's only one, but actually there are two artifacts: the Fire-Gathering Gourd collects fire, and the Ember Core bead stays inside. After some time, it releases the fire. So when you need it, just open the gourd.
Once Evan Yang saw the flames retreat, he finally stopped. He waited a long while before heading back, where he found one soul hiding in a pit, badly injured on its back.
It looked like it could die at any moment. Evan Yang thought for a bit, then stepped forward and asked, "What exactly happened here?"
The soul assumed Evan was just passing by, but badly wounded and unable to do anything else, it said, "Take me away from here and I'll tell you." Evan Yang placed his hand on the sphere-like seal, channeling his Immortal Essence infused with Heaven-Cold Qi.
"If you tell me, maybe I can save you and help you leave," Evan Yang replied after thinking it over. Hurry and go. A Ghost Lord is coming.
"Really? Alright, I'll tell you. There's an artifact sealed inside, but every so often it erupts with flames. Those flames are extremely harmful to us souls," the soul explained.
Evan Yang understood—it had to be natural fire, and all that fire came from the Ember Core. That's right, the Fire God Palace Ancestor.
"So that's it," Evan Yang nodded, finally understanding.
"Can you save me now?" the soul pleaded.
Evan Yang placed his hand on the soul, transferring some of his soul power to help it hold on. "Alright, but a full recovery isn't possible—so it's up to you now," Evan said.
The soul struggled to its feet and said, "Alright, thank you."
After watching the soul leave, Evan Yang brought out his physical body from the tower and merged it with his soul. Only by doing this could he absorb the natural fire and avoid being devoured by the flames.
Now alone, Evan Yang walked deeper in, gradually feeling a surge of heat. He circulated Heaven-Cold Qi through his body, ready to absorb any flames at any time.
Evan Yang never expected that walking inside would take so long.
"Still not there yet?" Evan Yang muttered to himself. Just then, another burst of flame erupted.
When the flames hit Evan Yang, his body automatically absorbed them. The fire circled around him, then entered his body one by one.
"So these are released by the Ember Core? Incredible." Evan Yang felt his fire attribute growing stronger.
After the flames vanished, Evan Yang kept going. Along the way, he saw several more eruptions, but all the fire was absorbed into his body.
After walking for most of the day, Evan Yang finally arrived at a large pit. Light shimmered around it, and something inside seemed to be sealed.
Facing Evan Yang, flames would erupt every so often.
Evan Yang absorbed these flames to grow stronger, but he was more eager to see what was inside.
Just as Evan Yang was pondering how to unlock the seal, a voice rang out: "I never thought I'd see a human after so many years."
"Who?" Evan Yang exclaimed in surprise.
"Don't be afraid. I'm sealed here—I can't harm you," the voice said. Evan Yang nodded.
"Are you the Fire God Palace Ancestor?" Evan Yang asked.
"Fire God Palace Ancestor?" the voice asked suspiciously.
"Yes, the Fire God Palace Ancestor," Evan Yang replied.
"Fire God Palace? Who are you?" When the person heard this, the voice sounded a bit surprised.
"I'm from Fire God Palace, and from the Ancestor's branch. We never thought you'd still be alive—we've been searching everywhere for you," Evan Yang said.
"So that's it. After all these years, there are still people from Fire God Palace." The Ancestor seemed unusually moved.
"Our branch sent me to search for the Ancestor and the whereabouts of the artifact," Evan Yang explained.
"You? Who sent you? And how is Fire God Palace doing?" the Ancestor asked.
Evan Yang explained the situation and his relationship with Fire God Palace. After listening, the Ancestor said, "I never thought my branch would end up like this because of me. It's truly my fault."
The Ancestor repented, until Evan Yang said, "Ancestor, don't be like this. What do you need? Maybe I can help you unlock the seal." "This seal? Without Immortal Sovereign strength, you can't break it. Forget it. But I can use my last bit of power to send the artifact out. From now on, it's up to you to take it away," the Ancestor said.
"No, Ancestor, what will happen to you?" Evan Yang asked worriedly.
"Me? Who knows how many years I've been here. My body has long decayed—I'm just barely holding on," the Ancestor sighed.
"Ancestor, you'll be fine. If there's a way, I'll help you." Evan Yang said.
"It's no use. My body is too far gone, and there's nothing to restore it," the Ancestor sighed.
Evan Yang thought for a moment and asked, "If we restore your physical body, will that help?"
"Restore my body? If I can slowly spend years regaining my peak, then with my own strength I could break the seal," the Ancestor said.
Evan Yang smiled, "Alright, I have a way."
"You have a way? What is it?" The Ancestor didn't understand.
Evan Yang thought for a moment, placed his hand on the sphere-like seal, and infused his Immortal Essence, which carried Heaven-Cold Qi.
The Heaven-Cold Qi entered, and the Ancestor felt a surge of life force.
"You..." The Ancestor exclaimed in surprise.
"Ancestor, my power is still weak, but I can help restore your physical body," Evan Yang said.
"I never thought Fire God Palace would have such disciples. Thank you. I won't hold back—it's almost like returning to my peak days," the Ancestor said, unusually moved.
For the next half month, Evan Yang infused Immortal Essence into the sphere. The flame eruptions stopped, and though Evan didn't know why, he was sure it had something to do with the Ancestor.
Evan Yang didn't ask further and kept at his task. After half a month, the Ancestor finally called out, "That's enough. You've worked hard. The rest is up to me. Give me a few thousand years and I'll recover and leave this place."
At this point, the Ancestor's body was almost fully restored, and the rest could be completed on his own.
"Are you sure you can do it?" Evan Yang asked curiously.
"Yes, it's done," the Ancestor replied.
"Alright, but it's a pity it'll take a few thousand years," Evan Yang sighed.
"Don't worry. A few thousand years will pass in the blink of an eye," the Ancestor said.
Evan Yang agreed, and the Ancestor said, "I'll give you the Fire-Gathering Gourd. I don't need it anymore, so from now on it's yours."
Ancestor, that's not right. I'm just representing my branch. At most, I'll bring it back," Evan Yang said.
The previous owner has the right to pass it to the next member of the branch. So take it," the Ancestor replied.
Just as Evan Yang was about to object, the Ancestor unleashed a surge of power and expelled an item from within.
Evan Yang caught it—a gourd. He was amazed. Wasn't it supposed to be a bead?
"The bead is inside the gourd. Most people think there's only one artifact, but actually, there are two—the gourd collects fire, and the bead stays inside. After some time, the bead releases fire. When you need it, just open the gourd," the Ancestor explained.
Evan Yang was amazed by the artifact's functions. When he took the gourd, he felt a warm, comfortable flow.
From now on, it's yours. Treat it well," the Ancestor said.
Evan Yang knew the artifact belonged to Fire God Palace, but now it was in his hands, and he felt the pressure.
Enough talk—leave quickly. A Ghost Lord is coming," the Ancestor said.
Evan Yang looked surprised and said, "Ancestor, I'm leaving now."
"Be careful. If anyone from the sect asks, tell them I'll return in a few thousand years. There's an image of me on the gourd—if anyone doubts you, just show them the gourd," the Ancestor said.
Evan Yang didn't know what the image was, but he knew it would be useful. He looked at the Ancestor and said, "I'm leaving now. Take care, Ancestor."
"Safe travels," the Ancestor replied.
Evan Yang nodded and left swiftly. Watching Evan's departing figure, the Ancestor muttered, "Only at Fifth Heaven Immortal and able to reach here, so fast and unafraid of fire—truly remarkable."
Evan Yang never expected to have such an impact on the Ancestor.
Just after Evan Yang left, a soul, black all over, appeared before the sphere.
"Old friend, I've come to see you. But I think I sensed someone else," the soul said.
"No one—just me talking to myself. You're overthinking," said the person inside the sphere.
"Really? Then why do I sense your aura is stronger today? Tell me—who was it?" the soul asked.