The Supreme Asura

Chapter 76: Absorbing Fire Essence

The members of the Mu family looked at the severed head on the ground, then at the young man wiping blood off his blade, and felt a deep sense of reverence.

At this moment, they no longer regarded Mu Feng as just a youth. His intelligence and ruthlessness surpassed that of many seasoned adults.

For Mu Feng, who had survived life-or-death situations on the battlefield, this was hardly a significant feat.

"Boss!"

The remaining members of the Yellow Tiger Gang, who had not fought, stared at the headless corpse, their faces pale with fear, their hearts gripped by bone-chilling dread.

"Young Master, what should we do with the rest of the Yellow Tiger Gang outside?"

Mu Zhong asked, his eyes flashing coldly. "Shall we eliminate them all?"

Mu Feng shook his head. He wasn't a bloodthirsty demon. He killed without hesitation when necessary but didn't indulge in unnecessary slaughter.

"Recruit those who are at least in the Ninth Stage of Vein Unblocking into the Mu family. As for the rest, dismiss them. From today on, the Yellow Tiger Gang ceases to exist in An Nan City," Mu Feng said calmly. After wiping the blood from his blade, he sheathed it and left, followed closely by Bai Ziyue and Mu Zhong.

Upon returning to the Mu estate, Mu Feng checked on Mu Kuang. Fortunately, Mu Kuang's strong constitution meant his injuries weren't serious, and he would recover with a few days of rest.

That night, the Lantern Festival in An Nan City was marked with a bloody chapter.

The next day, on the first day of the new year, the Mu family celebrated together. Mu Feng wrote letters to Mu Ling'er, Wan'er, and his uncle Mu Chen, who was in the capital. He spent the holiday with Bai Ziyue, Mu Kuang, and the others at the branch family.

Days later, snow blanketed the ground, turning the world into a silver-white landscape. Mu Feng left the Mu estate again and visited the Wanbao Pavilion.

Upon his arrival, Manager Li personally greeted him with great enthusiasm.

Mu Feng was now a promising genius with the potential to become a high-level rune master, and Manager Li was eager to build a good relationship with him.

Mu Feng sold a batch of rune talismans in exchange for some Essence Cultivation Pills, then asked, "Manager Li, do you have any Fire Flame Grass, a fire-attribute herb?"

Fire Flame Grass was a Tier-3 herb of considerable value, containing fire elemental energy.

Mu Feng needed a large amount of Fire Flame Grass to cultivate Nine Flames Exploding Fist, a top-tier fire-attribute martial skill of the Profound rank.

Of course, other fire-attribute herbs and spiritual materials would work as well.

The path of cultivation was notoriously expensive. Many martial techniques and cultivation methods required rare materials and treasures for support.

As the saying went: "Wealth, technique, companionship, and location"—wealth was ranked first for a reason.

"Fire Flame Grass? I believe we still have some in stock. Please wait a moment, Young Master Mu. I'll have someone bring it to you," Manager Li said thoughtfully and summoned a young woman to fetch it.

Soon, the attendant returned with a redwood box, which she respectfully placed before Mu Feng.

Opening the box, Mu Feng saw three fiery red herbs inside.

The herbs were crimson, their leaves shaped like flames, radiating intense heat—Fire Flame Grass.

Mu Feng was delighted upon seeing them and asked eagerly, "Do you have any more of these herbs? I'll buy them all."

"Apologies, Young Master. These are the only ones we have. After all, our Wanbao Pavilion in An Nan City is just a small branch, and such valuable herbs are rarely purchased here," Manager Li explained apologetically.

Mu Feng felt a twinge of disappointment. Only three stalks wouldn't be enough for his cultivation.

"Do you know where I might find more of these herbs nearby?" Mu Feng asked.

"Hmm... Fire Flame Grass grows in places rich in fire elemental energy, such as volcanic regions. I've heard of a place called Flame Valley, about 500 miles west of An Nan City, where Fire Flame Grass can be found, along with shops that sell such herbs," Manager Li replied.

"Flame Valley, 500 miles west..."

Mu Feng frowned. He wasn't familiar with the area and had never heard of Flame Valley.

"Flame Valley is a volcanic region inhabited by many fire-attribute beasts. There are even rumors of demonic tribes there. If you go, it's best to avoid venturing too deep into the mountains," Manager Li cautioned.

Mu Feng nodded, thanked him, and paid 900 gold coins for the herbs before leaving the pavilion.

Back at the Mu estate, Mu Feng took out the Shura Divine Jade. A blood-red light from the jade enveloped the three stalks of Fire Flame Grass, which burst into flames, transforming into fiery energy.

Following the method of Nine Flames Exploding Fist, Mu Feng guided the energy into his body and directed it into his Purple Core.

"Ugh..."

Mu Feng groaned in pain, his face contorted. The fiery energy coursing through his body felt like swallowing a burning coal—intensely painful.

Enduring the searing pain, he guided the fiery energy into his Purple Core, where it was wrapped in his own Qi, finally alleviating the discomfort.

"Haah..."

Exhaling a breath of white mist, Mu Feng wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"This amount of fire energy is far from enough to condense a fire seed for the technique. You'll need much more Fire Flame Grass," Xi Yue said through their mental connection.

"I'll make time to visit Flame Valley," Mu Feng replied with a nod.

"Also, you should consider learning alchemy. While the Shura Divine Jade can refine materials, it consumes a significant amount of blood energy. By refining herbs into pills, you can maximize their potency, which will benefit your cultivation. The Shura Divine Jade contains alchemical patterns, and I can teach you alchemy," Xi Yue suggested.

Alchemy was a skill encompassed within rune mastery, specifically under the expertise of alchemical rune masters.

"Will learning alchemy delay my cultivation?" Mu Feng asked with a frown.

"Not at all. Mastering alchemy will greatly enhance your future cultivation," Xi Yue assured him.

"Fine, I'll learn," Mu Feng agreed reluctantly.

"Hmph! You sound so unwilling. Do you know how many people dream of learning alchemy? And here you are, acting like I'm forcing you. Forget it, I won't teach you anymore," Xi Yue huffed, feigning annoyance.

"Yue'er, I was wrong! My dear Yue'er, I was just worried about delaying my cultivation. Don't be mad," Mu Feng quickly apologized with a sheepish grin.

"Hmph!"

"I'll learn! I'll happily learn! I'll go buy the materials right now and start learning alchemy!"