Heaven’s Shadow

The dantian qihai region is the core of a cultivator. However, to Lu Chen, when the fearsome black flames lodged itself firmly there ten years ago and destroyed his foundations and cursing him to great sufferings by the immolation of the black flames, it has become the origin of his agony.

Dantian -> Acupoint in the abdomen|Qihai -> Spirit sea

This is the first time he is taking the initiative to activate the spirit in his dantian. From another viewpoint, he is taking the initiative to activate the Curse of Black Flames.

As he expected, the moment he tries his luck, the tattered Five Element Divine Compass trembles as it gradually emerges and demon-like black flames come raging forth from every single crack and wound on the Five Element Divine Compass. It sounds like the silent but hideous sneer of the demons. In an instant, the black flames overwhelms his entire dantian qihai and gushes outwards from all directions.

Immolation of black flames!

Lu Chen howls from the excruciating pain. The black flames emerges from numerous sites on his skin. His blood and flesh trembles instinctively in fear and turn into scorched land in an instant.

However, this time, Lu Chen didn’t dive straight into the emerald water, which is his only salvation. Using unimaginable willpower, he forced himself to remain seated in his original spot. Bearing the overwhelming pain, he widen his eyes as he stares fixedly into the pool.

The water reflects his appearance.

It is as though he is a demon burning with black flames!

Lu Chen groans deeply as his facial muscles distort. Suddenly, from his dantian qihai region, the ruinous Five Element Divine Compass seems to have been impelled by some power and starts to rotate.

With every slightest rotation, Lu Chen’s entire body seems to tremble a single time and like an enraged demon, the black flames would burst forth, gushing with even greater might to consume the fallen apparition of the divine compass.

Everything seems as though it would be incinerated within the fearsome black flames, including his blood, flesh and soul.

The pool not too far away from him remains tranquil and peaceful. Yet, at the same time, it seems to be the greatest enticement in the entire world as it lies quietly before Lu Chen’s eyes.

Several times, Lu Chen’s body almost lunges forward uncontrollably, fervently wishing to roll into the icy-cool water, just like in the past.

However, for some inconceivable reasons, he managed to withstand his compulsion.

He roars ferociously under the incineration of the terrifying black flames. At the moment, it seems as though there isn’t a single inch of undamaged skin on his entire body and even his face has warped in shape. However, in the midst of the black flames, there is still a ray of light. It might be faint, but it is still flickering.

The light originates from his dantian qihai region, from the incredibly tattered and charred Five Element Divine Compass which seems as though it is about to shatter into several pieces at any moment. However, at this very moment, the Five Element Divine Compass holds on exceptionally stubbornly. The faint ray of light still refuses to extinguish.

Suddenly, the black flames on Lu Chen’s body retracts back into his body, flitting like lightning through the innumerable veins and meridians. In an instant, the black flames concentrates in his dantian qihai region. Just like a billowing wave, it rush furiously towards the Five Element Divine Compass.

That is the final foundation of Lu Chen’s blood, flesh and soul, as well as the core of the Curse of Black Flames.

A resounding echo sounds in the world seemingly devoid of sound. In an instant, all of the black flames enveloping the divine compass emits a bright light, a black light that swallows everything!

Lu Chen screams in agony. In his qihai, that ray of light dims. In the end, the final tenacity of the Five Element Divine Compass is unable to withstand the formidable curse of the demons. Bit by bit, it starts to crumble, and his blood, flesh and soul follow suit. From the looks of it, his soul is about to disintegrate.

At this very instant, Lu Chen suddenly howls and his right hand suddenly rises up. A glint of light shines from the incomparably sharp black dagger in his hand. At that very moment, his face is as cold as ice, not a single trace of emotions could be seen. In the next, the black dagger penetrates into his lower abdomen.

The charred abdomen immediately rips apart. Facing the sky, he bellows deafeningly. Then, his left hand takes on the shape of a claw and stabs into his dantian. He propagates the final shreds of his remaining spirit energy. The incomparably ruinous Five Element Divine Compass trembles as it floats towards him. He grabs it in his hands, the way as though one would grab his heart, and slowly rips it out.

The black flames burn frenziedly as they wrap themselves firmly around the compass. By the look of it, it seems to be emerging out of his body along with his wrist. Then, Lu Chen’s hand swiftly pulls his hand downwards and the next moment, his left hand sinks into the pool of clear water.

The incomparably concentrated vitality surges forth from the surroundings and wraps around the bundle of black flames. The black flames gradually separates from his hands. However, it doesn’t extinguish. Rather, it continues to burn fervently in the water, just that it is gradually surrounded by a convergence of water.

Lu Chen’s body convulses intensely. No one, especially one whose physical body is no different from a mortal, could withstand such a severe injury. At this moment, there isn’t a trace of redness on his face. He slowly lowers his head as his body falls forward powerlessly. Very quickly, his body turns in a somersault and falls into the pool of clear water.

Huala, water splashes upwards and descends back down. Then, everything quietens and there isn’t any movement or sounds.

※※※

The hollow of the tree is tranquil, as though time pauses here. Vaguely, mysterious tree rings could be seen on the walls of the ancient tree walls. It is unknown how long those intersecting scars on it had been there. But very soon, they were covered by a gray aura.

Hua, the sudden splashing of water broke the tranquility of the atmosphere. Lu Chen abruptly appears from the water. Then, he strenuously pulls himself up slowly. Just as before, those burn marks from the scorching of the black flames, as well as the wound on his lower abdomen, disappear mysteriously yet again. This pool of clear water seems like the legendary mystical spring of longevity, bringing him back from the cliff of death again and again.

Climbing onto the surface, when he is gasping for breath, he turns back fortuitously and his body jolts suddenly, as though he has seen something shocking. For a moment, he freezes.

In the small pool of clear water beside him, the emerald color which represents unimaginable concentration of vitality has completely disappeared! At this instant, the remaining water looks like an original pool.

Lu Chen is taken aback. After a momentary pause, he slowly climbs up. He suddenly catches sight of what is beneath the clear water, and there seems to be a black shadow in it.