From waterfowl, it began to transform into the Great Sun Golden Crow.

"The place is filled with lava."

"The terrain is treacherous; young man, protect yourselves well."

After the River-Swallowing Fish finished speaking, it looked at Gu Heting with its fish eyes, its lava-covered terrain scorching the earth. Gu Heting had once gazed up at Changsha Island from afar.

That island is actually a volcano, standing at the outermost edge of the blessed land of Dongting.

Gu Heting is a waterbird; it can walk a few steps off the ground.

But the River-Swallowing Fish is different. It has the power to conquer the vast ocean, but it's unrealistic to expect it to grow legs and walk on that lava island.

Thinking of this, Gu Heting fell silent.

In the early stages of Qi Refining, it's difficult to protect oneself, as the intense heat burns the heart. The terrain there easily damages one's very foundation. With his water-elemental root, he moves through the swamp like a dragon emerging from the water.

But this rolling lava was not his habitat.

"Are there any poisonous insects or strange beasts on Changsha Island? I mean, are there any like that axolotl? I might not be able to defeat it." The axolotl had been too much of a shock to Gu Heting. Flames shot into the sky, and he had no chance of escape. It was a thankless task.

Whether he even has the ability is questionable.

"You're brave enough to fight back, why are you afraid of these things? Fine, there's a phantom fire dragon at the top of Changsha Island. Originally, there were two Core Formation demons here."

Two powerful demons at the Core Formation stage.

How do I get there?

With his mind preoccupied, Gu Heting shook his head.

"Don't be in such a hurry. The Illusionary Fire Dragon lives at the top of the Sand Flower Tree year-round. But that Core Formation Demon is extremely sleepy. During the day, it will hover around the branches of the Sand Flower Tree."

"At night,"

"Only then will it leap into the candle-fire lava, devouring the lava in the volcano, year after year, day after day."

Isn't this schedule a bit too simple?

His life was practically a monotonous routine: eat, sleep, eat. It was practically his ideal life from a past life.

But upon closer reflection, it didn't seem right.

Weren't there two Core Formation Demon Kings? Then who is the other one? Gu Heting asked, puzzled, his heart sinking. He opened his mouth and asked, "And who is the other one?"

"There's another one, haven't you seen it before?"

It's that fiery salamander!

Holy shit

So that fiery salamander came from that volcanic island. No wonder it's a powerful demon with a fire elemental root, but how did such a powerful demon with a fire elemental root end up here?

Instead of staying in this volcanic area, they came here to set fires for fun.

Whale Li seemed to understand Gu Heting's confusion. The shrewd old fish chuckled awkwardly, "Heh, that old salamander lost to that dragon. Dongting Paradise is a place where only the fittest survive."

"Moreover, this place is full of opportunities, and powerful demons at the Core Formation stage are already everywhere."

"It's not surprising that two monsters were raised."

What the River-Swallowing Fish said wasn't wrong. The strong naturally possess more resources. This is true even in human society, let alone for wild beasts.

Dongting Lake is a blessed land where only the fittest can live.

A blessed land, a blessed land, it inherently signifies abundant opportunities. Gu Heting stayed here for a full seven months. He never saw an immortal stop here.

In other words, the ecology of this place has not been damaged by humans.

In the entire cultivation world, this place is a secret realm. Moreover, it is a secret realm that has not yet been discovered by anyone.

He can go and pick the fruit of the safflower tree.

He couldn't come here for nothing. He had to get something in return. This old fish had actually saved his life. He shouldn't mind if Gu Heting took advantage of him a little.

Since that's the case, then...

"I will go. I'm willing to help. But, Senior Jingli, you know that in the human market, they all use copper coins for transactions. What I mean is..."

"Heh, you cunning brat." The River Swallower sneered disdainfully. With a flick of its tail, it turned and plunged headfirst into the river: "You brat, you just wait."

The waves were raging.

A giant fish sank into the river.

Only the rippling water remained, bubbling and gurgling. The sound of the water was loud and deep, like thunder splitting the sunset.

Gu Heting poked his little head out and looked around curiously.

cuckoo

Bubbles rose to the surface of the water again.

A gigantic fish head emerged from the water, its body draped in seaweed. With a whoosh, it spat out countless grains of fine sand. One dark, shadowy object stood out starkly.

Gu Heting took a closer look.

It was a piece of black wood. This was the central part of the tree, and in its center was a black lightning bolt pattern. It was clearly created after being struck by lightning.

The dark wood carried a heavy sandalwood scent.

It smells wonderful.

The entire lakeside wetland was filled with this rich aroma.

With the appearance of this lightning-struck wood,

The Phoenix-Inscribed Book within Gu Heting's body began to open. A string of characters appeared on his retina.

A rare and precious item: Lightning-struck wood.

[A sudden, earth-shattering thunderbolt struck, striking a ten-thousand-year-old sacred tree. Due to the terrain, it sank into a lake, where it remained for nearly two thousand years. The withered tree lay submerged in the river, yet its subtle fragrance lingered. Its entire body was black, yet its aroma could linger for centuries.]

[Its function: It is the best ingredient for refining the Fragrance-Condensing Pill.]

[It has the effect of nourishing the skin and improving eyesight. Cultivators often use this formula to decorate their residences.]

This piece of wood struck by lightning is over 3000 years old. It is the finest example of wood struck by lightning.

Holy crap, this is good stuff.

This is river-sinking wood.

It is still the sunken wood of the cultivation world.

[Note: Lightning-struck wood takes 2000 years to form. It is extremely rare and difficult to obtain; this item meets the requirements for being considered for income.]

[Phoenix Carrying a Book]

[Update has begun]

[Tianming Lightning-Struck Wood Picture Album Updated]

"Little one, I wonder if this Jiangmu wood can bring forth a naturally beautiful and blessed immortal like you from the mountains?"

The old fish spoke with a mocking tone. Even now, he still remembered the nonsense Gu Heting had uttered.

The deep voice of the swallowing fish awakened Gu Heting from his daze.

Gu Heting snapped out of his daze, his bird-like eyes lighting up: "That's enough, no problem. Senior Jingli, what should I be careful about?"

"That old dragon is very lazy, just don't disturb his sleep."

"Mmm-hmm-hmm."

Gu Heting nodded repeatedly.

He plunged his little beak into the sunken wood with a single stroke. Gu Heting then lifted the wood with a comical movement. His legs trembled, but he couldn't hide his joy.

A huge piece of driftwood hung on his small body.

The half-grown bird fluttered its webbed feet.

They quickly disappeared into the jungle.

"Hmm, this seems a bit unreliable."

The River-Swallowing Fish sighed heavily. As the sun set, it closed its eyes. In this vast expanse of rivers and mountains, it couldn't find a single person who could speak human language.

Gu Heting's appearance was actually quite good.

Good luck, little one.

Dongting Lake is a blessed land, brimming with countless treasures. Indeed, one's birth does matter. Some are born into good fortune and can live a life of abundance. It has mountains, water, and treasures.

Anyway, I don't have to worry about anything these years.

At least that's what Gu Heting thought.

Gu Heting looked at the lightning-struck wood before him. The wood was covered in layers of patterns. The side struck by lightning appeared to have cracked open. A fragrant aroma wafted from it, attracting many beetles.

"Go away, go away, don't touch my treasure."

He flapped his wings and slapped the beetle off the tree.

The picture album featuring the phoenix carrying a book has been updated again.

The ink splashes spread out in the painting.

Black charcoal and withered wood, vividly depicted on paper.

The cultivation techniques related to the lightning-struck wood of Tianming have begun to awaken.

[You have acquired Technique Two: The Fragrance-Based Youth-Preserving Technique.]

[Skill Attribute: Wood Attribute]