Dragon claws were sharp and could morph to a significant degree, retracting completely into the dragon's body.
The dragon's tail moved spiritedly, its floating tendrils concealing flames, often leaving a trail of fire in the air with each flick.
Mechanism—Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon!
Zhu Xuanji quickly recognized it.
It was a very classic Mechanical Artifact.
From the Mundane Level's one-centimeter dormant worm to the Qi Refining Level's ten-inch startled snake, the Foundation Establishment Level's Hundred Feet Coiling Python, the Golden Core Level's Thousand Fathoms Coiling Jiao, up to the Nascent Soul Level's Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon.
The Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon could expand and contract, moved swiftly, and maintained powerful momentum, making it an outstanding transport mechanism treasure.
The past images suddenly stopped.
But Zhu Xuanji had an epiphany!
"Ning Zhuo's hint was invaluable."
"There's a problem with the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit!!"
Zhu Xuanji sadly glanced at the third and fourth Golden Furnace Ruins, which had been devastated under the barrage of cannon fire.
Zhu Xuanji could no longer sustain himself there and had to temporarily withdraw.
"Did he find anything?" the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit fretted.
The bombardment was too intense, preventing it from observing the situation inside.
It was utterly unaware of Zhu Xuanji's actions inside!
The bombardment continued fiercely for a while before it finally ceased.
The original site of the Golden Furnace Ruins had turned into a deep pit surrounded by devastation.
As Zhu Xuanji had expected, Zhu Zhen returned without achieving anything.
In a private conversation, Zhu Xuanji transmitted to Zhu Zhen the findings of his reconnaissance and his deductions about the Palace Spirit.
Zhu Zhen was perplexed and directly asked Zhu Xuanji how he deduced this.
Zhu Xuanji sighed and said, "You aren't aware of the past circumstances of the Lava Fairy Palace or the situation of the first Golden Furnace."
He explained to Zhu Zhen, telling him about the royal secrets he had witnessed in the Royal Capital…
Hundreds of years ago.
Fire Persimmon Mountain had just erupted, with lava covering the ground and poisonous smoke blocking the sky, making life unbearable and resulting in a massacre.
A master from the three temples, clad in a white monk's robe as pure as snow, his garments fluttering in the wind, slowly descended from the sky.
His face was composed, like an ancient pine, with eyebrows full of compassion and depth, possessing an extraordinary composure.
Another magnificent golden rainbow tore through the sky, landing close and transforming into a strikingly beautiful woman.
She wore a lustrous golden phoenix robe, radiant and adorned with dazzling pearls and gems, exuding dignity and authority.
Her phoenix eyes contained a killing intent as she stared intensely at the temple master, her words filled with deep resentment and reprimand, "You faithless man, you have finally returned! Since you have come to my domain, why did you not visit me in the Royal Capital? Do you know how ardently I have awaited your return?"
The temple master did not turn his head, only gazing down at the scorching mountain land below him, his tone extremely tranquil, "Southern Emperor, many years ago, I already made it clear to you: our emotional ties were severed, mutual comfort no better than forgetting each other between heaven and earth."
The woman was none other than the founding empress of Southern Bean, who sharply retorted, "You say it's over, and it's over? I disagree!"
"For so many years, do you know how deeply I've missed you? I even changed the name of my country to Southern Bean."
"Southern beans grow in the Southern Country, bloom in several branches in spring. I wish you would pick more, for they represent the deepest longing..."
"Sanlang, I don't believe you haven't missed me over these years!"
At this point, the Southern Bean Empress's voice trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes.
The temple master shook his head, sighing deeply, and pulled a mechanical model from his bosom.
He tossed it lightly, and the model flew up in the air, rapidly transforming into a vastly huge Immortal Palace, blocking the sunlight and casting a vast shadow over the earth.
The palace, with its red bricks and golden columns, stood majestic and splendid—it was the Lava Fairy Palace!
Seeing this, the Southern Bean Empress immediately showed delight, her voice turning even softer, "Sanlang, you indeed remember our past."
"In the beginning, we were as harmonious as a qin and se, living together day and night, jointly building this mechanical travel palace."
"You designed the layout and laid the foundations. Meanwhile, I sculpted statues, delicately and meticulously."
"We spent such beautiful times in this traveling palace."
"And we can still continue."
"Sanlang, I have founded a nation now, my long-held wish is fulfilled. Come back, let's live together, just like old times!"
The temple master always faced away from the Southern Bean Empress, making no reply, only using his Dharma Eye to closely observe Fire Persimmon Mountain below.
The Southern Bean Empress slowly floated, attempting to get closer, yet she was blocked by an invisible barrier of energy.
"Sanlang." The empress called out, her emotions genuine and profound.
The temple master turned a deaf ear, his gaze suddenly fixed, his mind slightly stirred.
Instantly, the Lava Fairy Palace emitted a bursting radiance, piercing through the mountain, sinking deep into the magma.
An agonized roar from a Jiao Dragon echoed sharply, and a Nascent Soul Level Fire-Walking Jiao charged out of Fire Persimmon Mountain furiously.
Under the compassionate gaze of the Southern Bean Empress, the Fire-Walking Jiao courageously charged towards the Lava Fairy Palace.
It intended to collapse the palace in one fell swoop!
The temple master spread his hands lightly.
The body of the Fire-Walking Jiao Dragon in the air shrunk rapidly, until it was caught in the hands of the temple master as a tiny snake, less than three inches long.
The Fire-Walking Jiao struggled fiercely but could never escape the temple master's grasp.
The Lava Fairy Palace slowly descended, like a mountain toppling, pressing down the air, accompanied by a thunderous sound.
The temple master sat cross-legged in the sky, now gazing down at the Lava Fairy Palace.
He pinched the neck of the Fire-Walking Jiao softly, extracting the soul of the Fire-Walking Jiao.
"Go," said the temple master with a slight flick of his finger.
The soul of the Nascent Soul Level Fire-Walking Jiao, like a meteor chasing the moon, shot directly into the first Golden Furnace.
Cremation Prajna Spirit Liberation Sutra!