With Mu Yunji and the other two gone, although Teng Qingshan knew that thousands of people across the realm would soon flock to the Fiery Ridge in search of the treasure 'Crimson Lotus of Fire,' he still retreated indoors to continue his solitary cultivation. …… By evening, with over seven volcanoes erupting simultaneously, it was certain that the Crimson Lotus of Fire would appear in the Fiery Ridge this time.

That night, countless martial artists converged on the area surrounding the ridge, each filled with fervent desire to claim the legendary lotus! Obtaining a single Crimson Lotus of Fire guaranteed one the rank of Martial Saint.

Moreover, the surplus lotus seeds could be used to forge powerful alliances with entities like the Tianfeng Family or the Rising Sun Merchant Guild! Whoever secured it would achieve unparalleled renown!

"Once I get my hands on the Crimson Lotus of Fire, I’ll be a Martial Saint too! Then, who in my household will dare look down on me?" muttered a refined young man, gazing longingly toward the northeast where the Fiery Ridge still faintly pulsed with red light.

Innumerable martial artists just like him were making the trek. The Tianfeng Family, the paramount family on the Du'an Continent, reigned supreme over the entire Northern Cold Domain.

Several dozen miles from Tianfeng City, atop an ice mountain peak, stood a dark brown, sharply-pointed ancient castle. This sanctuary was reserved for the select few disciples of the Tianfeng Family deemed worthy of intensive cultivation.

Normally, the castle housed only a few hundred inhabitants, a stark contrast to the tens of thousands residing in the Tianfeng main city under the Helian Family’s control. Nevertheless, this castle held immense prestige in the hearts of the Tianfeng disciples.

This was because the ultimate authority of the Tianfeng Family—the War God of Tianfeng—usually resided in the nearby Tianfeng Gorge, but spent most of his time within these walls when outside the Gorge. This castle was also known as… the War God Palace.

Only the War Gods throughout the generations of the Tianfeng Family were qualified to serve as its Palace Master. Within the cold, somber great hall.

A chilling man with long silver hair, clad in a black robe, sat enthroned above. His mere presence seemed to freeze the atmosphere of the entire hall.

"Teacher." Helian Haoyan, the Iron Sword Martial Saint, bowed deeply. Helian Haoyan possessed an undeniably frigid demeanor, but compared to his master, the difference was vast.

As one approached the Tianfeng War God, the ambient temperature appeared to drop further. "Haoyan, you have also received the news," the Tianfeng War God stated from his high vantage point, scrutinizing the Iron Sword Martial Saint.

His gaze felt like sharpened blades piercing the Saint’s heart. "Seven volcanoes erupting simultaneously this time guarantees the emergence of the Crimson Lotus of Fire—and it will be at least a Five-Petal Red Lotus." "I require you to secure the Crimson Lotus of Fire, no matter the cost," the Tianfeng War God commanded coldly.

"As for how you proceed, and how many men you mobilize, that is left to your discretion." "One thing more—" "I do not wish to see you fail again." The Tianfeng War God’s icy tone left the Iron Sword Martial Saint afraid to even draw breath. The previous failure in securing the Fire-Melted Iron ore vein had clearly displeased the Tianfeng War God.

…… As the Iron Sword Martial Saint departed the Tianfeng Family with orders from his master, leading a thousand experts toward the Fiery Ridge, word reached the 'Ancient City of Cloud Dreams' far to the west. There, the Cloud Dream War God similarly instructed Great Elder Mu Wang to proceed immediately to the Fiery Ridge.

With the Rising Sun Merchant Guild’s influence spanning the realm, Great Elder Mu Wang could easily summon reinforcements once he reached the East Brilliance Domain to aid in the search. In short… The number of people at the Fiery Ridge grew daily.

By the third day, tens of thousands had gathered to search. Beyond members of the great families, the majority were independent, wandering martial artists.

On the third day, at Teng Qingshan's residence. "Mister Teng." Voices called from outside as Mu Yunji, Fu Dao, and Duan Shijin entered together.

Hearing the shouts, Teng Qingshan and Li Jun emerged sequentially from their respective rooms. Li Jun smiled brightly.

"If you’ve come at this hour, you’ve missed the main course for lunch!" Mu Yunji and the others smiled back, and then Mu Yunji spoke up, "Mister Teng, the Fire-Melted Iron mine was completely excavated yesterday evening. We have finished cataloging all the ore.

The total haul of Fire-Melted Iron is 310,000 catties. You are entitled to three tenths, which amounts to 93,000 catties!" "It’s already portioned out?" Teng Qingshan felt a surge of pleasure.

Fu Dao nodded beside him, chuckling. "Your share has been set aside and packed into three colossal wooden crates." "Three colossal wooden crates?" Teng Qingshan paused, thinking briefly.

He calculated internally, Fire-Melted Iron is extremely light, only slightly denser than water. Water at forty-six cubic meters weighs forty-six tons, or ninety-two thousand catties.

Estimating 93,000 catties of Fire-Melted Iron should occupy roughly forty-five cubic meters. "Divided by three, each colossal crate will hold approximately fifteen cubic meters!" Teng Qingshan did the math in his head and understood the sheer scale of these crates.

"Take me to see them." Teng Qingshan urged immediately. "Mister, follow us this way." Mu Yunji and the others promptly led Teng Qingshan toward the Fire-Melted Iron Gorge.

"Yunji, why aren't you heading to the Fiery Ridge to search for the Crimson Lotus of Fire?" Teng Qingshan inquired as they walked toward the gorge. "The Crimson Lotus of Fire is incredibly difficult to find; one person has almost no chance.

I’ve already dispatched three thousand soldiers to search the area," Mu Yunji replied with a smile. "Besides, Teacher arrived a couple of days ago and is already leading our Mu family contingent in the search on the Ridge." "Old Brother Mu Wang?" Teng Qingshan was surprised, then smiled.

"If even Old Brother Mu Wang has come, then surely the major families across the world have sent forces to the Fiery Ridge." …… Moments later, Teng Qingshan and his companions arrived inside a massive tent within the Fire-Melted Iron Gorge. The cavernous tent stretched over ten zhang in length and width, filled with numerous large wooden crates.

"Mister Teng, look at these three," Mu Yunji pointed toward three oversized wooden boxes. "These three contain your portion of the Fire-Melted Iron, totaling ninety-three thousand catties.

Each share is thirty-one thousand catties—not an ounce more, not an ounce less." Teng Qingshan walked over, easily pulling out the retaining nails, and lifted the lids. Clang!

Clang! Clang!

The three crate lids were placed aside. Inside, the crates were tightly packed with slabs of blood-red Fire-Melted Iron.

These pieces ranged from as small as a fingernail to some as large as a water vat, filling the boxes completely. The three large crates were identical in size.

Each measured about one and a half zhang long (about 3.8 meters), and both height and width were eight chi (two meters). "Heh!" Teng Qingshan tried lifting the three crates.

With his precise control over strength, he could gauge that one large crate indeed weighed over thirty thousand catties. Subtracting the weight of the crate itself, there was a substantial amount of Fire-Melted Iron.

"Mister Teng," Mu Yunji stated, "our army will depart the Fire-Melted Iron Gorge this afternoon to escort this Fire-Melted Iron away. Will you have us escort your portion as well, or… will you handle the transport yourself?" Extracting the Fire-Melted Iron was only half the battle.

After all, the powerful families across the world coveted this material. Robbery and theft en route were always possibilities.

"No need, I will manage it myself," Teng Qingshan said. "Find me several lengths of iron chain and secure these three large crates tightly together.

I don't want the three boxes rolling apart mid-transit." "Certainly, no problem." The three large crates combined weighed no more than one hundred thousand catties. Binding one hundred thousand catties with thick iron chains was a simple task.

Moments later, a large contingent of soldiers moved the three crates to an open space outside. Working together, they finally used thick, arm-sized iron chains to firmly bind Teng Qingshan's share of the three large crates together.

"Yunji, Fu Dao, Duan Shijin, I will be leaving now." Teng Qingshan looped one arm through the heavy, crude iron chain and gripped tightly. With a slight exertion of force— Whoosh!

The three colossal crates were lifted effortlessly by Teng Qingshan and settled onto his back. The crates, resembling a small mountain, were held steady as Teng Qingshan's feet emitted an earthy yellow glow.

With every stride, he covered over ten zhang, and each footfall caused the ground to tremble slightly, sinking an inch or two. In moments, Teng Qingshan vanished from the Fire-Melted Iron Gorge.

Watching Teng Qingshan depart with the three crates strapped to his back like a miniature peak, Mu Yunji and the other two stood in stunned silence for a long time. "I have a feeling… that sending our ten thousand troops to escort the Fire-Melted Iron wouldn't be as secure as Mister Teng handling it alone?" Duan Shijin commented, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"And he's definitely faster than us!" Fu Dao added helplessly. As Fu Dao, Duan Shijin, and Mu Yunji organized lunch for the army and prepared for departure— "Look!" Fu Dao suddenly pointed to the sky.

They saw a small mountain rapidly piercing through the air. Duan Shijin and Mu Yunji only caught a fleeting afterimage before it disappeared from sight.

"Mister Fu, you were right," Mu Yunji said with a wry smile. "Our escort speed for the Fire-Melted Iron is nowhere near Mister Teng's." …… Ten thousand feet high, above the clouds.

The Azure Luan soared swiftly, its wings spread wide. Teng Qingshan stood upon its back, his right arm supporting the three large crates bound tightly with heavy chains.

A load of one hundred thousand catties was trivial for the Azure Luan, whose strength was certainly not inferior to the Six-Legged Saber Cicada, and whose speed was even greater; flying two or three thousand li while carrying the load was remarkably easy. Approaching South Mountain City, the Azure Luan descended into the lowest layer of mist.

"We're here." Teng Qingshan saw the towering Divine Axe Mountain piercing the clouds. "With all the powerful experts from the great families gathered around the Fiery Ridge now, it’s far too chaotic.

If I leave my Fire-Melted Iron there, I won't be able to cultivate peacefully. It’s better to store it on Divine Axe Mountain and let the Six-Legged Saber Cicada guard it for me." * That afternoon, Teng Qingshan rode the Azure Luan and flew back to Ox Head Mountain.

This speed demonstrated that the Azure Luan's reputation as the strongest and fastest among the innate flying demonic beasts was no idle boast. …… On the seventh night after the volcanic eruptions.

"Old Brother Mu, it’s rare for you to visit me here." Teng Qingshan was smiling while sharing wine with Mu Wang. Ox Head Mountain was adjacent to the Fiery Ridge, and Mu Wang had taken the opportunity to pay a visit upon learning Teng Qingshan was nearby.

"Brother Teng, why aren't you heading to the Fiery Ridge to search?" Mu Wang asked, smiling. "Most of the Martial Saint experts from across the realm have already gone.

Searching for the Crimson Lotus of Fire is purely a matter of luck. However… some of the deepest magma chambers can only be entered by Martial Saints.

With your strength, Brother Teng, you might just find one. If you succeed, you could easily foster five or six innate experts." Before he finished speaking— "Hum~~" A strange fluctuation of heaven and earth spiritual energy suddenly permeated the air.

Teng Qingshan and Mu Wang, both beings only a step away from the Void Realm, simultaneously looked north. In the high altitude above a certain location deep within the Fiery Ridge, a pillar of blazing cosmic light had materialized, appearing exceptionally conspicuous against the dark night sky—a fiery radiance unlike anything seen before.

Whoosh! Teng Qingshan and Mu Wang both shot to their feet in shock.