Certain Purgatory races also couldn't be bothered to provoke the Flame Monarchs, firstly because the Flame Monarchs and all their descendants were tremendously powerful. Secondly, the Purgatory core occupied by the Flame Monarch was an extremely perilous place, scorching to an unbearable degree. It was not easy for other races to attack, and even if they expended massive effort, the conquest would be futile; only beings naturally composed of pure Fire Elemental essence could reside there, as even Flame Giants found it unlivable.

Consequently, while the Flame Monarch clan dominated a corner of the Purgatory Domain, they were consistently excluded from the civilized races. Elemental beings naturally disliked interacting with others, and their conduct resembled primordial life far more than intelligent life—inferior to the vast majority of demonic beasts. They possessed no lofty ideals, harbored few desires, existing merely in simple survival. At least demonic beasts gradually begin to gain sentience as they age and grow stronger. Thus, when calculating the overall power structure of the Purgatory Domain, the Flame Monarch lineage was usually discounted. In fact, most beings simply treated the Flame Monarch line as rogue monsters.

Elemental life forms enjoyed lengthy lifespans. But even heaven and earth have lifespans; how much more so elemental life? Therefore, the Flame Monarchs too were subject to limitations. When a Flame Monarch reached old age, it was said they would condense their entire cultivation and essence into a single Spirit Core. This process bore some resemblance to the demise of Demon Race individuals, yet differed greatly.

The Spirit Core would be placed within an intensely hot, secret location permeated by formless fire elements, awaiting the long process of absorbing the ambient fire essence. When the time was ripe, the Flame Monarch would be reborn amidst raging flames, growing rapidly to become the next generation's Sovereign. Naturally, besides the Flame Monarchs, a few other powerful kindred beings underwent a similar rebirth. However, achieving this level of regeneration required reaching the Soul Transformation stage. Within the Purgatory Domain, the Flame Monarch was likely the sole elemental entity to ever reach that echelon.

As this information flashed through Lei Dong’s mind, the Purgatory Demon General named Kampaar spoke again: “This is indeed the crux of the matter. Before coming here, my Demon Lord instructed that under no circumstances should the Flame Spirit Core be left behind.”

“Hiss~ Kampaar, did you summon the two of us here just to dawdle?” Chi Wei’s face darkened considerably, and in her extreme anger, she let out a serpentine hiss, flatly refusing: “There is nothing to discuss. My Sovereign, Chi Gui, is also absolutely determined to obtain the Flame Spirit Core.”

“Indeed, trying to monopolize the Flame Spirit Core,” the miniature Flame Giant, Huo Ling, flared up, a thin layer of flame suddenly burning fiercely around him, his voice rumbling: “Kampaar, do you truly believe the Fire Giant Clan is easily trifled with?”

“Please, do not be hasty, both of you.” The Purgatory Demon General Kampaar seemed to have anticipated this, his tone unhurried: “I surmise you both represent your respective clans and hold a certain degree of authority. Why not first hear the terms my clan is prepared to offer? For the Scarlet Flame Serpent Clan, my clan is willing to offer three adjacent city territories and their subordinate lands in exchange for assistance in securing the Flame Spirit Core this time. Chi Wei, do you find these terms acceptable?”

In Chi Wei’s cold and alluring eyes, a flicker of undeniable movement betrayed her excitement; clearly, the proposal had struck a chord. However, serpentine nature breeds suspicion, and Chi Wei could only manage a cold snort: “How can we guarantee your promise will be kept?”

“This is an official missive imbued with my Lord’s divine sense, detailing the terms. Should my clan fail to honor our commitment this time, you are free to publicize the matter, and my Lord’s reputation will be utterly ruined.” Purgatory Demon General Kampaar maintained an air of composure, as if fully prepared: “Furthermore, we Demon Race of Purgatory are not like the humans. When have you ever seen my Lord retract a promise once made?”

Chi Wei accepted the missive and channeled her divine sense into it. A moment later, she slowly opened her eyes: “The terms are not bad, but while the Flame Monarch Spirit Core is extraordinarily precious, perhaps not to this extent? Just what use does your Demon Race of Purgatory have for this core?”

“That is beyond your purview.” The Purgatory Demon General slowly shook his head, then turned to the Fire Giant, Huo Ling: “I hear your lands have recently suffered misfortunes, and the output of Fire Spirit Jade has been dwindling. My Lord is prepared to offer ten million Fire Spirit Jades in exchange for this opportunity.”

“What?” The Fire Giant Huo Ling sprang to his feet instantly, utterly shocked: “Did you say ten million Fire Spirit Jades?”

The Fire Spirit Jade was a specialty of the scorching regions, gestating only within incandescent magma; it wasn't considered an exceedingly rare item. But a quantity reaching ten million was undeniably a colossal sum. Moreover, the Fire Giants consumed Fire Spirit Jade; it not only sustained their kin but also continuously enhanced their strength and cultivation. Most critically, newborn Fire Giants typically needed to consume Fire Spirit Jade to mature properly. Within the Fire Giant Clan, Fire Spirit Jade constituted a vital reserve resource. With their sparse population, ten million Fire Spirit Jades would suffice for all their kin for a hundred years.

Of course, this substance was also beneficial to other races, but the Fire Giants needed it far more acutely. In a way, this offer struck at the Fire Giants’ soft underbelly, as it could vastly alleviate the crisis caused by the reduced output of Fire Spirit Jade in their clan.

Lei Dong, merely 'seeing' the Giant’s expression from afar, knew the transaction was likely to succeed.

As expected, the Purgatory Demon General achieved his objective with little struggle. Following this, the contingent of Purgatory visitors began to discuss the specifics. According to the prior agreement, Huo Ling and Chi Wei were obligated to assist Kampaar in acquiring the Flame Monarch Spirit Core.

However, this undertaking was within human territory. Even though the three alien races were strong, they dared not cause too much trouble. If they alerted the masters among the humans, they risked losing everything they sought to gain. This was the Great Qian Continent, the most formidable of the Nine Provinces of the human realm, a place that even the powerful races of the Purgatory Domain had to treat with caution.

Lei Dong couldn't help but smile as he listened. He hadn't expected that casually eavesdropping on some secret dealings would yield such astounding news. The Flame Monarch Spirit Core was an incredibly valuable treasure. While one couldn't expect to cultivate a Flame Monarch under one's command by obtaining it, it was, at the very least, an unparalleled artifact for refining Fire-elemental spells.

The reason for planning a trip to the Purgatory Domain was precisely because Lei Dong’s own flame techniques were insufficient for self-refinement. He required the superior natural fire sources available in that realm. In truth, if Lei Dong could independently manifest Samadhi True Fire, Six Extremity True Fire, or even Nine Yang True Fire, he wouldn't need to travel all the way to the Purgatory Domain. He could simply find a quiet spot for his refinement process.

Admittedly, Lei Dong practiced the Profound Yin Heart Sutra, a yin-attribute cultivation method, making the refinement of yin-fire techniques straightforward. Attempting to cultivate yang-fire techniques would yield half the result with twice the effort and carried a high risk of qi deviation—purely an unprofitable venture. Yet, even so, this didn't preclude Lei Dong from using yang-fire spells; after all, there was another category of things in this world called Dharma Treasures.

If he obtained this treasure, Lei Dong could easily find someone to refine it into a Spirit Treasure. Such an artifact could not only harm enemies but also aid its master in refining other treasures—a wholly desirable outcome. Furthermore, as Lei Dong's cultivation deepened, the magical treasures he previously used were gradually becoming obsolete; their power was far less potent than his own current spellcasting abilities.

But reaching his current level made finding suitable Spirit Treasures a difficult task. Even at this auction, finding a mid-grade Spirit Treasure occasionally was considered fortunate. And whenever a mid-grade Spirit Treasure appeared, it usually sparked a frenzy among Nascent Soul stage cultivators, driving its price to astronomical heights.

Thus, for cultivators at Lei Dong's stage, purchasing and gathering materials to forge Spirit Treasures themselves was the supreme path—the course adopted by the vast majority of cultivators.

Lei Dong had once encountered a brief description of the Flame Monarch Spirit Core in some archived information. Though vague, the intense interest shown by these three Purgatory powerhouses, coupled with the Demon King's resolute determination to acquire it, naturally stirred Lei Dong’s own ambition. He strained his attention, meticulously absorbing the details of their scheme.

Fortunately, these three Purgatory guests remained mutually wary. During their discussions, they relied on private mental communications to avoid internal strife, which allowed Lei Dong to glean the entire scope of their plans. Of course, this could also be blamed on the overconfidence of these Purgatory experts. They believed that although a few powerful entities resided in Scorched City, sneaking past the formations to eavesdrop on their conversation was unthinkable, unless the eavesdropper was a Soul Transformation level expert.

They could never have anticipated the presence of the anomalous pair—Lei Dong and his servant. When fully engaged, their stealth arts could even put Soul Transformation experts at a disadvantage.

After listening for a considerable time, the series of discussions concluded. The three Purgatory figures began executing their respective assignments. Lei Dong instructed Ghost Thorn to continue shadowing the beautiful snake named Chi Wei, as her task was to select a Golden Core stage cultivator from within the inn to present the item at the auction.

At this point, Lei Dong felt a twinge of apprehension, praying that Chi Wei wouldn't have the ill sense to choose him. Otherwise, the subsequent proceedings would become rather complicated. Whether Lei Dong’s silent pleas worked, or perhaps because his current appearance was truly too unsightly, the beautiful snake quickly slipped into the room next door to Lei Dong. And next door happened to be the residence of that vain pretty boy, Chen Yun.

This brought a smile to Lei Dong’s face. Being handsome certainly had its uses; even a beautiful snake preferred a pretty face. What a pity, though. To be chosen by that seductive and venomous serpent, Chen Yun was unlikely to escape unscathed.