Yuan Ming immediately opened the Shura Palace, throwing the Red Flame Zhu Li Flower into the Fire Lake of the Extreme Fire Realm.

With a soft "boom," the Red Flame Zhu Li Flower began to burn, an incredibly pure Fire Spiritual Power surged forth, merging into Dian Xiaosan's body.

The Zhu Rong Fire Pattern had almost spread throughout Dian Xiaosan's entire body, he remained seated with eyes closed, but the aura around him was no longer calm. The Earth Core Purifying Fire enveloping him seemed stimulated, sometimes rising, sometimes falling, clearly at the most critical moment.

Yuan Ming reached out and grabbed, capturing nearly a hundred Red Essence Stones from the riverbed and throwing them into the Fire Lake.

The Fire Spiritual Power in the Fire Lake surged, causing Dian Xiaosan's aura to fluctuate even more. The concentrated Spiritual Power was evidently beneficial for his breakthrough.

"You two have worked hard, take a break here while I handle some affairs." Yuan Ming said to Wulu and the other, and then flickered into the quiet room in the Shura Palace.

He took out the Stealing Heaven Tripod and possessed Dian Xiaosan.

...

Fifteen minutes later, in the center of the Fire Lake of the Extreme Fire Realm.

Dian Xiaosan suddenly opened his eyes, large areas of crimson flames gushed from his body, swirling and intertwining above his head.

At this moment, the Zhu Rong Fire Pattern on his body seemed to come to life, converging towards the Dantian, finally condensing into a complex red Dao Seal.

Dian Xiaosan raised his eyebrows, the Earth Core Purifying Fire surrounding him suddenly exploded, transforming into hundreds of white fireballs the size of fists, slowly rotating above the Fire Lake around Dian Xiaosan.

He raised a hand in a gesture, and all the fireballs flew back, reconverging into a large mass of Earth Core Purifying Fire, its shape and size identical to before, without any loss.

The fiercely scorching Earth Core Purifying Fire, at this moment in Dian Xiaosan's hands, was as tame as a house cat.

He abruptly stood up, his hands moved slightly.

The Earth Core Purifying Fire changed again, condensing into a white Fire Lion, wandering through the void, its fur bristled, issuing roaring sounds, looking much like any ordinary lion.

"Transform!" Dian Xiaosan shouted in a low voice.

The white Fire Lion rolled in place, transforming into a white spirit ape, scratching its back and rubbing its head, chattering noisily.

Dian Xiaosan's mouth instantly revealed a hint of an excited smile, having broken through Zhu Rong Heart Technique to Great Perfection, after condensing a Dao Seal, his fire control ability had reached an astonishing level.

The increase in fire control ability greatly aided alchemy, Dian Xiaosan even felt he could attempt to refine a seventh-grade elixir.

He did not continue to attempt further, placing the Earth Core Purifying Fire back into the Fire Lake, and took out a Jade Scroll, summarizing his insights from the breakthrough.

"Congratulations to Master Dian on breaking through Zhu Rong Heart Technique to Great Perfection Realm, Master's fire control talent is indeed extraordinary, I was not mistaken." The void nearby fluctuated, and Yuan Ming suddenly appeared above the Fire Lake, smiling and cupping his hands at Dian Xiaosan.

"This is also thanks to Fellow Daoist Yuan for maintaining the Fire Lake, allowing me to breakthrough. The gratitude I owe Fellow Daoist I truly have no way to repay, in future times of need, I will do my utmost!" Dian Xiaosan quickly emerged from the Earth Core Purifying Fire, flying up high, sincerely speaking.

"Haha, then I won't be polite, I'll seek your help when needed in the future. But Master Dian, having just broken through, should be tired, go rest first, we'll talk about future matters later." Yuan Ming laughed.

"Alright, by the way, Fellow Daoist Yuan, this is the breakthrough insights I've just written down, it may be useful to you." Dian Xiaosan handed the newly completed Jade Scroll.

"Many thanks to Master Dian, I will definitely study it thoroughly." Yuan Ming nodded and accepted the Jade Scroll.

Then, he activated the teleportation divine ability of the Shura Stone Tablet, sending Dian Xiaosan back to his residence, while himself stood over the Fire Lake, reading the Jade Scroll's content twice before storing it away.

Immediately afterward, Yuan Ming descended from the sky, landing in the Earth Core Purifying Fire, accepting the fire's baptism like Dian Xiaosan did.

Time passed rapidly, a day and night soon elapsed.

Yuan Ming's body was also covered with Zhu Rong Fire Patterns, suddenly opening his eyes, surging his whole body's Mana.

The Zhu Rong Fire Patterns on his body also gathered towards the Dantian, soon condensing into a Dao Seal representing the Zhu Rong Heart Technique.

Yuan Ming showed an expression of astonishment; he had just possessed Dian Xiaosan, experienced the complete process of the other's breakthrough, but the realization was not profound.

It was only now, having personally undergone an Earth Core Purifying Fire baptism, unexpectedly breaking through to the fifth layer Great Perfection of the Zhu Rong Heart Technique, also condensing a Dao Seal.

Yuan Ming was initially confused but soon understood.

The Zhu Rong Heart Technique is a Fire Control Technique, heavily reliant on talent and comprehension, and the required Earth Core Purifying Fire baptism for breakthrough doesn't truly mean to temper the physical body or Mana with fire, but rather to use this fire to comprehend the ineffable true intent of fire control.

Yuan Ming's possession through the Stealing Heaven Tripod effectively directly apprehended the answer, thus didn't need to further undergo the Earth Core Purifying Fire refinement to break through to the fifth layer Great Perfection Realm of the Zhu Rong Heart Technique.

The breakthrough insights given by Dian Xiaosan were really just focused on elucidating how to comprehend the true intent of fire control, for Yuan Ming now, were not very useful.

He took a deep breath, controlled the Earth Core Purifying Fire at the scene, experiencing the power after the breakthrough of the Zhu Rong Heart Technique, a satisfied smile quickly appeared on his face.

Yuan Ming fiddled with the Earth Core Purifying Fire, feeling increasingly joyful.

With his current level of fire control, only needing to study alchemy for a while longer, refining sixth-grade elixirs was no longer a difficult task.

Yuan Ming was contemplating his future plans. He casually placed the Earth Core Purifying Fire back into the Fire Lake and turned to leave, but suddenly felt a bit reluctant.

The fire attribute spirit qi in the Fire Lake was abundant, and it should be able to sustain the Earth Core Purifying Fire for a while. If more fire attribute heavenly materials and earthly treasures were added over time, this duration could be extended. It felt like a waste to just leave it, which pained him somewhat.

Yuan Ming thought for a moment, then suddenly turned around and went to other places in the Shura Palace to call over Ye Wuya and the others who were cultivating Eyes of Golden Flame.

"This fire is called Earth Core Purifying Fire, extremely precious, and cannot be preserved for long. You can try cultivating Eyes of Golden Flame with it, but don't be greedy for progress and risk harming your foundation," Yuan Ming instructed.

Ye Wuya and the others had all heard of the Earth Core Purifying Fire's fame and were extremely excited. They quickly responded and immediately began absorbing the fire to cultivate.

Yuan Ming nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave the Shura Palace, continuing forward with Wulu and two others.

...

Four days later.

The three of Yuan Ming arrived at a vast Red Mountain Range, where the entire range seemed ablaze, resembling the legendary Flame Mountain.

From time to time, head-sized flames would shoot out from the mountain ground and then explode, scattering into countless sparks that fell like raindrops into the ocean, re-immersing in the blazing flames of the mountain.

The temperature in the Red Mountain Range reached an astonishing level, and even the air they breathed was scorchingly hot, as if it could ignite all the internal organs.

The three stood before a valley in the mountain range, refraining from advancing further.

Frenzied beast roars echoed from the front, reverberating across the skies. More than a dozen tall fire beasts blocked the way, each with an aura not weaker than late-stage Returning Void cultivators.

The fire beasts roared at the three, then sprang forward aggressively.

"Brother Wan, it's up to you." Wulu and Nan Shangfeng retreated a few steps and naturally stood behind Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming wanted to speak, but eventually sighed and activated the Ju Mang Spirit Technique.

The void around the fire beasts quivered as Undying Tree Roots broke through the void, entwining each incoming fire beast.

With a wave of his sleeve, Yuan Ming transformed into a red shadow shooting towards those fire beasts, wielding the Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepter.

With his Zhu Rong Heart Technique perfected, Yuan Ming was even more adept at controlling the Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepter, taking only a few breaths to slay all the fire beasts.

More than a dozen strands of power of the sun flowed through the Undying Tree Roots and merged into Yuan Ming's body.

"These fire beasts seem to contain more power of the sun, we should be close to the heavenly fire now." With Yuan Ming having absorbed all the strands of power of the sun, he looked ahead expectantly.

"True, but Fellow Daoist Wan, I might not hold on much longer. The temperature is getting higher, and if we go any further, I fear I might melt." Behind Yuan Ming, Nan Shangfeng let out a wry smile, drenched in sweat.

"Yes, the temperature here is indeed much higher than outside. How many days have we traveled from the mountain entrance to here?" Yuan Ming turned to glance at Nan Shangfeng and asked.

"Only about a day's time," Wulu wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied.

"Just this short distance, and the temperature has increased tenfold," Yuan Ming calculated, clicking his tongue in disbelief.

"Indeed, and it will only get hotter the further we go. It seems this heavenly fire is beyond us return void cultivators even to approach." Nan Shangfeng sighed.

"From here onwards, it might have to be you on your own, Brother Wan. Nan Shangfeng, and I can only retreat into your Spiritual Treasure Space to avoid the heat," Wulu also sighed.

Yuan Ming naturally didn't force them. He immediately opened the Shura Palace and took them in.

"Take the Heavenly Escape Stone Talisman with you. It might be more useful than your current one if need be." Before entering, Wulu took out the Heavenly Escape Stone Talisman and offered it.

Yuan Ming accepted without formality, putting it away directly.

After familiarizing himself with the talisman's use, he embarked alone, continuing his flight deeper into the mountain range.

...

Half a day later.

Yuan Ming was drenched in sweat, his robe soaked through.

He felt as if everything before him was melting away, with the lines between rocks and flames blurring, all merging together in the overwhelming heat, indistinguishable from one another, burning in unison.

The entire world seemed to be reduced to a single color, making it hard to discern up from down or left from right. If not for the steadily rising spiritual vein power guiding him, Yuan Ming wouldn't know if he was moving forward or backward.

The surrounding temperature had unwittingly reached a point even Yuan Ming found intolerable.

Luckily, anticipating this, he had timely summoned the Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepter to shield himself from the flames and the intense heat, or he would be in an even more sorry state.

Perhaps due to the Zhu Rong Heart Technique reaching the Fifth Layer Perfection, Yuan Ming found the effect of using the Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepter to isolate the heat much better than before, an unexpected delight.