Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Fire Spirit Pearl

A pitch-black pearl floated in the center of the great hall. The surrounding black flames bowed toward it like subjects kowtowing to their king; even the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian was no exception. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

’Elder Yan? Is this the Fire Spirit Pearl?’ Shen Haoran asked inwardly, his gaze fixed on the pitch-black pearl. ’Elder Yan was the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian’s previous master. He should be very familiar with the Fire Spirit Pearl!’

However, no matter how desperately Shen Haoran called out, he received no reply from Elder Yan. Moreover, he could no longer even sense Changmao’s presence. It was as if the two of them had never existed.

’Huh?’ Shen Haoran wondered. ’How could Elder Yan and Changmao just vanish like that?’

"Haha! Not bad at all. You’re the first person to ever make it through my Illusion Realm, kid!" Just as Shen Haoran was wrestling with his confusion, a booming laugh echoed from within the palace, the hearty voice reverberating in his ears.

"Who? Who’s there?" The sudden voice startled Shen Haoran, and the hairs on his arms stood on end. ’There’s someone else here!’

"Haha, you ask who I am? I am the very Fire Spirit Pearl you’ve been so desperately searching for!" the voice boomed once more.

"The Fire Spirit Pearl!" Shen Haoran froze, staring in disbelief at the pitch-black pearl before him.

The once-quiet Fire Spirit Pearl began to tremble. Then, several streams of black flame floated out, slowly coalescing into the figure of an old man.

Staring at the old man who had suddenly appeared, Shen Haoran was dumbfounded. His mind was reeling. ’The Fire Spirit Pearl... it actually has its own Spiritual Wisdom and can even take a physical form!’

Noticing Shen Haoran’s shocked expression, the old man gave a faint smile. "What, are you surprised? All things in creation have a spirit, to say nothing of Heaven and Earth Spirits like the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian. It is only natural that it would develop Spiritual Wisdom over time."

Hearing this, Shen Haoran understood. The Fire Spirit Black Obsidian had existed for millions of years. After that long, even a tree would likely develop its own consciousness, let alone one of the Heaven and Earth Spirits.

"I am Hei Yao! And I am also the Fire Spirit Pearl you have been searching for!" the old man said to Shen Haoran, a wide grin on his face.

At these words, Shen Haoran’s expression grew wary. He took a step back, putting distance between himself and Hei Yao.

"That Illusion Realm...?" Shen Haoran asked, his brow furrowed.

"That’s right. The Stone Statue Sword Array in the plaza and the Illusory Array were both my creations. Consider them a test for you!" Hei Yao said. Then, with a beckoning wave of his hand, the Fire Spirit that had been circling the Fire Spirit Pearl darted into his palm. It coiled around his fingers like a small snake, nuzzling his skin affectionately.

"I must say, I’m surprised. Not only did you pass in such a short amount of time, but you also brought the Fire Spirit with you. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him!" Hei Yao gazed at the Fire Spirit in his hand, his expression like that of a doting grandfather looking upon his grandson.

"A test?" Shen Haoran was at a loss for words. ’Some test! It nearly cost me my life.’ Seeing how obedient the Fire Spirit was in Hei Yao’s hand rendered him speechless all over again. The moment the Fire Spirit Pearl had appeared, the Fire Spirit had stopped listening to his commands. It was as if the bond they had built was now completely severed.

"However, you still haven’t met my requirements. I’m afraid I can’t give you this Fire Spirit," Hei Yao said nonchalantly, glancing at the Fire Spirit in his hand.

"What!" Shen Haoran’s face instantly darkened. ’Does he mean he’s going to take back the Fire Spirit? Hei Yao is the embodiment of its will. If he reclaims the Fire Spirit, then everything I’ve done will have been for nothing!’

"Don’t be so tense. On account of you bringing the Fire Spirit here, I’ll give you one more chance. If you seize it, I will give you back a complete Fire Spirit. But if you still fail to meet my requirements, then I’ll have to apologize, because I will be taking the Fire Spirit back," Hei Yao said, looking at Shen Haoran.

"And what if I say no?" Shen Haoran retorted coldly.

"You don’t have a choice. So, what’s it going to be? Do you agree or not?" Hei Yao asked softly, toying with the Fire Spirit in his hand.

Shen Haoran’s brow tightened as he watched the nonchalant Hei Yao. ’I don’t doubt his words for a second. If I refuse, he’ll almost certainly sever my connection to the Fire Spirit on the spot.’

"Fine, I accept!" In the end, Shen Haoran had no choice but to agree. ’I must obtain the complete Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, no matter the cost!’

Seeing Shen Haoran accept the challenge, Hei Yao let out a great laugh. "Good! You’ve got guts! In fact, my final test is quite simple. It’s just a choice, really. Nothing could be easier for you!"

CLAP! CLAP!

Hei Yao clapped his hands. In the distance, plumes of Black Flame erupted, illuminating several massive pillars.

Shen Haoran’s gaze followed, and his expression instantly turned grim. There, bound to the pillars by ropes of Black Flame, were Elder Yan and Changmao.

WHOOSH—

Just as Shen Haoran lunged forward to rescue them, two ropes of Black Flame shot out, binding his limbs and immobilizing him on the spot.

"Not so fast, young man. It’s not too late to make a move after you’ve heard my test," Hei Yao chuckled before floating in front of Shen Haoran. His gaze shifted to the two figures bound to the pillars, and his expression turned cold. "My test is simple: you must choose between the complete Fire Spirit Black Obsidian and these two souls! If you choose the two souls, then the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian will be forever beyond your reach. You will never obtain it! But if you choose the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian... well, then these two souls will go ’poof’ and vanish into nothingness. In exchange, you will receive the complete Fire Spirit Black Obsidian and gain control over all the Power of the Fire Element in the world. So? This choice should be an easy one for you, shouldn’t it?"

Having said his piece, Hei Yao watched Shen Haoran with keen interest, awaiting his answer.

Shen Haoran, however, simply stared back at Hei Yao, his eyes filled with icy hostility.

"What, is it such a difficult choice? Don’t forget why you came here. If I sever your connection to the Fire Spirit, you can forget about ever obtaining the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian for the rest of your life! And you possess the Chaos Divine Body, don’t you? You know better than anyone what it takes to awaken it. Without the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, your Divine Body will be forever incomplete! Besides, those two are nothing more than souls. They’re of no real help to you. The Fire Spirit Black Obsidian... that is your best choice!" Hei Yao goaded him, his voice laced with temptation.

At his words, Shen Haoran fell silent. ’He’s right. He’s not wrong about any of it. The Fire Spirit Black Obsidian is absolutely indispensable for me. If I want to save my mother and take Ling Xuan from the Ji Family, I must obtain the complete Fire Spirit Black Obsidian!’

Seeing Shen Haoran fall into silence, a cold sneer formed on Hei Yao’s lips. "Well?" he said coolly. "Have you made your choice?"

Shen Haoran looked up, his expression impassive as he gazed at Hei Yao and nodded.

"My choice is..."