Urban Extraordinary Immortal Doctor
Chapter 1060: On the Shore of Fire Lake

Chapter 1060: Chapter 1060: On the Shore of Fire Lake

In the True Martial Realm, the cultivation level of a low-grade Alchemist or Artifact Refiner was at least at the Desolate Level Realm because only a Desolate Level Martial Artist could externalize True Yuan to ignite and shape fire, which are the most basic prerequisites for Alchemy and Artifact Refining.

Whereas a mid-grade Alchemist or Artifact Refiner usually possessed a cultivation level at the Vast Level Realm, otherwise they couldn’t control Essence Energy with greater precision to enhance the quality of Elixirs or Spiritual Artifacts.

From this, Hong Qitian deduced that although the fellow called Bai Fang had concealed his cultivation level, he must be a Vast Level Martial Artist.

However, Hong Qitian didn’t believe that Bai Fang’s strength could contend with his own.

After all, in Hong Qitian’s eyes, Bai Fang, who had disguised himself, appeared to be only about forty years old. At such an age, only second-rate Sects or even more powerful Sects with abundant foundations could cultivate a Vast Level Expert, otherwise becoming a Vast Level Martial Artist would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Take Hong Qitian, for example, he was also considered to have exceptional talent, but when he advanced to the Vast Level Realm, he had already passed his eightieth year, and now that he had reached the mid-stage of the Vast Level Realm, he was over a hundred years old.

However, as Martial Artists cultivate, they absorb the Heaven and Earth Origin Energy, and their flesh undergoes numerous temperings, thus appearing much younger than their actual age.

For instance, Hong Qitian was over a hundred years old but only looked like a vigorous elderly man in his sixties.

Hong Qitian felt that Bai Fang must be a newcomer to the Vast Level, as the saying goes, a new-born calf is not afraid of tigers. Due to his young age, relying on his formidable strength, he was arrogant and spoke recklessly, not even considering an elder from the Alchemy Realm like himself.

Of course, Bai Fang’s arrogance and reckless speech were just what Hong Qitian had heard from Yu Dajiang. He came to find Bai Fang now, wanting to give this ignorant junior a harsh lesson and then expel him from Purple Flame City to eliminate any threat to his own position.

Hong Qitian initially thought that by releasing his Martial Artist Aura, he could intimidate Bai Fang and make him embarrass himself greatly, but unexpectedly, Bai Fang, enveloped in his Martial Artist Aura, remained unflustered. Although his black hair fluttered and his clothes billowed, his body stood firm and unyielding like a pine.

"This... this kid is not simple; I’ve underestimated him!"

Hong Qitian was inwardly shocked and immediately discarded his previous contempt, his face starting to turn solemn.

"If you want to drive me out of Purple Flame City, then defeat me first! Otherwise, don’t bother me again!"

Bai Fang left Hong Qitian with a scornful glance, then his figure leapt high up, skimming over the tall walls of the Martial Artists Trading Market, and with a few bounds, he was already a kilometer away, heading in the direction of the east side of the city.

"Hmph, overestimating himself!"

Hong Qitian snorted coldly, leaping onto the wall top, squinting to look at Bai Fang’s retreating figure, then he pursued.

Although it was already dusk and the Martial Artists Trading Market was close to closing time, with most Martial Artists already dispersed, there was still a small number who noticed the commotion between Hong Qitian and Bai Fang and watched from a distance.

If Hong Qitian didn’t chase after Bai Fang, those Martial Artists would surely think that he, the revered Elder of Tribute and mid-stage Vast Level Expert of the Purple Flame Sect, was scared of an emerging talent. If this were to spread, it would be a blow to Hong Qitian’s reputation.

Therefore, Hong Qitian had to chase after Bai Fang and had to exert all his might to defeat him; otherwise, he would be unable to save face.

Fang Bai took the lead with Hong Qitian trailing behind; the two powerhouses dashed towards the outskirts of Purple Flame City like lightning, leaving only an indiscernible afterimage in their wake.

Some martial artists were eager to follow and watch the excitement, but when they chased out of the Martial Academy Trading Market, they couldn’t spot Fang Bai or Hong Qitian anywhere, nor could they capture even a hint of their auras, so they regretfully gave up.

Ten miles east of Purple Flame City lay the bank of Fire Lake.

Fang Bai stopped at the edge of the lake and turned to face the closely pursuing Hong Qitian.

The so-called Fire Lake earned its name because the lake water was as red as fire. When the wind blew, the waves churned, resembling ascending, burning flames.

Moreover, the temperature of Fire Lake’s waters was incredibly high, remaining in a year-round state of boiling. Even a Desolate Level Martial Artist standing by the lake would feel as though they were next to a massive pit of magma, struggling to endure the scorching heat.

Fang Bai knew there must be something unusual about the lake, but currently, his goal was Hong Qitian; after dealing with Hong Qitian, he planned to explore the lake.

On the way here, Fang Bai hadn’t employed any movement technique. By simply circulating Wind Essence Qi within his body to glide through the air, he easily left Hong Qitian behind, and this was with Fang Bai holding back; otherwise, Hong Qitian wouldn’t even be able to catch a glimpse of his shadow.

Hong Qitian had been chasing Fang Bai, using up all his strength as if his life depended on it, yet he was still eating dust behind Fang Bai, growing more and more astonished. It was then he realized Fang Bai’s strength was not inferior to his own. He began to regret blindly trusting Yu Dajiang’s words and seeking trouble with Fang Bai without first investigating him.

Now, however, Hong Qitian was in too deep to back out, and the inevitable battle between him and Fang Bai was unavoidable.

If he won, his current reputation and prestige would remain unaffected.

If he lost, it would be a blow to his face, and his reputation and prestige would plummet.

Moreover, Hong Qitian understood that once the Purple Flame Sect learned of this mid-grade Alchemist and Artifact Refiner called "Bai Fang," they would surely make attractive offers to win him over. If he were defeated by Bai Fang in the upcoming duel, his standing within the Purple Flame Sect was certain to fall below Bai Fang’s.

Thinking of his already more than a century lifespan, the idea of being subordinate to a man in his forties was somewhat hard to accept. If it really came to that, he would rather resign from his position as Elder of Tribute at the Purple Flame Sect and take a similar position at a Sect in another country.

Yet, the status and treatment given by other Sects might not match those offered by the Purple Flame Sect, and having served as the Elder of Tribute in the Purple Flame Sect for decades, Hong Qitian had grown fond of this place and didn’t want to leave.

Hong Qitian still held onto a sliver of hope that maybe Fang Bai was merely an early-stage Vast Level Martial Artist who had mastered some high-level secret movement technique, and that’s why he was left behind. When it comes to true combat power, he was sure Fang Bai was no match for him.

Hong Qitian silently prayed that his hopes would come to fruition.

However, Hong Qitian knew all too well that just by relying on that marvelously unique movement technique, Fang Bai had already secured an invincible position in their duel.

Because even if Fang Bai couldn’t defeat him, he could use his superior movement technique to keep up and wear down Hong Qitian’s Essence Energy. Meanwhile, not being able to catch up with Fang Bai was an inevitable predicament.

"Fang Bai, our strengths are comparable. If we fight, it’s unlikely we’ll determine a winner in a short time. How about we return to Purple Flame City and announce that we ended in a draw?" Hong Qitian suddenly said, showing a sign of weakness.