Ming Zhi Tian didn't even bother to search Ling Wei Ao's storage bag; it was unnecessary. His own storage bag was already overflowing from Luo Duoyuan, so why would he care about the meager possessions of a mere sect leader? He'd only be interested in a sect master's storage bag. Speaking of sect masters, Ming Zhi Tian once again thought of Wu Shang Jin Bie, that bandit sect master who had sold his Emperor-grade spiritual artifact, the Cold Iron Gauntlets. Truly shameless.
Ming Zhi Tian smiled faintly. "Very soon, Wu Shang Jin Bie."
Jie Qing Xia hadn't heard his last few words. "Very soon for what?"
Ming Zhi Tian waved his hand. "Nothing."
Jie Qing Xia glared at him. "Being mysterious."
On their way, Ming Zhi Tian asked, "How much longer until the Forgotten Secret Realm closes?"
Jie Qing Xia replied, "Counting the days, it will close in half a month."
Ming Zhi Tian nodded. "Senior Sister, what have you gained in the past half month?"
Jie Qing Xia touched her storage bag. "Some spiritual artifacts, cultivation methods, and a spirit beast egg."
"That's all?" Ming Zhi Tian was surprised.
Jie Qing Xia looked at him with envy. "Unlike you, who encountered a powerful being and inherited his legacy, rising from a mere Qi cultivator to your current achievements. With your current strength, you could be selected as a sect leader."
Ming Zhi Tian waved his hand. "I have no interest in being a sect leader or anything like that."
Jie Qing Xia, thinking he was being dismissive, said, "I didn't expect you to be so deep at such a young age, coveting the position of sect master?"
Ming Zhi Tian repeatedly waved his hands. "Not at all."
"Wait." Jie Qing Xia stopped.
Ming Zhi Tian also stopped. "What is it?"
Jie Qing Xia said, "Let's change our path. We can't go this way."
Ming Zhi Tian was confused. "What's wrong? Are there fierce beasts ahead?"
Jie Qing Xia shook her head. "No, that's the nesting ground of Flamebirds. We shouldn't go there to die."
Ming Zhi Tian asked, "Are Flamebirds very powerful?"
Seeing Ming Zhi Tian disregard her advice and insist on going, Jie Qing Xia stamped her foot and muttered as she followed, "If my master hadn't ordered me to protect you, I wouldn't bother!"
Ming Zhi Tian said, "Senior Sister, tell me about the Flamebirds."
Jie Qing Xia stopped him. "Flamebirds are all at the third level of the King's Realm. If we go, we'll only be sending ourselves to our deaths. Why show off for a moment?"
Ming Zhi Tian ignored her. "Then what are their magical properties?"
"You!" Jie Qing Xia said exasperatedly, realizing she had wasted her breath. "Flamebirds inhabit volcanoes and feed on volcanic earth veins. Their cultivation speed is astonishing. It is said that eating their inner cores makes breaking through realms not difficult."
Ming Zhi Tian's interest was immediately piqued. He was precisely thinking about how to become stronger, and here was an opportunity.
When they arrived at the Flamebirds' territory, they saw volcanoes all around, with lava bubbling at the mountain peaks as if about to erupt.
There were only a few Flamebirds, about a dozen. Just as Ming Zhi Tian was wondering why there were volcanoes in this place resembling cherry blossoms, the Flamebirds' golden eyes spotted them.
A dozen Flamebirds formed a line and launched an attack! Their feathers burned with inextinguishable flames, reaching temperatures of eight hundred degrees, and the surrounding air temperature soared to three hundred and fifty degrees.
Ming Zhi Tian said, "Senior Sister, be careful! They're coming."
Jie Qing Xia drew her sword, ready to fight. "You'd better watch yourself."
A dozen Flamebirds, at the first level of the King's Realm, lunged at them like burning infernos. If they were touched, they would be burned alive.
Ming Zhi Tian swung his fists, charging into the scorching hot air. The Flamebirds were too numerous to dodge. Ming Zhi Tian struck one of them, forcing it back.
Jie Qing Xia swung her sword, unleashing her ultimate move, the Jade Pear Swordplay, but it failed to inflict any damage.
The Flamebirds then swooped down like fishermen netting their catch, their claws extended!
Blue cold light empowered Ming Zhi Tian's fists as he counterattacked, using the three hundred and fifty-degree ambient temperature against their own eight hundred-degree heat, which was clearly useless.
Both Ming Zhi Tian and Jie Qing Xia sustained burns on their skin from the distant heat. He quickly took out Ice Soul Pills and burn-healing ointments from his storage bag, one to take internally to cool down, and the other to apply to his skin for temporary treatment.