Cultivation Simulator: Shocking the Academy

Andy nodded faintly, then led the way ahead. The firelight behind them gradually receded, replaced by the slightly dim twilight in front.

The world was shrouded in a layer of shadow, a gentle breeze crossed the mountaintop, brushing over the lush green plants, bringing a sense of peace. Another quiet night settled over the summit of Sunshine Mountain.

The three Witch Immortals led Su Chen along a secret path at the mountain's peak to a concealed direction behind a rock wall. After walking for about ten minutes, the four stopped in an open area.

When Su Chen saw this scene, he couldn't help but be shocked!

The view ahead revealed an unobstructed view on three sides, directly facing a vast expanse of green forest. A circular white stone disc bizarrely hovered several dozen meters ahead. The disc was divided into two parts, one on the outer side shaped like a crescent, the other on the inside, circular in form, with a white five-clawed fire dragon faintly separating them. In the center of the circular part, a mysterious white flame flickered!

The flame floated in the circle, and though the wind on the mountaintop was fierce, it did not waver significantly. Su Chen was amazed to find that the space around the flame seemed illusory and ethereal. When one looked over, it felt as if being engulfed by fire. The three Witch Immortals saw his astonished expression and couldn't help but smile.

"Let's go, that is the flame of the mystical fire, guarded by the Fire Dragon Crown from Sunshine Mountain."

Andy said gently.

"The Fire Dragon Crown? Is that the stone disc?"

Su Chen asked as they walked.

"That's right. Because mystical fires are different from the most common flames in nature; they are powerful and strange. If they are ever released, it would bring destruction. Therefore, a more powerful Spiritual Artifact is needed to guard them, and the origin of this Fire Dragon Crown, it's said even the elders are unclear. But one thing is certain, for hundreds of years, no one has been able to destroy the Fire Dragon Crown and take away the guarded mystical fire... Moreover, as far as I know, this Fire Dragon Crown has even protected the heavenly fire from the sun!"

Dorong also said with a solemn expression.

"Heavenly fire?"

Su Chen opened his mouth, his expression freezing in place!

"Yes, the heavenly fire ranking first among mystical fires!"

Dorong said very seriously, "So you can imagine how strong the guarding ability of the Fire Dragon Crown is. Little guy, let me tell you, I don't know if you're lucky or unlucky because the Fire Dragon Crown is the true guardian of the mystical fire. We are just responsible for bringing those destined to the mountaintop."

Su Chen faltered; he was about to close his mouth, but he couldn't, "So... everything you promised me... was all a lie?"

"Not entirely false."

Andy said apologetically, "I admit I deceived you before, regarding lending you the mystical fire, I have no authority to decide that. However, I can give you two useful pieces of advice as repayment: First, the Fire Dragon Crown only recognizes the destined person, and I don't know what constitutes such destiny; Second, once the Fire Dragon Crown is activated, you need to consume Dragon's Tongue Grass to stabilize your body's meridians to absorb the mystical fire, otherwise, it will destroy your meridians, resulting in a deadly explosion..."

"Dragon's Tongue Grass?"

An image flashed in Su Chen's mind, and he couldn't help but say, "Is it a strange plant with three leaves and a fiery red color?"

"Huh, how do you know?"

Andy and Dorong exclaimed in surprise simultaneously.

Su Chen shook his head helplessly, summoning the Dragon's Tongue Grass he had pulled from the pool beneath the cold depths from the Canghen Crystal. He calmly said, "Look, I found this inadvertently under the cold pool."

Andy widened his eyes, staring at the Dragon's Tongue Grass before him, speechless for a long while, and it was Dorong who first regained his composure, though he looked at Su Chen with a hint of astonishment, "Little guy, who would have thought your fortune would be so high. Not only did you kill the North Nether Divine Fish, and successfully retrieve Profound Water, but you also got the key auxiliary to absorb the mystical fire, Dragon's Tongue Grass. You should know that Dragon's Tongue Grass only appears once in a hundred years, and no one can claim they will definitely find it."

Su Chen replied with a modest smile, "Just lucky, you flatter me, senior."

"Praise aside, whether your luck will hold to the end is still a mystery."

Kula, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. His gaze wasn't on Su Chen, but rather fixated on the exceptionally bright mystical fire in the night. "This challenge of the Fire Dragon Crown is the toughest trial, and gaining its recognition takes more than just luck."

At this point, the expressions of the four once again turned solemn; the atmosphere grew silent. The night wind whistled, and Su Chen gazed at the flickering white flame ahead, feeling as if a fire was jumping in his own eyes.

The mystical fire, what kind of strange fire was it truly? And as for the Fire Dragon Crown guarding it, how exactly could it be activated successfully?

"Come on, let's give it a try. Whether it succeeds or not, this is what we three owe you."

Andy urged in a low voice.

Su Chen nodded slightly, then stepped forward. The closer he got, the more he felt the aura emanating from the mystical fire. It was undoubtedly a terrifying entity that was several times stronger than the mutated fire elemental energy in his own body.

He stood a meter away from the Fire Dragon Crown, gazing intently at the flickering mystical fire. From behind, Andy's slightly anxious urging sounded again: "Young man, it's time to begin, it's getting late..."

Su Chen's body shuddered, and he slowly turned to look at the three, seeing their earnest and hopeful gazes. His heart surged with warmth. Previously, he had worried they were plotting against him, yet it was all his own imagination. He steadied himself, taking another two steps forward, now less than half a meter from the mysterious Fire Dragon Crown.