41: Chapter 41 The Shocking Change in the Fire Pulse

Lin Muchen squatted next to the Chiyan Fruit Tree, his hand pressed against the scorching rock wall.

"System, are you sure there's a mine down there? A fire attribute one?" He stared at the roots of the three trees that were already bare.

[Confirmed.]

[Scanning shows that the source of spiritual power fluctuations is about fifteen zhang deep underground. Its scale is small, but the energy is pure and stable.]

[Presumed to be a naturally formed Small-scale Fire Attribute Spiritual Vein Node, which is the energy source for the growth of the chiyan fruit.]

"A small-scale Spiritual Vein node..." Lin Muchen's eyes lit up. "Can my Origin Star 'eat' this thing?"

[Yes.]

[The Origin Star's Volcanic Region is currently lacking stable fire attribute energy input.]

[If the energy from this node is guided and absorbed, it can enhance volcanic activity, promote geological cycles, and potentially stimulate the world will to grow further.]

"Then what are we waiting for?" Lin Muchen rubbed his hands together. "How do we do it? Dig it out directly?"

[Physical excavation is not recommended.]

[The node is connected to the earth veins; forcing its destruction may lead to energy dissipation.]

[It is recommended that the Host use consciousness as a bridge and the Origin Star's world will as a guide to directly lead the node's energy into the Origin Star's Volcanic Region.]

[This process requires the Host to concentrate; the System will assist in stabilizing the energy channel.]

"Got it, so it's the 'Star-Sucking Method from Afar'." Lin Muchen nodded. "Let's do it!"

He sat cross-legged, hand on the rock wall, and closed his eyes.

His consciousness sank into his Dantian.

The three-color hub light group in the Origin Star was rotating steadily.

"System, how do I guide it?"

[Please focus your consciousness on the Volcanic Region and imagine the crater as a 'receiver'.]

[Meanwhile, I will establish a temporary energy channel externally, connecting the underground node to the Host's palm.]

[The Host must 'grasp' the energy flow with intent the moment the channel is established and drag it into the Origin Star.]

"Understood."

Lin Muchen concentrated.

In his Dantian, the Origin Star's volcano magnified in his consciousness.

Scorching magma, erupting black smoke, and that restless geothermal heat.

Just then.

His palm on the rock wall suddenly burned!

A surge of pure, scorching, and violent energy, like a fire snake, bored up through his arm's Meridians!

"Holy crap!" Lin Muchen almost jumped up. "This is so intense?"

[Channel established!]

[Please guide it immediately!]

"Get in here!"

Lin Muchen gritted his teeth, his intent firmly grasping that fire attribute energy, dragging it all the way down through his Meridians!

The fire snake struggled, making his Meridians ache with heat.

But his Physical Body and spiritual power, strengthened by the 6.5% starlight feedback, held firm.

The energy was forcibly dragged into his Dantian, then, as if finding its home, it dived headlong into the Origin Star's volcano!

Boom—!

The Origin Star's volcano shook violently!

The crater, which had been erupting slowly, was like it had gasoline poured on it; magma "poofed" up dozens of zhang high!

Black smoke billowed, and the earth shook!

The entire Origin Star was trembling!

Animals in the forest scurried in all directions, and the ocean whipped up giant waves.

The three-color hub light group spun frantically, the red portion's light surging, almost swallowing the blue-green and light blue colors!

[Warning!]

[Fire attribute energy injection excessive!]

[Volcanic Region energy overload!]

[Geological structure unstable!]

[world will generating violent resonance!]

Lin Muchen "saw" the faint light sphere representing the world will on the Origin Star flickering frantically, conveying an extremely strong sense of "desire" and "excitement".

Like a child who hadn't eaten for three days seeing braised pork.

"It likes it?" Lin Muchen asked.

[It's not just 'liking' it; it's a desperate need.]

[Fire represents vitality, transformation, and destruction-Rebirth. The world will's growth requires a complete Five Elements Cycle.]

[Previously, the Origin Star only had Earth (volcano), Wood (forest), and Water (ocean) Systems manifested; fire energy was weak and unstable.]

[The pure fire attribute energy injected this time has filled a crucial gap.]

"Then that's a good thing!" Lin Muchen was delighted.

[A good thing, but too much is as bad as too little.]

[The current injected energy has exceeded the Volcanic Region's bearing capacity.]

[If not diverted and balanced, it may lead to continuous volcanic eruptions, destroying the surrounding ecology and even causing geological disasters.]

"Then what do I do?" Lin Muchen grew anxious. "I can't exactly spit it back out, can I?"

[Construct a "Fire Attribute Node".]

[Near the crater, use the "five elements node core (fire)" from the System exchange as a base to construct a stable energy conversion and storage device.]

[Orderly store and convert the excess fire attribute energy and connect it to the existing energy circulation network.]

"Exchange it! How many points?" Lin Muchen asked directly.

["five elements node core (fire)": 500 points.] The System displayed, [Host's current points balance: 777.]

"Five hundred?" Lin Muchen's mouth twitched. "The five hundred points I just earned haven't even gotten warm yet..."

But seeing the Origin Star's volcano still erupting wildly and the ground almost cracking.

He gritted his teeth.

"Exchange! Hurry up!"

[Exchange successful. 500 points consumed.]

[Current points balance: 277.]

["five elements node core (fire)" has been issued. Please project it into the designated location at the Origin Star's crater with your intent.]

Lin Muchen felt a ball of scorching light added to his consciousness.

He didn't dare delay and immediately guided this ball of light toward a relatively stable rock platform near the Origin Star's crater.

The light sphere landed.

It expanded instantly!

It turned into a complex, three-dimensional Formation composed of energy lines, with a crimson crystal rotating slowly at its core.

The moment the Formation took shape.

Those wildly erupting fire attribute energies, as if they had found a leader, immediately became "well-behaved".

They no longer surged randomly but flowed orderly into the Formation, and after being converted by the crimson crystal, they became a stable and gentle flow of Fire Spiritual Power.

This flow of Fire Spiritual Power split into three streams.

One stream was injected into the volcano, maintaining its activity but no longer being violent.

One stream flowed into the three-color hub light group, making the red portion's light stable and bright.

The last stream followed the energy network, flowing toward the forest and the ocean, injecting "vitality" into the entire ecology.

The Origin Star's tremors stopped.

The volcanic eruption calmed down, becoming a rhythmic and controllable surge.

The world will's light sphere was no longer flickering frantically, but instead conveyed clear messages of "satisfaction" and "growth".

[Fire Attribute Node successfully constructed!]

[Origin Star's fire attribute energy cycle stably established!]

[Energy network upgraded: Basic three-System cycle → Four-System composite cycle (Earth, Wood, Water, Fire).]

[Feedback Efficiency recalculated: 6.5% → 7.0%!]

[world will growth +5%.]

[Note: The Fire Attribute Node requires continuous absorption of fire attribute energy to maintain operation.]

[The currently connected small-scale Spiritual Vein node can meet basic needs, but to further enhance it, you need to find more or higher-quality fire attribute Spiritual Veins.]

"It's 7% now!" Lin Muchen opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

That breath was hot.

He felt warm all over, and the spiritual power flowing through his Meridians carried a hint of scorching heat, but it was comfortable, not restless.

"System, besides stabilizing energy, what else is this Fire Attribute Node used for?"

[The Fire Attribute Node can serve as the preliminary carrier for the Origin Star's 'Fire Law'.]

[In the future, when the Host needs to refine fire attribute Magical Artifacts, Cultivate fire-type Cultivation Techniques, or even nurture fire-type spiritual plants, you can directly call upon the pure Fire Spiritual Power stored in the node, achieving twice the result with half the effort.]

[Furthermore, a complete Five Elements Cycle (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) is the key to the Origin Star promoting to a "Small World".]

[Every attribute node constructed is a step toward this goal.]

"Five Elements Cycle..." Lin Muchen licked his lips. "So, I still need to find Spiritual Veins for the four attributes of Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth?"

[Correct.]

[It is recommended that the Host pay attention to spiritual power fluctuations of different attributes in subsequent missions and explorations.]

[With every Five Elements node constructed, the Origin Star's ecology and Feedback Efficiency will significantly improve.]

"Understood, so this is a long-term collection quest." Lin Muchen stood up and slapped the dust off his hands.

He glanced at the base of the Chiyan Fruit Tree.

That faint spiritual power fluctuation was still there, but it was much steadier than before.

"System, mark these coordinates. When I have enough points in the future to exchange for a Spiritual Vein prototype, I'll come here first to 'plug in a pipe'."

[Coordinates marked.]

[Suggestion: The Fire Attribute Node currently relies on this small-scale Spiritual Vein node for power. Although it is stable, the energy level is low.]

[After the Host returns to the Sect, you can try to exchange for 'Fire Spirit Stones' or similar Materials and put them into the node to accelerate its growth.]

"points again..." Lin Muchen sighed. "My 277 points probably aren't even enough for the change."

He looked at the System panel.

points balance: 277.

Gap to exchange for "Micro Spiritual Vein Prototype" (1200 points): 923 points.

Gap to exchange for "Elementary Spiritual Qi Hub (Complete Form)" (800 points): 523 points.

"Well, back to square one overnight." Lin Muchen smiled bitterly. "But with 7% feedback, the speed of making money should be a bit faster."

He didn't stay any longer and turned to leave Chiyan Valley.

On the way back, his Dantian felt warm.

The 7% starlight feedback, carrying a hint of scorching heat, made him feel like his spiritual power circulation was a bit faster.

"System, now that the Fire Attribute Node is constructed, are there any direct benefits for my current cultivation?"

[The Host's spiritual power naturally carries a faint fire attribute trait, increasing resistance to fire-type Cultivation Techniques and fire-type environments.]

[When performing fire-type techniques, there will be a small bonus to power.]

[Additionally, as the Physical Body is nourished by gentle Fire Spiritual Power over the long term, the resilience and recovery of the Meridians will also be enhanced.]

"Not bad, those five hundred points were well spent." Lin Muchen was satisfied.

He quickened his pace.

He had to get back to the Sect quickly.

He had to keep an eye on the Ore Vein; the Stone Puppets couldn't be lazy.

He also had to go to the Mission Hall to see if there were any more "high-yield" missions like the chiyan fruit.

In his Dantian, the Origin Star's volcano erupted rhythmically.

The crimson crystal of the Fire Attribute Node rotated steadily.

The world will's light sphere seemed to have brightened just a little bit more.

Lin Muchen touched the Jade Box in his robes containing the chiyan fruit.

"Three chiyan fruits. Handing in the mission can be exchanged for quite a few contribution points and Spirit Stones."

"Although the System points are all spent, Sect contributions and Spirit Stones are also hard currency. They can be exchanged for Medicinal Pills and Materials to assist in cultivation."

"When I save up enough points and exchange for the Spiritual Vein prototype, I'll come back here and pull that little Fire Vein out by the roots to give the Origin Star a feast!"

His figure disappeared into the scorched yellow woods.

Behind him, Chiyan Valley was still surging with heat waves.

But that Small-scale Fire Attribute Spiritual Vein Node underground was now splitting off a steady stream of energy, silently merging into a certain youth's Dantian, into that micro-world that was frantically evolving.

The fire has been lit.

The path of the Five Elements has just begun.