Chapter 336: The Ancient Formula

Rather than a page of scripture, it was more like an ancient alchemical recipe, detailing a method of refining medicine with the profound ability to seize the essence of heaven and earth. This was no ordinary prescription—it required divine creatures from the Fire Domain as the primary ingredient, to be refined and condensed into divine essence, manifesting fragmented glyphs to nourish one’s body. In essence, this ancient formula could transform the Fire Domain into a treasure trove, allowing one to undergo metamorphosis and ascension here, maximizing its potential.

The Fire Domain was a mystical land, where every creature born within it was imbued with divine essence, aiding breakthroughs and enlightenment—a rarity in the world. This was precisely why powerful factions from beyond the domain sought out the Fire Clan, eager to uncover the secrets hidden within and understand the reason behind such phenomena.

As for Shi Hao, he paid little mind to these matters. His sole focus was on strengthening himself—only by reaching a certain level of power would he have the confidence and ability to trace the truth to its source.

The ancient formula particularly emphasized one type of creature, the one richest in divine essence. If successfully captured, it would greatly aid in enlightenment and breaking through bottlenecks. However, such creatures were notoriously difficult to find, let alone capture. Fortunately, the scripture also recorded some methods for luring them out.

*”No distractions. I must break through. I must keep advancing. For the time being, I will root myself here!”* Shi Hao’s tone was resolute.

The situation in the Fire Domain was complex—foreign experts roamed, scions of the Fire Clan’s noble houses lurked, and hidden agents connected to the Fire Emperor moved in the shadows. Shi Hao had no intention of clashing with them. It was better to focus on cultivation—nothing was more important than increasing his strength. This was a cruel world; only by being strong could one stand unshaken.

He searched tirelessly for the creature described on the bronze parchment but found nothing. Unconsciously, he ventured deep into the ancestral lands of the Fire Clan. The endless desert gave way to towering mountains and rivers of molten lava—a perilous region where danger lurked at every turn. Volcanic eruptions and surging magma tides made it a world of fire.

*”Moo—!”*

A deafening roar shook the heavens. In the distance, a stone mountain collapsed, sending people fleeing in panic. A massive black ox, wreathed in flames, emerged from the magma, its hooves scorching the earth as it rampaged.

At first, a group of cultivators attempted to subdue it, hoping to refine its essence. But the ox-demon proved too powerful—nearly at the level of a Marquis. Casualties mounted; over a dozen were trampled to death, and another six or seven were reduced to ashes by its fiery charge.

Shi Hao’s eyes gleamed with excitement. This savage ox was exactly the kind of creature he sought—it would be of great use to him. Without hesitation, he stepped forward to confront it.

The fleeing crowd, spotting a fool rushing to his doom, sneered in relief. A few, however, shouted in panic: *”You bragged about being strong, didn’t you? Now’s your chance—kill that thing!”*

*”Friend, help us! Save Ling Feng!”* A group of terrified youths cried out, begging Shi Hao to rescue a girl being pursued by the ox.

Shi Hao chuckled—what a coincidence. It was the big-eyed girl, now in peril. Since she was acquainted with Huo Ling’er, he couldn’t just stand by.

The ox was massive, its obsidian hide gleaming like satin as it surged through the magma, enraged and unstoppable. Worried about delays, Shi Hao swiftly drew his Wind-Thunder Jiao Bow and loosed a golden arrow aimed at its right eye.

*”Moo!”* The ox dodged, its eyes spewing flames as it locked onto Shi Hao.

He charged forward, firing arrow after arrow, each streaking through the air like a radiant rainbow.

*”Ling Feng, retreat!”* the youths shouted, ashamed that the one they had mocked was now their savior.

The big-eyed girl barely escaped the magma, staring at Shi Hao’s back in stunned silence before murmuring, *”Could he really be the princess’s friend?”*

The ox was formidable. Shi Hao merged with his Indestructible Golden Body, donning a suit of black-gold battle armor to prevent any mishaps. The next arrow he fired was different—wrapped in wind and thunder, it howled like a vengeful spirit, transforming mid-flight into a coiling jiao.

*”Thud!”* The arrow struck true, drawing blood. The ox roared in fury, its eyes blazing.

*”This bow is truly unusual. No matter how strong I become, it always matches my level—even at Marquis rank, it remains effective,”* Shi Hao mused.

The ox let out a furious bellow, its horns detaching and transforming into two black scimitars that sliced through the air toward him.

Shi Hao dodged, then drew his bow again, this time with full force. The arrow morphed into a massive jiao, crashing into the ox.

*”Thud!”* The beast was grievously wounded—even its returning horns couldn’t block the attack, shattering upon impact as it coughed blood.

Enraged, the ox charged recklessly, its body alight with glyphs.

*”Get back!”* the big-eyed girl and the others screamed.

But Shi Hao didn’t retreat. He stowed his bow and met the charge head-on, slamming his palm against the ox’s skull, halting its momentum. With a swift motion, he cleaved its head clean off.

The onlookers stood frozen. Such a powerful demon—slain just like that?

In truth, merged with his Indestructible Golden Body, Shi Hao could contend with Marquises—let alone this ox.

*”You… really are Princess Ling’er’s friend?”* the big-eyed girl asked timidly.

*”Yes,”* Shi Hao confirmed before turning to process the ox—every part of it was a treasure.

*”Let’s feast,”* he offered.

After roasting a portion, the remaining meat still resembled a small mountain. They ate heartily, savoring the meal.

When questioned about his origins, Shi Hao merely smiled and turned to refining the ox’s marrow, carefully collecting it before storing the entire carcass in his Heaven-Transforming Bowl. Following the ancient formula, he began the meticulous process of refining.

The ox, shrunk to the size of a finger inside the bowl, rapidly withered into ash, leaving behind a single golden drop of liquid.

*”This is the divine essence?”* Shi Hao marveled, knowing further purification would reduce it to a tenth of its current volume.

Without hesitation, he swallowed it. Instantly, his body radiated golden light, his aura strengthening noticeably.

*”Instant results,”* he muttered in awe.

The others gaped—an ox nearly at Marquis rank, condensed into a single drop? Its value was unimaginable.

*”Do you know where more creatures of this level can be found?”* Shi Hao asked.

The youths exchanged glances. Was he really planning to hunt more?

*”Deep in the ancestral lands, there are many—some even at true Marquis rank. But it’s extremely dangerous,”* the big-eyed girl replied.

*”Lead the way,”* Shi Hao said.

Two days later, he slew a silver lion, refining another drop of divine essence.

*”Why keep the marrow?”* the girl asked.

*”It has its uses,”* Shi Hao replied cryptically.

According to the formula, the most divine-rich creatures were hardest to lure—requiring bait made from powerful beasts’ marrow. The ox and lion were strong, but not the ideal prey.

After drying and grinding the marrow into powder, Shi Hao asked, *”Where’s a large lake?”*

He meant a lake of magma, of course—this was the Fire Domain, after all.

*”What for?”*

*”Cultivation,”* he answered. With luck, capturing enough of those creatures could propel him to another breakthrough.

Soon, they arrived at a vast, seething lake of molten rock. Shi Hao scattered the marrow powder into the depths.

For half an hour, nothing happened. Then—ripples. Golden specks darted through the magma, devouring the bait as they surged toward the shore.

*”Are those… fish?!”* The youths gaped in disbelief.

Fish—living in magma? Such a thing had never been heard of!