Fame Shakes the Realm, The Ancient Fire Toad Beast

1,921 words

Chapter 736: Fame Shakes the Realm, The Ancient Fire Toad Beast

“It’s simple. Fellow Daoist Xuan Jizi and I would like to join forces with you one more time. The three of us will go to the Fallen Devil Valley to retrieve the treasure. Once we find it, our strength will naturally soar, and we will no longer need to fear anyone.” Nan Long Hou’s eyes flickered as he spoke, his expression perfectly calm.

Han Li did not answer immediately. Narrowing his eyes, he stared silently at the two men before him.

The moment he heard that the black ring was the legendary Two Harmonies Ring, he instantly thought of the other ring he had obtained from Nangong Wan’s senior sister.

If his guess was correct, that one should be the Yang Ring.

He hadn’t expected that the very moment he had gathered both rings, he would immediately learn their purpose.

Han Li let out a bitter internal laugh. The coincidence was almost too perfect.

“Senior Nan Long, your words imply that you already have a way to enter the Fallen Devil Valley. I would like to ask, even with the aid of the Two Harmonies Ring, how confident are you in finding a treasure and escaping with your lives? The Fallen Devil Valley is known as the most dangerous place in the Heavenly South. That is no idle boast. I have no desire to die a fool’s death, a man falling for wealth, a bird falling for food.” Han Li sighed, his voice filled with hesitation.

Hearing this, Nan Long Hou and Xuan Jizi exchanged a glance. A moment later, Nan Long Hou spoke again, his tone heavy:

“Since Fellow Daoist Han has asked, I will not hide the truth. According to the records left by Cang Kun Shang Ren, the Fallen Devil Valley is indeed filled with dangers. One careless step and you could be sucked into an unpredictable spatial tear, and many areas are filled with ancient restrictions that are impossible to guard against. Honestly, getting you inside is not the problem. I am at least eighty to ninety percent confident in a safe entry. But treasure hunting—that is another matter. The more dangerous a place, the higher the chance of finding a treasure. What we will encounter inside, not even I, nor Cang Kun Shang Ren himself, could say for certain. Because his cultivation was severely damaged, Cang Kun Shang Ren never ventured deep into the valley’s core back then. He only searched for treasures on the periphery. This also means that the true treasures of the valley, from the wild ancient era to the present, have never been claimed. With a little risk, we can certainly return with a full load.”

As he spoke, a hint of temptation gradually crept into Nan Long Hou’s voice.

“Of course, if Fellow Daoist is truly unwilling to take this risk, you could also sell the Two Harmonies Ring to us. We may not have much else, but we can certainly come up with some spirit stones. However, I will speak plainly. The ancient cultivators possessed many elixirs with effects so miraculous they are nearly unimaginable. If we obtain them, breaking through to the mid or late Nascent Soul stage would be a matter of time. Perhaps we might even uncover the secret of the Deity Transformation cultivators’ disappearance. After all, once a cultivator enters the Deity Transformation stage, do they truly ascend to the legendary Spirit Realm, or has some other accident befallen them? No one in the Heavenly South’s cultivation world knows anymore. Wouldn’t Fellow Daoist like to find out?” Xuan Jizi, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.

A flicker of light passed through Han Li’s eyes. After pondering for a moment, he spoke words that surprised both men:

“If I understand correctly, the two of you seem very eager for me to join this Fallen Devil Valley expedition. Could you tell me why? There are plenty of Nascent Soul cultivators in the world. Why must it be me?”

At these words, Nan Long Hou and Xuan Jizi’s expressions stiffened, followed by a trace of embarrassment.

Nan Long Hou pursed his lips. Letting out a bitter laugh, he revealed a helpless expression:

“Even if you hadn’t asked, I would have had to bring this up. Aside from the restrictions and spatial tears, the Fallen Devil Valley is also home to several ancient wild beasts that have survived to this day. One of them is the Fire Toad Ancient Beast, a creature that should have gone extinct long ago. This Fire Toad, though not yet awakened in intelligence, has lived for who knows how many tens of thousands of years. Its Heavenly Scale Demon Fire is incredibly powerful. According to Cang Kun Shang Ren’s final words, it is several times fiercer than the Nascent Flame of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator. The day I saw you use that blue frigid flame, it instantly froze a Nascent Soul cultivator’s physical body. That is far beyond ordinary ice-attribute techniques. It should be able to counter this Fire Toad.”

“What do you mean? Is this Fire Toad blocking your path into the valley?” Han Li was taken aback, a strange expression on his face.

“No. This ancient beast is connected to the remains of an ancient cultivator. The remains are located in a very safe area, with no ancient restrictions or spatial tears nearby. But the Fire Toad has made its nest precisely in that vicinity. Back then, Cang Kun Shang Ren also had designs on those remains, but after a brief skirmish with the Fire Toad, he knew he was outmatched and fled in haste. Even so, he suffered from fire poison and nearly failed to escape the Fallen Devil Valley with his life.” Xuan Jizi had also regained his composure.

“I see. The two of you want me to deal with this Fire Toad while you seize the treasure.” Han Li let out a few bitter laughs and murmured.

“Dealing with the Fire Toad Beast is far safer than facing ancient restrictions and spatial tears. As long as the method is sound, combined with your ice-attribute technique, it should be no problem at all. Besides, we aren’t asking you to kill it. Simply luring it away would be enough to obtain the treasure. Once we get the ancient cultivator’s storage pouch, the treasures inside will be more than enough for us to split.” Nan Long Hou added, a hint of excitement in his voice.

“According to what you two are saying, as long as we focus on dealing with the Fire Toad and don’t recklessly wander into other areas, it should be relatively safe.” Han Li tilted his head, thinking it over, and asked in a noncommittal tone.

“If we are lucky, the treasure from the remains alone may be sufficient. There would naturally be no need to take further risks.” Nan Long Hou nodded in affirmation.

“Even so, you could still rely on the power of the Extreme Gate Sect to do this. A sect’s strength is far greater than three individuals going it alone. I refuse to believe that you cannot find another cultivator within the Extreme Gate Sect who practices an ice-attribute technique.” Han Li’s lips curled, a knowing smile playing on his face.

“Sigh! It seems Fellow Daoist is unaware of the power of the Polar Aurora. Even with the Three of us possessing the Two Harmonies Ring, its power can only shield three people at most. Adding even one more would be beyond its capacity. As for the Extreme Gate Sect, you should understand well enough. After what happened with the Ghost Spirit Sect and the others, how could I still easily trust anyone? Even with you, Fellow Daoist Han, if you hadn’t refrained from attacking me on the Moulan grasslands and even lent me a hand before leaving, I would not have sought your cooperation.” Nan Long Hou’s originally dull eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light as he spoke, his tone hardening.

“So, Senior Nan Long actually trusts me. I am truly honored!” Han Li showed no surprise at these words. He simply smiled and said nothing more.

“Fellow Daoist Han, we have laid everything out. Shouldn’t you be making a decision?” Xuan Jizi let out a light breath, then fixed his gaze on Han Li, asking without blinking.

“When do the two of you plan to go to the Fallen Devil Valley to seize the treasure? Is it in the near future?” Han Li did not answer directly but asked another question instead.

“Not exactly. The spatial tears in the Fallen Devil Valley are mostly irregular, but every fifty years, there is a period of relative stability that lasts about a year. Before I entered the Moulan grasslands, I specifically observed it. The next stable period is still at least three to four years away. Until then, we have enough time to prepare.” Nan Long Hou replied without hesitation.

“Since there is still that much time, I need to give it careful thought. How about this: one year before the Fallen Devil Valley’s spatial stability arrives, I will give the two of you a definite answer. Even if I decide not to enter the valley myself, I will still lend you the Two Harmonies Ring.” Han Li stroked his chin, finally settling his thoughts.

Hearing this ambiguous reply, Nan Long Hou and Xuan Jizi were naturally less than satisfied.

But Han Li was not about to commit himself fully to such a dangerous place.

He was different from these two men. Nan Long Hou and Xuan Jizi were clearly nearing the end of their lifespans. For one last chance, they were naturally willing to risk everything. Han Li, on the other hand, was still relatively young. Whether he should take such an extraordinary risk was a question he genuinely pondered. It was far better to drag his feet.

After all, the world changed quickly. It wouldn’t be too late to see how things stood when the time came.

Fortunately, Han Li had at least promised to hand over the Two Harmonies Ring when the time came. The two men could hardly force the issue. After exchanging a few more words about the Fallen Devil Valley, Han Li tactfully took his leave.

Before he left, Xuan Jizi handed him a token.

With this token, he could have any Extreme Gate Sect disciple contact him.

Han Li accepted it without ceremony and left the underground stone room, returning to the general store on the surface.

After a polite farewell from the middle-aged shopkeeper, Han Li walked out of the shop and stood on the street.

He was confident that neither of those two would stay here long after he left.

Nan Long Hou, in particular, was still severely injured and would be eager to find a safe place to recover.

But with such heavy injuries, it would be difficult for Nan Long Hou to fully heal in just a few years. It was even possible that with such a loss of vitality, his cultivation realm might drop a level.

Han Li inwardly shook his head, putting the matter aside for now, and unhurriedly made his way back to his residence.

The matter of the Fallen Devil Valley was still distant. The Moulan Dharma Warrior invasion, however, was imminent.

This was not something he could simply walk away from to avoid. Weighing this matter in his mind, Han Li gradually disappeared into the distance.

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Reading Guide Decoding

The Bottleneck & The Beast: Han Li’s Most Dangerous Alliance

Cultural / Xianxia Notes

The Two Harmonies Ring (两仪环)

Let’s talk about this little beauty. The name “Two Harmonies” comes directly from the Chinese cosmological concept of Liang Yi (两仪), the two primordial forces born from the Great Ultimate (Taiji). In Daoist creation mythology, Taiji gives birth to Liang Yi, which are Yin and Yang, the fundamental dualistic forces that generate all phenomena. So this isn’t just a fancy name—the ring is literally a cosmic dualism artifact. One half is the Yin Ring (which Nan Long Hou has), the other is the Yang Ring (which Han Li just happens to own). Together, they counter the Polar Aurora, which is described as a force that can melt even Nascent Soul cultivators. The fact that Han Li has unknowingly collected both halves is the kind of darkly convenient karmic convergence that makes Mortal Stream readers both thrilled and deeply suspicious.

The Fallen Devil Valley (坠魔谷)

This isn’t just a dangerous place—it’s the Heavenly South’s most infamous forbidden zone graveyard. A remnant of the ancient Spirit Realm battlefields, it’s a region where space itself is scarred. The “spatial tears” aren’t just holes; they are constantly shifting, invisible blades that can erase anything that touches them. The valley has a natural cycle: every fifty years, the tears calm for about a year. This is the only safe window for entry, and it frames the entire expedition as a raid against a ticking cosmic clock. The fact that the valley’s peripheral treasures have never been fully claimed in thousands of years tells you everything about how terrifying the core is.

The Fire Toad’s Immortal Logic

The Fire Toad Ancient Beast is a classic Mortal Stream ecological monster. It isn’t intelligent; it’s a force of nature that has simply persisted for tens of thousands of years by being incredibly dangerous. Its “Heavenly Scale Demon Fire” isn’t a spell—it’s a natural weapon produced by a creature that has absorbed the valley’s wild, primordial energy for millennia. Han Li’s frigid blue flame is the perfect counter because the Mortal Stream rewards systemic counterplay, not raw power. You don’t beat the Fire Toad by being stronger; you beat it by being the right tool for the job.

Chapter Overview

Get ready, fellow Mortal Stream fans—this chapter is a masterclass in the Bottleneck Economy and the art of the deferred decision. Nan Long Hou and Xuan Jizi, two dying Nascent Soul elders who’ve just been handed a map to the ultimate treasure trove, come calling on Han Li with a proposal that’s equal parts golden opportunity and glowing death trap. The legendary Two Harmonies Ring is the key to the Fallen Devil Valley—the most terrifying, loot-filled, life-ending crater in the entire Heavenly South. And guess who just happens to possess the other half of that ring? Han Li’s face remains a perfect, unreadable mask, but his internal calculator is running at full speed. The negotiation is a beautifully choreographed dance of partial truths, careful omissions, and layered incentives. Nan Long Hou dangles the lure of ancient elixirs that could shatter the mid-Nascent Soul bottleneck, while Xuan Jizi whispers the siren call of the Deity Transformation mystery. Han Li, with characteristic cold discipline, refuses to be rushed, buying himself years of preparation time. The chapter closes not with a triumphant yes, but with the quiet, tactical weight of a decision deliberately postponed.

Key Plot Points

The Two Harmonies Ring reveal: Nan Long Hou confirms the black ring is the legendary artifact, and Han Li immediately connects it to the matching ring from Nangong Wan’s senior sister. A spectacular coincidence that feels less like fate and more like a trap being baited for him.
The sales pitch: Nan Long Hou and Xuan Jizi lay out their plan: a three-man expedition to the Fallen Devil Valley to plunder an ancient cultivator’s remains. The prize—elixirs that could break the Nascent Soul bottleneck and the truth behind the Deity Transformation stage’s disappearance—is the stuff of legend.
The Fire Toad problem: Han Li learns why he’s the chosen one. A primordial Fire Toad Beast guards the target remains. Its Heavenly Scale Demon Fire is fiercer than any Nascent Flame, and Han Li’s signature frigid blue flame is the only known countermeasure. They need his fire, not his friendship.
The Polar Aurora trap: The Two Harmonies Ring can only shield three people from the valley’s deadly Polar Aurora. This is why the expedition is limited to a trio—it’s a hard systemic constraint, not a trust issue.
Han Li’s masterful delay: Rather than commit, Han Li buys himself three to four years by promising an answer one year before the valley’s next stable window. He agrees to lend the ring regardless of his own participation, keeping both options alive.
Nan Long Hou’s hidden weakness: Han Li silently notes that Nan Long Hou’s severe, unhealed injury may cost him an entire cultivation realm, making him a far less reliable partner than he appears.

Reading Guide

This is the kind of chapter that makes Mortal Stream fans lean forward and rub their hands together. The negotiation isn’t a chat—it’s a three-way chess match where every piece is loaded with explosives. Pay close attention to the subtext of every line:

Nan Long Hou’s “trust”: He says he’s choosing Han Li because Han Li didn’t attack him on the Moulan grasslands. In the Mortal Stream, “I chose you because you didn’t kill me” is about as warm and fuzzy as a signed non-aggression pact. It’s a compliment, but a deeply pragmatic one. He trusts Han Li’s self-interest, not his character.
Xuan Jizi’s final temptation: He mentions the mystery of the Deity Transformation cultivators’ disappearance. This is a juicy hook for lore enthusiasts. Are they in the Spirit Realm? Are they dead? Has the entire Heavenly South been cut off from ascension? The novel doesn’t answer here, but the question itself is a powerful narrative magnet.
Han Li’s delay tactic: This is classic Han Li. He locks in the ring loan, which keeps the deal alive and the elders happy, but he refuses to commit his own life until he has more data. In the Bottleneck Economy, time is your most valuable asset. He’s spending it wisely.
The subtext of Nan Long Hou’s injury: Han Li notes that his injury might drop his cultivation level. This is a quiet, cold calculation of an ally’s expiration date. A partner weaker than advertised is a liability, not an advantage.
The Moulan war clock: The chapter ends by reminding us that the Fallen Devil Valley is a distant problem, but the Moulan invasion is now. Han Li’s mind is already pivoting to his more immediate survival crisis. This is the Mortal Stream’s unique narrative rhythm—no rest for the calculating.