NOVEL SIMPLE 44 Chapter44-The Fragment of Eternal Nirvana Flame
Finn found himself in a predicament.
His expression fluctuating, Finn mentally rummaged through all the treasures in the royal collection, contemplating what offer might satisfy Owen.
Money, women, power...
What could possibly entice Owen, the esteemed saint of dragons, who lacked for nothing?
Owen, patient and unpressuring, allowed Finn's thoughts to wander freely. Speaking now would only give Finn a chance to spot a flaw, potentially withholding his best offerings.
"Um..." Finn finally spoke up, "Mr. Owen, after much consideration, I believe you wouldn't be interested in ordinary things."
Owen slightly raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.
"I understand, Mr. Owen, that as a dragon, your kind possesses a divine ability known as the Divine Dragon Flame."
"Indeed, but my current realm does not permit its use."
The Divine Dragon Flame was a secret arcana of the dragons, shrouded in such secrecy it was almost terrifying.
Dragon arcana are typically transmitted through bloodlines, with more arcana accessible upon awakening one's bloodline.
However, these arcana can also be preserved in writing.
In the manuals of arcana at Dragon Echo Valley, many dragon arcanas are documented.
This is how Owen managed to learn arcanas from various dragon lineages.
Yet, some arcanas, like the Divine Dragon Flame, can only be acquired through bloodline. If anyone attempted to record a fragment of the Divine Dragon Flame, the medium would spontaneously combust, as if cursed.
Therefore, the Divine Dragon Flame is exclusive to dragons, never shared with any other race.
Mysterious, powerful, and elusive... these are its hallmarks.
Finn began with a compliment:
"Mr. Owen, you jest. With your potential, mastering the Divine Dragon Flame is merely a matter of time."
"However, you might not be aware that the mythoflares (a kind of ancient phoenix) also possess a fiery divine power called 'Eternal Nirvana Flame'."
Owen's eyes lit up, his posture even straightened a bit.
The Eternal Nirvana Flame, a hereditary power of the mythoflares, as renowned as the dragons' Divine Dragon Flame... Could Finn possibly possess it?
It was said that this forbidden technique had once annihilated an entire nation, a testament to its fearsome nature.
Finn was pleased with Owen's reaction, but he dared not play tricks in front of him. Sincerity was essential to enlist Owen's help.
"Mr. Owen, would the skill book of 'Eternal Nirvana Flame' pique your interest?"
"Absolutely. If you can provide me with the Eternal Nirvana Flame, I will accompany you on your quest."
"Considering the close ties between my dragons and the mythoflares, it's intriguing that we dragons have no method to learn it. Does your royal family possess such knowledge?"
Owen's detailed questioning, accompanied by a dangerous glint in his eyes, sent a chill through Finn's spine.
Finn knew well that if he dared to deceive Owen, he would learn what the dragons' majesty truly meant.
"Mr. Owen, this tale dates back two thousand years," Finn began.
"At that time, a grand magus from the human race bonded in matrimony with a mythoflare princess. The princess, deeply enamored with the grand magus, allowed him a glimpse of the Eternal Nirvana Flame."
"The grand magus, with a profound memory, later inscribed the methods of cultivating the Eternal Nirvana Flame onto special materials."
Owen's brows furrowed deeply, and he chuckled coldly:
"Do you take me for a three-year-old child? Like my dragons, the mythoflares' world-ending forbidden spells are bound within bloodlines."
"Trying to pass them through text or even imagery would cause their mediums to spontaneously combust."
"Did this grand magus possess earth-shattering power capable of overcoming the ancestral bloodline forces of our ancient races?"
Finn sighed deeply, his lips tight as he spoke:
"Mr. Owen, that's exactly what I'm getting at. The grand magus did indeed record the cultivation method of the Eternal Nirvana Flame. It's documented in our royal library, along with the history... and the method to cultivate the Eternal Nirvana Flame..."
Finn paused momentarily.
"I don't appreciate being kept in suspense."
With an awkward smile, Finn added:
"...the fragmented method."
A spark of interest flickered in Owen's mind. Even a fragment of the Eternal Nirvana Flame was worth examining.
Finn's words suggested a certain degree of authenticity to his claim.
"Are you saying only fragments have been passed down?"
"Not exactly. The grand magus tried various methods but couldn't preserve the Eternal Nirvana Flame's lineage. Thus, he resorted to embedding the cultivation method in a cryptic script onto a stone slab."
"The slab bore an article titled 'The Marvelous Script for the Rejuvenation of Humanity,' within which the Eternal Nirvana Flame's lineage could be deciphered. Unfortunately, the mythoflare bloodline's power was too intense. When the grand magus finished carving the slab, it spontaneously combusted."
"Left with no other choice, the grand magus shattered the slab into seven pieces. The natural flames subsided, and the Eternal Nirvana Flame was thus preserved."
Owen's eyes brightened, impressed:
"That grand magus indeed possessed genuine skill and knowledge. But why do you only have a fragment?"
Finn scratched his head, somewhat awkwardly explaining:
"Human realms have been plagued with wars. Initially, the pieces were kept together, but over time and through endless strife, only one piece ended up in our possession."
Owen's expression remained unchanged upon hearing it was only a fragment.
As long as it was authentic, the rest could be sought after in time.
"Very well, the fragment of the Eternal Nirvana Flame can be considered as a condition."
Finn, visibly delighted, eagerly asked:
"Mr. Owen, what is the third condition?"
"The third is this: In the secret realm, as long as it helps achieve your goal, you must follow my instructions, and the same goes for your entourage."
Finn's expression shifted slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he gritted his teeth and said:
"Agreed."
Owen grinned and extended his hand:
"Prince Finn, I hope for a fruitful collaboration."
"Smack—"
Finn slapped his hand into Owen's:
"Mr. Owen, to a fruitful collaboration."
With their agreement sealed, Finn did not depart immediately.
Owen frowned and asked:
"What are you still doing here?"
Finn, with his mouth slightly open, tentatively inquired:
"Mr. Owen, aren't you curious about the helpers my brothers have?"
Owen snorted coldly, an air of arrogance surfacing on his face:
"Helpers? Those who stand in my way shall be slain."
His face bore a murderous intent, as if resonating with the sounds of war and battle.
Finn, stirred inside, couldn't help but reveal a gratified smile:
"Sir, your valor is unparalleled."
Once Finn had left, Owen quickly found the books related to the Eternal Nirvana Flame.
It was said that during the creation of the universe by the ancient gods, a flame was produced to burn away the cosmos's impurities. This singular flame, over hundreds of thousands, even millions of years, split into two.
One flame birthed the mythoflares, who named it the Eternal Nirvana Flame.
The other flame birthed the dragons, calling it the Divine Dragon Flame.
The books contained only the origins of these two entities, with no extensive details provided.
Closing the book, Owen narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself:
"If I could merge these flames into one, wouldn't I recreate the flame used by the ancient gods to purify the universe?"
"If so, what in this world could possibly stand against me?"
He felt a secret thrill, not expecting to obtain such a precious thing from Finn.
A trip to the secret realm seemed more than worthwhile.
Owen returned to his lodging and shared the news with Erin.
Erin expressed her worries:
"Master, you don't have any powerful beings by your side. What if a crisis arises?"
Owen waved his hand dismissively:
"This secret realm is King Laine's way of testing his sons. It won't be overly dangerous. After all, if his son dies in the secret realm, who will succeed him?"
Erin nodded in realization but still cautioned, "Master, it's better to be careful. Unexpected things can happen."
As she spoke, Erin began pulling out bottles and jars from her spatial ring.
Soon, a small mountain of items had accumulated in front of Owen, including glass bottles filled with potions and various silk scrolls.
Owen casually picked up a green potion, glancing at the label:
"'Arcanergy Recovery Potion'."
Erin continued to select potions from her ring, explaining:
"Master, I've concocted various types of potions for you. Green for arcanergy recovery, blue for healing wounds, white for soothing mind power, red for boosting arcanergy, and there are also those for restoring mind power..."
"These scrolls are inscribed with minor magics. My level limits me to novice magic, but there are three scrolls of intermediate magic you can look at."
A warm feeling swept through Owen's heart. He took Erin's hand, pulling her into an embrace.
Erin stiffened in his arms, her face flushing crimson.
"Master—" she moaned softly.
Owen pressed his forehead against hers, gently stroking her back:
"Erin, having you by my side is wonderful."
Erin buried her head deep in Owen's embrace:
"Master, I will always be with you, forever and ever."
Three days passed.
Finn sought out Owen:
"Sir, would you accompany me to the palace? It's about time."
Owen followed Finn to the Laine Kingdom's palace without hesitation.
However, he was curious. Finn clearly had a human saint accompanying him. Why did he need Owen's help?
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
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