"What did you say...? You used Tapak Geni to make a medicinal concoction?" asked Eyang Pradipa in a surprised tone, his eyebrows rising instantly.
"Yes, why not, Grandpa? Tapak Geni is extremely hot—perfect for burning medicinal ingredients, right?" Baskara replied, a little puzzled by his grandfather's reaction.
Eyang Pradipa let out a long sigh and shook his head. "Indeed, Tapak Geni has a fiery element and an extreme temperature... But using it to make medicine? That's not just difficult—it's nearly impossible... How did you control the heat? How did you keep the ingredients from burning instantly?"
"Then how else should I have done it, Grandpa?" Baskara asked innocently.
"If you haven't yet attained True Fire and your spiritual fire element isn't strong enough, you should have used a fire-type spiritual stone. Channel your energy into it and let it heat the pot slowly and steadily."
"Ohhh... Hehe... I didn't know that, Grandpa. Besides, I forgot to ask..." Baskara answered, scratching his head in slight embarrassment.
Eyang Pradipa chuckled softly. "So, did you succeed in making the concoction?"
"Of course, Grandpa." Baskara proudly took out a small bottle containing a clear greenish liquid and placed it on the table. "This is the result of my concoction."
The old man eyed the bottle and carefully picked it up. He opened the cap, smelled the aroma, and observed the color and clarity.
"…My boy… you are truly remarkable," murmured Eyang Pradipa, filled with admiration.
The pot he had given wasn't meant to be used immediately—it was a gesture meant to trigger curiosity. Typically, beginners would observe, read theory, and ask for guidance. But who would've thought Baskara would immediately try it on his own—and succeed.
Upon further inspection, Eyang Pradipa was even more astonished. The simple energy-restoring potion that Baskara created had near-perfect purity. The aroma, color, and consistency showed great precision.
"Very well… It seems the time has come for you to explore the outside world," Eyang Pradipa said, smiling wisely at his grandson. "I will assign one of the family elders—an expert in alchemy—to accompany you. You will search for Spiritual Fire, either from beasts or spiritual plants."
"Really, Grandpa?" Baskara's eyes widened, his voice full of excitement. "I completely agree! I want to test the results of my hard work!"
Eyang Pradipa nodded slowly. "This journey will take you to Mount Loka Geni. It's quite far from Tirta Negara City, and the path won't be easy. But that place is known as one of the last natural sources of Spiritual Fire, still untouched by most treasure hunters."
"Understood, Grandpa! So... when do we leave?" Baskara asked eagerly.
"I'll arrange the schedule," replied Eyang Pradipa. "But before that…"
He touched his arm, and as if a hidden storage space existed there, he pulled out an old book with a black and gold cover. On its surface, a symbol of ancient fire glowed faintly as the elder touched it.
"Here," said Eyang Pradipa, "this is a book on Spiritual Fire Refinement. You must study it before embarking on the hunt. It contains basic to advanced techniques on how to identify, stabilize, and merge with Spiritual Fire—be it from plants, animals, or even spiritual entities."
Baskara accepted the book with reverence. "Thank you, Grandpa. I'll start studying it right away."
After receiving the book, Baskara bowed respectfully to his grandfather, then returned to his meditation chamber at the ancestral land. The silent temple was as serene as ever: peaceful, filled with spiritual aura, with only the blue lantern in the corner to accompany him.
He sat cross-legged on a soft straw mat that had begun to mold to his body. He placed the Spiritual Fire Refinement book in front of him, opening the first page slowly, as if touching something alive.
His face lit up.
"Alright… time to study again," he murmured with a smile.
He began reading page after page, his eyes following each letter with care. He absorbed each paragraph like clear water flowing into the depths of his soul. Sometimes he paused, closing his eyes to visualize the techniques. Sometimes he jotted down important notes on a small parchment he had prepared.
---
Chapter I – The Essence of Spiritual Fire
> "Spiritual Fire is a flame born from the soul, not just a reaction of heat. It can grow from fire-elemental beings—plants, animals, or spirit entities. This fire has a will of its own, and therefore, can only be mastered by those who know their own soul."
"Hoo... So it's not just about heat or strength, but about will," Baskara muttered, nodding to himself.
---
Chapter II – How to Identify Spiritual Fire
> "Fire-producing spiritual plants usually emit a warm aura, not a scorching heat. Their flames are calm in color: soft purple, dark blue, or bright green. In contrast, fire from wild beasts is vividly bright—red, orange, or white—reflecting their savage instincts."
> "Spiritual beings that produce fire usually leave an aura trail in their dwelling places. That trail might feel like an emotional residue: anger, calmness, or even sorrow."
Baskara exhaled deeply. "So... finding a fire source is like reading its emotions too."
---
Chapter III – Stabilizing Fire
> "Spiritual Fire cannot be used directly. It must be 'calmed,' not extinguished. The basic technique is Fire Sealing, performed with soul mantras and tools like spiritual stones. A single misstep can be fatal: the body could burn from within, or the soul could be ejected from the body."
> "Never attempt to merge with Spiritual Fire when emotionally unstable."
Baskara shivered. He recalled his earlier experiment with Tapak Geni. Though he succeeded, he could now imagine how dangerous failure might have been.
---
Chapter IV – Merging with Fire
> "After stabilizing the fire, the next step is merging. This can only be done by a spiritual practitioner who has reached the Soulbirth Stage. Once merged, the fire becomes a part of the user—can be summoned without tools, and even commanded like an extension of the body."
> "To merge, one must 'hear' the fire's voice."
Baskara fell silent upon reading that line.
"I have to hear the fire's voice...? Could it be that every fire… has its own words?" he thought.
---
Appendix – Legendary Fires
> "Some rare fires have consciousness close to that of living beings. For example:
Red Cobra Fire – originates from a three-horned cobra living in humid hot forests, its flame can melt spiritual metals.
Twin Sky Flames – born from the collision of two spirit stars, only appearing briefly every 300 years.
Black Spirit Flame – no complete records exist. Believed to originate from vengeful spirits burning for hundreds of years."
Baskara closed the book slowly.
"Fascinating... So beyond alchemy, I must also understand fire and its personality. It's like… understanding a new lifeform," he whispered.
He gazed out the window.
"Mount Loka Geni... will I meet a fire there that resonates with me?"