“Nalan brother, are you ready?” Xuner, seated in the air, opened her beautiful eyes slowly, gazing at Xiao Yan who had abruptly stood up, and smiled enchantingly. “Mm.” Xiao Yan nodded, his gaze fixed on the large formation above him. The lines of faint fire were interconnected, emitting a thin, cold aura that subtly permeated out. “This is the Cold Fire Formation. This kind of coldness is not regular mist, but rather something born from an extremely low temperature. Although this formation is not as terrifying as the one set up by Sacred Lotus Demon Empress, it can still somewhat suppress the Lotus Demon Flame.” Pointing at the large formation, Xiao Yan explained to the puzzled Xuner. Hearing this, Xuner nodded in understanding. “I’m going to start subduing the Lotus Demon Flame. Xuner, watch over me.” Smiling, Xiao Yan turned his attention back to the Lotus Demon Flame, his expression becoming serious. “Mm.” Xuner’s face also became grave. Subduing the Lotus Demon Flame was no easy task; a single mistake could turn one into ashes. Xiao Yan understood the risks, but there was no time for deliberation now. He changed his hand seals, and the formation above rotated rapidly. A dense, cold air surged down from the formation, controlled by Xiao Yan, and targeted the area where the Demon Flame Lotus resided. Under the influence of the cold, the molten rock instantly froze, except for the Demon Flame Lotus, which continued to slowly rotate, its petals coated with a thin layer of frost.
Seeing the formation work, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Clenching his hand, a pink jade bottle appeared. Tipping the bottle, a light red liquid quickly cascaded down, landing on the Demon Flame Lotus. This liquid was called Drunken Demon Drool, with a very strong numbing effect. Xiao Yan did not intend to completely numb the Demon Flame, but only wished to make it lethargic, thus reducing its power and increasing the chances of successful subjugation.
As the petals now moved more lazily, though the spirit of the Lotus Demon Flame remained, it lacked true intelligence and needed to interact with humans for a while to regain its previous sharpness. Now was the perfect time for Xiao Yan to act.
“Go…!”
After completing these steps, Xiao Yan did not stop. He took another pill from his storage ring. As soon as the pill appeared, a biting cold fog surrounded it—this was the Nine Yin Yellow Spring Pill, prepared by Xiao Yan long ago.
With a flick, the Nine Yin Yellow Spring Pill flew out, melting upon contact with the Lotus Demon Flame. Layers of ice formed on the Demon Flame’s surface, only to be evaporated by the high temperature. Thus, white fog, accompanied by hissing sounds, continually rose from the Demon Flame.
“Phew…”
In the sky, Xiao Yan exhaled deeply, turning to Xuner and nodding slightly. Then, he swiftly turned around and reappeared before the Lotus Demon Flame. By now, the lotus petals were fully spread, revealing a cluster of pink flames coiled like an infant, emitting a heat that made one’s soul tremble.
Xiao Yan’s gaze was intensely focused on the pink flames—the true source of the Demon Flame. Though small, even a peak six-star Dou Sheng could be incinerated by it if it entered their body. Such destructive power was beyond doubt.
Staring fiercely at the cluster of Demon Flame, Xiao Yan mobilized the Mysterious Fires within him, forming a protective barrier on his body. However, the usually powerful combined Mysterious Fires now wavered, significantly dimmed by the fearsome Lotus Demon Flame. The top three Mysterious Fires, each a king among Mysterious Fires, greatly weakened any ordinary Mysterious Fire. Even though Xiao Yan’s combined Mysterious Flame was the result of five Mysterious Flames, it was still no match for the Lotus Demon Flame.
“Psch!”
Xiao Yan paid no mind to the dimming Mysterious Flames. Under Xuner’s tense gaze, he extended his trembling hand through the Lotus, grabbing the cluster of pink flames!
“Boom!”
The moment Xiao Yan’s hand touched the pink flames, they suddenly expanded into a blazing inferno, enveloping his entire body. The earth-shattering heat erupted instantly.
“Xiao Yan brother.”
Xuner, startled by the sudden change, leaped up, her eyes filled with dread as she stared at the red flames.
Amidst the raging flames, Xiao Yan’s face twisted in excruciating pain. He furiously activated the Mysterious Fires, resisting the overwhelming heat of the Lotus Demon Flame. Despite his preparations, he keenly felt the terrifying power of the third-ranked Mysterious Flame.
“Heavy… panting…”
Xiao Yan’s labored breaths echoed, blood seeping from his pores, freezing into a red armor-like layer. Covered in blood, his hair had been reduced to ashes, leaving a smooth, round head that looked both comical and tragic. With blurred vision, he glared at the pink flames in his palm, a ferocious smile on his face. Then, under Xuner’s shocked gaze, he stuffed the flames into his mouth and swallowed them alive!
“Bang.”
The moment the Demon Flame entered his body, Xiao Yan’s garments, forged from the Ancient Worm Emperor’s essence, crumbled to dust. His skin and flesh revealed themselves, with faint scales visible beneath—a sign of the Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor, albeit dulled and faded.
“Flame Mantra, help me subdue it!”
Indescribable pain coursed through Xiao Yan’s body, driving him to the brink of madness. But he held on, his heart roaring with determination. His Dou Qi rushed unafraid to death, enveloping the Demon Flame, following the path of the Flame Mantra!
“Boom, boom!”
Sensing the subjugation, the Demon Flame fought back, its temperature soaring. Xiao Yan’s weaker veins and bones began to melt or soften. Outside, Xuner watched in horror as Xiao Yan, now half his original size, writhed in agony within the flames.
“Xiao Yan brother…”
Xuner bit her lip, blood dripping down her chin, each of Xiao Yan’s pained roars like a knife to her heart. She could sense the agonizing pain, seeing Xiao Yan’s solitary efforts and the costs he bore.
“Subdue it!”
Roaring, Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi struggled to contain the Demon Flame. His body, however, continued to deteriorate. The strength of the Lotus Demon Flame was too vast, and he could not bear it. The flames would eventually consume him from within.
“At this rate… Xiao Yan brother will surely die!”
Xuner’s tears fell, golden flames surging from her body. She gracefully dove into the tormenting flames, joining Xiao Yan.
“Xuner, you—”
The shock of Xuner’s appearance restored some sanity to Xiao Yan. But before he could speak, she twined around him, her soft touch and fragrance igniting the chaotic fires within him.
“Xuner…”
Holding her tightly, Xiao Yan’s breathing steadied, his eyes regaining clarity. He knew what would happen next. The last time, with Medusa, he had lost all rationality. But now, reason still prevailed.
“Xiaoyan brother, only together can we subdue it…”
Xuner’s voice, soft and mesmerizing, finally broke through Xiao Yan’s resolve. With a beast-like roar, he tore off her clothes, and the flames around them transformed into a spring of life.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage