The ashen-gray flame, hovering above Xiao Yan’s head, resembled a grey sun, constantly emitting a terrifying heat that distorted the very space. This temperature was very close to that of the Cyan Lotus Earth Heart Flame he had obtained years ago. Of course, it was only close. The different fires were unique to this world and could not be replicated. Xiao Yan knew this very well. Although the ‘Flame Handling Decision’ was quite mysterious, it was still far from being able to create different fires out of thin air. At most, its limit was to get infinitely close to different flames, but it would never surpass them!
Despite Xiao Yan’s thoughts, the three elders from the Mystic Flame Valley – Fang Yan, Temir, and Utarn – did not share the same view. They were very confident in the ashen-gray flame formed by fusing all their Dou Qi. In recent years, this “false different fire” had cost many opponents their lives, including some of the peak experts from the Black-Corner Region.
The ashen-gray flame rose slowly, then, at Fang Yan’s cold sneer, it suddenly split into three parts and surged toward the three men, merging with their bodies. As the ashen-gray flame entered their bodies, the aura surrounding them became much more violent. The surging waves of fused, hot pressure rushed toward Xiao Yan, who stood in the center of the trio like a relentless tide.
In the midst of the overwhelming pressure, Xiao Yan’s robe fluttered wildly, yet his expression remained unchanged. He glanced at the three and said with a faint smile, “Gentlemen, although you have fused such a flame, it seems to harm yourselves before harming others.”
Fang Yan, hearing Xiao Yan’s laughter, responded coldly, “Lord Xiao has good insight. Each time we use the Flame Handling Decision to fuse this ‘Transforming Life Fire,’ our bodies do indeed suffer some burns. But if we can reclaim the Bodhi Body Transforming Saliva, these minor injuries are insignificant…”
“So, this flame is called ‘Transforming Life Fire’… The Mystic Flame Valley’s Flame Handling Decision is indeed unique, but compared to the true different flames, your ‘Transforming Life Fire’ is still a bit lacking.”
Xiao Yan smiled slightly, his hands forming seals in front of him, then he suddenly froze. “Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes!”
A shout echoed in Xiao Yan’s mind, and emerald-green flames erupted from his body like a volcano. They wrapped around his surface for a moment before retracting back inside. As the flames retracted, Xiao Yan’s aura surged dramatically.
Now, Xiao Yan’s true strength was already at the Four-Star Battle Emperor level. Combined with his superior physical strength and cultivation, and the enhancement of the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes, he could already stand up against peak Battle Emperors without using any techniques. Of course, if compared to someone like Fang Yan, who was half a step into the Battle Sect realm, he would still be slightly weaker.
“Long have I heard of Lord Xiao possessing a different flame. Today, I ask you to demonstrate it and broaden our horizons. Speaking of which, we three have never compared our ‘Transforming Life Fire’ to a real different flame. Today, we will seek your guidance,” Fang Yan said coldly, showing no surprise at Xiao Yan’s sudden rise in power. Clearly, he already knew about Xiao Yan’s secret method to boost his strength.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s lips curled into a strange smile. To fight three-on-one, to be honest, would require a significant effort. But these three old men deliberately chose to fight with their flames instead of using their Dou Qi, which was undoubtedly playing to his strengths. It was self-inflicted suffering.
With a light flick of his fingers, a cluster of pale green flame appeared on his palm. This was not the emerald-green Lotus Heart Flame, but a pale green one: the first different flame Xiao Yan had mastered, the Cyan Lotus Earth Heart Flame. This different flame was his original fire, and he was most familiar with controlling it, as smoothly as flowing water.
As Xiao Yan displayed the Cyan Lotus Earth Heart Flame, his gaze also glanced around. Su Qian and Little Healer Immortal were both locked in fierce battles with Han Xue and Mo Tianxing. On the other side, Mo Ya and Qishan were gradually rising, with ill intentions, targeting Zi Yan. They clearly intended to join forces and subdue her.
Seeing Mo Ya and Qishan, Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, flashing with a sharp cold light. He had not expected these two to be so despicable, attacking a little girl with such a numerical advantage.
Zi Yan, sensing Xiao Yan’s gaze, turned to look at him, smiling playfully. “Don’t worry, I can handle these two. You focus on those three old coots.”
Hearing Zi Yan’s voice, Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback. Seeing her unworried expression, he relaxed a bit. Zi Yan’s origins were quite mysterious, and she had many tricks up her sleeve. Though she had only recently become a Battle Emperor, her combat strength was formidable. Even with Mo Ya and Qishan’s combined forces, taking her down would not be easy.
“Lord Xiao, now is not the time to be distracted…” As Xiao Yan looked around, Fang Yan sneered and his hand seals changed. The ashen-gray flame around him transformed into a half-foot-long flame bird, which vibrated its fiery wings and attacked Xiao Yan with a sharply-pointed beak.
The ashen-gray flame bird darted through the sky, appearing in front of Xiao Yan in the blink of an eye. However, before it could flap its wings again, a pale green flame net extended abruptly, enveloping the flame bird.
Seeing the flame bird trapped, Fang Yan’s eyes turned cold, and he moved his hand seals. The flame bird instantly swelled up, expanding rapidly. The ashen-gray flame continuously scorched the pale green flame net, causing it to appear more and more ethereal.
“Hmm?” Noticing the change in the flame net, Xiao Yan murmured in astonishment. There was indeed something unique about this “false different fire” formed by the three men’s lifetime Dou Qi. At least it seemed stronger than some beast flames. But, even if the false different fire was powerful, it was still only a fake and could not withstand the true different flame.
A cold smile appeared on Xiao Yan’s lips, and he clenched his hand. The swollen flame bird, nearly bursting the pale green flame net, suddenly exploded with a burst of intense flame. The net tightened abruptly!
A hissing sound echoed as the giant flame bird was reduced to sparks by the pale green flame net. These sparks, like countless bees, rushed out of the net and dove into Fang Yan’s body.
“Ugh!” A low groan escaped Fang Yan’s throat as the flames receded. He had been hurt in the previous flame clash.
Surprised by the Transforming Life Fire’s ability to avoid the flame net, Xiao Yan had a wild thought: “If I could capture and assimilate this ‘Transforming Life Fire’ with the Flame Manipulation Technique, could it evolve my technique?”
This ‘Transforming Life Fire’ was the most potent flame Xiao Yan had encountered in years that wasn’t a different flame. Any flame could be assimilated by the Flame Manipulation Technique, just like the Purple Flame he once refined. Of course, the current level of the technique rendered ordinary beast flames useless, but this Transforming Life Fire was different. If captured, it might be useful. But capturing it would severely weaken Fang Yan and the others, possibly preventing them from ever regaining their current strength. Realizing this, the coldness in Xiao Yan’s smile grew.
“Since you want to play with fire, I’ll show you what it means to play with fire and burn yourself!” Xiao Yan muttered to himself. While it was incredibly difficult for most people to capture flames, it was not for Xiao Yan, who possessed two different flames.
“Second Elder, Third Elder!” Meanwhile, Fang Yan, who had suffered a hidden loss, darkened and shouted, “Starfire Phoenix!”
Upon hearing Fang Yan’s stern shout, the two Mystic Flame Valley elders exchanged a glance, gritted their teeth, and changed their hand seals. A thick ashen-gray flame gushed out of their bodies, swirling in the sky. When Fang Yan fully infused his Transforming Life Fire, a wave of intense energy rippled through the ashen-gray flame.
“Chirp!”
The ashen-gray flames swirled like clouds, and a loud bird call, accompanied by a wave of scorching heat, arose. The huge ashen-gray firebird, ten feet tall, slowly took shape in the flames.
“Forming such a large creature from flames, truly impressive…” Xiao Yan’s eyes widened as he gazed at the massive firebird, a strange smile spreading across his face. “This Starfire Phoenix should be formed from all of your Transforming Life Fire… If so, I won’t hesitate to claim it!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage