As Xiao Yan’s figure broke through that layer of transparent light, he distinctly felt an unusual fluctuation scan over his body. This surge, upon touching the Falling Heart Flame on his body, quickly dissipated. Xiao Yan’s body then smoothly entered inside. As he passed through, the redness before his eyes swiftly receded, replaced by a soft, hazy white light. Stabilizing himself, Xiao Yan cautiously surveyed his surroundings and finally focused on the mysterious skeleton floating in the center.
The space here was clearly the same as the light dome Xiao Yan had seen earlier, but perhaps due to visual effects, it seemed more spacious now. Turning around, Xiao Yan glanced outside the dome, noticing the arrival of several blood-red Fire Lizards. His expression turned slightly serious, not expecting this mysterious magma clan to possess such powerful beings. The strength of these blood-red lizards was evidently stronger than the one he’d previously killed, likely reaching the peak of the Battle Emperor level. This made Xiao Yan even more cautious. After all, who knew if there were even stronger experts within this Fire Lizard clan? If so, it would be quite precarious. Though Xiao Yan’s strength wouldn’t be greatly diminished by the magma, thanks to the Flame, this was still the enemy’s home ground. Moreover, they outnumbered him. If caught in a pincer attack, even Xiao Yan might be in grave danger.
“Darn it, this magma world is indeed not as calm as it seems on the surface,” Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath.
The Fire Lizards outside the dome didn’t seem to detect its location, so after a while, they dispersed in Xiao Yan’s view. When the last red silhouette disappeared into the magma, Xiao Yan let out a sigh of relief. Although he had killed many, it had also been a significant exertion.
Floating in this vast whiteness, Xiao Yan rested for a moment, waiting until his Dou Qi partially recovered. Then, with great care, he approached the mysterious skeleton. As he neared, the sense of being summoned became more intense. Now, he understood that the summons he felt over the magma was likely from this skeleton or… the heart flame within.
After a while of scrutinizing the skeleton, Xiao Yan’s gaze fell on the formless flame above it. This heart flame, only head-sized, was far less potent than the one within Xiao Yan. If the heart flame in Xiao Yan was a mature entity, then the one here was in an immature stage. Of course, whether in an infant or mature state, this was an Anomaly Flame. The formation of Anomaly Flames was extremely arduous, requiring countless years. This seemingly mild formless flame must have existed for a long time, yet why were two identical Anomaly Flames found in the same place? Such a wondrous phenomenon was something Xiao Yan had never heard of.
Fixing his eyes on the heart flame, Xiao Yan took a deep breath. This immature Anomaly Flame might have some use for “Flame Decimation,” but not significantly, as evolving Flame Decimation required immense energy, which this little thing clearly lacked.
Stroking his chin, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment. Suddenly, a flash of joy appeared in his eyes. Although this immature heart flame wasn’t very useful for him, it would be a miraculous boon for the Inner Academy. With this, the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower could be reopened, and its effects wouldn’t be much reduced. Continuous energy or Dou Qi injection from strong practitioners would reactivate the tower, famously known as the ‘Training Accelerator.’
Moreover, this would benefit the Inner Academy and the heart flame, allowing it to evolve gradually. In time, it would mature, and being nurtured from youth, it would be easier to tame later. It wouldn’t rebel like the mature heart flame before. Perhaps, after a century, the evolved heart flame would become a major aid to the Inner Academy!
Thinking of all these benefits, Xiao Yan’s heart surged with excitement. He had always worried about the exhaustion of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, and now, this immature heart flame would perfectly solve the issue. Relieved, he almost grinned, approaching slowly with his hand curved, ready to capture the heart flame.
Just as Xiao Yan stepped within two meters of the skeleton, a brilliant white light burst from it. Startled, he hastily retreated, only to find himself immobilized by a powerful force. As Xiao Yan’s face shifted rapidly, the white light coalesced into a spectral, elderly figure. Dressed in white, with snow-white hair, and a wrinkled face, the figure’s eyes shimmered with a faint brilliance, and Xiao Yan felt a daunting pressure emanate from it.
“Fallen Heart Flame? I didn’t expect… it to be tamed…” The spectral figure glanced at Xiao Yan, speaking in a voice laden with unspoken meaning.
Startled, Xiao Yan realized that the spectral figure was a soul, and it had instantly detected his Fallen Heart Flame. “I apologize, sir, for my intrusion. I hope you can forgive me,” Xiao Yan said courteously.
Ignoring Xiao Yan’s pleas, the figure extended a hand. Under the spectral figure’s command, the Fallen Heart Flame within Xiao Yan flew uncontrollably, landing in the figure’s hand.
“Sir, what do you mean?!” Xiao Yan asked angrily, his heart sinking.
The Fallen Heart Flame, like a formless snake, coiled around the spectral figure’s hand, behaving obediently, causing Xiao Yan’s face to change. The Fallen Heart Flame should be fully refined; how could it be so compliant in another’s hand?
“Is this strange?” The old man smiled mysteriously. “I am the previous master of this Fallen Heart Flame. Even though you refined it, it still doesn’t resist me much. And, regarding control of flames, can you surpass this old man?”
“Previous master?” Xiao Yan’s pupils contracted. “Ha ha, don’t tease me, sir. When I obtained the Fallen Heart Flame, I didn’t sense it had an owner.”
“You naturally wouldn’t; I released it before I died. At that point, it was indeed ownerless,” the white-robed elder smiled.
Xiao Yan swallowed, shocked to meet the previous owner of his Fallen Heart Flame. If the old man spoke the truth, he must have died many years ago, unknown even to Elder Su Qian. But what worried Xiao Yan most was whether the old man would take the heart flame back. Losing the Anomaly Flame would be devastating. Therefore, if necessary, he would fight to keep it. The old man, no matter how strong in life, was just a waning soul now.
“Rest assured, I won’t take your Fallen Heart Flame. I am already dead, and my soul has dwindled away. What you see is merely a remnant, powerless to harm you,” the elder said flatly.
Revealing his thoughts, Xiao Yan was both relieved and awkward. “Pardon me, sir, may I ask your name?”
The white-robed elder smiled, his pride evident. “My name is Yan Tianhuo. Some call me the Heavenly Fire Venerable.”
“Venerable?” Xiao Yan’s heart leapt. Clearly, this mysterious elder in the magma was once a legendary Battle Sect!
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