Above the horizon, the ethereal fire serpent, under countless astonished gazes, suddenly turned more translucent. Within its translucent body, a bizarre flame, seemingly invisible but clearly felt, mysteriously shone brighter in a certain position beneath the serpent’s colossal mouth. Gazing at the increasingly intangible form of the fire serpent, Xiao Yan finally heaved a sigh of relief, wiping off the sweat on his face like a small stream. As his focus slightly relaxed, he felt the burning pain that permeated his entire body. The close encounter with the Falling Heart Flame, even with the barrier of the Green Lotus Earth Flame, still made him suffer.
“The materialized Falling Heart Flame will enter a period of weakness after its transformation. That period will be the best opportunity for you to seize it. I had originally intended for others to corner it, but in the end, we still relied on you,” the laughter of the Pharmacist Elder sounded in Xiao Yan’s heart.
Nodding slightly, Xiao Yan focused intently on the increasingly illusory fire serpent. At his feet, a silver glow flashed again.
“Seizing the Heavenly Flame is no easy task. If it proves too difficult, use the limit of the power you can draw from me. This will make you strong enough to face Han Xue head-on… Though it might reveal my presence, acquiring the Falling Heart Flame is a must.”
After a moment of silence, the Pharmacist Elder added, “Rest assured, master. You have protected me for so long, and it’s time for the disciple to return the favor…”
“Haha.” The aged soul hidden within Xiao Yan chuckled softly, a warm current causing his soul to emit a faint glow. He had once gone blind, but destiny had been kind, not allowing him to suffer the same again, though the pain of betrayal by those closest to him was bone-deep.
A sharp cry pierced the sky once more, and the pervasive, formless flames abruptly vanished as if they never existed. As the flames disappeared, the scorching temperature also gradually dissipated. However, the crowd paid little attention, their eyes fixed on the spot where the ethereal fire serpent had vanished, now replaced by a strange flame half a zhang in size, rising slowly.
This flame, though seemingly formless, gave anyone who saw it a tangible, peculiar sensation. Inside the flame, something seemed to flow, like a sprite. Although in appearance, it was just a mass of fire, it gave an eerie feeling, as if the flame possessed human-like intelligence and agility.
As everyone stared in astonishment at the formless flame, wondering if this was the true essence of the Heavenly Flame, the low voice of the Pharmacist Elder boomed in Xiao Yan’s mind, “Xiao Yan, make your move!”
At the elder’s command, Xiao Yan’s wings spread, and his figure shot out like a stream of light, directly towards the formless flame. Just as Xiao Yan moved, Han Xue, with a face full of wild joy, leapt out, his palms brimming with a deep blue flame. With his knowledge of Heavenly Flames, he knew that the moment the Flame revealed its true form, it would be in its most vulnerable state. Now was the time to act.
“Block Han Xue!” Seeing Han Xue’s actions, Su Qian, who had been closely watching him, shouted, his sleeves flaring.
During the earlier chaos, the inner elders had taken the chance to recover some of their battle energy. So, at Su Qian’s call, several figures rushed into the sky, their Dou Qi wings beating, forming a vast wall of people in front of Han Xue.
“Gold and Silver Elders, friends of the Black-Corner Region, lend me a hand! If we succeed, Han Xue will richly reward you!” Seeing the heavy interception, Han Xue’s face changed, and he yelled at the strong experts of the Black-Corner Region nearby.
“Hehe, you just focus on seizing the flame; we’ll handle them!” The Gold and Silver Elders cackled, their hands waving. A large group rushed out, cutting through the intercepting forces like a sharp knife, shattering the formation.
As the forces converged again, a chaotic battle erupted in the sky. Su Qian, his face dark with anger, watched as the protective net was breached. Just as he was about to act, two figures—a golden one and a silver one, the strongest of the Black-Corner Region—flashed out before him.
“Hehe, Elder Su, it’s just a flame, no need to go all out…” The gold-robed elder smiled at Su Qian, while the silver-robed elder laughed in agreement.
Gazing furiously at the two, Su Qian’s raging anger surprisingly subsided. His hands emerged from his sleeves, and in a cold, impassive tone, he said, “It seems the Canaan Academy has been too kind to the Black-Corner Region, allowing you to ride roughshod over us. It’s time… The grand battle of years ago seems distant, and perhaps it’s time for a reminder. Let’s start with you two.”
As Su Qian spoke, space around him trembled, and a mighty aura surged from his body, almost overwhelming in its strength.
Feeling the terrifying rise in Su Qian’s aura, the Gold and Silver Elders’ faces changed. They joined hands, their combined auras barely holding him at bay. Though they claimed to match Battle Sect experts, challenging a formidable Battle Sect often meant they would lose, as the gap between Battle Emperor and Battle Sect was vast.
Amid the clash of the enormous auras, Xiao Yan, facing no obstacles, reached the core of the Falling Heart Flame first. Although the flame stood motionless, the intense heat it emitted twisted the surrounding space, forcing Xiao Yan to quickly solidify a protective armor of green fire with the Green Lotus Earth Flame.
With the protection of the green fire, Xiao Yan approached the Falling Heart Flame, gazing through the armor at the nearly touchable, formless flame. Despite his usual composure, his breath quickened in excitement.
Green flames surged from his palm, forming a massive hand of fire. Just as Xiao Yan was about to grasp the Falling Heart Flame, his face, hidden beneath the armor, turned red, and his body stiffened instantly!
Inside Xiao Yan, a hot flame appeared near his heart, emitting a destructive heat that seemed intent on burning everything in his body.
This heart fire was stronger than any he had experienced, but instead of purifying his Dou Qi, it exuded a destructive force he had never felt…
“Damn…”
Through clenched teeth, Xiao Yan’s voice, hot with emotion, escaped. The Green Lotus Earth Flame flowed rapidly, encircling the heart fire before it could unleash its full heat.
“Be careful! The Falling Heart Flame excels at summoning heart fire. This type of flame is hard to defend against. Any mistake, and you’ll be burned from the inside out,” the Pharmacist Elder warned gravely.
Nodding, Xiao Yan remained frozen, feeling the heart fire grow hotter and more terrifying as he drew closer.
*Swish!*
While Xiao Yan battled the heart fire, a fierce wind blasted from behind. Frightened, he abandoned the struggle, his figure vanishing and reappearing ten meters from the Falling Heart Flame.
Now at a distance, the heart fire weakened, and Xiao Yan, turning, saw Han Xue break through the blockade. Clearly, that last attack was from him.
Watching Han Xue charge towards the Falling Heart Flame, Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed. Green flames churned in his palm, a cold, lethal intent flashing in his eyes. This reckless approach was dangerous, and it offered the perfect chance to strike.
*Whizz!*
As the Falling Heart Flame came within reach, sheer joy lit Han Xue’s face. Intent on capturing the flame and fleeing, he ignored Xiao Yan. Successfully refining the flame would make him invincible, even to the returning old headmaster.
“Falling Heart Flame, it’s mine!” Han Xue darted into the range of the Falling Heart Flame, his joy fading as his body, like Xiao Yan’s, suddenly froze!
*Boom!*
At that instant, Xiao Yan’s figure vanished like a ghost, leaving only the sound of thunder echoing in the air. As the thunder roared, Han Xue’s paralyzed face went pale!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage