Word Count: 2,712 Words
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Xiao Yan gazed at the Bone Chilling Flame before him. This Heavenly Flame had accompanied him in a way since his youth.
He knew that the Bone Chilling Flame was originally sealed within the Black Demon Cauldron, signifying that the original owner of this storage ring had intentionally left behind an inheritance for a destined person.
According to the records within the storage ring, its previous owner had only managed to refine the Bone Chilling Flame upon reaching the peak of the Dou King realm. Xiao Yan had initially planned to do the same.
However, he yearned for even greater power because of recent events involving the Gu Clan. A mere Di Class Qi Method was clearly insufficient; he needed a Tian Class one!
Now, in this space saturated with Heavenly Flame energy, he could subtly absorb the surrounding energy without wasting cultivation time during the process of refining and merging Heavenly Flames. It was an ideal place.
Xiao Yan exhaled a deep breath, and a faint glow appeared on his face. His eyes flickered, and threads of eerie pale white flames spread from the depths of his pupils. His eyes were completely covered by the pale white flames in the blink of an eye.
"Then, let the refinement... begin..."
He murmured softly to himself. His hand seals changed, and he slowly closed his eyes. After consuming the Blood Lotus Essence Pill, he extended his hand to touch the Bone Chilling Flame.
"Although I don't know who you were, since I've received your inheritance, if Han Feng truly betrayed and murdered his master, I will ensure justice is served on your behalf!" Xiao Yan's tone was calm and unwavering, as if he were murmuring to himself, yet also making a solemn vow to the heavens.
Perhaps it was the spirit in heaven, but the Bone Chilling Flame flickered slightly despite the absence of wind.
Naturally, the original owner of the storage ring had long since perished, and the Bone Chilling Flame bore no trace of a soul. Otherwise, Hun Huzi would have found it when searching for the Tou She Ancient God's Jade.
The Bone Chilling Flame flowed along his meridians and entered his body as his words faded.
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged with eyes closed in the magma world. Waves of terrifying heat continuously radiated from his body. Wisps of pale white flames emerged faintly from his pores, intertwining and enveloping his entire body.
His expression was so calm that not a ripple could be seen; he did not notice the changes around him. His mind was entirely immersed in the unique process of refining the Heavenly Flame within his body at this moment.
Perhaps because he already controlled five kinds of Heavenly Flames, devouring and refining the Bone Chilling Flame wasn't as difficult as he'd imagined.
Although the Bone Chilling Flame ranked higher than the Fallen Heart Flame, everything proceeded smoothly without any uncontrollable anomalies, perhaps because he'd been exposed to it since childhood.
At this rate, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Xiao Yan was confident he could successfully refine the Bone Chilling Flame within a month. By then, he would possess six kinds of Heavenly Flames within his body. Even without counting the Seed Flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame, he would still have five complete Heavenly Flames!
If such an extraordinary feat were to spread, it would likely make many powerful experts envious to the point of madness. For most, obtaining even one Heavenly Flame was already a monumental stroke of fortune; yet Xiao Yan had five!
That was indeed somewhat inconceivable. Not to mention how hard Heavenly Flames were to find, even if one did find them, few would dare to harbor five different kinds of such destructive power within their bodies simultaneously.
Such an act was no different from swallowing several nuclear bombs. In many people's eyes, it was simply courting death. However, for Xiao Yan, who cultivated the Flame Mantra, this seemingly impossible feat had become a solid foundation for him to reach the pinnacle of strength.
At this moment, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel fortunate for choosing to cultivate the Flame Mantra back then.
The temperature around his body actually surpassed that of the magma as his refinement gradually entered the right track. Eventually, the terrifying heat even repelled the magma from his vicinity.
Under such temperatures, even ordinary elite Dou Emperors wouldn't dare to stay for long. The violent energy permeating the air, if inhaled, would be enough to cause the Dou Qi within their bodies to erupt uncontrollably.
The aura emanating from Xiao Yan's body gradually intensified as time passed. Waves of vast Dou Qi spread from him like ocean tides, faintly accompanied by the sound of crashing waves.
Cultivation made one lose track of time. A month swiftly passed.
…
Two graceful figures sat within a stone pavilion in a courtyard belonging to the largest faction within the Inner Academy. Both of their gazes were fixed on a tightly closed stone door at the end of the courtyard at this moment.
"It's been almost two months... Why hasn't Cousin Xiao Yan come out yet?" Xiao Mei propped her chin with both hands, pouting in boredom as she looked toward the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Xiao Yu gently shook her head, her beautiful eyes also gazing toward the tower as she said, "First Elder Su Qian said that he successfully refined the Fallen Heart Flame long ago and is just cultivating inside. Nothing should happen with his current abilities. It's normal for Dou Kings to seclude themselves for a month or two."
Despite her words, there was still a hint of worry between her brows. She wouldn't be concerned if it were ordinary seclusion. But Xiao Yan had entered the magma world to refine a Heavenly Flame. Who knew what unforeseen events might occur?
'Sigh, that guy, really... Always doing things without informing anyone.' Xiao Yu couldn't help but complain inwardly.
Ever since Xun Er left, although Xiao Yan seemed unchanged on the surface, she could sense that there had been some changes in his heart. He craved power even more intensely.
Xiao Yu rose from the stone bench, revealing a pair of shapely legs that the short Academy skirt could barely cover. She exuded a confident yet graceful charm. Next to her, Xiao Mei stretched lazily, curving her waist in a manner that hinted at a languid allure.
The women of the Xiao Clan matured early. Undoubtedly, even though the Dou God Bloodline had long since dwindled, certain qualities still subtly influenced them. Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei had become the living emblems of the Xiao Hall since Xun Er's departure.
Just as Xiao Yu was about to leave, a sudden tremor beneath her feet caused her to stumble. She hurriedly grabbed a nearby stone pillar for support, her pretty face filled with astonishment.
"What's happening?! An earthquake?"
"Could it be Xiao Yan?!"
Xiao Yu's beautiful eyes abruptly turned toward the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. Although she didn't know exactly what was happening, her intuition told her that this matter was definitely caused by that big pervert!
Such a commotion naturally drew the attention of First Elder Su Qian and several other elders.
Xiao Yu unfolded her Lightning Bat Sky Wings and flew directly toward the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
First Elder Su Qian had already sensed something and was waiting calmly above the tower.
'This kid can't even cultivate quietly.' The First Elder shook his head helplessly. Circulating his Dou Qi, he announced loudly, "Students, there's no need to worry. This is just an ordinary earthquake."
However, the First Elder regretted his words the next second. This was anything but ordinary!
An aura that had been dormant for two months gradually permeated the area, followed by a scorching heat surging straight into the sky!
Silhouettes flashed out from various parts of Jia Nan Academy. Numerous figures stood suspended in the air, gazing in astonishment toward the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. Some sharp-eyed individuals were utterly shocked when they sensed the aura emanating from that direction.
"Good grief, that's Xiao Yan's aura! How has his strength increased so much again?!" Lin Yan felt like tearing his hair out. He had finally broken through to the Dou King realm after two months, but it was evident that Xiao Yan's cultivation had soared once more.
"Does refining a Heavenly Flame have such great benefits for this guy? Or did he consume some miraculous medicinal pill again? How could his strength skyrocket to this extent in just a month or two?"
"Hmm? What's that..."
Suddenly, layers of thick, dark clouds rolled across the azure sky. The world was engulfed in fierce winds that howled incessantly.
This sudden phenomenon left everyone bewildered and at a loss.
"A heavenly phenomenon... This is!" First Elder Su Qian was momentarily stunned by this scene. Moments later, he seemed to realize something, and a hint of disbelief surfaced in his eyes.
"This is the emergence of a Tian Class Qi Method? What on earth is that kid up to?!!"
Generally speaking, when a heavenly phenomenon occurred, there were roughly three scenarios. The first was the emergence of a tier 8 or higher medicinal pill, which would attract Pill Lightning. The second was when someone broke through to the Dou Venerate realm, which would also trigger such a phenomenon. As for the third, it was the so-called emergence of a Tian Class Qi Method or Tian Class Dou Technique. Here, 'emergence' didn't refer to the reappearance of a lost Qi Method or Dou Technique, but rather a kind of creation from nothing.
Such a heavenly phenomenon would only be triggered when a Tian Class Qi Method or Dou Technique was created.
Currently, the sky wasn't filled with the fragrance of medicinal pills, so it was obviously not due to pill formation. As for the second scenario, it could be directly ruled out. Although Xiao Yan's strength had greatly increased, it was still far from sufficient to trigger a heavenly phenomenon. In that case, only the last scenario fit.
But this realization left the First Elder utterly bewildered. Could Xiao Yan be creating a Tian Class Qi Method or Dou Technique??? That seemed even more outrageous!
Two figures appeared with a whooshing sound. They were the guardians of the Book Collection Hall, the peak Dou Ancestors known as the Qian Bai Two Elders.
Even with the composure and insight of the Qian Bai Two Elders, their faces were now filled with solemnity and shock. To create a Tian Class Qi Method or Dou Technique—how many people on the continent today could achieve such a feat?
A twenty-one-year-old youth creating a Tian Class Qi Method or Dou Technique? That was even more preposterous than breaking through to the Dou Venerate realm at twenty-one!
By common sense, not to mention Xiao Yan, even the Headmaster likely didn't have such ability!
Within the Fallen Heart Flame's Heavenly Flame space, Medusa was also startled awake by this phenomenon. She looked at Xiao Yan in the center with astonishment in her beautiful eyes.
"Tian Class... How did he..." she murmured softly, her red lips slightly parted. She hadn't expected that Xiao Yan would actually create a Tian Class Qi Method. This completely exceeded her imagination!
The space around Xiao Yan was distorting at this moment. Six different kinds of Heavenly Flames were revolving around his body, and finally, they all surged into him, merging into one!
His eyes suddenly snapped open. He had finally completed the refining and fusion of all the Heavenly Flames. He gradually ceased the operation of the Flame Mantra, and the heavenly phenomenon vanished accordingly.
"Evolved to low-level Tian Class? No, according to ancient records, once a low-level Tian Class Qi Method is utilized, it can instantly absorb all the energy within three hundred meters for one's own use. What I sensed earlier still has a slight gap compared to that. It should be considered a quasi-Tian Class Qi Method."
Xiao Yan's face showed a contemplative expression. He hadn't expected that evolving the Flame Mantra to Tian Class would be so demanding. Even the 11th-ranked Bone Chilling Flame only allowed the Flame Mantra to reach the level of a quasi-Tian Class Qi Method. But it was fine; whether quasi-Tian Class or true Tian Class, stepping into this class meant a leap-like transformation.
One could imagine that to surpass the Tian Class, he'd probably have to devour all the Heavenly Flames on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.
'My strength... actually increased by four stars? I'm now at peak 5-star Dou King.' Xiao Yan frowned. He knew that devouring Heavenly Flames wouldn't increase his cultivation level. But he quickly understood. It was the Heavenly Flame energy in this space. When he used the Flame Mantra to evolve, he had absorbed the Heavenly Flame energy that originally belonged to the Fallen Heart Flame into his body.
Advancing from a 1-star Dou King to a peak 5-star Dou King in two months—such speed wouldn't be achievable even with a Tian Class Qi Method!
After all, simply absorbing Heavenly Flames wouldn't increase one's cultivation level. The previous increases in cultivation when refining the Ten Thousand Beast Flame and the Yin-Yang Life and Death Flame were due to other reasons.
[Author's Note: Following the original setting from Chapter 232: Refining and absorbing Heavenly Flames does not increase cultivation level; any increase is due to other reasons.]
Fortunately, his strength hadn't increased too rapidly. If it had, various problems might have arisen, and resolving those issues could have required even more time and energy.
If others knew that this fellow Xiao Yan was being ungrateful for his good fortune, gaining strength yet not wanting to increase too quickly, they'd probably curse him to death.
Xiao Yan turned his head to look at Queen Medusa, who was watching him from not far away. Her face instantly turned cold upon seeing him look over, but deep in her eyes, there was an inexplicable hint of panic, perhaps recalling certain events that happened back in Cultivation Room No. 1.
Xiao Yan smiled slightly and asked, "Your Majesty, how is the progress of condensing your Heavenly Flame body?"
Medusa glanced at Xiao Yan and replied coldly, "It should take another year or so to reach Rank 7."
Xiao Yan looked Medusa up and down. Perhaps due to absorbing the Heavenly Flame to condense her body, Medusa now seemed to have an added touch of allure, making her even more captivating.
Even the term 'peerless beauty' was insufficient to describe her. Her graceful and enchanting figure, her flawless beauty that was hard to capture with words...
"Mm?" Xiao Yan's brows knitted as he sensed something amiss. His heart sank as he discovered a wisp of evil fire rising within him.
Meow! The Seed Flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame instantly surged within Xiao Yan's body, and Mao Wu swallowed this flame in one gulp.
Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly and thought, 'As expected of the Fallen Heart Flame, called the Heart Flame. Absorbing too much of its Heavenly Flame energy can affect one's mind. Fortunately, I have the Seed Flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame for protection.'
Xiao Yan clenched his fist, sensing the powerful strength within his body, and revealed a slight smile. Thinking of that graceful figure, he now had a bit more confidence.
If he were to encounter Ling Quan again now, Xiao Yan was confident he could directly blast him to pieces with the Angry Buddha Lotus Flame.
Xiao Yan surveyed his surroundings. The Heavenly Flame energy here was still very abundant. Even though Medusa was absorbing it, and even Mao Wu had absorbed much of the residual Heavenly Flame energy from the Fallen Heart Flame, there was still plenty remaining.
Undoubtedly, cultivating here, coupled with the Flame Mantra that had evolved into a quasi-Tian Class Qi Method, could allow his cultivation to break through to Dou Emperor within a year. It was even possible for him to reach the high-star Dou Emperor in two years.
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened. He didn't plan to stay here for two years, because reaching the high-star Dou Emperor in two years was too slow!