Chapter 160: Bone Extraction and Flame Baptism—Xiao Yan's Transformation!
Chen Mo slapped the messenger across the face and snapped coldly, "Idiot! What enemy? The Earth-Cracking Tiger fled—go after it!"
Then, turning to Lin Fan with a smile, he said, "My subordinate was out of line. Brother Lin Fan, please don't mind. We'll leave you to collect the Heavenly Demon Tiger bone."
With that, he waved his hand and led the Beast Dynasty members in pursuit of the Earth-Cracking Tiger.
"Heh."
Lin Fan chuckled softly and let them go. He then turned his gaze toward the Demon Tiger Dynasty crowd and said flatly, "What? You're still here?"
"Let's go!"
Teng Hu took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and barked the order.
The Demon Tiger Dynasty promptly withdrew as well.
There was no choice—Teng Hu had needed Chen Mo's help to deal with the Earth-Cracking Tiger. Facing Lin Fan alone? No way.
Since there was no real enmity between them, Lin Fan didn't press the issue and let them leave.
Afterward, Lin Fan, Lin Dong, and the shrunken Xiao Yan entered the cave that had served as the Earth-Cracking Tiger's den.
Before long, a massive black skeleton—at least ten meters long—appeared before them.
The entire skeleton gleamed with a dark metallic luster, like it was forged from black iron.
Even though only the bones remained, a savage and overpowering aura still emanated from it.
Roar!
Xiao Yan's eyes burned with excitement at the sight of the Heavenly Demon Tiger bone. He let out a deep growl.
Lin Fan smiled. "No rush. This bone is for you."
Xiao Yan nodded, eyes full of gratitude.
"Let's move," Lin Fan said as he stored the Heavenly Demon Tiger bone into his system space. "We need a more suitable location."
Neither Lin Dong nor Xiao Yan had any objections.
Instead of leaving the mountain range after exiting the valley, the trio headed deeper into its remote regions.
After several hours, Lin Fan picked an enormous and steep peak, bringing Lin Dong and Xiao Yan to its summit.
The mountain towered into the clouds, veiled in mist—so tall and steep that the peak was nearly impossible to see from below.
"Bring out Xiao Diao. He's the expert for what comes next," Lin Fan said once they reached the summit.
"Tsk, when it really counts, you still have to rely on Lord Diao!" Before Lin Dong could respond, Xiao Diao leapt out by himself, proudly perching on Lin Dong's shoulder.
Lin Fan smiled and retrieved the Heavenly Demon Tiger bone, placing it on a massive rock atop the peak. "Yeah, yeah. We all know you're amazing."
Xiao Diao puffed up even more with pride, then glanced at Xiao Yan and said, "You dumb tiger, I know you've got some intelligence now, so let me explain clearly."
"Even though you have a mutated physique, your base bloodline is too weak. Trying to fuse with the Heavenly Demon Tiger bone is extremely risky."
Lin Dong's expression changed slightly, concern flashing in his eyes.
Lin Fan patted his shoulder. "Let Xiao Yan decide for himself."
Lin Dong nodded silently.
Xiao Diao continued, "If you want to become powerful, you'll have to take the risk and break past your bloodline limits. That's the only way you can follow Lin Fan and Lin Dong on their journey."
"If you're too scared, they might as well send you back to the Great Flame Dynasty. If you're weak, you'll only drag them down."
Roar!
Xiao Yan let out a firm growl, his tiger eyes burning with determination.
Though he couldn't speak, Lin Fan, Lin Dong, and Xiao Diao all understood his answer.
Lin Dong took a deep breath and turned to Xiao Diao. "Let's do it. I'll leave it to you."
"Heh, this dumb tiger's got some guts. Good! If you survive this, it'll be like shedding your skin—you'll be reborn," Xiao Diao cackled before turning serious. "First step—extract the original tiger bone. If we slip up, his bones will shatter, and he'll die. I'll need 200,000 Nirvana Pills."
"I'll handle it," Lin Fan said, stopping Lin Dong. With a thought, he released a surge of Nirvana Pills from his system space, forming a river of sparkling medicinal energy.
By now, Lin Fan's Nirvana Pills were piled up like mountains in his system space.
The entire mountain peak suddenly heated up.
"Nirvana Flame—Condense!"
Xiao Diao's paws formed a series of hand seals, shooting out beams of purple light that entered the river of Nirvana Pills.
Boom! Boom!
The medicinal stream twisted violently, and a crimson flame erupted from it, distorting even space itself.
Encased in the Nirvana Flame, Xiao Yan's scales began to melt almost instantly.
ROAR!
A shrill, agonizing roar echoed from within the flames, shaking the entire mountain range.
Lin Fan and Lin Dong stood motionless, eyes locked on Xiao Yan's silhouette within the blaze.
Lin Dong looked especially tense.
Lin Fan, while confident, still frowned slightly at the sight of Xiao Yan's painful struggle.
To forcibly extract one's own bones—just thinking about that pain was unbearable.
"Heavenly Demon Tiger Bone!"
Once Xiao Yan's bone was successfully removed, Xiao Diao shouted.
Lin Fan slammed his palm into the tiger bone, sending it flying into the Nirvana Flame.
At that moment, Xiao Yan's molten flesh began to writhe and stretch, wrapping around the Heavenly Demon Tiger bone.
However, dark light flashed from the bone, repelling the blood and flesh.
"There's still a remnant imprint from the original Heavenly Demon Tiger in the bone. It's resisting the fusion. We can't interfere now—Xiao Yan has to do this himself," Xiao Diao said gravely, settling back on Lin Dong's shoulder.
And so began a long and painful waiting game.
Lin Dong tried multiple times to charge into the flames but was held back by Lin Fan and Xiao Diao.
In the end, Xiao Yan endured and survived—successfully fusing with the Heavenly Demon Tiger bone and reaching the Nirvana stage!
During the process, Lin Fan spent another 300,000 Nirvana Pills.
"Tsk, this guy's got an appetite," Xiao Diao commented. "But hey, from now on, this dumb tiger is no longer just a Fire Python Tiger. He's evolved into a true Heavenly Demon Tiger!"
Xiao Yan absorbed the 300,000 Nirvana Pills over three full days and nights.
At dawn on the fourth day, Xiao Diao opened his mouth and swallowed the remaining Nirvana Flame into his body.
A massive tiger, black as ink, appeared before Lin Fan, Lin Dong, and Xiao Diao.
From its sides sprouted enormous black wings, the feathers glinting with blade-like coldness.
ROAR!
Xiao Yan let out a thunderous roar full of majesty. Then, like a human, he sat cross-legged. Wisps of white smoke began rising from his body.
"What's happening?" Lin Dong asked nervously.
"He's undergoing the Nirvana Tribulation," Lin Fan replied calmly.
"He's doing it so recklessly?" Lin Dong tensed.
The Nirvana Tribulation lasted for most of the day, finally coming to an end.
On the mountaintop, heatwaves from Xiao Yan's tribulation created thick fog.
Then, from within that mist, the sound of heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed.
Moments later, a figure slowly emerged from the white haze.
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