Li Yan listened attentively.
"Heavenly Flames."
The moment those words appeared, a faint anticipation surfaced within Li Yan's eyes.
"With Heavenly Flames," Yao Fuhuo explained, "increasing pill purity will become vastly easier."
Li Yan nodded slowly. That explanation finally solved the doubt that had bothered him for months.
"So until my cultivation increases…" he said thoughtfully, "I simply have to accept the current purity limit unless I obtain a Heavenly Flame."
But Yao Fuhuo shook her head lightly. "There's another option available before that."
Li Yan looked at her curiously. "What option?"
Yao Fuhuo's lips curved faintly. "Beast Flames."
"Beast Flames?" Li Yan's expression immediately changed slightly. Because this was the first time he had ever heard that term since he arrived in this world.
Even within the sect's libraries and alchemy records, there had been no mention of such a thing.
Seeing the subtle confusion in Li Yan's expression, Yao Fuhuo immediately understood. "You've never heard of Beast Flames before, have you?"
Li Yan shook his head honestly. "I only knew about Heavenly Flames."
Yao Fuhuo gave a faint smile before continuing her explanation. "Beast Flames are superior to ordinary Refining Flames created from Elemental Qi. They possess greater stability, stronger heat control, and denser flame essence."
Her calm voice echoed softly throughout the treehouse. "When certain Magical Beasts reach the natural end of their lifespan and die peacefully…"
"Their Beast Core absorbs their blood essence by itself and transforms into a flame. That flame is known as a Beast Flame."
Li Yan listened silently, absorbing every word carefully.
Yao Fuhuo continued, "Beast Flames are divided into tiers according to the species, bloodline, and elemental quality of the Magical Beast."
She raised one slender finger. "Magical Beasts such as rabbits, rats, hornets, frogs, starfish, ants, raccoons, owls, hedgehogs, etc."
"They are considered Lowest-Tier Magical Beasts. When their Beast Flames are born, they typically only reach Tier-1."
Li Yan nodded slowly. The structure immediately made sense to him.
Then Yao Fuhuo continued further. "Tier-2 Beast Flames are usually born from stronger species. Such as wolves, foxes, crocodiles, jellyfish, giant serpents, cranes, deer, spiders, eagles, centipedes, scorpions, and similar species."
Her voice remained smooth and measured. "As for Tier-3 Beast Flames…"
"They're born from far more dangerous creatures. Such as rhinos, peacocks, lions, bears, octopuses, pythons, panthers, and similar species."
A faint pause followed. But she stopped there deliberately. "The structure continues the same way upward."
Li Yan immediately understood that higher-tier Beast Flames likely involved creatures far beyond his current level of knowledge or understanding.
Then Yao Fuhuo added something unexpected. "Lower-tier Beast Flames aren't particularly rare. But higher-tier ones are extremely valuable. Because of that…"
"Cultivators eventually found another method to create them artificially."
Li Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Artificially?"
Yao Fuhuo nodded calmly. "They raise massive quantities of Magical Beasts with matching species, bloodlines, and elemental affinities."
"Then…They refine those beasts."
Her tone remained calm—
But the meaning behind those words carried undeniable cruelty. "The collective essence, Beast Cores, and bloodline essence are fused to create Beast Flames artificially."
Li Yan remained silent for several moments afterward.
The process sounded brutal.
Expensive.
Cruel.
And horrifyingly efficient.
Yao Fuhuo continued calmly, "It's far easier than searching forests, valleys, mountains, and forbidden regions for naturally formed Beast Flames."
"Which is why many large factions and powerful forces choose that method instead."
Li Yan slowly exhaled afterward.
For a brief moment, the treehouse fell silent again.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face. "That's… impressive."
Yao Fuhuo looked toward him quietly.
Li Yan shook his head lightly. "I originally believed only Heavenly Flames existed. But now there are Beast Flames too."
His eyes carried genuine fascination.
The cultivation world truly was far larger and deeper than he had imagined.
However, when Yao Fuhuo saw the fascination in Li Yan's eyes after learning about Beast Flames, she shook her head lightly. "Don't misunderstand their value."
Her voice remained calm and steady. "Even though Beast Flames are superior to ordinary Refining Flames…"
"They still cannot compare to Heavenly Flames."
Li Yan's expression shifted slightly.
Yao Fuhuo continued, "The highest Beast Flames only reach Tier-7. But even the strongest Tier-7 Beast Flame…"
"Can never rival even the weakest Heavenly Flame."
Her blue eyes carried absolute certainty. "The difference between them is like the gap between mortal fire and the wrath of heaven itself."
Li Yan's earlier impression of Beast Flames shattered instantly. Until now, he had subconsciously begun placing them near the level of Heavenly Flames. But now he finally understood.
Beast Flames were merely substitutes.
Useful.
Powerful.
Yet still vastly inferior.
Even so, Li Yan still needed a stronger flame than the ordinary Refining Flame he was currently using.
And according to Yao Fuhuo, he wasn't remotely ready to subdue a Heavenly Flame yet, which left only one realistic option.
Beast Flames.
After briefly organizing his thoughts, Li Yan finally spoke. "So that means…"
"I'll need to ask the sect whether they possess any Beast Flames available for purchase."
Yao Fuhuo looked toward him calmly. "I could help you search for one."
But Li Yan immediately shook his head. "I'd rather obtain it myself."
Yao Fuhuo's eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity.
Li Yan explained calmly, "You already helped me greatly by secretly arranging alchemy ingredients for me. That alone is enough."
A faint pause followed.
"But Beast Flames are different. If I'm right, they are not only used in alchemy…"
"But also in battle."
His gaze sharpened slightly. "And the annual competition is only a few weeks away. If others suddenly see me using a Beast Flame…"
"They'll inevitably suspect I obtained it freely."
Li Yan's tone remained calm and composed. "I don't care much about whispers behind my back. But I still want my strength to appear earned. Otherwise…"
"It may create doubts about my hard work."
For several moments, Yao Fuhuo remained silent.
Then a faint smile surfaced across her lips. A smile carrying clear satisfaction. "You think further ahead than most cultivators, much older than you."
Li Yan simply remained quiet.
Then Yao Fuhuo added, "I inspect the sect every time I return. To ensure nothing abnormal has happened."
Her gaze drifted slightly toward the distant mountains. "During my inspection of the sect… I sensed several Beast Flames. I felt their presence today as well."
Li Yan's eyes immediately sharpened. Without hesitation, he waved his hand. A communication artifact appeared from his storage ring.
He channeled Qi into it, attempting to contact Ji Hong.
But—
Nothing happened. The connection failed. Only then did Li Yan realize something. They were still inside the treehouse, far beyond the communication range of the artifact.
Li Yan let out a faint breath before storing the artifact away again. "I'll ask Elder Ji after returning to the sect."
Yao Fuhuo nodded lightly. "Very well."
Then—
She raised her hand once more. Space around them distorted gently like rippling water.
The world blurred. And in the next moment, both of them reappeared within the sect assembly grounds beneath the night sky.
The sun had already disappeared beyond the mountains. Darkness slowly covered the heavens while lantern lights flickered throughout the paths of the sect. The evening air carried a cool breeze through the quiet valley.
Before leaving, Yao Fuhuo looked toward Li Yan once more. "You have three months. To decide which second profession you wish to pursue. So I can prepare the necessary resources for you."
Li Yan nodded slowly.
Then Yao Fuhuo asked one final question. "Do you currently need more alchemy ingredients?"
Li Yan shook his head politely. "I still have enough for now. When I need more, I'll ask."
Yao Fuhuo gave a final nod.
Without another word, her figure vanished completely. Leaving Li Yan standing alone within the quiet assembly grounds of the sect.
After that, Li Yan retrieved a communication artifact from his storage ring and infused it with Qi. A faint glow spread across its surface as it connected with Ji Hong.
"Elder Ji," Li Yan said calmly, "may I ask where Beast Flames can be purchased within the sect?"
A brief silence followed before Ji Hong's voice emerged from the artifact. "With your current cultivation and age, why do you need a Beast Flame?"
"It is for alchemy," Li Yan replied. "Senior Yao assigned me a new task, and one of its conditions is related to my alchemy."
Ji Hong seemed to understand immediately. "Come to the top floor of the Alchemy Hall," he said. "We'll speak in Cao Lian's chamber. I'll head there as well."
The connection ended shortly afterward.
Li Yan stored the communication artifact and headed toward the mountain where the Alchemy Hall was.
The hall remained as lively as ever, with disciples and alchemists moving between chambers carrying jade boxes, herbs, and pill bottles. Li Yan paid little attention to the activity below and walked directly toward the upper floors.
Before long, he arrived outside Cao Lian's personal chamber at the highest level of the Alchemy Hall.
He knocked twice.
"Enter." The voice belonged not to Cao Lian but to Ji Hong. It appeared he had already arrived.
Li Yan pushed open the door and stepped inside.
A dense medicinal fragrance immediately filled his senses. In the center of the spacious chamber stood an enormous pill furnace, its surface engraved with complex patterns darkened by years of use.
Ji Hong and Cao Lian stood nearby, seemingly in the middle of discussing something before his arrival.
As Li Yan approached, his gaze briefly swept across the surroundings. The chamber walls were lined with drawers used for storing herbs and refining materials.
Shelves filled with scrolls, books, and jade slips rose toward the ceiling. Nearly every resource an alchemist could require seemed to be in the room, reflecting both Cao Lian's status and the importance of the Alchemy Hall itself.
Ji Hong looked toward him. "Tell us again," he said. "Why do you need a Beast Flame?"
Li Yan answered without hesitation.
"Senior Yao gave me a new task related to alchemy. She believes my current refining speed has already reached a level where my own Refining Flame helps me less, so she suggested using a Beast Flame instead. It would allow me to complete the task more efficiently."
Both Ji Hong and Cao Lian showed faint surprise.
A Beast Flame was not something casually recommended to a disciple, especially at Li Yan's current age and cultivation.
After a brief pause, Li Yan continued. "Senior Yao also offered to help me search for a suitable Beast Flame personally. However, I declined. Since this is part of my cultivation and alchemy path, I prefer to obtain it through my own efforts."
This time, even Cao Lian's expression shifted slightly.
Ji Hong exchanged a glance with her.
They both understood what Yao Fuhuo's offer represented. Yet Li Yan had still chosen to refuse it and earn the opportunity himself. It was not arrogance, but a quiet confidence in his own path.
Cao Lian glanced at Li Yan and asked, "Tell me, what do you know about Beast Flames?"
Li Yan repeated everything Yao Fuhuo had explained to him regarding Beast Flames, their classifications, and their uses. However, he deliberately omitted her comments comparing Beast Flames to Heavenly Flames.
By the time he finished, both Cao Lian and Ji Hong were looking at him with surprise.
Ji Hong frowned slightly. "Are you saying there are seven tiers of Beast Flames?"
Li Yan immediately realized that part of the information exceeded even their current knowledge.
"I believe so," he replied. "That is what Senior Yao told me. However, she only explained the Beast Flame species up to Tier-3."
Cao Lian nodded thoughtfully. "In that case, you already understand enough of the basics."
She turned and walked toward a side door on the left side of the chamber.
"Come," she said. "I'll show you the Beast Flames currently held by the sect."
The three entered the room beyond.
The chamber behind the door was dimly lit and noticeably quieter than the main alchemy chamber. Rows of shelves and herb drawers lined the walls, while another door stood at the far end.
Without stopping, Cao Lian led them forward. A soft click echoed through the room as she opened the second door.
Li Yan stepped inside and immediately found himself in a much larger chamber.
Rows of wooden display counters stretched along both sides of the room. Each counter stood roughly three feet tall and supported a square glass case.
Within every glass case floated a Beast Flame.
Li Yan's eyes swept across the chamber.
More than twenty display counters had been arranged inside, though only twelve currently held Beast Flames. Each flame possessed a unique appearance, color, and aura.