.
Xiao Ling stood there in a daze. He reached out and touched the kissed cheek, a warm smile playing across his lips. With this unexpected sweetness in his heart, he turned and continued walking towards the training room.
...
After entering the training room, Xiao Ling's expression was focused and calm. He stood there for a moment, regulating his breathing and cultivating a state of inner peace and concentration.
Then, Xiao Ling methodically withdrew several sixth-grade elixirs from the system space.
One of them was called the "Binglan Tranquilizing Flame Pill." It was round and smooth, its surface emitting wisps of cold air, as if condensing the surrounding air into frost.
Xiao Ling gently held the pill, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes: "Binglan Tranquilizing Flame Pill. With the help of this pill, I should be able to endure less torture when refining the Sea Heart Flame."
Another was called the "Xuanling Protecting Veins Pill." A mysterious aura lingered around it, like twinkling stars in the night sky.
Xiao Ling gazed at it and whispered softly, "Mysterious Spirit Vessel Protecting Pill, I hope you can make my meridians stronger and withstand the powerful force of the Sea Heart Flame."
These two sixth-grade pills were the result of recipes Yao Chen had recently spent time creating.
With Yao Chen's alchemy skills, already reaching the pinnacle of the eighth grade, creating a few sixth-grade pill recipes to aid Xiao Ling in refining the strange fire was more than enough.
Now a spirit form, Yao Chen couldn't cultivate Dou Qi or improve his cultivation. In his spare time, he devoted himself to alchemy and created numerous recipes.
After completing these preparations, Xiao Ling took a deep breath and, with a determined gaze, retrieved the Blue Lotus Pedestal and the Sea Heart Flame from the system space. The Blue
Lotus Pedestal emanated a soft, mysterious azure light, like an ancient artifact, imbued with a mystical aura.
The Sea Heart Flame danced on the pedestal, its dark blue flames beautiful yet concealing a violent power, as if poised to break free and erupt at any moment.
The moment Xiao Ling removed the Sea Heart Flame from the Azure Lotus Pedestal, it immediately revealed its ferocious nature, erupting with unbridled fury.
The blue flames instantly surged, the surrounding temperature soaring dramatically, the very air seemingly on fire.
Xiao Ling remained calm, swiftly summoning the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame within his Dou Crystal.
Instantly, a brilliant golden flame erupted from his palm, like an impenetrable barrier, temporarily suppressing the Sea Heart Flame's raging power.
The golden light of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame intertwined and collided with the blue flames of the Sea Heart Flame. For a moment, the training room was ablaze with light, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.
Immediately afterwards, Xiao Ling decisively consumed the "Ice Wave Calming Flame Pill" and the "Mysterious Spirit Vein Protection Pill."
As the pills entered his stomach, they instantly transformed into two distinct powers.
The "Ice Wave Calming Flame Pill" released a refreshing aura that quickly diffused through his body, like a refreshing rain shower on his scorching body, greatly alleviating the burning sensation of the Sea Heart Flame.
The "Xuanling Vein-Protecting Pill" exerted its powerful nourishing and strengthening effects. Xiao Ling could clearly feel his meridians becoming stronger and wider, as if transformed into broad rivers capable of absorbing a raging torrent.
After completing all these preparations, Xiao Ling's gaze was determined. With a gritted teeth, he swallowed the Sea Heart Flame directly into his stomach.
As soon as it entered his body, the Sea Heart Flame attacked his internal organs like a ferocious beast.
Despite the elixir's support, Xiao Ling still felt the intense pain. However, relying on his experience in refining strange fire and his strong will, he kept his mind focused and did not let himself be distracted.
Just as the power of the Sea Heart Flame was about to break through his body's defenses, a sudden burst of cool energy emanated from his chest.
This energy rapidly spread throughout Xiao Ling's body, healing the areas burned by the Sea Heart Flame and allowing him to maintain clarity and focus.
Xiao Ling endured the pain and began to practice the Burning Technique with all
his might. His mind was completely absorbed in the practice, guiding the Sea Heart Flame's energy to slowly flow along specific meridians.
Every inch of progress required immense effort and intense pain, but Xiao Ling persevered.
After a long and arduous process, the Sea Heart Flame gradually approached the Na Ling within the Dou Crystal.
As if drawn by some mysterious force, the faint blue flame gradually merged with the Na Ling.
Once the Sea Heart Flame successfully entered the Na Ling, Xiao Ling sat quietly cross-legged, regulating his breath and preparing to refine the Sea Heart Flame's energy.
For a moment, the training room was completely silent, as if the world's clamor had been shut out, leaving Xiao Ling alone in this tranquil space.
Meanwhile
, Xiao Xun'er sat at a stone table in her courtyard, reading an ancient book with relish.
The sunlight cast a beautiful shadow on her body. A gentle breeze rustled her hair, adding a touch of graceful movement.
At that moment, a strange vibration suddenly rippled through the previously tranquil courtyard.
A dark shadow, like thick ink, slowly coalesced in a corner, first a vague outline, then gradually becoming more distinct, ultimately transforming into a human-shaped figure.
Ling Ying, appearing, quickly knelt before Xiao Xun'er and respectfully addressed her, "Miss Xun'er, we have word from the clan that you will soon be sixteen. We are planning a coming-of-age ceremony for you. We hope you will return."
Xiao Xun'er frowned slightly, lowering the ancient book she was holding. She whispered, "So sudden? What's the matter? Is it just a coming-of-age ceremony?"
Hearing Xiao Xun'er's question, Ling Ying lowered her head and replied, "Miss, there's one more thing. The clan is urging us to find the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. If not, we will send others to investigate."
Xiao Xun'er remained silent for a moment, her mind racing to the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade Xiao Ling had given her, and she formed a plan of her own.
After all, Xiao Xun'er had lived in the Xiao family for a few years, and she still had feelings for the Xiao family.
If the Ancient Clan really asked others to send someone to look for the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, they would not be so polite.
Thinking of Xiao Ling's amazing talent for cultivation, she couldn't help
but feel a sense of urgency. Although she knew that although she had good talent, she had not yet awakened her bloodline and could not quickly improve her cultivation. Now Xiao Ling was about to reach the Dou Zong realm, but she was still only a Seven-Star Dou Wang.
Xiao Xun'er thought to herself: "Perhaps returning to the Ancient Clan and using the clan's resources would allow me to quickly improve my cultivation and catch up with Brother Xiao Ling without awakening my bloodline. But I still want to wait until Xiao Ling's retreat is over before returning to the Ancient Clan."
Thinking of this, Xiao Xun'er looked up and said to Ling Ying: "Uncle Ling, there is no rush for this matter. After Brother Xiao Ling's retreat is over, I will discuss it with him and make a decision later."
(End of this chapter)