Chapter 259: Tian Huo Zun-zhe's Worldview Is Shattered
Tian Huo Zun-zhe stared blankly at the four Heavenly Flames in Xiao Yuan's palm, feeling like all his years of living had been in vain.
"Senior Tian Huo?"
Xiao Yuan called out softly.
"Sigh… truly, the younger generation surpasses the old…"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe came to his senses and couldn't help but sigh in admiration as he looked at Xiao Yuan.
A flicker of nostalgia passed through his eyes.
"Back then, I discovered the first traces of the Fallen Heart Flame here and spent several years finally managing to subdue it. The very one I tamed was released after my death—it must have been the one your companion refined."
Without waiting for Xiao Yuan's reply, he continued, "Back then, relying on some skill, I thought I could go anywhere in the world. After taming the Fallen Heart Flame, I didn't leave but instead foolishly delved deeper into this magma world."
There was a note of regret in his tone, as if he still lamented that reckless decision.
"While deep underground, I found another seed of the Fallen Heart Flame. Ecstatic, I tried to claim that one as well. But having two Heavenly Flames in my body… they refused to fuse and fought like mortal enemies. That battle of flames gravely injured me—and then I was ambushed."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe sighed softly.
"By those Flame Lizardmen?"
Xiao Yuan asked.
"Yes. They seem to be native to this place—endless in number, and some are strong enough to rival Dou Zun. I encountered one such powerful lizardman. Had I been in peak condition, I wouldn't have feared it. But the internal battle between the two Heavenly Flames had already left me badly wounded… and the rest, you can guess. After that fierce battle, I sustained fatal injuries. Fortunately, they lacked mastery of spatial power and never found my hiding place."
A rare glint of intensity returned to the old man's eyes as he recalled that harrowing moment.
Xiao Yuan nodded. He had also sensed earlier that the Flame Lizardmen were quite ignorant of spatial techniques—this confirmed it.
"Though I hid successfully, my body gradually decayed. Before the end, I released the matured Fallen Heart Flame I'd tamed and attached my soul to the seed I found, hoping to survive. But after all these years, my soul is on the verge of collapse. If no one had arrived in the next three years, I would have faded completely."
Xiao Yuan nodded again. He could see that, although Tian Huo Zun-zhe's soul was faint, it was still mostly intact. As long as he restored the soul's strength, reviving him with a new body was possible.
"Over time, the flame seed evolved into a fledgling Fallen Heart Flame. But it remains in its infant stage."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe gestured, summoning the tiny flame into his hand. Smiling, he glanced at Xiao Yuan. "You've mastered four Heavenly Flames—surely you won't let this one go?"
Xiao Yuan nodded. "This infant flame has its uses for me. But more importantly, restoring a soul isn't easy. And you don't just want to linger as a soul, do you? For you, the worth of this flame can't compare to the value of your resurrection."
"Haha, sharp kid. Don't worry—help me restore my soul, and this flame is yours."
He smiled broadly. Then he flicked a snow-white ring from the nearby bones into his hand and summoned a light scroll, which depicted flaming beasts soaring across its surface.
"This is my signature technique from back then—the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art. Strictly speaking, it's more a flame control method than a combat technique."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe tossed the scroll to Xiao Yuan. "Help me, and it's yours. If you doubt me, read it first and verify its authenticity. Only then decide whether to assist me."
Xiao Yuan caught the scroll and didn't worry about any tricks. He opened it directly.
"Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art. Flame control method. Divided into five stages, each represented by a beast: wolf, leopard, lion, tiger, and flood dragon. Each stage condenses a fire spirit. When complete, all five beasts combine to form the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Array, capable of boiling oceans and incinerating skies."
His gaze stopped at the final line in small print:
If four of the five beasts are formed from Heavenly Flames, this technique's power can rival Heaven-tier Dou Techniques.
Xiao Yuan grinned.
This alone made the entire trip worthwhile.
He didn't particularly care about reviving Tian Huo Zun-zhe. By the time that happened, he'd be strong enough not to need help.
But the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art was different—it was the first Heaven-tier-level Dou Technique he had ever obtained.
And he just so happened to have four Heavenly Flames in his body.
After a quick study, Xiao Yuan confirmed it was legitimate. He nodded in satisfaction.
"Senior, your generosity is impressive. This technique suits me… and my brother. We'll both learn it. As a trade, I'll find a Dou Zun corpse to use as your body. Deal?"
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Why not use my old one?"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe looked at the nearby bones in confusion.
"Uh…"
Xiao Yuan was momentarily speechless.
Good question.
"…It's not impossible. I'll store your bones for now. If I find a better body later, we'll use that. But reviving you with your own body will require an eighth-tier pill—it could take two or three years."
He replied earnestly.
"Hehe, as long as you restore my soul first, I can wait a few years."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe was in high spirits. Xiao Yuan clearly wasn't a hypocrite or schemer—he had real determination and skill.
If he didn't take the gamble now, he'd vanish anyway.
A young Dou Zong like him… not even in Tian Huo Zun-zhe's prime had he seen the like.
"Haha, don't worry. I'm experienced with this."
Xiao Yuan grinned and packed up Tian Huo Zun-zhe's bones.
"Let's hope I didn't misplace my trust."
The elder gave him a long look. Then, without hesitation, he gently tossed the infant Fallen Heart Flame toward Xiao Yuan.
Catching the flame, Xiao Yuan immediately tossed it into his mouth.
…???
So bold?!
Tian Huo Zun-zhe stared in disbelief.
The flame slid into Xiao Yuan's body, spreading gentle warmth. A soothing sensation washed over him.
He clearly felt a subtle, invisible pulse radiating from his body. As someone familiar with the flame, he knew—this was the energy the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower needed.
With the Inner Academy's problem resolved, Xiao Yuan exhaled in relief. He waved the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art scroll with a smile. "I guess I'll accept this with gratitude."
Then he stowed the scroll into his ring.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe sighed helplessly, shaking his head and floating over with the white ring in hand.
With everything wrapped up, Xiao Yuan turned to look beyond the dome. The magma outside was eerily still, but he knew Flame Lizardmen were stealthy. If one of the stronger, Dou Zun-level ones showed up, it would be difficult even for him to escape.
"Those creatures are extremely sensitive to magma shifts. If you stir things up too much, they'll swarm—and may even attract their true powerhouses."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe warned. He needed Xiao Yuan to survive and help restore him.
Xiao Yuan nodded thoughtfully. "Senior, can you still use spatial power?"
"Yes, but you'll need to move fast."
"No problem."
Xiao Yuan smiled confidently.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe gestured. The white ring automatically slid onto Xiao Yuan's finger, and his soul form slipped inside. A soft spatial fluctuation spread from the ring. The dome cracked open.
At that moment, Xiao Yuan launched himself out like a dark-gold fish. Simultaneously, spatial power sealed the magma ripples behind him.
Neither he nor Tian Huo Zun-zhe noticed that deep beneath the magma sea, a massive eye several meters wide slowly opened.
As he shot through the magma, Xiao Yuan suddenly felt a pull. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a broken ancient jade. It was faintly warm.
Tuoshe Ancient Emperor…
His heart stirred.
The final Dou Emperor of the continent… had left his estate beneath this magma.
"Soon…"
He whispered.
In another five years or so, he would be strong enough to enter the magma depths.
And then… Soul Heaven Emperor would receive a shocking surprise.
With Tian Huo Zun-zhe's help, Xiao Yuan exited the danger zone swiftly. The temperature and pressure lessened—the magma surface was near.
Plop!
The surface was silent, broken only by bubbling sounds. Suddenly, a figure cloaked in dark-gold fire burst out and floated in midair.
"Finally!"
Xiao Yuan smiled. This journey had gone well and paid off handsomely.
He had resolved the Inner Academy's flame crisis, obtained a Heaven-tier-level flame control technique, and gained the friendship of a Dou Zun soul.
To Xiao Yuan, a Dou Zun was just one step along the path.
But to the Xiao Clan… that kind of ally was priceless.
"To see the world beyond the magma again… I've missed it."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe's phantom floated from the ring, eyes wistful.
Whoosh!
A flash of silver—Xiao Yan had sensed Xiao Yuan's return and flew over.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe tensed. But seeing the black-clad youth's resemblance to Xiao Yuan and sensing his fiery aura, he relaxed slightly.
"Brother, who's this?"
Xiao Yan asked, sensing the two weren't hostile.
"This is Tian Huo Zun-zhe. You can probably guess his situation."
Xiao Yuan introduced calmly.
"A Dou Zun? No wonder his soul could last so long in magma!"
Xiao Yan saluted respectfully.
"Wait… you're an alchemist too?"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe quickly noticed the traits in Xiao Yan and was surprised.
"Good eye, Senior!"
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded.
The old man fell silent.
From his gaze, he could tell Xiao Yan was at Six-Star Dou Huang. His soul strength wasn't inferior to Xiao Yuan's. And more importantly—he detected the scent of the Fallen Heart Flame on him.
This kid had refined at least two, maybe three Heavenly Flames?
"You two are blood brothers?"
"Yes."
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan answered in unison.
"…What the hell did you two eat growing up? So young—prodigies in cultivation and alchemy—and you've each refined multiple Heavenly Flames?"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe felt his entire worldview crumble.
(END CHAPTER)
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