Chapter 260: Continuing Cultivation
Watching Tian Huo Zun-zhe tremble violently in disbelief, his soul form shuddering from shock, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle.
After a long moment, Tian Huo Zun-zhe finally calmed down and sighed in awe.
"The younger generation is truly terrifying! Young people these days… amazing."
"Heh, didn't expect to meet another Dou Zun in a similar predicament as me. What a fascinating world."
Yao Lao suddenly emerged from Xiao Yan's ring, smiling warmly.
"What powerful soul force!"
At the sight of Yao Lao, Tian Huo Zun-zhe was startled. The elder's soul strength was greater than even his own at full power.
"Yao Tian Huo. Peak Five-Star Dou Zun."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe's expression turned serious. He cupped his hands with respect toward Yao Lao.
"Yao Chen. I suppose I was a peak Dou Zun too."
Yao Lao nodded with a faint smile.
Hiss!
Everyone else drew a sharp breath.
This was the first time Yao Lao had openly revealed his strength during life.
Peak Dou Zun—just one step from Dou Sheng!
Xiao Yuan remained calm; he had always known. But he played along with the shock.
"So the strength of these two boys comes from having such a good teacher!"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe now felt it all made sense… well, almost.
Even with a great teacher, reaching this level before twenty? Still outrageous!
"Haha, they worked hard. I merely guided them a bit."
Yao Lao smiled modestly, though the pride on his face was hard to hide.
"Senior Yao is too humble. Judging by your aura, you were an alchemist?"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe wasn't easily fooled. His experience let him see the truth.
"Mm, I could refine some eighth-tier pills. I can't handle the tribulations of ninth-tier ones. In my current state, I can only make seventh-tier pills. My power now is a mere fraction of what it once was."
Yao Lao sighed.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe's pupils contracted.
He didn't think Yao Lao was bragging. They were both proud men—no need to exaggerate.
He also knew what it took to refine ninth-tier pills: soul power at the Heavenly Realm.
Yao Lao's soul aura truly was vast. Mentioning this was clearly a subtle warning.
Rather than feeling threatened, Tian Huo Zun-zhe felt reassured.
He'd seen all kinds of people. These three—if provoked—would show no mercy.
But if befriended? His revival would be secured… maybe even a path to the Dou Sheng realm he never reached in life.
A worthy gamble!
"A great teacher yields great students!"
He cupped his hands again, showing even deeper respect.
With Yao Lao's skills alone, he deserved this deference—never mind the two prodigies he trained.
After some polite conversation, Xiao Yuan explained the situation underground to Yao Lao and Xiao Yan. Tian Huo Zun-zhe supplemented with details Xiao Yuan hadn't known.
A short while later, both Yao Lao and Xiao Yan were stunned.
"To think such a terrifying existence is hidden beneath the magma…" Yao Lao murmured.
"Thankfully, they don't come to the surface," Xiao Yan added.
"I wonder if the Fallen Heart Flame's sudden power spike back then was from devouring Flame Lizardmen?" Xiao Yuan shared a suspicion he'd had earlier.
"Very likely," Xiao Yan nodded. "Although Tian Huo Zun-zhe said they don't leave the magma, it's strange they never come to the surface. Maybe it's connected."
"Not necessarily," Tian Huo Zun-zhe shook his head. "I think it's more a matter of survival. The deeper magma is safer. Anyone with Dou Zong strength can breach the upper levels, but few dare go deeper."
"That makes sense. Still, we should be cautious. If one day they go berserk and attack from below, it'll be a problem."
Xiao Yuan nodded. Tian Huo Zun-zhe's explanation made sense, but caution never hurt.
"Oh right, there's this."
Xiao Yuan opened his mouth and released an invisible flame.
"Fallen Heart Flame, indeed!"
Even though they'd heard about it, seeing the infant-stage flame in person left Xiao Yan emotional.
"Brother, are you going to refine it? It may be weak, but it boosts Dou Qi cultivation speed!"
Xiao Yan immediately thought of letting Xiao Yuan refine it.
"No need." Xiao Yuan shook his head. "This flame isn't that useful to me. But for the Inner Academy, it's a divine blessing. With it, the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower can reopen—and won't be much weaker than before. As long as someone keeps feeding it Dou Qi, the tower can regain its title as a 'training accelerator.'"
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. "Right! And since it's an infant flame, it can gradually evolve. If nurtured properly, it may develop intelligence and become a guardian spirit for the Inner Academy."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe nodded in agreement. These two brothers truly had admirable hearts. He felt lucky to have survived to meet them.
Xiao Yan, in particular, was relieved. He had long felt guilty for the tower's decline. Now, with the flame, that guilt was gone.
Soon, he and Xiao Yuan would depart for Central Plains. Before leaving, he wanted to set things right.
Once again, his third brother had cleaned up his mess.
Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Yuan but said nothing.
There was no need for words between them.
After a short rest, Xiao Yuan split his red cores with Xiao Yan, then sat down to study the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art.
Xiao Yan didn't rush to learn it. He focused on increasing his strength and mastering the Six Harmonies Flowing Ruler first.
He trusted Xiao Yuan's talent in Dou Techniques completely.
On a crimson mountain peak, Xiao Yuan unrolled the scroll and began studying.
"If you have questions about the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art, just ask. Since you helped me, I won't be stingy."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe's voice echoed.
"Then I'll thank you in advance."
Xiao Yuan smiled in response.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe nodded and went quiet. Using spatial power earlier had drained his soul.
"Oh, right—try this."
Noticing his fatigue, Xiao Yuan lowered his gaze. He touched his brow and drew out a strand of pure soul power, channeling it into the ring.
"Hm? This soul power can heal soul fatigue?"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe's shocked voice rang out.
"Just a trick of mine. It won't fully restore you, but it'll keep you from slipping into sleep again."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Hehe, it's more than enough! With this, I can fully assist your training. You've got talent—and great flame control. You'll master the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art quickly!"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe laughed heartily.
Though dangerous, this magma world was a perfect training ground. With the Central Plains journey approaching, Xiao Yuan needed to grow stronger fast. His current strength wouldn't be enough there, where Dou Zun experts were common.
He had to push harder.
Eyes focused, Xiao Yuan returned to the scroll.
Flame control methods were completely new to him. Until now, he had only manipulated flames crudely for attacks.
This technique, however, used minimal soul power to deliver maximum precision and destructive power.
No wonder Tian Huo Zun-zhe was worthy of his title.
To create a technique rivaling Heaven-tier Dou Skills… he had to be a legend.
Even Yao Lao hadn't heard of him—clearly, they were from different eras.
As Xiao Yuan studied, Tian Huo Zun-zhe guided him in detail. As its creator, no one knew the art better.
In just ten days, Xiao Yuan's flame control skill had skyrocketed.
During that time, he also borrowed the Fire Gathering Pot from Xiao Yan and placed the infant Fallen Heart Flame inside, giving it to Elder Su Qian.
At first, Su Qian was furious—thinking Xiao Yan had made a reckless decision. But after Xiao Yuan explained everything and he tested it, the elder beamed with joy.
He understood how valuable this flame was to the academy.
Xiao Yuan also took time to visit Little Doctor Immortal and Xiao Yu, and made candy pills for Zi Yan.
Then, he returned to the magma world to continue training.
Little Doctor Immortal, though powerful, hadn't gone with him initially. But after sensing the heart flame's effect, she joined him on the bottom floor of the tower, wanting to stay close.
In this ancient, silent magma world, time flowed unnoticed.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Xiao Yuan didn't spend the entire time on the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art. Using the 500 red cores he had left, his strength advanced rapidly.
Though he had only recently broken into Dou Zong, his expanded meridians were already swelling again.
He could feel it—he was nearing Two-Star Dou Zong!
But his cores were running low.
So, quietly, he snuck back into the magma.
With Tian Huo Zun-zhe's help concealing his presence, he silently slaughtered another wave of Flame Lizardmen.
Their enraged leaders could do nothing—unable to use spatial power, they were helpless prey for Xiao Yuan's cultivation.
(END CHAPTER)
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