Chapter 261: Leaving Seclusion—Sword Pointed at Demon Flame Valley!
Atop the crimson mountain peak, Xiao Yuan sat cross-legged, forcibly suppressing the restless waves within his body. With a flick of his finger, hundreds of red "fire pearls" appeared before him. Then, he swiftly closed his eyes and formed a cultivation hand seal.
Just moments earlier, while condensing the second form—leopard-shaped fire spirit—of the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art, he felt an unusual ripple from deep within his soul. He immediately dissolved the seal and prepared to advance in rank.
As soon as the seal was completed, the surrounding space violently trembled. Fiery red energy surged around Xiao Yuan like crimson serpents, wrapping his body and funneling into him with every breath.
This magma world brimmed with potent fire-attribute energy, making it the perfect environment for his breakthrough. There was no fear of energy depletion. And even if something unexpected occurred, the remaining fire pearls in his ring held more than enough power to support him through the process.
As more and more energy entered his body, Xiao Yuan's skin turned bright red. Wisps of white mist rose from his head, and bulging veins squirmed beneath his skin like worms—visually unsettling.
Within, his body rapidly changed. Each breakthrough was like a mini-evolution, expanding his capacity from a small pond to a small lake, dramatically increasing how much Dou Qi he could hold. His meridians, bones, and muscles all underwent strengthening, increasing his overall power.
As the breakthrough intensified, the energy on the mountain peak grew more violent. Eventually, it seemed the entire mountaintop was cloaked in red fire energy, with Xiao Yuan sitting at its core like a black hole, devouring every drop.
This endless devouring lasted nearly two days. Only then did the dense red glow begin to fade, slowly revealing the shirtless young man at its center.
Xiao Yuan's breakthrough lasted about three full days before finally concluding.
Once the last trace of fire energy was absorbed, the mountaintop went silent. The immense aura radiating from Xiao Yuan completely retracted, not a trace escaping.
He sat still on the rock, eyes closed like a meditating monk. If not for his faint breathing, one might've thought something had gone wrong during the breakthrough.
Half an hour passed in silence before a soft exhale broke the stillness.
Breathing evenly, Xiao Yuan slowly opened his eyes. His black pupils shone more brightly than before. Anyone familiar with him would've noticed—his aura had grown longer, hotter.
With a wave of his hand, he stored the unused fire pearls back into his ring. Feeling the surging Dou Qi within his expanded channels, a satisfied smile curled on his lips.
This breakthrough not only stabilized him at Two-Star Dou Zong but also made his fire-attribute Dou Qi even hotter—a side effect of the violent nature of the local energy. Thankfully, with Heavenly Flame protecting him, it caused no harm.
"Advancing in rank… it really is a wonderful feeling."
Standing at the mouth of the cave, Xiao Yuan opened his arms with a light smile. At this moment, his meridians, muscles, bones—even his cells—were in peak condition. He felt like the slightest movement could unleash his power like a volcanic eruption.
In just three months, Xiao Yuan had broken through again. If word spread, it would cause many Dou Zong experts to feel deeply ashamed. At this level, advancing even one star could take years—sometimes decades. But Xiao Yuan had done it in three months. A talent like his was simply astonishing.
And that wasn't all.
He had also mastered the basic control techniques of the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art and memorized the methods to summon all five fire spirits. Though not fully mastered yet due to lack of familiarity, he had already stunned Tian Huo Zun-zhe with his speed.
The technique scroll had been passed on to Xiao Yan, who also found it extremely valuable.
Clenching his fists, Xiao Yuan felt the power itching to explode. Just as he prepared to test his strength, his brow twitched. He looked down toward a cave and sensed a familiar aura erupting—Xiao Yan had succeeded in his training.
After three months of hard work, Xiao Yan had learned Six Harmonies Flowing Ruler, made headway with the Five-Wheel Leaving Fire Art, and broken through to Seven-Star Dou Huang—nearing Dou Zong level.
Xiao Yan flew up, seeing Xiao Yuan now clothed in white. Just as he was about to speak, they both looked toward the deep passage leading to the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower above. The sound of wind was approaching.
Under their gaze, the sound grew louder until an aged figure descended before them.
Seeing the old man descending, Xiao Yuan smiled and called out, "Elder Su, what brings you down here today?"
Hovering midair, Su Qian glanced at the increasingly powerful brothers and sighed in amazement.
Soon, their strength would surpass his.
"Tsk tsk… Your cultivation speed is monstrous. Back when I was at Dou Huang level, it took me a year just to gain one star. And once I reached Dou Zong, three years per star was normal. Compared to you two monsters… it's shameful."
Su Qian shook his head but smiled warmly.
The two brothers responded with identical shrugs and bashful smiles.
"Enough with the fake modesty! You two are anything but normal!"
Su Qian rolled his eyes, laughing.
"Also, good news—the infant Fallen Heart Flame is doing well. It may even become the academy's guardian one day."
Xiao Yan exhaled in relief and nodded. That weight on his heart was finally gone.
But clearly, Su Qian hadn't come just for that.
His expression turned serious. "One reason I came was to check your progress. The other… is that the master of Demon Flame Valley, Old Devil Di Mo, has emerged from seclusion."
"Demon Flame Valley?" Xiao Yuan narrowed his eyes and sneered. "Perfect. Time to eliminate that old ghost."
"So you were already planning for this. When will you act?"
Su Qian smiled knowingly.
Xiao Yuan's eyes sharpened. "Today."
With those words, he stepped forward. A gust of wind exploded, and in a blink, he appeared at the cave entrance—then vanished.
Xiao Yan summoned his bone wings, transformed into a streak of lightning, and followed.
Watching their departing figures, Su Qian stroked his beard and muttered, "Those two move fast."
He too stepped into the air, following closely behind.
Outside the command hall, powerful elders, Little Doctor Immortal, Zi Yan, Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and Lin Yan waited.
Those three planned to graduate after helping eliminate Demon Flame Valley and return home.
Zi Yan had recently advanced to Dou Huang with the help of the Inner Academy and many rare ingredients Su Qian provided—still keeping the others trailing behind her.
"Hey, Xiao Yuan, if you didn't come out soon, I was going to get you myself!"
Xiao Yuan laughed, rubbed her head, and turned to Little Doctor Immortal, who smiled quietly nearby. Softly, he asked, "Everything alright?"
He referred, of course, to her constitution—the Calamity Poison Body. He hadn't seen her during his time underground and had just reunited with her here.
"It's under control," she said softly, brushing a snow-white strand of hair aside.
Her gray-purple eyes swept over him, surprised. "You advanced again?"
Xiao Yuan nodded. Though she wasn't yet at Dou Zong level, she knew him well and sensed the fluctuation in his aura—no surprise she noticed.
"You've improved too."
She had reached the peak of Eight-Star Dou Huang.
"Mm. The flame tower's poisonous fire helps me. Plus, Zi Yan found me a rare poisonous herb. That pushed me forward."
Her smile held warmth.
Many elders nearby felt uneasy. Though envious of her method of absorbing poison to gain strength, they would still prefer detoxifying pills over her suicidal cultivation method.
Still, everyone had their path—they said nothing.
"If anything feels wrong, let me know. Don't suffer alone."
Xiao Yuan patted her hand.
"Ahem… Brother, everyone's watching…"
Xiao Yan's voice broke in. Xiao Yuan didn't mind, but Little Doctor Immortal quickly pulled her hand back, blushing.
So beautiful.
Xiao Yuan nearly kissed her, but knew now wasn't the time. He composed himself and addressed the group.
"Everyone, let's be direct. The grudge between Demon Flame Valley and our academy is well-known. Now that Old Devil Di Mo has returned, he'll soon strike.
I don't fear him, but a Dou Zong-level battle will cause huge damage. Before he brings the fight to us, we'll bring it to him. If any destruction occurs, let it be in their valley!"
"Xiao Yuan is right. Old Devil Di Mo is a powerful veteran with much influence. If he allies with others in the Black-Corner Region, the academy could be devastated."
Su Qian nodded solemnly.
"On our side, we have two Dou Zong: Xiao Yuan's strength far exceeds his realm, and Xiao Yan, though just a Seven-Star Dou Huang, can battle Dou Zong head-on. Plus, Little Doctor Immortal's poison arts rival any Dou Zong.
With this, we have the upper hand. This time, we end it once and for all—wipe out Demon Flame Valley, and show everyone in the Black-Corner Region that our Inner Academy is not to be trifled with!"
(END CHAPTER)
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