With one slash—
Yang Fan found it: a core of primordial fire within the Blazing Flame Tiger's corpse.
This was the beast flame?
It resembled a soul beast's core—more than mere fire.
Its hue mirrored the Infernal Delicate Apricot's divine flame, yet lacked its intensity.
No need for Yao Lao's explanation—Yang Fan instantly knew this beast flame was inferior to the immortal herb's fire he'd devoured earlier.
But he'd still devour it!
Even if Blazing Inferno paled next to Infernal Delicate Apricot, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
This was the Flame Mantra's greatest advantage:
Though starting as Yellow-tier low-grade, it allowed limitless flame consumption—no cap on devouring.
Yang Fan prayed this chance encounter would trigger his technique's next evolution.
"Swallow it," Yao Lao urged.
Yang Fan turned—to see a snow-white pill materialize in Yao Lao's palm.
Cool energy radiated from it, refreshing his face.
"Ready?"
Yao Lao could have given him pills to ease the process—but didn't.
Pressure forged potential!
The beast flame was Yang Fan's fortune—and a perfect chance to shatter his limits.
"Ready!" Yang Fan took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
His first experience devouring divine fire made this smoother.
He activated the Flame Mantra—letting it resonate faintly with Blazing Inferno—then shielded his organs with Dou Qi.
Finally, he gulped the entire flame in one go.
Instantly—
Molten lava exploded in his mouth, searing down his throat. Every inch burned with excruciating clarity.
Heat made his body tremble; his brow furrowed in agony.
"Steady!" Yao Lao commanded. "Use your technique to refine it—like last time!"
"Remember!"
"Reserve space for this flame in your core! Any collision means death!"
Though no pill aided him, Yao Lao's soul-strengthened voice shielded Yang Fan's mind.
Guided by his master, refinement progressed smoothly.
First, Dou Qi enveloped Blazing Inferno—rapidly consumed by its heat, but buying crucial time to prevent internal chaos.
Then, the Flame Mantra launched relentless assaults on the "invader."
Refinement went smoother than Yao Lao expected.
After all—it was just a beast flame!
If Yang Fan tamed the fiercer immortal herb fire, this was child's play.
Under an hour later—
The beast flame was fully devoured.
Yang Fan opened his eyes slowly.
Blazing Inferno now lived within him.
WHOOSH—!
A foot-long, pale-red flame erupted from his right palm.
Beast flame!
His first ever devoured flame.
Now, with two flames and Soul-Qi Bombs at his disposal—Yang Fan felt a new ultimate weapon awakening.
Too excited to savor the moment, he immediately inspected his body.
His eyes snapped open.
"Master—the Flame Mantra… evolved?!"
Yes!
It had leapt from Yellow-tier mid-grade to high-grade.
"Mm-hmm!" Yao Lao couldn't hide his pride, though less exuberant than Yang Fan.
This breakthrough owed everything to the Infernal Delicate Apricot.
Without that divine fire elevating the scripture to mid-grade, a mere 50,000-year beast flame could never have triggered advancement.
"Master—I'm a Four-Star Dou Shi now!"
Half a year refining pills in Tian Dou City hadn't neglected his cultivation.
His soul power hit Level 39, and Dou Qi rose from One-Star to Two-Star.
Now, devouring the beast flame catapulted him two more stars!
"Don't celebrate yet, little one," Yao Lao cautioned, pointing.
Yang Fan followed his gaze—to a striking black soul ring floating midair.
The dead tiger's soul ring!
More surprises!
Understanding dawned. Yang Fan checked his soul power level:
Broken through!
The beast flame shattered his Soul Ancestor barrier. Now, he only needed a soul ring.
Beast flame! Four-Star Dou Shi! Yellow-tier high-grade technique! Soul Ancestor!
He didn't know which blessing to cherish most.
"Can I… handle it?"
The tiger's fire-attribute and ferocity perfectly matched his path—but 50,000 years?
"You're doubting yourself already?" Yao Lao chided. "How will you know your limits without testing them?"
To Yao Lao, cultivation shouldn't follow rigid paths.
Geniuses who obeyed rules became strong—but never transcended them.
He wanted Yang Fan to explore relentlessly.
"Go for it!" Yao Lao declared. "I'm here."
Without six months of soul tempering in Tian Dou City…
Without accidentally devouring a beast flame…
Without reaching Four-Star Dou Shi…
Yao Lao would never risk a 50,000-year soul ring.
"I'm ready, Master!"
Yao Lao's confidence ignited Yang Fan's resolve.
He stared at the black soul ring—lying about disinterest was pure nonsense.
"Begin when ready," Yao Lao said knowingly.
As an elder, he understood Yang Fan's turmoil:
Newfound power made one question their own strength. Fear of the 50,000-year ring was natural.
But time waits for no one!
The soul ring began fading. Yang Fan stopped hesitating.
He inhaled deeply—sat cross-legged—and began drawing the soul ring toward himself with hand seals.
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