Heart Flame Tempers the Soul, Breakthrough to Dou Huang!

Jia Nan Academy's rear mountain valley.

The area that had originally been sealed by a spatial barrier had, from within, completely turned into a transparent sea of flames. Fallen Heart Flame's source power had been fully awakened. It was no longer mere burning flames, but directly stirred up the cultivator's inner Heart Flame!

This flame was formless and intangible, yet more terrifying than any physical fire. It ignited from the depths of the soul, scorching one's will and incinerating reason. Worse still, it could cause the Dou Qi within one's body to lose control and combust on its own. It was one of the most perilous trials on the path of cultivation.

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged at the center of the sea of fire, his body trembling violently. Transparent flames continuously burst from his pores, making him seem like a porcelain doll on the verge of shattering. His face twisted in extreme agony, his teeth clenched tightly as blood kept spilling from the corners of his mouth, only to be instantly vaporized by the heat.

The situation within his body was even more dangerous.

Fallen Heart Flame's source flame was like a savage transparent fire python, rampaging through his Meridians. Wherever it passed, his Meridians suffered the excruciating pain of being scorched apart inch by inch! Even more terrifying was the omnipresent Heart Flame, which constantly transformed into all manner of illusions, tempting him to abandon his resistance and sink into illusory satisfaction.

"Hold fast to your true heart! Circulate the Fen Jue!" Yao Lao's grave shout exploded deep within Xiao Yan's soul. Like the evening drum and morning bell, it pulled him back from the brink of collapse time and again.

Xiao Yan's Soul Power surged forth madly as he fought the Heart Flame in a desperate battle. He saw himself returning to his peak, revered by countless people; he saw his father's gratified smile; he saw Xun'er's gentle gaze; he even saw... that seven-colored figure's complicated eyes... Every illusion was a reflection of his inner desires and obsessions, immensely tempting.

Yet one string within his heart remained taut—becoming stronger! Protecting those he loved! And his brother's reminder: "Keep your mind steady!"

"Refine!"

Xiao Yan let out an unyielding roar in his heart. The Fen Jue circulated frantically at an unprecedented speed, attempting to guide that violent Heavenly Flame energy onto its predetermined path. The Green Lotus Core Flame and Bone Spirit Cold Flame, Yao Lao's power, were also pushed to their limits. One on each side, like two loyal Guardians, they resisted the Heart Flame's erosion while assisting the Fen Jue in suppressing and refining Fallen Heart Flame's source power.

It was an exceptionally arduous and painful process. His body repeatedly cycled between destruction and rebirth. His Meridians were burned away, then painstakingly reforged under the nourishment of Heavenly Flame energy and his own Dou Qi, becoming wider and tougher. His bones, internal organs, Flesh and Blood all underwent a complete nirvana.

Outside the barrier, Xiao Chen stood with his hands behind his back, his expression blank. Yet his deep eyes remained fixed on Xiao Yan within the flames. His Soul Power had long since seeped inside, closely monitoring every subtle change within Xiao Yan's body. At the first sign that Xiao Yan could no longer endure, he would intervene immediately. Even if that greatly reduced the results of this devouring, he could not allow anything to happen to his brother.

Time passed bit by bit amid the torment.

One day, two days...

Late on the third night, the towering transparent flames suddenly froze!

Immediately afterward, an incomparably violent energy fluctuation erupted fiercely from Xiao Yan's body!

"Roar—!"

Xiao Yan threw back his head and let out a long howl. It carried pain, release, and the exhilaration of a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon!

The aura around him began to surge wildly at a terrifying speed!

Five-star Dou Wang... seven-star Dou Wang... peak Dou Wang!

That barrier which had stymied countless geniuses was like paper beneath the impact of such enormous energy, shattered in an instant!

Dou Huang!

A powerful aura truly belonging to a Dou Huang expert descended upon the valley like an awakening lion! Moreover, it did not stop—it continued to rise steadily!

Early one-star Dou Huang... stabilized... continued rising, until it reached the peak of one-star Dou Huang, only a step away from two-star Dou Huang, before slowly coming to a halt!

At the same time, the Soul Power he had greatly exhausted while resisting the Heart Flame seemed to break through some bottleneck at the moment of his advancement. A more solid, more acute sensation flooded his heart!

Spirit Realm Soul!

During the process of devouring Fallen Heart Flame, this Heavenly Flame that specifically targeted the soul, his Soul Power finally advanced another step, entering the Spirit Realm that countless alchemists dreamed of reaching!

"Success!" Yao Lao's voice rang out, filled with relief and excitement. His soul form seemed to have become a little more solid because of Xiao Yan's breakthrough.

Within the valley, the transparent flames filling the sky surged back into Xiao Yan's body like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, ultimately vanishing completely. The burns covering his body healed at a visible rate. His newly formed skin shone with a warm, jade-like luster, faintly radiating a sense of tremendous strength.

Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. As his gaze shifted, two clusters of transparent, invisible flames flashed past, carrying a strange power that seemed to pierce straight into one's heart! It was Fallen Heart Flame's lingering trait—the power of the Heart Flame!

Feeling the vast, sea-like Dou Qi raging within him, far surpassing what he had possessed before, as well as the keen Soul Perception in his mind that seemed capable of noticing the slightest detail, Xiao Yan finally revealed a smile of relief and wild joy.

"Dou Huang... Spirit Realm Soul... I finally did it!"

He rose to his feet and stretched his body. His bones crackled loudly, and a powerful confidence rose naturally within him. If he faced Yun Shan again now, even without borrowing Yao Lao's power, he would have the strength to fight him!

Xiao Chen withdrew the spatial barrier and took a single step, arriving before Xiao Yan. After carefully sensing his stable realm and restrained yet powerful aura, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"You did very well, Brother Yan. Your foundation is stable, your Dou Qi is condensed, and your soul has broken through. This harvest has far exceeded expectations."

"Brother!" Xiao Yan looked at his brother, his heart filled with gratitude. If not for his brother laying his foundation and personally standing guard for him, he could never have devoured Fallen Heart Flame so smoothly or achieved such an immense breakthrough.

"Congratulations, kid." Yao Lao's phantom floated over as well. Looking at his transformed disciple, he was deeply gratified.

The two brothers exchanged smiles. Everything was understood without words.

However, at that moment, Xiao Chen's brow moved slightly, as though he had sensed something. His gaze turned toward Wutan City, and a meaningful curve lifted at the corner of his lips.

"Looks like an extraordinary guest has arrived at home. Brother Yan, since you've successfully broken through, it's time for us to return."

"An extraordinary guest?" Xiao Yan froze, then suddenly understood. "Is it... Queen Medusa?"

Xiao Chen nodded. "Let's go. It's time to return and settle certain matters once and for all."

A trace of complexity and anticipation flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes as well. What kind of outcome would that alluring and powerful Your Majesty bring with her this time?

The brothers did not delay any longer. With a movement of their bodies, they transformed into two streaks of light, tearing through the sky as they sped toward Wutan City.

New strength and a new realm heralded the beginning of a new chapter for the Xiao Sect!