Fire-Tempered Advancement

Morning light pierced the dense forest, scattering mottled flecks of gold across the leaf-covered ground. The mist among the trees had yet to fully disperse, carrying a damp chill. Yun Yun stood by the stream, gazing at her reflection in the water—her plain white robes had replaced the old garments stained with blood, and though a faint scar remained on her shoulder, she could now move it freely. As Spiritual Energy flowed through her, none of its former sluggishness remained. She turned to look at Xiao Yan, who was teasing Little Purple Lion not far away. The boy's features brimmed with youthful vitality, but her gaze was as tangled as winding vines, filled with reluctance, concern, and an unspoken resolve.

"Xiao Yan." She spoke softly, her voice carrying a trace of barely noticeable hoarseness, as though the morning breeze had left it dry. Xiao Yan looked up at her words, his gaze falling upon the object in Yun Yun's hand—it was no ordinary item, but a palm-sized Brocade Box. Exquisite luan bird patterns were embroidered upon it, its silver-thread wings seeming ready to take flight from the brocade, while tiny crystals set along its edges glimmered in the morning light. One glance was enough to tell that it was priceless. Sensing that something was wrong, Little Purple Lion jumped from Xiao Yan's palm. Its short legs pattered as it ran to Yun Yun's feet, rubbed against her trouser leg, and let out a plaintive whimper. Its round eyes were full of reluctance, and it even stuck out its little tongue to lick her shoe.

"Big Sister Yun Zhi, are you leaving?" Xiao Yan quickly Stepped Forward, unable to conceal the disappointment in his voice. Over these past days, from tending to each other's wounds to facing the dangers of the Purple Gold Winged Lion King together, he had come to depend deeply on this gentle yet powerful woman. He knew that Yun Yun was not someone who would remain in the wilderness for long. She carried responsibilities and an identity that belonged to a far wider world. Yet now that the moment of parting had truly arrived, it felt as though something were lodged in his chest, heavy and suffocating.

Yun Yun nodded lightly and held the Brocade Box before Xiao Yan. Her fingers tightened slightly, as though weighing her words, before she finally gave him a solemn instruction. "This is the Sea Heart Inner Armor. Take it." She raised a hand and opened the Brocade Box. At once, a soft pale-blue glow spilled from within. The inner armor lay quietly atop the brocade. Its material seemed neither silk nor armor; it felt cool to the touch without being biting, and its surface was covered in fine rippling patterns that shimmered with the deep glow of the ocean beneath the morning light, as though an entire sea had been condensed within it. "It was woven from ten-thousand-year-old Deep Sea Heart Silkworm silk, then refined after being soaked in Ice Soul Jade Marrow for three years. Not only can it withstand a Full Power Attack from anyone below the Dou Shi Realm, but it can also automatically absorb the surrounding Water vapor during battle and form a protective barrier, reducing the damage you suffer. You have a restless nature, and danger will be unavoidable when you venture out in the future. With it, you will have an extra measure of protection."

Xiao Yan lowered his head to look at the Sea Heart Inner Armor in the Brocade Box. He could Clearly feel the gentle energy Contained within it. The strange warmth that spread from his fingertips upon touching it made it clear that this was an exceptionally precious treasure. He looked up at Yun Yun and opened his mouth, wanting to say, "I can't accept something this valuable," but the words were halted by the determination in her eyes. He knew that refusing now would only betray her goodwill. Yet when it came to the matter of his cultivation of the Blazing Art, the words rose to his lips and were swallowed again—this cultivation method was far too unusual. It lived by devouring Heavenly Flames, and would easily attract covetousness and fear across the continent. He did not wish to make Yun Yun worry for him, much less expose their whereabouts because of it.

"Your cultivation method seems especially compatible with flames. When I was treating your wounds before, the Dou Qi flames gathered in your palm carried an extraordinary gentle power." Yun Yun seemed to notice his hesitation and softly added this, but she did not pursue the connection between the flames and his cultivation method. She merely assumed that Xiao Yan controlled ordinary flames condensed from fire-element Dou Qi. She did not know that those seemingly ordinary flames were the spark produced when the Blazing Art first began to circulate, using Dou Qi to imitate the properties of Heavenly Flames. Though they lacked the tyranny of true Heavenly Flames, they possessed greater tempering and healing power than ordinary Dou Qi flames. As she spoke, Yun Yun took out a Jade Bottle from her storage ring and pressed it into Xiao Yan's other hand. "There are three Pulse Protecting Pills inside. The Beast Fire Origin of the Purple Gold Winged Lion King is tyrannical. When you refine it, the Flame Scorching will certainly burn your meridians. These pills can protect them and keep you from losing control during the refinement."

Xiao Yan held the Brocade Box and Jade Bottle, his fingertips brushing Yun Yun's slightly cool palm. His heart tightened, and all the words he had wanted to say to make her stay ultimately turned into silence. He Clearly knew that, with his current strength as a five-star Dou Zhe, he had no way to keep this unfathomably powerful woman. Only by becoming stronger would he be qualified to stand at her side. The Blazing Art and Beast Fire were his greatest reliance in becoming stronger, and he had to guard this secret alone.

"I have important sect matters to attend to, so I cannot stay long." Yun Yun Avoided Xiao Yan's gaze and looked toward the cloud-wreathed mountains in the distance. That was the direction of the Misty Cloud Sect, and the responsibility she could not cast aside. "You are extraordinarily gifted, and you can control such special flames. You will surely make a name for yourself someday. If fate allows, we will meet again." With that, she lingered no longer. With a light tap of her toes, her body rose like a feather. Her robes unfurled in the morning breeze, like an immortal descending into the mortal world. Her skirt swept over the grass beside the stream, scattering a string of dewdrops, and she soon vanished amid the Layer upon layer tree shadows. Only a faint orchid-like fragrance remained, Wreathed around Xiao Yan's nose for a long time without fading.

Xiao Yan stood where he was, gripping the Brocade Box and Jade Bottle tightly until Yun Yun's aura had completely faded from the forest before slowly relaxing his hand. Little Purple Lion rubbed against his ankle and gave a low roar, as though comforting him. He took a deep breath and buried his disappointment and reluctance deep in his heart. His gaze became resolute once more, like steel tempered by fire. "Big Sister Yun Zhi, once I become stronger, I will definitely come find you. When that time comes, I'll be the one protecting you." As for the secret of the Blazing Art, he silently made up his mind to tell her everything only after he had gained control of a true Heavenly Flame and become strong enough.

After returning to the cave where he had treated his wounds before, Xiao Yan settled Little Purple Lion on a stone platform covered in dry grass. The little fellow seemed tired. It curled up, buried its head in its fluffy tail, and soon began to snore softly. Xiao Yan then took the Sea Heart Inner Armor from the Brocade Box and carefully put it on. The armor clung to his skin, and its icy sensation instantly spread through his body. Yet when Spiritual Energy circulated, it transformed into a gentle energy that slowly flowed through his Limbs and body, immediately easing the tension in his body from preparing for the refinement.

Once he was ready, Xiao Yan took out the Purple Gold Winged Lion King's Beast Fire from his storage ring. The flames were pale purple, their edges gleaming with a metallic chill. As they floated above his palm, he could sense a tyrannical yet condensed energy within them—this was the Lion King's natal flame, cultivated over several centuries, and the first truly Heavenly Flame-like fire Xiao Yan had encountered. Though Beast Fire was not as pure as the Exotic Flame Origin, it still belonged to a branch of Heavenly Flames. To someone like him, who had never seen a true Heavenly Flame, this Beast Fire was already an exceedingly precious cultivation resource. It could also become the first nourishment devoured and refined by the Blazing Art, helping him fully activate the cultivation method's devouring properties.

"It's time to begin." Xiao Yan sat down cross-legged and placed a Pulse Protecting Pill in his mouth. With a light press of his Tongue Tip, the pill dissolved into a cool medicinal power that slowly slid down his throat. He closed his eyes and began circulating the Blazing Art. The Dou Qi in his Dantian awakened like a dormant volcano, rushing through the unique meridian pathways of the cultivation method. Soon, a cluster of pale-red Dou Qi flames gathered in his palm—this was the flame form he Commonly used in cultivation. Though it did not bear the name of a true Heavenly Flame, with the support of the Blazing Art, it possessed greater resilience and devouring power than the Dou Qi flames of ordinary Dou Zhes. When this pale-red flame reflected against the purple Beast Fire, the temperature inside the cave Instantly expanded. The droplets condensed on the stone walls Evaporated at once, turning into white mist that curled through the cave like a fairyland, though it carried a scorching heatwave.

The Blazing Art excelled at devouring and refining all kinds of flame energy. Xiao Yan carefully guided the pale-red Dou Qi flames in his palm, approaching and enveloping the Purple Gold Beast Fire bit by bit as though taming a ferocious beast. At first, the purple Beast Fire seemed to possess a will of its own. It struggled and twisted without pause, its flame tips even taking the shape of lion claws as they tried to tear apart the restraints of the Dou Qi flames. As the flames leaped, waves of heat swept through the cave. The surrounding stones were roasted faintly red and even emitted subtle sizzling sounds, their surfaces gradually melting into a semi-liquid state, as though the entire cave might collapse at any moment.

Fine beads of cold sweat seeped from Xiao Yan's forehead, slid down his cheeks, and dripped onto his collar, spreading into small dark patches. He clenched his teeth and continuously increased the circulation of the Blazing Art. The Dou Qi in his Dantian surged into his palm like floodwaters bursting through a dam, supporting the Dou Qi flames as they devoured the Beast Fire. He could Clearly feel the high temperature of the purple Beast Fire passing through the Dou Qi flames and scorching the meridians in his palm. Waves of Stinging pain spread from his arm through his entire body, making him tremble. At that moment, the Pulse Protecting Pill in his mouth completely dissolved. Its cool medicinal power spread through his meridians like timely rain, protecting the Blood vessels that had begun to ache from the Flame Scorching and stabilizing his previously disordered breath. The Sea Heart Inner Armor on his body also seemed to sense his plight. The rippling patterns on its surface lit with a pale blue glow, gathering the surrounding Water vapor into a thin film over his skin and further easing the burning sensation caused by the flames.

At some point, Little Purple Lion had awakened. It lay on the stone platform with its round eyes fixed tightly on the two clusters of flames in Xiao Yan's palm, occasionally letting out a low roar as if cheering him on. Feeling Little Purple Lion's goodwill, Xiao Yan's heart warmed, and he focused even more intently on the refinement. He knew that this Beast Fire was not only an opportunity to increase his strength, but also an expectation Yun Yun had left him before departing. The potential of the Blazing Art likewise needed this Beast Fire to be fully awakened. He could not disappoint that trust, nor could he waste this hard-won chance.

Time passed bit by bit, from morning to noon, then until the Sun setting. The flames within the cave continued to churn violently. Pale-red and purple firelight Intertwined, casting the entire cave into alternating brightness and darkness. The shadows on the stone walls twisted and danced like ghosts. The clash between the Dou Qi flames and the Purple Gold Beast Fire grew increasingly intense. At times, the pale-red flames used the devouring power of the Blazing Art to force the purple flames to shrink continuously, like a tamed beast. At other times, the purple flames suddenly counterattacked, swelling Several feet high like an enraged giant beast and forcing the pale-red flames steadily back. They even left several shallow burn marks on Xiao Yan's arm, scorching his skin until it felt hot.

Xiao Yan's expression changed constantly with the battle between the flames. At times, his face flushed crimson as though he were being scorched by fire, the veins on his forehead throbbing violently. At other times, he turned pale, his lips drained of all color. More and more cold sweat formed on his brow, trickling down his chin and striking the gravel on the ground with soft sounds. The Dou Qi in his body raced through his meridians like a rushing river, Circulated Madly. Every devouring and fusion of the flames placed tremendous strain upon his meridians, as though they would rupture the next moment. If not for the blue glow of the Sea Heart Inner Armor and the medicinal power of the Pulse Protecting Pill working together to form a double layer of protection, he could not have held on, much less continued refining the Beast Fire.

"Fuse for me!" Xiao Yan suddenly roared. Ruthlessness and resolve flashed through his eyes as he poured every last trace of Dou Qi in his body into the pale-red flames, even mobilizing the still-unstable Dou Qi Origin deep within his dantian. The pale-red flames instantly swelled like a crazed dragon awakening from slumber, completely enveloping the purple Beast Fire. Faint golden patterns even appeared along the outer layer of the flames—signs that the Blazing Art was operating at full power and beginning to forcibly strip away the Beast Fire Origin. Immediately afterward, the two flames slowly intertwined and fused. The Origin Power of the purple Beast Fire was continuously extracted by the Blazing Art, transforming into streams of energy that flowed into Xiao Yan's Dou Qi and flames like rivers joining the sea.

As the Beast Fire Origin fused into him, the pale-red flames in Xiao Yan's palm gradually took on a faint purple hue. The flames' temperature and destructive power quietly increased. He could Clearly feel his Dantian continuously expanding, while his meridians became broader and tougher under the tempering of the flames. The Dou Qi within him grew fuller and fuller, like a snowball rolling larger. What delighted him even more was that after devouring the Beast Fire Origin, the Blazing Art circulated ever more smoothly. The cultivation method, which had only been initially activated before, now seemed to break through some Shackles and began displaying even Stronger devouring and refining properties. It even allowed him to control the fused flames with greater precision.

When the last wisp of purple Beast Fire was completely devoured and refined, the flames in Xiao Yan's palm had become a blend of pale red and purple. As they flickered, they carried an aura that was both tyrannical and nimble. Though they were not as terrifying as true Heavenly Flames, they were several times Stronger than his previous Dou Qi flames, and he could control them as he pleased. He could Clearly feel the Dou Qi in his body swelling madly like dry firewood set alight. The barrier that had held him at the peak of five-star Dou Zhe shattered with a thunderous crash at that moment!

A powerful aura erupted from Xiao Yan's body, shaking loose stones from the cave ceiling. Those stones that had been roasted red Shattered into powder directly, kicking up a cloud of dust. The Dou Qi around him rolled like waves, pale-red Dou Qi Mixed with flecks of purple light to form a faint glow across his body. The rippling patterns on the Sea Heart Inner Armor lit up in response, echoing his Dou Qi and releasing a dazzling radiance that illuminated the entire cave like daylight.

Little Purple Lion leaped up excitedly, ran down from the stone platform, and circled Xiao Yan while letting out joyful roars. From time to time, it rubbed its head against his leg, then even jumped onto his shoulder and licked his cheek with its little tongue, as though celebrating for him.

Xiao Yan slowly Opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them like a star cutting through the darkness. He clenched his fist and could Clearly feel the surging power within his body. This was the strength of a six-star Dou Zhe, several times greater than before. Moreover, the Dou Qi flames fused with the Beast Fire Origin had grown vastly more powerful. Whether for healing, tempering, or battle, they now offered Powerful Aid. The Blazing Art had also truly displayed its terrifying potential to devour flames and raise his strength through this refinement.

He rose to his feet and stretched his body. Crackling sounds came from within him, and every movement was filled with strength. Looking at the intertwined purple-red flames dancing in his palm, then recalling Yun Yun's departing figure, Xiao Yan's lips curved into a resolute smile. His voice was not loud, yet it carried unquestionable determination. "Big Sister Yun Zhi, I Achieved it. I've broken through to six-star Dou Zhe. Once I find a true Heavenly Flame and become strong enough, I will definitely go to the Misty Cloud Sect to find you. By then, not only will I be able to protect you, I will also tell you all my secrets."

Little Purple Lion rubbed against his cheek as though agreeing. Xiao Yan bent down and picked it up in his arms before striding out of the cave. The afterglow of the setting sun fell across him, stretching his shadow long. The blue glow of the Sea Heart Inner Armor and the purple-red radiance of the flames in his palm reflected against each other, leaving a brilliant trail of light amid the forest. Within the dense woods, the boy's figure gradually receded. Only a string of resolute footsteps and the increasingly dazzling flame in his palm remained, declaring his determination to embark upon the path of the strong, carrying his hopes for the future and that secret he had yet to speak.