Blazing Art Advances

The heat waves in the valley still churned. The charred rocks glimmered darkly beneath the scorching sun, like iron blocks that had been heated red-hot and then cooled. Even through his shoes, Xiao Yan could still feel the lingering warmth when he stepped on them. Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on a relatively flat stone, his eyes tightly shut and his brow furrowed deeply. Fine beads of sweat covered his face—but they were not the usual clear droplets. They carried a faint fiery-red tint, and the instant each drop touched his skin, the Fire Attribute Energy wreathed around him evaporated it into White Mist. The mist gathered above his head into a thin layer of Water vapor, lingering like a gauzy veil.

The Purple Gold Winged Lion King Cub on his knees had long since shed its earlier timidity. Its tiny body was taut, and a faint yet steady purple-gold radiance glowed around it like close-fitting armor. Its amethyst-like eyes vigilantly swept the surroundings, its little head turning from time to time. Whenever a remaining beast soul phantom drew near, it immediately let out a low whimper, using the pure aura of its Beast Fire to create a fragile yet resolute barrier around Xiao Yan and keep those shadowy presences seeking to interfere at bay.

Elder Yao's Soul phantom floated beside Xiao Yan. His pale-blue soul body swayed slightly like candlelight flickering beneath water, yet it constantly emitted steady soul fluctuations. His gaze was fixed tightly upon Xiao Yan's brow, and his aged face was filled with gravity. In those eyes that had seen through the vicissitudes of the world, the scene deep within Xiao Yan's consciousness was clearly reflected. Every so often, Elder Yao raised his hand and released a gentle strand of Soul Force, turning it into a translucent shield that dispersed the low-level beast soul phantoms wandering about like lost spirits. Since the Fire Dragon Phantom had withdrawn its flames, the beast soul phenomena in the valley had weakened by more than half, but the aura left behind by the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire had yet to fade. Scattered phantoms, like defeated soldiers unwilling to accept defeat, kept seeking chances to ambush Xiao Yan while he refined the Spirit Fire.

"Focus your mind and calm your breath. Guide the Spirit Fire origin through your meridians. Don't let the beast souls' thoughts lead you astray!" Elder Yao's voice carried the ethereal quality unique to souls, flowing slowly into Xiao Yan's consciousness like a clear mountain spring. "The Myriad Beast Spirit Fire contains the lingering wills of over a hundred ancient beast souls. Though they have no physical forms, they retain the savagery and obsession of ferocious beasts. While refining it, they will use the Spirit Fire origin as a passage to invade your soul. If you are even slightly careless, you will fall into an Illusionary Realm ruled by beastly nature. Even if you successfully refine the Spirit Fire, you will be reduced to a monster that knows only slaughter!"

Within Xiao Yan's consciousness, a silent yet intense struggle was underway. That wisp of seven-colored Spirit Fire origin flowed slowly through his crisscrossing meridians like a nimble thread. Where it passed, the walls of his meridians were seared, sending waves of Stinging pain through him, as if countless red-hot needles were piercing him at once. This pain was far harder to endure than his earlier confrontation with the Fire Dragon Phantom. Back then, his injuries had been external, and he could suppress them simply by circulating Dou Qi. Now, however, the pain ran Deep into the bone marrow, making even his soul Tremble slightly, as though it would be torn apart by that scorching power.

Even more troublesome, blurred beast soul phantoms surfaced one after another wherever the Spirit Fire origin passed. Sometimes, a gigantic tiger clad in blazing flames roared deep within his consciousness, its howl making his soul buzz as its sharp claws, carrying an Aura of Destruction, tried to tear apart his will. Sometimes, a Vermilion Bird soaring through the nine heavens circled and dove down, its piercing cry becoming invisible sound waves that shook his consciousness into turmoil, as if they would stir his awareness into fragments. At other times, a mountain-like Black Tortoise lay sprawled in the center of his consciousness, releasing a pressure as heavy as a mountain that made even his soul feel suffocated, slowing his thoughts.

"These are merely the lingering wills of beast souls, not real beings. Guard your true heart and use the power of the Blazing Art to assimilate them!" Elder Yao reminded him at the right moment. At the same time, a strand of pale-blue Soul Force entered through Xiao Yan's brow, stabilizing his churning consciousness like a stabilizing needle and temporarily suppressing those restless lingering wills.

Xiao Yan gritted his teeth. Unconsciously, he bit his Tongue Tip hard enough to draw blood, and a rusty stench spread through his mouth. That Stinging pain instead cleared his mind somewhat. Enduring the agonizing burn in his meridians, he concentrated all his focus on circulating the Blazing Art. The Dou Qi in his Dantian surged out along the cultivation route like a stream breaking free of its restraints, constantly washing through his meridians and intertwining with the wisp of Spirit Fire origin, merging with it. Whenever a lingering beast soul will appeared, he immediately activated the refining power of the Blazing Art, wrapping it layer by layer and grinding it down bit by bit like a millstone crushing grain. It was broken into the purest energy, merging into the Spirit Fire origin and becoming part of his own strength.

The process was like walking along a blade's edge, with danger lurking in every step. Once, as the Spirit Fire origin passed through the meridians in his Right Arm, a deeply hidden Qiongqi Beast Soul suddenly erupted. Black flames instantly swept across his entire right arm, and his meridians seemed to be violently torn apart. Pain surged over him Like a Tide, making his entire body convulse violently. Blood spilled uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth, staining the robe across his chest red. At that moment, his awareness was nearly swallowed by Qiongqi's savagery. He even saw an illusion of himself transforming into a ferocious beast, wreaking havoc throughout the Black Corner Region and slaughtering living beings.

At the critical moment, the little lion on his knees sensed Xiao Yan's danger. It abruptly raised its little head and let out a hurried, resounding roar. The purple-gold radiance around it suddenly surged, and pure Beast Fire flowed through Xiao Yan's body into his meridians, resonating with the power of the Blazing Art. That familiar Beast Fire aura was like life-saving medicine, instantly suppressing the vicious nature of Qiongqi's lingering will and allowing Xiao Yan's consciousness to gather again. Seizing that fleeting chance, he Used the last bit of strength to mobilize all his Dou Qi, washing through the meridians in his right arm like a raging flood. In the end, he Completely refined that lingering will of Qiongqi, turning it into a wisp of pure energy that merged into the Spirit Fire origin.

Phew... Xiao Yan let out a long breath inwardly. The veins on his forehead bulged high from his extreme endurance. The robe on his back had long been soaked through with sweat, clinging tightly to him and outlining his back as it Trembled slightly in pain. The contours of every bone were clearly visible. Elder Yao looked at his pale yet resolute profile, a trace of heartache flashing through his eyes, but he could only harden his heart. "Refining Heavenly Flames is already a matter of Nine Deaths, One Life. If you cannot endure even this much pain, how will you control such a wondrous treasure of heaven and earth? Hold on a little longer. The Spirit Fire origin is almost at your Dantian. Once it merges with your Dou Qi core, the first step will be complete!"

Xiao Yan did not respond. He merely adjusted his breathing with difficulty, focusing all his attention on guiding the Spirit Fire origin. The seven-colored flame flowed increasingly slowly through his meridians. Every inch it advanced consumed an enormous amount of his concentration and Dou Qi. The Dou Qi in his Dantian was like water continuously drawn from a well, gradually becoming thin. When the Spirit Fire origin finally reached his Dantian, Xiao Yan felt an indescribable burning pain in his lower abdomen, as if a blazing fireball had exploded within his Dantian and instantly swept through his Limbs and body.

His Dantian, already several times wider than an ordinary person's due to his cultivation of the Blazing Art, was now stretched to the brim by the power of the Spirit Fire origin. Dou Qi and Spirit Fire were like water and fire that could not coexist, Collided with each other and repelled one another inside his Dantian, producing sizzling sounds. That force struck his Internal organs, as though it would tear his body apart from within. The agony nearly made him pass out. Several times, he wanted to give up, but the obsession in his heart pulled him back. He could not lose—for himself, for Elder Yao, and for those waiting for him to become stronger.

"Guide the Dou Qi and Spirit Fire origin into resonance. Let them find their balance!" Elder Yao's voice suddenly became urgent. The glow of his soul body flared, and the soul fluctuations around him became fierce as well. "This is the most crucial step. If you fail, the Spirit Fire origin will backlash against your Dantian. Not only will all your efforts be wasted, you will never be able to cultivate Dou Qi again for the rest of your life!"

Xiao Yan did not dare slacken in the slightest. Using the last bit of strength, he Mobilized all the remaining Dou Qi in his Dantian and carefully guided it toward the Spirit Fire origin. At first, the moment the Dou Qi approached the Spirit Fire, it was Completely burned away. But Xiao Yan did not give up. He tried again and again, like tempering fine steel amid blazing flames. Who knew how long passed before, when his Dou Qi approached with absolute sincerity and submission, the Spirit Fire origin seemed to sense his intent. Its flames Trembled slightly and withdrew, no longer so violent, beginning to intertwine with the Dou Qi like two spirit snakes nestling against each other as they slowly swam within his Dantian.

The instant the Dou Qi and Spirit Fire origin became completely entwined, indistinguishable from one another, Xiao Yan's Dantian suddenly erupted with dazzling light. Pale-purple Dou Qi and seven-colored Spirit Fire fused together, becoming a pillar of light streaked with purple and rainbow hues. It burst through his body and shot straight into the heavens. The heat waves in the valley were instantly stirred by the pillar into a massive vortex. The charred rocks shook under its impact, and many broken stones were swept into the air before crashing heavily back down. Under the pillar's radiance, the remaining beast soul phantoms rapidly melted away like ice and snow beneath the blazing sun, turning into specks of light that merged into the pillar and became part of the Spirit Fire origin, making it even more resplendent.

The little lion on his knees was jolted slightly backward by the pillar's power, yet it stubbornly remained beside Xiao Yan. Its tiny tail stood high as it let out excited low growls, as though cheering for him. Elder Yao watched the pillar shooting into the sky, and a Relieved Smile finally appeared on his face. The worry in his heart settled as he murmured softly, "Success! The Spirit Fire origin has successfully fused with his Dou Qi core. This brat... he finally made it through!"

The pillar of light lasted for a full quarter of an hour before gradually fading. The burning pain in Xiao Yan's Dantian faded with it, replaced by unprecedented warmth and strength that flowed slowly through his Limbs and body like spring sunlight. He slowly opened his eyes. A seven-colored gleam flashed through them first, brilliant as starlight, before they returned to their original darkness. Yet deep within those black eyes was now an indescribable liveliness and majesty, as if this refinement had transformed his very bearing.

He raised his hand and looked at his palm. A cluster of pale-purple flames quietly appeared, its edges Wreathed around with a faint seven-colored glow. It was more condensed and violent than the purple flame from when he had fused with the Lion King's Beast Fire. With a casual wave, the surrounding air sizzled as it burned, while the scorched rock beneath his feet was seared with a shallow mark that gave off a pungent Burnt smell.

"So this is... what it feels like to control the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire?" Xiao Yan murmured softly, disbelief in his voice. He Clearly felt that the Dou Qi in his Dantian had become several times more abundant than before. Moreover, every wisp of Dou Qi Contained the power of the Spirit Fire, making it swifter and more domineering when circulated. The meridians that had been torn apart during the refinement process were now repairing themselves at a speed Visible to the naked eye under the nourishment of the Spirit Fire origin. They were even tougher and wider than before, as though they had undergone a rebirth.

Just then, he suddenly sensed the Dou Qi within his body begin to Fiercely surge. Like a rushing river, it rapidly circulated through his meridians. With every cycle, the total amount of his Dou Qi increased by a fraction. Immediately afterward, an opportunity for a breakthrough quietly emerged in his Dantian. Xiao Yan's heart stirred, and he followed the momentum to guide his Dou Qi against the bottleneck. The barrier at the peak of the Dou Zhe Realm that had troubled him for so long shattered instantly like paper under the combined assault of Spirit Fire and Dou Qi!

An aura even Stronger than before erupted from his body, making the surrounding air grow heavy. Xiao Yan Clearly felt that his cultivation had successfully broken through to the first star of the Dou Shi Realm! His meridians were broader, his Dou Qi purer, and his senses had become incomparably sharp. He could even clearly detect the movements of a small bird flying a hundred meters beyond the valley. He was no longer the Dou Zhe who had needed to use all his strength against even a Third-tier Demonic Beast, and who had sometimes needed to Use external force merely to contend with one. Now, even if three Third-tier Demonic Beasts attacked him together, he could deal with them calmly using his refined Dou Qi and the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, and even crush them in a short time.

"You broke through? You actually broke through directly to the first star of the Dou Shi Realm!" Elder Yao floated before him, all exhaustion swept from his soul body and replaced by joy and astonishment. "It seems the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire not only let you refine it successfully, but also helped you break through your bottleneck. What an unexpected delight! Now that you have entered the Dou Shi Realm and gained control of a Heavenly Flame, you can swagger through the outskirts of the Black Corner Region even if you encounter a beast pack made up of three or five Third-tier Demonic Beasts!"

Xiao Yan clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him. His knuckles turned slightly white from exertion. A smile from the Aftermath of disaster appeared on his face, but excitement flashed in his eyes. "First star of the Dou Shi Realm... I finally broke through to the Dou Shi Realm! Back in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, I had to stay on edge even when facing a single third-tier Gale Wind Wolf. I could only barely win by relying on the Black Heavy Ruler and my teacher's secret assistance. Now, even if a peak third-tier Ironback Bear appeared, I could take its Full Power Attack head-on!" In his mind flashed scenes of being chased through the Monster Beast Mountain Range in utter misery by third-tier Demonic Beasts. Now that his strength had Greatly increased, those beings that had once filled him with dread had become opponents he could easily handle. The sense of security brought by power made his heart burn hot.

"You foolish boy, don't be in such a hurry to celebrate. Feel out your Blazing Art first and see what has changed!" Elder Yao reminded him with a smile, anticipation in his eyes. "The Blazing Art feeds on Heavenly Flames. Having fused with the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire this time, its advancement will surely raise your strength another level. Dealing with third-tier and even fourth-tier Demonic Beasts will become much easier in the future."

Upon hearing that, Xiao Yan immediately calmed his mind and examined his cultivation method internally. When his consciousness touched the Blazing Art, the cultivation method that had originally remained at Yellow-tier High-grade suddenly radiated dazzling light. The patterns of the technique continuously shifted and reassembled within his consciousness. The runes that had once seemed somewhat rough became more intricate and refined, exuding a profound aura. Like unpolished jade that had been polished, it finally revealed its sharp brilliance. A moment later, the technique's rank had astonishingly risen from "Yellow-tier High-grade" to "Mysterious-tier Low-grade"!

With the advancement of the Blazing Art, Xiao Yan felt his consciousness become clear. The many obscure points he had encountered during cultivation suddenly became lucid, and his control over Dou Qi rose by several levels. He Clearly felt that the advanced Blazing Art not only refined Dou Qi faster, but also granted greater control over Heavenly Flames. The Myriad Beast Spirit Fire now obeyed his every command, no longer retaining its earlier arrogance or resistance. He tried controlling the Spirit Fire, and the purple flame in his palm instantly transformed into a small seven-colored lion phantom. The lion phantom was lifelike, with its fur and fangs clearly visible. He could even see the intelligent gleam in its eyes. Opening its mouth, the lion phantom spat out a thin flame. The flame landed on a charred rock the size of a millstone before it and instantly burned the rock into ashes, leaving not even a trace of residue behind, only a pitch-black mark upon the ground. Against a third-tier Demonic Beast, a single such flame would be enough to burn its fur and rob it of its fighting strength. It was far more efficient than relying on brute force to swing the Black Heavy Ruler.

"Mysterious-tier Low-grade! The Blazing Art actually advanced to Mysterious-tier Low-grade! And I'm at the first star of the Dou Shi Realm..." Xiao Yan looked at the fading lion phantom in his palm, irrepressible ecstasy bursting from his eyes. All the pain and exhaustion from before turned into a profound sense of achievement at that moment. He abruptly stood up, but after sitting cross-legged for so long, his Legs were numb. He staggered and nearly Fell down. Seeing this, the little lion immediately leaped onto his shoulder, rubbing its little head against his cheek and letting out an affectionate cry, as if comforting him and celebrating for him at the same time.

Elder Yao watched his excited expression and shook his head with a smile, though his eyes were full of gratification. "Look at how pleased you are. It is only a Mysterious-tier Low-grade cultivation method and the first star of the Dou Shi Realm. Once you subdue more Heavenly Flames in the future, the Blazing Art can continue to advance, perhaps even reaching the legendary Heaven-tier or Emperor-tier. Your cultivation will soar all the way as well. By then, not to mention third-tier Demonic Beasts—even sixth-tier or seventh-tier Demonic Beasts will be no more than ants before you!" Though he said this, his tone carried unconcealed pride. The Blazing Art was originally an ancient miraculous technique, but its incompleteness had made it difficult to cultivate. Yet in Xiao Yan's hands, it could continuously advance through the power of Heavenly Flames and even drive breakthroughs in cultivation. It had turned him from a Dou Zhe wary even of third-tier Demonic Beasts into a Dou Shi capable of easily crushing them. This was something even Elder Yao had never imagined in the past.

Xiao Yan steadied himself and moved his numb legs, the smile on his face still bright. "Teacher, I know the potential of the Blazing Art does not end here, and my path of cultivation is still long. But now, with a Mysterious-tier Low-grade Blazing Art, the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, and the cultivation of a first-star Dou Shi, I no longer need to fear the third-tier beast packs entrenched in the outskirts of the Black Corner Region. Nor do I need to worry about being controlled by those people who use their strength to bully others! At last, I have enough power to protect myself, protect you, and protect the people around me!" He remembered how, at the edge of the Black Corner Region, he had once been chased into utter misery by a group of Bandits controlling two third-tier Demonic Beasts because he lacked strength. If Elder Yao had not intervened in secret, he likely would have died long ago. Now that his strength had Greatly increased, threats that had once left him helpless were no longer worth mentioning. The light in his eyes became even firmer. From this day on, he would never again allow others to bully him, nor would he ever again lose what he treasured because he was too weak.

At that moment, a rumbling sound suddenly came from the charred rocks in the center of the valley. The rocks that had already split completely collapsed, revealing a deep cave. No light shone from the cave, but it emitted an aura of the same origin as the Spirit Fire within Xiao Yan's Dantian. That aura had become exceedingly weak, however, like a Flickering candle in the wind. Elder Yao floated to the cave entrance and peered inside, smiling. "You have refined the origin of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, and the Fire Attribute Energy here is nearly depleted as well. This birthplace of the Heavenly Flame has fulfilled its purpose. We should leave. You have just broken through to the Dou Shi Realm and subdued the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, so you need to find a safe place to consolidate your cultivation. Otherwise, the desperate men of the Black Corner Region may set their sights on you. Most of them are only at the early Dou Shi Realm, and they like to raise third-tier Demonic Beasts as helpers. If they discover that you possess a Heavenly Flame, they will surely swarm toward you."

Xiao Yan nodded and held the little lion in his arms, feeling the warmth radiating from the furry little creature against his chest. His heart was filled with calm. He raised his head to look at the sky beyond the valley. The sunlight was perfect, and a gentle breeze blew past, carrying away the last remnants of heat in the valley. There was even a fresh scent of grass and trees in the air.

"Teacher, let's go." Xiao Yan took a step forward and headed toward the valley's exit. Though his body was still exhausted, he was filled with strength. Every step he took was steady and firm, no longer carrying the confusion and unease of before. The Mysterious-tier Low-grade Blazing Art circulated slowly within him, while the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire in his Dantian emitted warm power that nourished his meridians and soul. His cultivation at the first star of the Dou Shi Realm made his whole person radiate confidence. He could even imagine that if he encountered one of those third-tier Demonic Beasts that had once given him such headaches now, a flick of his finger would be enough for the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire to transform into blazing flames and easily subdue it.

He knew that subduing the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire and breaking through to the Dou Shi Realm were merely a new beginning on his path of cultivation. A broader world awaited him in the future, along with stronger enemies to defeat and more Heavenly Flames to subdue. But at this moment, there was not the slightest fear in his heart—only boundless yearning and anticipation for the future.

Elder Yao watched his upright back and shook his head with a smile. Then he transformed into a streak of blue light and entered the black ring on Xiao Yan's chest. Within the valley, only a string of receding footsteps remained, along with the excited low growls of the little lion in the youth's arms. They bore witness to this contest between man and Heavenly Flame, which had ultimately ended in the youth's victory. They also bore witness to a young man who, after enduring countless hardships, had finally escaped the plight of trembling in fear before even third-tier Demonic Beasts and embarked upon his own path toward becoming strong.