Heading to Flame City, All-Map Strongest Activates Again!

Just as Liu Yuan had predicted, after the battle at Ironwood Manor, the Lin Family's rise had become unstoppable.

After taking complete control of Ironwood Manor, the Lin Family discovered an extremely hidden Rock Cave.

Deep within that Rock Cave lay a Yang Yuan Stone Vein with astonishing reserves!

This discovery excited Old Master Lin Zhentian so much that he nearly passed out.

Yang Yuan Stones were hard currency for cultivation, and every single one was worth a great deal.

Possessing a vein was equivalent to owning an inexhaustible mountain of gold!

Although two Monster Beasts whose strength rivaled Heavenly Origin Realm experts guarded the vein, before the Lin Family's current overwhelming momentum, those two beasts were easily slain by Lin Xiao and the others working together.

As the vein was mined, the Lin Family's foundation swelled at a terrifying pace.

In just one month, a steady stream of Yang Yuan Stones was transported back to the Lin Family.

With ample resources supporting them, the younger members of the Lin Family advanced by leaps and bounds, while Lin Xiao and the other core forces began preparing to break into higher realms.

Later, in order to exchange those Yang Yuan Stones for scarcer cultivation resources, Lin Dong followed Lin Xiao and the others, bringing along the mined Yang Yuan Stones as they joined a merchant caravan bound for Flame City.

Qing Yang Town, Liu Yuan's Small Courtyard.

At the very moment Lin Dong entered Flame City's territory.

Liu Yuan, who was flipping through an Ancient Book in his study, suddenly heard a long-awaited mechanical notification in his mind.

[ Ding! ]

[ The system has detected that the "Child of Fortune," Lin Dong, has successfully arrived at the new map—Flame City. ]

[ The Flame City map has officially been unlocked! ]

[ Once the Host travels to Flame City, the All-Map Strongest System's exclusive bonus in this area will automatically activate. ]

Hearing this, Liu Yuan closed the Ancient Book in his hand, and a faint smile curled across his lips.

"Has it finally begun..."

He rose to his feet, walked to the window, and gazed toward the rolling mountain range in the distance.

Qing Yang Town was nice, but it was ultimately just a beginner village.

For someone with the system, its waters were too shallow to raise a true dragon.

Now that the new map had opened, he naturally had to move on as well.

"Looks like it's time for me to set out too."

Liu Yuan stretched lazily, a trace of anticipation flashing through his eyes.

However, before leaving, he still had several important matters to handle.

What worried him most was Qing Tan.

That girl possessed the Demonic Body, and the Yin Sha Qi within her was extremely tyrannical.

During this period, because he had been by her side, whenever the cold energy acted up, he could promptly use Origin Power to help guide it away. Thus, Qing Tan had lived relatively peacefully.

But once he went to Flame City and left Qing Tan alone in Qing Yang Town, if the cold energy erupted in the middle of the night, the Lin Family currently had no other Origin Core Realm experts. They would likely find it difficult to ease her suffering.

"I have to refine the Pills before I leave."

With a thought, Liu Yuan turned and entered a secret chamber deep within the courtyard.

This was where he usually cultivated and refined Pills.

Liu Yuan took out a small, entirely crimson medicine cauldron from his Storage Ring. Then, with a wave of his hand, dozens of medicinal herbs radiating warm auras floated neatly into the air.

He had specially gathered all these herbs over this period of time.

Among them were several rather rare fire-attributed Spirit Medicines.

"Crimson Sun Suppression Pill."

A Pill recipe that the system had once rewarded surfaced in Liu Yuan's mind.

This was not some miraculous pill capable of completely eradicating the cold energy caused by the Demonic Body.

However, when the cold energy erupted, the Crimson Sun Suppression Pill could swiftly form a gentle, rich flow of pure yang energy within the user's body. It would counteract and suppress the cold energy, greatly alleviating the pain.

For Qing Tan in her current state, this was the most practical and safest choice.

"Hoo..."

Liu Yuan took a deep breath and adjusted his breathing, calming his mind.

"Rise!"

With a low shout, a ball of crimson Origin Power flames rose from his Palm Center and instantly enveloped the medicine cauldron.

The temperature inside the secret chamber suddenly soared.

Liu Yuan's expression was focused. His long fingers moved like butterflies dancing among flowers as he steadily tossed one herb after another into the medicine cauldron.

Refining, fusing, removing impurities, forming Pills...

He carried out every step with flawless fluidity and meticulous precision.

Time passed second by second.

About a day later.

A faint medicinal fragrance began spreading through the secret chamber.

"Condense!"

A sharp gleam flashed in Liu Yuan's eyes as he slapped the cauldron's side.

Buzz!

The medicine cauldron let out a clear hum, and then its lid flew open on its own.

Dozens of round, lustrous Pills glowing crimson shot out from within. Liu Yuan swiftly caught them one by one with the Jade Bottles he had prepared beforehand.

Looking at the richly colored Pills in the Jade Bottles, Liu Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

"The quality is excellent. This should be enough for that girl for quite a while."

After putting away the Pills and the medicine cauldron, Liu Yuan removed the restrictions around the secret chamber and pushed open the door.

By then, it was already late at night.

A bright moon hung high in the sky, its cool radiance spilling into the courtyard and adding a touch of chill to the quiet night.

Without hesitation, Liu Yuan headed straight for Qing Tan's room.

Qing Tan's room.

Dim candlelight flickered, illuminating the Maiden's delicate yet slightly worried face.

Brother Liu Yuan had shut himself away all day without showing himself. Qing Tan, who had grown used to clinging to him, felt somewhat lonely.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the door.

Qing Tan froze for a moment, then her large eyes instantly lit up as she hurried over to open it.

"Brother Liu Yuan!"

The moment she saw that familiar, slender figure standing outside, Qing Tan cried out in delight and threw herself directly into Liu Yuan's arms.

"What? You're still awake?"

Liu Yuan smiled as he stroked her soft hair, his tone affectionate.

"I couldn't sleep..."

Qing Tan rubbed against Liu Yuan's chest, then lifted her little face and said aggrievedly, "Brother Liu Yuan, you went into seclusion again."

Seeing the dependent look in the Maiden's eyes, Liu Yuan's heart softened slightly. The excuse he had prepared suddenly became difficult to say.

But he knew that a brief separation was for the sake of a better reunion in the future.

Liu Yuan took Qing Tan into the room and had her sit by the bed. He then pulled over a chair and sat opposite her.

"Qing Tan, there's something I need to tell you."

Liu Yuan's smile faded, and his expression became serious.

Seeing Liu Yuan like this, Qing Tan's heart skipped a beat. Her small hands, which were clutching the hem of her clothes, unconsciously tightened.

"Brother Liu Yuan... what is it?"

"Nothing happened, did it?"

"Silly girl, what are you thinking?"

Liu Yuan shook his head with a laugh, reached out to lightly scrape her nose, and said warmly, "Actually, while I was in seclusion these past two days, I recalled some things from the past."

"Things from the past?" Qing Tan blinked her large eyes in confusion.

Liu Yuan nodded. His gaze deepened as he began spouting nonsense with a perfectly serious expression.

"Yes, some fragmented memories."

"Some clues point toward Flame City."

"So... I have to make a trip to Flame City."

The moment she heard the words "Flame City," Qing Tan's little face fell, and her eyes immediately reddened.

"Brother Liu Yuan... are you leaving?"

Seeing the Maiden on the verge of tears, Liu Yuan's heart ached. He hurriedly reached out to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes and comforted her softly.

"Don't worry."

"I'm only going to Flame City to settle down and look into my background while I'm there."

"Once I gain a foothold there, I'll bring you over too, all right?"

"Really?" Qing Tan sniffled, looking at him with tearful eyes.

"Of course it's true. When has Brother Liu Yuan ever lied to you?"

Liu Yuan promised solemnly.

Then.

He took several Jade Bottles filled with Crimson Sun Suppression Pills from his robes and placed them seriously in Qing Tan's palm.

"Qing Tan, listen to me."

"While I'm gone, you need to take good care of yourself."

"The Pills inside are ones I specially refined for you."

"If you feel the cold energy in your body about to act up, take one immediately. It can help suppress the pain."

"Remember, don't try to endure it on your own. Understand?"

Qing Tan tightly held the Jade Bottles, feeling the faint residual warmth on them. A wave of warmth surged through her heart, though even more overwhelming was her reluctance to part with him.

She knew Brother Liu Yuan had an extraordinary background. He could not possibly remain hidden in this tiny Qing Yang Town forever.

But...

"Brother Liu Yuan, when are you leaving?" Qing Tan lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"Tomorrow morning," Liu Yuan said softly.

"So soon..."

Qing Tan's delicate body trembled slightly.

After a long silence.

Just when Liu Yuan thought the girl was sulking, Qing Tan suddenly raised her head. In her watery eyes flickered a determination and shyness he had never seen before.

She stretched out both hands and gently wrapped them around Liu Yuan's waist, pressing her burning little face against his chest.

"Brother Liu Yuan..."

"Hmm?"

"Then tonight... will you stay with me properly?"

The Maiden's voice was soft and trembling, carrying a trace of pleading, a trace of dependence, and an indescribable emotion.

Liu Yuan's entire body stiffened.

Looking down at the pitifully beautiful Maiden in his arms, the last line of defense in his heart completely collapsed.

This girl...

"Fine."

Liu Yuan sighed, wrapped his arms around her, and said softly, "I can even stay up all night tonight."

The next morning.

When the first ray of sunlight fell upon the bluestone roads of Qing Yang Town, Liu Yuan had already packed his belongings.

He did not alert too many people.

He only went to bid farewell to Lin Zhentian, Lin Xiao, Lin Dong, and the others.

When they learned that Liu Yuan was going to Flame City, everyone was extremely reluctant to see him go.

But they also knew that no feast lasted forever.

After bidding Liu Yuan farewell once more, they saw him off.

As for Qing Tan...

Liu Yuan did not go wake her again.

She had already been very tired last night.

As an Origin Core Realm Martial Artist, Liu Yuan could endure a night of exertion, but the little girl could not.

Still, Liu Yuan felt that this was for the best. At least they would not have to go through the sorrow of a brief separation.

"I'm leaving."

Standing at the entrance to Qing Yang Town, Liu Yuan turned back and took one deep look at the town where he had lived for a time. Then he smiled freely.

He turned around.

He stepped forward.

Like an arrow loosed from its bow, his figure became a streak of light and vanished at the end of the official road leading to Flame City.

Flame City.

This was a majestic city located within the territory of the Great Yan Dynasty, vast beyond comparison to a remote little town like Qing Yang Town.

When Liu Yuan stood beneath Flame City's pitch-black walls, which towered a hundred zhang high, an ancient, weighty aura washed over him.

The massive city gates were like the maw of some giant beast, swallowing and disgorging a tide of people.

Above the walls, banners snapped in the wind. Squads of guards in fine armor patrolled back and forth, their sharp eyes carrying a chilling air of menace.

Within the city, clamor and vendors' cries merged into a tremendous roar that soared into the heavens.

Liu Yuan took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and followed the crowd through the enormous gate passage.

The instant his feet crossed into Flame City's territory.

That familiar mechanical voice boomed in his mind once more!

[Ding!]

[Detected that Host has entered the Flame City map!]

[All-Map Strongest System loading...]