Fallen Heart Flame Erupted
As the flames gradually subsided, three figures, who had been forced back to the edge of the Space Barrier by the powerful force, slowly appeared in everyone's sight above the arena.
Judging from the figures of the three men, although they were all in a sorry state, Lin Ming still appeared calm and composed. Jin Feng and Shao Qing, who were fighting against him, had torn robes, disheveled hair, and were breathing rapidly.
This comparison clearly reveals the difference.
The difference in skill between the two sides was obvious even to the spectators, let alone those actually fighting. So much so that after the attack, Jin Feng and Shao Qing exchanged a wry smile, and Shao Qing waved his hand, saying, "That's it! Next time anyone makes me fight a freak like you, I'll smash their dog head in."
"Haha, these two little rascals." Upon hearing Shao Qing's words, the elders immediately laughed.
With Jin Feng and Shao Qing ceasing their fight, the match came to an end.
Watching the three leave, the onlookers realized that the battle between the Dou Wang was over. However, for them, being able to witness this battle was already a great stroke of luck.
After Lin Ming and his two companions cleared the field, some people who had been watching Lin Ming and his team fight with great enthusiasm couldn't contain their excitement and immediately gathered others to fight on the field, causing the tournament to end much later than originally planned.
Two or three days after the conclusion of the Strong Ranking Tournament, the entire Inner Academy was still immersed in the shock brought about by that earth-shattering battle.
Throughout the Inner Academy, everyone was talking about the battles on the Strong Ranking. Among them, Xiao Yan's battles, Lin Xiuya's battle with Liu Qing, and the most talked-about Dou Wang of the three, Lin Xiuyai, and Lin Ming, which was a demonstration match, were the most anticipated.
Riding on the momentum of Xiao Yan's victory in the Strong Ranking Tournament, the reputation and status of Xiao Yan's Pan Gate rose almost linearly in just two or three days.
Every member of the Pan Gate walked confidently through the Inner Academy, no longer as cautious as before. Others who saw these Pan Gate members also looked on with envy.
Lin Ming and his companions naturally paid no further attention to the affairs among the students in the Inner Academy. At this moment, in a pavilion in a courtyard, three figures sat down at a table, the teacups on the table still steaming.
Shao Qing picked up the teacup in front of him, drank it all in one gulp, and then looked at Lin Ming.
"Spit it out!" Seeing Shao Qing's hesitant expression, Lin Ming said helplessly.
"Haha, Lin Ming, you're the one who asked me to ask! I've been wondering how you improved your cultivation. Jin Feng and I didn't slack off after returning to our families; we cultivated day and night. That's how we were able to go from the Dou Ling Peak to the current Five-Star Dou King in just five years. Even within our two families, that's already very fast. Who would have thought that you, Lin Ming, would directly reach the Dou Wang Peak? How are we supposed to live now?" Hearing Lin Ming's words, Shao Qing immediately laughed and then added his question and complaint to his speech.
Upon hearing Shao Qing's question, Jin Feng also turned his gaze to Lin Ming.
Lin Ming slowly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then looked up at the two of them, saying, "You both sensed that the flames I used to fight you were extraordinary that day, didn't you?"
Upon hearing Lin Ming's words, the two immediately nodded in agreement.
After the two nodded, Lin Ming's words came through. "That was Heavenly Flames I encountered by chance. It took me a great deal of effort to finally refine it. During the refining Heavenly Flames, the immense energy contained within it significantly boosted my cultivation. And with the help of that Heavenly Flames, the speed at which I condense my Dou Qi also increased dramatically. Coupled with a few other opportunities, my cultivation has reached its current level."
Although Lin Ming didn't actually expend much effort when subduing the Heavenly Flames, would anyone believe that?
Heavenly Flames is a thing of destruction, so while you know it's true that you subdued it quite easily, others might think you're just making excuses.
On the contrary, Lin Ming's current statement, that he expended great effort to subdue it, makes it seem reasonable and believable to others.
Sometimes, people won't believe you just because you tell the truth. This is especially true for those who have experience but haven't achieved much; they have their own way of thinking based on their experiences. If what you say differs greatly from their experience, they'll feel you're just giving them the runaround, treating them as if they have no experience. In this case, your words will backfire and create negative feelings towards you. So, without affecting the outcome, Lin Ming simply described the process as a little more difficult.
"Heavenly Flames!" Upon receiving Lin Ming's reply, Jin Feng and Shao Qing exclaimed in unison, their expressions showing understanding.
They were naturally aware of the Heaven and Earth Rare Item of Heavenly Flames, and thus understood its rarity and elusiveness.
At the same time, one of them was a metal wire and the other a Water Attribute, so even if they were given Heavenly Flames, it wouldn't be able to refine it. Therefore, at this moment, they both knew that Lin Ming's essence could not be replicated on themselves, and their casual conversation immediately shifted to other topics.
The following day, the Inner Academy, which had been quiet for a while, became lively again, because the top ten experts on the Strong Ranking were the ones who would be able to enter the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower to receive the tempering of their Origin Heart Flame.
Looking at the dense crowd gathered on the plaza of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, Lin Ming and his companions stood on a high place in the distance and chatted with laughter.
Shortly after the top ten had all arrived, a whooshing sound suddenly rang out from the sky. Then, several aged figures appeared outside the tower gate, with one of them leading the way—none other than Great Elder Su Qian.
Upon arriving, Great Elder Su Qian immediately surveyed the area. Seeing that everyone who was supposed to be there had arrived, he didn't waste any words. With a wave of his hand, the heavy gate of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower slowly opened with a creaking sound.
After the tower gate opened, Great Elder Su Qian called out that the top ten contestants of this year should follow him inside. He then disappeared into the tower gate first.
Upon seeing Great Elder Su Qian enter the tower, the eleven members of the top ten on the Strong Ranking dared not delay and followed him into the tower, disappearing from sight.
"How many of these eleven do you think will be able to successfully endure the Heart Flame Body Tempering?" Shao Qing asked with considerable interest as he watched the eleven enter the tower.
Lin Ming did not answer Shao Qing's question. At this time, in Lin Ming's heart, he said to himself with quite excited and sighing words, "I don't know how many people can persevere through the Heart Flame exercise, but the Fallen Heart Flame that has been waiting for so many years has finally broken out."