Negotiation

Under the fluorescent light, upon hearing Lin Ming's words, a dazzling white light suddenly erupted from the skeleton, and at the same time, a powerful Soul Power was instantly transmitted.

The changes within the light barrier sent a ripple through Lin Ming's face. Although he showed a look of shock, he was secretly delighted.

Knowing all along what lay beneath the magma, Lin Ming's words upon entering the light barrier were actually meant for the Heavenly Flame Venerate, to let him know why he had come here. Now, seeing this change, Lin Ming naturally had to feign surprise.

To Lin Ming's astonishment, the white light slowly wriggled and transformed into a phantom-like, aged figure dressed in a white robe, with snow-white hair and beard, and a faint glint of light in his calm eyes.

"The Fallen Heart Flame? I didn't expect... it was still subdued..."

The illusory figure glanced at Lin Ming, then slowly spoke, its voice carrying an indescribable meaning.

"I was unaware that you were here, Old Sir. I, Lin Ming, sensed that there was still a Fallen Heart Flame here, which is why I have ventured in. I hope you will forgive me Old Sir." Upon hearing the illusory figure's words, Lin Ming immediately replied politely.

Ignoring Lin Ming's polite words, Heavenly Flame Venerate stared at him and then struck out with his palm.

Under the influence of the Heavenly Flame Venerate, Lin Ming sensed a slight tremor within the Fallen Heart Flame within his body, but it dissipated in an instant.

"How could you, its former master, possibly command Heavenly Flames that I've refined?" Lin Ming immediately recognized the Heavenly Flame Venerate's actions from the trembling of the Fallen Heart Flame. However, Lin Ming face still showed displeasure as he said, "Old Sir, what do you mean by this?!"

Compared to Lin Ming's displeasure, Heavenly Flame Venerate's face was filled with utter shock. Beneath this shocked expression, Heavenly Flame Venerate sighed as he spoke, "The younger generation is indeed remarkable! My era has truly passed."

After a sigh, Heavenly Flame Venerate turned his gaze to Lin Ming and said, "Young friend, I was the previous owner of this Fallen Heart Flame. Upon seeing it, I couldn't control myself for a moment..."

Seeing the Heavenly Flame Venerate's polite demeanor, Lin Ming knew that it was probably because he hadn't summoned the Fallen Heart Flame. Lin Ming remembered that when Xiao Yan arrived here in the original novel, the Fallen Heart Flame was directly summoned by the Heavenly Flame Venerate. Therefore, the Heavenly Flame Venerate didn't treat Xiao Yan with such politeness back then.

In fact, it was because the Heavenly Flame Venerate's summoning failed to elicit a reaction from the Fallen Heart Flame that he was shocked and is now being so polite to Lin Ming.

It should be noted that Heavenly Flame Venerate possesses a unique Control Flame Method. Few can rival his mastery of fire control. Yet, this young man has managed to render the Fallen Heart Flame completely unaffected by his own fire control—a feat that would make Heavenly Flame Venerate feel utterly inferior.

"The previous owner?" Upon hearing this, Lin Ming's pupils constricted slightly in question, then he chuckled dryly, "Hehe, Old Sir, when I collected the Fallen Heart Flame, I didn't realize it already had an owner."

"Young friend, you naturally wouldn't have noticed. That's because I set it free before I died. So what you've refined is indeed an unclaimed Fallen Heart Flame." Heavenly Flame Venerate smiled upon hearing Lin Ming's words.

"Oh! May I ask your name, senior?" Lin Ming asked immediately after Heavenly Flame Venerate finished speaking.

Upon hearing Lin Ming's question, Heavenly Flame Venerate replied with pride, "I am Yao Tianhuo, and others sometimes call me Heavenly Flame Venerate."

"Venerable One?"

After Heavenly Flame Venerate finished speaking, Lin Ming clearly exclaimed in shock.

Looking at Lin Ming's appearance, Heavenly Flame Venerate smiled slightly, then waved his hand and said calmly, "Young friend, there's no need to be afraid. That was only in his previous life. Now, I am just a wisp of my soul. With your strength, you can completely annihilate me. Besides, with your control over flames, there must be quite a few Venerate Realm in your sect!"

"Senior, you flatter me! I was rude and did not know that this was the Cremation Grounds the Old Sir passed away. Now, I will take my leave." Lin Ming said immediately after Heavenly Flame Venerate finished speaking. He then glanced at the Fallen Heart Flame on the skeleton and turned away with a reluctant expression.

"Young friend, please wait!" Seeing Lin Ming about to leave, Heavenly Flame Venerate immediately called out urgently.

"Is there anything else, senior?" Lin Ming asked warily after Heavenly Flame Venerate called out.

"Young friend, are you not interested in this Fallen Heart Flame?" Seeing Lin Ming turn around with a wary look on his face, Heavenly Flame Venerate immediately pointed at the skeleton and said.

In response, Lin Ming replied, "I wouldn't dare. That belonged to the Old Sir. I am content that I was fortunate enough to inherit a Fallen Heart Flame."

"Young friend, it won't work on this old man. If you really weren't interested, you wouldn't have come here," Heavenly Flame Venerate said with a half-smile.

Watching Heavenly Flame Venerate dismantle him, Lin Ming showed no embarrassment. After all, it would be abnormal not to have some desire for it.

Seeing Lin Ming stop, Heavenly Flame Venerate's voice slowly drifted out again. "When I first came here, I discovered the traces of the Fallen Heart Flame. It took me several years to finally subdue it. And the Fallen Heart Flame that I subdued is the one now within your body..."

Watching Heavenly Flame Venerate reminisce about his past in the magma, Lin Ming did not disturb him and let him continue his story.

After a short while, Heavenly Flame Venerate finished recounting his experience of arriving in this magma. Then, with a single move, he grasped the nascent Fallen Heart Flame from the skeleton in his hand and said calmly to Lin Ming, "You want it, don't you?"

That's about enough for now. If we linger any longer, things could get out of hand, and we'd lose more than we gain. So Lin Ming readily agreed, saying, "If Senior is willing to give me this Nascent Soul Fallen Heart Flame, please state your conditions. As long as I can fulfill them, I will not refuse!"

Upon hearing Lin Ming's words, Heavenly Flame Venerate nodded and slowly said, "Help me with this, and this Fallen Heart Flame will be yours. Furthermore, I will give you other rewards!"

Lin Ming, of course, knew what kind of help Heavenly Flame Venerate was referring to. It was practically something that would benefit him in every way. However, he still had to maintain the facade. So Lin Ming immediately said, "Please speak, Senior!"

As soon as Lin Ming finished speaking, Heavenly Flame Venerate chuckled lightly, then said firmly, "Judging from your appearance, you must be an Alchemist! And since you were able to subdue the Fallen Heart Flame, your alchemy skills must be quite high. Therefore, my request is to repair my damaged soul!"