Smelting the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire
Bathed in shimmering silver light, the Space Ship moved smoothly through the Space Wormhole tunnel.
After finishing organizing and storing his storage Storage Ring, Lin Ming turned his gaze and used his Soul Power to focus his attention on the Strange Flame that had been sealed tightly in the corner of his dantian by the Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame—this was the 'Transformation Flame Dealing Technique' that the Three Great Elders of the Magic Flame Valley in the Black Corner Region had created by joining forces to use the 'Life-Transforming Fire Technique'!
This Life-Transforming Fire is formed by the fusion and condensation of various Beast Flame or special flames. It is quite powerful and has a certain degree of growth and plasticity. Lin Ming suppressed and collected it with absolute strength and has been encasing it in the Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame ever since, without ever dealing with it.
"The Flame Dealing Technique is truly... forging Beast Flame... merging with Wan Huo, and transforming into illusory flames..." Lin Ming's soul scanned the peculiar Flame Dealing Technique, Cultivation Method had been modified by the Old Ghost Di Mo.
This Cultivation Method aims to control and fuse various flames, and ultimately even to fuse and simulate a "Life-Transforming Fire" that is close to Heavenly Flames. The concept is quite bold. However, this Cultivation Method has obvious flaws. The stronger the fused flame, the greater the backlash. Moreover, the Life-Transforming Fire is ultimately a "pseudo-flame" with limited potential.
However, Lin Ming possesses the true Heavenly Flames — the Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame —and has Xiao Yan's Flame Mantra and his own Five Elements Mixed Spirit Technique, which are heaven-defying Cultivation Method capable of devouring Fused Exotic Fire, as references. His vision and methods are far superior to those of the people in Magic Flame Valley.
Thus, during the nearly month-long voyage, Lin Ming devoted most of his mind to the study and deduction of the <Flame Dealing Technique>. Based on his profound Soul Power and control over the Heavenly Flames, and combining the concepts of the Flame Mantra and some of his own Cultivation Method of devouring and fusion, he made preliminary improvements and optimizations to this Cultivation Method, removing some dangerous and unstable methods while retaining its essence of fusion and transformation.
"It's time to deal with this ball of Life-Transforming Fire!" A resolute glint flashed in Lin Ming's eyes.
This Life-Transforming Fire, formed by the fusion of various Beast Flame by several Peak Dou Emperor experts, possesses immense energy, and it would be a pity to destroy it directly. Moreover, within his body, the beast flame that has evolved alongside him from the initial Sixth-Rank Beast Flame to its current Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire!
If the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire could be cultivated into a true Heavenly Flames, and then fused into the Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame, its power would be even more terrifying!
Without further ado, Lin Ming immediately summoned the Life-Transforming Fire, which had been sealed by the Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame, and carefully drew it out. At the same time, the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire, a mixture of blue and gold, rose from Lin Ming's palm, leaping slightly as if sensing something.
Following his improved method, Lin Ming highly concentrated his Soul Power and formed profound hand seals.
The Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame transformed into countless fine purple flame threads, like the most precise surgical scalpel, beginning to peel away and refine the raging Life-Transforming Fire, completely burning away its impurities and the marks belonging to its original owner, leaving only the purest flame source energy.
This process requires immense patience and precise control of the flame. The slightest mistake could cause an energy explosion or contaminate the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire.
Time passed in silence. Beads of sweat rolled down Lin Ming's forehead, but Lin Ming eyes remained calm and serene.
Under his precise control, the originally grayish-brown Life-Transforming Fire, which contained impurities, gradually became docile and pure, eventually transforming into a fist-sized ball of liquid flame energy that shimmered with a soft glow.
"Melt!"
Lin Ming gave a low shout, manipulating the pure essence of the flame, and slowly approached the leaping Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire.
"Buzz--"
Like rain after a long drought, the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire trembled violently, and the cyan-gold flames suddenly surged, radiating joy and longing. It actively spread its flames, enveloping the ball of liquid flame energy.
A soft hissing sound of fusion echoed within Lin Ming's body. The energy of the cyan-gold flames and the shimmering light intertwined, permeated, and merged. The aura of the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire began to rise at a visible speed! The Green Flames on its outer edge became even deeper, while the golden light at its core became increasingly dazzling, as if a tiny sun was being nurtured in the center of the flames!
A fiery power, hotter and purer than before, slowly rippled outwards. Although it still had a way to go before becoming a true Heavenly Flames, there was no doubt that after fusing with this source of Life-Transforming Fire, the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire had taken a giant leap forward in both power and potential!
Feeling the significant enhancement of the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire within his body, Lin Ming's lips curled into a satisfied smile. This successful fusion not only strengthened the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire but also validated the correctness of his approach to improving the <Flame Dealing Technique>. This means that in the future, he can fuse any flame other than Heavenly Flames into the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire.
Slowly opening his eyes, a fleeting glint of cyan-gold flame seemed to appear in them. Sensing the light emanating from ahead, amplified by the still-flowing silver Space Power outside the Space Ship, Lin Ming knew that the next exit was not far off.
As the Space Ship shuddered slightly, breaking through the invisible Space Membrane and returning to the bright, fresh air of the outside world, Lin Ming slowly opened his eyes.
The three stepped out of the Space Ship, and what came into view was a huge city called "Crimson Flame City".
The first impression this city gives is "fiery," not because of the climate, but because the entire city seems to be permeated with a faint fire-like energy, even the colors of the buildings are mainly red and brown.
Based on the map provided by Ye Xin Lan and the information he had previously obtained, Lin Ming knew that starting from here, he only needed to pass through one last Space Wormhole to officially enter the core area of the Middle Continent — the Pill Region! That was a paradise for Alchemist and also the home of the Ye Family.
However, the management method of the Space Wormhole in Crimson Flame City is somewhat special.
It is not controlled by a single power, but jointly managed by two equally powerful families in the city— the Wu Family and the Zheng Family —with an agreement to rotate the leadership every year.
Lin Ming and his two companions paid the fee and entered the city, intending to rest briefly before heading to the wormhole in the Central Plaza. However, the closer they got to the Central Plaza, the more uneasy the atmosphere became. It wasn't danger, but rather a tense and noisy atmosphere.
At the entrance to the magnificent Wormhole Plaza, two distinct groups of people stood in clear separation.
One group, dressed in crimson robes embroidered with flowing cloud patterns, were members of the Wu Family. The other group, dressed in dark red close-fitting clothes with a mountain embroidered on their chests, were members of the Zheng Family. The two groups glared at each other angrily, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder, and the sounds of arguing were incessant.
"Barbarian Zheng! This year it's our Wu Family's turn to manage the wormhole. This was agreed upon long ago and reported to the Blazing Flame Valley! Do you still want to linger and refuse to leave?" A red-faced elder, the leader of the Wu Family, roared angrily.
"Bullshit! Old Ghost Wu, rules are rigid, but people are flexible!" A burly elder with a booming voice retorted from the Zheng Family's side.
"Your Wu Family has been in charge for a year, and the wormhole maintenance fees have increased by 10%, but the profits haven't increased at all! It's clear you've been lining your own pockets! You're no longer fit to hold this management position!"
"Nonsense! The increased maintenance costs are due to heightened Spatial Fluctuations, requiring more resources! Your Zheng Family is clearly just jealous and looking for an excuse to seize it!"
"Envious? Hmph! We're doing this for the sake of all our friends in Crimson Flame City who use wormholes! We can't let your Wu Family waste this precious resource any longer!"
The two sides argued heatedly, almost coming to blows, attracting a large crowd of onlookers who discussed the matter.
Lin Ming didn't want to get involved in other people's business and was about to bypass the crowd to use the wormhole directly, but he gleaned key information from the heated argument between the two sides and the discussions of the onlookers.
"... I heard it's because of the Blazing Flame Valley!"
"Blazing Flame Valley, one of the Three Valleys? What happened to them?"
"It is said that the Valley Master Blazing Flame Valley needs to refine a High-Grade Pills and is widely inviting high-level Alchemist within his sphere of influence. Whoever is selected to assist in refining the elixir will receive the friendship and a generous reward from Blazing Flame Valley!"
"More importantly, the Zheng Family has somehow managed to recruit a guest Alchemist from the Pill Tower, whose rank is said to be as high as the Tier 7! If this master can be favored by the elders of the Blazing Flame Valley, the Zheng Family can use this merit to apply to the Elder Council of both clans for a three-year extension of their management rights over the wormhole!"
"So that's how it is! No wonder the Zheng Family is so confident this time, even disregarding ancestral rules! The Wu Family is probably in trouble this time; where are they going to find Seventh Grade Alchemist?"
Blazing Flame Valley is extending Alchemist.
These keywords flashed through Lin Ming's mind like lightning, instantly overlapping with a key plot point from the original novel in his memory!
He clearly remembered that in the original novel, Xiao Yan was on his way to the Pill Region when he passed by the Liu Qing family in the Inner Academy. As Alchemist, he was recommended to the Blazing Flame Valley by the Liu Family. Later, Xiao Yan, with his excellent alchemy skills and the Heavenly Flames he possessed, successfully assisted Tang Zhen, the Valley Master the Blazing Flame Valley, in refining the "Fire Bodhi Pill". The reward he received was the Blazing Flame Valley's secret technique - the Heavenly Fire Three Xuan Transformations!
This Heavenly Fire Three Xuan Transformations can greatly enhance one's strength in a short period of time by activating the flames within the body. Each transformation brings a surge in level, making it an unparalleled secret technique for turning the tide of battle and challenging opponents of higher levels at crucial moments! For Lin Ming, who possesses multiple Heavenly Flames, the allure of this secret technique is simply off the charts!
"I never expected to stumble upon this opportunity..." Lin Ming's heart instantly burned with excitement. Originally, he only wanted to use this route to reach the Pill Region, but now, a tremendous opportunity was right in front of him!
Although Xiao Yan didn't directly obtain the Heavenly Fire Three Xuan Transformations, but rather gained the qualification and had to undergo further trials before finally acquiring it, Lin Ming, with his current strength, believed he was no weaker than Xiao Yan at that time. Therefore, if Xiao Yan could pass the test, Lin Ming could certainly do the same.
So, after glancing over the arguing Wu and Zheng families and then at the huge Space Wormhole quietly floating in the center of the square, Lin Ming had already made up his mind.