Honing Alchemy

Deep in the southwest of Ancient Dragon Island, mountain ranges stretched endlessly like crouching dragons, drawing all the essence of heaven and earth into their embrace.

A rather inconspicuous valley lay concealed beneath layers of dense vegetation, cut off from the clamor of the outside world. Only the rustle of wind brushing through leaves remained, along with the occasional cry of some unknown bird or beast.

At the center of an open space at the valley floor, Xiao Ling sat cross-legged. An unusual calm emanated from him, as though he had merged with the valley itself, yet also as though he formed a world of his own.

His eyes were gently closed, his long lashes casting a small shadow beneath them. His breathing was steady and deep. With every inhalation and exhalation, the surrounding energy of heaven and earth stirred faintly and silently gathered before him.

After a while, once Xiao Ling had settled his mind and reopened his eyes, the aura around him had completely withdrawn, concealed until it was nearly formless and traceless. Only his eyes remained, deep and still as ancient wells, yet seeming to contain slowly flowing lava. Their brilliant glow made even the air around him appear slightly warped.

At that moment, he interlaced the fingers of both hands and began forming seals.

His fingertips were not made of ordinary metal, yet they faintly glimmered with a light that shared the same origin as the Heavenly Flames within him while remaining subtly different, like stardust flowing across them.

With every change in his hand seals, concentrated seal formulas nearly tangible in form burst forth from his fingertips. Accompanied by a low hum, they intertwined and collided several feet before him, ultimately condensing into an obscure and profound formation of light, as though it could invoke