Only Eight or Nine Chances out of Ten? Then I Really Wouldn't Dare Try It

Misty Cloud Sect.

Inside a spacious stone chamber.

Yun Shan, Yun Yun, and Nalan Yanran were all present.

Yet the protagonist today was Ji Changqing, seated cross-legged on a Meditation Mat.

"Changqing..."

Yun Shan stood with his right hand behind his back, his white robe embroidered with cloud patterns lending him an immortal, ethereal air.

His voice was calm and faint as it slowly echoed through the stone chamber.

"Heavenly Flames are wondrous treasures born of heaven and earth."

"Their energy is incomparably violent, filled with extreme destructive power."

"Not to mention you—even I must treat them with caution."

Ji Changqing sighed inwardly, though he put on a nervous expression and nodded.

"Patriarch, Changqing understands."

"Heh. Still, there is no need to worry too much."

There was no emotion on Yun Shan's handsome face, yet he somehow gave off an absolute confidence that looked down upon all things.

"Your master spent nearly half the sect's reserves to find five sets of heavenly materials and earthly treasures for refining Heavenly Flames."

"Together with my protection, there should be an eighty or ninety percent chance of success."

Hearing this, Ji Changqing secretly shook his head.

Luckily, he had two types of Heavenly Flames within his body, as well as the Great Five Elements Derivation Heaven Art. Refining a lower-ranked Heavenly Flame was practically effortless for him.

Otherwise, with only an eighty or ninety percent chance of success, he really would not dare try it.

When Yun Yun saw that Ji Changqing remained silent,

she thought he was afraid.

So she comforted him gently.

"Changqing, don't be afraid. With those heavenly treasures and your patriarch protecting you, everything will be fine."

Though Yun Yun said this, the terror of Heavenly Flames flashed through her mind, and she could not help adding,

"If... if you truly cannot endure it during the refinement process, then we will give up."

Nalan Yanran, who was clutching the hem of her clothes, hurriedly agreed.

"Master is right. Senior Brother Changqing, don't force yourself."

"Foolish!"

Yun Shan let out a low shout, his brows furrowing as he said sternly,

"What an opportunity is a Heavenly Flame to an alchemist? Even Gu He can only dream of obtaining one!"

"Now that Changqing has the fortune to refine a Heavenly Flame, you two are saying such discouraging words? This is nothing but women's softheartedness!"

Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran could not help lowering their heads.

"Changqing!"

Yun Shan turned to look at Ji Changqing.

"I am about to draw out the Heavenly Flame. The temperature will rise to terrifying levels, but my Dou Qi will shield you from it, making it much more bearable. Do not panic!"

Ji Changqing nodded heavily.

"Patriarch, I understand!"

"Phew—"

Yun Shan slowly exhaled.

A trace of solemnity finally appeared on his usually indifferent face.

This was, after all, a Heavenly Flame born of heaven and earth.

Even he had to take it seriously.

"Go—!"

Yun Shan formed a series of hand seals.

A special Storage Ring was tossed into the air.

Then, the Storage Ring slowly merged apart, and strands of strange green flame rose from within as though they possessed life.

As soon as that green flame appeared,

the stone chamber, built entirely from rock, showed signs of melting.

The temperature was simply too terrifying.

Even the space throughout the chamber was being scorched into distortion.

"Yanran, retreat!"

A trace of horror flashed through Yun Yun's beautiful eyes.

Although she had long anticipated the terror of a Heavenly Flame,

it still far exceeded her imagination.

Pulling Nalan Yanran back more than a dozen steps, Yun Yun nervously called to Yun Shan,

"Master, you must protect Changqing!"

"Don't worry. Everything is under control."

Yun Shan calmly replied to Yun Yun as he discreetly cut away several strands of hair that had been warped by the heat.

His vast Dou Qi enveloped Ji Changqing, and he tossed a crystal lotus seat from his sleeve.

When the Heavenly Flame was drawn onto the crystal lotus seat, the terrifying temperature abruptly dropped.

It was still difficult to endure, but much better than before.

"Changqing, can you do it?"

Yun Shan looked at Ji Changqing.

Ji Changqing looked as though he had just come out of a steam room, drenched in sweat from head to toe.

His originally fair skin had cracked and peeled in a horrifying manner, making him look like a half-cooked shrimp.

"Patriarch, I can endure it."

"Good!"

Yun Shan praised him.

To be honest, he had not liked Ji Changqing much before.

He had even once regretted giving Ji Changqing the title of Yunlan Saint Son.

But today, he had discovered Ji Changqing's strengths—unyielding perseverance, a willingness to fight, and the courage to risk himself for opportunities.

Such a disciple delighted him.

"Changqing, I will send the Heavenly Flame before you. Quickly take the Blood Bodhi Pill with the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, then seize that strand of Origin Fire!"

"The spirit of the Heavenly Flame is violent. If it resists fiercely, do not be afraid!"

As the Green Lotus Core Flame drifted toward him,

Ji Changqing was being roasted more and more horribly.

His skin was splitting and flesh tearing apart; there was even the scent of cooked meat.

Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran watched with tears welling in their eyes.

Following Yun Shan's instructions, Ji Changqing took the Blood Bodhi Pill with the Ice Spirit Cold Spring.

He only felt a chill pierce straight through him, refreshing him to the core.

It was indeed quite comfortable.

A layer of blood-colored crystals coated the meridians within his body, presumably the effect of the Blood Bodhi Pill.

Gritting his teeth, he slowly stretched out his hand toward the Heavenly Flame, making it look as though every inch took tremendous effort.

But in the next instant, the Green Lotus Core Flame drifted backward.

Ji Changqing: "?"

Yun Shan, Yun Yun, and Nalan Yanran: "?"

Ji Changqing's eyelid twitched. He continued extending his shriveled, heat-scorched hand toward the Green Lotus Core Flame.

The Green Lotus Core Flame drifted backward again.

This time, the green flame even swayed uneasily, as though it were afraid of something.

Yun Shan was dumbfounded.

Were Heavenly Flames really this cowardly?

Weren't they supposed to be the most violent things born of heaven and earth?

Why did it keep avoiding him?

"Master, this..."

Nalan Yanran's cultivation was too low for her to understand what this meant.

Yun Yun, meanwhile, looked at Yun Shan in confusion.

Yun Shan raised a hand to stop Yun Yun from speaking, then gave Ji Changqing a strange look.

That glance made Ji Changqing's heart skip a beat.

Of course, he knew what was happening.

The Green Lotus Core Flame feared the fused Heavenly Flame within his body.

And this fear was the suppression of a superior bloodline over an inferior one. There was no way to conceal it.

Ji Changqing was sweating profusely.

He did not want to expose himself.

If he did not keep several dozen trump cards hidden, he simply could not feel safe.

At that moment, Ji Changqing instead activated the fused Heavenly Flame within him. Pale red flames surged through his meridians like a flood.

The Green Lotus Core Flame was heavily suppressed.

Without giving it time to react, Ji Changqing thrust one hand out and plunged it into the Green Lotus Core Flame.

"Urgh..."

Pain appeared on Ji Changqing's face.

He clenched his teeth tightly. From exerting too much force, thin streams of blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, only to be vaporized by the heat in an instant.

All that remained were streaks of blood scabs congealed across his face, making him look incomparably ferocious.

"Changqing!"

Yun Shan and Yun Yun no longer cared whether anything was strange or not.

Their expressions changed, and they hurriedly flashed to Ji Changqing's side.