Inside the Fire Altar, the Nine Dragon Fire Vein suddenly trembled.
The fire lotus in Xiao Fan's palm abruptly contracted. The Void Black Pattern stirred for an instant, as though it wanted to counterattack and devour the thunderfire. Tang Zhen's expression shifted slightly, and just as he was about to intervene, a flash of golden light flickered from Xiao Fan's chest.
The light was exceedingly faint.
It vanished in a flash.
Yet in that instant, the black pattern within the fire lotus was forcibly suppressed back into the depths of its fiery core.
Xiao Fan opened his eyes.
A wisp of unextinguished black flame still lingered in those eyes, but it quickly settled.
He raised his hand and slowly curled his fingers.
The fire lotus transformed into a tiny fire seal in his palm before ultimately merging into his flesh.
The Colorless Fire had not grown more intense.
But it had become steadier.
Between the Bone Chilling Flame and the Void Black Pattern, there was now an extremely faint pattern of thunder energy, like a chain, yet also like a bridge.
Xiao Fan let out a breath of stale air.
When that breath fell upon the Fire Altar, it carried three layers of flame—cold white, crimson gold, and black—before he suppressed them all.
Shock flashed through Tang Zhen's eyes.
"What a terrifying fire heart."
He said it very softly.
But Tang Huo'er heard him.
She looked at Xiao Fan and asked softly, "Did it work?"
Xiao Fan rose to his feet. His green robe had already been dried by the heat, though the sweat at his temples had yet to fully fade.
He glanced at Tang Huo'er and nodded.
"Halfway."
Tang Huo'er stepped closer.
"And the other half?"
"Time."
"Or more fire."
The corners of her lips curved slightly.
"Then