Battle Through the Heavens: The Road to Rise Begins at Canaan Academy

Qin Chen beckoned with his hand, and the jade bottle containing the Ice Spirit Cold Spring flew out of the jade box and into his palm. He then poured the Ice Spirit Cold Spring into his mouth.

As the scorching sensation in his body subsided, Qin Chen immediately steadied his mind and began controlling the wisps of green flame along a special route.

Using the mutual attraction between the green flames, Qin Chen gradually gathered the green sparks scattered throughout his meridians.

When the last wisp of green flame had been gathered, the flames slowly fused together. Before long, they condensed into a tiny stream of green magma.

Seeing this, Qin Chen was delighted. Enduring the pain, he hurriedly guided the green magma to continue circulating through his meridians.

As the green magma continued to circulate through his meridians, Qin Chen grew increasingly adept at controlling the Green Lotus Core Flame, but the pain coursing through his body became ever more intense.

After an unknown amount of time, the high temperature constantly released by the Green Lotus Core Flame finally began to slowly recede, giving off a docile feeling.

"Sure enough, it hurts like hell..."

Feeling the green magma repairing his meridians and his strength steadily rising, Qin Chen revealed a wry smile.

Returning his focus to the outside world, Qin Chen raised his hand and inhaled sharply. The tiny Spirit-Absorbing Stone within the jade box transformed into a gray streak of light and shot straight into his body, becoming a tiny gray point of light.

Qin Chen continued to focus inward, guiding the Green Lotus Core Flame toward the gray point of light formed by the Spirit-Absorbing Stone.

After approaching the point of light, the Green Lotus Core Flame seemed to sense danger. It merely hovered around the Spirit-Absorbing Stone, stubbornly refusing to enter.

"Damn it!"

Qin Chen cursed inwardly. Of course, he could forcibly press the flame seed into the space formed by the Spirit-Absorbing Stone, but that was not what he wanted. He had no desire to end up like the Pure Lotus Demon Saint.

After thinking rapidly for a moment, a ruthless glint flashed through Qin Chen's eyes. He drew over two jade bottles from nearby and placed a green lotus seed and a Blood Lotus Pill into his mouth.

Then Qin Chen closed his eyes and sent all the pure energy transformed from the Earthfire Lotus Seed into the space formed by the Spirit-Absorbing Stone.

The medicinal effect of the Blood Lotus Pill also erupted swiftly within his body, and the blood membrane that had nearly been depleted regenerated.

After sensing the cold, yin energy within Qin Chen's body, the Green Lotus Core Flame looked at the gray point of light filled with an aura homologous to its own. It hesitated briefly before finally swaying its body and swimming toward the point of light.

"Finally succeeded..."

Feeling the Green Lotus Core Flame resting quietly inside the Spirit-Absorbing Stone, Qin Chen was greatly relieved.

Just then, Qin Chen felt an immense and pure energy continuously flowing from the Spirit-Absorbing Stone. This energy was so pure that he did not even need to circulate his cultivation technique. It simply transformed into specks of green light and merged into every part of his body.

After thinking about it briefly, Qin Chen quickly understood the reason: this was the immense energy the Green Lotus Core Flame had accumulated over nearly a thousand years.

After all, energy could neither be created from nothing nor vanish into nothing. This theory still applied even in a fantasy world.

This was the perfect opportunity to advance!

Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Chen swiftly formed hand seals and entered a cultivation state. As time passed bit by bit, his strength continued to rise...

Seven days later.

Inside the cave, Qin Chen slowly opened his eyes. A powerful aura then spread from his body. He clenched his fist, feeling the unprecedented strength within him, his heart filled with excitement.

"The energy contained within the Green Lotus Core Flame really is terrifying. It directly allowed me to break through from a five-star Dou King to a seven-star Dou King."

Qin Chen could clearly feel that his meridians had widened considerably compared to before, and his Dou Qi flowed far more smoothly. The difference was like heaven and earth.

And those were not the only benefits. After being tempered by the Heavenly Flame, the Dou Qi in his body had not only become increasingly pure, but every strand of it also carried a faint trace of green flame, radiating a scorching and domineering aura.

(Reason: In the original novel, Xiao Yan first refined the Green Lotus Core Flame, then used it to evolve the Flame Mantra. After refining the Heavenly Flame, Xiao Yan's strength directly soared from a two-star Dou Practitioner to a four-star Dou Practitioner. In addition, in Chapter 1774 of the original novel, Huo Xuan's strength surged to high-level Half-Saint after refining the Eight Desolations Annihilating Flame. Therefore, I believe it is reasonable for refining a Heavenly Flame to greatly increase one's strength. Could the immense energy it had accumulated over hundreds or thousands of years simply disappear into thin air after it was refined?)

"What a pity. A great deal of energy dissipated during the absorption process just now. It seems that route for devouring energy is unique to the Flame Mantra. Without cultivating the Flame Mantra, one can only rely on oneself to absorb this immense energy."

Rubbing his chin, Qin Chen thought to himself, In that case, my increase in strength is actually inferior to that of a Flame Mantra cultivator. Xiao Yan in the original novel only rose by two stars during the Dou Practitioner stage. It seems that aside from part of the energy being used to evolve the cultivation technique, Medusa's evolution must have consumed most of the energy.

Qin Chen slowly stood up and stretched lazily. His bones crackled loudly. Looking at the cave, which had become completely unrecognizable, he could not help but smile before walking out.

If he had failed to refine it, he would probably have ended up a hundred times worse than this cave.

"Congratulations, Young Master, on successfully subduing the Heavenly Flame."

The moment Qin Chen stepped out of the cave, Qing Lin, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately came forward. Seeing how happy the little girl was, anyone unaware of the situation might have thought she was the one who had successfully refined the Heavenly Flame.

Pinching Qing Lin's fair little face, Qin Chen chuckled softly. "It was all thanks to Qing Lin. Otherwise, let alone refining the Heavenly Flame, I probably would not even have found a trace of it."

Qing Lin's cheeks turned red from Qin Chen's pinch, and she quickly changed the subject. "Young Master, what should we do next?" Qing Lin needed to rest.

Qin Chen rubbed his chin and pondered for a moment before saying softly, "Let's go to the Flame Bone Mountain Range first. If things go smoothly, we can go meet the woman that old gentleman is afraid of afterward."

Just as Qing Lin was about to say something, Qin Chen curled his lips and teased, "But there's no rush. Let's rest first. Qing Lin protected me for so long, so you must be exhausted."

Hearing this, warmth welled up in Qing Lin's heart...

The Flame Bone Mountain Range, the legendary site of an ancient volcanic eruption.

From afar, the entire mountain range appeared dark and charred, as though it had been scorched by blazing flames countless times. A pungent smell permeated the air, and one could vaguely feel the searing heat radiating from within the mountains. Even from some distance away, Qin Chen could feel waves of stinging pain on his skin.

As a result, there was nowhere to stand around the mountain range. Qin Chen could only hold Qing Lin as they hovered in the air.

Earth Core Pearl, First Meeting with Medusa ### "Young Master, why have we come here?" Qing Lin blinked her large eyes in Qin Chen's arms, her little face full of confusion.

Qin Chen chuckled and asked, "Qing Lin, do you still remember that pool of magma where we found the Heavenly Flame?"

Qing Lin had a sudden realization and said brightly, "Of course I remember. Did Young Master come here to look for treasure too? Should Qing Lin release Little Red?"

Little Red was naturally the name of the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake. Qing Lin had asked Qin Chen to name it. Qin Chen had originally wanted to refuse because he knew full well how poor his naming talent was, but the little girl had pestered him so relentlessly that he eventually gave in.

"We did come here to search for treasure, but this time, I won't need to go down personally."

After speaking, Qin Chen slowly closed his eyes and sank his awareness into the Heavenly Flame within his body, sensing it carefully.

A moment later, he suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze became as sharp as an eagle's, locking onto one dormant volcano.

"Come out!"

As Qin Chen's low shout rang out, the Heavenly Flame in his body suddenly erupted. That volcano trembled violently, and countless chunks of rock burst forth amid thick smoke.

Scorching magma flowed slowly down the ravines of the mountain like an awakened giant dragon. Wherever it passed, the already sparse vegetation instantly turned to charcoal.

Qing Lin stared in stunned disbelief from his arms. Her lively eyes had widened round, and she muttered, "Th-this is incredible!"

She had not expected Young Master's Heavenly Flame to possess such power that it could forcibly stir a volcano dormant for years into eruption.

There was not the slightest ripple on Qin Chen's face. His eyes remained fixed on the erupting volcano. A moment later, his gaze sharpened, and he grabbed toward the front with his right hand. A massive flaming palm instantly condensed and fiercely reached toward the magma in midair.

The flaming palm seemed to possess a life of its own as it precisely wrapped around the blood-red orb within the magma. Qin Chen flicked his arm, and the flaming palm slowly flew back, carrying the orb that radiated scorching heat.

When the red orb flew before him, Qin Chen reached out and seized it in his palm. The instant it touched his hand, incomparably pure fire-attributed energy surged from his palm into his meridians, making the Dou Qi in his body stir slightly.

"Found you, Earth Core Pearl!"

The Earth Core Pearl, also known as the Earth Core Fire Pearl, was a special energy body condensed from pure energy deep within the earth over countless years.

It contained vast energy and could gather fire-attributed energy. Using it for cultivation could yield twice the result with half the effort.

Not only could the Earth Core Pearl be used to refine eighth-tier or even ninth-tier medicinal pills, it could also be refined into an Earth Core Thunder Pearl through special methods.

The Earth Core Thunder Pearl could not only be consumed, but was also a powerful killing weapon. If a Dou Venerable expert were struck head-on, even if they did not die, they would be severely injured.

More importantly, because it contained pure fire-attributed energy, the Earth Core Thunder Pearl had an immense restraining effect on soul bodies.

However, since Earth Core Pearls formed deep beneath the earth, they were generally extremely difficult to find. Even if one was discovered by chance, anyone lacking sufficient strength could not extract it. But for Qin Chen, who possessed the Green Lotus Core Flame, obtaining one was as easy as turning over his hand.

With this thing...

"Hehe." Looking in the direction of the Misty Cloud Sect, Qin Chen revealed a meaningful smile.

Next, Qin Chen searched the entire Flame Bone Mountain Range and eventually found three Earth Core Pearls. Satisfied, he stored the treasures in his storage ring and smiled. "Let's go, Qing Lin. We're heading back."

As soon as he spoke, the wings on Qin Chen's back flapped. Carrying Qing Lin, he flew toward the Tagore Desert, leaving behind only the volcanic range still spewing thick smoke.

Deep within the desert, inside a magnificent palace.

A bewitchingly beautiful woman reclined lazily against a resplendent golden throne. Yet upon closer inspection, one could see a clear trace of worry on her alluring face.

"A Heavenly Flame?"

At a certain moment, surprise flashed through her soul-stirring purple eyes, and her gaze instinctively turned northeast.

From that direction, she sensed a familiar, violent aura, identical to the aura from the magma world several days ago.

Medusa's red lips curled slightly, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes. "I thought we were fated to miss each other, but I never expected you to deliver yourself to my doorstep."

With that, her figure flashed, transforming into a streak of pale purple light as she shot out of the palace. A fierce gust of wind rose in her wake as she sped toward the source of the aura.

In the Tagore Desert, among a cluster of dunes rarely visited by anyone.

Qin Chen stored the medicine cauldron before him into his storage ring. Looking at the dozen or so smooth, dark-red orbs floating in his hand, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

These were the Earth Core Thunder Pearls he had refined from a single Earth Core Pearl. The energy contained within an Earth Core Pearl was simply too immense; it could cripple even a Dou Venerable expert in an explosion. Qin Chen could not possibly refine the entire Earth Core Pearl into one Earth Core Thunder Pearl.

Looking at Qing Lin, who stood timidly to one side, Qin Chen placed several Earth Core Thunder Pearls into a jade bottle and handed it to her with a smile. "Qing Lin, put these beads into your storage ring first. Later, I'll demonstrate how to use them."

"Alright, Young Master." Qing Lin carefully stored the Earth Core Thunder Pearls in her storage ring, then asked, "Young Master, now that the refinement is complete, should we leave this place?"

Qin Chen chuckled, stored the remaining Earth Core Thunder Pearls in his storage ring, and said, "No rush. Let's wait for a guest first."

"Who is Young Master waiting for?"

"In this Tagore Desert, who else is worthy of my waiting besides the infamous Queen Medusa?"

At this point, Qin Chen turned toward a dune not far away and smiled. "Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"

The moment his words fell, a faint rustling sound came from behind the dune. Then, a graceful figure slowly appeared before them.

The woman wore a purple brocade robe patterned with snakes, outlining breathtaking curves. Her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her peerless face carried an innate charm and majesty at the corners of her brows.

"Gulp!"

Qin Chen swallowed involuntarily. It was not that his self-control was lacking, but simply an instinctive reaction. The woman before him was far too outstanding in both appearance and bearing. Across both his lives, he had never encountered anyone so breathtakingly beautiful.

Uh...

Alright, to put it bluntly, he was lustful. After all, he had not reached the saintly state of being unmoved by all desires. It was only natural for such a stunning beauty to stir faint ripples in his heart, so long as it did not interfere with anything.

Besides, he had never intended to become a saint.

What was cultivation for? Was it not for freedom and ease?

If cultivation meant erasing one's instinctive desires, then what was the point of cultivating at all? He might as well smash his head into a block of tofu and die.