First Trial of Heartfire, Fifty Percent Strength

The moment Shen Shuyun said this, everyone's eyes fell on Zhao Ziqi.

Zhao Ziqi was not very old, only eighteen or nineteen. His complexion was somewhat dark, but his features were regular, with thick brows, large eyes, and a piercingly bright gaze.

Yet one could tell at a glance that he was not good with words. Since Lu Xuan and the others had entered the hall, he had spoken little beyond returning their greetings.

But upon hearing Shen Shuyun's request, he immediately perked up. He raised his head, met her graceful, slightly upturned phoenix eyes, and said without hesitation:

"Since it is Senior Sister's request, I am naturally willing!"

This scene naturally did not escape the notice of Lu Xuan and the other two.

The three exchanged subtle glances, each gaining some understanding of the relationship between Shen Shuyun and Zhao Ziqi.

Zhang Xuange even shook his head lightly and sighed.

But whatever path one took in life was one's own pursuit, so Lu Xuan and the others naturally would not meddle.

Shen Shuyun smiled radiantly at Zhao Ziqi. "Then many thanks, Junior Brother."

With that, she turned to Lu Xuan.

Understanding her meaning, Lu Xuan immediately cupped his hands toward them. "Then I ask Senior Brother Zhao for guidance."

By custom, when the Crimson Cloud Sect came to exchange alchemy principles, apart from Foundation Establishment Mystic Masters, the accompanying disciples were not highly cultivated. Their realms generally matched those of the Alchemy Office disciples of Hibernation Academy's current class.

Thus, Zhao Ziqi was also at the Qi Refining First Layer. However, he had begun Qi Refining earlier, and his Qi Sea was already eighty percent full, on the verge of reaching the threshold of the Qi Refining Second Layer.

Still, a contest of heartfire had little to do with one's Qi Sea cultivation.

Hearing this, Zhao Ziqi pulled his gaze away from Shen Shuyun and looked at Lu Xuan. Collecting himself, he said solemnly, "Junior Brother, do as you please."

Lu Xuan shook his head. "My heartfire is exceptionally vast and also exceedingly sharp. Senior Brother must be careful. If you cannot withstand it, I will stop at once. Do not force yourself."

Zhao Ziqi glanced at Shen Shuyun from the corner of his eye. Seeing that her expression had not changed, he could only say, "Junior Brother, simply release your heartfire. I will be careful."

Lu Xuan nodded, then said, "Senior Brother, be careful. I will first use fifty percent of my strength."

"Fifty percent?"

"Junior Brother Lu, there is no need to worry. I too have cultivated heartfire. What can fifty percent strength possibly test? Go ahead—I can withstand it."

Zhao Ziqi laughed upon hearing this.

Lu Xuan had repeatedly stressed that his heartfire was powerful, and Zhao Ziqi naturally believed him. After all, he was a disciple of the Heaven-Gazing Sect. But fifty percent strength was simply looking down on him too much.

He too had gathered True Qi and cultivated the Heartfire Dao Art!

"Let us first try fifty percent strength."

Lu Xuan held firm.

"Fine, fine, fine. Then come, Junior Brother!"

Though Zhao Ziqi dismissed it inwardly, he still agreed.

Lu Xuan no longer hesitated and immediately activated [Burning Heart Sunfire].

"Boom!!"

In an instant, invisible flames seemed to descend from beyond the heavens, falling into Zhao Ziqi's Consciousness Sea in the blink of an eye.

They were scorching and blazing, like the light of a great sun, seeking to burn everything dry.

In only an instant, Zhao Ziqi felt his Consciousness Sea grow boiling hot, his thoughts on the verge of igniting, as though his entire Consciousness Sea were about to be burned to ashes.

"How is this possible?!"

"This is fifty percent strength?!"

Zhao Ziqi had wanted to put on a good showing before Shen Shuyun. Thus, the moment Lu Xuan spoke, he had already activated his own Heartfire Dao Art. Within his Consciousness Sea, a cluster of invisible flame stood ready to erupt, waiting only for Lu Xuan.

Yet when that terrifying heartfire, blazing like sunlight, fell upon his mind, his heartfire technique was like a fledgling swallow returning to its nest, like snow beneath the sun—instantly "melted" into it.

"How could this be?!"

For a moment, he was utterly shocked and could scarcely believe it.

"Rise for me!"

He roared inwardly, activating his Heartfire Dao Art once more and using all his strength. Invisible flames ignited from his thoughts and crashed into Lu Xuan's [Burning Heart Sunfire].

"Boom!"

An invisible tremor rang out within Zhao Ziqi's thoughts.

"Ah!"

But in the next instant, he suddenly raised his hand and fiercely slapped at his face and hair.

As though some terrifying flames were scorching him there.

Yet in Shen Shuyun and the others' eyes, Zhao Ziqi looked perfectly normal, without even a spark on his body.

At that moment, Lu Xuan had already withdrawn [Burning Heart Sunfire].

"Senior Brother Zhao, are you all right?"

Lu Xuan asked with concern.

This was his first time using [Burning Heart Sunfire] against an enemy. Yet he knew this fire had been enhanced by an ancient character and was already extraordinary, which was why he had tested it with fifty percent of his strength.

But he had not expected it to be so fierce nonetheless. Fortunately, he had stopped in time and had not injured Zhao Ziqi.

"Whew!"

Zhao Ziqi could not help continuing to slap at his face until he confirmed there was no fire. Only then did he let out a long breath.

That intense burning sensation had not been an illusion. His thoughts had been unable to withstand the heartfire and had begun to burn, making him think he truly was on fire.

Fortunately, Lu Xuan had withdrawn his power in time.

"It is nothing, nothing. Junior Brother, what sort of heartfire have you cultivated? How is it so explosive and fierce?"

Zhao Ziqi could not help asking.

"Heartfire is for killing, so it is naturally somewhat fiercer. It is good that Senior Brother is unharmed."

Lu Xuan smiled without explaining further.

The others nearby were all slightly startled as well.

They had thought there would be an intense clash of heartfire, yet it had ended in an instant, like rotten wood breaking before a blade.

But the scorching sensation in the air, enough to make their thoughts heat up, told them that none of it had been false.

Shen Shuyun's eyes lit up.

If Lu Xuan and Zhao Ziqi had remained deadlocked, then even if Lu Xuan won, he would not have been able to help her refine the Suspended Heart Millet Pearl Pill.

To refine this pill, one needed such surging, fierce heartfire in order to melt [Unburnt Wood].

But she still needed to make certain.

"Junior Brother Zhao, can this fire melt Unburnt Wood?"

She urgently asked Zhao Ziqi.

Zhao Ziqi had only just recovered from that terrifying burning sensation, but upon hearing Shen Shuyun's voice, he immediately replied:

"Junior Brother Lu's heartfire emerges from the great sun and belongs to the Dao of [Burning]. It is fierce and domineering, and can melt and refine wood of the Unburnt kind."

Unburnt Wood was an unusual kind of wood. As its name implied, it was wood that could not be burned away.

To put it plainly, it could not be set aflame and therefore could not turn to ash.

All manner of flames in the world fell upon this wood like trying to scoop the moon from water. It could even vanish from one's sight; only by closing one's eyes and sensing with invisible intent could one perceive its existence. It was exceedingly mysterious.

Thus, only heartfire could make this wood burn.

Having received Zhao Ziqi's answer, Shen Shuyun finally smiled. She immediately turned to Lu Xuan and said:

"Junior Brother's heartfire is domineering indeed. Shuyun admires it. Better to seize the day than await a better one—today, let us study the alchemy principles together. Once we have finished, we will immediately light the furnace. What do you say?"

She had obtained these pill formulas long ago and was already thoroughly familiar with all their methods for controlling fire and refining ingredients. But Lu Xuan did not know them, so she needed to explain the key points before he could lend her a hand.

Lu Xuan naturally had no objection and immediately nodded in agreement.

Zhao Ziqi, standing nearby, spoke up. "Senior Sister, I can lend a hand as well."

Under ordinary circumstances, Shen Shuyun would naturally have agreed. But this pill was precious, and she did not want too many people to know of it.

Naturally, however, she would not say so directly. Smiling like a blooming flower, she softly said to Zhao Ziqi:

"Junior Brother Zhao, you were just injured by Junior Brother Lu's heartfire. Your most urgent task is to rest and recover properly. As for this pill, Junior Brother Lu and I will be enough. There is no need to trouble you."

"The next time I refine pills, I will ask for Junior Brother's help."