Heavens Void Hall

Tang Wulin tilted his head back to look at "Aunt Green," who radiated a gentle green glow, then timidly glanced at the two imposing statues deep within the hall. His childish voice echoed through the vast, empty chamber. "Aunt Green, where exactly are we? That lady's statue looks like you, but... why is there also an uncle who looks so scary?"

At his words, the Goddess of Life's expression softened, tinged with complicated emotions. She crouched down, gently took Tang Wulin's little hand, and pointed to the kindly goddess statue on the left, entwined with emerald vines. "You're very clever, little Wulin. This place lies deep within your Sea of Consciousness. It's called the Heavens Void Hall."

She paused, a trace of remembrance and longing appearing in her eyes, then continued, "That lady is me, your Aunt Green. This statue depicts the Goddess of Life."

"Me?" Tang Wulin's mouth fell open in surprise. He looked back at the sacred stone statue, then at the gentle Aunt Green before him, finding it utterly wondrous.

"Yes." The Goddess of Life nodded, then turned toward the statue on the right: a stern man in purple robes, surrounded by a Destruction Aura. Her voice grew much gentler. "As for that uncle... he may look very stern, but he isn't a bad person. He's Aunt Green's husband, and the only being in this world who can stand by her side. That statue depicts the God of Destruction."

"Husband?" Tang Wulin only half understood, but hearing that the man was Aunt Green's family dispelled much of his fear.

"That's right." The Goddess of Life smiled faintly and gathered Tang Wulin into her arms. Pointing to the Hexagram Magic Array beneath their feet, she explained, "This place appeared because of a mysterious balance. When the two ultimate powers of 'life' and 'destruction' coexist within a single living being, this place awakens."

"This Magic Array is the heart of the hall." She pointed to the pulsing halo at its center, a mysterious gleam flashing through her eyes. "It possesses the mighty power to connect the countless worlds of the heavens and cross the long river of time and space. Little Wulin, you can use it to summon any powerful expert from countless planes to teach you."

"Teach me?" Tang Wulin's eyes instantly lit up like two little stars.

"Yes." The Goddess of Life nodded and smiled. "You can summon a teacher. Although he can only teach you for one day, that 'day' is measured in the outside world's time. Time flows differently here. One day here is equivalent to fifty days outside. In other words, you can study with him in this little space for a full fifty days, while only a single day passes in the outside world."

Tang Wulin listened, dumbstruck, before his little face flushed red with excitement. "Fifty days? Doesn't that mean I can learn lots and lots of amazing skills?"

"Of course." The Goddess of Life's eyes brimmed with affection. "What do you think, little Wulin? Would you like to try it now? Summon a powerful expert from another world?"

"Yes! I want to try!" Tang Wulin nodded eagerly.

Under the Goddess of Life's guidance, Tang Wulin stretched out his chubby little hands and carefully pressed them against the pulsing halo at the center of the Magic Array.

"Concentrate. Think of the person you want to summon," the Goddess of Life's voice sounded beside his ear.

Tang Wulin closed his eyes. His mind was blank except for one thought: I want a really powerful teacher...

"Humm—!"

The Magic Array beneath his feet erupted with dazzling golden light! Its radiance nearly illuminated the entire hall, even eclipsing the two statues representing God Kings on either side.

Space began to twist, and time seemed to freeze at that very moment.

Within the golden pillar of light, a figure slowly took shape.

At first, there was only a blurred outline. Then that outline grew clear.

It was a young man. He looked no more than fifteen or sixteen, dressed in fitted black clothing with strange red cloud patterns embroidered on his cuffs. His face was handsome, his brow marked by an innate pride and resolve. Long black hair fell loosely over his shoulders. Standing there, he resembled a sharp sword that had yet to leave its sheath, yet already displayed its keen edge.

Most striking of all were his eyes. They were as deep as the night sky, and far beneath their calm surface, a cluster of unnerving black flames seemed to burn.

The young man looked down at himself, then around at this strange space, a flicker of confusion and wariness crossing his eyes. He clearly did not understand why he had suddenly appeared here.

"Where... is this?"

The young man spoke in a clear voice, carrying the distinctive resonance of youth.

Looking at the black-clad young man who had appeared so suddenly, Tang Wulin withdrew his hands in bewilderment and tilted his head back. "Who... who are you?"

At his words, the black-clad young man turned, his gaze falling on the tiny child of only four or five. He paused briefly, then his lips curved into a confident, unrestrained smile—the composure of someone truly strong.

"Me?"

The young man clasped his hands behind his back. Though he stood in an unfamiliar place, he showed no fear, as if nothing between heaven and earth could make him retreat.

"My name is Xiao Yan."

Looking at Tang Wulin, a trace of curiosity flashed through the young man's eyes. "Little fellow, where is this? And were you the one who summoned me?"

Tang Wulin listened in a daze. Although he had no idea who "Xiao Yan" was, his instincts told him that this big brother was incredibly powerful!

The Goddess of Life appeared beside them. Looking at the black-clad young man, recognition and appreciation flickered through her eyes. She spoke softly beside Tang Wulin's ear. "It seems you're quite lucky, little Wulin. This is none other than the... Flame Emperor from the Dou Qi Continent."

"The Flame Emperor?" Tang Wulin widened his eyes, looking at the young man who did not seem much older than himself, his heart filled with curiosity.

After hearing the Goddess of Life explain the "countless worlds of the heavens" and the "flow of time," Xiao Yan's nerves, which had been slightly taut from his sudden passage into another world, relaxed completely. He thought of the sweet, adorable daughter he had only recently met—Xiao Xiao.

"So that's how it is." Xiao Yan rubbed his chin, understanding and relief flickering through his dark eyes. "In other words, if I spend a day here, only a little time will pass outside? As long as it won't delay me too much, that's fine."

He had only just reunited with his daughter, and his heart was brimming with tenderness. If he spent all his time here, even to teach a member of the younger generation, he would inevitably have regrets. But with time flowing in such a peculiar way, he could pass on his skills here without any worries.

Besides, the little fellow named Tang Wulin before him had a stubborn resilience and pure goodness shining through his large, clear eyes. Xiao Yan had met countless people. With a single glance, he felt that this child's character and temperament suited him perfectly, reminding him a little of his own younger self.

"Little fellow, your name is Wulin, right?" Xiao Yan crouched down to meet Tang Wulin's eyes, a gentle, encouraging smile appearing on his face. "Since Aunt Green asked me to teach you for a day, I, Xiao Yan, won't be stingy. Being your teacher for this one day is a bond of fate in its own right."

Tang Wulin only half understood, but obediently nodded anyway. "Yes! Big Brother Xiao Yan!"

"Good! Straightforward!" Xiao Yan laughed heartily, then his expression grew serious. "Looking at that little body of yours, you haven't formally begun cultivating Battle Qi, but you have a good foundation. I have a few things to give you as a first-meeting gift, and to lay the groundwork for the road ahead."

With that, Xiao Yan stood and lightly pressed his right hand against empty space.

"First technique, Eight Extremes Collapse!"

Xiao Yan gave a low shout and thrust out his right hand, striking empty space with a seemingly weightless palm. Yet a series of sharp cracks rang through the air like beans popping—the sonic booms produced when power erupted to its utmost within an extremely short distance!

"This move emphasizes explosive power over an inch. It looks simple, but its might is boundless, making it an excellent method for close combat," Xiao Yan explained as he demonstrated the essential movements. "Though you're young, practicing this move can help lay a firm foundation for controlling your strength."

Tang Wulin stared wide-eyed at Xiao Yan's movements, his little mind desperately committing every detail to memory.

Immediately afterward, Xiao Yan flickered, his entire body turning into an afterimage that left several faint trails within the hall.

"Second technique, Three Thousand Thunder Movement!"

Xiao Yan instantly returned to his original spot. Looking at the dumbstruck Tang Wulin, he explained, "This is a movement combat technique. It emphasizes speed and the swift, decisive force of thunder. Although you don't have Battle Qi to support it yet, you can begin by practicing nimble footwork."

These two techniques, one for attack and one for speed, left Tang Wulin dazzled and thrilled.

Yet Xiao Yan's next action caused even the Goddess of Life beside them to show a slight change of expression.

Xiao Yan's expression grew more solemn than ever before, driven by his instincts as a father and as a powerful expert. He extended one finger. At its tip danced an exceedingly faint wisp of black flame that nevertheless radiated terrifying heat.

"The third thing is also the most important." Looking at Tang Wulin, Xiao Yan spoke each word distinctly. "Flame Mantra!"

"Flame Mantra?" Tang Wulin repeated the unfamiliar name.

"That's right." Xiao Yan nodded, a trace of fervor and profound emotion flashing through his eyes. "This is a cultivation method that can evolve continuously. Its potential is limitless, because it can devour all manner of flames between heaven and earth to raise its own rank and power! This will be the foundation of your future strength, and it is also the trump card that I... as a father, most want to leave my child."

To guard against any eventuality, Xiao Yan bit his fingertip, and three drops of liquid-like Core Flame in different colors slowly emerged. One green, one purple, and one white. Three terrifying waves of heat instantly swept through the entire hall, forcing even the Goddess of Life to release a trace of divine power to protect their surroundings.

"These are the Core Flames of the Green Lotus Core Flame, the Fallen Heart Flame, and the Bone-Chilling Flame." Xiao Yan gently pressed the three priceless Core Flames into the space between Tang Wulin's brows and spoke earnestly. "These three Heavenly Flames, even as mere Core Flames, are probably among the most powerful things in your world. Unless a level 99 Limit Douluo appears right from the start, hardly anyone will be able to withstand their power. Keep them for now. Once you've cultivated Flame Mantra and gained Battle Qi, slowly nurture them."

After finishing all this, Xiao Yan seemed to have laid down a thousand-pound burden. Smiling, he patted Tang Wulin's shoulder. "All right, little fellow. I've given you everything I have. For the next 'fifty days,' it'll all depend on what you can make of this opportunity."

Tang Wulin felt a wealth of complex information appear in his mind. Yet as he looked at the black-clad young man before him, an unprecedented sense of safety and admiration rose in his heart.