Heat waves laden with the pungent stink of sulfur churned through the cavern above the Magma Lake. Azure flames burned quietly on the stone platform at its center. As their petals unfurled, the azure light they scattered carried the savage power to burn mountains and boil seas, warping the surrounding air into scorching ripples.
The black-robed elder skimmed over the boiling magma like a bat hugging the ground, a rainbow bridge of dark Dou Qi forming beneath his feet. With every step, tiny black streaks fell into the magma and stirred up dazzling sparks. His withered palm traced a strange arc through the air. Before the force of his strike arrived, Xiao Yan felt an icy suction surge toward him from every direction, as though it would snap his bones inch by inch. This was the oppressive aura of a Peak Dou Wang expert—an almost impassable chasm for a cultivator at "Dou Qi Third Stage."
"Die, you little bastard!" The elder's voice rasped like sandpaper. His palm imprint swelled to the size of a millstone in midair, countless distorted faces faintly visible within its pitch-black energy. They were the souls of cultivators he had devoured while practicing his evil art, now transformed into weapons.
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted sharply, and a perfectly measured look of horror appeared on his face. His body instinctively leaned backward, as though the pressure had frightened him into immobility. But the instant before the palm imprint struck, he ducked and rolled left in an utterly disheveled manner, barely escaping the core of the attack.
Bang!
The palm imprint struck the rock wall behind him. Hard volcanic stone shattered instantly, sending countless fragments and black streaks flying in every direction. A falling rock the size of a millstone grazed Xiao Yan's back, its fierce slipstream tearing through his already ragged clothes and exposing a bloody gash deep enough to reveal bone.
"Pfft!" As though struck by the blast of air, Xiao Yan spat out a mouthful of blood and staggered into the opposite wall. His face was pale as paper, but his eyes remained fixed on the elder with a measure of "stubborn ferocity."
"Oh? You actually dodged it?" The elder looked slightly surprised, then sneered even more coldly. "You're a little slipperier than I expected. But before absolute strength, such petty cleverness amounts to nothing!"
He moved again, his black robe snapping in the heat waves. As his hands formed seals, pitch-black Dou Qi condensed in his palm into a bone spear over ten feet long. Its tip shimmered with a sinister green glow, clearly coated with poison deadly enough to kill instantly. This time, he held nothing back. The spear shrieked through the air toward Xiao Yan's chest, sealing off every avenue of escape.
Xiao Yan inwardly tensed. The elder was stronger than he had anticipated, especially given the corrosive power within his dark Dou Qi, which could briefly suppress even magma. If the spear struck him, he would inevitably reveal a flaw, even if his Emperor Realm Soul could force out the poison. He took a deep breath and abruptly pushed the Dou Qi already circulating at full capacity within him to the threshold of "Dou Qi Third Stage." Kicking hard against the wall, he flew backward like a kite with its string snapped while drawing a dagger from his robes—the same ordinary iron weapon he had used to kill the Golden Sand Venom Scorpion King.
Clang!
The instant the dagger collided with the bone spear, Xiao Yan felt an overwhelming force crash into him. His arm seemed about to snap, and the dagger nearly flew from his grip. Using the recoil, he forcibly twisted half a turn in midair and narrowly avoided the spearhead, only for the black energy along the spear's side to brush his shoulder.
"Hiss—" He cried out in pain. The clothing over his shoulder instantly turned to ash, and the exposed flesh blackened at a visible speed. A heart-piercing pain spread along his arm, as though countless venomous insects were gnawing at his bones.
"Even a Dou Ling expert couldn't last an hour after being struck by my Bone-Eroding Black Miasma. You can die with your eyes closed now, brat." The elder advanced with a savage grin, raising his spear again, clearly intending to end the battle in one blow.
Xiao Yan staggered backward, suddenly tripped over a protruding rock, and fell heavily to the ground. He struggled to rise, but "his strength failed him." He could only watch the bone spear descend beneath the shadow of death, his eyes filled with "despair."
At that critical instant, his left hand, hidden inside his sleeve, suddenly moved. He silently crushed a Qi Recovery Pill he had prepared beforehand. Rather than entering his meridians, its medicinal power followed the Dou Qi at his fingertips, becoming a barely perceptible azure streak that shot soundlessly into the Magma Lake beside him.
Hiss—
The instant the azure streak entered the liquid, a huge wave suddenly rose from the calm Magma Lake. The scalding magma seemed to come alive, surging toward the black-robed elder. The change came so abruptly that he instinctively drew back his spear to block. The bone spear collided with the magma with a sizzling hiss. Black radiance intertwined with red light, holding the magma three feet away.
"Paltry tricks!" the elder roared. Sweeping his spear sideways, he scattered the remaining magma into a sky full of sparks. But that brief delay gave Xiao Yan a chance to catch his breath.
"Cough, cough..." Xiao Yan braced himself against the wall and stood. Blood stained the corner of his mouth, and his face was even paler than before, but a trace of "cunning" had entered his eyes. He deliberately exposed himself at the edge of the Magma Lake, as though he had been driven into a dead end.
The elder snorted coldly and lunged again. This time, he had learned his lesson. Instead of approaching the Magma Lake, he circled around from the side, his spear darting like a venomous snake's tongue as he attacked Xiao Yan's legs.
Xiao Yan dodged left and right, his movements growing increasingly desperate. More wounds appeared on his body, and the blackness on his arm had spread to his chest. He looked as though the poison might kill him at any moment. Yet every fall allowed him to evade a fatal strike by just enough, and every seemingly panicked roll sent the elder's attack into empty air.
This brat's luck is absurdly good! the elder cursed inwardly, his assault growing even fiercer. Dark Dou Qi formed a protective barrier around him, blocking all the surrounding heat waves and splashing magma. His bone spear moved faster and faster, leaving a mass of pitch-black afterimages in the air.
Xiao Yan's breathing grew increasingly ragged, and his steps began to falter, as though his oil had truly run dry and his lamp was about to go out. He raised his dagger "with difficulty," trying to block the spear, only to be driven back repeatedly until his back slammed against the edge of the central stone platform.
"Hahaha! Nowhere left to hide!" Delighted, the elder gathered all his Dou Qi into the spear and thrust straight at Xiao Yan's heart with a shrill howl that tore through the air!
Just before the spear pierced Xiao Yan's chest, a cold gleam suddenly flashed in his eyes. Rather than dodge, he abruptly thrust his body forward. At the same time, his left hand slipped around the spear at an impossible angle. A barely perceptible thread of soul power gathered at his fingertip, which pressed precisely against the elder's spear-wielding wrist.
That thread of soul power seemed weak, yet it contained the terrifying pressure of an Emperor Realm expert, like a sleeping primordial beast suddenly opening its eyes. A tremendous crash rang through the elder's mind, as though countless thunderclaps had exploded at once. His sea of consciousness went blank, and his grip on the spear involuntarily loosened.
Now!
Xiao Yan shouted inwardly. The dagger in his right hand shot out like a venomous snake leaving its den, following the spear's path and plunging into the Shanzhong acupoint in the elder's chest faster than thunder could reach the ear. That was the core of his Dou Qi circulation—and the weakest point of anyone who practiced evil arts.
Squelch!
The dagger sank in to the hilt. Pitch-black blood mixed with foul black fumes gushed out. The elder froze, his eyes filled with disbelief and terror. His mouth opened as though he wanted to speak, but only strange rattling noises emerged. His body slowly toppled, all life extinguished.
Only after the elder's corpse fell into the Magma Lake with a dull thud did Xiao Yan slump to the ground as though utterly drained, gasping for breath. He suddenly coughed up a large mouthful of black blood, his face as pale as a corpse. The blackness on his chest visibly receded a little—he had finally "barely managed" to expel some of the poison.
"That was close..." he murmured, his voice so weak it was almost inaudible. Only his slightly narrowed eyes flashed with a sharpness at odds with his "weakness."
"Xiao Yan! How are you?" Yao Lao's voice came from the ring, filled with urgency and lingering fear. "That was far too dangerous! You actually dared to fight with your life on the line like that!"
Leaning against the platform, Xiao Yan panted for a long while before recovering enough to give a bitter smile. "Teacher, I couldn't have killed him any other way. That old bastard was a Peak Dou Wang. With my meager strength, winning was all down to luck."
As he spoke, he circulated his Dou Qi "with difficulty" to purge the remaining poison, deliberately making his aura fluctuate as though it might cut off at any moment. Meanwhile, he secretly glanced toward where the elder had fallen. Only after confirming that no traces remained did he relax a little.
That final strike had appeared lucky, but every movement had actually been calculated precisely. From deliberately luring the elder closer, to using the magma to create an opening, to the final ambush with that thread of soul power, every link fitted together. He had killed his enemy while perfectly maintaining his "Dou Qi Third Stage" persona—a "good-for-nothing" who had barely defeated a powerful foe through luck and ruthlessness.
Yao Lao clearly suspected nothing. A hint of gratification entered his voice. "Luck certainly played a part in your victory, but your courage and adaptability mattered more. This Bone-Eroding Black Miasma is incredibly vicious. Forcing out most of the poison is already quite impressive. Leave the rest to me."
A stream of gentle white Dou Qi flowed from the ring, enveloping Xiao Yan and slowly seeping into his meridians. Xiao Yan obligingly relaxed, an expression of comfort appearing on his face, while his mind rapidly worked out his next steps.
The black-robed elder's appearance proved that other forces in this world were watching the Heavenly Flames, and they were very likely connected to the Otherworlder who had been silenced. These forces lurked in the shadows, their strength unknown and their methods bizarre. He had to grow stronger as quickly as possible to face the crises ahead.
And the Green Lotus Core Flame before him was the perfect opportunity.
"Teacher, the Green Lotus Core Flame..." Xiao Yan gazed at the azure flames on the central platform, a trace of anticipation in his voice.
Yao Lao's voice grew solemn as well. "The Green Lotus Core Flame ranks nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Its power is boundless, but it is also incredibly violent. With your body as it is now, absorbing it directly would be no different from suicide. I must first set up a Flame-Gathering Formation to temporarily suppress its power, then guide you through absorbing it gradually."
"All right. I'll follow your instructions, Teacher." Xiao Yan answered obediently while quietly concealing his Emperor Realm Soul to the utmost. He knew that the coming "absorption of the Heavenly Flame" would be the greatest test of his acting.
Yao Lao flew out of the ring, taking the form of a translucent soul body. He surveyed the cavern, his gaze settling on the glowing crystals embedded in its walls. "These earth core fire crystals contain pure fire-attribute energy," he said thoughtfully. "They're just right for setting up the Flame-Gathering Formation. Xiao Yan, stay here and regulate your breathing while I collect them."
"Sorry for the trouble, Teacher." Xiao Yan nodded, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes, pretending to focus on recovering. In truth, he attached a thread of soul power to Yao Lao and closely monitored his movements.
Yao Lao worked quickly. His hands formed seals, and ribbons of Dou Qi flew out, striking the fire crystals in the walls with precision. As though they had come alive, the crystals detached themselves and floated in the air, radiating brilliant light. Within moments, he had collected dozens of fist-sized crystals.
With a sweep of Yao Lao's hands, the crystals shot toward the central platform like meteors, arranging themselves along a mysterious pattern. At his low shout, they lit up simultaneously, sending out scorching beams that wove together in the air into a massive red formation enclosing the entire platform.
The instant the formation began operating, the Green Lotus Core Flame's aura noticeably diminished. The once-raging azure flames grew somewhat docile, as though confined within an invisible cage.
"It's ready. The Flame-Gathering Formation is complete." Yao Lao wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead and said to Xiao Yan, "Come over. Remember, you must hold your mind steady while absorbing the Heavenly Flame. No matter how painful it becomes, you cannot give up. Otherwise, all your efforts will be wasted, and the flame may even turn on you."
"Mm." Xiao Yan nodded firmly and rose, his steps still somewhat unsteady as he approached the platform. He deliberately slowed his pace, making every step appear agonizingly difficult, as though merely walking exhausted his strength.
The instant he stepped onto the platform, a scorching wave of air struck him, several times hotter than the Magma Lake had been. Xiao Yan frowned "in pain," his body trembling slightly as though he could not withstand the heat.
"Circulate your Dou Qi and resist the heat," Yao Lao instructed gravely. Flying behind him, he pressed both hands against Xiao Yan's back and infused gentle Dou Qi into his body. "I'll help guide the Heavenly Flame's power, but you must still rely mainly on yourself."
Xiao Yan took a deep breath and, following Yao Lao's guidance, slowly reached out toward the azure lotus.
The instant his fingertips touched its petals, an indescribable agony struck him, as though countless red-hot steel needles were surging madly into his body through the meridians in his fingers. His body jerked, his face instantly flushed crimson, and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, immediately evaporating into white mist.
"Endure it!" Yao Lao shouted. The Dou Qi he supplied suddenly intensified, forming a sturdy barrier within Xiao Yan's meridians that temporarily blocked the Heavenly Flame's assault.
"Ah—" Xiao Yan let out a restrained cry of pain, his body trembling violently. Both hands clutched the edge of the platform, his knuckles whitening from the force. His skin reddened and grew hot at a visible speed, as though it might burst into flames at any moment.
This was not entirely an act. The Green Lotus Earth Core Flame's ferocity far exceeded his expectations. Even with Yao Lao's help and the suppression of his own Emperor Realm Soul, that power capable of burning all things to ashes still caused him intense pain. For him, however, the pain was more a form of tempering than destruction.
But to Yao Lao, it looked like a struggle on the edge of death.
"Focus! Wrap the Heavenly Flame's power in your Dou Qi and guide it toward your dantian!" Yao Lao's voice carried urgency as he constantly adjusted the Dou Qi he supplied, helping stabilize Xiao Yan's meridians.
Xiao Yan obligingly gritted his teeth. Veins bulged on his face, and his eyes filled with "pain" and "struggle." He deliberately made his Dou Qi circulate erratically, sometimes stalling and sometimes running wild, creating the illusion that it was "difficult to control." Meanwhile, he split the Heavenly Flame's power into countless tiny streams. One portion flowed toward his dantian under Yao Lao's guidance, while the other quietly merged into every limb and bone, tempering his flesh. That was his true goal.
Although his Emperor Realm Soul was powerful, this body remained too weak to fully unleash its strength. And a Heavenly Flame was the finest furnace for tempering the body.
Time passed little by little. The light in the cavern shifted from bright to dim, then from dim to bright again. After an unknown length of time, Xiao Yan's skin had turned black as charcoal, and the Dou Qi inside him had become utterly chaotic. He looked as though he might collapse at any moment.
Yet his eyes shone ever brighter. Beneath his blackened skin, the Heavenly Flame was reshaping his muscle fibers, making them tougher. Faint azure flame patterns seeped through his bones, radiating a sense of tremendous strength. Within his dantian, the once-feeble mass of Dou Qi had been tempered until it gleamed like crystal glass, emitting a faint azure glow.
"Almost... hold on a little longer!" Yao Lao's voice was weary. Maintaining the Flame-Gathering Formation while guiding the Dou Qi had clearly taken a heavy toll on him.
Xiao Yan nodded "with difficulty," then abruptly clenched his teeth and mobilized every last trace of Dou Qi within him. Working with Yao Lao's power, he drove the tempered mass of Dou Qi in his dantian hard against the core of the Green Lotus Earth Core Flame!
Boom!
A thunderclap seemed to explode inside him. Stirred by that force, the Green Lotus Core Flame's core suddenly erupted with dazzling azure light. The entire Flame-Gathering Formation shook violently, and countless streams of azure flame power poured into Xiao Yan like a surging tide!
"Aaaah!"
Xiao Yan let out a heart-rending scream, his body curling like a cooked shrimp. Countless tiny bloody cracks instantly split his skin. Blood seeped out, only to turn into bloody mist the moment it touched the searing heat at his body's surface.
"Xiao Yan!" Yao Lao cried out. Throwing caution aside, he poured all his soul power into Xiao Yan's body, trying to stabilize his meridians.
Just as Yao Lao thought Xiao Yan could hold on no longer, the Dou Qi within him suddenly stabilized. As though they had found their rightful home, the violent streams of Heavenly Flame power flowed along his meridians into his dantian, merging with the glasslike mass of Dou Qi.
Azure flames burned slowly within his dantian, radiating gentle yet powerful energy.
Xiao Yan's body stopped trembling. His taut muscles gradually relaxed, and the pain on his face slowly faded, replaced by a strange, healthy flush.
"It worked..." Yao Lao let out a long breath. His soul body had become somewhat insubstantial, clearly depleted by the effort. He looked at Xiao Yan with gratification and lingering fear in his eyes. "You really are a lucky brat."
Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. A trace of azure flame flashed in them, then quickly vanished. He shifted his body, feeling an unprecedented strength within him. A smile involuntarily curled his lips, but "weakness" quickly replaced it.
"Teacher... I think... I succeeded?" His voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of uncertainty.
"You did!" Yao Lao nodded with a smile. "Not only have you absorbed the Green Lotus Earth Core Flame, but your Dou Qi has also broken through to the Dou Shi realm! The process was perilous, but at least the outcome was good."
Xiao Yan lowered his head, hiding the sharp gleam in his eyes. The Dou Shi realm? That was merely the tip of the iceberg he had deliberately revealed. After the Green Lotus Earth Core Flame's tempering, his true combat strength had long since surpassed that realm.
But now was not the time to reveal it.
He gazed at the still-burning Green Lotus Earth Core Flame and thought, This is only the beginning. Stronger enemies and more mysterious forces are still waiting for me. I must keep wearing the mask of a "good-for-nothing," gathering strength in the shadows until the day I can overturn this entire world's chessboard.
Outside the cavern, yellow sand still filled the desert sky. Yet no one knew that beneath this barren land, a youth capable of changing the balance of the Dou Qi Continent had quietly completed his first transformation.
Before you continue