Su Yuntao watched Xiao Yan, who had already entered a meditative state, with some concern.
"This kid may be a genius, but isn't absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring for his first ring rushing things a little too much..."
Su Yuntao had urged him to be cautious, but Xiao Yan had told him he knew his limits, and that his Martial Soul seemed to be telling him he could do it. Since that was the case, Su Yuntao could hardly stop him, so he could only stand guard over Xiao Yan as he watched him absorb the Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
Xiao Yan's consciousness seemed to enter a wondrous space, where faint voices sounded around him.
"Those are fragments of your memories, or rather, fragments of my memories."
Xiao Yan looked at the figure beside him. He had no face and was made of flames. Judging by his build and hairstyle, he looked very, very much like Xiao Yan, just as Xiao Yan might look when he grew up.
"I know what you're thinking, but unfortunately, I don't know what's going on with the two of us either." The figure sighed and pointed toward the center of the space. "I imagine all the secrets lie within that flame."
"My Martial Soul?"
"Yes, Emperor Flame," the figure said. "This multicolored flame is the supreme existence of another world. All my memories, power and past are sealed within it-and yours as well, of course."
The figure pointed, and the flames of various colors within Emperor Flame immediately surged and flared. Only then did Xiao Yan notice that a cyan flame was no longer dim. It leaped vividly among the other flames, exuding a sense of absolute perfection.
"That is the Green Lotus Core Flame. When you were hanging between life and death, it broke through the seal on its own to protect its master. That was how you escaped danger," the figure said with a sigh. "As luck would have it, in my incomplete memories, the Green Lotus Core Flame seems to have been the first Heavenly Flame we subdued in our past life. Seeing it again today must be heaven's will..."
"A seal? Heavenly Flames?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion. "What does that mean? Are you saying someone else put a seal inside me?"
"Heavenly Flames are sovereign over all flames," the figure replied. "There doesn't seem to be any trace of Heavenly Flames on this plane, but their might has not diminished. You only need to remember this: when a Heavenly Flame appears, all flames submit."
"As for the seal, it doesn't seem to be the work of a mighty expert from this world." The figure looked up at the sky and sighed. "You and I-we were never people of this world. Ever since we came here, we've been rejected and suppressed by it. This world's great power divided our body, spirit and power into three. Our body was suppressed into the form of an infant and became you; our spiritual power was separated from the body and worn down until less than one part in a hundred remained, becoming me. As for our power, it was placed under nine layers of seals. That's why Emperor Flame is dim and lusterless now. It has the form of a Heavenly Flame, but not its substance. As it stands, it can only be considered the Green Lotus Core Flame in the shape of Emperor Flame. The seal also restricts our spiritual power. Just now, you broke through the first layer of the seal, and some of my power was restored. That's the only reason I can speak with you."
So much sudden news was too much for Xiao Yan to digest all at once. He gazed blankly at Emperor Flame and slowly asked, "Then how do we go back?" "I don't know either, but for now, we should restore our strength first. After all, strength is the foundation of everything."
Xiao Yan sighed softly, and the figure went on, "Emperor Flame changed into something resembling a Martial Soul of this world in accordance with its rules because it is connected to our power. It isn't actually a Martial Soul. Judging from my incomplete memories, it probably can't absorb Soul Rings."
This news was clearly a devastating blow to Xiao Yan. Su Yuntao was still waiting outside; he couldn't very well say that he wasn't from this world and couldn't absorb a Soul Ring.
Seeing Xiao Yan looking as troubled as an ant on a hot pan, the figure smiled and said, "There's no need to panic. Although my memories are incomplete, I still have some basic flame-control techniques. I can teach you the art of controlling flames, so you can condense your Heavenly Flame's energy into the shape of a Soul Ring. It will serve as a disguise. After all, it's best that no one learns our secret."
Xiao Yan nodded firmly. He had no strength now, and he couldn't go without guarding against others. It was best to keep these life-threatening secrets buried in his heart.
"Also, although you don't need to add Soul Rings, breaking through the seals still requires the help of pure energy, and Soul Rings are an excellent source," the figure said thoughtfully. "Besides, for the sake of keeping the secret, relying on Soul Rings to break through like everyone else is also a good method."
As he spoke, the space suddenly began to fade away slowly. Clearly, the breakthrough had succeeded completely.
The figure said, "Xiao Yan, there's no need to rush. Returning to the old world and finding the cause of the changes in us will both require absolute strength. As the seals are lifted, some of my memories have returned as well. I'll teach you the skills contained in those memories one by one in the future." Xiao Yan nodded in agreement, then bowed.
"There's no need for such formality. You and I are one to begin with; helping each other is only right." The figure was gradually fading along with the space. In his final moments, he smiled faintly and said, "Although you and I are the same person, I still need something for you to call me. Call me Yan Xiao. It's a name we once used."
"Xiao Yan, I look forward to the day we become powerful, and to the day you make the name Xiao Yan famous in another world."