Chapter 118

Xiao Yan looked at the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent on the Azure Lotus Platform, recalling the contents of the ancient texts.

The Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent is an ancient fire-type demonic beast, and clearly, Mei Du Sha Queen chose to use Infernal Flames to evolve, burning her own bloodline to completely purge the cold, yin bloodline and human bloodline within her, restoring the pure bloodline of the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent.

The serpent scale Xiao Yan had obtained from the Lotus Platform back then was also seven-colored, but the hue was faint, nowhere near as vivid as the colors on this little serpent before him.

Frowning, perhaps due to the Soul Shock causing Xiao Yan's soul to collide with Mei Du Sha Queen's, combined with the Heavenly Thunder, Xiao Yan had formed a strange connection with this little serpent.

This connection was peculiar—even Xiao Yan himself couldn't explain what exactly it was.

Smiling, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and pulled out the Companion Purple Origin Crystal from his storage ring. Upon smelling the crystal's scent, Mao Wu leapt up from his lying position and dashed over to Xiao Yan's side.

The Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent reacted a moment later, slowly turning its head toward Xiao Yan, wriggling its body as if afraid—wanting to draw near but daring not to.

"You're not strong enough yet to consume an Infernal Flame, but the Companion Purple Origin Crystal suits you."

Xiao Yan took out five alchemy furnaces, placed a small cup of Companion Purple Origin Crystal inside one, then tossed in some fire-attribute medicinal materials and herbs to enhance a demonic beast's physique, and began refining with the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame.

Xiao Yan did not refine a pill—he simply extracted the medicinal properties of the herbs and mixed them anew with the Companion Purple Origin Crystal. He took out two bowls, poured the resulting medicinal essence into them, and handed one to Mao Wu and one to the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent.

"Infused with a trace of the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame, this should be even better for a demonic beast," Xiao Yan thought, smiling inwardly.

Mao Wu grabbed his bowl and dashed into Space, crunching and slurping it down—his sub-flame required immense energy to grow.

The Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent slowly slithered to the bowl's edge, lifted its head, peered inside, flicked out its tongue to taste it—and instantly its eyes sparkled as it began lapping eagerly.

After calming the two little ones, Xiao Yan finally lifted the Azure Lotus Platform and walked deeper into the Cave.

As Xiao Yan carried away the Azure Lotus Platform, the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent gazed at him deeply, then returned to its meal.

Cradling the Azure Lotus in his palm, Xiao Yan gazed at the small, churning green flame within with a hint of enchantment. After a moment, a flicker of intense heat flashed through his dark pupils.

"The third Infernal Flame… but strictly speaking, this is the first one I've truly obtained myself." His first two had come through the Soul Sect.

Taking a deep breath of the mountain's fresh air, Xiao Yan lifted the Azure Lotus Platform and placed it before him, fixing his eyes on the sentient green flame within the lotus heart. A faint expression of relief and bitterness crossed his face.

When Xiao Yan had opened his storage ring and touched that mysterious black scroll, when he had resolved to cultivate the Burning Decision, he had known deep within: seeking Infernal Flames would become his lifelong mission.

Only by continuously devouring Infernal Flames could he gradually ascend to the peak—only by such near-fanatical sacrifice could he stand atop the continent's pyramid and look down upon all beings.

As long as he could refine the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire, even though the gap between Earth Class and Profound Class cultivation methods was vast, Xiao Yan still had confidence the Burning Decision could evolve into Earth Class.

Once he possessed an Earth Class cultivation method, Xiao Yan was confident he could be invincible against peers—even against those one major realm above, he believed he could still triumph.

"Come on, Earth Class!"

Xiao Yan was no stranger to this—he had refined two Infernal Flames before. Though he lacked the Blood Lotus Pill now, his body was strengthened by the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame, forming a protective layer sufficient to let him approach the Origin Flame Seed of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire.

Xiao Yan knew devouring an Infernal Flame would cause massive disturbances; he had already instructed Mao Wu to spread numerous Void Devouring Flames throughout the mountain, suppressing the commotion as much as possible.

The instant he fully opened the Azure Lotus Platform, a blinding green light illuminated the entire Cave, and the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire slowly rose from the platform.

In an instant, the Cave's infernal heat skyrocketed; the previously gentle Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire turned violent, as if sensing it was about to be refined, struggling desperately to resist.

Hu! Xiao Yan sat cross-legged upon the Lotus Platform—its companion treasure could calm the mind and spirit, preventing deviation into demonic path, and heightened his sensitivity to heavenly fire attribute energy.

Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame surged over Xiao Yan's entire body; its unique energy temporarily rendered his flesh as resilient as a high-grade demonic beast.

His gaze sharpened, Xiao Yan thrust his hand into the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire—the green flames lunged at him, but thanks to the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame's protection, his hand remained intact, though his right hand still burned with searing pain.

With experience from refining the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame before, Xiao Yan was no longer as anxious as he had been the first time.

His Mortal Realm Late Stage Soul Force swept into the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire, instantly locating the Origin Flame Seed—he seized it, yanked it free, swallowed a vial of Ice Spirit Cold Spring, and without hesitation, shoved the seed into his mouth.

Xiao Yan willed it—Void Devouring Flame surged from his storage ring, flowing against his meridians to form a black flame hand that encased the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire's seed, preventing it from fleeing.

Mao Wu traversed Space to Xiao Yan's throat, controlling the Void Devouring Flame to envelop the Origin Flame Seed, preventing the Infernal Flame from erupting and incinerating Xiao Yan outright.

After all, this was the Origin Flame Seed of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire—even Void Devouring Flame's devouring power could not fully suppress its terrifying infernal heat.

Enduring the agony of his meridians burning, Xiao Yan sank his spirit, focused his mind, and began activating the Burning Decision.

"This Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire is even wilder than the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame!"—perhaps because its rank was three levels higher, or perhaps because the Eight-Winged Flame Demon Tiger's residual soul had aided him during the refinement of the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame.

The Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire resisted fiercely; with Xiao Yan's Soul Force and the Void Devouring Flame sub-flame's aid, it took half a day of fierce struggle before they finally forced the Origin Flame Seed into his storage ring.

After guiding the Three Infernal Flames through one full cycle of the Burning Decision, the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire was fully refined.

Xiao Yan sat upon the Lotus, now seemingly in an unconscious, profound state due to refining the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire—the green flame slowly flowing through his meridians suddenly began circulating along their pathways.

Heavenly energy and the Lotus Platform's flame energy continuously supplied him; the Burning Decision activated automatically, converting energy into fighting qi and elevating Xiao Yan's cultivation realm.

This state lasted seven full days.

Slowly opening his eyes, a thread of green flame flickered within his pupils.

Xiao Yan exhaled a turbid breath, sensing his cultivation realm—he had advanced from Second-Star Great Battle Master to Third-Star in just seven days.

"Only one star? That's a bit too little."

Anyone else hearing this would beat him—how dare you complain about gaining one star in seven days? Others take seven months, even years, to gain one star!

But it was understandable—Xiao Yan had hoped for two or even three stars. Perhaps during Mei Du Sha's evolution, most of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire's energy had been consumed.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three flames—black, blood-red, green—floated above Xiao Yan's palm. Gazing at the Three Infernal Flames, a faint smile of excitement crept onto his lips.

"Three now."

At that moment, Xiao Yan suddenly thought of Xun Er, far away at Jia Nan Academy.

"I've been away from Jia Nan Academy for about a year now—I wonder how Xun Er is doing."

"I have three Infernal Flames now—surely this is enough power?"

A warm current surged within Xiao Yan—no matter what, Xun Er had always been his greatest support. He had left home, braved perilous places to obtain Infernal Flames, all to one day return and marry Xun Er with dignity.

For that, he needed immense strength.

Miao~~

Xiao Yan jolted awake, turning to see Mao Wu nearby, staring at him with a look of deep resentment.

Xiao Yan retracted all Infernal Flames, sheepishly scratched his nose, and laughed: "Hehe, got carried away with cultivation—I'm coming, I'm coming!"

He had cultivated for seven days without awareness, completely forgetting Mao Wu and the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent.

After refining another batch of special Companion Purple Origin Crystal to soothe the two little cuties, Xiao Yan settled his spirit and felt the evolved Burning Decision.

Boom! Boom! Boom!! As Xiao Yan activated the Burning Decision, he felt heavenly energy pouring into his body like a waterfall, surging from all directions.

The Three Infernal Flames formed a bottomless vortex, rapidly converting any Heavenly Energy into Dou Qi.

What was once a whirlpool like a lake now surged like the Yangtze and Yellow River, vast and furious.

"Earth-Rank Low-Level!!!"

Xiao Yan felt the power of the Cultivation Method and froze, staring at the broad, ferocious vortex resembling a river. He remained stunned for a long while before slowly regaining his composure.

With a flicker of his spirit, a strand of Fused Strange Fire Dou Qi flowed out from the vortex and swiftly coursed through his Meridians—the speed of this Dou Qi's circulation was utterly incomparable to before!

As the Dou Qi began to circulate, Xiao Yan distinctly felt a force of extreme strength awaken within his body, reaching its Peak Dou Ling in the span of an instant.

"Fast, fierce, profound!" Xiao Yan sensed the power within him and finally understood just how terrifying the gap between Earth-Rank and Mystic Rank truly was.

They weren't even on the same level!

Whether in Dou Qi circulation, energy conversion, or quality and quantity, the difference was a gap between dimensions!

After the Burning Decision evolved into Earth-Rank, Xiao Yan found its new cultivation path had become noticeably more complex; yet strangely, though the path grew intricate, the time required to complete one full cycle grew ever shorter.

Powerful energy surged within him, eager to be unleashed—ready to erupt with devastating force at his command.

With a thought, a blue Dou Qi armor instantly formed over Xiao Yan's body; beneath the armor, blood-red Ten Thousand Beast Spiritual Flame wrapped around him, granting him dual defense!

Moreover, Xiao Yan's body contained Void Swallowing Flame—even if a Dou Technique pierced through his defenses and entered his body, it would be devoured by Void Swallowing Flame.

With his current strength, even if Hai Bodong, sealed as he was, poured out all his power, Xiao Yan estimated he could still defeat him!

"Return to the Blue Lotus—I'll test a Dou Technique."

Xiao Yan opened the Lotus Platform and retrieved the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent; Mao Wu also slipped inside the Lotus Platform.

After preparing everything, Xiao Yan stepped out of the Cave and floated slowly into the air, gazing at the small mountain before him. He flicked his finger—and the Black Weighted Ruler instantly appeared in his palm.

"After the Burning Decision evolved into Earth-Rank, the Black Weighted Ruler can no longer suppress my Dou Qi!"

The most obvious change from the Burning Decision's evolution was that the Black Weighted Ruler's suppression had completely failed—the terror of an Earth-Rank Cultivation Method left even the Black Weighted Ruler powerless.

"I heard that if the Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler is perfected, it can split mountains and cleave seas—can it achieve that now, with Fused Strange Fire and an Earth-Rank Cultivation Method?" Xiao Yan licked his lips; he had only cultivated the Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler to Minor Success, let alone Great Success or Perfection.

But now Xiao Yan had not only fused the Three Infernal Flames—he also possessed an Earth-Rank Cultivation Method. He would test the maximum power of the Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler!

Zzzzzzzz!! Xiao Yan's entire body spun with furious Dou Qi. With a roar, the Black Weighted Ruler erupted with terrifying flames, and Fused Strange Fire burst from his palm, engulfing the entire weapon.

When Strange Fire emerges, who dares challenge?

Xiao Yan's Black Weighted Ruler glowed like a sun, hot enough to incinerate all things.

In the past, Xiao Yan's strength as a Great Dou Shi had been insufficient to fully unleash the true power of Strange Fire; but now, with the Burning Decision evolved to Earth-Rank, the refined method enabled him to unlock far greater power from the Strange Fire.

Xiao Yan gripped the handle of the Black Weighted Ruler tightly; the entire weapon transformed into a heavy sword of Strange Fire. With one strike, it incinerated all—reducing all living beings to ashes.

"Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler!!"

He gripped tightly and brought it down with all his might!

As the Black Weighted Ruler struck, rocks shattered. Amid its resonating hum, a hundred-meter flame blade slammed into the hundreds-of-meters-tall small mountain.

The entire mountain split instantly—with a thunderous boom, the flame blade exploded, and terrifying fire transformed into a flaming tornado that swallowed everything.

When the flames vanished, the poor little mountain had vanished entirely—all rocks and plants reduced to nothing by the Strange Fire's infernal heat.

Xiao Yan wiped sweat from his brow and exhaled deeply, murmuring: "Phew—though it drained me utterly, the Fused Strange Fire Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler must now rival the power of a Peak Dou Ling—or even a Dou Wang."

In actual combat, a Dou Wang with an Earth-Rank Dou Technique would still surpass Xiao Yan—but if it were only a Mystic Rank Dou Technique, it would be inferior to Xiao Yan's Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler.

The gap between Earth-Rank and Mystic Rank was as vast as a heavenly chasm.

Xiao Yan was immensely satisfied with the evolution of his Cultivation Method.

"If I could refine the Falling Heart Flame from Jia Nan Academy, and then refine the Bone Spirit Cold Fire in my ring—could the Burning Decision evolve into Heavenly Rank?"

After all, the Falling Heart Flame ranks fourteenth—higher than Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire—and Bone Spirit Cold Fire ranks even higher, at eleventh!

Yet after some thought, Xiao Yan felt it was still difficult; after all, the Burning Decision was still only Earth-Rank Low-Level—seemingly insufficient to reach Heavenly Rank.

"If only I could refine the third-ranked Pure Lotus Demonic Flame…" Xiao Yan pulled out the Residual Map and gazed toward Mo City. To evolve the Burning Decision into Heavenly Rank, Pure Lotus Demonic Flame was indispensable.

Perhaps it was time to find Hai Bodong.

Still five chapters today—still owe three.

(End of Chapter)