Chapter 782

With a boom, Xiao Yan punched the meteorite, sending out a thunderous roar—but no one paid attention, as the battlefield was filled with deafening combat sounds everywhere.

But when Xiao Yan reached deep into the meteorite and seized a wisp of flame, fire erupted skyward with a sudden whoosh—in that instant, flames burst forth from all sides of the meteorite fragment where Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian stood.

The flames flickered with grayish radiance, each wisp resembling a hazy substance; when Xiao Yan grasped it, the fire clung like sticky glue, firmly adhering to his palm.

"Is this a Heavenly Flame?!!" An elder cultivator recognized it and shouted in alarm.

In the Great Thousand World, "Heavenly Flame" was no unfamiliar term—this special flame was even more precious than weapons, cultivation methods, divine techniques, or elixirs of the same rank, truly priceless.

In the Great Thousand World, cultivators who reached the Sovereign Realm could imbue their spiritual energy with sentience.

The Sovereign Realm was the watershed of cultivation not only because of the Sovereign Sea and Sovereign Body, but also because a Sovereign's spiritual energy possessed sentience—a power vastly superior in quality to ordinary spiritual energy.

Many Sovereigns' spiritual energy developed unique attributes: some were icy and chilling, others wild and scorching—all because their spiritual energy had sentience, granting it extraordinary power.

The Five Spirit Clans were powerful precisely because their spiritual energy was inherently sentient.

Ordinary cultivators seeking to enhance their spiritual energy required external aids—special fire seeds, beast fires, thunder, and so on.

"So heavy."

Torrents of gray flame instantly engulfed Xiao Yan, wrapping him—but his brow furrowed, for this Heavenly Flame weighed as if ten thousand tons, making him feel as though a colossal mountain crushed him.

Xiao Yan frowned—he knew the Heavenly Flame itself had negligible mass; this crushing pressure was gravity—the flame in his hand had severely warped space, deforming it and generating immense gravitational pull.

This immense gravitational pull dragged the surrounding space toward the flame in his palm, causing Xiao Yan to feel as if pinned beneath a mountain.

"The Five Elements Spirit Soil was banished by the Demon Emperor of the Domain Beyond for tens of thousands of years, drifting randomly through infinite space. Was this force—the one that originally dragged those people down into the infinite void—the same one?"

A Heavenly Flame's abilities are tied closely to its birthplace: like the Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire, which controls earth veins and magma, because it was born in the subterranean magma world, forged, fused, compressed, and shaped by countless iterations of earth fire—ten years to gain spirit, a hundred to take form, a thousand to become a lotus; when fully matured, a cluster of blue flame blooms at its heart.

Likewise, Bone Spirit Cold Fire, Nine Underworld Wind Flame, and Nether Poison Fire—all were born after eons of natural refinement in special treasure sites, so their abilities are intrinsically linked to their unique environments.

Beings of the Demon Emperor's caliber can influence the environment itself; the banishing force remained potent for fifty thousand years—clearly, the Demon Emperor who banished the Five Elements Spirit Soil was terrifying indeed!

Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with black firelight; his soul force surged into the Heavenly Flame in his hand. Soon, combining his knowledge of Heavenly Flames with his status as a transmigrant, he understood it.

"Dark matter. So that's it. Absorbing vast quantities of cosmic dark matter over ten thousand years of absorption and hammering, it finally formed this Heavenly Flame capable of altering surrounding gravity." Xiao Yan nodded inwardly—such a Heavenly Flame could never exist on the Dou Qi Continent.

The Dou Qi Continent, strictly speaking, exists on a landmass; this unknown Heavenly Flame was born only under cosmic conditions, imbued with cosmic-specific power.

"But this power can't hold me down," Xiao Yan said calmly.

Instantly, Xiao Yan curled his five fingers into a claw; his Dragon Phoenix Bloodline stirred slowly, then erupted with immense physical force, instantly neutralizing the powerful gravity pull.

Xiao Yan slowly closed his fingers, manipulating space to suppress the gray flame in his palm. The flame offered no resistance and was soon compressed into a tiny fire bead.

Seeing Xiao Yan subdue the Heavenly Flame so easily, Xiao Yixian was utterly stunned and asked in disbelief: "You already subdued it?"

Just like that! When you subdued the Nether Poison Fire and Pure Lotus Demonic Fire, you made it look like you were putting on a show for me!

Seeing Xiao Yixian's dumbfounded expression, Xiao Yan smiled: "It's not that easy—if this Heavenly Flame were truly weak, I wouldn't even bother with it. This is merely a tiny fragment of its true origin."

Difficulty and reward are always proportional: the stronger the Heavenly Flame, the greater its energy. Xiao Yan needed a Heavenly Flame containing at least Earth Supreme-level energy; this one was barely a Minor Sovereign at best.

Refining the Heavenly Flame's origin won't raise Xiao Yan's cultivation realm—but wild Heavenly Flames contain vast amounts of flame energy. Xiao Yan needed not only the origin but also that immense energy to elevate his cultivation and evolve the Burning Scripture.

After completing his Dou Technique Body, Xiao Yan's soul force had recovered—thus, his Imperial Soul Force had detected the meteorite's uniqueness earlier.

When Xiao Yan arrived, he noticed the Five Spirit Clans' disciples acting strangely—not rushing forward blindly, but leaping onto different meteorites as if searching for something.

He was right: meteorites floating around the Five Elements Spirit Soil bore special resources and secret treasures. These fragments were once land of the Five Elements Spirit Soil, imbued with unique spiritual energy—like the fragment beneath Xiao Yan's feet, which was land of the Fire Spirit Clan's Fire Realm, saturated with potent, extraordinary fire attribute spiritual energy.

Even after shattering, they remained drawn to the Five Elements Spirit Soil due to this special spiritual energy; after drifting for a time, they slowly returned to become part of it again.

Thus, though the Five Spirit Clans' disciples appeared to leap aimlessly toward the passage's depths, they were actually targeting meteorites matching their own elemental affinity, seeking opportunities on them.

Xiao Yan needed fire attribute resources—using Soul Force Perception, he locked onto meteorites of the Fire Realm, seeking the most concentrated fire attribute energy—and he found something valuable.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly—this was a promising start. Though the Heavenly Flame was only a wisp, it contained some origin essence; after refining it, he could use this fragment to locate the true Heavenly Flame.

"This Heavenly Flame, refined for tens of thousands of years in the Fire Realm's spiritual territory, must be formidable." Xiao Yan inwardly rejoiced, then pulled out a jade box chilled by ice, placed the sealed Heavenly Flame inside—this was clearly no place to refine it.

"Let's go," Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian prepared to leap to the next meteorite when suddenly, several figures appeared on a nearby fragment.

"Gentlemen, I am Zhu Luo, disciple of the Fire Spirit Clan. That flame you just obtained—would you consider selling it to me?"

As Zhu Luo appeared, fire surged through the air, his aura immense, like a king surveying his realm—Fire Spirit Clan disciples surrounded him, wreathed in fire clouds; elders and youths stood beside him.

Zhu Luo's frame towered, entirely enveloped in flame—as if born from fire, as if he were the Son of the Fire God. Though his face was obscured, within the flames he wore a divine crown and royal robes, truly resembling a celestial sovereign on procession.

"Kuang—it's Zhu Luo! Nine-Pin Sovereign peak, one step from Earth Supreme!"

"More than that—I heard he already obtained a Heavenly Flame from within the Fire Spirit Clan and can break through to Earth Supreme anytime. He came here specifically to find a Heavenly Flame to break through—the more flames a Fire Spirit Clan member gathers early on, the easier it is to reach Heaven Supreme."

"I heard Zhu Luo is already a candidate for Young Clan Leader."

Hearing Zhu Luo's words, Xiao Yan glanced at him, then at the elder beside him, and replied calmly: "Not for sale."

No surprise—Xiao Yan's goal was also Heavenly Flames; why would he sell it?

Zhu Luo's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of intrigue passing through, yet he still smiled: "Don't refuse so quickly. Perhaps you'll change your mind after hearing my offer. After all, on the road, it's better to have more friends. The Five Elements Spirit Soil was once our Fire Spirit Clan's territory—let us guide you, and you'll gain far greater opportunities. Why quarrel over a Sovereign-level Heavenly Flame?"

Seeing the other side's persistence, laced with threat, Xiao Yan's gaze turned cold—he realized they knew the small Heavenly Flame could sense the true Heavenly Flame's location, hence their pursuit of a transaction.

"Get lost. The Fire Spirit Clan has no right to demand my respect."

"This guy's completely out of his mind!"

"That's the Fire Spirit Clan!"

At Xiao Yan's words, surrounding cultivators drew sharp breaths—some thought he was playing with fire, literally; after all, this land was once the Five Spirit Clans' territory—angering them here could mean instant death!

Everyone believed Xiao Yan was too arrogant—recklessly so, daring to speak such words before the Fire Spirit Clan, the local power!

At once, the Fire Spirit Clan members glared in fury; Zhu Luo's eyes sharpened, two beams like divine swords piercing from within the flames, as if trying to pierce through Xiao Yan.

"Hmph!" A burly man beside Zhu Luo snorted, lunging with a giant hand toward Xiao Yan: "Ignorant fool! Come forward and kneel! Apologize for your reckless tongue!"

"Apologize? You're joking." As Xiao Yan spoke, Xiao Yixian flicked her white finger—a powder like a bullet shot toward the grasping hand.

With a crack, the man's hand burst into flame, incinerating the white powder. Just as he smirked in triumph, something strange happened—the moment the white powder burned, it released violent poison gas; this white powder was a peculiar poison, and flame was its solvent!

Upon contact with flame, it merged into the fire, turning it into poison fire.

The crimson poison fire instantly turned ink-green, clinging like a deadly toxin to the man's palm, corroding deep into his flesh, exposing bone.

"Aaah!" The man screamed, face ashen, stumbling backward several steps. Looking down, he saw the poison fire still burning—his white bones turned black, the poison fire spreading along his flesh toward his heart.

"Cut off his arm!" The elder beside Zhu Le shouted, and in an instant, his hand fell like a blade, severing the arm of the burly man at its root.

Sssss— As the arm hit the ground, it emitted a sizzling sound like a liquid; within moments, the poison flame turned the arm to ash.

Seeing this poison that could merge with flame, many present narrowed their pupils—such a bizarre poison was truly unheard of!

Although Xiao Yixian's cultivation realm was still quite low, since she had not yet transformed her Eternal Calamity Poison body, her poison-compounding ability had always been exceptional. Especially after Xiao Yan and his group took control of Ning Tian Continent and acquired several poison formulas, this Fire-Dissolving Poison was one of the special ones.

Most poisons dissolve in water, but Fire-Dissolving Poison dissolves in fire.

Seeing a poison that not only resisted burning by flame but could actually dissolve within it, Xiao Yan swallowed hard and shrank back his neck.

Xiao Yixian's poisons are terrifying!

This sudden change left everyone present stunned; many exchanged uneasy glances.

This poison is too ruthless!

This sudden turn made Zhu Le's face darken instantly; the elder beside him also paled, and a wave of sharp, murderous gazes erupted with terrifying spiritual pressure.

In that instant, the spiritual pressure unleashed by the elder beside Zhu Le was like a storm—many cultivators present trembled, chilled to the bone!

Earth Supreme! This elder was a Lower-Realm Earth Supreme!

Feeling the elder's spiritual pressure, Xiao Yan merely glanced at him, waved his hand, and dispersed the pressure. The elder's strength was roughly equal to Wan Sanqian and Zhang Shan—still inferior to Zhu Kun.

Seeing Xiao Yan dispel his spiritual pressure so casually, the elder's eyes narrowed slightly, and he gave a subtle shake of the head to Zhu Le beside him.

They had only just entered the Five Elements Spirit Soil, even still at its threshold, not yet entered the Fire Realm. If they fought a team with an Earth Supreme here, they would surely lose the strength to enter the Fire Realm and compete for resources.

The Fire Spirit Clan is a great clan; it does not have just one Young Clan Leader—there are many Earth Supremes within, much like the ancient Imperial Palace's nine sons vying for the throne, each prince courting alliances. Only the one who eventually reaches Great Perfection Earth Supreme—or even Heaven Supreme—will be the ultimate victor.

"My subordinate was rather crude. I apologize on his behalf to both of you," Zhu Le said to Xiao Yan with a smile. "Let us part ways here. Until we meet again."

After speaking, he led several Fire Spirit Clan youths and the armless burly man, activating a meteorite to fly deep into the black hole. Before leaving, Zhu Le cast one final, deep glance at Xiao Yan, a flash of ferocity in his eyes.

The sudden departure of the Fire Spirit Clan surprised many, for the Five Spirit Clans were renowned far and wide—especially the Fire Spirit Clan, which could rightly be called the strongest among them—and yet they had retreated!

Some cultivators could not help but praise: "Zhu Le is truly worthy of being born into the Fire Spirit Clan and becoming one of its Young Clan Leaders—he knows when to advance and when to retreat. The other side likely has an Earth Supreme too, plus that strange Poison Master—there's no need to fight over such a weak Spirit Flame."

"Indeed, how many young cultivators have lost everything for a moment of pride?"

Xiao Yixian asked: "Don't pursue?"

Xiao Yan shrugged and shook his head. "We're the ones who gained the advantage—we're too lazy to act now. Right now, the Spirit Flame and the Other Shore Flower are what matter."

Saying this, Xiao Yan led Xiao Yixian, using all his Soul Power to search for meteorite fragments with especially dense Fire Attribute Energy, hoping to find another Spirit Flame.

Unfortunately, although Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian acquired many good items along the way, none were Spirit Flames.

Finally, Xiao Yan and the others sat on a meteorite, slowly drifting away, while many other meteorites around them were crowded with people—seen from afar, they resembled a meteor belt, drawn by the black hole and drifting deeper into it.

"All the meteorites around us are occupied." The deeper they went, the fewer meteorites remained, for everyone gradually realized these meteorites were opportunities—and soon, all meteorites had been scoured clean.

"Wait for the meteorites to drift in. In the meantime, refine that Spirit Flame," Xiao Yan said, ceasing his search for opportunities.

"I'll guard you," Xiao Yixian whispered.

"Mm, be careful," Xiao Yan nodded, accepting her offer without refusal. He sat cross-legged on the meteorite, tossed the cluster of Spirit Flame directly into his mouth, swallowed it, and began refining it.

It was unknown how long the long meteor belt drifted, but when it reached a certain point, the meteorite fragments began to diverge—each heading in a different direction!

Xiao Yan was not surprised, for he had long sensed that these meteorite fragments were mysteriously linked to the Five Elements Spirit Soil—even if the continent fragmented, they would slowly converge again and restore their original form.

The Five Elements Spirit Soil comprised five realms: Fire Realm, Ice Realm, Wood Realm, Thunder Realm, and Wind Realm. These meteorite fragments were shards of these five realms, and naturally, they drifted toward their corresponding realms.

From one point onward, all meteorite fragments began to scatter, each taking its own path; suddenly, the meteorites accelerated like continents pulling them down, slicing through Space toward the black hole's depths, growing ever faster.

This peculiar pull was immensely powerful—even an Earth Supreme could not alter its direction. Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian naturally drifted toward the Fire Realm.

(End of Chapter)