Chapter 526: Zhuang Lie

Under everyone’s gaze, the moment a flame rose from Lin Chen’s palm, all witnessed a shocking sight.

Whether it was Jiang Yaoyan’s Devouring Ash Abyss Flame, Jiang Chen’s Azure Heaven Spirit Flame, or Wei Yang’s Yin Dark Flame, all those previously surging flames instantly snapped in half, their flickering directions turning toward Lin Chen.

Like soldiers bowing to their sovereign.

One flame emerged, and countless others bowed low.

Jiang Yaoyan felt the fear transmitted by his Devouring Ash Abyss Flame, his eyes filled with disbelief.

The Devouring Ash Abyss Flame was born to devour other primordial flames, making it their natural nemesis—even Jiang Chen’s and Wei Yang’s flames had not stirred it the slightest. Yet now he could feel its terror, just as the other two contestants’ primordial flames had behaved the moment he unleashed his own.

Cowering, avoiding attention.

As for the two contestants, their expressions were on the verge of tears—only a single thread of flame remained in their hands, lowered beyond any possible degree; if this were a cultivator, it would be the posture of prostrate kneeling.

Jiang Chen and Wei Yang’s eyes held the same wariness; though their flames did not transmit fear, their intensity had been similarly suppressed.

Primordial flames possess spirit; when encountering a stronger presence, they instinctively retreat.

“What kind of primordial flame is this?”

Both men’s eyes were clouded with confusion—not just them, but Zhao Haoyang of Wan Huozong and others were equally baffled.

“What kind of primordial flame could force the Devouring Ash Abyss Flame and Yin Dark Flame to yield?”

“Blue-black with golden hues, layered flames… somewhat like a new sub-flame.”

“What are you thinking? My master said none of these contestants could possess a sub-flame.”

Zhao Haoyang added, but the moment he finished speaking, Zhuang Lie slapped him hard across the face.

“Fool, what else could this be if not a sub-flame?”

Zhuang Lie glared fiercely at his disciple; Zhao Haoyang rubbed his head, looking wounded—Wasn’t it you who just said these people couldn’t have sub-flames?

“I never expected Xiao Yan to possess a sub-flame… one capable of suppressing the Devouring Ash Abyss Flame and Yin Dark Flame—this sub-flame must have fused at least four primordial flames. To refine such a sub-flame at the Primordial Third Stage—his talent for absorbing primordial flames is the highest I’ve ever seen.”

Zhao Haoyang froze at his master’s assessment: “Master, didn’t you just say Lin Chen was the one with the highest talent for absorbing primordial flames you’d ever seen?”

Zhuang Lie took a deep breath, gazing at his disciple, suppressing the urge to slap him dead: “That was before I’d seen this man. What I said before wasn’t wrong—but Lin Chen isn’t far behind…”

“Master, I still think Lin Brother’s talent is greater.”

Zhao Haoyang stubbornly interrupted: “Lin Brother is already at the peak of Primordial Third Stage. Age-wise, he’s at least twenty years younger than Xiao Yan. By the time Lin Brother reaches this age, he’ll surely be able to refine four primordial flames.”

In Zhao Haoyang’s heart, he had already accepted Lin Chen—he was deeply grateful to him, otherwise he would never have addressed him as “Brother.”

Though Xiao Yan surprised him, he could never compare to Lin Brother. With Lin Brother’s cultivation speed, he’d soon enter Primordial Fourth Stage; refining one more primordial flame would be no challenge. By the time Lin Brother reaches Xiao Yan’s age, he might even refine five.

“Lin Chen is also at the peak of Primordial Third Stage—I’d forgotten that.”

Zhuang Lie unusually did not contradict his disciple. When he heard of Lin Chen’s feat at the Tongtian Tower yesterday, he’d been stunned for a long time; now, prompted by his disciple, he recalled something.

Lin Chen is at Primordial Third Stage. So is Xiao Yan.

Stage means nothing—the Yanhuang Empire has many cultivators at Primordial Third Stage.

But to also possess equally astonishing talent for absorbing primordial flames? That’s rare—though not impossible.

Yet now, the color of the sub-flame Xiao Yan summoned… and the color of the sub-flame Lin Chen would have born after absorbing Primordial Fire, Golden Crow Radiance, and Illusory Sea Heart Flame…

A bold suspicion suddenly surfaced in Zhuang Lie’s mind—and at this possibility, even his composure faltered, his breath quickening for a fleeting instant.