The Windfury Dragon Flame—ranked eighteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking—was a flame so renowned that even a Dou Sect–level powerhouse had to approach it with utmost caution, wary of its violent temperament.
To attempt to devour such a Heavenly Flame directly was no different from seeking one's own death—an act that could only end in self-immolation.
Yet for Xiao Yan, it felt strangely pleasant—like tasting a steaming dumpling in the dead of winter: an unexpected warmth and comfort spreading through him.
The instant the Windfury Dragon Flame's seed entered his body, before its stored power could fully erupt, it was immediately enveloped by the suppressive radiance of the Super Fallen Heart Flame.
The Fallen Heart Flame ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, already more potent than the Windfury Dragon Flame.
And the Super Fallen Heart Flame was its evolved form—its power had surpassed even the boundaries of its own ranking.
Even the residual suppression of this flame was enough to completely overwhelm the Windfury Dragon Flame, leaving it utterly unable to resist.
Under the domination of the Super Fallen Heart Flame, the Windfury Dragon Flame's fiery seed melted into a torrent of pure, blazing energy that flowed quietly through Xiao Yan's meridians.
Following the routes of the Green Lotus Creation Codex, it surged through his body like a river in flood—pouring new vitality and strength into his cultivation.
The merging of the Windfury Dragon Flame with the existing Super Fallen Heart Flame made the internal heat even more ferocious, as though it sought to burn the heavens themselves.
That scorching power tempered Xiao Yan's body, blood, bones, and even his soul—each wave of heat forging him anew, pushing his limits to a higher threshold.
Once the Windfury Dragon Flame's essence entered the Endless Fire Domain, the cultivation effect Xiao Yan received was nearly equivalent to a month of effort condensed into mere moments.
Within the Endless Fire Domain, all the Heavenly Flames had their own domains, isolated from one another.
Yet the pure brilliance of the Windfury Dragon Flame's energy shone like a firefly in the night, drawing the attention of the other flames.
A powerful spiritual wave erupted from Xiao Yan—rolling across the fiery space like a tsunami—instantly subduing every restless Heavenly Flame within.
Only the embryonic Emperor Flame, as per its natural process, absorbed a small portion of the Windfury Dragon Flame's essence to strengthen itself once again.
With the Green Lotus Creation Codex running at full force, the Windfury Dragon Flame settled peacefully within the domain, releasing energy that elevated the technique itself.
The Green Lotus Creation Codex—which Xiao Yan had successfully evolved—had already reached the peak of the low Heaven Tier. With the addition of the Windfury Dragon Flame, though the new flame had not yet developed intelligence, its immense energy propelled the codex to advance smoothly into the mid Heaven Tier.
This breakthrough drastically accelerated Xiao Yan's cultivation speed. He now absorbed the Windfury Dragon Flame's energy at a terrifying pace.
The energy reserves that had nearly run dry during his earlier advancement were replenished—the empty ocean of his inner world was now surging once more with fiery vitality.
As the red-hot energy of the Windfury Dragon Flame spread through him, Xiao Yan's previously fallen Dou King strength recovered at astonishing speed.
Apart from the enhanced grade of his technique and his superior absorption speed, another crucial reason Xiao Yan chose to devour the flame was that consuming Heavenly Flames could directly increase his cultivation.
Within moments, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. A flash of deep crimson light glinted within them.
With just this one Heavenly Flame, he could already restore himself to the peak of the Dou King realm—and it would not be long before he once again stepped into the Dou Sect realm. The promotion of his cultivation method to mid Heaven Tier filled him with renewed confidence.
Yue Mei and Hua She'er, who had been watching him closely, were left speechless.
How long had it been? And yet this man had completely subdued the destructive Heavenly Flame that had nearly razed the entire New Tagore Desert!
"Both of you," Xiao Yan called calmly, "stop staring. The Windfury Dragon Flame destroyed many of the Ice-Fire Fruit Trees—you two should lead the restoration efforts."
"Yes!" the two women replied quickly, before flying off into the distance.
Once they left, Xiao Yan turned his gaze toward the Flame of Living Beings.
"What do you want?" she asked, eyes flickering uneasily under his calm stare.
That fully formed Windfury Dragon Flame had just been refined and devoured by him in less than the time it took for a meal. If he turned against her now…
But Xiao Yan only smiled. "I told you before—'to get what you want, you need strength.' You have great potential, but you lack proper guidance. I think you've realized that by now."
The Flame of Living Beings blinked. "You mean you want to teach me?"
Her bright eyes sharpened. "Aren't you afraid I'll rebel? I don't intend to remain anyone's puppet forever."
"Good," Xiao Yan said with approval. "Hold onto that mindset. Prove it to me. But before your strength surpasses mine, you'll have to follow my lead."
The Flame of Living Beings bit her lip, then nodded slowly. Someday… there will be a chance.
Xiao Yan could easily read her thoughts, and he smiled faintly. "You are the Flame of Living Beings. You're not suited for combat, and I won't force you into it. Your greatest talent lies in nurturing life—and refining medicine. I intend to develop that potential."
"I am also an alchemist," he continued. "If one day your alchemy surpasses mine, then you'll be free to do as you please."
"Alchemy?"
The Flame of Living Beings nodded thoughtfully. Among all Heavenly Flames, she indeed possessed the greatest natural affinity for refining medicine. "Very well. I accept."
"It seems you've thought it through." Xiao Yan's tone softened. "For now, focus on learning the fundamentals. Once you've mastered them, I'll teach you the advanced methods."
When she finally lowered her guard, Xiao Yan formed a series of seals, drawing the Flame of Living Beings into the Endless Fire Domain within him.
As all settled down, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
He had given her a choice, but surpassing him was something utterly impossible. Still, she could become a fine assistant—a true master of alchemy.
The higher the grade of a pill, the greater the risk in refining it—but that had never stopped any alchemist from attempting seventh-tier and beyond.
Whether it was the Green Lotus Creation Codex or the formation of the Flame of Living Beings itself, both were rooted in the essence of eighth-rank alchemy.
For a Heavenly Flame to develop intelligence and self-will was only natural.
But if he could not even control a single Heavenly Flame, then dreaming of greater heights in cultivation would be meaningless.
After dealing with the Flame of Living Beings, Xiao Yan suddenly sensed something amiss.
"The Tagore Desert has gone through such drastic upheaval, yet Medusa hasn't appeared? With her current strength, even ten Windfury Dragon Flames wouldn't trouble her. Could it be that…"
(End of Chapter)
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