The peculiarity of the Flame of Living Beings lay in the fact that it contained a unique vitality—powerful enough to accelerate the maturation of medicinal ingredients.
It was not merely a form of energy; it also carried the power of laws.
In this respect, Xiao Yan believed that among all Heavenly Flames, the Flame of Living Beings shared some similarities with the Yin–Yang Dual Flames.
The Yin–Yang Dual Flames possessed the laws of yin and yang, but their effects—yang flame healing and yin flame killing—could be substituted in many ways.
For healing, Xiao Yan, as an alchemist, could refine many powerful restorative pills.
Even if one's body was destroyed, as long as the soul remained intact, Xiao Yan had ways to resurrect them.
As for killing—Xiao Yan was even more adept.
The Three-Path Poison Gu, derived from the Netherworld Poison Flame, required only a single insect to completely annihilate a person, leaving not even bones behind.
And that was still one of his most insignificant means.
The dual effects of the Yin–Yang Dual Flames were not as irreplaceable as the Flame of Living Beings' ability to accelerate the growth of herbs.
Having witnessed countless cycles of life and death, Xiao Yan had long developed a profound understanding of life itself.
However, in the past, his comprehension of the Flame Mantra techniques was far less refined than it was now.
More importantly, the Flame of Living Beings, though imbued with the power of law, lacked sufficient energy to unleash its full potential. Thus, when condensed, it often appeared weak and "chicken-ribbed"—its medicinal acceleration almost negligible.
Since beginning his research on how to condense the Flame of Living Beings, Xiao Yan had nearly mastered the aspect of laws.
Only the question of energy posed a slight obstacle—but after witnessing the growth of the Ice-Fire Fruit Tree today, he finally gained some insight.
By the time Xiao Yan returned to his senses, the sun had already set.
The vast desert surrounding him had transformed into a unique forest—branches glowing fiery red like flames, bearing fruit of icy blue.
In the sky, the setting sun slowly descended, dyeing the horizon orange-red. The afterglow filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
After working for most of the day, the four serpent-women walked slowly toward him. Though they were quite powerful and wore the Snake-People's light, breathable attire, laboring in the scorching desert while handling fire-attribute potions left them all glistening with fragrant sweat.
Their smooth skin, moistened by perspiration, appeared even more lustrous, as though coated with a faint sheen of oil.
Yue Xinger stretched her neck. "These days are the hottest in the Tagore Desert. When we return, I'm taking a long bath."
Glancing toward the black-robed man not far away, Yue Laner said, "Young Master Xiao Yan has already finished his seclusion. You and I should go serve him first."
Hua She'er bit her lips lightly. These two little snake-girls…
Looking at the thriving trees, Hua She'er still felt as if she were dreaming. Xiao Yan's abilities truly defied mortal comprehension.
The hottest days in the desert? For Xiao Yan, who had deep research in Heavenly Flames, such information made him especially alert.
The Windfury Dragon Flame, ranked eighteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, would appear within the fiery vortexes—the "eye of the storm"—in ancient deserts.
During the hottest years, it would randomly manifest anywhere across the sands—extremely rare and elusive.
Unfortunately, the Dou Qi Continent was vast and boundless, filled with countless deserts.
The Tagore Desert, while one of them, did not seem to be favored this time.
The Windfury Dragon Flame was a Heavenly Flame infused with the wind attribute. When unleashed, it took the form of a blazing tornado, its flames soaring hundreds of meters high, like a colossal fire dragon roaring as it spun forward—possessing tremendous destructive force.
However, compared to the Flame of Living Beings, which could nurture herbs, Xiao Yan had little interest in the Windfury Dragon Flame for now.
When the four serpent-women arrived, Xiao Yan said after some thought, "Starting tomorrow, you can bring some of your people to cut a few branches for grafting. Keep using the potion to cultivate and expand the area. As for the potion, those dozen fellows will continue producing it."
"And what about you, Mr. Xiao Yan?" Yue Mei's diamond-shaped eyes gleamed with teasing allure when she noticed that he had no intention of returning.
The last time she had tried her utmost to tempt him, she'd received no reaction—something the queen of the Charming Serpent Tribe had brooded over ever since.
Now that Her Majesty was pregnant and somewhat inconvenienced… this was, after all, the time when men were most easily… tempted.
"I'll continue cultivating for a while longer. You all go about your business."
Xiao Yan turned and walked into the dense forest, silently murmuring to himself, "Condensation of the Flame of Living Beings—begin!"
Watching Xiao Yan disappear directly into the forest, not only Yue Mei but even Hua She'er was astonished.
Xiao Yan… truly a cultivation maniac—no wonder Her Majesty had fallen for him.
Perhaps it was precisely this tireless effort that had granted him such overwhelming power.
Deep in the forest, Xiao Yan found a random spot to sit cross-legged. With a flick of his fingers, four small flags fell onto the ground, isolating the area around him.
He drew in a deep breath, purging every stray thought from his mind as his vast spiritual power spread outward.
Before this seclusion, his soul power could only probe within a range of a few hundred miles. Afterward, it had advanced tremendously—reaching the peak of the Spirit Realm's mid-stage.
In an instant, his perception expanded far beyond a hundred miles, and it was still growing.
Drawing in the unique energy released by the Ice-Fire Fruit Tree after its growth, Xiao Yan simultaneously guided the ambient world energy in the air, rapidly concentrating it before him.
Energy surged from all directions, quickly forming gentle streams like flowing breezes.
This time, Xiao Yan did not absorb all the energy into his body to condense a Heavenly Flame within the Endless Fire Domain. Instead, he employed a new method—condensing it externally.
Condensing a Heavenly Flame within the body was easier, but due to the Green Lotus Creation Codex technique, doing so would cause fluctuations that could lower his realm.
Xiao Yan would never allow his strength to decline every time he acquired a new Heavenly Flame.
When the first surge of energy gathered into a sufficiently massive cluster, Xiao Yan began to retract his immense spiritual force.
He carefully enveloped the gathered energy, then began to compress it with full focus.
Throughout the process, Xiao Yan remained utterly concentrated, not daring to slack off for even an instant, fearing the energy might collapse and dissipate under excessive pressure.
His hand seals shifted—the Super Fallen Heart Flame suddenly emerged at the energy's core, refining it with alchemical precision.
The Super Fallen Heart Flame was essentially an enhanced cultivation cheat; used now to purify energy, its effect was outstanding.
The dense, basketball-sized mass of mottled energy began shrinking rapidly at a rate visible to the naked eye.
At the same time, its color became purer and more brilliant.
Moments later, when the entire mass of energy had been refined, it was reduced to a sphere about the size of a tennis ball.
End of Chapter)
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