Chapter 209 – The Blazing Orange-Red Flame
As that cold and sinister gaze swept over the sky, every person froze in place. Heavenly Flames—among the most destructive forces in the world—possessed the terrifying ability to incinerate mountains and boil seas. Before such a power, aside from those legendary figures whose Dou Qi rivaled heaven and earth, no one could afford to remain unafraid.
Su Qian's expression was grim. He no longer paid attention to the stunned Gold and Silver Elders standing nearby. Compared to these Black-Corner Region invaders, his greatest concern was the Fallen Heart Flame in the tower!
Heavenly Flames were already terrifying enough on their own. If one had developed a certain level of intelligence, it became truly fearsome. Though the Black-Corner Region's people were greedy and ruthless, they still didn't dare lay a hand on the Inner Academy's students casually.
After all, the students hailed from all over the continent and were backed by various forces. Individually, those forces might not be particularly intimidating, but united, even the Black-Corner Region wouldn't dare incur their collective wrath. And Jia Nan Academy, having stood tall for so many years, had deep roots—though its true power wouldn't show unless the Academy faced an existential crisis.
"All Inner Academy Elders, form the seal formation!"
Su Qian's eyes flickered, and he shouted loudly, ignoring the Gold-Silver duo and the surrounding hostile forces.
At his command, the Elders momentarily hesitated, glanced at the encircling enemies, then swiftly took action. In mere seconds, they began to reconstruct the previous seal formation over the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.
Watching them, the Black-Corner Region elites gathered together, their eyes gleaming with anticipation as they focused on the shattered tower.
"Heh heh, Master Han, now that the Elders are preoccupied, isn't this the perfect time for us to strike and crush them?"
An old man with a shadowy complexion chuckled sinisterly toward Han Feng, his eyes flashing.
"No rush, Elder Ban," Han Feng replied with a smile, shaking his head. "After that earlier battle, the Elders have expended much of their strength. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Flame has only been recuperating. It won't be so easy for them to reseal it now. They may even suffer losses. When both sides are wounded, that's our best chance to move in."
Though he sounded calm, Han Feng had another plan entirely. While he had gathered a powerful group to assert control of the situation, he wasn't a fool. Jia Nan Academy's hidden strength ran deep. If he provoked them too far, no one present would walk away unscathed. His only goal was the Heavenly Flame—he had no intention of waging war to the death.
Taking the flame by force might strain relations, but it wouldn't amount to a blood feud. The Academy's reclusive powerhouses might tolerate the loss of the flame—but they would never forgive mass casualties among their Elders and students.
Though visibly displeased, Elder Ban reluctantly nodded. His faction had clashed with the Academy many times, often suffering casualties. Naturally, he didn't want to miss this chance to inflict serious damage.
Up in the sky, the Elders' Dou Qi surged as a faint energy barrier reappeared over the tower. However, compared to before, this one was clearly thinner. The earlier fight had worn them down significantly.
Off to the side, Xiao Yuan eyed the battered and staggering Fan Lao. He clenched his fist.
Tsshh!
Fan Lao's body suddenly froze in mid-air.
A dazzling orange-red flame appeared without warning over his heart.
Xiao Yuan's hand seals changed, and he activated the mid-tier Xuan-rank Fire Dou Technique—Leaving Fire Burn.
The moment the flame emerged, Fan Lao panicked and used his last bit of Dou Qi to suppress it, screaming desperately:
"Master Han, help me!"
But before the words finished, brilliant light burst from his mouth. His body froze.
Han Feng turned his head, just in time to see orange flames spilling from Fan Lao's seven orifices. Within moments, his entire body ignited.
Fan Lao didn't scream again—his vocal cords had already been incinerated. What little life force he had left disappeared.
In the air, a humanoid blaze of orange-red flame crackled, hissing like burning wood. But everyone knew what it really was—a once-feared Dou Huang now reduced to ashes.
Lightning flickered, and Xiao Yuan appeared beside the smoldering corpse. With a wave, a crimson storage ring flew into his hand.
"A Dou Huang? That's all?"
Xiao Yuan's casual laugh silenced the battlefield.
To kill a Dou Huang as a Dou Wang—this was unthinkable!
The Black-Corner Region fighters were especially horrified. That youth, who looked no older than twenty, had killed Fan Lao?
On the Jia Nan Academy side, the silence broke into an earth-shaking cheer!
Even Su Qian, while maintaining the seal formation, nodded in approval—Xiao Yuan's strength was truly astonishing.
He had thought Xiao Yuan might play a role in this fight—but killing a Dou Huang? Even among the Academy's Elders, few could do so alone. Especially one like Fan Lao, an infamous veteran.
Yuan Yi, leader of the Eight Gates, was now drenched in sweat. Fan Lao's power wasn't far off from his own. If this youth could kill Fan Lao, then…
Best not to provoke this one. Ever.
On the ground, Xiao Yan rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
Just now, Third Brother had used an entirely new type of orange-red flame—and it felt strangely familiar.
But Xiao Yan was certain—it wasn't a Heavenly Flame.
In the sky, Han Feng was shocked at Fan Lao's death, but what really intrigued him was the orange flame Xiao Yuan had used.
As a sixth-tier alchemist, his powerful soul could sense that while it wasn't a Heavenly Flame, its temperature and radiant brilliance weren't ordinary at all.
Perhaps this flame could also be devoured—to further evolve my incomplete Flame Mantra...
Han Feng's eyes gleamed with greedy intent.
Xiao Yuan immediately felt the malicious gaze and shivered. He turned and scowled.
"I don't swing that way. Don't give me that creepy look—especially not from a traitorous scumbag like you!"
His words, laced with Dou Qi, echoed across the sky. Everyone heard them.
"What did you say?"
Han Feng's expression turned dark. Very few knew the truth of his past betrayal—how did this white-robed youth know?
"Exactly what I said. What? Can't handle it?"
Xiao Yuan sneered and absorbed the orange-red flame into his body.
Han Feng's face twitched. After a moment, he forced a fake smile.
"Perhaps you've misunderstood me, little brother. Why not come visit me in Feng City to talk it out?"
"You want me to come so you can stab me in the back?"
Xiao Yuan sneered, full of disdain.
"Tch… ridiculous."
Han Feng's expression froze. He flicked his sleeve and said no more.
He couldn't admit to anything. If the Medicine Sovereign learned the truth, he'd be crushed on the spot.
Xiao Yuan said nothing more, but a glint flashed in his eyes.
Whether it was due to the lingering influence of when Yao Lao refined the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva or the Yin-Yang Soul Nourishing Pearl, Xiao Yuan had just sensed a subtle fluctuation in Yao Lao's soul.
A sign of awakening.
His words were meant to provoke Han Feng, to plant seeds of doubt and distraction. Sooner or later, they would fight. Best to throw him off-balance early.
Xiao Yan, wearing the Soul Ring, also sensed something faint, though he still couldn't contact Yao Lao. All he could do was wait, helplessly.
With everyone lost in thought, the seal controlled by Su Qian glowed again. But just as it reached full brightness, a piercing screech echoed from the tower's tip.
The resulting shockwaves devastated the surrounding area even more.
At that moment, the massive form of the Fallen Heart Flame burst forth. Its invisible flames, like tidal waves, smashed against the barrier. Instantly, cracks began forming.
Many Elders went pale, their Dou Qi visibly weakening.
"That's… the Academy's Heavenly Flame? It's almost fully materialized!"
The Black-Corner Region elites were stunned by the serpent-like shape filling the sky.
Han Feng, too, was shocked by the sheer size of the flame. But soon, joy overtook him.
If I can devour it… I'll break into Dou Zong!
Even Xiao Yuan's earlier insults faded from his mind.
"Screee!"
The monstrous cry tore through the heavens. Knowing the seal was failing, the serpent's massive tail lashed out with terrifying force.
CRACK!
With a shattering sound, the barrier fractured like a spiderweb.
BOOM!
The serpent's head slammed into the weakened section—and the entire barrier exploded!
Freed at last, the invisible serpent let out a wild, triumphant roar.
But it didn't flee.
Instead, it lifted its head—and locked eyes on Xiao Yuan and Han Feng, eyes gleaming with intelligent greed.
The crowd froze as their eyes followed its gaze—to the two rising flames: one black and white, the other deep blue.
Now the hunter… had become the hunted.
Han Feng, with his years of experience, immediately recognized it.
"Fallen Heart Flame…"
His face twisted in awe—and hunger. Of all Heavenly Flames, this one was said to accelerate cultivation itself.
It was every cultivator's dream—a literal cheat code.
If I can claim it, my power will grow endlessly!
From a distance, Xiao Yuan watched Han Feng and the serpent, his lips curling into a smirk.
Neither of you are leaving today.
"Xiao Yan," he transmitted mentally, "whether Teacher wakes up or not, get ready—we're moving soon."
With that, he absorbed his flame, dismissed the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Change, and downed a few recovery pills.
He hadn't taken much damage, but a bit of recovery wouldn't hurt.
Now it was time to bait the enemy.
Let Han Feng tangle with the Fallen Heart Flame first.
No way was Xiao Yuan doing the hard work for someone else.
(END CHAPTER)
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