The infant Fallen Heart Flame drifted quietly before Liu Xi. Compared to the massive invisible fire python within his heart, it was pitifully weak.
"Soul Dominion!"
The moment the infant flame touched Liu Xi's palm, it trembled slightly—then was instantly subdued.
"It carries the essence of the Fallen Heart Flame, but its power is only between the Dou Ling and Dou Wang level. Even if I continuously nurture it, it would take nearly a hundred years for it to reach the strength of the fire python. Still, I don't need it for combat—it'll be perfect for the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower."
With that thought, Liu Xi clenched his hand, and the infant flame turned ethereal, transforming into invisible fire that flowed through his meridians and into his dantian. There, he nurtured it using his refined Dou Qi—already infused with the aura of the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Fallen Heart Flame.
As long as Liu Xi didn't attempt to forcibly fuse these Heavenly Flames, coexistence posed no problem. Now, the Green Lotus Core Flame rested within his spirit core, awaiting his summons; the mature Fallen Heart Flame resided in his heart, tempering his cultivation; and the infant flame danced joyfully in his dantian.
"Little friend, no! You can't put two Heavenly Flames into your body—they'll devour each other—!" Yao Tianhuo's expression changed drastically as he cried out. But before he could finish, his words froze.
The scene was utterly calm—Liu Xi remained unharmed!
Yao Tianhuo's eyes widened in disbelief. Back then, he had tried merging two flames in this very way—his body torn apart when the flames clashed violently, leading to his death at the hands of the Lizardmen.
"Rest easy, Elder Yao. I have my own unique fire-controlling method."
Liu Xi smiled faintly, as if everything were perfectly natural.
"The art of flame control has developed to such a degree now… To think you can simultaneously control multiple Heavenly Flames. My once-proud flame mastery… can't even hold a candle to yours."
Yao Tianhuo's expression went blank; his spiritual eyes dimmed, and his tone grew heavy with melancholy.
"I suppose I'm nothing but a remnant soul of a fallen Dou Zun… perhaps it's time I truly accepted my end…"
Liu Xi, having stabilized the infant flame, turned toward the despondent elder and said with a grin, "Elder Yao, come now. This place isn't suitable for a long stay—we should leave."
"Oh… oh!" Yao Tianhuo snapped back to himself, his eyes regaining a faint gleam. With a bitter smile, he clasped his hands toward Liu Xi.
"You've truly given me too many surprises, little friend. To think that my so-called fire mastery isn't even fit to be compared to yours."
He waved his hand, and a white light flew from his skeletal remains, landing in his palm. As the glow faded, a pristine white storage ring appeared.
After a moment's hesitation, Yao Tianhuo smiled faintly and pressed his finger against the ring. A pale scroll floated out, covered with depictions of fiery beasts—winged and majestic.
"This is my personal flame control scripture—the Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique. It may not rival your mysterious technique, but it is a Dou Technique on par with Tian Class techniques."
He extended the scroll toward Liu Xi, smiling. "Take it as a gift of meeting, and a token of trust. My future will rest in your hands."
"Oh?" Liu Xi raised his brows, genuinely surprised. He had heard of this technique before but hadn't expected Yao Tianhuo to hand it over so freely. The elder's honesty won him a bit of respect.
He cautiously unfurled the scroll, letting his inner flames resonate with it.
Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique — A flame control scripture divided into five tiers: Wolf, Leopard, Lion, Tiger, and Dragon. Each stage cultivates its own Fire Spirit. When the art is mastered and all five spirits unite, they form the Five Ring Flame Expelling Formation—capable of boiling seas and burning skies.
If four of the five Fire Spirits are Heavenly Flames, the technique's might can rival Tian Class Dou Techniques!
"Tian Class Dou Technique!" Liu Xi's eyes gleamed with excitement. This was the highest-level technique he'd ever encountered—and one perfectly suited for his path as an alchemist.
Though he'd boasted of superior flame control earlier, that was merely his Soul Dominion technique's trickery. His true mastery came from the Elder Huo's Pill Flame teachings—not remotely comparable to this Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique.
"This method's mine now. With it, I might even attempt refining 7th Tier pills someday… if only I could withstand the Pill Lightning…"
He silently mused, concealing his delight behind a calm smile.
"Thank you, Elder. This Dou Technique isn't bad. I'll count this as fulfilling my first request."
Hearing that, Yao Tianhuo's face twitched. Not bad? His signature technique—the very foundation of his fame—was dismissed as "not bad." His heart ached to smack that annoyingly calm, handsome face.
Suppressing his irritation, Yao Tianhuo sighed softly, his gaze falling upon his skeletal remains. "Little friend, take my bones with you. The remains of a Dou Zun still hold value—perhaps they'll serve you one day."
Liu Xi nodded gently. Stepping forward, he pressed a palm to the white bones, storing them into his ring. As the skeleton vanished, the surrounding light barrier began to dissolve.
Straightening his back, Liu Xi turned and said, "Elder Yao, let's go. Time's running short."
"Very well." Yao Tianhuo nodded. His spiritual body transformed into a streak of light that merged into the ring, which automatically slid onto Liu Xi's finger.
Encased once again in invisible flame, Liu Xi kicked off the ground, rocketing upward through the molten depths and toward the fading light barrier.
---
Meanwhile, above the magma world, the fires around the Inner Academy had finally been extinguished. Vice Principal Hu Qian stood beside Su Qian, his tone grave. "Great Elder, many of them escaped. Only a few minor Dou Wangs and lesser lackeys remain."
Facing the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, Su Qian clasped his hands behind his back, his expression dark.
"They can run for now, but not forever. What matters most is rescuing Elder Liu and resealing the Fallen Heart Flame. How are the others faring? Can we still form the Thousand-Layer Sealing Array?"
A gray-robed elder stepped forward. "Thanks to the pills Elder Liu refined for us, most have recovered. Even Elder Qin Xuan has regained consciousness!"
"Good. Move out—enter the tower!"
At once, nearly thirty Inner and Outer Academy Elders—all at least Dou Wang-level—spread their wings of Dou Qi and descended into the magma beneath the tower.
…
But when they arrived—
"???"
They all froze.
Before them lay only calm, crimson magma. Silent. Still.
Even Su Qian himself was baffled.
The three Heavenly Flames' battle… where's the destruction? Where's the chaos?
Where was Liu Xi?
Where was Han Feng?
And most importantly…
Where the hell was that enormous invisible fire python?!
(End of Chapter)
---
A Huge Shoutout and Welcome to Jackson W for Joining us on Patreon and Becoming a Member of Diamond.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.