Battle Through the Heavens

Chapter 902: Tian Huo Zun Zhe

Xiao Yan clearly felt an unusual ripple sweeping over his body when he broke through the layer of transparent light. This ripple swiftly disappeared when it made contact with the Fallen Heart Flame on his body, allowing Xiao Yan's body to successfully enter it.

When he penetrated the barrier, the bright-red color that filled his eyes was swiftly scattered. Replacing it was a kind of misty and faint cream-white-colored light. Xiao Yan immediately stabilized his body. His gaze was extremely cautious as it swept in all directions. Finally, it paused on the mysterious skeleton that was suspended in the middle.

The space in this place was clearly the light barrier that Xiao Yan had seen earlier. Perhaps it was due to his sight, but this place appeared much bigger at this moment. However, one could still take in the entire place with a glance.

Xiao Yan turned his head as his eyes searched outside the light barrier. The blood-colored fire lizard leaders were discovered by him. His expression immediately became somewhat solemn. He did not expect that this mysterious magma race would actually possess such experts. The strength of these blood-colored lizard people was clearly greater than the one he had killed earlier. According to Xiao Yan's guess, it was likely that they had already reached the peak of the Dou Huang class. This caused Xiao Yan's heart to become increasingly cautious. After all, who knew if there were any stronger people within this fire lizard race.

If there were, the situation would become quite unfortunate. Xiao Yan's strength might not be reduced greatly within the magma by relying on the strength of the 'Heavenly Flame.' However, the opponent had a great numerical advantage. Should Xiao Yan be surrounded, it was likely that he would have little chance to survive.

"Dammit. This magma world is indeed not as calm as it appears on the surface." Xiao Yan clenched his teeth and scolded softly.

The fire lizard people outside of the light barrier seemed to be unable to sense its location. Hence, they wandered up and down for awhile before dispersing in all directions in front of Xiao Yan's eyes. Xiao Yan only sighed in relief when the last red figure disappeared into the magma. He might have killed quite a number of fire lizard people in the big battle earlier, but he was also greatly exhausted.

Xiao Yan's body was suspended in this white space as he rested for a moment. Only after some of the Dou Qi within his body had recovered did he stand up and carefully walk to the mysterious skeleton.

As he approached the mysterious skeleton, Xiao Yan could sense the summoning feeling within his heart become increasingly denser. Now, he had finally understood that the beckoning that he had felt above the magma had originated from this mysterious skeleton or… the Fallen Heart Flame.

Xiao Yan's eyes drifted over the mysterious skeleton a little longer before his gaze was involuntarily thrown to the invisible flame on the skeleton…

This Fallen Heart Flame was only the size of a head. The temperature that it emitted was far inferior to the Fallen Heart Flame within Xiao Yan's body. If one were to describe the Fallen Heart Flame within Xiao Yan's body as a matured form, this Fallen Heart Flame in front of Xiao Yan was in its baby stages.

Of course, regardless of whether it was in a baby or mature stage, this thing was a 'Heavenly Flame.' It was extremely difficult for a 'Heavenly Flame' to be formed. It required the accumulation of a countless amount of time. Moreover, this invisible flame that did not appear violent had likely existed for a very long time. However, Xiao Yan did not know why two 'Heavenly Flame,' that were the same, would appear in the same place. This kind of mysterious scene was something that Xiao Yan had never heard of.

Xiao Yan's eyes were locked intently on the Fallen Heart Flame. He inhaled a deep breath of air. This kind of baby 'Heavenly Flame' might possess some use to the 'Flame Mantra,' but it was likely that it would not be very great. After all, the evolution of the 'Flame Mantra' required quite a frightening amount of energy. It was clear from looking at this small thing that it did not possess the necessary energy.

Xiao Yan's hand rubbed his chin. He mused for a moment before his hand suddenly paused. A joy surfaced within his eyes. This baby like Fallen Heart Flame might not be of much use for him, but it would definitely be a jou, that descended from the sky, to the Inner Academy. Once they had this thing, the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower would be able to open again. Moreover, its effects would not be weakened by much compared to the past. As long as there was an unceasing amount of Dou Qi being poured in, it would enable the activation of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower that was called the 'Training Accelerator.'

Thus, not only would the Inner Academy benefit from it but this baby Fallen Heart Flame would be able to gradually evolve. In due time, it would definitely evolve into a mature 'Fallen Heart Flame.' Moreover, a 'Heavenly Flame' which was groomed from young would be much easier to tame in the future. The matter of the mature 'Fallen Heart Flame' rebelling like it did in the past would no longer occur. A century later, the Fallen Heart Flame that had successfully evolved might even be a great support to the Inner Academy!

After all, a 'Heavenly Flame' would evolve and form its own intelligence sooner or later. At that time, it would be little different from an ordinary person. It would definitely protect the Inner Academy like its home when that time came. Would the Inner Academy not possess an additional ultimate guardian at that point in time?

An excitement rose within Xiao Yan's heart when he thought of the many benefits that it would have for the Inner Academy. He always felt a headache and guilt when dealing with the problem of how to completely solve the exhaustion of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. The appearance of this baby Fallen Heart Flame had undoubtedly resolved this problem. The slight guilt within his body would finally disappear.

Xiao Yan involuntarily parted his lips and smiled when he thought about this. After which, he slowly walked forward. He curled his hand and captured the baby Fallen Heart Flame.

When he was just around two meters from the skeleton, a bright, white light suddenly erupted from the interior of the white skeleton. The sudden unexpected change caused Xiao Yan to be startled. He hurriedly withdrew. When he was just about to do so, he was shocked to realize that an enormous force had caused him to remain still.

Xiao Yan's stilled body caused his expression to swiftly change. A fleeing notion was lingering within his heart. The white glow in front of him wiggled slowly before it transformed into an illusionary old human figure.

The human figure had white-colored robes on. His hair was snow-white and he had an elderly face. A faint flicker flashed across both of his eyes. This illusionary human figure had just appeared when Xiao Yan sensed a kind of pressuring feeling that spread out from his heart…

"Fallen Heart Flame? How unexpected… it has been subdued by someone…" The illusionary human figure glanced at Xiao Yan before he immediately spoke. His voice was filled with a feeling that was difficult to describe.

Xiao Yan's heart involuntarily felt a chill when he heard these words. He naturally knew that the illusionary human figure in front of him was a spiritual body. However, he did not expect that the other party had managed to see the Fallen Heart Flame within his body at a glance.

"This little fellow was unaware that old sir is here and had rudely intruded. Please forgive me." Xiao Yan spoke extremely courteously while thoughts swiftly flew around his heart.

The illusionary human figure ignored Xiao Yan's courtesy as his gaze stared at Xiao Yan for a moment. Finally, he beckoned with his hand.

With the beckoning of the old human figure, Xiao Yan was shocked to discover that the Fallen Heart Flame within his body flew out uncontrollably before eventually landing in the other party's hand.

"Old mister, what do you mean by this?" This scene caused Xiao Yan's heart to sink as he furiously cried out.

The Fallen Heart Flame was just like an invisible long snake that lingered and moved around the old human figure's palm. That obedient manner caused Xiao Yan's expression to change slightly. He had clearly already completely refined the Fallen Heart Flame. How was it possible for it to be this obedient in a stranger's hand?

"Why? Are you surprised?" The old person glanced at Xiao Yan, almost like he was aware of the doubt in Xiao Yan's heart. An unknown smile surfaced on the corner of Xiao Yan's mouth as he faintly explained, "This is because I was the pervious owner of the Fallen Heart Flame. Although you have refined it, it still does not pose much of a resistance to me. Moreover, do you really think that you can defeat the old me in flame controlling ability?"

"The previous owner?" Xiao Yan's eyes shrank slightly upon hearing these words. He dryly laughed, "Ke ke, old mister should not tease the little me. When I was subduing the Fallen Heart Flame back then, I did not sense that it had an owner."

"You are naturally unable to sense it because I had already given it freedom when I was about to die. It is not wrong to say that it is without owner at that time." The white-robed old man laughed.

Xiao Yan swallowed a mouthful of saliva. He did not expect that he would end up meeting the previous owner of the Fallen Heart Flame in this place. If what the old man had said was true, it was likely that he had been dead for quite a number of years. At the very least, First Elder Su Qian was completely unaware of this manner.

However, the thing that Xiao Yan was most worried about was whether this old fellow would take back the Fallen Heart Flame. The 'Heavenly Flame' was extremely important to Xiao Yan. If it were forcefully snatched from him, it would end up causing a great amount of harm to him. Hence, he would have to keep it regardless of what happen even if he had to risk his life. The white-robed old man in front of him might be an ultimate expert but the latter was ultimately just a spiritual body at this moment.. Moreover, looking at the thinness of the spirit, it seemed that he was not too strong.

"Relax, I will not snatch your Fallen Heart Flame. Strictly speaking, I have long since been a dead person. My spirit has suffered all sorts of hardship during these many years. The thing that you are seeing now is but the thread of a remnant spiritual imprint. It cannot cause any harm to you." The old man faintly explained.

Xiao Yan felt somewhat embarrassed when he was about to sigh in relief upon hearing the words that targeted what he was thinking. He hurriedly smiled and said, "This senior has spoken too seriously. May I know old sir's name?"

The white-robed old man smiled. His smile possessed a pride that came from within his bones as he said, "The old me is Yao Tian Huo. Other people also called me Tian Huo zun zhe."

"Zun zhe?"

Xiao Yan's heart leaped violently upon hearing this form of address. Xiao Yan clearly understood what this suffix behind the name represented. Clearly, this mysterious white-robed old man deep within the magma was an elite Dou Zun who had shaken the continent at one time!

Chapter 903: Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique

The white-haired old man who called himself Yao Tian Huo smiled slightly when he saw Xiao Yan's change in expression. He immediately waved his hand and indifferently said, "There is no need to be afraid. That was when I was still alive. The current me is merely a little spirit. Given your strength, it is enough to kill me."

Xiao Yan quietly sighed in relief without noticing it upon hearing this. He was quite cautious of this elite Dou Zun with a mysterious origin, especially if he was the previous owner of the Fallen Heart Flame.

Tian Huo zun-zhe played with the Fallen Heart Flame in his hand. A moment later, he sighed and recalled his memories. He flicked his finger and the Fallen Heart Flame transformed into a fire snake that shot to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan carefully received the Fallen Heart Flame, but did not immediately absorb it into his body. He allowed it to linger on his hand. Only after he failed to discover anything wrong with it did he carefully absorb it into his body. When he regained the Fallen Heart Flame, the caution within Xiao Yan finally paled a little. He immediately smiled and courteously said, "This little fellow is reckless. I was not aware that old sir is present in this place. Please bear with me if I have offended you."

Tian Huo zun-zhe waved his hand and glanced at Xiao Yan. He immediately pointed at the baby invisible flame and asked faintly, "Are you also interested in this Fallen Heart Flame?"

Xiao Yan's heart became cold upon hearing Tian Huo zun-zhe question. He immediately laughed dryly and said, "That is something that belonged to old sir when you were alive. The little me has luckily inherited a kind of Fallen Heart Flame. I am already satisfied.."

"Little fellow, don't use such tactics in front of me. When I was bluffing people on the Dou Qi continent, your grandfather might not even have been born." Tian Huo zun-zhe smiled as he chastised.

Xiao Yan involuntarily felt a little embarrassed when he heard this. This old fellow had already long seen through his thoughts.

Tian Huo zun-zhe's gaze was somewhat nostalgic as he looked at the Fallen Heart Flame. He slowly said, "The first Fallen Heart Flame I discovered when I came to search this place back then. I spent a couple of years before luckily subduing it. It is the flame within your body right now…"

Xiao Yan lifted his ears when he suddenly heard Tian Huo zun-zhe speaking about the past. He also paid quite a lot of attention to the matter of the Fallen Heart Flame.

"Back then, I relied on the little skill that I had, and was able to roam anywhere in the world. Hence, I did not leave after subduing the Fallen Heart Flame. Instead, I curiously investigated this deep magma world…" Tian Huo zun-zhe long drawn out breath contained a sigh, feeling somewhat regretful because of his recklessness back then.

"After entering deep into the magma world, I had discovered a 'Heavenly Flame' seed within it. This discovery caused me to rejoice quite greatly. Hence, I greedily wanted to also subdue the Fallen Heart Flame 'Heavenly Flame' seed. In the end, the two flames mixed within my body. Not only were they unable to merge perfectly, but instead ostracized each other like enemies. The battle of the 'Heavenly Flames' caused my body to be seriously injured. At this moment, I was suddenly attacked…" Tian Huo zun-zhe sighed.

"Those fire lizard people?" A thought passed through Xiao Yan's heart as he probingly inquired.

"It seems that you have also made contact with them…" Tian Huo zun-zhe was also somewhat surprised when he heard Xiao Yan's words.

"They were the ones who had surrounded and attacked me earlier. I only barged in after having no other choice." Xiao Yan rubbed his head and dryly laughed.

"Those fire lizard people seem to be the aboriginals living in this place. There are many of them. Moreover, there was no lack of ultimate experts who could contend against a Dou Zun. That time, I met a Dou Zun class lizard race expert. If I had been in my peak condition, I would have not been afraid of it. Unfortunately, the fighting of the two 'Heavenly Flames' had already caused my body to be seriously injured. You can also guess the ending after that. I suffered a fatal injury after that big battle. However, it was fortunate that these lizard race experts did not know about spatial strength. Hence, they had difficulty finding the place where I am hidden." Tian Huo zun-zhe's eyes had a somewhat astonishing appearance. It seemed that the big battle back then had been ingrained deep in his memory.

"Although I had successfully hid my body, I had also suffered a serious injury. My body gradually crumble not long later. With my last breath, I released the mature Fallen Heart Flame I had subdued. My soul was attached to the Heavenly Flame seed, intending to use it to survive. However, after so many years, my soul was unable to endure. If no other people entered this place within two years, my soul might have completely vanished."

Xiao Yan's heart moved slightly upon hearing this. From these words, this Tian Huo zun-zhe in front of him could not be said to be completely dead. Once one's strength reaches the level of a Dou Zun, one still had the opportunity to revive unless even one's spirit was scattered. One example was Yao Lao. As long as a body that could accommodate his soul was refined, he would be able to revive once again and return to his peak. However, Yao Lao's soul was perfectly preserved. The soul of this Tian Huo zun-zhe in front of him, however, was quite thin. It was really difficult to say if he could recover…

"After so many years, it is unexpected that the 'Heavenly Flame' seed back then had gradually evolved into a Heart Flame form. However, it is still at its infant stage." Tian Huo zun-zhe beckoned with his hand and the infant Fallen Heart Flame was held within it. He smiled as he glanced at Xiao Yan. He faintly asked, "Do you wish to obtain it?"

Xiao Yan nodded his head honestly this time around. He immediately respectfully said, "Old mister, tell this little fellow of your conditions if you are willing to give this infant Fallen Heart Flame. As long as this little fellow is able to do it, I will not decline."

Although the other party had said that his current condition was one that Xiao Yan could easily kill, he didn't fully trust these words. After all, no matter how one put it, the other party was a genuine Dou Zun. Xiao Yan would not believe that he did not have some hidden tactics. Hence, it was better if Xiao Yan acted more courteous before he became confident.

The expression of Tian Huo zun-zhe did not change after hearing Xiao Yan's words. He mused for a moment before slowly speaking, "It is not impossible for you to have it. However, you must help the old me. Of course, you can rest assured that I will give you a sufficient reward."

"Old mister, please speak." Xiao Yan's heart moved as he spoke with a smile.

"I can see that the fire strength within your body is extremely strong. Moreover, the flame contained an extremely faint wooden aura. I think that you should be an alchemist, right? Moreover, it is likely that your alchemist tier is quite high in order to subdue the Fallen Heart Flame, no?" Tian Huo zun-zhe smiled as he spoke.

"He is indeed worthy of being an elite Dou Zun. All that he has left is a wisp of soul, but his eyesight is still so sharp." Xiao Yan quietly praised while he nodded slightly.

"Since you are an alchemist, you should also know how to repair one's injured spirit, no?" Tian Huo zun-zhe softly laughed.

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed while he muttered an 'as expected' quietly within his heart. These Dou Zun class old demons were some monsters that were difficult to kill. As long as a little of their soul remained, they were able to be this tenacious. This thought flashed across Xiao Yan's heart but his face descended into deep thought. Helping a Dou Zun class expert repair his soul was not an easy matter. Moreover, he had just met Tian Huo zun-zhe, and was completely unaware of the other party's character. If he were to randomly help and allow the latter to recover, the other party might instead come and snatch the 'Heavenly Flame' in his body. What would he do then?

"Ha ha, little fellow, you can rest assured that as long as you are able to repair the soul of the old me, the old me swear that I will not harm you in the future." Tian Huo zun-zhe involuntarily smiled when he saw Xiao Yan deep in thought. He slowly spoke before beckoning with his hand. A snow-white storage ring from the skeleton beside him flew up and fell into his hand. With a flick of his finger, a pale-white-colored scroll appeared in front of him. Flying beasts, that were emitting flame from their bodies, were drawn on it.

"This is the Dou Technique that the old me was famous for back then, the 'Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique.' Ha ha, it is not quite right to describe it as a Dou Technique. It should be described as a flame controlling method." Tian Huo zun-zhe tossed the scroll to Xiao Yan and said. "As long as you help the old me, this thing will be yours. If you doubt the sincerity of the old me, you can take the scroll first. It is not too late for you to help me repair my soul after you discover that there is nothing wrong with it.

Xiao Yan carefully received the scroll. He hesitated for a moment before cautiously pulling it open slowly.

"Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique, aflame control skill. This technique is divided into five categories based on the shape of the beast: Wolf, Leopard, Lion, Tiger, Snake. Each kind of beast has its own fire spirit. Upon complete mastery of this fire technique, the five beasts can gather and form a Five Ring Flame Expelling Flame Formation. It has the enormous strength to boil the sea and burn the sky."

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over this somewhat simple introduction slowly. His gaze immediately paused on the last row of small words.

"If four of the five beasts are agglomerated from a 'Heavenly Flame,' the strength of this technique is comparable to a Tian class Dou Technique!"

"Tian class Dou Technique?"

Xiao Yan's eyes stared firmly at these four words. He inhaled a cold breath of air within his heart. He had never even heard the slightest information about a Tian class Dou Technique during these many years. The highest class Dou Technique that he had come into contact with was likely the 'God Seal Skill' that Xun Er had given him. Even though that was the case, one must reach complete mastery in order to step into the Tian class Dou Technique entrance. Could this so-called 'Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique' also possess this kind of frightening strength?

Xiao Yan gradually recovered his calm after his mind was shaken for awhile. He curled his lips slightly. A flame controlling technique. He had indeed not practiced one before. Normally, his control of the 'Heavenly Flame' to attack was quite simple. This 'Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique' was indeed suitable for him. Would the part where four of the five beast being agglomerated from 'Heavenly Flame' mean that one required four kinds of 'Heavenly Flames?'

Xiao Yan laughed bitterly when he thought until this moment. Currently, the interior of his body only had three kinds. He did not know just when it would be before he could reach that stage…

However, even if this point was eliminated, this so-called 'Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique' was really attractive to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan gently tapped the scroll on his hand. He was silent for quite awhile. Tian Huo zun-zhe did not press him. All the latter did was calmly watch Xiao Yan.

The silent atmosphere continued for a couple of minutes before Xiao Yan's let out a long breath. His bright eyes glanced to Tian Huo zun-zhe as he slowly said.

"I can help old mister repair his soul. However, I hope that old mister is agreeable to add another condition."