Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Realm of Fiery Heart

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"Far surpassing inner alchemy and Qi refinement... reaching a realm beyond ordinary men..." These words echoed repeatedly in Lin Feng’s mind, stirring a wave of passion within him. What had all these years of cultivation been for, if not to stand higher, to see farther? If he could stand atop the four seas of this divine land, how could he fear anyone? How could he be instantly slain by Teng Chong?

The burning pain on his skin was nothing compared to the agony of shattered meridians. To fear pain is to forfeit success!

Cultivation! This ancient thousand-year-old temple’s secret chamber was the perfect place for his practice.

Calming his mind, Lin Feng sat cross-legged and, following the guidance of the Tuo Tian Technique, began reversing the minor Heavenly Circulation, slowly drawing out the scattered sparks of fire within his body. The gentle droplets of warmth were comforting to the point of drowsiness, but the pain of reversing the circulation felt like needles piercing him. The two sensations merged, unbearably agonizing, but this was only the beginning.

Within his meridians flowed not liquid spiritual power, but luminous points capable of growing stronger—these were true flames. After completing the minor Heavenly Circulation in reverse, came the major Heavenly Circulation, and then the searing pain of the true fire began to manifest. Sweat beaded finely on Lin Feng’s forehead and back; the pain within intensified. Yet once the Tuo Tian Technique's Flame Heart Refinement commenced, it could not be halted. It had to be carried through in one breath, to the very end, or else all progress would be lost and cultivation forever barred.

“Condense!” Following the incantation, he gathered the clustered sparks of fire above the giant cavity (Juveque), using the formula to guide them, attempting to form the Flame Heart. Suddenly, the fire sparks shattered rapidly, scattering in all directions. His dantian and meridians erupted with searing pain, and his face turned ghostly pale.

“This truly is fraught with peril; the failure rate is astonishingly high.” After steadying his breath, he once again gathered the sparks, cycling through minor and major Heavenly Circulations repeatedly, refining the Flame Heart.

Countless failures passed before, finally, after completing a full cycle, a faint mark appeared above the Juveque, forming a shimmering base point.

“Almost there! With this foundation, I can forge and shape it, reaching the Flame Heart realm...” Lin Feng was exhilarated. Achieving the Flame Heart meant surpassing a level that seemed even simpler than breaking through the bottleneck of late Qi Refinement.

Yet the actual cultivation was another matter. The true fire’s refinement required gathering fire sparks from all over the body, converging into a stream strong enough. Everywhere these sparks passed was scorched; it felt as if a thousand ants were gnawing at him—both painful and itchy, worse than having every inch of his meridians severed.

Gritting his teeth, he remained motionless.

From outside, Lin Feng appeared enveloped in a faint crimson mist—the unique phenomenon produced when the fire sparks overflowed. His clothes had long since turned to ashes under the blaze, revealing the Cloud Star Garment beneath.

Each refinement was a battle of body and spirit; those without unwavering will could not endure. With every refinement, the luminous points absorbing the fire source grew larger, gradually taking shape.

Time flew by as Lin Feng immersed himself in cultivation, undisturbed.

The red mist contracted and expanded continuously. The fire sparks tempered his flesh, making it as solid as rock. Countless cycles forged his will into an even stronger force. The sensation of extreme comfort slowly replaced the pain. Not far above his dantian, a cluster of white flames quietly took form, burning with relentless vitality.

The Flame Heart Realm!

The tempered Flame Heart floated in the void, radiating brilliance, starkly contrasting with the calm dantian below. Two distinct energies operated independently, neither interfering with the other.

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“Success!” Joy gleamed in Lin Feng’s eyes as he rose to his feet. With a thought, a plume of white flames flickered in his palm.

“I didn’t expect the Earth Azure Flame to evolve into the Heavenly Heart White Flame. Someday I might try forging instruments with it,” Lin Feng smiled faintly.

Only upon reaching the Golden Core stage could one fully control the Heavenly Heart White Flame, and most spiritual materials required this flame as an auxiliary in forging.

Surveying the room filled with gold, silver, and jewels, he felt troubled. If he took everything, even a mustard seed pouch wouldn’t suffice.

“Got it—refine them into refined gold!”

The gold and silver mainly took the form of Buddha statues, golden pagodas, and candle holders—too large. Refining them into refined gold would save much space.

Once the Heavenly Heart White Flame ignited, the air seemed aflame; the twisting flames appeared to tear through space itself. The Buddha statues and pagodas melted upon contact. The cramped chamber instantly radiated heat waves; molten gold flowed freely, melting the rocky floor into slag. Smoke rose, choking him.

Lin Feng hastily ceased the refining of the refined gold, inwardly marveling, “No wonder master forgers all have Immortal Cauldrons to assist—such smoke would suffocate anyone otherwise.”

With no other choice, he gathered some valuable yet compact prayer beads and gemstones, then disguised the chamber’s entrance with a few massive stone slabs. Mounting his sword, he departed the shattered Buddha Pagoda, heading toward Lanting Town.

Above the clouds, Lin Feng experienced unprecedented comfort. Sunshine warmed his face, the heat penetrating his skin and being absorbed into his Flame Heart, transforming into fire sparks that coursed through his meridians, spreading throughout his body. A radiant glow shone from his cheeks.

“What a marvelous technique—surely it far surpasses the speed of ordinary cultivation! The Tuo Tian Technique is truly extraordinary, defying heaven!” Not only that, but his sword-flying speed was much faster than before. In moments, Lanting Town came into view.

“If anyone sees this, won’t they think I’m a monster...” As he pondered how to conceal this unusual cultivation method, the Flame Heart suddenly ceased absorbing heat, and his expression normalized.

Lin Feng was once again astonished by this peculiar cultivation method. “The technique responds to one’s will—many spend a lifetime unable to reach such a height...”

...

“What? They’ve already left?” In Lanting Town, Lin Feng found the courtyard of the Chishan Sword Sect. A young disciple, seemingly not yet Foundation Establishment stage, received him.

“Yes, senior. Several of your sect's elders departed here that day, saying they returned to the mountain. The evil demonic cultivators of the Ten Thousand Demons Heaven—some fled, some died—have all scattered,” the young disciple reported.

“How is Senior Brother Li Jianren?”

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“Uncle Master has returned to Chishan. This time, our six sects suffered heavy losses. The demonic cultivators split into two groups—one intercepted the elders coming to Lanting, the other plotted to cause us to kill each other. Our vital energy is severely damaged; I fear we can never rise again,” the young man sighed deeply.

“What! Two-pronged ambush? Those demonic cultivators must be even stronger!” Lin Feng was shocked, his face paling.

“Yes. All three senior uncles in our sect were killed. It is said that only Senior Tao Yu of Seven Star Cliff and Master Wu of Tanmen Courtyard escaped alive. Over a dozen elders perished at demonic hands! Among the experts the Ten Thousand Demons Heaven dispatched, four were Cave Lords and two Great Protectors; even the weakest was at the Golden Core stage...”

Even the weakest was Golden Core! How could second-rate sects like the Six Southern Sword Alliance hope to resist? Could it be that an unavoidable catastrophe was about to befall the cultivation world?

Endlessly stunned, Lin Feng flew away from Lanting Town, stopping by Mei Valley, which was utterly devastated. Mei Yunqi had evidently not returned yet. If she knew her home had been ravaged like this, he wondered if the Six Tribulation Scattered Immortal could still control her fury.

“If I go to Futuo Temple, it will likely take days. This place isn’t far from Qiyun Mountain; better to return first and report to my master.” After weighing his options, he headed toward the Hundred Flowers Sect. Unconsciously, half a month had passed since his secret chamber cultivation at the Thousand Buddha Temple, far exceeding the time he promised Lian Huanzhong. No rush with Cai Yi; they agreed to meet three months later at Yelang Bay by Erhai Lake, still plenty of time.

At Lotus Town beneath Qiyun Mountain, Lin Feng sat alone at a square table in the Jiwei Restaurant, sipping the first hot porridge he had in days. This famous eatery was crowded even in winter, many arriving in groups. Judging by their attire, they were not common wanderers.

Feigning casual glances, Lin Feng secretly observed with his Heavenly Eye Technique and discovered many cultivators present, including a few Foundation Establishment stage.

“Little brother, is this seat taken?” While pondering, two burly men approached his table.

“No, please, make yourselves comfortable,” he smiled faintly in reply.

“Thanks.” The two sat, ordered food and wine, then began whispering.

“Old Zhang, what do you think we’ll get? Traveling all the way to the Hundred Flowers Sect just to stir things up!” one said.

“Heh, didn’t you see? Everyone here is chasing their luck. Even with strength, you can’t guarantee a win when immortal treasures appear. Brother, you won’t know your luck unless you try. The treasures won’t come knocking on their own,” replied the other.

“True,” the first nodded thoughtfully.

Lin Feng quietly ate his lotus seed porridge, now understanding that these men came for the “immortal treasures”!

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