Chapter 168 Zhu Kun's Panic
Xiao Ling took a deep breath and looked firmly at the slowly rising Fallen Heart Flame.
He slowly stretched out his right hand and pointed directly at the center of the blazing flame in front of him, preparing to go deep into it to explore the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame.
The Fallen Heart Flame seemed to sense the threat and suddenly released a wave of heat, like the roar of a wild beast, trying to repel the invader.
Xiao Ling's sleeves were instantly burned by the heat wave and turned into ashes.
Xiao Ling ignored this and without hesitation put his arm deep into the burning flames, as if trying to touch the core of the flames.
When the arm entered the flames, the heat emitted by the Fallen Heart Flame instantly penetrated the skin, causing severe pain.
Xiao Ling clenched his teeth, and the sweat on his forehead kept dripping like water drops under the eaves after rain.
The originally calm face twitched slightly because of the pain, but the blue-gold pupils did not cause any ripples.
In the depths of the flames, the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame was like a cunning snake, weaving through the flames, trying to escape Xiao Ling's capture.
Xiao Ling's hands explored in the flames, but each time he approached, the source cleverly dodged him. Every impact of the flames made his palms burn more painful, and blackened marks began to appear on his skin.
Just when Xiao Ling was injured, a cool energy surged out from his chest and quickly flowed to his arms.
This energy was as nourishing as a spring and greatly alleviated his pain.
Xiao Ling's body was slightly shaken by the infusion of this power.
Yao Chen watched the whole process quietly from the side and was extremely shocked by Xiao Ling's unique self-healing ability.
He silently speculated in his heart: "Such an extraordinary recovery ability will definitely become this kid's powerful trump card in the future. Even when facing the burning of swallowing strange fire, it can greatly reduce the risk."
"Unfortunately, this ability doesn't seem to be as effective in healing others as it is for healing myself. Otherwise, it might really be able to replace the miraculous healing effect of the Bone-Growing and Blood-Melting Pill."
Seeing the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame running around in the flames, Xiao Ling's eyes suddenly focused, and a strong soul perception burst out from between his brows.
With the help of his keen soul perception, he accurately locked onto the movement path of the Origin of the Fallen Heart Flame in the surging flames.
The origin skillfully shuttled through the sea of fire, trying to escape capture.
But Xiao Ling's fingers grasped it quickly and firmly like an iron clamp, and no matter how it twisted, it could not escape his control.
After a fierce competition, Xiao Ling tightly grasped the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame and slowly pulled it out from the invisible flame.
As the origin was separated, the originally blazing flame gradually dissipated after a while and eventually returned to nothingness.
Xiao Ling shifted his gaze to his hand, where lay the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame - a small colorless snake. It was as transparent as a wisp of smoke, but had a similar shape to the invisible fire python before, but its size was much smaller.
The little snake twisted slightly in Xiao Ling's palm, as if trying to escape, but the faint light emanating from its body revealed its extraordinary nature.
Xiao Ling's gaze was as sharp as a torch as he stared at the colorless little snake that was struggling slightly in his palm. He narrowed his eyes, and a strong fighting spirit surged out from the fighting crystal, locking the little snake tightly and making it unable to move at all.
Seeing this scene, Xiao Ling's mouth finally curled up into a relieved smile, and he whispered to himself: "Humph, I finally controlled you, little guy, from now on you will follow me, and becoming Emperor Yan is just a matter of time."
As if sensing Xiao Ling's will, the little snake that was the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame suddenly stopped resisting, as if it was thinking about whether Xiao Ling's words were credible. This saved Xiao Ling a lot of energy.
Yao Chen floated to Xiao Ling's side, glanced at the tamed Fallen Heart Flame in Xiao Ling's hand, smiled, and said teasingly: "Xiao Ling, your luck is indeed extraordinary. This is the fourth Strange Fire that has fallen into your hands. It seems that my guess was correct. You are indeed the son of God."
Xiao Ling raised a bright smile and scratched his head: "Haha, it was just luck."
How can I be considered God's son? I, Xiao Ling, have been able to get to this point entirely due to my own efforts. I just have a little help and some advantages of foresight.
Seeing Xiao Ling's expression, Yao Chen did not continue talking about this matter, and then asked: "So, where do you plan to retreat and refine this Fallen Heart Flame?"
Xiao Ling cast his gaze towards the deep black hole and pointed his finger there: "It will be in that underground magma world. I will use fire as a furnace to forge a stronger self."
Yao Chen also took a look at the underground magma world and nodded in agreement:
"Although the fire energy there is indeed abundant and wild, it has no effect on you who possesses multiple kinds of strange fire. It is indeed a great place for retreat."
Xiao Ling nodded slightly: "Master Yao, please go back to your ring and rest first. I need to explain something to them."
Yao Chen responded, "Remember, don't delay. Controlling the Falling Heart Flame consumes a lot of fighting spirit."
After saying this, his figure gradually disappeared and sank into the Bone Inflammation Ring in Xiao Ling's hand.
Seeing Yao Chen enter the Bone Flame Ring, Xiao Ling no longer hesitated. Holding the Fallen Heart Flame, his fighting spirit wings suddenly spread out, like the light of dawn, cutting through the sky and quickly flying away from the cave.
In just a moment, Xiao Ling passed through the thousand-layer sealing formation and arrived at the location where Su Qian and others were.
When Xiao Ling's figure appeared in everyone's sight, everyone around him couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Han Yue came over impatiently, her eyes full of concern, her voice trembling as she asked, "Xiao Ling, are you hurt?"
Before she finished her words, her hands were already gently groping over his body, checking for any injuries.
Several inner courtyard elders around them smiled with ambiguous meanings and cast teasing glances at the two.
Zi Yan snorted in dissatisfaction, put her hands on her hips, stared at Han Yue with anger in her pretty eyes, and muttered softly: "Humph, this damn Han Yue, when did her relationship with Xiao Ling become so good!"
Xiao Ling coughed lightly a few times, a blush appeared on his face, and he chuckled slightly awkwardly, trying to diffuse the delicate atmosphere.
Only then did Han Yue realize her own gaffe. She shyly stepped aside, lowered her head, and her ears turned red.
Xiao Ling's eyes were as gentle as water. He looked at Han Yue and said in a soft voice, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Han Yue breathed a sigh of relief, biting the corner of her lip gently, and said in a voice as low as a mosquito's buzz: "That's good."
At this time, Elder Su Qian stepped forward, his eyes fell on the colorless little snake in Xiao Ling's hand, and asked curiously: "Is this the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame?"
Xiao Ling nodded, moved his eyes away from Han Yue's face, looked at Su Qian, and replied: "Yes, Great Elder, this is the origin fire of the Fallen Heart Flame." Xiao Ling continued: "I plan to retreat for a while and focus on refining this Fallen Heart Flame."
Han Yue couldn't help but blurt out: "Then you must be careful, we will wait for you to come back here."
Although her voice was soft, it was full of reluctance and worry.
Xiao Ling responded with a warm smile and said soothingly, "Don't worry, it won't take long. After I come out of seclusion this time, I will be a Dou Zong."
Hearing Xiao Ling say that he would be in seclusion for a period of time, Zi Yan instantly became impatient. She jumped in front of Xiao Ling and asked anxiously: "Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling, what about my pills? After you go into seclusion, you will refine pills for me."
Xiao Ling couldn't help laughing when he saw Zi Yan's eager look. He gently took off the bone inflammation ring in his hand, used his fighting spirit to lift it up, and smoothly presented the ring to Zi Yan. At the same time, he winked at her and said meaningfully, "Zi Yan, your snacks are in this ring. I have prepared them for you a long time ago. Don't worry, you will have something to eat."
Zi Yan's eyes lit up and she took the bone inflammation ring that floated over. She recognized it as the bone inflammation ring that Yao Chen lived in.
She was as excited as a child who had just found her treasure. Her smile was so bright that she smiled at Xiao Ling and said sweetly, "Haha, Xiao Ling, you are so thoughtful. I knew you would prepare it for me in advance."
Although I feel that the pills refined by Xiao Ling are more delicious, the ones refined by old man Yao Chen are also good. I will just have to make do with them for the time being.
Zi Yan's voice was still echoing in the air, and she lightly flapped the pair of fighting wings behind her that were glowing with mysterious purple light. Her figure was as fast as lightning, and she instantly appeared in front of Xiao Ling.
Before Xiao Ling could react, she playfully left a light kiss on his cheek.
After doing all this, Zi Yan had a smug smile on her face, and with a silver bell-like laugh, she fluttered away to the side like a light purple swallow.
Xiao Ling stood there in a daze, his fingers gently touching the slightly wet area on his face that still carried Zi Yan's scent. A look of doting and helplessness flashed in his eyes, and in the end he just smiled bitterly and shook his head.
Xiao Ling couldn't help but secretly complain in his heart. Ever since Zi Yan broke through the bottleneck of the sixth-level magic beast, she seemed like a different person. Not only did her strength increase greatly, but her clinging skills also improved day by day.
The Zi Yan who used to be independent and occasionally acted like a spoiled child has now become like a clingy little female dragon. She wants to be by his side all the time, and even wants to give him a "surprise" from time to time during training.
Xiao Ling shook his head with a hint of happy worry, thinking that he didn't know whether such a day was a blessing or a curse.
However, whenever he saw Zi Yan's eyes full of dependence, Xiao Ling's heart couldn't help but soften. Well, just let her stick to him like this. After all, this was also a different kind of sweet burden.
……
In front of the gate of Tushegudi's cave, Zhu Kun suddenly sneezed.
His body trembled slightly, and Zi Yan's figure appeared involuntarily in his mind.
Beside Zi Yan, there was a vague figure of another man. The face of that figure was blurry, but one could feel that the distance between him and Zi Yan was gradually shortening, and their faces seemed to be about to touch. The intimacy at that moment made Zhu Kun feel uneasy for no reason.
"Daughter, my baby daughter!!!" Zhu Kun's cry was filled with pain and eagerness. His figure instantly turned into a stream of light and he rushed out of the barrier desperately.
However, when he touched the invisible barrier, he was bounced back by a powerful force and fell heavily to the ground.
He got up and tried again, once, twice, three times... Every time ended in failure. The barrier was like a natural chasm that trapped him tightly.
Zhu Kun's eyes were about to spit fire, his anger and helplessness intertwined into a violent emotion.
“Emperor Tushegu, what kind of bullshit barrier did you set up! You trapped me here and prevented me from reuniting with my daughter. I curse you…” Zhu Kun cursed loudly, his voice echoing in the empty barrier space.
Zhu Kun was so angry that he could no longer suppress his emotions. His body began to change drastically and eventually transformed into an ancient Taixu dragon that was ten thousand feet long.
He opened his huge mouth and let out an earth-shaking roar towards the gate of Tushe Ancient Emperor's cave. It seemed as if the dragon's breath was going to destroy the entire cave gate.
The anger and sorrow seemed to become tangible, filling the air and making people suffocate.
However, no matter what Zhu Kun did, the gate of the ancient emperor Natasha's cave remained unchanged, as if mercilessly mocking his incompetence.
Only the sound of "dong dong dong" was left, echoing in this strange space, accompanied by a heartbeat-like thumping sound, which lasted for a long time...
……
Yao Chen, who was in the Osteoarthritis Ring, witnessed all this and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. The curve of his mouth could not hide his fondness. He whispered to himself:
"Xiao Ling, this kid, actually ordered me around."
Although he said this, Yao Chen did not feel any aversion in his heart. Helping Zi Yan to refine the pills was just a piece of cake for him, and seeing Zi Yan so happy, he was also happy.
Afterwards, Xiao Ling turned to everyone and gave a few brief instructions.
Xiao Ling first looked at Han Yue and said softly, "Han Yue, please inform Qing Lin and Xiao Yixian for me and tell them that I have entered the Tianfen Qi Training Tower to practice, so that they don't have to worry about my safety."
Han Yue nodded slightly and responded, "Don't worry, Xiao Ling, I will convey it."
Xiao Ling walked to Zi Yan again, touched her head, and said gently: "Zi Yan, you must practice well during this period of time, don't be lazy, otherwise I won't make pills for you after I come out of seclusion."
Zi Yan blinked her big eyes and nodded obediently: "Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling, I know, hehe."
After finishing his explanation with Han Yue Ziyan, Xiao Ling finally looked at Great Elder Su Qian and said solemnly: "Great Elder, have you collected enough Heart Flame needed during this period?"
Nodding, Su Qian stroked his graying beard and said, "Don't worry, I've made preparations. As long as it doesn't take more than half a year, the amount of Heart Flame will be enough for the inner courtyard students to practice. You can go with peace of mind."
Xiao Ling nodded, "If that's the case, then I don't need to say anything more."
He then bowed to the elders around him and said, "Goodbye, everyone."
Then, he prepared to turn around and leave and entered the Tianfen Qi Training Tower.
(End of this chapter)