A sword soared through the skies above the rocky lands.
Above it, a group was flying toward the Valley of Flames to obtain the Flame Essence. Suddenly, they began descending gradually.
When they landed, the three elders stepped forward and pointed toward a massive valley that seemed endless. The eldest of them spoke:
"This is the Valley of Flames, where you can commune with the origin Flames , If they approve of you, you may claim them. But if you cannot withstand their power, your body may explode. That is why we do not allow weak ordinary people to enter—otherwise, they would only meet their deaths."
The three contestants followed behind the elders and looked at each other. Zhang Yong suggested,
"Let's go in the order of our ranking in the competition. Su Ming will go first."
Both Ku Linan and Su Ming looked at Zhang Yong and nodded; they had no objections.
Su Ming walked steadily toward the entrance of the valley but suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Zhang Yong frowned for a moment and muttered, "What's going on?" He quickly turned toward the elders. "Is this normal?"
The eldest elder chuckled lightly.
"Of course. In truth, this valley is merely a name. It is actually the entrance to a spiritual realm. You cannot enter it with your body—inside lies the origins Flames in their original form."
After a while, Su Ming opened his eyes, and a purple glow burst from them. A stream of spiritual energy surged around his body, making the air around him tremble.
Sparks of purple lightning appeared, surrounding him in a circle ten meters wide.
The sky above grew dark with heavy black clouds. Su Ming lifted his head and roared, and lightning erupted everywhere around him.
The elders were instantly shocked.
"This boy is incredibly talented! He has refined the origin Flame of the Thunder Queen—it's an essence from the Heavenly List! When one fuses with a Heavenly Flame, a celestial phenomenon manifests. No one has gained the approval of a Heavenly origin Flame for three hundred years!"
The three elders stood frozen, staring in awe at Su Ming, whose body was calmly enveloped in purple lightning.
While the elders whispered to each other, both Zhang Yong and Ku Linan looked at Su Ming wide-eyed. The surprise wasn't only that he had acquired the Flame Essence of the Thunder Queen, but also the time it took—less than half an hour.
Su Ming turned and smiled quietly.
"It seems I'm rather lucky."
Ku Linan could only stare in disbelief, while Zhang Yong laughed lightly.
"You call this luck? That's utterly ridiculous! Just what happened in there?"
Su Ming scratched his face in slight embarrassment.
"Actually, I encountered several groups of flames inside, and the Thunder Queen's Flame said she was impressed with me. That's why the refinement went smoothly."
The three elders exchanged bittersweet smiles.
"Unfortunately, he already has a master—and that master is a friend of the president."
"What can we do? At least he has joined the Association."
"Indeed. Besides, none of us are worthy to be his teacher anyway. All we have are flames from the Bestial List, while the president possesses a flame from the Earthly List. No one truly deserves to be his mentor. But if we nurture him, he may become a ninth-grade alchemist."
"Impossible. His spiritual power may reach the level of a ninth-grade alchemist, but what he lacks are the recipes."
Ku Linan's expression grew slightly vacant until Zhang Yong patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry."
Ku Linan shook his head with a sigh.
"I'm not confident in my luck. I'll be happy with just a flame from the Bestial List."
Su Ming smiled and encouraged him.
"Don't worry, Brother Ku. I'm certain you'll succeed."
Ku Linan smirked bitterly.
"Wish me luck, then."
He stepped slowly toward the entrance of the Valley of Flames. Though he appeared calm, he was deeply nervous inside. Then he suddenly froze.
Su Ming guessed aloud,
"I wonder which flame he'll obtain."
Zhang Yong shrugged with a smile.
"It shouldn't be a weak one, at least."
Two hours passed without any visible change in Ku Linan, but the elders' expressions remained the same—meaning it was normal.
Soon, however, the atmosphere around Ku Linan shifted. Spiritual energy stirred violently, condensing heavily around him and making the air hotter.
A wave of flame erupted around him, dazzling and terrifying, wrapping his body in merciless fire.
Ku Linan slowly opened his eyes, a fiery light gleaming within. Flames extended outward, forming a strange pattern that seemed to tear through the very air.
The elders shook their heads with smiles of satisfaction.
"This is the Flame of Mountain Splitting! A flame of the Earthly rank—this boy is truly gifted."
"the Association president have Earthly flame , he might be able to be his disciple"
"This is astonishing news—a Heavenly Flame and now an Earthly Flame. I wonder what that boy will show us."
As the Mountain Splitting Flame faded, Ku Linan stood firmly, his body wrapped in a thin layer of scorching fire. Yet he showed no sign of pain. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I'm really lucky! I actually succeeded."
Zhang Yong stretched lazily and smiled.
"Well then, I can't just fall behind, can I?"
He walked calmly toward the Valley of Flames, then suddenly stopped.
The elders watched him intently, excited smiles on their faces.
"What do you think his flame's rank will be?"
"His companions' talents aren't ordinary, and he's also remarkable. I'd say Earthly rank."
"Are you joking? After all he's shown in the competition, I'd say Heavenly."
"I admit his techniques and skills are outstanding, but those are techniques—they don't define innate talent."
"Let's just leave it to fate."
When Zhang Yong stood at the entrance, everything became hazy and unreal, as if the world itself had turned into a scorching illusion.
"Hm? The third one? I admit he's rather handsome."
"Hehe, he has good talent. It's a pity his body is useless."
"His mental energy is immense—truly excellent."
"I almost feel like devouring him. He looks delicious."
Hearing these voices, Zhang Yong thought he was hallucinating—or perhaps dreaming—because everything felt unreal.
"Who's there?!" he shouted.
Immediately, his vision sharpened, and he saw what lay ahead. The valley remained, but countless flames hovered before him—purple, blue, red, orange, yellow, white—all in various forms.
"Hehe, so you've come for one of us? Honestly, you seem special," a purple flame advanced toward him, and from within emerged a human-like feminine figure.
"Wait a moment!"
Zhang Yong's gaze swept across the flames, and after focusing, he realized many had forms—plants, dragons, phoenixes, and many other shapes.
Each flame carried its own consciousness, a spirit with unique powers, radiating unimaginable spiritual energy.
A blazing red flame appeared in the form of a massive phoenix, its fiery wings fluttering gracefully, its eyes filled with confidence.
"Boy, choose me. I guarantee you victory against any foe."
Another flame appeared as a blue dragon, its massive body coiled in burning azure fire, speaking in a thunderous voice.
"No, choose me! Together, we shall pierce and burn through the heavens!"
Then the purple flame stepped forward again.
"I can guarantee you will never suffer from any attack—whether curses, sorcery, or mental strikes."
Zhang Yong's expression darkened.
'Are these really the world-changing flames? They seem more like bored spirits trapped here.' It wasn't quite what he had expected. He wondered if the same had happened to the others.
Before he could respond, a golden flame emerged slowly from among them. It glowed gently, shaped like a radiant flower.
"Young one, do not listen to these arrogant fools. With my flame, I can heal even the most severe of injuries. You may choose me."
Immediately, the voices of debate halted. All the flames grew restless and fell silent, turning in fear toward something approaching.
Then a powerful white flame appeared, and terror spread through them all.
The purple flame approached it and bowed nervously, smiling.
"Ah, I didn't expect Sister Frostbite to take interest in this boy. In that case, I yield him to you."
The other flames paled instantly and followed suit.
"I yield as well."
"So do I."
"I wouldn't dare compete with Sister Frostbite."
The white flame descended slowly, taking the form of a breathtakingly beautiful woman before Zhang Yong.
"Hm, you have sharp eyes, but why do I sense—"
She suddenly stopped, retreating instantly.
"You! You actually—"
She cut herself off again, as if she would have broken into a cold sweat if she had a body.
Zhang Yong scratched his head in confusion.
"What's wrong with you?"
The white flame shook her head immediately.
"Nothing. You want Heavenly Flames, don't you? I'll handle this."
She turned away, her expression calm, but the other flames were stunned—Sister Frostbite had retreated? Just how powerful was this boy?
She walked a bit further, then gestured with her hand.
"Xiao Liang, Xiao Tai, come here."
At once, two flames emerged: one a blazing radiant yellow, shining without limit; the other a mix of white and blue, like the color of the moon. Their spiritual forms resembled twins—the yellow one a boy with short braided hair, the other a girl with shimmering luminous hair and long flowing blue strands. They bowed respectfully to the white flame.
"From this day forth, you two shall go with this boy," the white flame declared.
The twins' eyes widened in shock. The boy spoke first, a little hesitant.
"Huh? Are we allowed? But you said our situation was special."
The white flame nodded.
"I know. But this boy is the perfect match for you. I'm certain he won't mistreat you."
Zhang Yong smiled inwardly, smirking.
'I won't mistreat them… too much.'
The twins clapped their hands together in joy.
The girl exclaimed, "We did it! We've found someone suitable."
The boy laughed happily. "Haha, we'll never be separated again, haha!"
But Zhang Yong frowned slightly.
"I thought a person could only merge with one Origin Flame in their entire life?"
The white flame smiled softly, her voice calm like a cold breeze.
"Yes. These two are Xiao Liang and Xiao Tai—they form the Great Sun Flame and the Desolate Moon Flame. They have a special nature: they must fuse together in one body. I wouldn't have suggested them otherwise, if I didn't believe you could endure them."
The twins approached Zhang Yong, holding out their hands with smiles.
"Thank you for accepting us, master."
Zhang Yong smiled. Perhaps luck truly favored him in this moment.
But deep in the heart of the Valley of Flames, within the darkness among the rocks, the sound of chains clattering echoed.
Then a pair of golden, predatory eyes opened.
"Hehe… an opportunity has arrived. This will be delightful."
The ground shook violently, cracks splitting the chains that bound something, dark black flames sparking from within.
At that moment, all the flames in the valley sensed a deadly shift. They reverted to their original forms, retreating in fear. Even the white flame, who had spoken to Zhang Yong, turned sharply, her expression one of unprecedented terror.
"This… this is impossible!" she whispered, eyes widening in horror.
The ground shattered, and a massive black flame surged into the sky covering it in black like the night's sky
Its spiritual form appeared as a woman, older yet youthful, with long purple hair veiling her eyes and pointed elven ears.
"Stop her!" the white flame shouted, rushing forward.
But before she could give more orders, the black flame broke free like lightning, faster than imagination.
The flames of dragons, phoenixes, tigers, and lions all gathered to resist—but in vain.
All their attacks were shredded effortlessly by a single strike from those golden eyes.
Even the mighty Heavenly and Earthly Flames were reduced to cold sparks fading into nothingness.
"We can't stop her!" roared the blue dragon, hurling his colossal body in the way—only to be torn apart like paper.
"It's after the boy!" the purple flame cried.
The golden eyes shot directly toward Zhang Yong, leaving devastation in their wake. The valley burned to scorched stone.
In an instant, Xiao Liang and Xiao Tai appeared, trying to protect Zhang Yong. The boy stood before him, blazing yellow light erupting, while the girl stretched her arms, releasing their combined flame of yellow and blue, striking with all their might.
"No!" screamed the white flame, dashing to intervene—but it was too late.
With a single touch, the golden eyes seized the twins. Their flames turned into golden streams of light, surging straight into Zhang Yong's body. The three flames forcefully fused into him.
Zhang Yong screamed in agony, his body convulsing violently, his soul itself feeling as if it were burning. The flames—yellow, blue, and black—raged inside him like a storm.
"No! His body will collapse!" the white flame cried, rushing to sever the connection. But a strange force repelled her.
Suddenly, Zhang Yong vanished from within the realm—and return back in the real world.
In reality, three flames surged around his body, with black-purple fire spreading everywhere.
The sky darkened, lightning crashing down.
The elders smiled in relief.
"As expected, he's obtained Heavenly Flames!"
But the second elder frowned.
"Wait. Something's wrong. Such flames have never existed before."
Suddenly, three serpents of lightning descended from the sky, striking Zhang Yong.
He raised his palm toward the heavens, releasing a blast of black-purple fire, clashing with the three lightning serpents.
Energy exploded in a violent maelstrom. The black flames mixed with purple glow, burning even the surrounding space. The flame carried a destructive will—a hunger to devour all life.
The elders' expressions turned grim.
"Wait! The Heavenly Cataclysm of the Three Serpents! Damn it—it's a demonic flame!" one shouted in terror.
Another whispered, "This is terrible. If he escapes, he'll destroy the entire continent. We must kill him!"
The black flames writhed as if alive, forming a colossal black dragon with golden eyes. With a deafening roar, the dragon surged forth.
The three elders immediately attacked.
"Heaven-Splitting Palm!"
"Firestorm!"
"Blade of Severance!"
Their strikes were unleashed at once, but the flame devoured them, forming a vortex that swallowed everything.
At that moment, Zhang Yong opened his eyes. His pupils gleamed sharply, like those of a predator.
He clutched his head, roaring in torment as if about to explode.
Su Ming stepped in front of the elders.
"Wait, stop!" he shouted.
The eldest elder barked,
"Step aside! We must kill him, or he'll bring disaster upon the continent!"
The second elder snapped,
"Even if you wield Heavenly Flames, we won't hesitate to strike you down. One life cannot outweigh an entire continent!"
Purple lightning sparked across Su Ming's body as he raised his sword.
"Then I'm ready to fight you—or even the entire continent if I must!"
Ku Linan rushed to his side.
"I'll stand with him too! You can't decide Zhang Yong is a threat!"
The elders clenched their teeth—what wasted talent!
They raised their hands, ready to unleash another strike.
But Zhang Yong swept his arms, and waves of fire surged toward the group.
The elders grimaced. Su Ming and Ku Linan were too close—they would be annihilated. But to their shock, the flames passed by them and struck directly at the elders instead.
In that moment, Zhang Yong's skin peeled away, revealing raw, burning flesh beneath. His voice was broken with pain.
"Stay… away… from… them!" he roared like a beast.
Su Ming rushed forward, but Ku Linan grabbed him.
"Stop! What are you doing, Su Ming?"
"We can't just watch Zhang Yong suffer like this! We have to go to him!" Su Ming shouted, shaking off Ku Linan's grip. He dashed toward Zhang Yong, his body wrapped in purple lightning.
BOOM!
An explosion hurled Su Ming back. Flames erupted skyward, then began shrinking rapidly, returning into Zhang Yong's body.
He stood tall and proud like a spear, though naked—his body and clothes burnt away. He turned toward them with a chilling smile.
"Hah! Controlling this flame isn't easy!"
His smile was terrifying, for the sides of his face were scorched, his features twisted and scarred.
Su Ming approached cautiously.
"Zhang Yong… is that really you?"
Zhang Yong sneered.
"Of course it's me. Who else would it be?"
The elders exchanged glances, then exhaled in relief, lowering their battle auras. The eldest elder spoke slowly:
"That was dangerous, Zhang Yong. What happened with the demonic flame?"
Zhang Yong raised his brow—or what remained of it on his burned face.
"Demonic Flames? You mean the Devouring Demon Flame? I think it's under control for now."
He raised his hand, and a black-purple flame appeared, which he then retracted.
"And my other flames are still here." He raised both palms—one showing blue, the other yellow.
The elders were stunned.
"How… how did you obtain not one, but three Origin Flames ? Impossible! Humans have only one soul—they can only possess one flame their entire lives. Yet you hold three. Just who are you?"
Zhang Yong stroked his chin thoughtfully.
The Great Sun Flame and the Desolate Moon Flame were each independent flames. The Demon Flame made a third. Did this mean he had three souls? Or was it connected to him being a transmigrator?