"Heavenly Flame"
Su Qian's expression tightened as he looked at the floating, translucent flame-serpent coiled docilely before Ye Feng—the Fallen Heart Flame. This flame was directly tied to the survival of Jia Na Academy's inner courtyard.
If it were taken away, the Academy's greatest asset—its cultivation tower—would lose its core energy source. Without it, the inner courtyard would be reduced to nothing more than a name.
"You want it?" Ye Feng asked plainly.
Su Qian hesitated.
Want it? Of course. How could he not? The Fallen Heart Flame had been sealed and guarded for years. It was the lifeblood of the academy.
But recalling Ye Feng's overwhelming strength, Su Qian forced a smile and said tactfully, "Senior, the Heavenly Flame is destined for those with virtue. It was unruly in the inner courtyard, yet it obeys you—clearly, you are its rightful master. However… the survival of our inner courtyard depends on it. After you refine it, would you be willing to assist us in finding a way to keep the training tower functioning?"
"That's your problem," Ye Feng said coldly.
"Please, Senior…" Su Qian pleaded. "Jia Nan Academy will forever remember your kindness."
"I don't care about Jia Nan Academy's gratitude."
With a wave of his hand, Ye Feng vanished, teleporting himself, Ya Fei, and the two Amethyst Winged Lion Kings away from Heping Town.
A hundred miles away, deep in a secluded cave, Ye Feng reappeared with his group. After scanning the cave and confirming no beasts resided inside, Ye Feng gave instructions.
"Big one, little one—go scout the area. Ya Fei, come with me."
The two lion kings flapped their wings and disappeared into the forest, while Ya Fei followed Ye Feng into the cave.
The cave was dark and humid, but the air rapidly began to dry as the Fallen Heart Flame hovered beside them, evaporating every trace of moisture.
Ye Feng laid out several items before him and turned to Ya Fei. "Let's begin."
"Master Ye, what are we doing exactly?"
"You're going to refine the Heavenly Flame."
Buzz—
The invisible fire python that was the Fallen Heart Flame suddenly trembled, its eyes widening in fear as it tried to flee the cave.
It didn't get far.
In the next moment, it slammed into a barrier Ye Feng had already laid down. The python twisted and coiled within the glowing sphere, trying in vain to break through.
With a calm expression, Ye Feng raised a hand. Three fingers flicked in the air, striking the flame-serpent. With each motion, the flickering intelligence within the Fallen Heart Flame dimmed, until the python collapsed and dissolved—leaving only a milky-white, pure flame core within the barrier.
"It's… inside me?"
Ya Fei blinked in surprise. She stared at the flame in front of her, then clutched her chest in alarm. "Wait! I can still see it, but I feel it in my heart! What's happening?"
Ye Feng nodded. "That's the nature of the Fallen Heart Flame. It's a heart fire—born from the spirit, meant to temper the bones and soul. It invades from within and burns its target from the inside out."
"Burns… people to death?" Ya Fei's eyes widened as the terrifying image filled her mind.
"Yes."
Ye Feng then gestured to three items before him. "This jade bottle contains the Blood Lotus Pill—you must take this first. Once the flame is inside you, immediately drink the Ice Spirit Cold Spring. After that, refine the flame and tame it. Once it's submitted, channel it into your spirit vessel. Remember, keep a firm will. As long as your thoughts remain strong, the flame cannot devour you."
"…Understood."
"Good. Let's start. I'll guard you. No one will interfere."
"Thank you, Master Ye." Ya Fei hesitated, then asked, "But… why aren't you refining it yourself?"
Ye Feng looked at her calmly. "I already possess the Emperor Flame, the number one ranked flame on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. My Emperor Flame can generate variants like the Fallen Heart Flame—I don't need to devour it. But if you refine it…"
He paused, then added, "Even Su Qian, a Two-Star Dou Zong, may not be your match."
Ya Fei stared at him in awe.
With seven spirit bones and her Fire Spirit Body—one tier below the Ancient Sacred Body—she was already gifted beyond measure. If she gained the Fallen Heart Flame, her combat power would soar far beyond her current cultivation as a mere Dou grandmaster.
Her heart thudded.
"Why… are you looking at me like that?" Ye Feng asked, raising a brow.
"…Thank you."
"For what?"
"For giving me the Fallen Heart Flame."
Ye Feng reached out and tapped her forehead lightly. "Don't get all sentimental. Focus. This is your first Heavenly Flame. You can't afford mistakes."
"Right."
With determination in her eyes, Ya Fei took the Blood Lotus Pill and let its medicinal energy circulate.
Then, with a deep breath, she reached into the glowing white flame. From its core, she pulled out a wriggling, three-centimeter-long essence—the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame.
Though hesitant at first, she steeled herself and swallowed it.
"Ah—!"
A shriek escaped her lips. Pain exploded in her chest as the fire spread through her body, setting every nerve ablaze.
"Drink the Ice Spirit Cold Spring!" Ye Feng instructed immediately.
Ya Fei stumbled to the jade bottle and chugged the icy liquid. Relief swept through her, soothing the unbearable fire—at least temporarily.
Then she sat down, cross-legged, and began refining the flame according to Ye Feng's instructions.
From his position, Ye Feng watched her closely.
"Ya Fei's figure… is actually… incredible…" he couldn't help but think.
The intense heat of the flame had already burned her dress away. Her flawless body was now bare before him, glowing softly under the flickering flame light.
Ye Feng, however, did not act on his thoughts. He was not here for lust.
He closed his eyes and extended his spirit sense, focusing entirely on protecting Ya Fei. If anything went wrong, he would forcibly extract the Heavenly Flame from her body.
Inside her, the flames twisted her meridians, dried her blood vessels, and frayed her nerves. It was an agony few could endure.
Yet she bore it.
One hour passed… then three… then six.
By the end of the day, she was still refining, still holding on. Her willpower stunned even Ye Feng.
She's even more determined than I imagined, he thought. Not inferior to Xiao Yan at all…
Finally, Ya Fei opened her eyes. "Master Ye… did I succeed?"
Ye Feng smiled. "You did. Congratulations, Ya Fei. The Fallen Heart Flame is now yours."
A breeze passed through the cave.
Ya Fei suddenly shivered. She looked down—and immediately turned red.
She was still completely exposed!
Her cheeks flamed brighter than the fire she had just refined. She looked at Ye Feng in horror.
Had he been watching the whole time?
She wanted to die from embarrassment.
Before she could find something to cover herself, her expression twisted in pain.
"Ahh…! What's going on? There's… heat in my lower abdomen… it's strange—burning…"
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