Deep within the cave, three young figures stood solemnly, eyes locked on the skeleton enthroned, or rather, on the purple, heart-shaped flame dancing atop its palm.
"Jin'er, how powerful is an Otherworldly Flame?" Lan An asked, recognizing knowledge's priceless value. Without Jin'er, he'd need years to scour Bing Tian Frost Continent's records.
"Flames have ranks," Jin'er explained. "Ordinary fire for cooking is Mortal Flame. Fire from Fire-element cultivators is Spirit Flame."
She continued, "Above Spirit Flame is Blazing Flame, equivalent to your Mysterious Water. Hong Lian's flames are Blazing Flames. Otherworldly Flames are a hundred thousand times stronger."
Lan An swallowed hard, probing, "That powerful? Is the Three True Flames an Otherworldly Flame?"
Jin'er paused, sighing. "You lack clearance to know the Three True Flames' rank."
Lan An nodded, dropping the question.
"Purple Heart Void-Burning Flame, ranked ninth on the Otherworldly Flame List. Who was this cave's master to possess such a heaven-defying treasure?" Hong Lian's voice trembled, her usual composure shaken for the first time.
"Otherworldly Flame List?" Lan An asked curiously.
"Yes," Hong Lian replied. "In Viet Long Star's history, Otherworldly Flames are rare, wielded by legendary figures. Records list 16 types, ranked by their feats. Purple Heart Void-Burning Flame is ninth."
"Unbelievable that the cave's master owned it," Die Qing said, unusually serious.
"Judging by the lightning-charged scepter and the Purple Heart Void-Burning Flame, he had at least two spirit roots—both highly destructive. Plus, he mastered alchemy and formations," Lan An observed, eyeing the skeleton.
"Such figures in Bing Tian Frost Continent's history are few," Hong Lian marveled.
The trio fell into brief silence.
"Let's not waste this senior's legacy. Three treasures, clearly extraordinary. Shall we split them evenly?" Lan An proposed, noting the women's hesitation. His role in breaking the array made them feel awkward.
"It's not that simple," Hong Lian said gravely. "The scepter and skull ring are at least Earth-Grade. Gaining their recognition isn't easy. Refining an Otherworldly Flame with our cultivation could destroy us."
"Sister Hong Lian, when you chose this entrance over the Sha Hai Crew, you said there was treasure. Was your 'woman's intuition' about the Purple Heart Void-Burning Flame?" Die Qing asked.
"Yes. As a Fire-element cultivator, I felt a pull. Now I know it was the flame," Hong Lian admitted, her lips parting. A mysterious summons had guided her here.
"Then you're fated for it. Can you refine it?" Lan An asked seriously. The scepter and ring were exceptional, so he was fine letting her choose the flame.
"I lack a Fire spirit root, so it's useless to me," Die Qing said sincerely, waving her hand.
Hong Lian felt touched. An Otherworldly Flame was priceless, yet they willingly let her choose. Should she take it?
"You two pick first," she said, smiling at Lan An and Die Qing. Refining the flame was risky; she'd let them take their treasures and leave safely.
She wouldn't abandon the flame. Even a 1% chance was worth the risk. For a Fire-element cultivator, it could skyrocket her strength.
"Alright, I'll take the Lightning Scepter," Die Qing chirped, skipping toward the skeleton. Her mother had a Lightning spirit root, making it a perfect gift.
As her hand neared…
"CAREFUL!" Lan An and Hong Lian shouted.
A sudden change erupted.
The skeleton rose from its throne, eyes glowing eerily, its hoarse voice echoing: "Defeat me to claim my legacy."
BOOM.
The bronze door slammed shut, sealing their retreat.
"Master, the array is gone. You can use Spirit Power," Jin'er informed Lan An.
This was a combat test; the array restricting Spirit Power had lifted.
The Purple Heart Void-Burning Flame rose, spinning slowly. The room's temperature soared, sparks spreading, scorching the chamber.
Another test, forcing them to fight in harsh conditions.
"Use Spirit Power to shield yourselves!" Hong Lian urged, enveloping herself in Fire-element Spirit Power.
Lan An and Die Qing followed. A gentle breeze swirled around Die Qing's petite frame, while deep blue water cloaked Lan An.
"Mysterious Water!" the women exclaimed, noting its slight advantage against the flame's heat.
Even with Spirit Power shields, sweat drenched them. The flame's pressure was immense, though it didn't directly attack.
"Fight!" the skeleton rasped, raising its scepter. Lightning gathered, striking at them.
ROAR.
Facing the first attack, a black bear phantom materialized behind Lan An, a towering guardian.
"Earth-element Spirit Power?" The women noticed his move.
"I'll defend. You attack," Lan An said firmly, crossing his arms.
The Earth Bear roared, mimicking him, its massive arms blocking the lightning.
CRACK.
The bear's arms shattered under the lightning.
Lan An frowned. It was the first time an attack broke his Earth Bear. Within his dantian, the Spirit Earth Cauldron hummed, swiftly reforming the bear's arms.
Seeing his defense hold, the women attacked without delay.
"Blazing Flame Palm!" Hong Lian's slender hand conjured a fiery palm strike, brimming with power.
"Wind Spirit Blessing!" Die Qing's Wind-element Spirit Power swirled, merging with Hong Lian's palm.
The fire, fueled by wind, surged a hundredfold, crashing toward the skeleton.
BOOM.
The flames dissipated, and the trio's eyes widened.
"How? A Fourth-Turn Late-Stage Body Cultivator! Its bones are terrifyingly tough!" Hong Lian gasped. Their combined attack could harm a Nascent Soul Early-Stage cultivator, yet the skeleton was barely scratched.
"What is this thing? Alchemist, formation master, Fire and Lightning elements, and now a Body Cultivator?" Die Qing muttered, her budding chest heaving, betraying her calm facade.
No time to think—the skeleton vanished, reappearing before them, its lightning-charged scepter swinging.
ROAR.
Lan An stepped forward, shielding the women. The Earth Bear's fists clashed with the scepter. Knowing the women excelled in offense—Fire for attacks, Wind and Wood for support—he took the defensive role.
"Wood Spirit Blessing!" Die Qing channeled Wood-element Spirit Power, conjuring vines to wrap the bear's arms, boosting its defense.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
The bear's fists clashed repeatedly with the scepter, shattering each time. Even with Wood's reinforcement, it couldn't withstand Lightning, the most destructive element.
Lan An now understood why Lan Po Lei and Lan Yu held such authority in the Lan Clan. Lightning spirit roots were domineering. His Spirit Earth Cauldron worked tirelessly, reforming the bear's arms after each blow.
Die Qing, lacking a cauldron and splitting her Spirit Power to counter the flame's heat, showed signs of fatigue.
"Blazing Flame Whip!" Hong Lian formed a long fiery whip, lashing it around the skeleton to hinder it.
The skeleton paused its assault on the bear, seizing the whip and yanking.
Unable to resist a Body Cultivator's strength, Hong Lian was pulled forward.
The skeleton raised its scepter, ready to strike her.
"Hmph, Ten Thousand Wood Shield!" Die Qing snorted, forming a massive wooden shield to block the scepter.
CRACK.
The shield shattered, but it bought Hong Lian time to release the whip, stabilize, and dodge.
"Get lost!" Lan An seized the moment, commanding the Earth Bear to grab the skeleton's legs, spinning and hurling it.
CRASH.
The skeleton smashed into the wall but rose unfazed, to the trio's dismay.
"A Body Cultivator's bones are too terrifying," Hong Lian panted, wiping sweat. The room's heat intensified as the Purple Heart Void-Burning Flame pressed harder.
"Hee hee."
A mischievous giggle suddenly echoed.