Bai Tian's body staggered as he stepped out of the light. Once his eyes adjusted, he found himself standing in a foreign world—a barren land of deep crimson, with black clouds swirling across the sky, and tongues of blazing fire erupting from cracks in the ground.A wave of heat struck his face, making sweat pour instantly. Every breath felt heavy, as if his lungs were filled with embers.
"So this is… the trial space?" Bai Tian muttered, straightening his posture.
A distant rumble echoed, and from the center of a massive crater, a towering pillar of fire shot upward, tens of meters high. It was no ordinary flame—its color was crimson-gold, sparkling, as if it carried life itself.
But before he could approach, the ground in front of him shook violently. Fiery cracks split the barren earth. From within, a figure slowly emerged—one that looked exactly like Bai Tian, yet its body was formed entirely of burning embers. Its face blazed with fire, and its eyes shone like torches seeking to incinerate his very soul.
Each of its steps thundered, splitting the ground apart. The scorching aura it radiated was enough to melt stone into flowing lava.
"Am I… supposed to defeat myself?" Bai Tian took a deep breath and activated his spiritual energy. A faint aura cloaked his body, though clearly it could not compare to the raging fire surrounding his opponent.
The fiery figure roared, then dashed at him. Bai Tian leapt aside, but the searing heat still scorched part of his robe. He grimaced, sweat dripping, brows furrowed.
"This trial… isn't just about enduring fire. I… must defeat myself!"
With light steps, Bai Tian dashed around the battlefield, searching for an opening. Each time the fiery figure's strike hit the ground, an explosion of heat erupted, burning the very air. Bai Tian's body was continuously scorched by the flames; blood mingled with sweat ran down his arm.
Frustration crept into his heart. His opponent's movements mirrored his own—like a reflection—but every attack was empowered by the element of fire. Every technique he used, the figure copied with multiplied force.
Half an hour passed. Bai Tian's breathing grew ragged, his body weaker. Yet amid the crushing pressure, a memory surfaced—the simple strike he once used to cut through a barrier, a technique born from absolute focus.
He centered himself, no longer striking blindly, but observing and defending. Gradually, he discovered a weakness—each attack that mirrored him carried the faintest delay, a gap as thin as a strand of hair.
"Now…!"
With the last of his strength, Bai Tian lifted his sword and slashed straight ahead. The strike was not spectacular, even simple, but filled with unwavering resolve.
The fiery figure split in two. Its blazing body exploded, then slowly faded, vanishing with a long roar that echoed across the desolate sky.
Silence fell over the space.
From the remnants of flame, a small crimson-gold seed emerged, pulsing as though alive. Its heat was different—no longer destructive, but brimming with vitality.
Bai Tian's eyes gleamed. "The true Fire Seed."
Panting heavily, he stared at the seed. Its heat made the air tremble, but unlike the trial before, this fire was no enemy—it was an opportunity.
Bai Tian steadied himself, then extended his palm, channeling spiritual energy. The seed quivered, drifting toward him. The moment it touched his hand, searing heat surged through his entire body.
"Ughhh—!" Bai Tian groaned, as if burning from within. The fire did not consume his flesh, but seeped directly into his body.
Inside him, where once only faint and ordinary energy resided, a blazing vortex of crimson flame erupted. The Fire Seed fell into its center, exploding in dazzling light.
His body convulsed—waves of energy battered his mind until it nearly shattered. Bai Tian almost lost consciousness, his body trembling violently, but he bit his tongue, forcing himself to stay focused.
Over time, the once-wild flames gradually calmed. From the vortex in his lower abdomen, a small golden flame rose. It was serene, yet each flicker carried the power to burn the world.
Bai Tian beheld it within his spiritual sense—and for the first time, though his spiritual sea had yet to form, the Fire Seed filled its place.
"This… Fire Seed…" he whispered, his voice trembling.
His physical body transformed as well. His meridians widened, his energy flow strengthened, and even his burns healed, replaced by a protective warmth.
When he opened his eyes, his pupils briefly glowed crimson-gold before returning to normal. A faint aura of heat enveloped him, as if he could summon fire at will.
Bai Tian clenched his fists, feeling the newfound strength surge through him.
"With this… my path as an alchemist will truly be different."
After savoring the brief calm, Bai Tian began exploring the chamber. Yet as far as his eyes could see, nothing of value appeared. Just as he was about to give up, the entire space quaked violently and collapsed without warning.
BOOM!
His body was dragged into a whirlpool of destruction, then slammed hard onto the ground. Pain pierced his bones, leaving his face pale. Without hesitation, he pulled out a healing pill and swallowed it.
As the medicine dissolved, his spiritual energy stirred, refining the essence and speeding his recovery. This healing process felt far faster than ever before.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. The ground beneath him was dark crimson, radiating heat. The environment was scorching and suffocating, each breath heavy.
Cautiously, Bai Tian stood and walked through the desolate land, hoping to find hidden opportunities.
For two hours,
Bai Tian wandered. At last, in the distance, he saw several disciples in different robes, their faces tense with vigilance, as if heading toward something important.
He immediately suppressed his aura, holding his breath as he quietly followed behind. Every step was careful, making no sound.
Soon, the group halted before a valley shrouded in crimson mist. From within came rumbling, like fire clashing with thunder. The heat mingled with spiritual pressure, making hearts pound faster.
"Hurry! If we're late, another sect will seize the chance!" one disciple whispered eagerly.
They stepped into the valley with utmost caution. Bai Tian narrowed his eyes, heart trembling—clearly, a great secret lay within that mist. Without hesitation, he slipped inside with them.
Beyond the mist, the sight left Bai Tian breathless. Rivers of magma flowed like streams of fire. At the center stood a black stone altar, towering above the boiling lava. Atop it rested a glowing crimson stone, radiating ancient pressure that weighed upon the soul.
"Another Fire Seed… no… that must be a mere imitation," Bai Tian murmured, eyes glinting with desire.
But before he could move, a thunderous roar erupted from the magma. A beast of living fire emerged, its blazing eyes filled with killing intent.
The atmosphere grew tense. The disciples instantly unsheathed their weapons and unleashed their techniques.
The beast's roar shook the valley. Heat surged violently, burning the air itself. The disciples leapt forward, unleashing waves of spiritual power against the creature.
Bai Tian had no desire to stand out, but doing nothing would arouse suspicion. Quickly, he drew his spiritual sword, joining the battle from the rear. His strikes appeared modest, merely supporting the fight without draining much strength.
Blades of light flashed, techniques exploded one after another, filling the sky with fiery brilliance. The beast bellowed in fury, yet was gradually pushed back.
As everyone focused on the fierce battle, Bai Tian's sharp eyes caught a narrow crevice at the valley's side—hidden by charred roots. From within seeped a faint, refreshing fragrance, starkly contrasting the burning air. The scent was unmistakably that of high-grade spiritual herbs.
Without hesitation, Bai Tian feigned a dodge from the beast's strike, then slipped swiftly into the crevice. The blazing heat was instantly replaced by cool, moist air, filled with the soothing fragrance of herbs.