Zhuang Lie spoke with confidence, his eyes brightly fixed on Lin Chen.
Feeling the intensity in Elder Zhuang’s gaze, Lin Chen could only smile bitterly and look away; leaving the Canglan Sect was impossible for him.
Seeing Lin Chen remain silent, Zhuang Lie sighed softly and produced a completely red jade scroll.
He extended the jade scroll to Lin Chen: "This jade scroll is divided into two volumes, this being the upper one, titled ’Ten Thousand Flames Origin Flow Chart.’ It encompasses the genealogical spectrum of various Innate Fires, detailing hundreds of Mother Fires and numerous Mutant Fires, including comprehensive methods for escalating the flame tier. As for the lower volume, even within our Ten Thousand Flames Sect, disciples must earn sufficient contribution points to redeem it."
"Thank you, Elder Zhuang, for your gift."
Lin Chen gratefully accepted it; the upper volume would undoubtedly aid him in cultivating the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique and subsequently selecting an Innate Fire. As for the lower volume, he dared not hope for it.
"This Fire Merging Technique is our Ten Thousand Flames Sect’s fundamental Cultivation Technique, akin to your Canglan Sect’s Canglan Finger. I shall also give it to you, and you may try to cultivate it."
Zhuang Lie produced another jade scroll, as the standard for recruits of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect was the successful cultivation of the Fire Merging Technique.
"Alright."
Lin Chen nodded, taking the jade scroll. By Zhuang Lie’s request, he immediately delved his Divine Soul into the scroll, quickly memorizing the instructions of the Fire Merging Technique.
The Fire Merging Technique mantra was not complex; it was a method of manipulating fire.
It comprised nine layers, the first layer capable of splitting fire into three strands.
With each subsequent layer, culminating in the ninth, the fire could be refined into lotus petals.
"The Fire Merging Technique seems similar to the Thousand Mechanisms Divine Refining Technique, except the former controls fire and the latter controls Divine Thought."
"I will stay in the Canglan Sect for a month; should you have any inquiries during this time, feel free to ask me here."
"Thank you, Senior."
Lin Chen complied, and the next moment, a flame appeared at his fingertip, then, under Zhuang Lie’s watch, a flame divided into two, then into three, four...
Finally, a flame flickered at each of his five fingertips.
"Hmm?"
Zhuang Lie, witnessing this, had a spark in his eyes and couldn’t help but ask, "Lin Chen, did you use the Fire Merging Technique to split the flames?"
Many martial artists could split fire into multiple strands, especially Innate Martial Artists, with external force aiding the process.
With a single slash, a fire could divide into two, three, or even four...
Yet such division weakened the fire’s power, merely splitting the original fire into several parts.
The Fire Merging Technique divides fire without reducing its potency, and with continuous layering, its power only amplifies.
"Yes."
Lin Chen heard Zhuang Lie’s query and responded.
In fact, Zhuang Lie didn’t require Lin Chen’s answer; he sensed that the five flames retained their power without any diminishment, affirming they were indeed separated using the Fire Merging Technique.
Zhuang Lie’s expression was highly excited; the Ten Thousand Flames Sect disciples start cultivating the Fire Merging Technique with ordinary flames, not Innate Fires. Innate Fires are significantly stronger than ordinary flames, and the greater their power, the harder they are to split.
Yet, Lin Chen’s fingertips bore Innate Li Fire; even though Lin Chen had reached the Innate Realm and refined the Li Fire, being able to divide so many flames in such a short period was astonishing.
"Care to try splitting it further?"
Zhuang Lie’s eyes held encouragement, prompting Lin Chen to proceed. Flames continued to emerge from his fingertips, assembling in the air yet refusing to merge, ultimately forming a fireball of dozens near Lin Chen.
Swoosh!
As Lin Chen altered his hand gestures, the fireball divided into tens of parts, beginning to coalesce into other shapes, ultimately forming a lotus flower.
One petal, two petals...
Unfortunately, when it came to the final petal, he was unable to continue, wearing a look of regret.
"Senior, this is my utmost capability."
Zhuang Lie listened to Lin Chen’s words and saw his regrettable expression; his mind was filled with a singular thought—considering taking Lin Chen away directly.
Eloping with him, before Canglan Sect has any response.
Lin Chen’s talent in manipulating fire was extraordinary.
However, at the moment Zhuang Lie entertained such thoughts, he felt an intangible pressure sweep over him, snapping him back to clarity.
This place is the Canglan Sect, under Myriad Phenomena Realm experts’ jurisdiction.
"Forget it, I’ll adhere to the original plan, and approach Lin Chen once he leaves Canglan Sect."
...
Three days later, Zhuang Lie departed.
After Lin Chen successfully manipulated the Innate Li Fire to form lotus petals, Zhuang Lie also left the Canglan Sect.
Fearful of overstaying, thereby impulsively imparting Lin Chen with the exclusive Martial Arts Techniques of Ten Thousand Flames Sect, which are forbidden from being passed to outsiders; despite his admiration for Lin Chen, he remains bound by sect regulations.
"Young man, remember, should you journey outward, feel free to visit our Ten Thousand Flames Sect."
"Thank you, Senior, for your guidance these days; should I find the time, I shall certainly visit the Ten Thousand Flames Sect to pay my respects."
After Zhuang Lie’s departure, Lin Chen personally bade him farewell, and shortly afterward, he resumed training in his courtyard.
Only this time, aside from his cultivation of the Thousand Mechanisms Divine Refining Technique, continually enhancing his manipulation of Divine Thought, he also trained in the Fire Merging Technique; perceiving both techniques bearing a unique synergy.
Complementary and mutually illuminating.
...
One day, two days...
A month elapsed.
Within the courtyard.
Snap!
Lin Chen snapped his fingers lightly, around him whirled seven hundred Divine Thought Flying Sabers. Simultaneously, the golden wings behind him emerged once more, yet this time, flames flowed like a rain curtain upon the wings.
The flames upon the golden wings were Innate Li Fire.
Swoosh!
Lin Chen activated his mind, shooting forth like a blast, accompanied by the simultaneous release of seven hundred flying sabers.
Stopping thirty feet in front of the courtyard wall, the saber formation followed in its halt.
"This range is still somewhat limited."
Glancing at the courtyard wall, Lin Chen leapt over it, arriving at a nearby lake.
A vast lake could adequately accommodate his supreme speed.
Swoosh!
Across the water surface, the ultimate golden arc and icy blue flying saber shot out simultaneously, carving elegant curves over the water.
Within fifty feet, the two matched speeds.
Beyond fifty feet, the flying saber began overtaking.
At one hundred feet, golden light surpassed once again.
Two hundred feet later, the flying saber lagged behind.
Lin Chen halted, gazing at the trailing flying sabers, willing them into disappearance with a thought.
"Utilizing these golden wings, within fifty feet my speed matches the Divine Thought, but beyond fifty feet, Divine Thought surpasses me..."
Lin Chen pondered; in the Martial Arts Realm, Divine Thought’s speed overtaking a martial artist’s was universally acknowledged, yet his case demonstrated the ability to equalize Divine Thought’s speed with his, only limited by the excessive consumption of Innate Power within the body beyond fifty feet, resulting in Divine Thought outpacing him.
However, Divine Thought attacks also bear limitations, constrained by one’s Divine Soul, with a definitive attack range; his current maximal range is one hundred feet, beyond which its potency wanes...
"One shouldn’t be overly avaricious."
Lin Chen let go of his regrets, waiting for himself to advance into Canglan Realm, able to comprehend Martial Path Will, whereupon his Divine Soul would have a subsequent boost.
"A little more than three months remain until the opening of Canglan Realm."
As Lin Chen prepared to return, his steps over the lake surface halted abruptly.
A panel, dormant for over two months, suddenly displayed a message.
[Incomplete settlement.]
[Please complete Martial Arts Mountain peak challenge promptly.]
[Ten days later the final settlement will transpire.]
Glimpsing the panel’s message, Lin Chen squinted his eyes slightly—what did this imply?
Urging him to complete the Martial Arts Mountain peak challenge?
Final settlement in ten days...
Considering the preceding three settlements, Lin Chen discerned a hypothesis.
The panel intended to suggest he accomplish the Martial Arts Mountain peak challenge, boosting his settlement scores, thereby strengthening the next stage’s panel.