incompetent father

Above the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Pool, the scorching energy fluctuations finally began to subside.

Tang Huo'er sat cross-legged in the air, silver flames and crimson Dou Qi intertwining and flowing around her, eventually merging perfectly and returning to her Dantian.

She opened her eyes, and a flash of thunder and fire seemed to pass through the depths of her pupils. Her aura had completely stabilized at Peak Dou Huang, yet it was several times thicker and more solid than before.

It was a success.

It really was a success.

At this moment, countless emotions surged like a flood breaking through a dam, suddenly overwhelming the defenses she had struggled to maintain all these years.

The pain of past failure and backlash, the suppressed sighs of her father she had heard while unconscious.

The looks from the Elders in the valley that seemed comforting but were actually filled with unconcealed disappointment, and those whispered discussions hidden in the corners about how the "Young Lord might not be able to bear the Legacy"... No one blamed her openly, but it was precisely that silent expectation and cautious treatment that acted like an invisible net, wrapping tighter and tighter around her.

She could only smile, only pretend to be cheerful and open-minded, suppressing all her grievances, resentment, and self-doubt into the deepest part of her heart.

Just moments ago, the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame had erupted in a backlash without warning. The moment that familiar aura of destruction rushed toward her, she truly thought the nightmare was going to repeat itself.

Fear seized her heart, even more so than the last time.

Because she knew that if she failed again, there might truly be no future.

However, at the very moment she was almost about to give up resistance, a calm but incomparably majestic voice rang out.

Following that, the Heavenly Flame, which had been so violent it seemed it would burn the world to ashes, actually became as docile as a tamed cub.

All the pressure, fear, and grievances found an outlet at this moment.

Tang Huo'er didn't even think; her body reacted before her consciousness did.

The silver fire around her retracted, and her figure turned into a streak of light, rushing straight out from the center of the pool. Amidst Valley Master Tang Zhen's stunned gaze, she crashed into Shen Wen's arms, her arms tightly encircling his waist.

Shen Wen was slightly taken aback. Feeling the slight trembling of the body in his arms, he ultimately didn't push her away, simply letting her hold him.

To the side, Valley Master Tang Zhen had already reached out his hand, the gratified smile he had prepared frozen at the corner of his mouth, turning into a look of awkwardness.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he just rubbed his nose and silently shifted his gaze to the nearby pool wall, pretending to study the ancient patterns on it.

Silence spread through the Forbidden Ground, with only the occasional "gurgle" of the magma in the pool.

After a good while, Tang Huo'er finally seemed to recover from her intense emotions.

Her body stiffened, and she slowly released her grip, taking a small half-step back. Two blushes uncontrollably crept onto her cheeks, spreading all the way to the tips of her ears.

She didn't dare look at Shen Wen, her eyes flickering toward her father, only to find Valley Master Tang Zhen looking everywhere but at them.

With an expression as if he hadn't seen a thing, he appeared full of curiosity toward this place of Legacy he had visited countless times.

He muttered, "This magma is certainly... very magma-like!"

"Ahem." Shen Wen cleared his throat, his expression normal as if he wasn't the one who had just been suddenly hugged. He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Young Miss Tang, you have finally achieved your wish and successfully merged the Heavenly Flame."

Tang Huo'er was so embarrassed she didn't know what to do, but hearing that polite and distant "Young Miss Tang"...

For some reason, she felt a bit displeased. She looked up and glared at him, blurting out, "What do you mean, 'Young Miss Tang'!"

Shen Wen followed her lead and readily changed his address: "Then congratulations, Young Miss Huo-er."

Tang Huo'er's brow furrowed even tighter, the awkwardness in her heart growing even stronger. She looked straight at him and asked, "Can't you just call me Huo-er?"

As soon as these words were spoken, even Valley Master Tang Zhen, who was pretending to look at the scenery, couldn't help but have the corners of his mouth twitch.

The nickname "Huo-er"—from childhood until now, besides him, her father, and a few uncles and Elders who had watched her grow up, what other male had ever called her that?

But now... He glanced at his daughter's righteous yet slightly embarrassed expression, then looked at Shen Wen's unshakeable demeanor, and could only sigh silently in his heart.

Forget it, his daughter's success was more important than anything.

If it weren't for Shen Wen this time, let alone success, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

This debt of gratitude was truly heavy.

Valley Master Tang Zhen suppressed the complex emotions in his heart and stepped forward. With a smile back on his face, he asked with concern, "Huo-er, how do you feel? Is there any discomfort anywhere?"

Tang Huo'er took a deep breath, calmed her mind, and held her palm upward.

With a "poof," a ball of silver flame leaped out. Dense silver lightning flickered in the center of the flame, and nine tiny dragon shadows swam within it, appearing lively and docile.

The corners of her mouth curled up with a hint of pride. "I feel great! My Dou Qi is much more solid than before, and... this fellow is quite well-behaved now!"

Valley Master Tang Zhen looked at the incredibly docile Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, his heart filled with complexity.

He had wielded this Heavenly Flame for decades; how could he not know its inherent violence?

For it to be this "well-behaved" now was likely not something Huo-er could achieve just by merging with it. More likely, the invisible intimidation from Grandmaster Shen's previous shout was still affecting it.

This Grandmaster Shen's control over flames had reached an almost inconceivable level.

"Good, good, good. As long as it was successful!"

Valley Master Tang Zhen nodded repeatedly, no longer probing, and instead said:

"This place is scorching and not suitable for a long stay. Let's head out first. The news of your successful Fusion with the Heavenly Flame should also be made known to everyone in the valley to put their minds at ease."

The three of them left the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Pool Forbidden Ground.

Soon, the news that the Young Lord Tang Huo'er had successfully merged the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame and was in perfect condition spread to every corner of Burning Flame Valley as if it had grown wings.

Along with the news, details of Shen Wen stepping in at the critical moment to suppress the Heavenly Flame's eruption and helping the Young Lord succeed also spread.

For a time...

The perception of the valley's Disciples toward this excessively young yet powerful and mysterious Eighth Grade Alchemist Grandmaster...

Had completely transformed from initial curiosity and scrutiny into heartfelt gratitude and admiration.

Many Disciples and Deacons who had been worried about the future of the Legacy due to Tang Huo'er's previous backlash also felt a weight lift from their hearts, and the atmosphere in the valley was one of joy.

For the next two days, Shen Wen stayed at the Yan Xin Courtyard. Tang Huo'er's cultivation to stabilize herself after the success also required a bit of his supervision and guidance.

Having newly acquired the Heavenly Flame and with her Foundation repaired by a complete Eighth Grade Pill, her cultivation progress was extremely rapid, and her aura became more steady and heavy day by day.

On the evening of the second day, Valley Master Tang Zhen personally came to the courtyard to find Shen Wen.

In the hall, the aroma of tea wafted. Valley Master Tang Zhen's attitude was even more solemn and polite than before. He personally filled Grandmaster Shen's teacup and said, "Grandmaster Shen, I heard you plan to set off back to the Pill Tower tomorrow?"

Shen Wen nodded. "The matter here is settled, so I should head back. There are still some affairs at the Pill Tower that need to be handled."

Valley Master Tang Zhen quickly said, "The Grandmaster's kindness to my Burning Flame Valley is like giving us a new life; I really don't know how to repay you."

"Could the Grandmaster stay for two more days?"

"There is a gift of gratitude I would like the Grandmaster to look over."

"Oh?" Shen Wen raised his eyes.