24: Chapter 24 Soul Tempering Through Fire Marrow, Crisis Approaching

The system's warning was like two sharp daggers, both pressed against Lin Yan's throat.

On one side was the rapidly strengthening "Heart-Burning Seal," which would soon bring about a catastrophe.

Once that enraged Magma Earth-Walking Dragon locked onto this location, with its peak Tier 4 strength and familiarity with the terrain, this seemingly hidden Secret Grotto would likely not be enough to stop it.

Both he and Xiao Yi Xian would be plunged into a desperate situation.

On the other side was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enhance the origin of the Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame.

Absorbing the "Void Swallowing Flame Dao Marks" sealed within the fire marrow crystal would not only enhance the power of this strongest seed flame but might also grant a deeper level of control and insight, which was crucial for his future strength.

However, this process would inevitably trigger energy fluctuations, accelerating the exposure of the mark.

Fleeing might not guarantee escape and would mean missing the opportunity.

Staying would drastically increase the risk and might mean facing death head-on.

Lin Yan's gaze swept rapidly between the unconscious Xiao Yi Xian, the fire marrow crystal in the center, and the faintly aching mark on his back.

Within a breath, he had made his decision!

Opportunity and risk coexist; this is the norm on the path of cultivation.

Instead of sitting and waiting for death, it is better to seek victory in danger!

Since the mark would inevitably attract that beast sooner or later, it would be better to strengthen his side as much as possible before it arrived!

"Absorb! System, assist me in guiding the Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame to devour the relevant Dao marks within the fire marrow crystal at the fastest speed and with minimal fluctuation!" Lin Yan's thought was resolute.

[Command confirmed. Initiating auxiliary guidance protocol, consuming 50 points, constructing a temporary energy shielding layer (weak). Starting guidance...]

Lin Yan hesitated no longer. Enduring the weakness of his body and the exhaustion of his soul, he stood up and walked to the edge of the pool, getting as close to the fire marrow crystal in the center as possible.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, focused his mind, and sank all his consciousness into that wisp of pitch-black, profound flame within his body.

This time, he was not cautious; instead, he took a relatively active stance to communicate with and awaken that origin power representing devouring and void.

"Hum..."

The Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame seemed to sense its master's determination and the strong attraction of the "homologous Dao marks" in the distance, becoming active as never before.

A wisp of pitch-black flame, more solid than ever before and seemingly capable of absorbing the surrounding light, slowly rose from Lin Yan's palm.

In the center of the flame was an imperceptible vortex that seemed to lead to endless darkness.

At the same time, inside the dark gold fire marrow crystal in the center of the pool, within the constantly changing phantom of flames, the part belonging to the "Void Swallowing Flame" (in the shape of a pitch-black vortex) suddenly brightened, resonating strongly with the black fire in Lin Yan's palm!

Strands of extremely faint, yet high-essence, pitch-black light were stripped from the fire marrow crystal. Like birds returning to their nests upon being summoned, they crossed the distance of several zhang and slowly flowed toward the pitch-black flame in Lin Yan's palm.

The devouring had begun!

As soon as the pitch-black light touched the Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame, it was instantly swallowed, decomposed, and fused by the dark vortex at its center.

Lin Yan could clearly feel that his wisp of seed flame origin was growing and solidifying at a slow but steady pace!

It was moving from its original state of a weak spark toward a more stable "flame" form.

More importantly, fragmented information and insights regarding the "devouring" characteristic, the "void" artistic conception, and even how to simulate other energy fluctuations flowed into the depths of his soul like a trickling stream as the Dao marks were absorbed.

His soul felt as if it were soaking in a cold, dark spring; his understanding of "void" was deepening, and his control over the devouring power was improving.

Although he was still far from being able to use it freely, he was no longer the novice he once was.

However, just as the system had expected, this process could not be completely silent.

As the energy core, the fire marrow crystal's internal Dao marks were being drawn out and stripped away, triggering subtle ripples in the energy field of the entire Secret Grotto.

The light mist of intertwined pale blue and crimson above the pool accelerated its rotation slightly, and the fluorescence of the stalactites on the cave ceiling flickered intermittently.

Meanwhile, on Lin Yan's back, the "Heart-Burning Seal," like a shark smelling blood, greedily absorbed the extremely trace amounts of fire marrow crystal essence that were dissipating into the air due to the energy ripples.

The burning sensation of the mark became increasingly clear, as if a red-hot branding iron were embedded in his flesh. It faintly emitted a dark red glow, like an evil eye gradually opening, establishing an increasingly strong connection with some enraged existence in the distance.

Time slipped away amidst the silent devouring and the gradually accumulating sense of crisis.

Lin Yan exerted his full strength to maintain the balance between guidance and absorption, his soul power pouring out like a flood from an opened sluice.

Veins bulged on his forehead, and sweat had long soaked through his heavy clothes, but his eyes grew brighter, and the pitch-black flame in his palm became increasingly solid and profound.

It was unknown how much time had passed, but when the pitch-black Dao marks belonging to the Void Swallowing Flame inside the fire marrow crystal were completely absorbed, the Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame in Lin Yan's palm had grown by a circle. Its pitch-black color seemed capable of swallowing all lines of sight, and as the central vortex turned, it emitted a heart-palpitating sense of "emptiness."

Although it was still worlds apart from the true "Void Swallowing Flame," it was a vast difference compared to that weak spark from before.

[Absorption complete. Origin of the Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame enhanced by 37%. Passive effect gained: Devouring efficiency slightly increased; resistance to soul, cold, and negative energy enhanced. Preliminary application unlocked: Can attempt short-term, small-scale 'energy aura simulation and camouflage' (requires consumption of a large amount of soul power).]

Success!

Lin Yan felt a surge of joy, but before he could even savor the newly acquired power, a violent burning pain suddenly erupted from the "Heart-Burning Seal" on his back!

The mark shone brightly, and the dark red lines spread several inches under his skin like living creatures. A tyrannical, scorching, and destructive mental pressure was faintly transmitted from an unknown distance away!

That Magma Earth-Walking Dragon had clearly locked onto his location! It was rushing over at a terrifying speed!

"Cough..." Just then, a weak cough came from beside him.

Lin Yan immediately retracted the Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame and turned to look.

He saw Xiao Yi Xian's long eyelashes flutter a few times before she slowly opened her eyes.

Her emerald eyes initially held some lingering confusion and pain, but they quickly regained clarity, only deeper than before, with a hint of an indescribable, restrained dark luster in their depths.

She saw Lin Yan, saw the unfamiliar environment around her, and also felt the poison power within her body, which, although still vast and cold, was now orderly and as easy to control as her own arm.

The relief of surviving a disaster, gratitude toward Lin Yan, and a complex emotion of having newfound control over her power were intertwined in her eyes.

"I... am I still alive?" Her voice was hoarse and dry, yet it carried an unprecedented steadiness.

"Yes." Lin Yan nodded, walked over quickly, and handed her a water skin. "How do you feel?"

Xiao Yi Xian propped herself up to sit, took a sip of water, and carefully sensed her condition. An expression of disbelief gradually appeared on her face: "The poison power... seems... much more obedient. Although the total amount seems to have decreased a little, it is more concentrated and... easier to control."

She looked at Lin Yan, her eyes full of shock and inquiry. "You... how did you do it? What is this place?"

"This is the Earth Vein Secret Grotto, and also near the lair of the giant beast guarding the fire lotus."

Lin Yan succinctly explained the previous crisis and the process of how he had adventurously brought her into this place after her poison body went berserk, using the special energy field here to suppress and channel her poison power, omitting the details about the Void Swallowing Flame and the system's assistance.

"Your willpower is very strong; you held on through the most critical part."

Xiao Yi Xian listened silently. She could imagine the danger at that time and could even better appreciate the risks Lin Yan had taken and the price he had paid to save her.

Looking at his pale, exhausted, yet still steady face, an indescribable warm current and a more resolute emotion took root and sprouted in her heart.

"Thank you, Lin Yan."

She did not say more words of gratitude, but simply engraved this name more deeply into her heart. Her tone was as solemn as a vow. "This kindness, I..."

"Don't be in such a hurry to thank me." Lin Yan interrupted her, stood up with a grave expression, and looked toward the tunnel they had come from. "We are not out of danger yet."

"I left 'something' on that beast, and it also placed a tracking mark on me."

"Just now... I did something that may have accelerated its arrival. It has already locked onto this place and is on its way."

Xiao Yi Xian's expression changed, and she immediately struggled to stand up.

Although her body was still weak and the poison power needed time to stabilize, that newfound sense of control gave her confidence.

"Then what do we do now? Flee?"

"We can't escape." Lin Yan shook his head and swept his gaze across the Secret Grotto. "There is only one way in, and outside is its home turf."

"Instead of being caught by it in the stone forest, it is better to fight it here, using the terrain to our advantage!"

A calm and sharp light flashed in his eyes as he began to analyze rapidly: "This Secret Grotto has the fire marrow crystal and an earth vein energy field. It has a certain suppressive and interfering effect on fire attributes, which can weaken part of its strength."

"Although the ancient formation by the pool has almost exhausted its energy, the patterns are complete. Perhaps we can find a way to activate a part of it to form an obstacle or an attack."

"Your poison, having been tempered by the energy here, should be more corrosive, especially against energy bodies and fire-attribute creatures... This is our only chance."

Xiao Yi Xian did not hesitate at all and nodded vigorously: "I'll listen to you! What do you need me to do?"

"First, seize the time to recover and adapt to your new poison power state," Lin Yan said quickly. "Then, check these formation patterns by the pool. You are meticulous; see if you can find the nodes of energy flow or incomplete parts. Try to see if you can use your poison power... to carry out some kind of 'pollution' or 'activation.' We don't need to fully activate the formation; as long as we can create some chaos or trigger some defense mechanism, that will be enough."

"Okay!" Xiao Yi Xian immediately agreed. She walked to the edge of the pool and carefully studied the ancient and complex patterns, faint grayish-purple poison gas lingering at her fingertips.

Lin Yan walked quickly to the tunnel at the entrance of the Secret Grotto.

He first tried to block it with rocks, but the tunnel was sturdy, and there wasn't enough time.

He thought for a moment, a black light flashed in his eyes, and that wisp of strengthened Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame appeared in his palm again.

"Let's try the new ability..." He concentrated his mind, controlling the pitch-black flame, and carefully separated strands of extremely faint "camouflage layer" that simulated the surrounding earth vein fire-attribute energy fluctuations, covering the area near the tunnel entrance.

He didn't seek to hide it completely, only hoping to slightly interfere with the opponent's initial judgment, buying even a few breaths of time.

At the same time, he pushed the little remaining Dou Qi in his body to the limit. The auras of the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Fallen Heart Flame were restrained within his meridians, and the power of the Eight Extremities Collapse quietly gathered in his arms.

His gaze was fixed tightly on the deep, dark tunnel, like a hunter waiting for prey, or like a reef waiting for a storm.

Inside the Secret Grotto, the atmosphere was suppressed to the extreme.

There was only the faint sound of the light mist of the pool water rotating and the slight friction sound occasionally made by Xiao Yi Xian as she studied the formation patterns.

Time passed second by second, each second feeling exceptionally long.

Suddenly!

The entire Secret Grotto shook violently!

Fine crystalline powder fell from the stalactites on the ceiling with a rustling sound.

From the depths of the tunnel came a dull, thunderous, and rapidly approaching rumbling sound!

Accompanied by that familiar, tyrannical, and scorching terrifying pressure, it surged along the tunnel like a tsunami!

"Roar!!!"

The Magma Earth-Walking Dragon's roar, filled with fury, was already close at hand!

A scorching wave of air even erupted from the tunnel entrance, blowing Lin Yan's hair and robes wildly backward!

It had arrived!