Chapter 402: The Five-Wheel Away-Flame Furnace
Sitting cross-legged before the massive cauldron, Xiao Yuan stared solemnly at the petite figure within. With a flick of his arm, a golden flame surged forth, expanding with the wind into a sea of fire, which poured continuously into the cauldron.
As the Heavenly Flame appeared, the surrounding air temperature soared instantly. Towering trees across the mountain forest began to wither from dehydration.
The flames roared into the cauldron and, under Xiao Yuan's precise control, converged completely, engulfing Zi Yan's delicate body within the blaze.
At the same time, the temperature within the cauldron spiked to terrifying levels.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
With the abrupt rise in temperature, streaks of light shot over from across Dragon Island, hovering silently in the skies around the mountain. These were members of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan. Having already learned of today's undertaking, none dared utter a word for fear of disturbing Xiao Yuan, who was fully focused on helping Zi Yan refine the energy of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit.
Xiao Yuan paid them no mind. All his attention was fixed on the cauldron. A storm of soul power surged from the center of his brow, meticulously controlling the flame's heat.
Inside the cauldron, the fire blazed fiercely. Though the view was obscured by the flames, experts like Elder Zhu Li could clearly perceive everything within.
The fire continually licked at Zi Yan's body, and even Elder Zhu Li felt a tinge of unease from the searing heat. Under this extreme temperature, the crystalline layer on Zi Yan's body began to shimmer faintly, emitting an almost fluid-like glow that radiated a terrifying energy.
With Xiao Yuan's current strength, his soul power, and the potency of his Heavenly Flame, melting this energy crystal layer wouldn't be too difficult.
In terms of flame strength alone, even the now Dou Sheng-ranked Yao Lao and his Bone Spirit Cold Flame couldn't compare to Xiao Yuan.
After all, Xiao Yuan's Heavenly Flame was now comparable to Xun'er's Golden Emperor Flame.
Hovering in the air, Elder Zhu Li stood with hands clasped behind him, gaze locked on the cauldron, his expression grave.
"Zhu Li, do you truly believe he can melt the crystallized Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit?"
A hoarse voice rang out behind him. Elder Zhu Li turned slightly to see an elder with black and white hair. Clad in fitted robes, his stern, unsmiling demeanor gave off a commanding presence.
"This young man is one of the Pill Tower's emerging elites. The strength of his Heavenly Flame appears to rank within the top five of the Flame Ranking. No one is more suited than him," Zhu Li said confidently, turning to look at the slender figure before the cauldron.
"You know what Zi Yan means to our East Dragon Island..." the stern elder said after a pause.
"Elder Qi You, there's no need to worry. Given our current circumstances, we don't have many options," Zhu Li replied softly. "Besides, before falling unconscious, Zi Yan specifically asked for Xiao Yuan. That girl may be young, but she wouldn't gamble with her life. If she trusts him, we should as well."
"Let's hope so. Zi Yan is the only one among us who still holds a complete royal bloodline. If something happens to her, our clan might never be truly united again."
Elder Qi You nodded slightly. "And with both the First and Second Elders in seclusion, no one knows when they'll emerge. Without them, we're not exactly the strongest among the four islands."
Zhu Li sighed. "There's no point thinking about that now. Let's focus on the refining process. Also, keep security on high alert. If the other three islands catch wind of this, they'll likely send someone to investigate. The island lords are all ambitious. They would never tolerate the rise of a true royal bloodline. Under that pressure, even if they can resist it themselves, their clansmen might fall in line and unite once more."
"Mm," Qi You replied quietly, giving Xiao Yuan one last deep look before his figure faded. At the same time, many powerful auras hidden nearby also vanished.
Seeing him leave, Zhu Li turned to Xiao Yuan and muttered, "Xiao Yuan, the fate of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan rests in your hands..."
Though Xiao Yuan paid little attention to his surroundings, he wasn't entirely unaware.
This energy crystal layer was indeed troublesome. He needed something special to deal with it.
With a thought, Xiao Yuan's hand formed a new seal, and he shouted, "Rise!"
The golden flames surged skyward, lifting Zi Yan out of the cauldron.
"Elder Zhu Li, take the cauldron back. I have my own method."
His soul power lifted the cauldron and sent it toward Zhu Li. Then, waves of fire poured from Xiao Yuan's body.
Five-Wheel Away-Flame Technique!
With a new hand seal, five fire spirits emerged and flew to surround Zi Yan from five directions. They opened their mouths, spewing flames, forming the Five-Wheel Away-Flame Array.
As the array completed, Xiao Yuan formed a seal with one hand and reached toward Zi Yan in the golden flames with the other.
Five-Wheel Away-Flame Furnace—Condense!
Under Zhu Li's shocked gaze, a furnace completely formed from Heavenly Flame materialized around Zi Yan.
Fire spirit runes were etched into its walls, and the spirits surrounding it funneled their flames through rune mouths into the furnace. The temperature inside skyrocketed, so much so that even Elder Zhu Li's face paled.
At such extreme heat, even a half-saint's Dou Qi might not be enough to endure it!
Thankfully, the furnace and formation didn't restrict him—no threat there.
Chi!
With Xiao Yuan's technique in place, the furnace's internal heat reached its peak. The once-impenetrable energy crystal layer finally began to melt, and a drop of purplish-gold liquid appeared.
"The Dragon-Phoenix Crystal Layer is melting!"
Though the droplet was tiny, the many sharp-eyed experts around them noticed it. Their suppressed voices burst out in excited whispers.
Huff...
Zhu Li quietly exhaled in relief. Though it was just the first step, it confirmed that Xiao Yuan could indeed melt the energy crystal layer. If he could persist, Zi Yan's crisis would be resolved.
Still, Zhu Li knew it would take time. All they could do now was wait quietly for the entire layer to be melted.
Creating and maintaining the Five-Wheel Away-Flame Furnace consumed massive Dou Qi. Even with Xiao Yuan's deep reserves and a large stock of recovery pills, it was a struggle. On the fifth day, having exhausted his pills, he finally retrieved the Ancient Dragon Essence Blood Zhu Li had given him and drank a drop.
Boom!
As the essence blood entered his body, golden light burst from Xiao Yuan's skin. A vast torrent of energy surged within, refilling his dried-up meridians in moments.
Amidst the energy storm, his bones, muscles, and even meridians tingled strangely, as if being tempered—stronger, more resilient.
"So this is the power of Ancient Dragon Essence Blood... Incredible," Xiao Yuan thought in awe. Its effects were on par with high-grade tier seven, or even tier eight pills. The Taixu Ancient Dragons were truly a top-tier magical beast clan—this essence blood alone was miraculous.
After a deep breath, a tired smile crept across Xiao Yuan's face. He looked at Zi Yan inside the furnace. The external Dragon-Phoenix crystal layer had completely vanished. All that remained was the part within her meridians—two-thirds of them. Once those were refined, she'd be back on her feet, asking him for pills again!
Seeing this, joy spread across Ancient Dragon Island. At this rate, it wouldn't take long before all the crystals inside Zi Yan were refined—and then, a true king-bloodline magical beast would be reborn!
Two days later, many eyes looked respectfully at the white-robed figure. After working tirelessly for a full week without rest, Xiao Yuan had earned the admiration of the proud Taixu Ancient Dragons.
Those present were the core of the clan—strong and perceptive.
They could tell just how terrifying Xiao Yuan's techniques were and how draining they must be. The furnace may have posed no threat to Elder Zhu Li, but for anyone below half-saint, its heat was too much to handle.
"This youth... he's destined for greatness. The Xiao Clan's glory may one day return. Xiao Xuan, your clan is blessed," Zhu Li murmured, gently stroking his beard with a tinge of envy in his voice.
Just then, a thunderous roar rang out across the void.
"Xia Ao! How dare you trespass on East Dragon Island!"
Hearing this, Zhu Li's expression darkened. He raised his head toward the void.
"They've come…"
From the black void, streaks of light appeared. Soon, powerful figures materialized beyond the island. Most wore dark-golden armor etched with dragon patterns that seemed to move, radiating immense dragon might. Others were bare-chested giants with thick muscles—clearly formidable in physical strength.
"It's the people of West and South Dragon Islands!"
Cries of anger echoed across Ancient Dragon Island.
"Xia Ao, you dare bring your people here? You've got some nerve!"
Figures emerged in the sky. At the lead was Elder Qi You, his stern face now radiating fury and natural authority.
"Haha, old man Qi You, don't get mad. I'm just following orders—to invite the noble one with royal blood to visit West Dragon Island," said a brawny man in dark-golden armor, stepping forward. Even his footfall made the void tremble.
"West Dragon King wants to imprison the royal bloodline, doesn't he? Hmph! He's only a collateral descendant. Now he dares call himself Dragon King? Ridiculous!"
Qi You snapped coldly.
Xia Ao responded, "Our clan is now split in four. Like it or not, the West Dragon King still holds royal blood—stronger influence than you commoners. In truth, East Dragon Island shouldn't even exist. Among the four islands, only you lack a true royal leader. Such a branch can't be accepted."
"That's not for you to decide! The Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan has only one true leader—the Dragon Emperor!"
Qi You retorted.
"Heh, save it, old man. I came on orders. Hand over the one with royal blood—or things won't end peacefully."
"You think you can take her?"
Qi You's expression turned icy. A massive force began to condense in his palm.
"Heh, in a fight, your East Dragon Island ranks the weakest. If we West Dragon Island's Dragon Armored Army launched a full assault, you wouldn't last long."
As he gestured, the armored soldiers stepped forward. Their combined pressure rolled toward Dragon Island like a tide.
At the island's core, Zhu Li's face grew grim. Just as he prepared to act, he sensed a drop in temperature?
Hmm?
He turned to Xiao Yuan.
The flames had withdrawn into his body. Xiao Yuan's gaze met his.
"Elder Zhu Li, if there's a fight... you better count me in!"
Though pale, Xiao Yuan's voice was full of confidence.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1