Blazing Sun Awakens

The ruined temple was silent now, the guardian beast's massive body lying motionless on the cold stone floor. Lin Fan stood in the center of the chamber, bloodied and bruised, clutching the Blazing Sun Ascension Art tightly in his hands. Its faint golden glow seemed to pulse with life, as if the ancient scroll itself recognized its new owner.

Lin Fan's fingers brushed over its surface, his heart racing with anticipation. For someone like him—mocked for his lack of talent, cast aside as worthless—obtaining a cultivation technique of this caliber was nothing short of a miracle.

He sat cross-legged on the ground, unfurling the scroll carefully. The glowing characters danced across the surface, their meaning seeping into his mind as if the scroll were speaking directly to him.

The Blazing Sun Ascension Art was no ordinary cultivation technique. It focused on channeling spiritual energy into fire-based attacks, strengthening both the user's body and their offensive capabilities. As Lin Fan studied its contents, he realized that it was far more profound than anything he had ever imagined.

"This technique..." Lin Fan whispered, his eyes narrowing. "It's a tier far beyond what the Lin family ever possessed. If I can master it, I can carve my own path."

But mastering it would not be easy. The scroll described a grueling process, requiring immense willpower and an unrelenting desire to grow stronger. It was a technique that demanded its user to endure fiery trials, both physical and spiritual.

Lin Fan's lips curled into a small smile.

"Good," he muttered. "The harder the path, the greater the reward."

Lin Fan took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and began to follow the first steps outlined by the Blazing Sun Ascension Art. The technique emphasized creating a connection with the spiritual energy around him, drawing it toward the ember of cultivation within his core and igniting it like a spark catching fire.

The air around Lin Fan seemed to grow warmer as he focused, pulling in strands of energy from the environment. His breathing slowed, and his mind became clear as he visualized the process described in the scroll.

At first, the energy flowed sluggishly, reluctant to obey his will. But Lin Fan's determination didn't waver. He pushed harder, forcing the strands of energy to converge and swirl within him.

Suddenly, the ember in his core flared to life, like dry kindling catching flame. A surge of heat spread through his body, causing Lin Fan to grit his teeth. It wasn't just warmth—it was as if his very blood were boiling, his veins burning as the energy coursed through him.

Sweat dripped from his brow as the pain intensified. The scroll had warned of this: the Blazing Sun Ascension Art required its user to endure the scorching heat of simulated flames to strengthen their spiritual foundation. Lin Fan's body trembled, but he refused to stop.

"If I can't endure this, how can I ever hope to stand against them?"

He gritted his teeth and pressed on, guiding the fiery energy through his meridians. Slowly, the pain began to dull, replaced by a growing warmth that radiated strength. The ember in his core burned brighter, expanding into a small flame that pulsed in rhythm with his breathing.

When Lin Fan finally opened his eyes, his entire body was drenched in sweat, but his gaze was sharper than ever.

"I've done it," he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He had taken the first step in mastering the Blazing Sun Ascension Art. Though the road ahead would be long, this small victory filled him with hope.

The ruined temple was no place to linger. Lin Fan knew that others—beasts or cultivators—might be drawn to the spiritual energy radiating from the area. With the scroll safely tucked into his robe, he exited the temple and began his descent deeper into the Desolate Mountains.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the rugged terrain. Lin Fan moved with purpose, his senses sharper and his body lighter than before. The battles he had fought, the treasures he had claimed, and the cultivation he had begun all marked his transformation.

But as the mountains had taught him time and time again, danger was never far away.

As night fell, Lin Fan found himself in a narrow gorge, the towering cliffs on either side casting the path into darkness. The faint glow of his ember-like cultivation provided him with some light, but the oppressive silence of the gorge made every step feel heavier.

Suddenly, Lin Fan froze. His instincts screamed at him, urging him to stop.

The sound of shifting rocks echoed through the gorge, followed by a deep, guttural growl. Lin Fan's eyes darted toward the source of the sound, and his blood ran cold.

A massive figure emerged from the shadows, its hulking body covered in jagged stone-like armor. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Lin Fan, and its heavy footsteps shook the ground with each step.

"A Rock Armored Bear," Lin Fan muttered under his breath, his heart pounding. This spirit beast was far more powerful than the serpent or the tiger he had faced before. Its armored hide was nearly impenetrable, and its brute strength was enough to crush boulders.

Lin Fan's fists clenched. He had no choice but to fight.

The bear let out an earth-shaking roar and charged, its massive claws tearing through the ground as it barreled toward Lin Fan.

Lin Fan dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. The ground where the bear's claws struck shattered, sending shards of stone flying in every direction. Lin Fan didn't hesitate—he countered with a swift punch, channeling the fiery energy of his cultivation into the blow.

The flames burned brightly as his fist connected with the bear's side, but to Lin Fan's dismay, the attack barely left a scorch mark on its armored hide.

"This isn't enough," Lin Fan muttered, his breathing heavy. The bear roared again, its massive body twisting as it swung its claws toward him.

Lin Fan leapt back, his mind racing. He needed to find a weakness—something the bear's armor couldn't protect.

As the battle raged on, Lin Fan began to notice a pattern in the bear's movements. Its armor was thickest along its back and sides, but its underbelly—the spot it instinctively protected—was far less guarded.

"I see it now," Lin Fan said, his eyes narrowing.

The bear lunged again, its claws slamming into the ground where Lin Fan had stood. This time, Lin Fan didn't dodge. Instead, he stepped forward, slipping beneath the beast's massive frame and striking upward with all his strength.

The flames of his cultivation surged, concentrated into a single, explosive blow that struck the bear's exposed underbelly. The force of the attack sent the beast reeling, its roar echoing through the gorge as it collapsed to the ground.

Lin Fan staggered back, his chest heaving as he watched the massive creature fall. The flames around his fists flickered and faded, leaving him standing in silence.

He had won.

As Lin Fan leaned against a nearby rock to catch his breath, he couldn't help but smile. The Blazing Sun Ascension Art had proven its worth, and his ability to adapt in battle had carried him through once again.

But this victory was only one step on a long and arduous path. The Desolate Mountains still held countless dangers, and Lin Fan knew he would need to grow much stronger to face what lay ahead.

For now, though, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction.

"The wheel has turned," Lin Fan said softly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "And I won't stop until I've taken back everything that was stolen from me."

With renewed determination, Lin Fan continued his journey, the flames of his cultivation burning brighter than ever.