Chapter 3: First Encounter with the Spirit Flame

Morning mist veiled Jinshi Town, the damp air carrying the lingering chill of dawn. Lin Jin stood in the clearing outside his thatched hut, shirtless, his palm extended as a wisp of dark purple Netherflame flickered within it. Taking a deep breath, he followed the guidance of the Flame Soul Ancestor, attempting to draw the power from his Flame Seed to temper his muscles and bones.

"The cultivation path in the Spirit Source Realm is divided into seven realms," the old man's voice echoed in his mind like a strict mentor. "Initiate Flame, Flame Master, Grand Flame Master, Flame King, Flame Emperor, Flame Saint, and finally, the Flame Sovereign. Each realm has nine stages, each step harder than the last. The Initiate Flame stage tempers the body, the Flame Master refines the soul, the Grand Flame Master transforms the flame into spirit, the Flame King rules a domain, the Flame Emperor opens the heavens, the Flame Saint transcends mortality, and the Flame Sovereign… can incinerate all existence and reshape the laws themselves."

Lin Jin listened attentively while guiding the Netherflame through his body. The sensation of searing cold and scorching heat still wracked his meridians, but compared to last night, it was far smoother. He asked in a low voice, "Senior, what kind of existence is the Flame Sovereign?"

"The Flame Sovereign?" The old man let out a disdainful snort. "The strongest ruler of the Spirit Source Realm, standing at the peak of the Sovereign realm. It is said that with a single hand, he can annihilate a land spanning ten thousand miles. Even in my prime, I could barely exchange a hundred moves with him before suffering defeat. If you seek revenge, you must at least reach the Flame Saint realm before you can even stand before him."

Lin Jin's heart trembled. Beyond the Flame Saint, there was still the unfathomable realm of the Flame Sovereign. To someone like him, a mere First Stage Initiate Flame cultivator, that height was as unreachable as the heavens. Yet, he did not waver. Instead, he clenched his fists and murmured, "One day, I will reach that level."

"Good ambition," the old man said, his tone slightly more approving. "But for now, focus on solidifying your foundation in the Initiate Flame stage. Each stage tempers a different aspect of the body—first the muscles, then the bones, then the meridians… Last night, you condensed your Flame Seed, stepping into the First Stage. Today, attempt to infuse the Spirit Flame into your tendons and advance to the Second Stage."

Lin Jin nodded, closed his eyes, and steadied his breath. He guided the Netherflame into thin threads, allowing them to seep into the tendons of his arms. A wave of searing pain crashed over him, as if his body was being reforged in an infernal furnace, but he gritted his teeth and endured. Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead. After an hour, a tingling sensation coursed through his arm, as if his tendons had been reforged with newfound resilience.

"It's done!" Lin Jin opened his eyes in excitement, sensing the increased strength in his arms. He threw a punch, cutting through the air with a faint gust of wind. A sense of accomplishment ignited in his heart.

"Not bad," the old man remarked indifferently. "But this speed is far too slow. If you wish to take revenge, you'll need external resources—spirit stones, elixirs, or… the flames of others."

"Devouring other flames?" Lin Jin's eyes gleamed as he recalled how the Netherflame had absorbed Zhang Tieshan's Crimson Flame the night before. He was about to ask more when he heard the crisp sound of approaching footsteps, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Who's there?" Lin Jin turned toward the mist, where a slender figure was emerging. It was a young girl, around fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a light green tunic with a short sword fastened at her waist. Her figure was delicate, her skin fair, and her bright, intelligent eyes sparkled with curiosity as she studied Lin Jin.

"So, you're Lin Jin?" The girl stopped a few steps away, tilting her head. "I heard you chased off Zhang Hu and his father yesterday. Is that true?"

Lin Jin frowned slightly, instinctively withdrawing his Netherflame. He asked cautiously, "Who are you?"

"Oh, I'm Su Yao." The girl waved nonchalantly. "I just moved to the west side of town a few days ago. People say you were a 'Flame Cripple,' but now everyone's talking about how you suddenly awakened a Spirit Flame. I got curious, so I came to see for myself."

Lin Jin studied her. Her aura was calm and steady, indicating she was at least at the First Stage of the Initiate Flame realm. Seeing no hostility in her demeanor, he relaxed slightly and replied, "The rumors are exaggerated. I just got lucky."

"Lucky?" Su Yao pouted and took a step closer, scrutinizing him. "You're hiding something. That flame just now… it's purple, isn't it? I've never seen a flame like that before."

Lin Jin's heart tightened. He hadn't expected her eyes to be so sharp, noticing the distinct color of the Netherflame at a glance. He was about to dismiss it when the old man's voice echoed in his mind:

"This girl is interesting. She carries a faint, concealed Spirit Flame aura—she's not ordinary. You might benefit from befriending her."

After a brief hesitation, Lin Jin said, "It's my Spirit Flame. As for what it is, I don't really know myself."

Su Yao narrowed her eyes, seemingly unconvinced, but she didn't press further. Instead, she suddenly grinned and pulled out a thumb-sized, pale blue spirit stone from her waist pouch, handing it to Lin Jin. "Here, take this. Consider it a gift. From now on, we're friends, okay?"

Lin Jin stared at the stone, sensing the faint but pure spiritual energy it contained. He had scavenged countless shattered spirit stones from junk piles, but a complete one like this was a rare find. Grasping the stone, he murmured, "Thanks."

"No need for thanks. It's just a small thing." Su Yao waved dismissively and turned to leave, then suddenly paused. "Oh, by the way, there's a marketplace outside town tomorrow. I heard an outland merchant caravan is selling spirit herbs and cultivation techniques. Want to check it out together?"

Lin Jin was surprised but quickly nodded. "Alright."

Su Yao's smile widened. "Great! I'll come get you in the morning!" With that, she skipped away into the mist.

Lin Jin watched her disappear, then looked down at the spirit stone in his palm. A faint warmth stirred in his heart. For three years, he had been alone, struggling to survive. Now, someone had approached him as a 'friend.' The feeling was unfamiliar, but… not unpleasant.

"Don't overthink it," the old man's voice interrupted his thoughts. "That girl's background isn't simple. It's fine to befriend her, but don't trust her blindly. Right now, your priority is strength. That marketplace could be an opportunity—if you can acquire spirit herbs or techniques, it'll accelerate your growth."

Lin Jin clenched the spirit stone and gazed into the misty horizon. The Second Stage of Initiate Flame was only the beginning—he knew the path ahead was long.

—

The next morning, Su Yao arrived at the hut just as promised, now dressed in fitted traveling garb with her short sword still at her waist. She waved cheerfully. "Come on, the marketplace is five miles outside town. If we're late, the good stuff will be gone!"

Lin Jin quickly gathered his things and followed her. As they walked through the streets of Jinshi Town and reached the outskirts, they saw dozens of makeshift stalls bustling with merchants and cultivators. The air buzzed with excited chatter.

"Look over there!" Su Yao pointed excitedly. "That vendor is selling spirit herbs! Let's check it out!"

Lin Jin followed her gaze, spotting a stall displaying several herbs radiating faint spiritual energy. His heart stirred—this marketplace might truly hold his chance to grow stronger.

Just then, a sharp, mocking voice cut through the crowd. "Lin Jin? That useless trash dares to show up here?"

Turning, Lin Jin saw Zhang Hu approaching with a group of thugs, his expression filled with malice.

Su Yao frowned and stepped forward, whispering, "Want me to deal with him?"

Lin Jin shook his head, his gaze cold and steady. "No need. I'll handle this myself."