Chapter 15: Tempering the Body with Crystal Flames

The night in Moltenstone Town was calm, with moonlight filtering through the inn's worn-out window lattice, mingling with the dim glow of the oil lamp. The soft interplay of silver and amber hues cast shifting shadows on Lin Jin, Su Yao, and Duan Hao's faces. The wooden table had been pushed aside, and Lin Jin sat cross-legged at the center of the bed. Before him, the Sourceflame Crystal hovered in midair, its surface adorned with swirling golden-red flame patterns, like tiny currents of fire dancing ceaselessly. The air was thick with searing spiritual heat, and the wooden bed frame at its edges emitted a faint, scorched scent, struggling under the raw power radiating from the crystal.

Lin Jin's eyes remained shut as his hands formed seals upon his knees, silently channeling the Netherflame Devouring Art. Wisps of violet fire seeped from his palms, coiling around the Sourceflame Crystal like living serpents, greedily absorbing the spiritual flames it exuded. The crystal's brilliance gradually dimmed as an intense surge of golden-red energy poured into Lin Jin's body, rushing through his meridians straight into his Flame Seed. The thumb-sized, violet-hued Flame Seed pulsed violently, intricate flame patterns emerging upon its surface as if reforged by a divine fire, producing a deep, resonant hum.

Seated a mere two feet away, Su Yao mirrored Lin Jin's posture, her large, luminous eyes half-open, watching the dispersing spiritual flames. She activated her Azure Luan Lightflame Technique, summoning wisps of misty blue flames that enveloped her in a cloud-like aura. Taking a deep breath, she guided the golden-red spiritual flames into her body, blending them with her azure fire. Her once pale complexion gradually regained a rosy hue. Occasionally, she stole a glance at Lin Jin, noticing the fine sheen of sweat forming on his forehead. A faint, amused smile curved her lips as she murmured, "This guy… always going all out."

Duan Hao, sitting by the window, leaned back on a wooden chair that creaked under his sturdy frame. His Blazing Rift Cleave technique ran silently within him, the fiery essence roaring in his veins like an untamed beast. He wasn't as refined as Su Yao in guiding the flames; instead, he forcefully drew in the scattered Sourceflame energy, letting it surge wildly through his meridians. Sweat dripped down his rugged face, his muscles tensed like drawn bows, hinting at an imminent breakthrough. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "Hell if I'll let this damned ninth stage hold me back any longer!"

The spiritual flames in the room intensified, making the thick fabric of the window curtains flutter in the heat. The oil lamp's flame flickered erratically, casting wavering silhouettes of the three figures on the wall. Lin Jin's breathing deepened as the unrelenting flood of Sourceflame energy poured into his body. His Flame Seed swelled to its limit, and his meridians throbbed with piercing agony, as if countless needles pricked his flesh while an inferno seared through his veins. His jaw clenched, veins bulging at his temples, sweat dripping down his face to soak his robes.

"Steady yourself, boy!" The voice of the Flame Soul Ancestor resounded in his mind, tinged with urgency. "The Sourceflame Crystal's energy is overwhelmingly potent—too much for a mere Initial Flame Realm cultivator. You must refine it with the Netherflame Devouring Art, temper your bones, and break through to Flamesoul Realm—this is your moment!"

Lin Jin gritted his teeth. "I know!"

His consciousness dove into his Flame Seed, where his violet flames surged like a storm, devouring and assimilating the golden-red fire thread by thread. The searing pain in his meridians slowly transformed into a blazing, invigorating sensation, his bones emitting soft cracking sounds as though reforging under immense heat. He could feel it—the bottleneck of the Initial Flame Fifth Stage loosening, and within his core, a far stronger force beginning to stir.

Su Yao, sensing the shift in Lin Jin's aura, widened her eyes slightly. "He's about to break through?"

She hastened her Azure Luan Lightflame Technique, letting her azure flames twine around the residual Sourceflame energy, accelerating her own absorption. Though her meridians had yet to fully recover, the nourishment of the Sourceflame Crystal had already propelled her cultivation to the cusp of the Initial Flame Fourth Stage. Her delicate frame trembled slightly before she flashed a triumphant grin. "Heh, this treasure really is amazing! I better not slack off."

Duan Hao's breathing grew heavier. Within him, scarlet flames raged, hammering against the barrier of the ninth stage over and over. His eyes snapped open, glinting with a wild light. "Bring it on! I'll break through tonight!"

His hands clenched around the hilt of his broad-backed blade, scarlet flames spilling from his palms, flowing along the steel like liquid fire. A deep hum resonated from the weapon, as if in response to its master's fervor.

At that moment, Lin Jin's body shuddered. A muffled boom resounded from within him—his Flame Seed quivered, then erupted in a violet inferno that surged through his entire being. His meridians, bones, and flesh were tempered in an instant, reshaped by the golden-red fire that fused into his essence. He opened his eyes, and for a fleeting moment, his pupils gleamed with streaks of violet and gold—his aura skyrocketed past the Initial Flame Fifth Stage, directly stepping into the Flamesoul First Stage!

"I did it!" Lin Jin exhaled sharply, his voice carrying a hint of exhilaration. Clenching his fist, he felt the boundless power surging through his body. With a swift punch, violet flames streaked through the air, striking the wooden wall with a dull thud—a fine web of cracks instantly spread across the surface.

Su Yao's eyes widened in astonishment before she leapt up in excitement, clapping her hands. "Lin Jin! You really pulled it off! You're already at Flamesoul Realm! That's insane!"

She circled around him, her bright eyes gleaming with curiosity, much like a cat fascinated by a new discovery.

Duan Hao threw back his head in hearty laughter, rising to slap Lin Jin's shoulder with a force that nearly sent him stumbling. "Well done, brother! I'm right behind you—Initial Flame Ninth Stage, peak! One more step, and I'll be breaking into Flamesoul Realm too! This Sourceflame Crystal is the real deal!" His boisterous laughter made the windowpanes tremble.

Lin Jin steadied himself, feeling the raw energy coursing through his veins. "The Sourceflame Crystal still holds some power. You two can continue absorbing it—don't waste it."

Su Yao nodded eagerly, hopping back onto the bed, her eyes sparkling. "Right! I'll push for Initial Flame Fourth Stage—no way I'm letting you leave me in the dust!" She resumed her meditation, azure flames coiling around her slender frame.

Duan Hao plopped back onto his chair, his grin widening. "Then I'm not stopping either—tonight, I'm reaching Flamesoul Realm, no matter what!"

Outside the inn, the town lay in stillness, winds whispering through the darkened streets. Yet beyond the town's outskirts, atop a distant hillside, several shadowy figures loomed.

At the forefront stood a middle-aged man, his expression icy cold, a flame-etched spear in his grip. He was none other than the Flamesoul Third Stage expert who had fled from Moltenflame Valley.

A black-robed subordinate beside him asked in a hushed tone, "Sir, the boy has the Sourceflame Crystal. What's our next move?"

The man sneered, his spear quivering as crimson flames coiled around its tip. "Report to the Pavilion Master—send a Flamelord Realm expert. I want to see just how long these brats can keep running."

With a flick of his wrist, he vanished into the darkness, his killing intent lingering in the air.

Unaware of the approaching storm, Lin Jin and his companions remained immersed in their cultivation. The Sourceflame Crystal dimmed, and as dawn neared, their breakthroughs solidified. The true battle was yet to come.