Chapter 6: Trial of Fire

Molten rock surged outward in every direction.

Ye Tian retreated instinctively, narrowly evading a whip of liquefied flame that exploded where he had just stood. At the center of the obsidian shrine, the guardian remained motionless, encircled by a vortex of heat. Her hair, composed of living fire, danced violently in the superheated air.

"You would claim the essence of fire," she said, her voice layered with ethereal resonance. "What offering have you made in return?"

Ye Tian's eyes sharpened. "Everything."

She raised her hand.

The earth convulsed as new columns of lava burst forth, intensifying the already-suffocating heat.

[System Alert: Rapid thermal escalation detected. Internal Circulatory Technique Lv.1 recommended.]

"Activate it," Ye Tian murmured.

A golden sheen rippled across his body as the technique took effect. The heat, though still immense, was reduced to a manageable pressure. His breathing evened, and his focus narrowed.

He advanced.

They collided.

Hand met flame. Soul confronted elemental will. The valley transformed into a crucible of raw power.

System Interface: Internal Status

[Skill Panel: Unlocked]Memory Echoes Recorded: 13/100→ [Void Palm Lv.1]→ [Heaven-Breaking Step Lv.1]→ [Flame Resistance (Passive) Lv.0]

[Storage Protocol: Active]Stored Objects: 27Capacity: Unlimited (Compressed Dimensional Layer Active)

[Heaven-Defying Bead: Synchronized]Elemental Resonance: Fire DetectedCore Progress: 12%

The battle escalated. The guardian fractured into three mirage-like projections, each launching searing arcs of flame. Ye Tian responded with surgical precision, employing Heaven-Breaking Step to slip through the illusions. His strikes were methodical, his form unyielding.

With each successful exchange, the bead within his chest pulsed more brightly.

Suddenly—

[System Alert: Fated Bond Detected]Spiritual Synchronization: 3%… 7%… 12%...Target Identified: Flame Spirit Guardian

The guardian faltered mid-assault, her expression wavering. "What are you doing?"

Ye Tian's tone was resolute. "Reclaiming what was once mine."

A deafening eruption followed—a column of fire engulfed them both, casting an infernal beacon into the sky.

Suspended within the vortex, they hovered.

[Fire Element Essence: Bound Successfully][Trial Cleared – Stage 1 Unlocked: Flame Core Accessible]

As the last flames dissipated, the guardian dropped to one knee, visibly exhausted.

"You have passed. The Flame Domain has accepted you."

Ye Tian extended a hand.

"Come with me. The world beyond this valley awaits."

She hesitated—but took his hand.

[Companion Acquired: Flame Spirit – Designation: Rongyan (融焰)]

Within the Heaven-Defying Bead

A massive surge of spatial distortion enveloped them, transporting their consciousness into the Bead's hidden dimension.

Beneath a crimson sky stretched vast obsidian fields, intersected by rivers of magma and floating volcanic islands. Suspended above it all was a colossal, 14-spoked ring. Only one spoke glowed red—the fire element, now awakened.

[Time Dilation Ratio: 1,000,000:1]Warning: Prolonged presence may provoke heavenly detection.Authorized Duration: 30 seconds

Rongyan surveyed the realm with quiet awe. "This isn't an elemental domain… it predates them. It's older."

Ye Tian nodded. "This world exists beyond the reach of heaven's judgment."

He sat cross-legged, drawing in ambient fire essence. The energy poured into him, refining his meridians, tempering his organs, and illuminating his soul sea.

[Breakthrough Achieved – Body Tempering Realm, Stage 7: Initial Phase]

[Element Channel Activation: 1/14][New Perk Gained: Flame Affinity Lv.1 – Enhances fire-based offense and resistance. Grants access to basic fire techniques.]

Rongyan hovered near one of the lava streams, her form steady.

"I can remain here indefinitely. I'm only a spirit. Heaven won't notice I've disappeared."

Ye Tian smiled. "Then this place will be our sanctuary."

She turned to him, eyes narrowed. "And the other thirteen spokes?"

He opened his eyes. They glowed with searing intensity. "I'll awaken them all."

The bead quaked violently.

[Dimensional Instability Detected – Emergency Recall Initiated]

In a brilliant flash, they were expelled from the inner space, materializing just outside the dormant shrine.

Ancient Echoes

Venturing deeper into the valley, Ye Tian and Rongyan discovered scorched ruins buried beneath volcanic ash. As they approached a forgotten altar, a sealed will stirred—a projection of the Fire Monarch himself.

"To you who bears the mark—fourteen flames must be reignited. Walk the path. Or the heavens will burn blind forever."

[Hidden Objective Unlocked: Monarch's Path – Progress: 1/14]

Just before leaving, they found a flame that burned blue.

"That's Ice Flame," Rongyan whispered. "It shouldn't exist here."

The flame pulsed once—then vanished.

[System Alert: Ancient Hidden Condition Fulfilled]Secret Flame Variant Acquired: ???Status: Dormant | Location: Confidential

Ye Tian blinked. "System… what just happened?"

[Insufficient access level to view new content.]

Outside the Valley

As they crossed into the cooler mountain path, Ye Tian paused, rubbing his chest.

"Something's… off. Like part of me is cold."

Rongyan looked worried.

"Then something crept into the flame—and it's not sleeping forever."

They said nothing more.

But in the depth of the Heaven-Defying Bead, a blue spark flickered silently.

Watching.