Chapter 103: Fusion and Interweaving, Breakthrough to Dou Venerable!

Indeed, Lin Ran's current condition wasn't solely because of Xiao Xun'er.

Rather, the true cause was the Heavenly Flame within her body.

The Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame!

Ranked fourth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame was renowned even in ancient times. It was the Gu Clan's inherited flame—capable of burning everything, including Dou Qi and even space itself.

And now, this terrifying Heavenly Flame was somehow establishing a mysterious connection with Lin Ran's Dou Qi, proactively reaching out and interweaving with it.

Not only Han Lao, a Dou Venerable from the Gu Clan, but even Lin Ran and Xun'er—the ones directly involved—were left completely dumbfounded.

Golden flame, as fluid as molten metal, coursed over Xun'er's skin. Where it passed, even space seemed unable to bear the heat—twisting and splitting into jagged black tears.

Yet this terrifying flame wasn't attacking—it was actively merging with the green-gold Dou Qi inside Lin Ran.

That intense interweaving soon agitated Lin Ran's own Dou Qi.

No—agitated wasn't the right word.

It was splitting!

"This Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame... it's breaking down my Dou Qi?!"

Startled, Lin Ran instinctively tried to resist. But when he saw Xun'er trembling slightly, her eyes still closed, and the two ancient Gu Clan Dou Venerables watching warily nearby, he clenched his jaw and forced himself to endure.

Truthfully, he was curious himself. What exactly was this Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame trying to do?

From what he knew, this Heavenly Flame wasn't known for devouring or decomposing—so this outcome made no sense.

Sitting cross-legged, Lin Ran allowed the golden flame to swirl around him. With every flicker, his Dou Qi fluctuated wildly.

Under the flame's influence, Lin Ran's green-gold Dou Qi gradually split apart into two separate streams: one a thick, radiant gold; the other a vibrant, dancing green.

These were his Pure Yang Dou Qi and his Green Lotus Core Flame.

Both powers had long been fused within him, yet the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame was forcibly separating them.

And not just separating—

Replacing.

The Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame was driving out the Green Lotus Core Flame and embedding itself in its place!

Seeing this, even Han Lao and Xun'er were speechless.

As members of the Gu Clan, they knew how terrifying the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame truly was. Even among the Gu Clan, few could inherit it. Only Xun'er, blessed with an extraordinary bloodline, had managed to subdue it.

Yet now, this very flame was throwing itself at Lin Ran.

You're ranked fourth among the Heavenly Flames—could you at least act with some dignity?

"Amazing..."

Lin Ran muttered under his breath, lifting his palm slightly.

The golden flame danced at his command, obedient and nimble.

By contrast, the expelled Green Lotus Core Flame seemed furious. The green flame roared and swelled into a massive fireball several meters tall, completely engulfing both Lin Ran and Xun'er.

The temperature soared as the air warped and shimmered under the heat.

"Miss..."

Han Lao frowned with concern, clearly wanting to intervene—but ultimately held back.

He could tell that while bizarre, the situation wasn't harming Xun'er. In fact, Lin Ran's Pure Yang Dou Qi was strengthening her physical body and fortifying her cultivation base.

Her strength was rising.

"Han Lao! Where's the young lady?!"

A spatial rift tore open as Lin Lao arrived in a rush.

"In there."

Han Lao kept his eyes on the green flame sphere. "Their Dou Qi and the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame have reached a kind of balance. They're... complementing each other."

"Complementing?!"

Lin Lao froze in shock, muttering, "Impossible..."

"What's happening exactly?" Han Lao asked, frowning deeply.

"I'm only speculating. The clan records on the Pure Yang Physique are scarce—almost nonexistent when it comes to interactions with the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame."

"I scoured many ancient texts and found only traces of a connection."

"In ancient times, the Pure Yang Ancient Emperor and our Gu Clan's progenitor were acquaintances. I suspect... the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame might have originally belonged to the Pure Yang Ancient Emperor!"

"What?!"

Han Lao's face paled. "Watch your words!"

The Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame was the Gu Clan's sacred inheritance. If the elders heard this speculation, Lin Lao could be condemned on the spot.

"I'm only speculating," Lin Lao replied with a wry smile, glancing toward the blazing green fireball now completely obscuring the figures within.

"I need to return to the clan and report this to the Clan Leader."

"...I understand."

Han Lao nodded solemnly. "Don't worry. I'll guard things here."

"Be careful. That boy is no ordinary figure."

"I know. Don't forget—I have my own cards to play."

Nodding, Lin Lao stepped into space and vanished.

Han Lao extended his senses toward the fireball and sighed. He sealed off the surrounding space and stood guard, ensuring no one disturbed them.

Whatever the reason, as long as Xun'er was unharmed, that was enough.

Inside the flame sphere, heat surged as golden Dou Qi and golden flames interwove, drawing Lin Ran and Xun'er ever closer.

With the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame now partially merged into him, Lin Ran's presence burned like the sun. His Pure Yang Dou Qi glowed with radiant brilliance, dazzling gold light shimmering over him.

As it flowed into Xun'er's body, her previously faint Dou Qi rapidly strengthened and surged.

In that exquisite balance, both of them had fallen into a trance. The scorching fire had long since reduced their clothes to ash.

But neither of them seemed aware.

The golden light flooded everything. Even space grew vague and indistinct.

Time passed. The energy intensified. Their figures glowed as if coated in molten gold.

That golden radiance—evidence of the complete fusion between Pure Yang Dou Qi and the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame—wrapped them in brilliance.

Finally, at a certain moment, the golden glow trembled, split into two, and entered both their bodies, perfectly balanced.

Buzz!

Lin Ran's eyes suddenly snapped open, now glowing with golden brilliance, like twin suns.

At the same moment, the golden energy fully withdrew, absorbed into them.

In his hand, a thread of red-gold flame danced gently.

"The Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame..."

Lin Ran looked down at the sleeping beauty in his arms—completely unclothed, face serene.

To his surprise, the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame had split itself. Half remained in Xun'er, while the other half now resided within him!

Normally, losing half of a Heavenly Flame's essence would severely weaken its host.

Yet strangely, Xun'er's aura had skyrocketed instead.

"Peak Dou Spirit? She jumped from a Da Dou Shi all the way to Dou Spirit peak... You little minx really profited off me."

With a smirk, Lin Ran gently wrapped his arm around her slender waist, lifted her into his arms, and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

Since she was already at Dou Spirit peak, why not help her break through again?

As their lips met, his Pure Yang Dou Qi surged into her like a tidal wave, washing through her body again and again.

At the same time—

In the Gu Realm.

Amid misty peaks, shrouded in clouds like an immortal paradise, Lin Lao stumbled forward—face pale, aura weakened.

Though a Dou Venerable, the journey from the northwest continent to Central Plains was no easy task. He'd relied on clan treasures and burned his blood essence to arrive this quickly.

Facing the lush mountains, he took a deep breath and activated a jade talisman.

"Black Abyss Army Guest Elder Lin Lao seeks audience with the Clan Leader!"

His voice echoed through the mountains. Suddenly, the world spun. When he opened his eyes again, he stood within a serene valley.

At the end of the path stood a lone figure, hands clasped behind his back.

Though the man radiated no presence, it was clear he was there—yet somehow, not. A strange paradox of visibility and absence.

He looked around forty, dressed simply in rough linen robes, wearing a faint, calming smile.

Lin Lao immediately dropped to his knees, voice filled with reverence.

"Greetings, Clan Leader!"

"No need for formalities."

Gu Yuan raised a hand, sending a wave of golden Dou Qi into Lin Lao. Instantly, Lin Lao's pallor faded, his aura stabilized, though his arm was still missing.

"Go to the Elders' Hall later and have Gu Lie reattach your arm."

"Th-thank you, Clan Leader!"

Lin Lao trembled with gratitude. Gu Lie—the current Black Abyss King—was a power beyond Lin Lao's comprehension. For the Clan Leader to ask him to help reattach Lin Lao's arm was a monumental favor.

"Did you come because of Xun'er?"

Though Gu Yuan's tone was calm, Lin Lao sensed a subtle pause.

"I don't know if this is fortune or misfortune for her, but it's beyond my ability to handle."

"A Pure Yang Physique appeared in the northwest. After meeting Xun'er, her Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame reacted..."

"What?"

Gu Yuan's calm expression finally shifted. "Did you say... Pure Yang Physique?"

"Yes. I confirmed it after consulting the ancient records."

Lin Lao explained, "He's only eighteen, yet already at peak Dou Zong. His blood has entered the Blood Refining Realm, and his soul is at the Spirit Realm."

"I tried recruiting him to our Black Abyss Army, but he refused. He was raised by the Three Demonic Scorpion Elders and is now the Young Sect Leader of the Yunyu Sect. But when he met Xun'er, their Dou Qi resonated—and the flame responded!"

"The Pure Yang Physique and the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame—"

"I understand."

Gu Yuan nodded slightly. "Go find Gu Lie. Leave Xun'er and the boy to me."

"...Yes, Clan Leader."

Though hesitant, Lin Lao knew Gu Yuan's words left no room for objection. He bowed and retreated.

Gu Yuan stood silently, deep in thought.

After a long pause, he smiled faintly and stepped forward, vanishing from the world.

...

Two days later, atop a mountain in Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy, a ball of blue flame hovered midair. Firelight flickered along its surface, occasionally flaring like playful sprites.

Han Lao sat nearby with closed eyes, guarding the flame sphere within a sealed space. No energy leaked out, despite the storm within.

Buzz...

A faint sound stirred the air.

A crack appeared on the flame sphere, followed by more and more—soon, the entire surface was webbed with fissures.

The sealed space trembled. Han Lao's eyes flew open in alarm.

From within, a fierce, domineering aura surged like a tide. Amid the roar, a powerful presence was awakening.

Lin Ran!

"This aura..."

Han Lao's pupils shrank. Before he could react, the sphere swelled violently, then melted into a stream of azure light, vanishing.

A moment later, two golden beams burst forth.

The larger one shattered Han Lao's spatial seal and soared into the sky, transforming into a radiant curtain of light that poured down from the heavens.

Buzz!!

Golden brilliance blanketed the world like a divine sun.

Countless Jia Nan Academy students looked up, stunned.

From the sky, a towering golden pillar—nearly a hundred meters wide—pierced the clouds. A majestic figure slowly emerged within the light.

An overwhelming aura spread in every direction.

"It's Young Master!"

"He's breaking through!"

"What a terrifying presence..."

Within the Inner Academy, Elder Su Qian and the Twin Elders shot to their feet, gazing skyward in disbelief.

There was no mistake.

This aura far surpassed even the Twin Elders, long at peak Dou Zong.

This... was the aura of a Dou Venerable!

"He really broke through to Dou Venerable?!"

The two old men were stunned. After a pause, one muttered with trembling voice, "Incredible..."

The Dou Venerable's might engulfed the entire academy. Everyone bowed under its pressure.

"Who is this guy?!"

"Such terrifying strength... Even Elder Su Qian can't compare."

"Isn't he about our age? How the hell did he get so strong?!"

Every expert in the academy was left speechless.

Especially those on the so-called Strong Ranking.

Talented and proud, they now seemed laughably inferior beside Lin Ran.

"He's too monstrous! Straight to Dou Venerable?!"

"Just a month ago he was a seven-star Dou Zong! In two weeks, he reached peak Dou Zong—and now Dou Venerable?!"

"Is he even human?!"

The Twin Elders looked at each other and sighed bitterly.

They'd been stuck at peak Dou Zong for years, yet Lin Ran soared past in a single month.

With space distorting, the elders appeared beside Lin Ran, overwhelmed with emotion.

"It really is Lin Ran... What kind of fortune did he find?" one murmured.

"Don't get too close."

A cold voice stopped them. Han Lao emerged, sealing the surrounding space again.

"Clear the students from the area. They don't need to see what comes next."

"...Understood."

Though reluctant, the Twin Elders and Su Qian obeyed. As elders, they had no right to defy a Gu Clan Dou Venerable.

Soon, the students dispersed.

The golden pillar lasted for ten more minutes before fading, along with the overwhelming aura.

As the light vanished, Lin Ran's figure became fully visible.

Stretching lazily, his skin shimmered with life. The bones within him crackled like a complex machine coming to life.

"Hah..."

He exhaled a breath of searing green-gold air.

"So this is the power of a Dou Venerable."

He clenched his fist. The immense sea of Dou Qi within him surged.

With a casual wave, the space in front of him warped into a deep indentation.

This was the power to collapse space—a trademark of Dou Venerables.

Lin Ran had dabbled in it as a peak Dou Zong. But now, as a Dou Venerable, he fully grasped it.

Feeling the overwhelming power in his body, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

A year ago, he was stuck at a bottleneck, frustrated by slow progress.

Now, he had ascended to the Venerable Realm!

Without activating his Saint Blood Art, he could now challenge early to mid-stage Dou Venerables. With it, even five- or six-star Dou Venerables wouldn't be safe.

Such was the chasm between Dou Zong and Dou Venerable!

"You...!"

Just as Lin Ran stabilized his aura, a clear, indignant voice rang out behind him.

He turned to see Xun'er—her long black hair cascading like a waterfall down her waist.

Perhaps because of their previous intimacy, her cheeks flushed a lovely red. If she had once been an untouchable lotus, she now resembled a blushing spring flower.

One look nearly dazed Lin Ran.

"You rogue! Keep staring and I'll gouge out your eyes!"

Flames flared as Xun'er's black robe burned to ash. She formed a golden flame dress from her Heavenly Flame to cover herself.

She tried to attack—but her flame hesitated, resisting her will.

That only made her more frustrated.

She had never been seen like this before. If anyone had, it was her brother Xiao Yan when they were children.

Yet Lin Ran had seen everything—and touched her too!

Though they hadn't gone all the way, to Xun'er, the violation was complete.

Though...

Though it wasn't Lin Ran's fault, but the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame's...

"Calm down. This started with you, didn't it?"

Lin Ran frowned, trying to reason with her.

If it were any other girl, he wouldn't be reasoning—he'd have taken full advantage during that Dou Qi fusion.

But this was Xiao Xun'er—Gu Xun'er.

This girl wasn't like others.

Her talent, power, and background placed her at the pinnacle of the world.

More importantly, her father was one of the most powerful men alive.

Honestly, Lin Ran had only approached her to be polite. Han Lao and Lin Lao had treated him well, so he'd come to express goodwill.

Who could've known things would spiral like this?

Was she going to run back to her clan and summon a Dou Saint to smack him into the dirt?

Maybe... should he kill her first?

Lin Ran's eyes shifted slightly.

With his current strength, he could easily kill both Xun'er and Han Lao.

But what if they had tricks up their sleeves?

Even he had emergency Dou Technique jade slips from his master. There was no way a Gu Clan heiress didn't have the same.

If she pulled out a jade slip and unleashed a nine-star Dou Saint's attack...

"This is insane."

Lin Ran's heart filled with frustration. He was trapped in a dilemma—and completely at the mercy of Xun'er's decision.

Hopefully, she was reasonable...

"Our Dou Qi fused, our flames mingled. You may have lost half your Heavenly Flame essence, but you didn't come out empty-handed."

Lin Ran continued calmly, "If I'm right, you have a vast, terrifying power sealed within you. But it's dormant."

"You can't even use the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame fully. My strength helps refine your body—eventually, you'll be able to unseal your power and control it."

"You shut up!"

Xun'er's face turned even redder—whether from anger or shame was unclear.

With a glare, she produced a jade slip.

Lin Ran's eyes narrowed. In an instant, his Dou Qi surged and his soul power reached its peak, sealing the area.

His cold gaze made Xun'er falter. Han Lao tensed, ready to strike.

He didn't know what had happened inside that flame sphere—but now that Lin Ran held half of the clan's sacred flame, he was marked for death.

The atmosphere froze. A battle could erupt at any second.

Xun'er bit her lip, ready to crush the jade slip—

When suddenly, a calm voice echoed through the air.

"I let you stay in the academy a little longer, and now you're throwing a tantrum?"

A plain figure appeared in the sky, hands behind his back, smiling down at Xun'er.

She froze.

Han Lao's face changed dramatically.

And Lin Ran's eyes filled with dread.

That man...

(End of Chapter)

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