Battle Through the Heavens: Purple Heaven Thunder Emperor

Chapter 260 Heavenly Fire Venerable

Underworld.

The entire scene was a deep crimson, with countless streams of lava flowing slowly.

Suddenly, above the magma, the space rippled slightly, and a figure in black robes stepped out.

Looking around at the quiet space, a hint of doubt flashed in Xiao Bai's eyes. He had thought that he would see a fierce battle as soon as he came down, but he did not expect it to be so quiet.

"Has the old medicine doctor had a mishap?"

As he muttered to himself, Xiao Bai lightly touched his brow with his finger, and a vast amount of soul power spread out, bringing tens of kilometers of magma into his perception range.

"Wow, that's really going big!"

Sensing movement somewhere, Xiao Bai chuckled, and with a sound of wind and thunder beneath his feet, he plunged headfirst into the fiery red lava.

Deep within the magma.

Xiao Yan surveyed his surroundings with an uncertain expression. An invisible flame was burning fiercely, enveloping his entire body.

"Teacher, do we really have to do this?" A ball of deep blue flame floated in her hand, and she felt quite at a loss.

"Even I never imagined this place would be the birthplace of the Fallen Heart Flame. Here, its power is almost inexhaustible, and it has even developed sentience. With your current strength, the chances of you refining it are extremely slim!"

The old man's aged voice echoed in Xiao Yan's heart:

"But the Sea Heart Flame in your hand is different; it was refined by that monstrous creature. You can devour it with your Burning Technique much more easily than the Fallen Heart Flame!"

"Once you successfully refine it and possess two different flames, refining the Fallen Heart Flame will be much easier, and the chances of success will be much greater!"

"Then...can you handle it?"

A hint of worry flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes as he looked at the pale white flames that appeared around his body. He knew that his teacher was protecting him; otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a relaxed situation.

"It's alright, I can still protect you with my Bone Spirit Cold Flame for now, but you need to hurry, this kind of consumption is too much... Huh?"

The old man's voice stopped abruptly, and he suddenly sprang out of the ring, his gaze fixed in a certain direction, a hint of joy appearing on his aged face.

"Teacher, what are you doing?"

Xiao Yan was startled. Just as he was about to follow Yao Lao's gaze, he saw two faint lights suddenly appear at a certain point in the invisible flame around him, like a pair of pupils. His original greed dissipated, replaced by a trace of vigilance and fear.

Then, to his astonishment, the flame that had been surrounding him suddenly contracted, transforming into a palm-sized ball of milky-white flame, which disappeared into the lava.

"Hehe. As expected of someone born here, your senses are quite good, and you run really fast!" A soft laugh suddenly came from the silent lava.

"Brother Bai."

Xiao Yan's mouth gaped open as he stared in surprise at the sudden appearance of the black robe, whose faint multicolored light kept the scorching magma at a distance of three feet.

He immediately realized why the Fallen Heart Flame that had been surrounding him had fled so quickly.

"Kid, you're quite skilled. You scared away that Fallen Heart Flame with just a wisp of your aura!" Yao Lao stroked his beard and teased Xiao Bai.

He was still a little amazed. This place was not like the outside world. Once surrounded by the Fallen Heart Flame, he was helpless and could not break the blockade.

Judging from the state of the Fallen Heart Flame just now, even deep underground with its inexhaustible power, it didn't have the courage to even clash with Xiao Bai, clearly indicating that it had suffered a loss in the past.

"You flatter me, Elder Yao. Please don't blame me for being nosy!" Xiao Bai smiled and nodded slightly.

"Brother Bai, are you worried about me?"

Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, but his expression remained calm and nonchalant as he waved his hand dismissively, saying:

"There's really no need for that. It's just a mere Fallen Heartflame; I can take it with ease!"

"!" said the old medicine doctor.

"Okay! Actually, I was just passing by, you guys continue!"

Xiao Bai's lips curled slightly. He waved his sleeve, and lightning flashed beneath his feet. His figure transformed into a streak of lightning and disappeared into the fiery red lava.

"Holy crap, you actually left!"

As the last streak of lightning in the fiery red slowly dissipated, Xiao Yan was dumbfounded. He hadn't expected Xiao Bai to leave so suddenly, as if he were just passing by and had only come to say hello.

"You brat, you've got to pretend, you've got to pretend."

The old apothecary was also surprised that Xiao Bai left so decisively. Looking at the dumbfounded Xiao Yan, he was furious and hit him on the head a few times.

Once the Fallen Heart Flame returns, he will have to expend his soul power to resist it again. If this continues for too long and the consumption becomes too great, he might fall into a deep sleep again.

"Teacher, please stop hitting me! I didn't know that guy was so disloyal!" Xiao Yan said aggrievedly, covering his head as he dodged.

On the other side, Xiao Bai heard the commotion behind him and a smile flashed in his eyes.

After a few months, "Emperor Yan" is getting cocky again!

Then, looking at the vast world of magma, his gaze gradually became serious. Following the sensation of the flame in the center of his dantian, his soul power covered an area of ​​several thousand meters around him.

Lightning flashed beneath his feet as he pushed the "Three Thousand Thunderclaps" technique to its limit and hurtled rapidly downwards.

Along the way, Xiao Bai sensed several groups of fire lizards, but he detected them in advance with his soul power and avoided them using his spatial abilities.

He didn't want to get into conflict with these things right now; if he ran into a big one, all his efforts would be in vain again.

This is not the peak of the Dou Wang era. Back then, his soul power, movement speed, and spatial application were far inferior to what they are now.

So as long as you don't run into that old lizard from last time, avoiding these fire lizards is a piece of cake.

As the sensation grew stronger, a wisp of Fallen Heart Flame appeared at Xiao Bai's fingertip, and his rapidly flashing figure slowly came to a stop.

"It should be right here!"

Gazing at the dark, molten lava beneath his feet, Xiao Bai's gaze slowly swept across the area, finally settling on a lava vortex not far below.

"Ha, as expected of a Dou Zun powerhouse, his spatial abilities are quite advanced!"

Looking at the small vortex, Xiao Bai smiled slightly. Through his soul power perception, he discovered that it was actually a small spatial passage.

"Are you out yet?"

As a faintly glowing, transparent halo emerged from the vortex, Xiao Bai's lips curled up slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

As the aperture fully materialized, Xiao Bai could see what was inside. There was nothing else but a skeleton that had turned into white bones, which was emitting a faint glow.

A wisp of transparent flame, as if it were invisible, flickered on the chest of the skeleton.

"Young friend, may I come in for a chat?" An aged voice came from the transparent space.

Xiao Bai didn't speak, but carefully examined the halo with his dark eyes. Then he took a step forward, and ripples like water spread across the halo as he appeared inside it.

"Six-star Dou Huang cultivation, a Spirit Realm soul, and spatial power more proficient than many Dou Zong—young friend, you truly possess extraordinary talent!"

A burst of brilliant white light erupted from the skeleton, slowly writhing and transforming into a phantom, aged figure.

Dressed in a white robe, with white hair and beard, an aged face, and calm eyes that gleamed with a sharp light, he quietly scrutinized Xiao Bai.

"You flatter me, sir. I never imagined that such a powerful figure as you would exist within this endless magma!"

Xiao Bai put his hands behind his back and answered casually.

Looking around the transparent space, I found that it was not as small as it appeared from the outside; in fact, it was quite spacious.

He couldn't help but admire this method of creating space, although it wasn't like the kind of large space created by a Dou Sheng powerhouse that could accommodate countless people.

However, even just opening up such a small space requires a level of spatial mastery that he cannot currently achieve.

"Those who are already dead are merely clinging to life!"

The old man shook his head bitterly. Seeing that Xiao Bai's words and actions seemed to have no malice, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"I am Yaotianhuo, also known as the 'Heavenly Fire Venerable.' May I ask your name, young friend?"

"Xiao Bai!"

"Young friend Xiao Bai carries the aura of the Fallen Heart Flame. Could it be that you've come for this nascent Fallen Heart Flame?"

Seeing that his expression did not change when he heard the words "Venerable One," and that he remained calm and composed, Yao Tianhuo felt that he could not see through him.

"It did indeed sense the summons and came, but I didn't expect this strange flame already had an owner!"

Withdrawing his gaze from surveying the space, Xiao Bai turned his attention to Yao Tianhuo, nodded, and chuckled softly.

"I've fallen to such a state, what right do I have? If you need it, young friend, please take it!"

Looking into those deep black eyes, which seemed to see right through him, Yao Tianhuo suppressed his misconceptions, quickly waved his hand, and said very generously.

As a Dou Zun powerhouse, he had seen countless people, but the black-robed youth in front of him, though seemingly young, was extremely shrewd, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking from his expression alone.

Moreover, his strength is formidable. Putting aside everything else, with his Spirit Realm soul alone, his remnant soul simply has no chance to struggle.

Then Yao Tianhuo slowly recounted the story of "his luck exploded, and after picking up two different flames, his body also exploded" and "he was seriously injured and was ambushed by Dou Zun Lizard Lao Liu".

Unlike in the original work, where he displayed the demeanor and authority of a powerful figure towards Xiao Yan, he addressed Xiao Bai as "little friend" repeatedly, showing great enthusiasm.

"So that's how it is. What a cruel twist of fate! It's a pity that such a powerful Dou Zun would have such an experience and perish here!"

After listening to the story, Xiao Bai nodded and sighed with emotion:

"The old gentleman was so generous in allowing me to bring out the strange fire; surely he doesn't want to be trapped in this place any longer?"

"Indeed, I perished far too long ago. This wisp of my soul can probably only sustain me for two or three years. Without a method to restore my soul, I fear I will truly vanish into nothingness!"

Upon hearing Xiao Bai mention this, Yao Tianhuo was startled and said solemnly.

With Xiao Bai's keen eye, he could see right through his current situation, so there was absolutely no need to hide it.

"I'm not afraid to admit it, young friend, but although I've lived a very long life, I still feel I haven't lived enough. I still have some attachment to this world, so I hope you will grant my request and take me out. If possible, please also help me repair my soul!"

After speaking, Yao Tianhuo stared intently at Xiao Bai with his cloudy eyes, his expression tense yet filled with anticipation.

"Young friend, please rest assured, I won't let you do it for nothing. I know the rules!"

Seeing Xiao Bai remain silent in thought, Yao Tianhuo reached out and beckoned. A storage ring on the white skeletal finger flashed with a faint light, and a scroll appeared in his hand.

"Seeing that you've come sensing the strange fire, young friend, you must have someone with fire attributes by your side. Coincidentally, I am also of the fire attribute. This scroll, 'Five Wheels of Fire Technique,' was my signature fighting technique back in the day. Actually, calling it a fighting technique isn't quite accurate; it's more of a fire control technique!"

"With this, the person who sent you to find the strange fire will likely have an even higher level of control over flames, making their power comparable to a high-level Earth-rank flame. If further enhanced by the strange fire, it will be comparable to a Heaven-rank flame!"

A smile flashed in Xiao Bai's eyes. Although this thing was not very useful to him, he could exchange it for other things. The Starfall Pavilion of the Medicine Elder had many good things that he could use in the future.

After unrolling the scroll, Xiao Bai's gaze swept over the words on it:

"The Five-Wheel Fire Control Technique, a fire-controlling incantation, where fire arises from the heart. The five wheels form an array, the flames divided into five layers: wolf, leopard, lion, tiger, and dragon, each guarding a region. When the five beasts gather, they can burn mountains and boil seas, their power rivaling that of a Heavenly Rank combat technique. If aided by a different kind of fire, its power is even greater, enough to incinerate the heavens and destroy the earth!"

Xiao Bai closed the scroll and nodded slightly:

"Elder Yao's sincerity is truly remarkable; this fire control technique is indeed extraordinary."

Seeing Xiao Bai's satisfied expression, Yao Tianhuo felt somewhat relieved and added:

"Don't worry, if there's anything you don't understand about these fighting techniques in the future, I will definitely answer it to the best of my ability!"

Xiao Bai nodded slightly, not continuing the topic, but instead bringing up another matter:

"I wonder if the old man merely wishes to restore his soul, or if he desires direct resurrection?"

Upon hearing this, Yao Tianhuo's aged face froze, and his illusory body trembled slightly as he exclaimed excitedly:

"Young friend, is this true? You also possess a method of resurrection?"

Xiao Bai stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly:

"Yes, but it requires a seventh-grade elixir. If one has enough luck and finds a suitable body, resurrection is not impossible."

Yao Tianhuo's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he slowly spoke:

"Young man, you've told me this because you have other requests, haven't you? Why don't you tell me?"

"Mr. Yao is very generous. My request is that after you are resurrected and recovered, you serve me for ten years. I wonder if you would be willing?"

Xiao Bai put the scroll into his storage ring, looked at Yaotianhuo, and smiled.

According to his calculations, after ten years, the Heavenly Flame of the Dou Zun would be almost ready to retire, and whether he would still serve at that time would be irrelevant.

Upon hearing Xiao Bai's request, Yao Tianhuo was taken aback. He looked at Xiao Bai with a complicated expression, then suddenly shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Ten years? Little brother, you really don't know how to take a loss!"

The price of a Dou Zun expert serving for ten years is far from enough for a living Dou Zun, but for him, there is no other choice.

Because he wanted to live!

"Ten years is just a blink of an eye for a Dou Zun's lifespan. That's fair, isn't it?"

Xiao Bai smiled noncommittally.

"That's enough."

Yao Tianhuo pondered for a moment, then sighed deeply and slowly nodded, saying:

"Ten years it is, but I have one condition—you must not make me do anything against my conscience. However, before that, you must promise me that you will find a way to repair my soul as soon as possible, otherwise, in my current condition, I'm afraid I won't last much longer!"

"Don't worry, this isn't the first time I've done soul repair; I'm very good at it!" Xiao Bai smiled confidently.

His current alchemy skills are such that finding the medicinal herbs only takes him a little time; everything else is no problem at all.

(End of this chapter)