The Strange Flame Rekindles in Battle Through the Heavens

Chapter 12 Dispute

The pale purple figure peeking from afar heard Xiao Yan's scream and quickly covered his mouth, his small eyes instantly turning bloodshot.

"This... Brother Xiao Yan cultivates like this every day?" Although Xiao Xun'er had already guessed a little, she only thought of using battle qi trainers for striking training. Xiao Xun'er remembered that some people in her clan trained like this when she was a child. But the pale white flame attached to those battle qi trainers—others might not recognize it, but how could she not recognize it!

That's a different kind of fire! Xiao Xun'er knew better than anyone how terrifying a different kind of fire was; it was something even a Dou Huang powerhouse dared not touch lightly. Thinking of this, Xun'er could no longer restrain herself and wanted to go out and stop it. She wanted to help Xiao Yan become stronger in her own way, not subject him to this torture-like training. Even if it was torture, this method was far too cruel.

Just as Xiao Xun'er was about to get up, she felt a large, rough hand press down on her shoulder. Xiao Xun'er was suddenly startled. Her mind was completely focused on Xiao Yan, and she hadn't even noticed someone beside her. Just as she was about to retaliate, she realized that the person who had attacked her was Xiao Yan's brother's father, Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan put his index finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet. Just then, Xiao Yan's scream came from ahead again. Xiao Xun'er tried to get up again to stop him, but Xiao Zhan pressed her shoulder down once more.

Xiao Zhan's repeated attempts to stop her finally ignited Xiao Xun'er's anger, making her want to retaliate. However, she wasn't even a Dou Zhe yet, so how could she be a match for Xiao Zhan? Even if she used a secret technique, it would take time, not to mention that he was Xiao Yan's father.

Seeing that Xiao Xun'er was somewhat angry, Xiao Zhan was slightly taken aback, turned around and walked down the mountain, waving his hand to signal Xiao Xun'er to follow. Although Xiao Xun'er was extremely unwilling, considering that he was Xiao Yan's father after all, and that he hadn't stopped her despite his love for Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er had no choice but to follow Xiao Zhan and see what he had to say.

As soon as the two reached the foot of the mountain, Xiao Xun'er couldn't wait to ask, "Uncle Xiao, why did you stop me? Brother Xiao Yan is training so hard, don't you feel sorry for him?"

Seeing Xiao Xun'er questioning him as soon as they descended the mountain, Xiao Zhan gave a bitter smile. How could he not feel heartache seeing his son beaten to a bloody pulp? He knew Xiao Yan's endurance very well; for him to scream in pain like this showed just how much suffering he had endured. His eyes moistened as he said, "Of course I feel sorry for Yan'er, but I also know he's embarking on the path of the strong. This is his own choice, and we shouldn't stop him."

"But there are many paths to becoming strong. It doesn't necessarily have to be such torture-like training. Brother Xiao Yan, if you follow me, I can also help you become stronger." Xiao Xun'er turned around, wanting to stop him, but Xiao Zhan quickly called out to her.

Seeing Xiao Zhan repeatedly stop her, Xiao Xun'er became completely enraged. A flash of golden flame appeared in her eyes, and her aura gradually intensified. She said angrily, "Since you won't go, I will! I have a better way to make Brother Xiao Yan stronger. If you stop me again, I'll take action. Uncle Xiao, you should know that I have such strength."

Seeing that Xiao Xun'er cared for Xiao Yan more than he, her father, and even threatened him, Xiao Zhan gave a helpless bitter smile. He had no choice but to use his trump card, saying, "How are you going to explain going up like this? Are you going to say you saw it by accident? You should know Yan'er's personality. If he finds out you're secretly following him, even if he doesn't say anything on the surface, he'll still have a grudge. Because in his heart, this is no different from betraying him. I understand Yan'er's personality. Although he's usually carefree and doesn't care about anything, if you really cross his boundaries, he'll not hesitate to remove you from his heart."

Xiao Xun'er was startled by Xiao Zhan's reminder.

"If she really goes up and stops her like that, then Brother Xiao Yan..."

Thinking that Brother Xiao Yan would treat her like a stranger in the future, Xun'er quickly suppressed her imposing aura and hurriedly asked, "So, are we just going to ignore it and let Brother Xiao Yan continue like this?"

"How did these two develop feelings for each other? Sigh!" Seeing Xiao Xun'er get angry at Xiao Yan one moment, and then calm down instantly for fear of Xiao Yan misunderstanding, Xiao Zhan felt a little troubled.

Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Zhan said, "I can't bear it either. Yan'er endures such cruel training every day, so it's up to you!"

"Rely on me?" Xiao Xun'er was puzzled.

"Well, you can spar with Yan'er often, that way he'll have less time to train and suffer less," Xiao Zhan said casually, stroking his beard.

"That's indeed a good idea." Xiao Xun'er was overjoyed to hear that her brother Xiao Yan could suffer less.

"But we shouldn't do it too often. I feel that the old man has probably already discovered us, but he just didn't stop us. If we do this too often, he won't be happy." Xiao Zhan recalled the transparent old man glancing at him sideways before going down the mountain.

"Who is that old man? Could he be Brother Xiao Yan's master?" Xun'er asked.

"Probably! Let's pretend today's events never happened, as if we were never here!" Knowing that his son had found an extraordinary master, Xiao Zhan was still very happy; the old man's single glance had made him feel as if he were standing on the edge of an abyss. Although Xiao Yan would suffer some hardships, becoming a strong person required more than just talent.

"Okay!" Xiao Xun'er agreed on the surface, but secretly thought to herself, "I hope you won't harm Brother Xiao Yan, otherwise..."

Under the blazing sun, Xiao Yan, beaten to the brink of death, was once again thrown into a wooden tub filled with red liquid, feeling the burning sensation as it seeped into his flesh. Xiao Yan jolted awake, instantly sitting cross-legged, his hands forming hand seals, his chest heaving as he quickly entered a meditative state. Forcing himself to endure the pain was useless; only by consuming the medicinal power contained in the liquid could he alleviate the suffering.

As Xiao Yan cultivated, the red liquid in the wooden tub continuously evaporated, and wisps of pale red gas entered his body through his mouth and nose. Once inside, Xiao Yan refined this gas into strands of pure energy. Part of it entered his lower abdomen, enhancing his Dou Qi. Another part entered his internal organs, bones, and meridians, strengthening his body. Meanwhile, the external medicinal liquid continuously eroded Xiao Yan's skin and muscles, further strengthening his physical constitution.

The red liquid that Yao Lao concocted was specially made for Xiao Yan. Only Xiao Yan can use this red liquid; if anyone else uses it, its violent medicinal power will directly destroy their meridians.

"What a lucky little guy! With the help of that thing, plus my carefully prepared medicine, I guarantee that your physical strength will be no weaker than that of a magical beast." Yao Lao said with emotion as he looked at Xiao Yan, who was covered in red gas.

As evening approached, the sun, having worked all day, stretched and slowly set behind the mountains, its afterglow painting the peaks golden. The golden sunlight shone on Xiao Yan's skin, making him appear like a golden bronze statue.

The liquid in the wooden tub gradually thinned, and the red aura surrounding Xiao Yan also gradually disappeared, as the last trace of medicinal power was exhausted. Only floating dead skin remained in the tub, along with a trace of pale red—Xiao Yan's blood.

He suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of red light in his pupils, slammed his hands against the barrel wall, pushed off with his legs, and leaped towards a large tree like a sharp sword. Just before he arrived, he stretched out his right hand and punched the tree hard.

"Bang!"

A fist-sized hole appeared in the tree trunk. Seeing the damage he had caused with his bare hands, Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction. He smiled and said, "My strength has increased considerably; the fist imprint is noticeably deeper."

The big tree said, "Thank you and your whole family! You'll destroy this forest sooner or later."

"Hehe, not bad! If you continue like this, you might actually master the Eight Extremes Collapse Technique, or even surpass it," Yao Lao said with a smile from behind.

"Isn't the Eight Extremes Collapse only capable of unleashing eight layers of energy at most? Is it possible to unleash more?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.

"Of course, the Eight Extremes Collapse relies less on battle qi and depends entirely on physical strength. The reason why the Eight Extremes Collapse can only be unleashed at the eighth level is because the physical strength is not strong enough. If the physical strength is strong enough, it is very possible to unleash the tenth level or even higher. At that time, it will truly be a Earth-rank battle skill, not just comparable to it." Yao Lao stroked his beard and said calmly.

"But I can only unleash the first level of internal energy right now. I don't even know when I'll be able to reach the eighth level, let alone higher." Xiao Yan rolled his eyes.

"That's because I haven't taught it to you yet. Originally, I only wanted you to master one level of Ming Jin and one level of An Jin. If you go any higher, your body won't be able to handle it and it will collapse directly. However, with your current physical strength, it's not a problem for you to unleash two levels. Close your eyes and contemplate, and I will teach you the cultivation method for the remaining energy of the Eight Extremes Collapse!" Yao Lao said with a faint smile.

The old man gently tapped Xiao Yan's forehead with his finger, and Xiao Yan immediately felt a large amount of information enter his brain.

Under Yao Lao's careful guidance, Xiao Yan quickly grasped the basics of two power-generating techniques. Facing another large tree in front of him, he circulated his Dou Qi, slowly channeling it towards the acupoints and meridians of the Eight Extremes Collapse.

The big tree: "Don't come any closer!"

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

With a loud bang, the tree was instantly pierced through by the blow. Slightly panting, although the Eight Extremes Collapse didn't consume much of his battle qi, the two layers of force had still depleted most of it. His body also felt slightly sore; it seemed that with his current physical strength, he could only use two layers.

(End of this chapter)