That day, the Burning Flame Valley was unusually lively.
Inside the grand scarlet hall where Tang Zhen had previously met Liu Xi and the others, the atmosphere was now bustling with activity.
Tang Zhen, slightly thin and robed in coarse red cloth, sat high at the head seat with a warm, genial smile. His fiery-red hair shimmered faintly under the light as his gaze swept over the gathered crowd. The smile on his face deepened.
Before him sat more than a dozen high-ranking alchemists—figures rarely seen together in one place—filling the hall with an air of importance and prestige.
'Heh, with so many skilled alchemists gathered here today, as long as I can find two capable of withstanding the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, I'll have full confidence in refining the Fire Bodhisattva Pill. It's just a pity that Liu Xi was so arrogant—demanding my Nine Dragon Lightning Flame outright. Otherwise, even if his conditions were steep, I might have considered them…'
Beside Tang Zhen stood a woman dressed in crimson battle attire. A dark red whip coiled loosely around her slim waist, accentuating her graceful figure. Her beauty was striking—her fine brows carried a trace of sharp determination, and her posture exuded a commanding confidence that made her appear both fierce and captivating.
However, as her bright eyes swept across the seated alchemists, a flicker of doubt glimmered within them. Clearly, she didn't trust these so-called masters entirely.
"Hehe, since everyone's here," Tang Zhen began with a light cough and a smile, "allow me to clarify the reason for this gathering."
His gaze slowly moved across the hall. "I have invited all of you today because I intend to refine a certain pill. Its rank—7th Tier, High Level."
The words immediately caused ripples among the assembled alchemists. Even a 7th Tier Pill was something that many of them could only dream of attempting.
Not only the independent alchemists, but even the two guest elders from the Pill Tower sitting nearby frowned deeply. One of them spoke in a low tone, "A 7th Tier High-Level Pill? Even the two of us may not have the ability to refine such a thing…"
Indeed, even a 7th Tier High-Level Alchemist faced a significant risk of failure when attempting a pill of that grade. For mid or low-level 7th Tier Alchemists, success was nearly impossible.
Tang Zhen chuckled faintly. "Not quite. I don't expect you all to refine it yourselves. I only need two of you who can withstand the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame to assist me in the process. Though I am not an alchemist, I possess certain unique advantages."
As he spoke, Tang Zhen raised his hand. Puff!—a thread of silvery-white flame surged into existence above his palm. Within that shimmering blaze, nine tiny silver dragons twisted and coiled about, their forms vivid and alive.
Instantly, the eyes of the gathered alchemists twitched, and their faces paled.
Seeing their reaction, Tang Zhen smiled slightly. "Relax. All you need to do is release your Spiritual Power and endure within the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame for ten minutes. That will suffice."
Even so, the mere mention of the flame sent unease through the crowd. Ranked 12th on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, its destructive power was beyond imagination.
Combined with Tang Zhen's unfathomable cultivation, who among them could withstand such force, even briefly?
The once-proud alchemists suddenly fell silent. Shoulders shrank, lips pressed shut—none dared to volunteer.
Finally, one of the Pill Tower's guest elders broke the silence. "Valley Master Tang, we're all aware of the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame's might. The dragons within it carry true draconic will, capable of suppressing the soul itself. This…"
Tang Zhen raised a hand to calm them. "Master Huan, rest assured—I'll control it carefully. None of you will suffer serious damage. But if you can't last ten minutes, then during the refinement itself, injury would be inevitable."
He paused, then smiled faintly at the hesitant faces before him. "Of course, I wouldn't have invited all of you for nothing. Regardless of success or failure, each of you will receive a generous gift."
That assurance steadied the crowd. After all, with Tang Zhen's status, none believed he would mock them for sport.
After a brief silence, an elderly man with a long white beard stood up and laughed softly. "Since Valley Master Tang has spoken so sincerely, how can we not at least give it a try? Allow this old man to make the first attempt!"
"Excellent. Master Mo, please!"
Tang Zhen's eyes lit up. With a gentle motion, he sent the silvery flame drifting forward until it hovered in the air between them.
Master Mo drew a deep breath and conjured a crimson flame in his palm. His Spiritual Power surged into it, shaping it into a small fiery humanoid.
"Go!"
With a flick of his finger, the little fire figure darted into the silvery flame.
At once, nine silver dragons erupted from within, lunging upon it with thunderous roars that reverberated through the hall.
The atmosphere grew tense. Within just a few breaths, the red flame surrounding the small figure was torn apart, and in the next instant, its Spiritual Power was devoured entirely.
Master Mo staggered backward, face pale as he let out a muffled groan. A wry smile tugged at his lips. "As expected of a Heavenly Flame… The Nine Dragon Lightning Flame's strength incinerated my Spiritual Power almost instantly."
Even among these elites, a top 6th Tier Alchemist like Master Mo had lasted less than a minute. The others exchanged uneasy looks, their awe of the Heavenly Flame deepening.
One after another, several more alchemists stepped forward to test their strength—but even the strongest, a 7th Tier Alchemist, lasted barely five minutes before yielding.
Tang Zhen's expression darkened further with each failure. At last, only the two guest elders from the Pill Tower remained. All eyes turned toward them—the final hope of the room.
The two exchanged a brief look. Then the elder known as Master Huan stepped forward. With a wave of his hand, a pale white flame appeared, exuding a faint, chilling aura.
Tang Zhen's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Master Huan, your flame… it's somewhat similar to the Bone Chilling Flame. Could it be the Heavenly Cold Flame of the Sky Bone Python?"
Master Huan nodded with a faint smile. "Indeed. It is the Heavenly Cold Flame. While not a true Heavenly Flame, it shares a lineage with the Bone Chilling Flame—its power far exceeds that of ordinary beast flames."
As he spoke, his Spiritual Power surged from his glabella, merging into the pale flame. It twisted and morphed into a spectral white serpent that slithered forward, diving straight into the silvery fire.
The nine dragons roared in unison, surging forth to devour it. Yet this white serpent was formidable—it resisted fiercely, holding its form even as the silver dragons tore at it.
Even Tang Zhen, watching intently, couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. For the first time, he silently cursed his own Heavenly Flame.
'Why must my Nine Dragon Lightning Flame be so strong…'
(End of Chapter)
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