The Dou Technique Xiao Yi Xian unleashed was one Xiao Heng had traded for at the Miteer Auction House, exchanging Mad Lion Roar. Though only a High Xuan Class technique, it rivaled Di Class techniques. In a Dou Zong's hands, its execution speed was as swift as releasing a Dou Zhi Qi bolt.
The iron-tower-like puppet was forced back by Xiao Yi Xian's technique. Xiao Heng seized the moment, sending his soul force to invade the puppet's control core. Though stronger than Xiao Yi Xian, a puppet relying solely on physical strength struggled to kill an opponent of a similar level. Xiao Yi Xian retreated under its fierce assault, but she only expended Dou Zhi Qi.
By the fifth time the puppet pushed her back, Xiao Heng breached its control core. A surge of Devouring Blue Flame instantly consumed the faint soul imprint within. The puppet, mid-kick toward Xiao Yi Xian, froze, collapsed, then rose seconds later, standing respectfully before Xiao Heng and Xiao Yi Xian.
"Done?" Xiao Yi Xian asked.
"Yes. These puppets are easy to hijack once you reach the control core," Xiao Heng said.
"Now for that flame," Xiao Yi Xian said.
Shielding Xiao Heng behind her, she approached the purple flame at the altar's center. It was either a beast flame left by the original owner or, judging by its color, the Heavenly Flame ranked twentieth: Nether Poison Flame.
As they neared within a meter, the motionless Black Scale Poison Dragon snapped its eyes open, purple flames flickering in its black vertical pupils. It lunged at them with explosive speed. Xiao Heng's puppet, Old Black, flashed forward, repelling the dragon with a single punch. Despite the beast's formidable physical strength, its peak Nine-Star Dou Huang power was no match for Old Black's Three-Star Dou Zong might.
The moment Xiao Heng seized Old Black, he knew its rank: Three-Star Dou Zong. Weak by Heavenly Demon Puppet standards—just a basic Human Demon Puppet—it was more than enough for Jia Ma Empire. Not bad for a sidekick, he thought.
"This Black Scale Poison Dragon is controlled by the flame," Xiao Yi Xian said.
"It's a fire slave," Xiao Heng explained. Fire slaves, unlike puppets, retained their souls and could use Dou Zhi Qi attacks.
"Can we make it our fire slave?" Xiao Yi Xian mused.
"Possible, if another Heavenly Flame devours the flame inside it. Xiao Yi Xian, how strong is this purple flame?" Xiao Heng asked.
"Slightly stronger than me, but my Blue-Purple Devouring Flame has devouring properties. Its edge is negligible," she said, smiling.
"Then this dragon's yours," Xiao Heng said. His Devouring Blue Flame was weaker than her sub-flame; controlling it would be a stretch, even with its unique properties.
"I'll give it a shot. It's pretty dashing," Xiao Yi Xian said. With a wave of her hand, blue-purple flames enveloped the dragon. A wisp of Blue-Purple Devouring Flame entered its body, clashing with the purple flame within. The purple flame's core, at the altar, was sealed by a barrier Xiao Yi Xian sensed. Controlling the dragon through the seal was the flame's limit. As expected, the dragon's eyes shifted from purple to blue-purple.
Xiao Yi Xian officially claimed the Black Scale Poison Dragon as her mount and enforcer. "Nice. No more flying myself," she said, rubbing her hands gleefully.
"Now, let's absorb this flame. The seal's grade is high, but it's nearly powerless now," Xiao Yi Xian said.
"I might break through to Dou Huang with this," Xiao Heng said.
The seal around the purple flame crumbled under Xiao Yi Xian's erupting Blue-Purple Devouring Flame. The Nether Poison Flame tried to flee upon release, but it was futile. Destined to be their energy source, it struggled wildly for half an hour before surrendering.
Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Heng voraciously absorbed the Nether Poison Flame's lifelong reserves. This is exhilarating! Xiao Heng thought.
Two hours later, Xiao Heng broke through from Nine-Star Dou Wang to One-Star Dou Huang. He stopped absorbing the flame's energy.
"You're done?" Xiao Yi Xian asked.
"Boost your strength first. You'll pull me up faster," Xiao Heng said.
"Alright. Check those orbs," Xiao Yi Xian said.
"Got it. Leave a bit of the Nether Poison Flame's energy, wipe its consciousness, and keep it here," Xiao Heng reminded.
"That way, it'll regrow into a new Heavenly Flame in time," Xiao Yi Xian said.
"Exactly. We don't lack Heavenly Flames. Carrying it's too costly," Xiao Heng said. Xiao Yi Xian nodded in agreement.
Behind the altar were eight purple orbs, likely containing the original owner's techniques or methods. What treasures await? Xiao Heng thought, sucking one orb into his hand. Inside was a yellow scroll. The orb's defenses were sturdy, but a precise pulse of pale blue Dou Zhi Qi shattered it, letting the scroll fall into his hand.
Unrolling it, Xiao Heng read its origin: "This Mid Di Class soul cultivation method was chanced upon in a ruin. In an era scarce of soul techniques, this was my fortune. Yet my luck ran dry, and I fell here, gravely wounded by foes."
"Thank you, predecessor," Xiao Heng said reverently. The scroll included a Low Di Class soul attack technique.
"What's got you so excited?" Xiao Yi Xian approached, a faint, flickering purple flame in her hand.
"A soul cultivation method with a soul attack technique. Memorize it first," Xiao Heng said, handing her the scroll.
"Alright!" Xiao Yi Xian began studying it.
Xiao Heng drew a second orb, revealing a High Di Class poison-attribute method. Xiao Yi Xian's Calamity Poison Body didn't need it, so it seemed useless. He set the purple scroll beside her and pulled a third, containing a High Di Class poison-attribute Dou Technique—likely the original owner's signature move.