.
Every smile and every frown of hers, like a meticulously crafted work of art, was seared into Xiao Ling's memory. That enchanting beauty, a gift from time, captivated him.
A warm current surged through Xiao Ling's heart, and he couldn't help but fall into deep reverie: Where was Xun'er now? Was she busy with something, or was she quietly thinking of him?
"Alas," Xiao Ling sighed softly, muttering to himself, "I wonder how Xun'er will have changed when I see her again. But by the time we meet again, she'll be even more beautiful. Then, I'll personally give her this Lingxi jade pendant. I'm sure she'll appreciate it."
No longer lost in fantasy, Xiao Ling cleared his mind of distracting thoughts, carefully placed the Lingxi jade pendant in his arms, and began to carefully consider how to perfectly integrate these newly acquired treasures with his own strength.
While these treasures were powerful, their value would be unrealized if not skillfully wielded.
Xiao Ling decided to retreat temporarily, focusing on studying these treasures and refining his skills.
Having just concluded his retreat and absorbed another strange fire, now was the perfect time to familiarize himself with his new power and fully utilize the treasures he had drawn.
Xiao Ling pondered this, knowing that he had absorbed the Fallen Heart Flame much earlier than Xiao Yan in the original novel.
In the original novel, after absorbing the Heart Flame, even though Skyfire Venerable's soul had weakened, Xiao Yan was still able to summon Xiao Yan to the dimension he had opened up.
Now that he had absorbed the Heart Flame earlier, Skyfire Venerable's condition would surely be much better than when Xiao Yan absorbed the Heart Flame in the original novel. It was likely that Skyfire Venerable would soon be able to sense him and issue a summons.
With a plan in mind, Xiao Ling immediately took action.
Sitting cross-legged in the center of the cave, Xiao Ling retrieved the jade slip containing the "Da Yan Jue" cultivation method from his ring.
Following the instructions, he cleared his mind of distractions and concentrated on directing his soul power using a specific method.
The practice of the "Da Yan Jue" doesn't rely on fighting spirit, but instead uses a unique method to cultivate and enhance soul power.
This technique requires an extremely rigorous training process. In the human world, the Qianzhu Sect possesses only the first half of the "Da Yan Jue." The middle portion requires immersing oneself in the worldly realm to experience suffering and cultivate the mind. The second half, however, is in the hands of the Great Yan Divine Sovereign. Han Li only obtained the complete "Da Yan Jue" after exploring the Far West.
The "Da Yan Jue" extracted by the system wasn't a fragmented version, but the complete version created by the Great Yan Divine Sovereign. This earned Xiao Ling a thumbs-up from the system.
Xiao Ling began practicing the first half, attempting to guide the invisible soul power along a specific path.
Gradually, he felt his mind's soul perception sharpen, and his awareness of his surroundings grow clearer.
He then simultaneously practiced the Taiyi Soul Jue, absorbing the spiritual energy between heaven and earth to nourish and strengthen his soul.
Xiao Ling was pleasantly surprised to discover that the combination of these two techniques not only strengthened each other but also multiplied the effect, significantly accelerating the growth of his soul power.
If one could simultaneously cultivate the "Da Yan Jue" and the "Tai Yi Soul Jue," two peerless soul-cultivating techniques, even those of average talent could potentially reach a higher level of spiritual realm.
For those possessing exceptional spiritual talent, the combined benefits of these two techniques are immeasurable, significantly raising the upper limit of their soul's potential.
If the three titans of Zhongzhou Danta could master the "Da Yan Jue" and simultaneously cultivate another profound technique that also absorbs spiritual energy and cultivates soul power,
with their profound foundation and exceptional talent, with only a few years of dedicated study, they could very well reach the threshold of the celestial realm of soul, perhaps even attaining that coveted state.
As his cultivation deepened, Xiao Ling became completely absorbed in the tranquility. Silence reigned within the cave, only the sound of his gentle, steady breathing echoing through the air.
Cultivating within the cave, Xiao Ling was immersed in the wondrous fusion of the two techniques.
The unique cultivation method of the Great Evolution Art caused his soul power to surge like a tide, constantly tempering and solidifying.
Meanwhile, the spiritual energy absorbed by the Taiyi Soul Art was like spring rain nourishing all things, continuously strengthening his soul.
The cave was silent and serene, with only the sound of Xiao Ling's steady breathing echoing through the air. In this tranquil atmosphere, Xiao Ling's soul power quietly transformed, gradually reaching a higher realm...
...
As the last traces of spiritual energy from the surroundings were absorbed, Xiao Ling slowly exhaled a long breath, feeling his soul power cleansed, becoming purer and more powerful.
He opened his eyes, and they shone brightly, as if they could see through everything in the world.
"The increase in my soul power gives me an unprecedented clarity and strength," Xiao Ling muttered to himself, a smile of excitement curling his lips.
He stood up, straightened his clothes, and then retrieved the Meteoric Divine Weapon from his ring, which had been with him for many years.
With the Meteoric Divine Weapon in his hand, Xiao Ling's aura suddenly became fiercer.
Passing through layers of rock and tunnels, Xiao Ling arrived at the underground magma world.
The place was filled with scorching magma and gushing flames, the air thick with the smell of sulfur.
Flames occasionally shot skyward from the magma lake, like a roar from the depths of the earth.
Xiao Ling stood on a prominent rock, gazing at the roiling magma below.
He could sense the intense activity of the fire element and spatial forces here, creating a perfect environment for cultivating the Meteoric Divine Weapon's transformations.
Before his Dou Zong breakthrough, Xiao Ling had practiced frequently, attempting to unleash the Meteoric Divine Weapon's transformations, but each attempt failed due to his lack of cultivation.
But now was different; Xiao Ling had already broken through to the Dou Zong realm. He once again grasped the Meteoric Divine Weapon, feeling the surging Dou Qi within him, his heart filled with confidence and anticipation.
He whispered to himself, "Meteoric Divine Weapon, let me test your true power!"
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Ling slowly raised his spear, a determined glint in his eyes.
His Dou Qi began to converge at the spear's tip, and the surrounding space seemed to distort, as if pulled by some invisible force.
Soul power infused it, gradually manipulating the Meteorite Divine Weapon into a unique transformation.
"Level One, Burning Shadow Style!" Xiao Ling shouted, his voice echoing across the lava lake.
He thrust his spear forward, and a powerful burst of spatial fire instantly coalesced at the tip. This force not only contained the blazing heat of fire but also the power of spatial rifts.
As his spear thrust forward, nine flaming shadow spears coalesced at the tip, each one seemingly tangible, emitting a dazzling light.
They drew arcs in the air, as if nine fire dragons were flying in the sky. Each shadow spear carried the power of spatial rifts, and cutting through space was as easy as cutting tofu.
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Xiao Ling swung his spear downwards, sending nine flaming shadow spears hurtling like arrows from a bow towards the magma below. The magma was instantly cleaved into countless pieces by the shadow spears' attack, and space itself warped and shattered under the force.
The flames within the magma were drawn by the spears' power, forming a series of fiery storms that stirred the entire magma lake like boiling water.
As space ruptured, a series of loud roars erupted from the magma lake, like a roar from the depths of the earth. The magma was fragmented into countless pieces, forming a vast vortex that continuously devoured everything around it.
Xiao Ling's "Burning Shadow Style" not only physically cleaved the magma but also caused a profound spatial impact, destabilizing the entire magma lake.
Xiao Ling hovered in the air, his gaze fixed on the roiling magma below, sensing the effects of his recent "Burning Shadow Style."
He clearly felt that, with the power of the Meteoric Divine Weapon, his fire energy and his control over spatial forces had achieved a subtle fusion, giving him a whole new understanding of his own strength.
Xiao Ling couldn't help but mutter to himself, "The Meteoric Divine Weapon truly lives up to its reputation. The might of its first form alone is enough to severely injure even an ordinary high-level Dou Zong. Such power is truly astonishing."
This immense power filled Xiao Ling with anticipation for the Meteoric Divine Weapon's subsequent transformations.
Xiao Ling had placed particularly high hopes on the Meteoric Divine Weapon's final form.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his surging passion and clear his mind of distractions.
Xiao Ling knew that fully mastering the Meteoric Divine Weapon's numerous transformations would be no easy task. His cultivation was still insufficient, and he couldn't even perform the more advanced forms.
However, he had every confidence in himself, believing that in the years to come, he would master every transformation of the Meteoric Divine Weapon with ease.
A flash of white light flashed in Xiao Ling's hand, and the Falling Divine Weapon was stored in his storage ring. He turned around, preparing to return to the cave to continue cultivating his Dou Qi and strengthen his strength.
However, the moment he took a step forward, the Falling Heart Flame within his body suddenly produced an unusual fluctuation.
Xiao Ling stopped abruptly, a surge of surprise in his heart.
He peered closely and found that the Falling Heart Flame, which had been quietly dormant within his Na Ling, now seemed to be agitated, as if touched by some force.
He frowned and suddenly turned back, his gaze piercing the thick fog and casting into the depths of the blazing magma.
An indescribable sense of calling arose, as if a mysterious and unknown presence beneath the magma was calling out to the Falling Heart Flame within him.
Xiao Ling felt the power of this call, and a sense of joy welled up in his heart.
He rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "Could it be that the noise just now was so loud that it caught the attention of Skyfire Venerable?"
The thought flashed through his mind, and a smug smile spread across his face.
"This old fellow has finally realized that the Fallen Heart Flame has been refined. I really don't want to stay in this damn place any longer. After taking the Fallen Heart Flame, I'll leave here as soon as possible."
Without hesitation, a solid Dou Qi barrier instantly spread around Xiao Ling, like an invisible wall, isolating him from the scorching heat of the outside world.
He took a deep breath and resolutely plunged into the magma.
As soon as he entered the magma realm, a tremendous pressure surged towards Xiao Ling like a surging tide.
However, facing this almost suffocating force, Xiao Ling's face showed no fear. His
heart was as calm as water, and he focused on circulating his Dou Qi, strengthening the Dou Qi barrier layer by layer and making it more and more solid.
The scorching lava, like waves in a raging sea, enveloped him tightly, attempting to break through his defenses with its searing force.
But the Dou Qi barrier Xiao Ling unleashed was like an impenetrable fortress, firmly withstanding the terrifying pressure and protecting him from the magma's erosion.
As Xiao Ling steadied himself, he delicately flicked his finger, and a wisp of nearly transparent flame slowly rose from his fingertips, like a wisp of smoke, yet imbued with indescribable power.
The Fallen Heart Flame, upon its appearance, instantly became blazing and bright, radiating a dazzling light like a flash of lightning.
Then, the flame shifted slightly, as if drawn by some mysterious force, and began to race autonomously deeper into the lava, completely beyond Xiao Ling's control.
Noticing this, Xiao Ling was startled, yet also felt a tinge of excitement.
The Fallen Heart Flame's unusual behavior was undoubtedly a direct response to the mysterious summons.
Xiao Ling stared intently at the uncontrollable Fallen Heart Flame, rapidly swooping deeper into the magma. He recalled how he had tried so hard to control it, but it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, unable to halt its advance.
He shook his head slightly, muttering to himself,
"This Skyfire Venerable's fire control ability is truly extraordinary. As the former master of the Fallen Heart Flame, he truly wields this power as effortlessly as if it were his own arm."
Without further thought, Xiao Ling took a deep breath, adjusted himself, and then slowly followed the Fallen Heart Flame, heading deeper into the unknown depths of the magma.
Xiao Ling knew full well that the magma world beneath the Skyburn Refining Qi Tower was rife with unknown dangers and mysteries.
Although he had some understanding of it from the original novels, even the true situation was not fully described there.
He knew that this place contained not only scorching magma, but also potentially powerful beings, such as the Fire Lizardmen. The powerful among them were far beyond Xiao Ling's reach.
To avoid attracting unnecessary attention, Xiao Ling decided to proceed with caution.
He closed his eyes, and with a thought, he activated his "camouflage" skill.
Although his Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone had been devoured by the Meteor Tears, the camouflage skill had become part of his instincts, like a natural talent, ready to be used at any time, with even greater ease than before.
As the skill activated, Xiao Ling's aura gradually faded, as if blending with the surrounding magma, becoming unnoticeable.
His body also became light, like a fallen leaf, swaying gently with the magma's fluctuations.
(End of this chapter)