At Fang Yang's mental command, all suppression on the Yin-Yang Twin Flame vanished.
The black-and-white fire lunged to rampage—
but a tiger-like surge of orange-red flame pounced first.
This was the fused Heavenly Flame—Xuanhuang Flame + Myriad Beast Spirit Fire.
BOOOOM!
The three Heavenly Flames collided violently inside him.
The orange-red flame dominated utterly, its power overwhelming.
Though fierce, the Yin-Yang Twin Flame crumbled before superior force.
In three breaths, the orange-red fire devoured it completely.
The three flames merged seamlessly.
Yellow, red, and black-white intertwining—until they coalesced into pure black fire.
This Black Flame swirled with arcane runes, occasionally shimmering with chaotic halos.
It burned silently, yet radiated soul-shattering pressure—as if consuming reality itself.
"This…"
Fang Yang stared at the black fire dancing in his palm, voice dropping to a whisper. "This Black Flame…"
He felt its apocalyptic power—energy so violent it could burn heaven and earth.
"This fusion created something remarkable," his eyes gleamed with excitement. "I'll call it… Black Flame!"
Pocketing the Black Flame, he pulled spirit herbs from his storage device.
As a Ninth-Tier Alchemist, he needed no pill cauldron—his bare hands could refine pills in midair.
"Time to try alchemy."
His fingers formed seals.
The Yang Fire from the Yin-Yang Twin Flame blazed in his palm—room temperature spiking instantly.
His spiritual power guided each herb into the flames with surgical precision.
HISS!
On contact, the herbs melted instantly, transforming into crystalline medicinal liquids that swirled in the fire.
Fang Yang focused—smelting, purifying, merging essences—each step flowing like water through his fingers.
As the final seal struck—
FLASH!
Brilliant light erupted from the flames.
"Pills complete!"
Seven plump, lustrous pills floated in the air, fragrant with healing energy.
Fang Yang placed them in a jade box—then took one, rolling it between his fingers.
First-Tier Pill: Soul-Ascension Pill!
Crafted from his Ninth-Tier inheritance, tailored to his available herbs.
He swallowed it without hesitation—soul power surging faintly.
"For me… this First-Tier pill's effect is negligible," he sighed, slight disappointment in his eyes. "My soul power needs are too vast… this won't suffice."
But his eyes brightened instantly.
"But Gu Yue, Tang Wulin—they're at the perfect stage for this!"
He pulled out his soul-guided communicator, dialing Tang Wulin.
"The user you dialed is temporarily unreachable."
Frowning, Fang Yang tried Xie Xie.
"Hey, Stinky Yang—what's up?" Xie Xie's voice crackled through.
"Gather everyone. I've got something good for you," Fang Yang whispered. "But don't fetch Gu Yue—I'll get her myself."
"Oh? What's the surprise?" Xie Xie's curiosity spiked.
Fang Yang chuckled mysteriously. "You'll see soon enough."
"Got it!" Xie Xie agreed eagerly.
"Alright—Xie Xie, you're the chosen one!" Fang Yang declared, hanging up.
"You rascal…" Xie Xie muttered at the dead communicator—then dashed out to rally the team.
…
Meanwhile, at the Blacksmith Association
Tang Wulin had just finished forging rare metal when his communicator rang.
"Hello? Who is this?" he answered.
A familiar voice replied: "Wulin—it's us."
"Dad! Mom!" Tang Wulin recognized Tang Ziran's voice instantly.
His voice trembled with emotion. "I've missed you so much…"
"We've missed you too, Wulin," Tang Ziran and Lang Yue's voices choked with tears.
"But… why call now?" Tang Wulin asked curiously.
Silence. Then Tang Ziran spoke slowly, heavy with regret:
"Wulin… all these years, I've wronged you."
Tang Wulin's heart clenched. "Dad? Mom? What's wrong?"
"I've been selfish…" Tang Ziran's voice cracked. "Hiding in Aolai City for peace—I made you suffer.
Even your soul spirit… I could only afford the worst one…
That day at the Spirit Pagoda… I cried like a coward."
"I couldn't give you what you deserved… forced you to learn forging so young…"
"Though… I don't regret it. But making you suffer… I'm so sorry."
"No, Dad!" Tang Wulin rushed to say. "I'm happy now! I've made great friends…"
"Let me finish, son."
Tang Ziran took a deep breath. "I'm actually an Eighth-Tier Mecha Designer.
Years ago, powerful factions hunted us for a critical blueprint—so we hid in Aolai City, living as ordinary people."
"But ordinary life doesn't suit me."
"For you, I've joined an organization—returned to my craft."
"I've transferred ten million Federation Credits to your account—that's all I can do for now."
His tone lightened slightly. "And… thank your friend Fang Yang for me.
Without him giving you that first soul spirit, I'd carry this guilt forever."
"I've prepared a Battle Armor design blueprint for him as a token of gratitude. Give it to him."
Tang Wulin nodded fiercely. "I will, Dad. When… when can I see you?"
"We're still in Aolai City. Come home during the break!"
"Soon, son," Lang Yue's gentle voice promised. "Once your father wraps up his work, we'll visit you in Donghai."
"Okay!"
After hanging up, Tang Wulin stood frozen, his forging hammer clattering to the floor, the sound echoing in the silent room.
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