Chapter 14: Licking and Blowing
Whoosh!
Both ignited their Extreme Flames simultaneously.
Ranked 108th on the Extreme Flame Ranking: the Phosphorus Fire.
Ranked 100th: the Gold and Silver Fire.
The Phosphorus Fire, a pale blue, flickering flame, possessed a rare Yin attribute, capable of creating frost and illusions. It was an auxiliary flame.
The Gold and Silver Fire, pure Yang energy and higher ranked, was its natural counter.
The atmosphere shifted as the two flames appeared, their auras clashing, a battle of dominance between two fiery overlords.
The surrounding spectators, their eyes wide with excitement, activated their Shadow Imprinting Mirrors.
An Extreme Flame duel was a rare spectacle. This would be tomorrow’s headline in the Royal Capital!
Under their watchful eyes, the Phosphorus Fire trembled, shrinking into a small flame, hiding in Han Feng’s palm, while the Gold and Silver Fire in Yan Zhen’s hand blazed fiercely, its crackling sound a declaration of victory.
— The difference was clear!
Han Feng’s expression darkened, but he couldn’t do anything. His Phosphorus Fire was indeed lower ranked, and its attribute disadvantage was evident. This outcome was within his expectations.
However, he could easily compensate for this slight difference with his superior cultivation.
With that in mind, he accelerated his Mystic Power circulation, fueling the Phosphorus Fire. The weak flame surged, its flickering tongue extending, its strength quickly recovering, even surpassing its previous intensity.
“You brought this upon yourself! Don’t blame me for bullying a child!”
He thrust his palm forward.
The Phosphorus Fire in his hand shot out, transforming into a serpent, its blue fiery body twisting and turning as it lunged towards Yan Zhen.
As a Mystic Master, he could project his Mystic Power, attacking from a distance. This also applied to his fire control. It was his natural advantage.
As the blue flames approached, Yan Zhen’s eyes narrowed. He also thrust his palm forward, the Gold and Silver Fire meeting the attack head-on.
Fighting fire with fire!
The two opposing flames collided, creating a massive explosion.
Boom!
The shockwave sent Yan Zhen flying backwards, his arms crossed defensively. His arms were red and slightly burned.
Han Feng, however, remained unharmed, the explosion’s reach insufficient to affect him.
He had found his winning strategy: maintain distance, attack from afar. Closing in would be more dominant, but it would also give Yan Zhen an opportunity!
Their initial clash had clearly demonstrated Yan Zhen’s inferiority. The Second and Third Shopkeepers smirked.
What a fool! A mere Mystic Adept, daring to challenge a Mystic Master?
They glanced at Ji Ya, anticipating her humiliation.
Han Feng, seizing the opportunity, took a step forward, flicking his wrist, sending the fiery whip lashing out, striking Yan Zhen from a distance of nearly ten meters.
Yan Zhen, understanding his intentions, utilized his Shadowstep, effortlessly dodging the two attacks. He simultaneously retrieved the Mystic Tool Embryo from his storage ring.
Han Feng was only a Mystic Master.
A Mystic Master could shape their Mystic Power, condensing flames into a whip. He could do the same, using the Mystic Tool Embryo to condense flames into a sword!
He channeled the highly malleable Gold and Silver Fire into the embryo, rapidly compressing it into a magnificent sword, its gold and silver flames intertwined.
— When it came to shaping flames, the Gold and Silver Fire was the expert.
Gripping the Extreme Flame Sword, he no longer dodged, meeting the incoming fiery whip with a powerful swing, deflecting it.
Han Feng’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected this. He tried to retract the whip and launch another attack, but Yan Zhen had already channeled Mystic Power into his Flowing Spring Boots, activating Shadowflow, his figure blurring as he accelerated, charging towards Han Feng like a river rushing towards the sea.
He closed the ten-meter distance in the blink of an eye.
The unexpected turn of events startled Han Feng. He swung his fiery whip, trying to block Yan Zhen’s advance, but his opponent’s agile movements rendered his efforts futile.
As Yan Zhen approached, the Extreme Flame Sword blazing, Han Feng, disregarding the duel’s rules, unleashed his Mystic Master cultivation, thrusting his palm forward, a powerful blast of energy aimed at Yan Zhen.
It wasn’t a Mystic Skill, just a simple palm strike, but the difference in their cultivation levels was vast. If it connected, it could severely injure, even kill, a Ninth Star Mystic Adept!
Below the arena, even though she knew he would win, Ji Ya’s face darkened. She raised her hand, signaling Aunt Mu to be ready to intervene.
Yi Xian’er’s eyes were filled with murderous intent, strands of Yin energy emanating from her body, her black hair gradually turning silver at the tips, a sign of her impending transformation.
She possessed numerous self-created secret techniques utilizing Yin energy. Even with her current Mystic Adept cultivation, dealing with one or two Mystic Masters was child’s play.
Her Natural Yin Body granted her strength comparable to a Mystic Master from birth, though it remained dormant. As she aged, her Yin energy would grow stronger. If she unleashed its full power, even a Mystic King would have to tread carefully.
The Second and Third Shopkeepers also sensed something was wrong, but instead of stopping the duel, they prepared to intercept any attempts to rescue Yan Zhen.
As long as he was dead, they could simply declare Han Feng the winner, citing his violation of the rules as a reason for disqualification!
However, at that moment, Yan Zhen’s figure blurred, becoming almost translucent. He effortlessly passed through Han Feng’s attack, appearing before his opponent unscathed, his sword slashing downwards, aiming for Han Feng’s arm.
Mystic Scholars, capable of shaping their Mystic Power, usually formed protective armor around their vital points during combat. However, their limbs were often left exposed.
The Extreme Flame Sword easily pierced through Han Feng’s instinctive Mystic Power barrier, then, as he watched in horror, severed his arm at the wrist, as smooth as a hot knife through butter.
“Aaaargh!!!”
His scream echoed through the plaza as his right hand, severed at the wrist, fell to the ground.
The wound, cauterized by the lingering Gold and Silver Fire, quickly turned black, the smell of burnt flesh filling the air.
“My hand! My hand–”
He howled, driven mad by the loss of his hand, but Yan Zhen kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying off the arena like a cannonball.
The sudden turn of events left everyone speechless.
One moment, Han Feng was breaking the rules, using his Mystic Master cultivation to attack Yan Zhen. The next, Yan Zhen had severed his hand and kicked him off the arena.
The Second and Third Shopkeepers were dumbfounded. What the hell just happened?!
They rushed to Han Feng’s side, finding him unconscious. They pointed at Yan Zhen, their voices filled with rage.
“You brat! It was just a duel! How dare you try to kill Instructor Han Feng?!”
“You clearly violated the rules! Instructor Han Feng should be declared the winner!”
They unleashed their Mystic King auras, attempting to suppress Yan Zhen.
He ignored them. His Emperor Flame Technique granted him a layer of Emperor’s Aura, protecting him from such pressure. Perhaps only a Mystic Venerable or a Mystic Saint could truly suppress him.
He extinguished the Gold and Silver Fire, returning the Mystic Tool Embryo to his storage ring, hissing as he shook his burned hand.
— It’s practically cooked.
“What? Can’t accept defeat, Second and Third Shopkeepers? Trying to cheat?”
Ji Ya’s seductive voice, laced with a chilling edge, echoed from below the arena.
Whoosh!
Aunt Mu’s figure materialized beside Yan Zhen, shielding him with her mature, alluring body, her gaze cold and indifferent as she stared at the two Shopkeepers. Her Ninth Star Mystic King aura pressed down on them, unrestrained.
“Mu… Mu Xiner…”
The Second and Third Shopkeepers paled.
They felt immense pressure facing her.
The Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce had several Mystic Lords, but they weren’t under their command. Therefore, Aunt Mu, a Ninth Star Mystic King, was their strongest asset. It was her presence that allowed Ji Ya to maintain her position as Head Shopkeeper.
Naturally, she was a thorn in their side, but she was flawless, always by Ji Ya’s side, appearing and disappearing like a ghost, leaving them with no options.
“Hmph! Don’t get too cocky! You injured Instructor Han Feng! This isn’t over!”
“He’s a prodigy from the Sacred Ground Academy! You’ll pay for cutting off his hand!”
They abandoned their argument, ordering their men to carry the unconscious Han Feng away, retreating in disgrace.
Yan Zhen smirked. It’s nothing. Their revenge won’t come so quickly. This just gives me an enemy at the Sacred Ground Academy.
Just like at the Mystic Academy, he had offended the City Lord’s Mansion and the two most powerful families upon arrival, creating external pressure for the protagonist’s growth.
A classic trope.
Seeing them leave, Aunt Mu turned to him, her voice calm.
“Are you alright?”
He shook his head. “I’m fine. Thank you, Senior.”
“Call me Aunt Mu.” Her expression was indifferent. “Since the Young Mistress has acknowledged you as her younger brother, you can address me as she does.”
“Oh, okay. Thank you, Aunt Mu.”
She studied him, curious about how he had passed through Han Feng’s attack, but she didn’t ask. After a moment of hesitation, she vanished, melting into the shadows.
Only a faint, feminine fragrance lingered.
He scanned his surroundings, his Spiritual Perception spreading out, attempting to track her movements, but as expected, he couldn’t detect any trace of her. He was impressed. She’s truly skilled.
He chuckled, calmly retrieving the severed hand from the arena floor, storing it in his storage ring.
Han Feng’s Phosphorus Fire resided within an aperture point in his palm, not his dantian.
Using a secret technique to open an aperture point in the hand to accommodate an Extreme Flame… Many Mystic Refiners chose this method. They didn’t dare risk storing the flame in their fragile dantian. Hands, however, were expendable. Even if severed, they could be regrown with medicine and treatment.
Some Mystic Refiners stored their tamed Extreme Flames in special storage rings, summoning them like weapons during combat.
This method was safer, but it hindered precise control. No amount of training could achieve the same level of mastery as when the flame was integrated with the body.
The best method was to absorb the Extreme Flame into the dantian, fully refining it, achieving a state of unity between man and flame, maximizing its potential.
As for the Gold and Silver Fire, once he began learning the art of Mystic Tool Crafting, he would refine it into his personal weapon.
Once fully refined, any Mystic Tool or treasure would shatter upon contact with his Gold and Silver Fire Sword (tentative name).
Just thinking about it is exciting!
He pocketed the severed hand, then, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, jumped off the arena, returning to Ji Ya and Yi Xian’er.
“That’s settled. Shall we go back, or do you want to take a walk around town?”
Ji Ya smiled, taking out a handkerchief and wiping the sweat and dust from his face.
“You did well, Little Brother Yan Zhen… How’s your hand?”
He blinked, then chuckled.
“It’s nothing. Just a burn. Some ointment will fix it.”
“Burns caused by Extreme Flames aren’t so easily healed.”
It was Yi Xian’er. She took his hand, then, to his shock, stuck out her tongue, gently licking the red, swollen area… well, the burned part of his palm!
“Xian’er, w-what are you doing?!”
He felt her soft, wet tongue against his skin, a ticklish sensation spreading through him. His face instantly flushed crimson. He glanced around, finding everyone staring at them with knowing smirks. Even Ji Ya, usually unfazed by anything, was stunned. He wanted to disappear.
“Don’t do that! Let go!”
“Don’t move.”
She refused to release his wrist. Her words, slightly muffled by her tongue, sounded strangely… seductive.
“The Gold and Silver Fire is pure Yang energy. Burns caused by it leave behind residual Yang energy. I’m neutralizing it with my Yin energy. It will heal faster this way.”
She continued licking his palm, coating it with her saliva, then finally retracted her tongue, her cheeks flushed as she gazed at him.
“There. Now apply some ointment, and it will heal quickly.”
Oh… He had been planning to have his Beautiful Sect Master blow on it, like last time.
Although it felt strange, her intentions were clearly good.
He scratched his cheek, embarrassed. “Thank you.”
She had been composed, but his tone flustered her, her blush deepening.
“Y-you’re welcome.”
Ji Ya felt a pang of jealousy. Xian’er is so quick! I didn’t even react in time!
But there’s still a chance!
“Let’s go to my office and apply the ointment, Little Brother Yan Zhen. This isn’t a minor injury. We can’t delay treatment.”
She took his hand, leading him towards the Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce’s headquarters.
The twin bodyguards followed.
Yi Xian’er, trailing behind, glanced in the direction the Second and Third Shopkeepers had left, her eyes flashing with murderous intent.
…
The headquarters was over ten times larger than the branch in the Gallo Kingdom. It was more like a bustling marketplace than a single shop.
Ji Ya led them to her office on the top floor.
The room was spacious and bright, reflecting her grand and generous nature.
She had him sit down, then ordered someone to bring the finest ointment, personally applying it with a cotton swab.
He felt a bit embarrassed, being pampered like this. It was just a minor burn, after all.
“I can do it myself, Sister Ji Ya.”
“No, you can’t. You were injured because of me. It’s my responsibility to treat you.”
She sounded so righteous, blowing on his hand as she applied the ointment.
They looked like… an older sister tending to her younger brother’s injuries after a fight, her heart filled with both distress and affection.
Yi Xian’er rolled her eyes, muttering, “Being an older sister is good enough, huh?”
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