Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

The deep blue Illusory Sea Heart Flame, following Lin Chen’s execution of the ”Refining Fire Technique,” was continually drawn out from the Sealing Wall and into his brow.

In his Dantian, upon the Star Soul Map, the deep blue Illusory Sea Heart Flame, once it touched the Star Map, began to silently seep and spread like a drop of ink in clear water.

Each of the originally bright and dazzling stardots on the Star Map was gradually coated with a layer of deep, tranquil, and slightly chilling blue hue.

Every star, dyed blue, seemed to be endowed with a layer of Divine Soul Defense armor, faintly radiating a wave that could affect the mind.

The Illusory Sea Heart Flame was transforming the Star Map, but this transformation was not without its pain; during which the Star Map was pulled and twisted several times. Fortunately, with the strength of his own Divine Soul and the Soul-Stabilizing Pills taken during this time, his Divine Soul became more resilient.

In the reconstruction by the Illusory Sea Heart Flame, Lin Chen’s entire Divine Soul became even clearer, and he could sense the presence of Du Shuang at the entrance of the Fire Cave, while Du Shuang remained completely unaware.

...

...

Five days later.

Zhuang Lie’s figure appeared in the Fire Cave.

”Any changes in the Fire Cave?”

”Elder, not yet, ever since Lin Chen entered, it has been very quiet in the Fire Cave.”

Du Shuang reported the situation of the past five days. He had used his Divine Thought to probe several times, and discovering Lin Chen sitting outside the Sealing Wall, he immediately withdrew, fearing his Divine Thought might interfere with Lin Chen’s absorption and refining of the Illusory Sea Heart Flame.

”Continue monitoring.”

Zhuang Lie nodded, no change was the best scenario.

...

...

Fifteen days later.

Inside the Fire Cave.

As the last bit of starlight was entirely dyed deep blue, the Star Map in the Dantian finally stabilized, forming a gorgeous starry sea adorned with deep blue stars.

Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes, those once clear and sharp pupils now unintentionally flowing with a soul-captivating deep blue divine light, which then swiftly receded, returning to normal.

His Divine Thought silently unfurled, this time he could even perceive Du Shuang’s breathing, yet Du Shuang remained utterly unaware.

The Illusory Sea Heart Flame, successfully refined.

Lin Chen could distinctly feel that his Divine Soul was now nearly twice as powerful as before.

”Panel.”

[Host: Lin Chen]

[Realm: Innate First Realm]

[Innate Technique: Azure Wave Technique] (Undamaged, Level 5)

[Qi Blood: Level 3]

[Divine Soul: Level 4]

[Will: Level 1]

[Speed: Level 2]

[Defense: Level 2]

[Comprehension: Level 5]

His Divine Soul advanced by one level after successfully refining the Illusory Sea Heart Flame.

From this, each subsequent level advancement clearly signifies a qualitative leap.

”Next, it’s time to cultivate the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique.”

Within him, the Cultivation Technique’s operation shifted from the Refining Fire Technique to the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique. Golden Wings appeared behind him, and his entire being was enveloped in flames, though his body size ceased to expand.

Along with the emergence of the Golden Crow Radiance Flame and the Innate Li Fire, the third flame, the Illusory Sea Heart Flame, appeared, its deep blue flame beginning to dance in his pupils.

An imperceptible fluctuation of energy rippled around Lin Chen’s body. Under the stimulation of the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique, these three flames began continuously reshuffling and transforming in a unique manner.

Lin Chen’s body also started transforming accordingly, compressing to less than one foot at one moment, stretching to three zhang high the next, then transforming into a paper-thin sheet, and once more solid as a real wall.

Yet the one constant was that the three flames continually spread beneath him, gradually enveloping his entire body from bottom to top. After several days, Lin Chen was wholly encased in three flames, turning into a thick cocoon of fire.

Time drifted by slowly...

Outside the Fire Cave.

Du Shuang once again used his Divine Thought to probe, yet before it could truly approach the inner depths of the Fire Cave, it was devoured by some form of energy.

”What’s happening? Could Lin Chen be in trouble?”

Du Shuang’s face changed. Such an unforeseen situation had never occurred before, and with a flash, his figure darted into the deeper part of the Fire Cave, quickly disappearing within.

After several breaths.

Standing before the colossal cocoon of fire, witnessing its surface covered with semi-transparent deep blue flames and the exceedingly dazzling crimson-gold patterns, Du Shuang was utterly stunned.

He was, after all, a disciple of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, a sect adept in fire manipulation.

Yet merely this cocoon of fire inflicted such a sense of oppression deep within his Divine Soul. One could only imagine the terrifying energy contained within this cocoon.

”Has Lin Chen successfully cultivated?”

Du Shuang harbored such speculation within. If indeed Lin Chen succeeded, this would once again set the sect abuzz, likely proving difficult for many senior brothers to accept.

”What on earth am I guessing here? It’s better to notify Elder Zhuang immediately.”

A moment later, coming to his senses, Du Shuang swiftly exited the Fire Cave to report the information to Elder Zhuang.

Half a two-hour later, Zhuang Lie’s figure appeared within the Fire Cave, yet this time, instead of lingering outside, he strode directly into its interior.

Upon seeing the one zhang tall cocoon of fire outside the Sealing Wall, Zhuang Lie’s expression was exceedingly complex.

There was excitement, contentment, helplessness...

A few breaths later, Zhuang Lie’s expression returned to calm, his gaze turning to Du Shuang: ”This matter must not be disclosed.”

”Ah!”

Du Shuang was bewildered. The reason he had been guarding the Fire Cave for these days was to be the first to know whether Lin Chen had successfully refined it and then inform the other disciples.

Elder Zhuang forbidding him to disclose the news made him feel quite uncomfortable.

”Hmm?”

”I understand, and I will not reveal anything.”

Feeling the pressure from Elder Zhuang’s eyes, Du Shuang quickly agreed, as he did not dare to defy Elder Zhuang’s orders.

”Elder Zhuang, what’s going on with Lin Chen? Has he succeeded in refining it?”

Although he couldn’t tell others, Du Shuang was still very curious about Lin Chen’s situation. No disciple in the sect had ever turned themselves into a fire cocoon while refining the Innate Fire.

”The Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique that Lin Chen cultivates is an extremely profound technique. This technique undergoes a transformation in form as more Innate Fire is refined. Since Lin Chen has successfully refined the Illusory Sea Heart Flame, adding another Innate Fire to his body, the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique will also undergo new changes.”

”Is the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique this miraculous?”

Du Shuang recalled Lin Chen transforming into a Fire Giant during a battle at Martial Arts Mountain, with golden wings appearing on his back. At that time, he felt a sense of regret, wondering why Lin Chen could manipulate Innate Fire to such an extent, even changing its form.

If he also cultivated the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique, could he also enhance his strength?

”What, do you also want to cultivate the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique?”

Zhuang Lie seemed to see through what Du Shuang was thinking and spoke calmly.

”Elder Zhuang, does our sect also have this technique?”

”When has our Ten Thousand Flames Sect ever lacked sect techniques related to Innate Fire?”

With a light snort, Zhuang Lie responded, and Du Shuang quickly wore a compensatory smile: ”I misunderstood.”

”To cultivate the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique, one needs to first absorb an Innate Fire below the Innate Realm.”

”Ah.”

Du Shuang’s mouth opened slightly. Absorbing and refining Innate Fire below the Innate Realm is practically seeking death, isn’t it?

Innate Fire, the term ’Innate’ alone determines its power, and below the Innate Realm, merely touching it would incinerate a person.

”Elder Zhuang, did Lin Chen cultivate the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique below the Innate Realm?” Du Shuang asked persistently.

”Indeed.”

Du Shuang fell silent. This meant he had no chance.

”Of course, one can also cultivate the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique at the Innate Realm, but after cultivating it at the Innate Realm, one can no longer practice other Fire Refining Techniques, or one’s meridians might self-immolate and lead to death. Moreover, the difficulty of cultivating after the Innate Realm is several times higher than before.”

Zhuang Lie, knowing Du Shuang’s thoughts, directly extinguished his fantasies.

Elder Zhuang, you’re too harsh.

Du Shuang’s face bore a bitter smile; Elder Zhuang left him no room for fantasy.

”Elder Zhuang, how long will it take for Lin Chen to break out of the cocoon?”

Upon hearing Du Shuang’s question, Zhuang Lie did not answer immediately. Instead, he observed the fire cocoon in front of him for a moment before saying, ”Within seven days, he will break out of the cocoon.”

After learning that Lin Chen cultivated the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique, Zhuang Lie specifically went to understand the technique.

However, the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique is too flexible; depending on the type of Innate Fire refined, each transformation is different. He can only estimate that Lin Chen will break out in about seven days, but what form he will take specifically won’t be known until the cocoon opens.

Zhuang Lie took one last look at the fire cocoon in front of him, his eyes filled with anticipation.

The Golden Crow Radiant Flame, Innate Li Fire, and Illusory Sea Heart Flame — these three Innate Fires are not ordinary; each has its own distinct characteristics. Now, he is somewhat eager to see what new changes will happen to Lin Chen’s form this time.

...

...

Ten Thousand Flames Sect.

The courtyard where the Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect resides.

”Elder Zhuang, you should know, Lin Chen is not a disciple of our Ten Thousand Flames Sect.”

The Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, upon learning of Zhuang Lie’s intentions, showed a look of helplessness. His own sect also had many genius disciples, but he couldn’t understand why Elder Zhuang wouldn’t consider them and instead, focused on Lin Chen.

Although Lin Chen is excellent, he is not a disciple of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.

Cultivating Lin Chen is like tailoring bridal clothes for someone else.

”Sect Leader, our Ten Thousand Flames Sect has always maintained a good relationship with the Canglan Sect. Deepening ties with the Canglan Sect through Lin Chen might not be a bad thing.”

Zhuang Lie argued, but the Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect explained, ”Elder Zhuang, things aren’t as simple as you think. Making an exception for Lin Chen today, how should we handle other talents in the future?”

”Compared to other sects, our Ten Thousand Flames Sect’s advantage lies in refining and manipulating Innate Fire. If sect techniques can be cultivated without joining the sect, many talented disciples might not join our Ten Thousand Flames Sect but would instead exploit kindly individuals like you, Elder Zhuang, to cultivate our sect’s techniques, leaving us with nothing in the end.”

As the Sect Leader, the leader of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect must consider issues from the perspective of the entire sect and its future development.

Opening this door for Lin Chen now could mean that in the future, other sects will compete for talented disciples. Even if those disciples initially want to join the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, other sects could use Lin Chen as an example to recruit them and then send them to the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.

”But Sect Leader, I have already promised Lin Chen; surely I can’t let myself break my word.”

Dong Congyang felt helpless; Elder Zhuang had acted first and reported later, doing it deliberately.

”Sect Leader, let me be frank. I also know that the rules of the sect cannot be broken. That’s why I set a high bar for Lin Chen; refining three Innate Fires while only at the Innate First Realm. I thought Lin Chen wouldn’t be able to achieve it, which is why I made such a promise.”

Dong Congyang looked at Zhuang Lie with a meaningful expression. Although it’s difficult to refine three Innate Fires at the Innate First Realm, there have been disciples in the history of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect who did so. Elder Zhuang still left some room for Lin Chen.

”Elder Zhuang, you’re really making it difficult for me.”

After a long pause, Dong Congyang made a decision in his heart: ”Allowing Lin Chen to access our sect techniques isn’t impossible, but not now — in two years...”

”Why two years later? Sect Leader, you don’t intend to deceive...”

Zhuang Lie stopped mid-sentence, his pupils suddenly contracting, as he understood why the Sect Leader proposed a two-year delay.

”Elder Zhuang, do you now think I’m deceiving you?”

”Haha, why would the Sect Leader do such a thing? I was only joking with the Sect Leader just now.”