BTTH: From Genius to Invincible

Word Count: 2,564 Words

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Protector Xuan broke into a cold sweat, lamenting his truly terrible luck.

The Dou Qi Continent was vast. Even within the Hall of Souls, Honorable Elders were few in number, and most resided in the Central Plains with their own assignments, primarily focused on hunting soul bodies.

Although the task came from the Hall Chief, it wasn't a direct order specifically for him. It was more of a general directive for subordinates to contend for anything related to the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree.

The Bodhisattva Heart was a treasure for advancing to the Dou Saint realm. Even in the Hall of Souls, the number of Dou Saints could be counted on one hand.

Such treasures were naturally handled directly by the Hall Chief. However, the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva, while still connected to the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, wasn't strongly linked to the Bodhisattva Heart. Therefore, the task of obtaining it was given to the local Hall of Souls branch in the Black-Corner Region.

Protector Xuan hadn't even been given funds; he was told to figure it out himself. This indicated the Hall Chief's attitude was simply: 'It would be best to get it, but it doesn't matter if we don't.'

Why did he have to encounter this kind of factional conflict!

A whole palace drama was currently playing out in Protector Xuan's mind.

If you'd just said you wanted the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva, I wouldn't have even come!

How can I, a mere Protector, compete with an Honorable Elder? Especially an alchemist favored by the Pill Saint!"

"Sir?" Fang Yan inquired in a low voice.

Protector Xuan contemplated for a moment before asking, "Didn't you mention that your Demon Flame Valley once attacked Xiao City of the Yan Alliance?"

Fang Yan was stunned, completely baffled by this question, but he nodded honestly. "There were indeed some conflicts in the past."

Protector Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, then he smiled. "Mm, don't worry. I will intervene if necessary."

Fang Yan and the others were overjoyed to hear this promise. They hurriedly bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Sir!"

"That's good, then. No need to disturb the Old Ancestor's seclusion."

"Hehe, let's go meet this Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance. I've heard he possesses a Heavenly Flame. I wonder how it compares to our Life Transforming Flame."

Seeing the three Demon Flame Valley elders brimming with enthusiasm and confidence as they prepared for battle, Protector Xuan revealed a meaningful smile behind them.

…

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan was growing bored with waiting. He nodded toward Xiao Ning, who firmly nodded back, ready to lead the troops in an assault on Demon Flame City.

Just then, three elders wearing Demon Flame Valley attire walked out of the city, accompanied by numerous disciples. The three elders were all peak Dou Emperors. Demon Flame Valley had quite a few Dou Kings and Dou Emperors besides them. Pairs of differently colored Dou Qi wings flashed across the sky.

The enemy not only refused to surrender but was even preparing to counterattack!

"Incredible, Demon Flame Valley's strength remains as terrifying as ever," some spectators in the distance gasped in admiration.

With so many Dou Emperors, Demon Flame Valley truly deserved its reputation as the strongest faction in the Black-Corner Region!

However, Xiao Yan, Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan all appeared disinterested. Even the Little Lion King, who had just reached the Dou Emperor realm and transformed, shook his head in boredom.

They were accustomed to high-stakes battles!

This low-level skirmish was truly uninteresting.

"Those are the three Great Elders of Demon Flame Valley, all peak Dou Emperors," said Xiao Yu, her expression growing solemn as she looked at the three distant elders. Peak Dou Emperors were rare even in the entire Jia Nan Academy, let alone in the Black-Corner Region, where such figures commanded great respect.

"Oh," Xiao Yan replied simply.

Xiao Yu rolled her eyes at him. She had forgotten that this fellow had already fought several high-stakes battles at the Great Meeting of Factions and during the North-Western Region conflict. It was only natural that he looked down on these peak Dou Emperors.

"Grandmaster Xiao, old grudges are better resolved than perpetuated," First Elder Fang Yan said slowly.

"No need for nonsense. This is a war, or rather, retaliation." Xiao Yan merely smiled at Fang Yan's words. "Since you dared to cross my bottom line, you must pay the price.

"My Xiao City doesn't provoke trouble, but we aren't afraid of it either!

"All Demon Flame Valley disciples who participated in the attack on Xiao City must commit suicide. Only then will this matter be considered closed."

Xiao Yan's eyes turned icy cold. His father was in Xiao City. He had originally taken Han Feng's Feng City to give the Xiao Clan another sanctuary, a place to retreat from Misty Cloud Mountain if necessary. Now someone wanted to destroy his sanctuary? If he didn't respond with overwhelming force, Xiao City would face endless troubles in the future.

He needed to kill the chicken to warn the monkey!

"This is your last chance," Xiao Yan added with a smile. "If you wish to resist to the end, I don't mind. I will accommodate you by annihilating your Demon Flame City. Don't forget, you were the ones who initiated this conflict!"

Fang Yan's eyes flashed with cold light upon seeing Xiao Yan's nonchalant demeanor with his arms crossed. He smiled coldly, "I've long heard of Lord Xiao's former prestige in the Black-Corner Region. Meeting you today, you are indeed a young hero. However, this old man and his two brothers must offend you today."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Yan suddenly shouted, "Second Brother, Third Brother!"

The Second and Third Elders of Demon Flame Valley responded immediately at his call. The three of them soared into the air simultaneously, actually planning to surround Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan shrugged his shoulders. People never believed until they saw the coffin. He was already used to it.

He used spiritual transmission to communicate with Zi Yan, who was idling in the distance. "Zi Yan, go to Demon Flame City alone later and dig out their treasure vault. Although there might not be anything good, don't let it go to waste."

Zi Yan's twin ponytails bounced up and down excitedly. "Hehehe, I like this job!"

"Lion King, help keep an eye on the Xiao Clan members. Let them gain some experience, but don't let anyone die." Xiao Yan was a responsible Little Clan Leader. At this time, he still thought of giving his clansmen an opportunity to practice.

"Rest assured, Master," nodded the transformed Amethyst Winged Lion King.

As for Little Fairy Doctor, she sat atop a mountain peak, sipping tea while observing the battle. As long as Old Ground Demon Ghost didn't appear, she wouldn't intervene.

Xiao Yan slowly ascended as well, addressing Xiao Ning and the others below. "Go. Take Demon Flame City. Let me see the strength of our clan's elite."

Xiao Ning and the other Xiao Clan members shouted enthusiastically as if they'd taken stimulants. They followed the Amethyst Winged Lion King and charged toward Demon Flame City to engage the Demon Flame Valley disciples.

Fang Yan and the other two elders retreated some distance after surrounding Xiao Yan. Their hands rapidly formed seals, and as their hand seals changed, three faint gray flames suddenly emerged from their bodies, intertwining and responding to each other. In just a moment, the flames left their bodies and gathered in midair at the center of the three.

"I heard the Lord of Xiao City controls a Heavenly Flame. I'm quite curious to see how our artificial Heavenly Flame compares to yours!"

"Oh? Artificial Heavenly Flame?" Xiao Yan's interest was instantly piqued. He had numerous Heavenly Flames, but all were created by heaven and earth. An artificial Heavenly Flame? This was the first time he'd heard of such a thing.

A cluster of grayish-brown strange flames slowly rose into the sky within just half a minute as the three faint gray flames merged.

The temperature in this part of the sky abruptly rose with the appearance of this grayish-brown flame. Even the surrounding space showed some distortion. The temperature seemed to approach that of a Heavenly Flame.

Xiao Yan raised his head and looked at the grayish-brown flame. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He muttered with considerable interest, "So this is your artificial Heavenly Flame? It seems quite decent."

"Hahaha, this is the artificial Heavenly Flame created by our Demon Flame Valley's Flame Creation Skill, the Life Transforming Flame!" Fang Yan laughed loudly. He was particularly satisfied seeing Xiao Yan's surprised expression.

Although this Life Transforming Flame would cause some damage to themselves, its power was extremely strong, definitely comparable to a Heavenly Flame.

Xiao Yan nodded. The gray-brown flame hovered overhead like a gray sun and continuously emitted a terrifyingly high temperature that distorted space. This temperature was indeed very close to that of the Green Lotus Core Flame.

No wonder these people from Demon Flame Valley called this Life Transforming Flame an artificial Heavenly Flame. At least in terms of temperature, it had reached that level.

Of course, this was merely close, not equivalent. Heavenly Flames were unique existences in this world. They were impossible to replicate. Xiao Yan was very clear about this in his heart. Although this so-called 'Flame Creation Skill' seemed quite profound, it was still far from capable of creating Heavenly Flames out of thin air. At best, it could reach a state infinitely close to a Heavenly Flame but could never surpass one.

Moreover, each Heavenly Flame possessed its own special power. That mystical power was the reason for the 'Heavenly' (Different/Strange - 异) prefix. A Heavenly Flame's strength wasn't just about high temperature.

Although Xiao Yan knew this, Fang Yan and the other two Demon Flame Valley elders clearly didn't share the same view. They had great confidence in this grayish-brown flame merged from all their Dou Qi. Over the years, this merged 'fake Heavenly Flame' had claimed many lives, including some peak experts of the Black-Corner Region.

"Lord of Xiao City, it's time for you to let us see your Heavenly Flame as well!" Fang Yan said with full confidence. It was unknown whether his confidence came from Protector Xuan's backing or from seeing that Xiao Yan was only an 8-star Dou Emperor; he began to believe that the rumors were somewhat exaggerated.

Xiao Yan nodded. He was never one to disappoint others. After pondering for a moment, he summoned a cluster of sea-blue flames from his Acceptance Soul as if selecting a concubine.

"The Sea Heart Flame! That's Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame!"

"It's true! Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame fell into Xiao Yan's hands!"

Some observing experts who knew Han Feng recognized the Sea Heart Flame.

The temperature of the Life Transforming Flame was indeed comparable to the Green Lotus Core Flame, but the Sea Heart Flame was several grades higher. Heat waves surged like endless ocean waves the moment the Sea Heart Flame appeared, causing space to fluctuate. Its temperature steadily suppressed that of the Life Transforming Flame.

"Your Life Transforming Flame is indeed quite good," Xiao Yan smiled. "Since Venerable Tian Huo lost his Fallen Heart Flame, perhaps this could serve as a replacement."

Venerable Tian Huo's resurrection naturally meant he had lost all the fire seeds obtained in his previous life, while Xiao Yan couldn't possibly return the Fallen Heart Flame to him.

Without a Heavenly Flame's assistance, Venerable Tian Huo planned to collect other flames to use with the Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique.

This Life Transforming Flame seemed perfectly suitable.

Xiao Yan lightly pointed his finger forward. He couldn't be bothered to use the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change to increase his strength. Although he no longer had Venerable Tian Huo's Spiritual Strength assisting him, he was no longer the 4-star Dou Emperor from the Great Meeting of Factions. He had now reached the 8-star stage!

Furthermore, his Spiritual Strength had reached the Soul State. Controlling a Heavenly Flame was practically effortless for him now.

The Sea Heart Flame instantly transformed into a blue fire dragon resembling a sea dragon king, pouncing toward the three men.

Fang Yan and the others shouted in unison as they saw the huge blue fire dragon attacking and felt its immense pressure. They simultaneously formed hand seals, and the Life Transforming Flame abruptly turned into a half-foot-long firebird. The firebird flapped its flaming wings as its sharp beak attacked Xiao Yan like lightning.

Boom!

The blue and brown fire beasts collided violently in the sky with a thunderous boom. From afar, it resembled a battle between dragon and phoenix.

Roar! Roar!!

Xiao Yan controlled the Sea Heart Flame, and with a sweep of the blue fire dragon's tail, he sent the firebird flying. The dragon instantly spat flames, hitting the firebird.

The Sea Heart Flame scorched the firebird. Fang Yan's eyes turned cold. The firebird suddenly expanded rapidly like a blown-up balloon with a change of his hand seal, and resisted the Sea Heart Flame's incineration.

"Combining the lifelong Dou Qi and Spiritual Strength of three people... it does seem to have some capability. Unfortunately, it's still too weak." Xiao Yan shrugged. If it were a year ago, during the Great Meeting of Factions, facing the joint attack of three peak Dou Emperors plus the uniqueness of this Life Transforming Flame, he might have indeed faced some trouble. He might have needed multiple Heavenly Flames to defeat the three of them.

But times had changed.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. He wasn't one for showy moves. His Spiritual Strength instantly surged outward as he inwardly commanded, 'Spirit Awakening!'

Roar!!!

The eyes of the fire dragon transformed from the Sea Heart Flame suddenly seemed to gain intelligence, those eyes even revealing a hint of spiritual light.

The fire dragon's claws grasped the empty space, and its tail turned into a streak of light charging toward the firebird. Its sharp dragon claws slapped down, piercing through the expanded firebird.

The dragon tail immediately coiled around the retreating firebird, binding it tightly like relentless ocean waves. No matter how hard Fang Yan and the others tried, the Life Transforming Flame could not escape the Sea Heart Flame's grasp.

"How can this be?!"

"Impossible! Our Life Transforming Flame shouldn't be weaker than a Heavenly Flame!"

Xiao Yan shrugged and said, "Your Life Transforming Flame indeed has some power, but your so-called Flame Creation Skill is too weak in terms of fire control. Not to mention, your Spiritual Strength hasn't even reached the peak of the Mortal State."

Playing with fire against him? Xiao Yan could only say that their brains must have been burned.

Boom!

The fire dragon suddenly exerted force, shattering the Life Transforming Flame into countless tongues of fire that scattered.

Puff!

Fang Yan and the other two instantly suffered backlash with the Life Transforming Flame destroyed, spitting out mouthfuls of fresh blood. Their eyes filled with utter horror.

Xiao Yan's strength completely exceeded their imagination!

No wonder he could kill Elder Gu Tong!

"If you have no other last words, then depart in peace," Xiao Yan said with an icy gaze.

A chill ran down Fang Yan's spine as an intense sense of impending death descended upon him.

"Sir, save me!"