Dead silence!
Below the Fire Refining Platform, there was dead silence.
Only the Innate Fires from the nine pillars shot into the sky, continuously weaving and gathering above the Fire Refining Platform, resembling nine rainbows.
But if they were merely nine, it wouldn’t be so astounding.
In the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, it wasn’t that no disciple could achieve this. What left the disciples of the entire sect dumbfounded and speechless was that these nine rainbows were still continuously changing colors.
These were not real rainbows, but nine Innate Fires.
The nine Innate Fires erupting from the pillars were changing colors for only one reason.
A new Innate Fire had replaced the original Innate Fire.
The Fire Refining Platform only had nine fire pillars. If more than nine Innate Fires were summoned, the new Innate Fire would replace the original one.
Each change in color meant a replacement.
Nine colors changing simultaneously meant an addition of nine.
One change, two changes...
When the second change occurred, even the elders of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, who were using their Divine Thoughts to observe this scene, couldn’t sit still, excitement gleaming in their eyes.
"Twenty-seven! To summon twenty-seven Innate Fires in the Innate First Realm is already near the historical record of our Canglan Sect disciples."
"In truth, if compared, it should have already been surpassed. In our Ten Thousand Flames Sect’s history, the one who summoned thirty Innate Fires in the Innate First Realm had practiced the Fire Merging Technique for a full ten years, while Lin Chen learned the Fire Merging Technique from Senior Brother Zhuang when he went to the Canglan Sect, and it’s not even three months yet."
The elders focusing on the Ten Thousand Flames Sect finally understood why Senior Brother Zhuang returned with a face full of regret after going to the Canglan Sect and sighed from time to time. Such a genius, if never encountered, would be fine. But after meeting him and being unable to bring him back to the sect, the regret must be overwhelming.
"That’s enough!"
After Lin Chen summoned twenty-seven Innate Fires, Zhuang Lie’s voice came through, and Lin Chen stopped the operation of the Fire Merging Technique immediately upon hearing it, feeling he could possibly summon one or two more. But since Elder Zhuang had instructed him, he naturally complied.
The brilliant flames above the Fire Refining Platform disappeared, and Lin Chen looked toward Zhuang Lie, whose gaze back at Lin Chen was somewhat complex.
He voiced Lin Chen to stop, not wanting Lin Chen to break the Ten Thousand Flames Sect disciples’ record in front of so many disciples.
An outsider breaking a Ten Thousand Flames Sect disciple’s record would be a blow to the disciples of the entire sect.
Earlier, when Lin Chen hesitated to summon seven Innate Fires, Zhuang Lie’s Divine Thought caught it clearly, realizing Lin Chen intended to conceal his strength. Therefore, he revealed himself to see the full extent of Lin Chen’s talent.
It turned out he misjudged, not overestimating Lin Chen’s talent, but underestimating it.
Why, why does a disciple with such innate talent in controlling fire have to be from the Canglan Sect? And being a disciple of the Canglan Sect is fair enough, but he is also a direct disciple, and being a direct disciple is fair enough, but he also topped the Martial Arts Mountain.
In the eyes of these strong ones, there’s the notion that below the Innate Second Realm, no matter how talented a disciple, they are just a rough jade needing their sculpting to become a gem.
But Lin Chen broke this notion; clearly only in the Innate First Realm, he was already a gem and shining brilliantly at that.
"The upcoming duel is off; you follow me, kid."
After saying this, Zhuang Lie turned and left, and Lin Chen nodded and hurried after him.
As for Zhao Haoyang, he stood dumbfounded in the corner, without any rebuttal. Lin Chen’s summoning of twenty-seven Innate Fires had already rendered any further duel unnecessary.
He had lost, completely and utterly.
The many disciples below the Fire Refining Platform did not cease their discussions because of Lin Chen’s departure. Instead, as Lin Chen followed Zhuang Lie away, many disciples came back to their senses and started to discuss excitedly.
"Kid, do you know why I haven’t met you?"
Having moved some distance away from the Fire Refining Platform, Zhuang Lie did not stop his steps but suddenly spoke.
Looking at Elder Zhuang’s back, Lin Chen rubbed his nose and replied, "Senior wants me to join the Ten Thousand Flames Sect but knows I can’t, so you’d rather not see me at all."
"Clever boy."
Zhuang Lie snorted lightly. "Do you not know your master sent you to the Ten Thousand Flames Sect with what intention?"
Lin Chen fell silent. Fortunately, Zhuang Lie didn’t seem to expect an answer and continued, "You want to take advantage of the old man, so here’s your chance. You can stay in the Ten Thousand Flames Sect for two more months, during which you must refine another Innate Fire with the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique."
Knowing Elder Zhuang even understood that he could only stay in the Ten Thousand Flames Sect for two months didn’t surprise Lin Chen, considering the Canglan Secret Realm’s fame across the entire Flame Dynasty. Its opening time was no secret to Elder Zhuang.
"If you can do it, I will speak to the Sect Leader, even our Supreme Elder, to give you special attention and open the Ten Thousand Flames Sect’s Martial Arts Techniques to you. If you cannot, go back and tell your master to stop dreaming."
Two months’ time, to refine yet another Innate Fire?
Hearing Elder Zhuang’s demand, Lin Chen fell silent again. The Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique grew harder the further it went. Being able to refine two already could be said to be a miracle; three...
"What, doubting yourself?"
Zhuang Lie turned back, sneering repeatedly, "If you want to learn my Ten Thousand Flames Sect’s techniques without being a sect disciple, you must show your worth. I’m being honest with you, if you can refine three Innate Fires, it will prove your talent and potential enough for my Ten Thousand Flames Sect to grant you this martial arts cultivation favor, but if not... we won’t break our rules for you."
Lin Chen wasn’t bothered by Elder Zhuang’s sneer; he could clearly hear such straightforward provocations.
"I am willing to try."
Zhuang Lie took a deep look at Lin Chen: "I will give you three days to consider. Don’t rush to make a decision. With your current realm, refining the third innate fire carries risks. Although I can save your life, I might not be able to preserve your cultivation."
Lin Chen’s pupils constricted sharply. He had forgotten about this; he only considered the difficulty but overlooked the price of failure to refine.
If it really is so, this matter certainly requires careful deliberation.
In the guest area of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, Lin Chen returned to his original residence. No sect disciples came to disturb him, which he estimated was instructed by Elder Zhuang, giving him time for quiet contemplation.
Should he refine the third innate fire?
Choosing to refine it means that in case of failure, he risks losing all his cultivation.
Choosing not to refine it means he cannot continue to practice the cultivation techniques of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.
This choice would be easy for other martial artists who have already reached the peak of the Martial Arts Mountain, proving their talent and strength. Their sect would cultivate them carefully, making such risks unnecessary. Even if the Ten Thousand Flames Sect’s techniques were open to them, they would only assist the cultivation of the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique.
Apart from the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique, he also has the Canglan Finger, Canglan’s Eyes, and the Azure Wave Technique.
In terms of martial arts techniques, the Canglan Sect’s techniques are no less powerful than those of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.
But for Lin Chen, this choice is somewhat difficult. Since stepping onto the path of martial arts cultivation, he has never given up on any opportunity worth striving for, repeatedly risking everything.
Missing even one adventure, and he wouldn’t be where he is today.
To risk it again, or to give it up this time...
This night, Lin Chen sat quietly in the courtyard.
Zhuang Lie was monitoring him through divine thought, and at dawn, he withdrew it.
The test he posed was indeed an incredibly difficult choice for Lin Chen, and he even believed Lin Chen was more likely to give it up.
As long as one isn’t a fool, they wouldn’t take such a risk.
It was less of a difficulty imposed on Lin Chen and more of an attempt to extinguish his desire to join the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.
When the first ray of sunlight reached the courtyard, Lin Chen, who had been sitting in quiet contemplation, showed a spirited expression on his face.
He agreed to take on the challenge.
Coming to the Flame Dynasty and with the Canglan Sect as his backing didn’t mean he was free from worries. The ghost ship he encountered on the East Sea was something that always concerned him.
Sure, he could take his family away from Liang, but what about the villagers of Linhu Village?
What about Instructor Yu and others who helped him on his path of martial arts cultivation?
Instructor Yu, teachers, Lord Kong, Lord Li...
These elders also have families...
Even if he truly takes everyone away, Liang to him is still his homeland.
Without a homeland, it’s just wandering.
If possible, he hopes the ghost ship won’t destroy Liang.
According to Senior Brother Gao, even martial artists of the Innate Sixth Realm dare not easily approach the ghost ship, but those in the Myriad Phenomena Realm can.
In ten years, he certainly won’t be able to reach the Myriad Phenomena Realm, but as long as his potential keeps rising and his strength continues to climb, by then, he might be able to request the sect’s Supreme Elder for help.
Having made the decision, Lin Chen didn’t intend to waste time. He was ready to get up and leave the courtyard to find Elder Zhuang but then stopped.
Finally, a panel that hadn’t shown any movement for a long time updated at this moment, proactively appearing before him.
[Host’s previous stage of martial arts cultivation has been settled.]
Upon seeing this line, Lin Chen displayed anticipation, waiting for changes in the panel.
After three breaths, the panel refreshed.
[Host: Lin Chen]
[Realm: Innate First Realm]
[Innate Martial Path Will: None]
[Innate Cultivation Technique: Azure Wave Technique]
Seeing this, Lin Chen narrowed his eyes. His other techniques, the Canglan Finger, Canglan’s Eyes, and the Inextinguishable Divine Face Technique, including his self-created Celestial Derivation Myriad Phenomena Destruction Palm, were all gone.
But when he looked further below, Lin Chen’s eyes burst with brilliance. The panel changes this time were so substantial, completely different from the previous stage.

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