by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
He spread his senses to the others and found that they were all busy refining origin crystals. However, their speed was much slower than his. After all, unlike him, they did not possess a flame like Yun Flame. Even those who possessed unique flames did not have flames as high tier as Yun Flame.
Xiang Shaoyun did not charge up the mountain to face the flame spirit emperor immediately. Rather, he stayed and stood guard for them. As the Overlord Legion's overlord, he had to take good care of his subordinates. While standing guard for them, he did not forget to continue absorbing the flame energy in his surroundings. He also constantly studied the profundity of flame.
A few more days passed, and the others ended their cultivation sessions one after another. Their strength had grown considerably, and joyful smiles were plastered all over their faces. When they found that Xiang Shaoyun was standing guard for them, they were moved.
After all of them were done, Xiang Shaoyun said, "The flame spirits are actually not scary. Their origin crystals are all in their chests. You only need to manage and time your attack well to rapidly pluck the origin crystal from them, and the flame spirit will no longer be a threat. Of course, if you're afraid of their self-explosion, you can work together. Some will defend, some will attack, and some will be harvesting the origin crystals. That way, you will be able to harvest more. If you continue fighting as you did previously, with everyone scattered and no teamwork whatsoever, you might as well give up before you kill yourself."
His words put them to shame. They had been too focused on plundering origin crystals for themselves, prioritizing their own benefits. None of them had thought of working together to get more. If they had done so, they would have still gathered more even after sharing among themselves.
"The overlord is right. We need to unite. That way, we will be able to attack more effectively," said someone.
The others also voiced their agreement.
Xiang Shaoyun said, "Good. I'll go with you this time, and we'll seize even more origin crystals."
Just as Xiang Shaoyun was about to take the lead and charge up the mountain, Deng Lingtian called out, "Overlord, the flame spirit emperor has shown itself. We should take our time."
"Hehe, I am just itching to meet the flame spirit emperor," said Xiang Shaoyun as his lips curled into a confident smile.
"The flame spirit emperor might not be just a peak Emperor. Its flame attacks hold traces of the profundity of flame. Even regular Sovereigns would not dare to challenge it. Overlord, it's better to be careful," someone else persuaded.
"Um. Don't worry. I have my way to stay alive. But you guys, remember to run far away if you see it. Just ignore me," said Xiang Shaoyun.
He then charged toward the peak of the mountain. The others hesitated for a bit before following along. Thick black smoke billowed above the volcanic crater, the air filled with dense flame energy. Evidently, the effects of the volcanic eruption a few days prior still lingered.
Standing at the edge of the volcanic crater, one would be able to see violent red lava, as if another eruption was going to happen at any time. The flame spirits resided amid the lava, absorbing its energy as they pleased.
Xiang Shaoyun could sense Yun Flame's joy, as if it was impatient to leave and dive into the lava as well. Furthermore, Yun Flame's original living environment was within a volcanic crater. Thus, it greatly longed for the energy of extreme yang here.
Using the flame taming technique, Xiang Shaoyun placated Yun Flame. He then used his will to suppress it, calming it down.
"How should I lure these flame spirits out?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"Easy. So long as we start absorbing flame energy here, the flame spirits will sense our intrusion and charge out," Deng Lingtian said.
"Good. Prepare yourselves. I'll lure them out," Xiang Shaoyun said as he unleashed Yun Flame and started absorbing the flame energy in the volcanic crater.
A massive amount of flame energy surged out of the crater. Xiang Shaoyun quickly sent the flame energy into his flame star, taking what he needed and provoking the flame spirits at the same time. Sure enough, the flame spirits sensed him and started charging out. Just as the others were about to start killing the flame spirits, they noticed the flame spirit emperor coming out as well.
Chapter 706: This Is the Profundity of Flame
The flame spirit emperor was akin to a fiery giant several times larger than an ordinary flame spirit. It looked incredibly valiant. It charged out of the crater and spewed its raging flame everywhere, instantly raising the area's temperature.
The Overlord Legion people turned ghastly. They were not strong enough to deal with the flame spirit emperor. Even if they worked together, they would not be its match. This flame spirit emperor had considerable wisdom and could use the energy in the air to replenish itself unendingly. It also had exquisite control over flame, possessing incredible combat prowess.
Xiang Shaoyun could sense the threat brought by the flame spirit emperor and immediately shouted to the others, "Leave, let me focus!"
The flame spirit emperor was not an opponent numbers alone could overcome. One needed sufficient strength to face it. With Xiang Shaoyun's command, the Overlord Legion people did not dare to linger and quickly retreated.
In any case, they had already agreed to leave the moment the flame spirit emperor showed itself. It was not that they were cowards, but it was pointless to stay when they knew they weren't a match and would just die. More importantly, they couldn't stay and be Xiang Shaoyun's burden.
The flame spirit emperor did not pursue them. Its gaze focused on Xiang Shaoyun as two fiery beams shot out from its eyes toward him.
Bang! Bang!
The beams crashed forth like two dragons engulfed in a terrifying blaze. In the blink of an eye, the beams arrived before Xiang Shaoyun, their speed astonishing. Pupils shrinking, Xiang Shaoyun quickly dodged to the side.
If it wasn't for his incredible speed that far surpassed his peers and his gift of instincts that granted him the ability to see the beams' trajectory, he would be hard-pressed to avoid them. As he dodged, he pushed forth and clawed at the flame spirit emperor with both his palms.
Seven Scorching Sun Claws, Sky Splitting Claw!
It was the strongest attack of the Seven Scorching Sun Claws. It was dreadfully powerful, capable of tearing everything apart. The flame spirit emperor did not even bother to dodge, and it faced the attack head on.
When Xiang Shaoyun's claw attack struck the flame spirit emperor, its fiery body actually split apart. And when Xiang Shaoyun was about to press on with his attack, an abrupt change happened.
The flame the emperor had spewed everywhere suddenly flew back and engulfed Xiang Shaoyun. The burning blaze was berserk and destructive, and not even Xiang Shaoyun could block it. His entire body was scorched, putting him in great pain.
Even when using Yun Flame to devour the flame around him, he failed to absorb it all like he usually could. It was as if the flame contained some special power that was contending against Yun Flame.
T-this is the profundity of flame! Xiang Shaoyun exclaimed inwardly.
Without any hesitation, he endured his pain and retreated madly. The flame spirit emperor rapidly reformed its body and shot at Xiang Shaoyun like an artillery shell. It swung its two palms out, crushing Xiang Shaoyun with a sea of flame. The torrential flame was fierce and violent, and the extreme temperature created cracking sounds in the air.
The flame it used was a regular flame, but it was no weaker than any high-tier flame. That was the might of the profundity of flame.
Xiang Shaoyun made use of Yun Flame to contend against the profundity of flame and hastily expelled the flame from his body, preventing it from harming him further.
The dreadful attack coming at him forced him to keep on retreating at full speed. However, the flame spirit emperor was too dreadful. Even when retreating at full speed, Xiang Shaoyun was still surrounded by the flame.
Bang! Bang!
A torrential flame
engulfed him, allowing him to experience the destruction, ruthlessness, and heat of the profundity of flame. His entire body was hurting from the flame, and not even Yun Flame could alleviate his crisis. He was forced to use the profundity of ice and water and shroud his body with frost energy. Finally, he was able to somewhat suppress the profundity of flame assaulting him.
Water suppressed fire, that was unchanging.
However, it could only temporarily alleviate Xiang Shaoyun's crisis. After all, he was on a volcano. The flame spirit emperor held complete superiority here, and not even the profundity of ice and water could contend against the environment's flame energy.
Boundless flame surrounded Xiang Shouyun as a merciless curtain of flame crashed down on him. Even Yun Flame would have a hard time protecting Xiang Shaoyun against such an attack. After all, it was already a part of Xiang Shaoyun, while he was a fleshy human. Although the two were one, many of its original properties had still been suppressed.
Of course, if Xiang Shaoyun was killed, there was a chance for Yun Flame to regain freedom and exist as a high-tier flame yet again. Xiang Shaoyun did not wish to die just like this. Of course, since he dared to come for the flame spirit emperor, he had his own trump cards. Otherwise, he would not have dared to come so rashly.
A human skin suddenly appeared, wrapped around him, and immediately isolated him from the surrounding flame. The human skin was a unique treasure Xiang Shaoyun had obtained in the past. It was the same human skin he had relied on to conquer Yun Flame and the devil flame seed.
And now, he was using it to deal with the flame here. The flame spirit emperor had not seen it coming. The only thing it knew to do was to continue burning Xiang Shaoyun with endless flame.
In its eyes, Xiang Shaoyun would definitely turn into ash. It surrounded Xiang Shaoyun with massive amounts of flame, displaying the might of the profundity of flame.
Meanwhile, Xiang Shaoyun, who was amid the flame, could clearly sense the profundity of flame. Coupled with his previous comprehension of flame, he instantly had a sense of enlightenment and pierced through the bottleneck that had hindered him.
Yun Flame immediately radiated incomparable joy within his body as if resonating with every fiber of his being. Its affinity with Xiang Shaoyun reached perfection.
It was a change that had occurred due to Xiang Shaoyun's successful comprehension of the profundity of flame. He could now fully display Yun Flame's power, and the two could finally perfect their fusion. It was also at that moment that the flame star became completely full. For his current cultivation level, the star had reached perfection.
A smile formed on Xiang Shaoyun's face. He reached out with both hands and exerted control over the flame around him. Sure enough, the flame obeyed him. He now knew the flame like the back of his hand.
"Comprehending the profundity of any power is to understand the origin attributes of each power. Such knowledge would allow one to unleash the power's properties, which is a sign of one's comprehension of its profundity," Xiang Shaoyun muttered before pulling the human skin away. He faced the sea of flame with his own body.
Chapter 707: Desperate Killing of the Flame Spirit Emperor
Yun Flame was originally a millennium flame, a high-tier flame. Subsequently, it had fused with the devil flame seed, and its tier had ascended to a brand new level. However, Xiang Shaoyun had never been able to unleash its real power.
That wasn't because Yun Flame was disobedient but merely because their affinity had yet to reach the perfect level. Now that Xiang Shaoyun had fully comprehended the profundity of flame, relying on it, he had obtained full affinity with Yun Flame. He could now unleash Yun Flame's full power.
The surging flame around him was extremely destructive and violent. Xiang Shaoyun could feel that even more clearly now, and he fully unleashed Yun Flame upon the flame around him. Yun Flame rapidly absorbed the flame energy and withstood the extreme heat on Xiang Shaoyun's behalf. Now, he no longer feared these flames.
"Now, it's my turn to attack," Xiang Shaoyun muttered as he charged the flame spirit emperor.
The flame spirit emperor did not expect Xiang Shaoyun to be alive. Once again, it surrounded Xiang Shaoyun with a massive curtain of flame. The surging flame was enough to turn any Emperor into ash.
However, Xiang Shaoyun could also control the flame around him and forcefully absorbed the flame energy cleanly. This was only an ability he could do after gaining full affinity with Yun Flame and comprehending the profundity of flame.
Two sources of flame collided with each other, creating an explosion akin to a volcanic eruption. The flame bloomed like a firework, creating a mesmerizing scene. Not far away, the other academy disciples saw the explosion, and all of them were greatly shocked. A battle of that level had surpassed their imaginations.
"Who's battling the flame spirit emperor? Is it Yu Ziyang?"
"That is not the territory of the Flaming Sun. It's probably someone else. But who is it that is so arrogant to fight a flame spirit emperor?"
"I know that place. That was originally the Di Alliance's territory, but the Overlord Legion had recently occupied it. Someone from the Overlord Legion must be challenging the flame spirit emperor."
"Apart from Xiang Shaoyun, the Overlord Legion does not have many experts. He is probably the one fighting the flame spirit emperor."
"Let's go. Get nearer and see if it's really him!"
...
Xiang Shaoyun did not mind the commotion. He was fully focused on fighting the flame spirit emperor. After comprehending the profundity of flame, the flame spirit emperor's attacks could no longer deal as much damage to him.
However, the flame spirit emperor was still stronger than him. He couldn't harm the flame spirit emperor in a head-on collision, and he might even get himself injured from the impact.
The flame spirit emperor could control the flame like it was an extension of its body, capable of easily molding the mountain's flame energy. As for Xiang Shaoyun, he relied on Yun Flame and his comprehension of the profundity of flame to contend against the emperor.
Even so, if this deadlock continued, Xiang Shaoyun would be the one to die of exhaustion. He had to change the situation. Only then would he survive and defeat the flame spirit emperor. He thought hard, trying to find a way to defeat the flame spirit emperor.
The origin crystal is the source of energy for any flame spirit. Only by taking it away will I be able to defeat the flame spirit emperor, thought Xiang Shaoyun inwardly.
That much was obvious, but it wouldn't be easy to accomplish. Ultimately, he used the gift of instincts to see through the flame spirit emperor's chest, laying his gaze on the origin crystal.
He then withdrew the flame he controlled, making use of Yun Flame to protect himself as he charged the flame spirit emperor as fast as he could. The flame surrounding the flame spirit emperor was extremely dreadful. One ought to know that it had an origin crystal within its body. Thus, its flame was no weaker than a high-tier flame. Because of that, many cultivators were not willing to engage a flame spirit emperor in close combat. One ought to respect Xiang Shaoyun's courage for daring to do so.
Once again, Xiang Shaoyun draped the human skin around his body. With immunity to the flame, he charged madly while Yun Flame isolated the surrounding flame from him. A smile seemed to form on the flame spirit emperor when it saw this scene. It brandished its arms and gathered a clump of flame into a fireball. The fireball instantly exploded.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The fireball's explosion was terrifying, and it even created a small-scale earthquake around them. Xiang Shaoyun had not expected that the flame spirit emperor would actually use such a powerful attack so early in their battle. The explosion disoriented him, and his blood stirred, putting him in great discomfort.
If it wasn't for the human skin protecting him from the flame shockwave, he would have been reduced to meat paste. The human skin was indeed a precious flame-isolating treasure.
"
Now!" Xiang Shaoyun clenched his teeth and withstood the impact as he mustered all his strength and charged toward the flame spirit emperor.
The flame spirit emperor thought the explosion would kill Xiang Shaoyun, so when he emerged from the explosion and appeared, it was slightly stunned. Just as it was about to launch a second attack, the energy around Xiang Shaoyun suddenly changed.
Profundity of ice and water!
He unleashed the energy of extreme cold within his water star and gathered it around his palms as he slammed his palms into the flame spirit emperor's chest. The attack had arrived too abruptly, and it was one Xiang Shaoyun had been planning all along. He released all his energy of extreme cold, pushing the frost energy in his hands to an extreme level.
A vast amount of frost energy froze his surroundings and isolated the flame spirit emperor from the area's natural flame energy. Most of the energy of extreme cold was concentrated on the flame spirit emperor's origin crystal.
The frost stiffened the flame spirit emperor's body momentarily, preventing the flame spirit emperor from making use of the profundity of flame for a split second. Even its control over flame was removed.
After all, it was a pure flame elemental life form. The moment an energy suppressing it appeared, it felt extremely unwell. It also wouldn't be easy for the flame spirit emperor to break free of this condition quickly.
That was the disadvantage of being a life form with low intelligence. Furthermore, Xiang Shaoyun's attack carried with it the power of the profundity of ice. Its might was not to be underestimated.
During the flame spirit emperor's momentary weakening, Xiang Shaoyun grabbed at its chest, intending to pluck away its origin crystal. He showed no fear for its flame, and it was not something anyone could do.
The moment Xiang Shaoyun gripped the origin crystal, the flame spirit emperor recovered. It flung its arms out, wrapping layers of flame around Xiang Shaoyun as it attempted to hug him to death.
Chapter 708: I Am Your Brother-in-Law, Xiang Shaoyun