A soft breeze rustled the leaves as Long Tianyan stepped out from the glowing depths of the Verdant Mist Spiritual Pond. The water clung to his robes, radiant with residual energy. Within his body, the raging power of the five Crimsonflesh Flame Fruits had finally settled. He had broken through—3rd Layer of the Marrow Washing Realm.
Near the shore, Chen Yixuan stood, her aura noticeably stronger. A proud smile curved her lips. "You're finally done cultivating?"
Tianyan nodded, glancing at her calmly. "You broke through too?"
"To the 3rd layer," she replied with a hint of pride. "I wanted to keep up with you."
Before their exchange could go on, a presence descended like a silent mountain. Qing Wuyou, Sect Master of the Verdant Mist Sect, appeared at the edge of the pond. His white robes shimmered slightly under the sun, his eyes unreadable as always.
"You two have exceeded expectations," he said calmly.
From his sleeve, he retrieved a jade token, engraved with ancient script and flickering with light.
"Chen Yixuan," he said, "for your contribution in acquiring the Flameheart Seed, you are granted the right to enter the Forbidden Domain—when it opens."
Chen Yixuan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Thank you, Sect Master!"
She bowed deeply, and with a final look toward Tianyan, she left quietly to prepare.
Now only Tianyan remained before Qing Wuyou.
The Sect Master turned to him, his gaze narrowing. "And you… You did something even more reckless. Consuming five Crimsonflesh Flame Fruits at once. Even Heavenly Passage cultivators would die trying."
Tianyan remained silent.
Qing Wuyou crossed his arms. "You've awakened the interest of many elders. I won't ask for your secrets. But I want to see the technique you used in the fight with the Bloodshade Ghost Sect."
Tianyan inclined his head and took a step back.
He exhaled slowly.
Azure flames erupted silently from his body, regal and unwavering. From the center of his palm, a flickering sword formed—the Primordial Dragonflame Sword. It wasn't a flashy technique, but it radiated ancient power. The air around it twisted. Even the spiritual qi in the area bent slightly toward the sword, as though recognizing its authority.
He slashed once.
A wave of compressed Azureflame tore through the stone wall in the distance, leaving behind a smooth, glassy trench. The flame left no scorch marks—only a lingering, sacred heat.
Qing Wuyou's eyes narrowed. "This… is no ordinary flame. And this sword—where did you…?"
He stopped himself. Then he let out a faint sigh. "You are full of secrets, Tianyan."
Tianyan respectfully bowed, remaining silent.
Qing Wuyou turned away. "Regardless of origin, your strength is real. That technique—whatever it is—will serve you well. But in the Forbidden Domain, you'll need more."
He raised a finger. "Come. I will personally guide you for the next seven days."
A gust of wind whisked them away, and they arrived at a remote valley far beyond the core disciple region. Surrounded by natural formations and sealed with ancient runes, this was the Verdant Mist Sect's Hidden Martial Field—accessible only to the Sect Master himself.
"There is no time dilation here," Qing Wuyou explained. "That is only inside the Forbidden Domain. But these seven days will be enough."
He drew his sword—a translucent green blade crackling with life qi. "This is the Verdant Sky Sword Art—my own creation."
He slashed.
A wave of wind energy surged out, splitting boulders and parting clouds. The grass bent, then burned slightly from residual energy.
"The first form is Verdant Gale Slash. It fuses speed, pressure, and life force into a single blow."
He turned. "Can you learn it?"
Tianyan's gaze was calm. "I will try."
Thus began a brutal routine.
From dawn to dusk, Qing Wuyou pushed Tianyan past his limits—challenging him with wind illusions, spiritual pressure, and close combat. Each strike Tianyan unleashed had to be refined: his stance, breathing, and control scrutinized endlessly.
By the third day, Tianyan's arms trembled. His azure flames clashed with the wind blades, disrupting his form mid-slash.
"Control," Qing Wuyou barked. "Your flames are majestic, but if they aren't tamed, they'll consume you."
By the fifth day, Tianyan's Primordial Dragonflame Sword no longer collapsed under the weight of the wind technique. He could guide his flame like a thread of silk—sharp, controlled, and forceful.
On the seventh day, under the setting sun, Tianyan stood still. His eyes focused.
He took a breath and slashed.
Azureflame swirled into a wind-infused arc that tore through three standing training stones and burned a distant tree into glowing embers. The fusion was smooth. The sword art was no longer the Sect Master's alone—it had been reshaped by Tianyan's flame.
Qing Wuyou smiled faintly. "Very good."
He sheathed his sword and looked toward the sky. "The Forbidden Domain will open soon. You're not ready yet… but you've made a path for yourself."
He glanced at Tianyan one last time.
"And sometimes… that's enough."