Chapter 8

 A Body That Holds Flames

“Hit me with all your strength.”

At Lu Haoran’s words, Lu Fan took his stance in the center of the pavilion by the lakeside.

His grandfather was an expert at the ninth layer of the Inner Astral Realm. Even if Lu Fan used all his strength, it would be difficult to touch even the hem of his clothes, so there was no reason to hold back.

Lu Fan pulled his left foot backward and lowered his waist. Once his breathing settled, his entire body became taut, like a bow pulled to its limit.

A faint look of satisfaction flashed through Lu Haoran’s eyes.

“Here I go!”

Lu Fan kicked off the ground.

His straight punch flew toward Lu Haoran’s chest. But just before his fist could touch his clothes, it was blocked by an invisible wall.

Buzz!

Transparent ripples spread through the air.

Even when Lu Fan drove his shoulder forward, his fist could not advance any farther. It was a wall of Astral Qi, the energy that a martial artist of the Inner Astral Realm could surround their body with.

And yet, when Lu Fan’s fist, wielded by someone at the sixth layer of the Body Tempering Realm, created ripples in the Astral Qi, Lu Haoran’s eyes brightened.

“Again!”

Lu Fan used the recoil to twist his waist.

The force that began at the tips of his feet traveled through his legs and waist before surging up his back. The strength he had refined by striking rocks thousands of times in the Western Mountains gathered into a single point.

“Mountain-Crushing Fist!”

Boom!

Both fists slammed directly into the wall of Astral Qi.

The air around the pavilion shook violently, and circular ripples spread across the previously calm surface of the lake.

Without realizing it, Lu Haoran raised the corners of his mouth.

The strike was no weaker than that of a martial artist who had just entered the Inner Astral Realm.

It was at that moment.

A thread-thin strand of energy surged from Lu Fan’s dantian.

The energy traveled along both his arms and blossomed into violet flames above his fists.

Whoosh!

The smile disappeared from Lu Haoran’s face.

With a casual wave of his hand, a powerful gust of wind erupted and pushed Lu Fan three steps backward.

The flames around his fists also went out without a trace shortly afterward.

Lu Fan gasped for breath as he felt his empty dantian.

It seemed he had used up the entire strand of energy in one go.

“What were those flames just now?”

Lu Haoran hurriedly approached him.

“I don’t know exactly, either.”

Lu Fan still could not reveal anything about his master or the Gentle Fire Cauldron.

He gave the answer he had prepared beforehand.

“They first appeared when I pushed my strength too far during training. I can’t use them whenever I want, either. It seems that energy has to accumulate inside my body before I can produce them once.”

Lu Haoran took hold of Lu Fan’s fist and examined it from every angle.

The back of his hand was perfectly fine, without even the slightest burn.

After a moment, unconcealable joy spread across his face.

“Fan. Do you know what you possess?”

Lu Fan shook his head.

“Innate Flame.”

“Innate Flame?”

“Only those born with an affinity for the power of fire can awaken it. Normally, it only reveals itself after one forms Astral Qi. Yet you have already awakened it while still in the Body Tempering Realm.”

“Our Lu family’s secret art is the Blazing Fire Golden Body. It is a Spirit-grade martial art that tempers the body with the power of fire. Yet no one has ever managed to master it completely.”

Blazing Fire Golden Body.

Lu Fan had heard that name since he was young.

It was the Lu family’s greatest secret technique, passed down exclusively to the successive Family Heads.

“If one lacks the talent to control fire, only half its power can be displayed. Worse, if it is practiced incorrectly, the flames can damage the body.”

“But you are different. Perhaps you can reach a realm even our ancestors were unable to achieve.”

As though he could no longer wait, Lu Haoran left the pavilion.

“Follow me.”

“Where are we going?”

“The Scripture Repository. Tonight, I’ll pass the Blazing Fire Golden Body on to you.”

Lu Fan’s heart pounded.

It was the family’s secret art he had dreamed of learning since childhood.

If he learned the Blazing Fire Golden Body, perhaps he could also nurture the flames he had awakened as a Qi Refining cultivator.

Even as Lu Haoran walked toward the Scripture Repository, he could barely contain his excitement.

“I’m sorry.”

At the sudden apology, Lu Fan looked up.

“Even though I knew how hard you worked, I only thought you lacked talent. It is shameful that I failed to recognize the jewel that had been right beside me.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Grandfather.”

“No. One must admit when one has done wrong.”

Lu Haoran stopped walking and looked at Lu Fan.

“From now on, if you need anything, tell me. Whether it is medicinal herbs or weapons, I will provide anything the family can obtain.”

Lu Fan thought of his now-empty pouch.

“Then I need money to buy medicinal herbs.”

“How much?”

“Several dozen gold coins should be enough.”

Lu Haoran burst out laughing.

“You call that a request? I’ll tell the Finance Hall tomorrow. Take as much as you need.”

When the two opened the doors to the Scripture Repository and entered, Old Man Shim closed the book he had been reading.

“What’s all this commotion in the middle of the night?”

“Uncle Shim, take out the Blazing Fire Golden Body manual.”

At Lu Haoran’s answer, Old Man Shim narrowed his eyes.

“Getting old has made you impatient. What child has become qualified to practice that?”

His gaze settled on Lu Fan.

“Could it be Lu Fan?”

“That’s right.”

Old Man Shim spoke incredulously.

“How long has it been since he started practicing martial arts that he’s already asking for the Blazing Fire Golden Body? The sixth layer of the Body Tempering Realm isn’t enough.”

Lu Haoran smiled confidently.

“You’ll change your mind when you see for yourself.”

Lu Fan followed the two old men outside the Scripture Repository, to the Ink Stone.

The problem was that he had just used up all the energy within his body while producing those flames.

He had no idea whether he could summon them again immediately.

Lu Fan closed his eyes and steadied his breathing, but his dantian barely responded.

Old Man Shim chuckled.

“Are you planning to demonstrate your talent for standing around all night?”

“Uncle Shim, just wait a little.”

Lu Haoran tried to remain calm, but there was impatience in his voice.

Lu Fan shut out every sound from the outside world.

He recalled the moment when the flames of the Gentle Fire Cauldron had swept through his bones and meridians, and when a strand of energy as thin as a single thread had been born deep within his dantian.

After a long while, a faint warmth emerged from his previously empty dantian.

Lu Fan’s eyes snapped open.

Before the warmth could disperse, he threw his fist toward the Ink Stone.

Bang!

――――――――――

【Ink Stone Assessment】

Realm: Body Tempering Realm, 6th Layer

Grade: Intermediate

――――――――――

Old Man Shim did not even look at the measurement result.

His eyes were fixed on the violet flames rising from Lu Fan’s fist.

“This……”

Old Man Shim strode forward and grabbed the flaming fist with his bare hand.

The flames licked across his palm, but he did not show the slightest sign of feeling any heat.

“Innate Flame.”

His trembling voice echoed in front of the Scripture Repository.

“It really is Innate Flame. Heaven has finally bestowed a proper successor upon our Lu family!”

Old Man Shim, who normally never showed his emotions, continued holding Lu Fan’s hand without letting go.

Lu Haoran smiled with satisfaction.

“Will you take out the manual now?”

Instead of answering, Old Man Shim pulled an old book from inside his robes.

It had been well preserved, but the traces of its long history were clearly visible on the cover.

Blazing Fire Golden Body.

The moment Lu Fan saw those four characters, his heart pounded.

“You cannot take the manual outside.”

Old Man Shim handed him the book.

“Memorize all of it before tonight is over. If there is anything you don’t understand, ask me at any time. I’ll also personally watch how far you manage to cultivate it.”

Lu Fan accepted the manual with both hands.

“Thank you.”

He found a place in front of the Scripture Repository and immediately opened the first page.

The Blazing Fire Golden Body was a martial art that used the fiery energy of Heaven and Earth to temper flesh and bones until the entire body became a weapon.

Its foundation was surprisingly similar to the body refinement Old Man Wu had taught him.

If I can practice both of these together……

Suppressing his excitement, Lu Fan engraved every single character into his mind.

Inside, Lu Haoran and Old Man Shim drank together after a long time.

The low laughter of the two old men occasionally drifted outside through the doors.

Even as the night grew deep, Lu Fan did not take his eyes off the book.

By the time dawn approached, he had completely memorized the final line.

When morning came, Lu Fan gathered all the medicinal herbs and headed toward Old Man Wu’s tavern.

He had stayed awake all night, yet his mind felt clearer than ever.

“Master, I’m here.”

Old Man Wu looked at the ring on his disciple’s finger and asked,

“Did you obtain all the medicinal herbs?”

“Yes. I received some money last night, so I bought all the rest as well.”

“You received money?”

“I showed Grandfather my abilities, and he gave me gold coins along with the family’s secret art.”

When Lu Fan mentioned the Blazing Fire Golden Body, Old Man Wu’s expression changed slightly.

“A martial art that tempers the body with fire…… It suits you well.”

“I think so too.”

Lu Fan took out more than ten medicinal herbs, including Lantern Grass, Red Root, and Astragalus, and laid them out in the back courtyard.

Old Man Wu examined the color and scent of the herbs before nodding.

“None of them are spoiled, and the quality is consistent.”

“What are we making today?”

“Tempering Powder.”

Lu Fan looked down at the pile of medicinal herbs at the unfamiliar name.

“It isn’t a medicinal pill, is it?”

“Correct. You can’t start making medicinal pills when you can’t even properly control Primordial Qi yet.”

Old Man Wu picked up a handful of Lantern Grass.

“It’s a medicinal preparation for tempering the body. It strengthens your qi and blood and muscles, reducing the time needed to form Astral Qi. It will also help with your cultivation of the Blazing Fire Golden Body.”

As soon as he finished speaking, white smoke rose from Old Man Wu’s hand.

The Lantern Grass instantly crumbled into fine powder, yet it did not fall to the ground.

The powder floated above his palm like a cloud.

The other medicinal herbs were turned into powder one after another.

As Old Man Wu mixed the herbs together, he explained the required amounts and order for each one.

Even similar powders could have vastly different medicinal effects depending on the order and quantity in which they were added.

A stream of water flew into the mixture on its own.

Old Man Wu flicked his finger, and violet flames blossomed, enveloping the damp herbs.

After a while, the powder transformed into a dark red liquid that gave off a fragrant aroma.

Once the liquid entered a large wine jar, Old Man Wu dusted off his hands.

“This is Tempering Powder.”

“It’s a medicine you drink?”

“It’s absorbed faster that way.”

Lu Fan peered into the wine jar.

“May I test its effects?”

“If you take a little each day, it should last for a month or two.”

Hearing that it would accelerate his cultivation, Lu Fan did not hesitate.

He lifted the jar and swallowed a large mouthful of the dark red medicinal liquid as though he were drinking wine.

It had almost no taste.

But the moment the medicine reached his stomach, unbearable itching exploded throughout his entire body.

“Ugh!”

Lu Fan instinctively tried to scratch his arm.

“Don’t scratch.”

Old Man Wu’s warning came immediately.

“It’s a reaction caused by your body changing rapidly. If you scratch now, you might tear the skin right off.”

Lu Fan’s hand froze in midair.

The itching did not stop at his skin.

It felt as though thousands of insects were crawling through his bones, gnawing away at them.

“Master…… What am I supposed to do in this state?”

Old Man Wu pointed toward the remaining medicinal herbs with his chin.

“Make it the way you just saw me do.”

“Right now?”

“You can’t learn two paths at once if you only concentrate when you’re comfortable. Your body will cultivate martial arts, while your hands handle medicinal herbs.”

Old Man Wu’s voice became firm.

“Complete a batch of Tempering Powder in this state. Once you do, I’ll teach you the true Qi Refining cultivation method.”

Lu Fan gritted his teeth and picked up the Lantern Grass.

Every time he moved his fingers, the itching burrowed deeper into his bones.

His concentration faltered before he could even rub the herbs together several times.

In the end, as though trying to shake off the pain, he threw a punch into the air.

“I’d rather be in pain than this!”

Old Man Wu suppressed his laughter and pulled over a rocking chair.

“Then practice your martial arts. Now is the perfect time to test the Blazing Fire Golden Body you learned last night.”

Lu Fan immediately assumed a horse stance.

He would take Heaven and Earth as a gigantic furnace and temper his own body within it.

Recalling the first verse of the Blazing Fire Golden Body, he steadied his breathing.

It was not easy to grasp and hold onto a single strand of sensation amid the maddening itching.

But he did not give up.

Old Man Wu leaned back in his rocking chair and watched his disciple.

There was just one thing he did not tell him.

Normally, one would consume only a few drops of Tempering Powder at a time.

The amount Lu Fan had swallowed was enough for an ordinary person to consume over several days.

That was also why Old Man Wu had deliberately stored the medicine in a wine jar.

He has to be able to endure this much if he’s going to be my disciple.

A mischievous smile spread across Old Man Wu’s lips.

Completely unaware of this, Lu Fan continued the first breathing exercise of the Blazing Fire Golden Body amid the itching that penetrated his entire body.