A moment of silence enveloped the two, only the low roar of the fiery world below and the howling of the hot wind could be heard.
Silence reigned, but it didn’t feel awkward; rather, the silence conveyed a subtle, unspoken understanding between the teachers.
After a long period of silence, Ling Yan was the first to break the silence.
His voice no longer had the arrogant and cold tone it had before, but contained complex emotions, curiosity, a hint of emotion, and a hint of tiredness that was hard to hide.
“Who exactly are you?”
He paused, as if carefully choosing his words, then continued.
“Seventh Level of the Human Immortal Realm. No, when you used your technique just now, your aura had a sense of perfect harmony and sublimation for a moment. You were clearly on the verge of a breakthrough, which is far beyond what an ordinary seventh level cultivator can achieve.”
“Your method of dispelling, calming, and even controlling the violent fire spirit power here definitely does not come from a cultivation technique known and passed down on Tenth Heaven.”
“And what was the exact purpose of that sword attack that you displayed outside the canyon?”
“I have honed swordsmanship for thousands of years and believe that I have unique insights into ‘fire’ and ‘sword’, but I have never seen or even been able to understand this kind of artistic conception that seems to transcend the five elements and is above the rules.”
David did not answer Ling Yan’s series of questions directly.
His gaze drifted into the distance, looking down at the area he had tamed, where people were busy healing their wounds.
Then he stared into the distance, into the even more intense and unfathomable depths of the secret realm, asking questions instead of answering.
“Heavenly Fire Sword Master, what is your relationship with the Fire Spirit Star Lord and the Blazing Fire Demon Lord? How much do you know about this Blazing Fire Secret Realm?”
Ling Yan’s body stiffened for a moment, as if David’s question had touched a secret buried in her heart.
He slowly turned his head and, for the first time, carefully studied David’s profile with an equally scrutinizing gaze.
This young face was calm and serene, his eyes were deep like an ancient well, but seemed to reflect the sky full of blazing fire and the endless expanse of stars.
Another long silence followed. Ling Yan’s face flashed with a mixture of emotions, including struggle, memories, and pain, before finally letting out a long, heavy breath, as if an enormous burden had been lifted.
“Alright. Since you have the Fire Controlling Steps, can easily recognize the name of the Flame Demon King, and have extraordinary sword intent and methods, there’s no harm in telling you a few things. Perhaps this is all destined.”
Ling Yan’s gaze turned towards the deepest part of the secret realm, towards the direction where the flames were the most colorful and the energy fluctuations were the most subtle and terrifying. His voice became ethereal, as if he had traveled through endless time.
“Fire Spirit Star King and Blazing Fire Demon King”
He spoke slowly, each word seeming to carry the weight of time.
“They are my brothers.”
“Senior Brother?” David raised his eyebrows slightly.
This answer really surprised him. The Fire Spirit Star King and the Blazing Fire Demon King fought each other to the death every time they met. They didn’t seem like fellow students at all.
“Good.”
Ling Yan nodded, his facial expression complex, a mix of nostalgia and self-mockery.
“That was a long, long time ago. So long ago, even the current structure of Tenth Heaven had not yet fully formed.”
“Back then, I was just an innocent boy wandering around, living a life of deprivation. Because I have a bit of fiery blood, I was saved by a mysterious old man who came here during a near-death experience.”
Respect and warmth radiated from his eyes.
“That old man, we all respectfully call him Master Yan. He is ordinary in appearance and plainly dressed, but he has a pair of eyes that seem to be able to see through the past and future and understand the origins of the universe.”
“He saw that although my talent was average, I had an indomitable spirit and a natural love and passion for fire, so he made an exception and guided me.”
“At that time, Master already had two extremely talented and brilliant disciples under his guidance—Eldest Brother Li Jin and Second Brother Huo Ling.”
“Li Jin? Fire Spirit?”
David repeated softly, “This is clearly the real name of the Fire Demon King and the Fire Spirit Star King before they became famous.”
FAQ Novel
Q: What special treatment did the severely injured disciples receive?
A: They were prioritized to go to the spiritual spring where they received medical aid and absorbed life essence for healing.
Q: Who did David encounter while overlooking the secret realm?
A: David encountered Ling Yan, the Heavenly Flame Swordmaster, standing atop a towering crystalline mountain.
What are your thoughts on this chapter? Share your comments below.