The cold silence of the Realm of Shadows still lingered in Yan Xuanlanbin's bones, but there was no time to rest. The Supreme Sword pulsed faintly at his side, a constant reminder of the path he had sworn to walk. The sword's ancient voice whispered promises of power—but also warnings of sacrifice.
Beyond the dark realm lay the next trial: the Burning Realm. A place forged in fire and magma, where only the strongest survived the scorching heat and savage beasts. The Sect Elders had spoken plainly—this was where Yan would temper his soul like steel in a blazing forge.
The path to the Burning Realm was a narrow trail carved into the side of a dormant volcano. The air grew thick and heavy, tinged with sulfur and the scent of molten rock. Even the wind seemed to hum with heat as Yan stepped forward, his robes fluttering in the fiery gusts.
His body burned with anticipation. The Second Bloodstage Seal beneath his chest glowed brighter with every step, awakening new layers of his cultivation energy.
"Remember," an elder's voice echoed behind him, "the fire here tests your body and spirit. Only those who master the Flame Core Technique can survive and grow stronger."
Yan's eyes hardened. He tightened his grip on the Supreme Sword. He had no choice but to face the fire—head on.
The ground beneath his feet trembled. Suddenly, the trail ended, opening into a vast cavern of molten lava rivers and jagged obsidian pillars. Flames roared like living beasts, and the sky above blazed with molten sparks.
From the fiery depths, creatures emerged—blazing beasts born of flame and fury. Their eyes glowed like burning coals, and their bodies radiated intense heat.
Yan stepped forward, sword ready. The Supreme Sword glimmered with golden light, but the fire threatened to dull its glow.
The first beast charged, its molten claws smashing down with a force that could shatter stone.
Yan dodged with a swift roll, feeling the heat sear the air around him. His Supreme Sword sliced a golden arc through the beast's fiery flesh, sparks flying as sword met flame.
The clash sent a wave of heat rippling outward. Yan's clothes singed, but his body burned with new energy from the Second Bloodstage Seal. The seal's golden glow flared, protecting him like an invisible shield against the fire's relentless assault.
With a fierce cry, Yan unleashed the Golden Dragon Slash again—this time, a blazing version infused with the heat of the Burning Realm. The sword's light twisted and flickered like flames, scorching the air.
The beast screamed as the slash cut through its molten form, shattering it into sparks and smoke.
But there was no time to celebrate.
More beasts surged forward, their flames roaring louder, pushing Yan to his limits.
In the heart of the realm, Yan spotted a glowing orb—pulsing red like a furnace. It was the Flame Core, the source of the realm's power.
Yan knew the trial was simple in words: reach the Flame Core and absorb its energy. But the beasts guarding it were relentless, and the fire's heat was unbearable.
He fought through waves of blazing monsters, each clash pushing his cultivation further. His Sword Qi blazed brighter, the Second Bloodstage Seal responding to the fiery challenge.
With every slash, Yan grew stronger. His body adapted to the heat, the golden light around him thickening into a radiant armor of Sword Qi.
Finally, battered but unbroken, Yan reached the Flame Core.
His hand hovered over the glowing orb, heat radiating like a living force.
He closed his eyes and reached deep into his cultivation. The golden seal flared to life, veins of light spreading from his chest to his fingertips.
With a roar, Yan pulled the Flame Core's energy into himself.
Pain exploded through his body—a white-hot fire burning through flesh and spirit. But beneath the pain, a fierce power bloomed.
The Burning Realm's energy fused with his Second Bloodstage Seal, forging a new strength—a perfect storm of flame and swordlight.
Yan opened his eyes, blazing with newfound power.
The Supreme Sword flared, its golden glow now laced with flickering flames.
He felt the awakening of a new technique—the Blazing Dragon Slash, an evolution of the Golden Dragon Slash but burning with the fury of the realm itself.
Before he could test it, the ground trembled violently.
From the molten depths arose a colossal beast—the Flame Titan, a creature of fire and rock, towering like a mountain.
Its roar echoed through the cavern, shaking stones loose from the walls.
Yan's heart hammered. The trial had not ended—it was only just beginning.
He gripped the Supreme Sword tighter, the blade now roaring with fire and golden light.
The battle between Yan and the Flame Titan erupted into a storm of light and fire.
Every strike sent shockwaves tearing through the realm, the heat so intense it threatened to consume them both.
Yan moved with precision and fury, combining the Golden and Blazing Dragon Slashes in a dance of deadly elegance. The Supreme Sword sang through the air, each cut carving flaming runes into the Titan's rocky hide.
The Titan swung a massive arm, its fist crashing toward Yan with the force of an avalanche.
Yan dodged, barely escaping the crushing blow, then countered with a rapid series of golden flame strikes, each one chipping away at the Titan's armor.
The battle was a brutal test of endurance and will.
Yan's body ached, sweat mixing with ash, but his spirit blazed brighter than ever.
Finally, with a powerful cry, Yan gathered every ounce of power into a final Golden-Blazing Dragon Slash—a spinning, fiery arc that cut through the Flame Titan's core.
The Titan shattered into molten shards, exploding in a spectacular burst of light and heat.
Silence returned to the cavern.
Yan stood victorious but battered, the Supreme Sword glowing fiercely at his side.
The Sect Elders' voices echoed through the heat: "You have passed the trial of fire. Your body and spirit have been tempered in flame."
Yan's eyes burned with resolve.
The Nine Realms still awaited—and so did his destiny.