The shimmering portal closed behind Yan Xuanlanbin with a thunderous pulse, sealing off the oppressive shadows of the Realm of Spirits. Before him lay the harsh new world of the Blazing Furnace Realm—a land scorched by eternal flames, where rivers of molten lava snaked through cracked obsidian plains and the sky burned a fierce orange, like a sun set ablaze. The air was thick and heavy, simmering with raw energy, suffocating but alive.
Yan's heart pounded as the blazing heat pressed against his skin, but beneath it all, his spirit blazed even hotter. The Supreme Sword pulsed in his grip like a heartbeat, golden flames licking the blade's edge, ready to unleash devastation.
This was the realm of fire, trial, and destruction. It was the crucible where only the strongest survived—and thrived.
Yan steadied his breath, feeling the afterglow of his recent cultivation breakthrough still simmering inside. His Ninefold Meridian Path was now alive with golden energy, each meridian burning brighter as spiritual power coursed through his veins. The Supreme Sword was no longer a mere weapon—it was a living extension of his very soul.
"The Blazing Furnace Realm," Yan whispered to himself, voice steady despite the oppressive heat. "Here, the flames will test every ounce of my strength… and every technique I've mastered."
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently, and from the molten earth erupted a towering beast. Its massive form was draped in molten armor, scales black as night but glowing with fiery cracks that pulsed like veins of liquid magma. The creature's eyes burned like twin suns, full of primal fury. This was the Inferno Wyrm, the legendary guardian of the Blazing Furnace Realm, tasked with destroying any who dared enter unprepared.
The beast let out a deafening roar, flames bursting from its jaws in a wave of molten destruction that threatened to turn the land itself to ash. Its tail swung with the force of a volcanic eruption, smashing the scorched earth and sending fiery debris flying in every direction.
Yan's muscles tensed, his senses sharpening as he prepared to face the first true test of his new powers.
In a flash, Yan's body surged with the fierce energy of the Dragon Soul Manifestation. His muscles thickened, senses sharpened, and his speed multiplied beyond human limits. The golden energy within his meridians roared like a coiled dragon ready to strike.
He dodged the massive tail swipe by a hair's breadth, feeling the heat blast past him as molten rock shattered against the stone nearby. His feet barely touched the ground as he lunged forward, Supreme Sword ignited in a blazing arc of golden flame—the first strike of the Celestial Flame Dance.
Yan's blade moved like a fiery comet, each slash leaving behind a streak of blazing light, carving glowing arcs into the thick air. The inferno around the Wyrm sizzled as the flames from Yan's sword met the molten beast's fiery scales.
The Inferno Wyrm howled in rage, charring the air with a blast of searing flame that forced Yan to leap back, sweat pouring down his brow despite the fierce control of his spiritual energy.
The battle erupted into a frenzy of fire and fury—Yan's golden flames against the Wyrm's molten lava. The ground cracked beneath their clash, rivers of magma splashing as Yan's every strike shattered rock and scorched earth alike.
But Yan knew his current techniques alone wouldn't be enough. He needed to master all the arts granted by his breakthrough.
With a sharp breath, Yan summoned the Frost Lightning Veil, and a shimmering shield of crackling blue-white energy sprang to life, encasing him in ice and lightning. The barrier flickered with deadly precision, absorbing the molten attacks hurled by the beast.
Flames collided with ice and lightning, hissing as the elements battled for dominance around Yan.
Yan charged forward, the veil amplifying his speed and defense. His sword danced in an unrelenting storm of slashes and thrusts, each strike powered by the fiery spirit energy that flowed from his core.
The Wyrm's armor began to crack under the relentless assault, molten fragments flaking off as Yan's blade found gaps in its defenses.
Suddenly, the beast reared back, summoning all its remaining power into one catastrophic attack. A swirling inferno erupted from its maw—flames blazing hotter than the sun, spinning like a fiery tornado aimed directly at Yan.
Heat washed over him like a tidal wave, threatening to burn away everything.
But Yan's mind was clear.
He plunged his Supreme Sword into the ground, drawing a circle of golden light around him. The power of the Dragon Soul surged within, filling every fiber of his being.
"Dragon Soul Manifestation—fully unleashed!" Yan roared, spirit energy exploding outward like a living dragon roaring to life.
The spectral dragon manifested behind him in all its molten glory—its golden scales radiant, eyes burning with ancient fire. The dragon's roar shook the land, and Yan felt his strength surge beyond his breakthrough limits.
With renewed power, Yan spun into the Celestial Flame Dance, the fiery storm of sword strikes growing into a blazing tempest. His blade was a comet of searing light, each movement precise and deadly.
The Inferno Wyrm staggered, overwhelmed by the fury of Yan's assault. Flames erupted around them, painting the battlefield in shades of gold and crimson.
With a final, explosive burst of energy, Yan unleashed the Frost Lightning Veil once more, channeling its power into a crushing strike.
Lightning arced and frost exploded in a violent surge that shattered the Wyrm's molten armor, freezing its fiery heart before cracking it with a burst of lethal electricity.
The beast let out a tortured roar, then collapsed into a smoldering heap of shattered rock and embers.
Breathing hard, Yan lowered his sword, every muscle trembling from the exertion. The heat around him faded slightly, replaced by a cool rush of adrenaline.
He had done it. Passed the first trial of the Blazing Furnace Realm. More importantly, he had proven his mastery over the new cultivation techniques.
But even as he stood victorious, the air around him whispered with unseen watchers—rivals and predators lurking in the shadows, waiting for their own chance to challenge the Bearer of the Supreme Sword.
The path ahead was filled with dangers, mysteries, and challenges that would push Yan beyond every limit.
The first trial was over—but the journey had only begun.
Yan glanced at the horizon, where the glowing entrance to the next realm flickered faintly through the haze of fire and smoke.
His grip on the Supreme Sword tightened.
"The nine realms will test me… but I will not fail."
With fire in his eyes and spirit ablaze, Yan Xuanlanbin stepped forward, ready to face whatever hell the next realm had in store.