SWORD OF FLAME

Fighting with Red Snake

A moment later, the two of them arrived at a place shaped like a basin, but it was incredibly vast. Inside the basin, lava burned fiercely, thick smoke billowing endlessly into the sky.

“Do you see that rock over there?” Fei Hung pointed.

Fang Yun saw a circular stone—not very large, just enough for one person to stand on.

“What about that rock, Grandpa?”

“Go there and eat the rock!” Fei Hung snapped irritably.

“Alright, Grandpa. I’ll jump over there and take the rock,” Fang Yun answered innocently. He got ready to leap but was immediately stopped by Fei Hung.

“You’re not exactly stupid, but you’re definitely not smart either. Do you want all your teeth to fall out from trying to eat a rock?”

Fang Yun chuckled. “Who would want to eat that rock? I just thought I’d bring it over for you. Maybe you’re craving rocks.”

“Ooh… you silly rascal! This is not the time for jokes!”

“Well, you started it, Grandpa. Make up your mind!” Fang Yun replied casually.

“Oh dear heavens above, why did the Fire God Warrior choose such a fool to be his successor?” Fei Hung muttered, slapping his forehead.

Fei Hung himself was genuinely puzzled by the Fire God Warrior’s choice of Fang Yun as his successor. Their personalities were worlds apart. The Fire God Warrior was calm and dignified, while Fang Yun was foolish and acted on a whim.

Fang Yun chuckled softly, covering his mouth as he listened to his grandfather grumbling.

“Enough. It’s time to be serious! Have you memorized the method to awaken the Fire God's inner power?”

Fang Yun nodded confidently.

“Jump and stand on that rock. Then perform all the steps to awaken the Fire God's inner energy.”

Fang Yun was utterly shocked. He didn’t expect that awakening the Fire God's power would involve risking his life. He shuddered at the thought of falling into the boiling lava.

“What if I fall, Grandpa?”

“Well… you’ll end up like a roasted duck, hahaha.” Fei Hung laughed at the look on Fang Yun’s face.

“If you’re too scared, then you’re not worthy of inheriting the legacy of a legendary warrior,” he added.

Feeling challenged, Fang Yun lifted his chin. “Who says I’m afraid!? If I fall down there, my spirit will haunt you for the rest of your life, haha!”

Without hesitation, Fang Yun activated the Quiet Wind technique and leaped onto the rock surrounded by boiling lava.

Fei Hung shook his head. He couldn't imagine a great warrior with such a ridiculous personality emerging soon.

Before fully concentrating, Fang Yun took time to steady himself. He certainly didn’t want to be boiled alive in the raging lava lake.

Moments later, he rolled up his right sleeve and crossed his wrist—where a red snake symbol was tattooed—over his chest.

At first, nothing happened. But after half an hour, the red snake wrapped around his wrist began to emit a bright light. Not long after, that light transformed into blazing flames that seemed to engulf the young man’s entire body.

Seeing this, Fei Hung became slightly anxious. He hadn't expected the process of awakening the Fire God's inner energy to be this terrifying.

“Is he going to be cooked alive like that?”

Fang Yun’s body continued to burn, but he felt nothing at all. He was completely immersed in his concentration.

Within his focus, Fang Yun found himself inside an enormous blaze. He tried to push through the flames to reach a sword that shone brilliantly. Strangely, even while surrounded by fire, his body didn’t burn.

Before he could reach the sword, a giant flame serpent appeared, formed entirely from fire. The fiery serpent launched an attack. Flames burst from its mouth with searing heat. The 18-year-old youth dodged sideways, but the serpent’s tail struck him with incredible speed.

Fang Yun was flung backward but quickly got back on his feet. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He charged again toward the sword, but once more, the flames blocked his path.

He jumped high to avoid the fire, but again the serpent’s tail struck him, throwing him far back—this time beyond the wall of fire surrounding the sword.

Fei Hung continued to watch the process carefully. He grew a bit worried when he noticed Fang Yun’s flaming body sway and twitch slightly.

Realizing that the serpent could detect his every movement, Fang Yun stopped and thought, “I can’t let that damned creature beat me!”

He dashed into the fire again, only to be thrown back once more.

The young man sat cross-legged and wiped the blood from his mouth.

“Cast away the ambition that clings to your mind. That ambition will only hinder your path!”

Fang Yun heard a man’s voice inside his mind. He fell silent, trying to grasp the meaning of what he had heard.

He spent a long time pondering the words. Then he stood and walked calmly toward the flames.

Miraculously, the blazing fire parted with each step Fang Yun took. The massive flame serpent that had persistently blocked his way vanished, dissolving into the sword still embedded in the stone.

Fang Yun gave a faint smile as he reached the sword. He grasped the hilt and slowly drew it out before lifting it high.

Suddenly, the sword dissolved into particles of light and entered his body, causing him to tremble violently.

Fei Hung was astounded to see the fire engulfing Fang Yun disappear, absorbed completely into the young man’s body. Now, more than ever, he was certain that Fang Yun had truly been chosen by the Fire God Warrior as his successor—despite his ridiculous personality.

Fang Yun opened his eyes and gave a satisfied smile. Then he leapt lightly and landed beside Fei Hung.

“You’ve succeeded, Fang Yun. Now let’s return to the cave. There’s something I need to discuss with you,” Fei Hung said.

Using the Quiet Wind technique, the two of them shot forward at high speed until they reached the mouth of the cave.

“You’ve mastered the technique I taught you, and now you also possess the Fire God's inner power. It’s time for you to face the harsh world of the martial realm above,” said Fei Hung.

Fang Yun nodded slowly. In truth, he didn’t want to part from his adoptive grandfather, but he understood that he was the chosen heir of a legendary warrior—and with that came great responsibilities.

“But before you go, I want to give you a sacred weapon to accompany you on your journey. However, there’s a condition!”

“What’s the condition, Grandpa?”

“You must defeat the creature that guards the weapon! Do you have what it takes?”

Fang Yun nodded with certainty.

“For now, get some rest. You must be exhausted after mastering the Fire God’s inner power.”

“Alright, Grandpa. That battle with the flame serpent really left my whole body aching.”

“Flame serpent?” Fei Hung furrowed his already wrinkled brow.