Chapter 6: The Sword Flame Cavern and Twin Flames Ignited
The moon hung high, casting a pale silver light across the craggy cliffs of Taichu Holy Land.
Xiao Tian carried a leather pouch on his back and guided Ye Qingyu down a winding, desolate path behind the outer disciple quarters. Few ever came here—mainly because few even knew it existed.
"Is this… really part of the sect?" Ye Qingyu asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It used to be," Xiao Tian replied. "Centuries ago, this was the training ground of the Sword Ancestor. Now it's been sealed and forgotten."
He pushed aside a slab of stone, revealing a hidden stairway carved deep into the mountain. As they descended, the air grew dry and heavy, laced with a subtle burning scent that tingled the nose and throat.
Eventually, they reached a vast underground cavern.
Sword marks scarred the walls, as if left by thousands of clashes. Molten cracks lined the ground, pulsing with dim crimson light. At the center sat a dormant altar made of black stone, shaped like a coiling dragon around a flaming sword.
> Location: Sword Flame Cavern
[Natural Fire Vein Detected – Sword Flame Compatible]
[Nine-Star Sword Body Resonance: 87%]
> Requirement to awaken 2-Star Sword Body: One-time Flame Tempering. Risk Level: High.
Ye Qingyu stood silently, awed and slightly fearful.
Xiao Tian took a deep breath, then knelt on the stone floor. "Sit across from me. Place your palm on the altar when I tell you."
She hesitated, then obeyed.
Their fingers rested on opposite ends of the stone.
> Twin Flame Tempering Initiation Detected
[Flame Compatibility: 91% – Rare Harmonious Dual Flame]
[Side Effect: Phoenix Bloodline Resonance + Sword Flame Catalyst]
> Warning: Proceeding may awaken sealed soul fragment. Protection recommended.
He narrowed his eyes and channeled qi into the altar.
The black stone glowed red. A vortex of fire surged upward, twisting between them. The flame didn't burn their skin—instead, it entered their bodies through their meridians, refining muscle, bone, and soul.
Ye Qingyu trembled, her breath shallow.
Within her chest, something ancient stirred.
> Phoenix Soul Fragment Reactivated – Red Fate Entry Progress: 17.9%
[Memory Seal: First Layer Fracturing…]
> "Warmth… again? I… I knew this flame…"
She gasped as golden feathers flashed in her pupils.
Xiao Tian's body cracked as Sword Flame rushed into his limbs. Every nerve felt like it was being reforged by a celestial smith.
> Nine-Star Sword Body Tempering: 62.3%
[2-Star Awakening Threshold Approaching]
> Insight Gained: Sword Flame Heart Refining Technique (Basic)
Their bodies were consumed by the flame.
Yet neither screamed.
They had found something deeper than pain—something older, buried in destiny and fate.
And then—
> Dual Fate Synchronization Triggered
> Hidden Bond Formed: Life-Linked Sword Flame Resonance
> This ritual can only occur once in a cultivator's lifetime.
The flame slowly receded.
The altar dimmed.
Ye Qingyu collapsed into Xiao Tian's arms, her robe soaked with sweat. Her face was pale but peaceful, as if freed from some ancient chain.
Xiao Tian panted, but his body had subtly transformed.
His skin was now smooth like jade, his bones faintly glowing silver beneath.
> Nine-Star Sword Body – 2-Star Awakened
[New Passive: Sword Flame Immunity – Basic]
He glanced down at her.
> Ye Qingyu – Red Fate Progress: 22.5%
[Soul Fragment Stabilized – Inheritance Lock Detected]
> Future Event Triggered: Phoenix Inheritance Awaits.
He tightened his grip.
He didn't know who Ye Qingyu was in her past life—or what kind of flame she carried within her soul.
But he had a feeling…
They were only beginning to uncover it.
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