"So, as usual, you want to make a bet with me? Whether the value of what I give Xun Er is greater than the 8th-rank spiritual treasure you gave her?"
Considering that Huo Zhi also possessed a Heavenly Flame—the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, ranked 8th on the Heavenly Flame ranking—Xiao Ting quickly came up with an idea.
"A bet?" Huo Zhi was surprised.
She knew Xiao Ting planned to give Xun Er the Fallen Heart Flame. The 8th-rank spiritual item she had given was good, but compared to a rare and precious "Heavenly Flame," it was far inferior.
Therefore, this was a bet she was destined to lose.
"What, scared?" Xiao Ting provoked.
"You think I'm scared of you?" Huo Zhi immediately understood what Xiao Ting wanted and responded at once. "Let's bet. I don't think you have that kind of confidence."
"If I win, you give me..." Xiao Ting dragged out the words, teasing everyone.
Huo Zhi was shocked again, emotions surging. Xun Er was still here. Was this man not going to carry anyone on his back?
"The Red Lotus Karmic Flame—lend it to me," Xiao Ting continued.
Huo Zhi: "..."
It seemed she had set her sights on her Heavenly Flame.
"If I win, I'll make sure you can't see Xun Er for the next three months," Huo Zhi said provocatively.
"Deal." Xiao Ting summoned Purple Beast Flame without another word and released the Fallen Heart Flame formed from the other half of its energy. "What I'm giving to Xun Er is a Heavenly Flame—the Fallen Heart Flame. Do you think you'll win or lose?"
"Fallen Heart Flame?" Huo Zhi looked shocked. "This Heavenly Flame should have been sealed by a Dou Venerable expert under Jia Nan Academy's Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. How did you get it out?"
"Don't worry about that. I have my own methods, and Jia Nan Academy voluntarily taught me." Xiao Ting smiled at her. "By the way, did you lose? Or did you win?"
"I lost. I lost." Huo Zhi was speechless. "I never thought you could actually overturn Jia Nan Academy root."
"I'm glad you admit defeat." Xiao Ting extended his hand and asked immediately. "Then lend me the Red Lotus Karmic Flame."
"Are you sure?" A mischievous expression appeared on the delicate face beneath the veil.
She could not wait to see Xiao Ting suffer a setback. The Heavenly Flame ranked 8th, once controlled by a Dou Saint expert, was now in the hands of a Dou Venerable like her. It was not something that could be played with so easily.
Especially since her Red Lotus Karmic Flame possessed special effects and properties. Xiao Ting was very likely to get burned while playing with fire.
"Alright, come here." Xiao Ting beckoned with his finger.
"This is your own choice. I won't take responsibility if you embarrass yourself." Huo Zhi extended her jade-like hand. A deep crimson flame began to appear in her palm, gradually gathering into the shape of a red lotus flower. Up close, it was captivating and gave off a mysterious impression.
The nearby floating Fallen Heart Flame immediately hid behind Xiao Ting, as if it had encountered a mortal enemy.
"Red Lotus Karmic Flame, also known as Hellfire, is born after countless lives have died. It burns away the sins of souls and has a fatal effect on evil souls."
As Huo Zhi spoke, the Red Lotus Karmic Flame fully took shape.
"It affects souls?" Xiao Ting was overjoyed. This was truly wonderful.
Without hesitation, he controlled Purple Beast Flame and wrapped the Red Lotus Karmic Flame.
"Huh?" Huo Zhi's expression froze again.
Why was her own Red Lotus Karmic Flame so obedient? If they saw the fused Heavenly Flame in Xiao Ting's hands, would they even have the courage to shave their teeth?
No, I can't let Xiao Ting off so easily!
Huo Zhi decided to stir up trouble. She was determined to leave a strong impression on Xiao Ting. She had no intention of letting him use her easily or compromise so readily.
You should resist.
Huo Zhi formed a seal and secretly urged the Red Lotus Karmic Flame to blaze.
If her Red Lotus Karmic Flame fully activated, it could directly confront even a Dou Venerable-level expert.
If it was used against cultivators who had committed heinous crimes and killed many people, they could be directly annihilated.
For example, disciples of the Profound Sky Sect from Central Plains who cultivated techniques that absorbed others' cultivation and essence would be extremely vulnerable before the Red Lotus Karmic Flame.
Why couldn't they defeat Xiao Ting, a Dou Emperor expert?
But in the next moment, Huo Zhi received a message from the Red Lotus Karmic Flame.
She felt as if she had wandered into a mysterious otherworld. Her vision was covered by endless dark clouds. Purple lightning streaked between the dark clouds, accompanied by terrifying flames raining down upon the ground.
The heaven and earth were torn apart by that fearsome energy.
The scene was so grand and shocking that she felt as insignificant as a small boat floating on a vast sea.
"Ugh... Ah..."
Huo Zhi suffered a shock as if struck by lightning. Her body swayed, nearly falling to her knees.
If her cultivation had not reached the Dou Venerable level and she had not been far stronger than Xiao Ting, she would have collapsed long ago.
Even so, when she looked at Xiao Ting, a strange light appeared in her eyes. In that instant, she completely understood the submission of the Red Lotus Karmic Flame.
That had been a crushing defeat from an entirely different dimension!
"It's fine."
"You've had enough fun."
"Keep this safe."
Dozens of breaths later, Xiao Ting waved his hand and tossed the Red Lotus Karmic Flame back to Huo Zhi.
With this fluctuation, he had not only granted Purple Beast Flame the special ability of the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, but had also accidentally separated about one-tenth of its energy to create a small flame.
[I will entrust the young Red Lotus Karmic Flame to Xun Er so she could go to the Black-Corner Region and devour the souls of powerful villains to cultivate. Once the young flame matured, it could devour and evolve into the Flame Mantra.]
[This treatment was something Xiao Yan would never receive.]
"It seems to be missing something."
After pulling out the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, Huo Zhi immediately noticed a major flaw within it.
Xiao Ting said indifferently. "Does Huo Zhi not want to lose, or does she not want to play the game?"
"Hmph, I'm not the type to be a sore loser."
From the Journal's content, Huo Zhi had roughly guessed what Xiao Ting had done. She was envious of Xun Er, but she did not care.
The damage to the core of the Red Lotus Karmic Flame had not been completely severed. Once she returned to Central Plains and preyed on a few villains who cultivated dark-attribute techniques, the slight loss would recover.
"Huo Zhi is truly generous." Xiao Ting pointed toward the door. "Xun Er and I need to have a private conversation. Would Huo Zhi be so kind as to give us a little privacy?"
"Who cares what you're saying?" Huo Zhi blew a breath onto her veil. The space around her distorted, and her beautiful figure instantly vanished.
Seeing this, Xiao Ting covered his mouth and chuckled while leading Xun Er into the house. He released Purple Beast Flame to form a barrier.
…
[Huo Zhi]: This is too much! Xiao Ting dragged Xun Er into the house, shut the door, and even set up a barrier with Purple Beast Flame.
[Xun Er]: She was really spying, just like Brother Xiao Ting said.
[Huo Zhi]: You're probably going to do something irrational that you'll regret for the rest of your life.
[Xun Er]: I'm starting to regret the idea of becoming your best friend to help you.
[Yao Ling]: That's right, you should choose me.
[Cao Ying]: You're not worthy. This character doesn't suit you. Your Yao Clan looks down on ancient clans. How can you respect the daughter of an ancient clan leader who grew up outside?
[Yao Ling]: Don't go too far. Aren't you afraid I'll teach you a lesson?
[Cao Ying]: Hah, my master is Xiao Ting!
…
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