The sunlight poured through the bamboo-shaded courtyard of the Harmonious Elements Valley. Su Yang sat cross-legged near a spirit pond, with the green snake coiled peacefully around his wrist and Max lying beside him.
His mind was still occupied with everything he'd read—the sect's 10,000-year history, the cultivation realms, and the responsibilities he now carried.
But one thing had become absolutely clear:
> "Right now… I can't awaken the Frozen Heart Soul Incarnation Body."
He opened his system window again.
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📜 [Constitution Info: Frozen Heart Soul Incarnation Body (Unawakened)]
> Condition: Requires powerful Ice-type spiritual intercourse or an Ice-type heavenly treasure.
Status: Dormant. Cannot assist in battle or cultivation yet.
Note: Forcibly stimulating it with Fire-based energy may result in backlash or elemental instability.
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> "It's dangerous to push the ice before it's ready. The moment I saved Lu Ying, I unknowingly stepped into the path of dual elements. But right now, I can only master one side—Fire."
He turned his focus toward the warmth in his dantian—the flickering flame, far more potent than when he first began.
He took a deep breath, and his Karma Fire Body activated on its own.
A fiery red glow rose from his skin, outlining him in an aura that pulsed like a living sun. Yet this fire didn't burn—it nourished, strengthened, and purified.
At the same time, deep within his spiritual sea, the sixteen Karma Fire petals remained—one already awakened, others dormant.
> "If I want to survive what's ahead, I need more of these petals… and I need to elevate my Heavenly True Fire Art."
He looked toward the sky, where the golden eagle had once flown. He still remembered the man riding it—his calm, terrifying presence. Core Foundation Realm… a realm where single moves could level buildings.
Su Yang lowered his gaze, determination burning in his eyes.
> "Let's start with what I can control."
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[Training Begins – Upgrading Karma Fire and True Fire Art]
He summoned his Heavenly True Fire Art manual.
As the old scroll unraveled, crimson runes danced across the air. A powerful heat radiated from the scroll—just holding it would burn any ordinary cultivator.
But Su Yang's body, now tempered by Karma Fire, endured it easily.
> "Step One: Refine one's spiritual fire by fusing elemental will into karma essence."
He placed both palms together and closed his eyes.
The fire within him began to rise—slowly at first, then roaring like a furnace. Flames erupted from his body in controlled bursts. Each time he exhaled, sparks of crimson and golden light scattered across the training field.
Then…
A strange sensation overcame him.
The petal in his sea of consciousness— the one that had awakened during the illusion trial—began to pulse.
The radiant lotus bloomed again.
> "The topmost petal... it's reacting to my fire cultivation."
He focused on it.
Suddenly, he felt his consciousness being pulled inward—drawn to the petal's center.
Inside the lotus, a small version of himself appeared again—sitting in meditation, surrounded by flames.
This time, the mini-Su Yang opened his eyes.
It raised its hand, and a symbol appeared—a golden rune resembling the ancient character for "Refinement."
> "This… this must be the next stage of Heavenly True Fire Art!"
The mini-form merged with Su Yang's spirit, and a surge of enlightenment entered his mind.
> "The flame is not just for destruction. It's for rebirth, purification, and tempering. Just like karma burns away cause and effect—my flame must burn away weakness and impurities."
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📈 [System Update – Karma Fire Petal Activated]
Petal 2 Unlocked!
Passive Effect: Increases flame purity by 15%.
Fire-type techniques consume 30% less qi.
Flame healing potential slightly increased.
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Su Yang's eyes snapped open.
Fire surged around him like a divine ring, but now, it was more elegant—less wild, more intelligent. The flames didn't burn randomly anymore. They moved with intent.
Max lifted his head and barked in surprise, while the green snake peeked from Su Yang's arm, coiling tighter as the heat pulsed around them.
Su Yang exhaled slowly.
> "This is just the beginning. With each petal I awaken, I'll unlock new secrets of the Karma Fire Body… and my True Fire Art will evolve along with it."
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🔥 [Heavenly True Fire Art – Stage 2: Ember Crown]
Technique now forms an internal fire array around the user's heart, improving resistance to soul attacks and increasing qi recovery rate in battle.
Can suppress low-tier fire-based spells.
Next stage requirement: Awaken 3 more Karma Fire Petals.
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Su Yang stood up, and the flames receded back into his body like obedient children.
The ground around him had turned slightly red-hot, but he remained untouched.
> "My next goal… is to find a fire-forging manual. If I can create weapons and pills with this flame, I'll grow even faster."
> "The ice will wait for now. But this fire… it's my weapon, my armor, and my identity."
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