Little Fire blinked several times, still trying to recover from the shock. The Fire Hornet Sect Leader's approving nod had been loud, heavy, and filled with a weight that pressed into his heart.
Only now did the reality sink in—he had actually been permitted to refine a treasure together with Spirit Fairy and Shuye.
Even Fire Hornet, who rarely praised anyone, seemed pleased.
The Sect Leader flicked his sleeve. "A treasure refined jointly… I have only seen this done three times in my lifetime. Do not waste the opportunity."
Little Fire bowed. Spirit Fairy bowed. Shuye followed with a graceful nod.
The Sect disciples lined up in the distance, whispering excitedly. Their voices echoed across the Fire Region:
"That's him… the one who froze the entire Fire chamber with Ice !"
"Little Fire! I heard he made an Elder kneel!"
"I also heard he is handsome! Is it true?"
"Shut up! It's his power that matters!"
Little Fire's ears heated up. It wasn't his fault rumors exaggerated everything tenfold.
But today… today was important.
---
Spirit Lake Fire Spring — Where Water Boils but Hearts Cool
Spirit fairy led them through a long narrow path behind the main mountain. The deeper they went, the hotter the air became. The rocks glowed faintly red, and steam rose like morning mist.
Finally, they arrived.
A massive lake—no, a seething boiling spring—spread out before them. The waters bubbled violently, sending out waves of scorching steam that would melt a normal cultivator's flesh in seconds.
Shuye took one step forward… and stopped.
Her face paled instantly.
"Ah… I cannot enter," she whispered. "My wind element will be evaporated. My vitality cannot withstand this temperature."
Spirit Fairy gave her an apologetic look. Little Fire frowned.
"You wait here," Spirit Fairy said gently. "We will not be long."
Shuye nodded and sat on a warm boulder, hugging her knees slightly, watching them with a soft, distant gaze.
Little Fire took Spirit Fairy's hand—she didn't protest—and together they stepped into the lake.
SSSSHHHHHHh—
The moment their skin touched the boiling water, the spring exploded upward like a volcanic eruption… but their expressions didn't change.
To them, it felt like… warm bath water.
Spirit Fairy wiggled her toes under the water and laughed softly.
"It feels like a pond back in my homeland…"
Little Fire smirked. "Do you know how to swim?"
She puffed her cheeks. "Of course! I am a Spirit of Fire, not a stone!"
The next moment—
SPLASH!
Spirit Fairy kicked a handful of boiling water into his face.
Little Fire wiped his eyes. "You dare."
"Catch me!" she giggled.
She dove into the lake like a fish made of pure flame. The whole spring rippled with red and gold light.
Little Fire chased after her, sending waves splashing everywhere.
For a moment… just a moment… they were not cultivators fighting destiny. They were not beings facing heavy responsibilities.
They were simply children.
Children playing in a pond.
Spirit Fairy popped up and splashed him again. "Hahaha!"
Little Fire retaliated by lifting her up by the waist and tossing her gently back into the water.
She surfaced with wet hair sticking to her face. "You! How dare you throw me!"
"You splashed me first."
"That was not throwing!"
"It should be counted equally."
"No! Unfair!"
They both laughed, their voices echoing across the fiery canyon.
Even Shuye, sitting outside and watching, smiled warmly despite her worsening health.
After nearly half an hour of play, Spirit Fairy leaned against Little Fire's shoulder, breathing softly.
"Why… do I feel so comfortable here?" she whispered.
Little Fire gazed at the boiling water around them. "Maybe because… for the first time, we aren't fighting for survival."
She stared at him, eyes trembling.
"…Yes."
---
Ancient Sect Records — The Manual of Three Soul Flame Refining
After drying their clothes with a bit of fire qi, Spirit Fairy brought Little Fire to the vault of records. Shuye followed behind, though her steps were slightly unstable.
The room was enormous—scrolls floated in the air, books shimmered with runes, and manual tablets glowed with ancient symbols.
They searched for the refining technique Fire Hornet mentioned.
Finally, Little Fire found it.
『Three Soul Flame Formation Refining Manual』
The tablet had ancient characters engraved in deep fiery lines.
Spirit Fairy gasped. "This… this is a formation-based refining method!"
Little Fire read:
When two fire element cultivators refine together, their strength is insufficient. A formation is needed to supply energy.
But if three cultivators join hands, two of fire and one of wind, they can replace the formation entirely.
Because wind makes fire grow.
Little Fire looked at Shuye.
Spirit Fairy looked at Shuye.
Shuye blinked.
"Huh? Me? But… I only have half of my ancient wind…"
Spirit Fairy shook her head. "Even half is enough. You… complete us."
Shuye's cheeks warmed. She nodded softly.
So it was decided.
They would refine a treasure—together.
---
Fire Hornet's Explanation of Refining Ranks
The next day, the Sect Leader summoned them.
Fire Hornet stood proudly in front of them, holding a blazing shield. It looked like a knight's shield forged in a volcano—obsidian-black with flowing lava cracks.
"This," Fire Hornet said, "is a Saint Grade weapon. My partner. My shield."
Spirit Fairy exhaled. "So powerful…"
Fire Hornet nodded.
Then he began explaining:
1. Tier 1 Rank
"Made by mortals. Weak. Basic weapons."
2. Tier 2 Rank
"Requires ten years of forging experience."
3. Tier 3 Rank
"Mortal heirlooms. Can cut trees in one slash.
But for cultivators? Just daily tools."
4. Tier 4 Rank
"Refined seven times by a cultivator's fire.
Very durable."
5. Tier 5 Grade
"Not made. Born."
He tapped Little Fire's chest.
"When you understand the meaning of the Law of Fire, your innate flame creates one for you."
6. Saint Grade
"Created by merging two Heroic Grade weapons."
He held up the shield.
"Protects against Angel/Devil attachment cultivators."
Spirit Fairy's eyes widened. "Amazing…"
7. God Grade
Fire Hornet sighed.
"Indestructible. But even I cannot refine it."
Little Fire asked, "But Saint Grade can be improved?"
Fire Hornet smiled. "Of course. Everything can be perfected—just like people."
Then he asked:
"What kind of sword do you desire, Little Fire?"
Little Fire looked at his hands.
"…A sword that protects others.
Heavy but powerful.
Gentle… but sharp."
Fire Hornet nodded knowingly.
He took out materials:
Lava Essence Stone
A Branch of Saint Tree gifted by Earth Sect
"But… one thing is missing," Fire Hornet said.
"What is?" Little Fire asked.
"Meteor Core."
Spirit Fairy shivered. "Meteor… core?"
"Yes," Fire Hornet said. "Unmeltable. Worthless to most. But perfect for your sword."
"The Secret Realm of Flame Planet will open in five days. Every fifty years it opens only once.
You three will go and retrieve the meteor core."
Little Fire's heart tightened.
A realm with cultivators from the upper realms… Domain users… forbidden above Heaven Enlightenment…
This would not be easy.
---
Shuye's Condition Worsens
As they stepped out of the hall, Shuye suddenly staggered.
"Shuye?" Little Fire called.
She didn't answer.
Her breathing became rapid. Her pupils shrank. And then—
She coughed blood.
Little Fire ran and caught her before she hit the ground.
Spirit Fairy froze in horror.
Inside Shuye's body, dark wind aura surged violently, running through her meridians like berserk vines.
Little Fire pushed qi into her body—
But nothing worked.
Shuye's nails dug into his arm. "I… I don't… know… someone… stealing… the other half…"
Someone was forcefully pulling the other half of her Black Ancient Wind.
Her body couldn't handle it.
Little Fire clenched his teeth.
Then…
His hand suddenly glowed.
Not red.
Not gold.
But—
Pure, soft, heavenly light.
Spirit Fairy gasped. "LIGHT element…?!"
Little Fire's eyes widened in disbelief.
"This… is Little Life's aura…"
His brother's blessing flowed into him—just enough to stabilize Shuye.
He placed his hand over her heart.
The light seeped into her chest, calming the crazed wind aura.
Shuye breathed out softly…
And fell asleep.
Little Fire cradled her carefully.
Spirit Fairy's heart twisted strangely seeing them together—but she said nothing.
They laid Shuye on her bed. Little Fire covered her with a blanket.
Spirit Fairy whispered, "You care about her a lot."
Little Fire didn't deny it.
"She is family."
Spirit Fairy's chest tightened again.
Jealousy.
Fear.
And… something warmer.
---
Spirit Fairy's Realization — Jealousy Becomes Emotion
That night, while Shuye slept peacefully, Little Fire sat outside, exhausted. Spirit Fairy approached silently and sat beside him.
Neither spoke for a long time.
Finally, Spirit Fairy whispered, "Little Fire… do you like Shuye?"
He blinked. "She's like a sister."
"…And me?"
Little Fire looked at her.
Spirit Fairy's eyes trembled—but she did not look away.
Her heart pounded painfully.
Her fingers curled into her robe.
Her cheeks burned.
Little Fire opened his mouth to answer—
But Spirit Fairy suddenly stood up.
"No… don't answer."
She clenched her fists.
"I didn't realize it before… but today, watching you hold her… watching you carry her… watching you worry only for her…"
Her eyes turned red.
"I… I was jealous."
Little Fire froze.
Spirit Fairy turned her back to him.
"…I don't want to lose you.
Not to Shuye.
Not to your past.
Not to fate."
She pressed a hand over her heart.
"It hurts here. It's stupid. But it hurts."
Little Fire swallowed hard.
Spirit Fairy exhaled shakily.
"Don't say anything. Not yet."
Her voice softened.
"But… remember this."
She turned her head slightly, her voice trembling:
"My emotions… towards you… are deepening."
The flames around them flickered.
The night grew quiet.
And Little Fire's heart beat louder than ever before.
---Waiting---