Red Lotus Fire

This was the second time Gu Fan had met Li Kunyuan.

The first time I listened to a lecture at Shenji Peak, it was Li Kunyuan who taught me the art of fire control.

Li Kunyuan's teachings elevated Gu Fan's understanding of flames to a new level, allowing him to advance the Flame Spirit Technique to a minor level of mastery.

Unfortunately, Gu Fan visited the place every month thereafter but never saw Li Kunyuan again, which left him with deep regret.

Upon meeting him again today, and gazing at the majestic figure in a bright red robe on the stone platform, Gu Fan was immediately invigorated and filled with anticipation for today's sermon.

On the stone platform, Li Kunyuan surveyed the area with his gaze, and only spoke slowly after everyone had fallen silent.

"It has been many days since I last visited. Today, I will continue to discuss the art of fire control."

Li Kunyuan raised his hand slightly, extended his sword finger, and a spark of fire appeared at the tip of his finger, causing the surrounding air to distort instantly.

Gu Fan keenly noticed that the flame at Li Kunyuan's fingertips had changed compared to last time.

The fire Li Kunyuan used last time was golden-red. Although it was ever-changing, it was no different from ordinary earth flames. The fire he used this time was different; it was entirely crimson.

Gu Fan stared at the tiny, candle-like red flame and inexplicably felt that it contained a great danger, as if even the slightest touch would burn him to ashes.

"In my previous sermon, I explained to you the essentials of fire control: 'taming' and 'feeling'."

"By understanding the word 'taming,' one can control the form of fire; by understanding the word 'feeling,' one can control fire with one's spirit. Once one has cultivated to this level, one can do it as easily as using one's own arm, and step into the gates of alchemy and weapon crafting."

"Today, I will convey the true meaning again, which lies solely in the word 'forget'."

"The 'forgetting' principle is that the intention precedes the form, while the spirit transcends the method. Forgetting the form allows fire to take on countless forms; forgetting the spirit allows one to truly achieve unity."

"The true essence of fire control is not to regard the flame as a servant, but to be fire, and fire is you!"

As soon as Li Kunyuan finished speaking, the flame in his hand changed instantly. The flames shot into the sky and spread down like water, completely enveloping Li Kunyuan.

The disciples sitting in the front row felt the heat hitting their faces, making them feel unbearably hot. They couldn't help but lean back and frown.

Li Kunyuan sat upright amidst the flames, letting the flames brush against his hair and skin, yet his expression remained unchanged.

Just as everyone was stunned, Li Kunyuan spoke again:

"The so-called 'forgetting' is not laziness, but rather the transformation of intentional control into unintentional instinct. At that time, a thought will ignite a fire, and an intention will cause the flame to change, and everything will be perfectly natural."

After he finished speaking, the flames gathered into a crimson lotus flower, which quietly began to spin in Li Kunyuan's palm.

After that, Li Kunyuan remained silent, letting everyone stare at the red lotus in his palm.

In a corner of the main hall, Gu Fan memorized every word Li Kunyuan said. A flame had somehow ignited on his fingertips as he affectionately licked them.

After mastering the Flame Spirit Technique, he was able to control flames with ease. What Li Kunyuan said today undoubtedly opened the door to another world for him.

At this moment, Gu Fan tried hard to hypnotize himself, hoping to grasp a trace of the meaning of the word "forget".

Unfortunately, the more someone tries to forget something, the more unforgettable it becomes.

No matter how hard Gu Fan tried, his body instinctively resisted.

"hiss!"

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his hand. Gu Fan quickly flicked his fingers to extinguish the flame.

Just now, he tried to forget the flame in his hand, but the flame suddenly expanded and almost got out of control, burning his finger.

Gu Fan put his finger to his lips and blew on it a few times. He then used his magic to flow to the burn, and the pain was finally reduced a little.

Just as Gu Fan was shaking his head inwardly, he suddenly heard a cry of pain.

Turning my head, I saw a person not far away holding their bright red left hand and shaking it frantically, with even a few strands of hair singed.

Looking around, many people present held a ball of flame in their hands, clearly trying out the fire control method that Li Kunyuan had described.

Then, cries of pain echoed through the empty hall, as disciples grimaced in agony.

On the stone platform, Li Kunyuan looked at everyone's performance and revealed a smile that met his expectations.

Once the cries of pain subsided, he coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention once more.

"Since you are all so interested, let's play a little trick today," Li Kunyuan said with amusement, reaching into his storage bag and taking out a red jade slip.

The crimson flames gracefully enveloped the red jade slip, which then floated above the main hall, casting a glow upon it.

"Since you have come here, you must all be practicing the art of weapon crafting. The jade slip contains some of my insights into weapon crafting. Although they are not profound techniques, they are still somewhat useful."

"Later, you will be able to control the flames and wield fire with divine power. Whoever can swallow this red lotus fire will have the jade slip. Consider it today's prize."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's gazes burned like flames.

As for Li Kunyuan's self-deprecating remarks, no one took them seriously.

No one present was a fool. The weapon-refining experience of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was undoubtedly as valuable to them as profound techniques and secret methods. If they could obtain it, they could save themselves from countless detours.

Gu Fan was naturally one of them, and at this moment he couldn't even feel the pain in his fingertips.

With a "whoosh," a ball of flame ignited in Gu Fan's palm, transforming into a fire lion that roared to the sky.

Similar scenes occurred throughout the hall. Only some disciples who were not skilled in fire control and could not yet control fire with their spirits were sweating profusely, deeply regretting missing the opportunity and hating themselves for not being diligent enough.

"Is everything ready?" Li Kunyuan asked in a drawn-out tone.

No one answered; all eyes were fixed intently on the red lotus floating in mid-air, awaiting his command.

Li Kunyuan nodded slightly: "As agreed beforehand, whoever's flame goes out is out of the game and cannot compete again."

"Now that everything is ready, let's begin!"

At Li Kunyuan's command, flames burst forth in the main hall, and streaks of fire transformed into fire crows, hunting hounds, fire turtles, and dragons, rushing toward the Red Lotus.

Those disciples who were not yet able to control fire with divine power were unwilling to give up. They condensed a ball of flame in their hands and began to practice on the spot.

The fire lotus floated in the very center of the hall, while the disciples were scattered throughout the hall, naturally at varying distances. Gu Fan's corner was considered to be in a relatively far location.

The person closest to the Red Lotus was a handsome young man wearing a jade crown and a golden robe. The robe was full of spiritual light, indicating that he was quite wealthy.

The flame in the youth's hand transformed into a python, which, taking advantage of the terrain, was the first to devour the red lotus.

Just as the fire python was about to touch the red lotus, it was struck head-on by a fiery falcon.

The fire python was instantly cut in two. One half of its body turned into fireflies and scattered, while the other half almost went out. The young man quickly controlled the flames, then turned furious and looked in the direction from which the flame bird had flown.

The person controlling the falcon was a fair-skinned man with narrow, slightly sinister eyes.

"Bai Ziming, how dare you stop me!" the young man shouted angrily.

Bai Ziming continuously manipulated the falcon, dispersing the flames rushing towards the red lotus. Hearing this, he sneered, "A contest based on individual ability, how come in your mouth, Fang Wenhao, it's become my fault?"

"If you're scared, go home and drink your milk, you good-for-nothing!"