Chapter 159: First Sparks

~~~

Liu Jin has prepared the chamber to the best of his ability. Ever since he realized he would ask Lu Mei to do this, Liu Jin has been dedicating his spare time towards making protective talismans, and the results are plain to see. The door, walls, floor, and even the ceiling are almost completely covered in talismans.

It still won’t contain the Eternal Flame should it go out of control.

Once with Feng Zhi. Once with Lu Mei. And once with Elder Xun. Liu Jin has thrice felt the power of the Eternal Flame, and that has been enough for him to understand the Eternal Flame is far beyond his current self. The talismans covering the room ensure no one will sense their experiment or interrupt them. However, there is little they can do to control or contain the Eternal Flame should it go out of control.

If that happens, they have already lost. It doesn’t matter that Lu Mei is only close to the late stages of the Spirit Realm after her time in the Dead Plains. The power of the Eternal Flame is not limited by Lu Mei’s strength. Or rather, Lu Mei’s strength only controls how much of the Eternal Flame she can safely channel before it overwhelms her.

To find Feng Hao, Lu Mei will need to dive deeper into the Eternal Flame than ever before. The probability of her losing control is high.

Still, it is not all quite so grim. The temple, with its sturdy construction materials, is far better suited for what they’re about to attempt than the Medical Pavilion. They have also done their best to prepare for this, unlike the first time Liu Jin helped Lu Mei with the Eternal Flame where they largely had to improvise. They’re both also far more capable than they were back then.

That doesn’t mean they do not feel any apprehension about this.

“Are you ready?”

“No.”

“Good.” Liu Jin attempts a smile. “Neither am I.”

Liu Jin and Lu Mei sit face to face on the talisman-covered floor. Their legs are crossed, and their hands hold on to each other. The room has been submerged in darkness, but that will not be the case for much longer.

“We do not have to do this now,” Liu Jin offers. “We can wait.”

“If I were to say yes, then tomorrow you would offer me the same kindness, and I would take it just as readily.” Lu Mei shakes her head and puts on a smile. It is proud, strong, and bordering on arrogant. “No, we do this now.”

Liu Jin inclines his head. Their Qi is intertwined, their emotions fully exposed to each other. He can sense the nervousness behind Lu Mei’s haughty smile.

He can also sense the resolution.

“As you say.”

Then there is fire.

~~~

The cave Feng Zhi and Feng Hao are in has gone silent. No longer is Feng Hao recklessly trying to get past Feng Zhi, and no longer is Feng Zhi easily subduing his brother every time he tries. The two brothers sit on opposite sides of the line drawn on the ground, neither one of them taking their eyes off each other.

The first one to blink will lose.

Twice now Feng Hao has tried to use the Eternal Flame. The first time was an accident. The second one had been purposeful, and his brother had knocked him out for daring to attempt it. The bruise from that time still hasn’t healed.

The third time, Feng Hao understands, will have to be perfect.

It doesn’t matter that Feng Zhi is in the First Level of the Earth Realm while Feng Hao is not yet in the Spirit Realm. As long as he correctly channels the Eternal Flame, it will be possible for Feng Hao to create an opening to escape.

Feng Zhi knows that too.

“Little brother, cease this foolishness at once,” Feng Zhi says. His stare is penetrating. It feels as if he hasn’t blinked in days.

“I will cease my foolishness when you cease yours,” Feng Hao fires back. His muscles are taut, ready to leap into action, but it is not yet the time. He needs to wait for the perfect opportunity and nothing less than that.

Feng Zhi tilts his head. It is not the opening Feng Hao is waiting for, yet the gesture still comes as a surprise.

“Did you just call me a fool?”

“I…” Feng Hao freezes, hesitates, and ultimately makes a choice. “Yes, I did.”

“You have grown bold.” The ghost of a smile appears on Feng Zhi’s face. “Where did that come from? …No, perhaps there is no need to ask that. You are around far too many bad influences.”

“They are not bad influences!” Feng Hao shouts while inwardly trying to figure out who his brother could be referring to.

Feng Zhi takes a deep breath. The motion makes him look relaxed, but that could not be further from the truth. Feng Hao can tell his brother hasn’t lowered his guard at all.

“You desire to prove yourself. That is normal. I was the same at your age,” Feng Zhi says. “However, this isn’t the stage for it. It is too soon, brother.”

Feng Hao grits his teeth. “If not now, then when?!”

“In four years, there will be another Crimson Cloud Tournament,” Feng Zhi tells him, his voice suddenly lacking in harshness. “With your talent, you can easily become strong enough to participate by then. If even that is too much time, there are several quests you can do for the Eternal Flame Clan. I believe I was around your age the first time I went to the Ash Fields. I do not think Father will deny you the opportunity. If your mother does not object, it could even be just the two of us there.”

The author’s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

His brother talking to him and offering to spend time with him. The opportunity to leave the overprotective and suffocating environment of the Eternal Flame Clan. The chance to see the world and test himself against people that won’t hold back due to his status.

Even just one month ago, Feng Hao would have accepted in a heartbeat.

“You’re bargaining.”

“What?”

“You’re bargaining,” Feng Hao repeats. “You’re trying to appease me. I don’t know whether you’re telling the truth or not, but you wouldn’t do that if you didn’t believe there was a chance I could escape!”

Feng Hao speaks triumphantly, as if he has finally put together a complex puzzle.

Feng Zhi’s face goes flat.

“You overestimate yourself, little brother,” Feng Zhi says. His voice has lost its warmth. “I am not scared you will escape. I am scared of how much I will have to hurt you to prevent you from doing so. Cease this.”

“My answer has not changed, brother!” Feng Hao shouts, raising his fist. “If you really understood what I wanted, you’d be guiding me instead of trying to contain me.”

“I am trying to guide you!” Feng Zhi shouts back. His Qi shimmers around him. “You do not understand what using the Eternal Flame entails! Just as you do not understand how dangerous it is out there!”

Feng Hao’s reply is lost as the cave suddenly starts shaking. The tremor is caused not by the tectonic movements of the earth but by the oppressive Qi that suddenly blankets the area.

Earth Realm, Level Four.

“Young Master Feng Hao! Young Master Feng Zhi! I have been looking for you!”

The person who speaks is not in the cave with them. As far as Feng Hao can tell, he is standing about four hundred yards away from the entrance and growing closer. His words are fully transmitted through his Qi.

“Xi Mou!” Feng Zhi hisses. “Quick! Lower your Qi, Feng Hao!”

“Trying to lower your Qi? There is no point to it now, Young Master!” The same voice calls out. “You have been sloppy. Anyone within three square miles could have sensed you! Would you please come out already?”

Feng Zhi grits his teeth and looks away from Feng Hao. It is the opportunity Feng Hao has been waiting for, yet trying to take advantage of it now does not feel prudent.