Infinite Fire Record

Chapter 34: The White Horse is Not a Horse, the Different Fire is Not a Fire

The winding path led to a secluded place.

In front of the ancient tomb, green grass and lush leaves swayed gently, while birds chirped amid the fragrance of blooming flowers. A bamboo pavilion stood in the midst of this tranquility, and a few bamboo chairs completed the picture of idyllic serenity.

An ethereal zither melody drifted through the air. A faint smile graced the corners of Yutian’s lips.

The Little Dragon Lady sat within the pavilion, her fingers gliding over the instrument. A serene smile touched her lips, her presence akin to an ethereal fairy. Though her expression remained cold, the frost in her gaze had softened, carrying a hint of warmth.

Yesterday, she had transformed all of her inner power into the unique energy of the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra. Because of this, the unfeeling, emotionless state she once possessed had lessened, replaced by a faint warmth that now lingered within her.

Yutian reclined on a bamboo chair, the zither’s melody flowing into his ears. A pale white flame flickered in his palm, its luster akin to jade. He played with the flame absentmindedly, as though it were a mischievous child.

At this moment, it was called the Jade Maiden’s Flame, also known as the Flame of Lust.

This fire, born from the Burning Decree and the cultivation of the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, could influence the seven emotions and six desires. It had the terrifying potential to manipulate the hearts of men.

Yet, this was merely the first manifestation of its power. The Jade Maiden Heart Sutra was not yet complete. Once one reached the twelfth layer, the Flame of Lust would evolve into a true flame.

However, in the world of the Divine Eagle, there was no boundless spiritual energy to refine it into something comparable to the foreign flames of Dou Shu. Thus, the Flame of Lust, as well as the Flame of the Dragon Elephant in Yutian’s possession, remained mere mortal fires—embryonic forms of what they could become. To attain the might of the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, they required an endless influx of spiritual qi.

The foreign fire was a manifestation of the world’s laws in Dou Shu. As the saying goes, a white horse is not a horse, and it seemed a fire was not a fire.

Fire was commonly understood as the light and heat produced when matter burned. In a narrow sense, a pile of wood set aflame was fire. Yet, in a broader sense, as long as conditions permitted, anything could burn—emitting light and heat.

Under specific circumstances, time could burn, space could burn, life could burn, lightning could burn, star power could burn, and even water could burn.

• • • • Time burns, forming the Golden Earth Burning Heavenly Flame.

• • • • Space burns, forming the Void Swallowing Flame.

• • • • Life burns, forming the Amazing Spirit of Life.

• • • • Lightning burns, forming the Nine Dragons Thunderbolt Flame.

• • • • Star power burns, forming the Three Thousand Amazing Flames.

• • • • Water burns
        , forming the Sea Heart Flame.

A white horse is not a horse, and a foreign fire is not a fire!

It was like anger—belonging to fire, yet not fire itself.

The twenty-three kinds of foreign flames belonged to fire, yet were not truly fire.

In the world of Dou Dou, these flames were formed by the combustion and coalescence of twenty-three different celestial forces.

The greatest purpose of cultivating the Burning Decree was not merely to consume foreign flames. Rather, it was to ignite anything—any substance, any rule, any Dao, and transform it into flame.

The world of the Divine Eagle was weak, incomparable to Dou Dou. However, its martial arts secrets were all manifestations of different rules—different Dao. The highest martial arts, especially, were born from the wisdom of countless geniuses, their techniques recorded in sacred texts.

In contrast, the techniques of Dou Dou were merely applications of energy, not embodiments of laws. Their power stemmed from drawing upon immense spiritual energy—an advantage of the world itself rather than the techniques alone.

Yutian had cultivated both the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra and the Dragon Elephant Bo Ruo Gong. One embodied the Way of Lust, the other, the Way of Strength. Now, both paths had been ignited by the Burning Decree, transforming into flame.

The true power of the Burning Decree lay not in devouring foreign fire, but in igniting Dao itself.

Contemplating this, a sharp glint flickered in Yutian’s gaze. A cold smile curled his lips. The highest martial arts… each one is derived from the study of countless scriptures, the contemplation of thousands of Buddhas, and the experiences of worldly life. They are all embodiments of a single Dao. Now, I have discovered the greatest power of the Burning Decree. To burn the Dao itself… what an incredible feat. Soon, all of these supreme techniques will belong to me.

A frigid resolve settled in his heart. He would seek out the world’s top martial arts, whether through theft or force. Even if it meant inciting a bloodstorm, he would claim them and turn them into flames.

Closing his eyes, he leaned back in his chair, enjoying the zither’s melody as the Little Dragon Lady played on.

Boom!

A sudden roar echoed through the air.

The zither’s melody ceased as the Little Dragon Lady’s hands stilled. Yutian’s brows furrowed slightly.

Rising from his seat, he cast his gaze forward. A cold light gleamed in his eyes, his lips curling into a dangerous smile—one laced with unmistakable killing intent.

“Dragon Child, it seems the Quanzhen Sect has arrived,” he mused. “How amusing. Are they unafraid of death?”

The Little Dragon Lady merely smiled lightly, stepping beside him. She shook her head in silence.

Beyond the ancient tomb, an intricate formation had been laid across the land. Yutian, well-versed in such arts, had ensured that no one could breach it easily.

The previous day, Qiu Qianren had arrived, rage burning in his eyes, his sword gripped tightly. Upon entering the ancient tomb’s domain, he immediately encountered the illusory formations.

At the time, Yutian had been… otherwise occupied with the Little Dragon Lady. Thus, Qiu Qianren’s shouts had gone ignored. Even within the bamboo pavilion, layers of formations had been placed, ensuring their seclusion.

That night, Qiu Qianren’s frustration escalated until Sun Buer and Wang Chuyi arrived to restrain him, dragging him back to Quanzhen Sect. But now, as dawn broke, he had returned.

Qiu Qianren’s bloodshot eyes burned with fury as he glared at the ancient tomb’s entrance. His grip on his sword tightened, his hatred seething.

He turned to Zhao Zhijing and asked through gritted teeth, “Zhijing, are you certain? This is all because of Yang?”

A sly glint flashed in Zhao Zhijing’s eyes. He nodded hastily. “Exactly. If not for Yang, this disaster would never have occurred.”

Qiu Qianren looked to the heavens and let out a deep sigh, his heart filled with turmoil.

(This chapter explains the Burning Decree and sets the stage for the protagonist to absorb countless flames!)