As Lin Chu fell unconscious, the flames on his body did not vanish. Billowing flames danced on Lin Chu's body like will-o'-the-wisps, then swiftly burrowed into him through his pores. In an instant, his bones became clearly visible under the glow of the fire.
Within a void, as the flames within Lin Chu grew more intense, surges of potent immortal energy converged from all directions, pouring into his body. While being tempered by the flames, Lin Chu's bones also began to grow at an astonishing rate under the influence of the immortal energy.
His bones, as if newborn, transformed into gold, and even his blood turned golden. Under the power of countless immortal energies, impurities in Lin Chu's body started to flow out through his pores, falling to the ground.
With these impurities removed, Lin Chu's aura became somewhat ethereal and elusive.
Time passed, and it took a full three hours before the flames gradually subsided. Lin Chu's aura now appeared even more refined and transcendent.
With a thud, Lin Chu's body fell from mid-air to the ground. The flames within him were now completely extinguished and dispersed. His skin, on the surface, was a bronze hue.
Clearly, under the tempering of the Fire Spirit Heart's flames, Lin Chu's physical body had become extraordinarily robust.
"As expected of an Emperor's Son, the tempering of the Immortal Spirit True Fire has directly led to the first level." Flames reappeared, and the figure of the Fire Spirit Heart seemed somewhat translucent, yet it looked exceptionally pleased when observing Lin Chu's body.
"Young Master, the path ahead will depend on you alone." Watching Lin Chu's brow twitch slightly, the Fire Spirit Heart murmured, its figure shifting once more, transforming into flames that rapidly shot into the center of Lin Xuan's brow, a fleeting passage.
"You are the Young Master's elder brother; are you willing to sacrifice yourself to protect him?" In Lin Xuan's mind, a voice slowly echoed.
Although Lin Xuan was unconscious, his consciousness was exceptionally clear. At this moment, Lin Xuan found himself in a void, facing a figure radiating red light.
"Young Master... are you Brother Chu's kin?" Lin Xuan asked urgently.
"I am merely the Young Master's servant. The Young Master's future path is his alone," the Fire Spirit Heart said slowly, then looked at Lin Xuan. "However, the Young Master is currently in danger. If those three find him, there will be no possibility of survival."
Although Lin Xuan was not yet an adult, he understood the Fire Spirit Heart's implication. His expression turned resolute as he looked at the Fire Spirit Heart, saying, "For Brother Chu, I am willing to sacrifice myself. Please tell me, Senior, what must I do?"
Upon hearing this, the Fire Spirit Heart looked at Lin Xuan with some guilt, then sighed, "You are close in age to the Young Master. If they mistake you for the Young Master, perhaps the Young Master will have a chance to live."
"I understand," Lin Xuan said after a moment of silence, then nodded with determination.
"With just this jade pendant from me, I fear they will not believe. Since you are willing to sacrifice yourself, then I shall accompany you in forging a path for the Young Master." The Fire Spirit Heart nodded slightly upon seeing this.
The next moment, a surge of immortal energy entered Lin Xuan's surroundings.
...
"Did I have a dream?" Lin Chu mumbled to himself, groggily waking up and looking at the unfamiliar forest around him.
However, upon seeing that his body was completely naked, he blushed furiously and quickly picked up the cloth bag from the ground, taking out a set of clothes to put on.
Could everything he had just experienced be real? Lin Chu fell into thought.
He did not expect that what the Fire Spirit Heart had said would resurface in his mind.
"Young Master, your physical body has undergone the tempering of my Immortal Spirit True Fire and has now entered the first level of the Immortal Spirit Body. The path ahead can only be walked by yourself. Remember, anyone bearing the aura of those three in purple robes is your enemy."
"Be sure not to reveal yourself when you are not strong enough. Young Master, take care."
As Lin Chu recalled the Fire Spirit Heart's parting words once more, its voice abruptly sounded in his mind.
"My enemies..." Lin Chu mumbled, snapping back to reality. After a moment of silence, he slowly raised his head, a determined glint in his eyes.
Although he still couldn't ascertain his family or his origins, Lin Chu felt significantly lighter than before. The Fire Spirit Heart's appearance had undoubtedly set him on a path and given him a new understanding of this world.
Compared to aimlessly searching before, this quest had at least a tangible goal.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself. One day, I will know everything about me!" Lin Chu murmured.
"Right, Brother Xuan!" Lin Chu suddenly remembered that he hadn't seen Lin Xuan since he woke up. The thought of being separated from Lin Xuan made Lin Chu feel anxious and scared.
As the night deepened, being in such an unfamiliar surrounding, Lin Chu had to stop at the foot of a mountain. A gentle breeze blew, gradually drying the sweat on his forehead.
However, as the night grew darker, Lin Chu found that his vision was not affected by the darkness. Everything within his sight was as clear as if it were daylight.
With a moment's thought, Lin Chu realized this must be due to the Fire Spirit Heart's transformation of his body.
"I wonder where Brother Xuan is. Well, I'll rest here for tonight," Lin Chu sighed slightly, looking into the distance.
Having decided, Lin Chu surveyed his surroundings. Although there were dense trees all around, at the foot of the mountain, he found a cave more than a meter wide. Discovering this cave brought a measure of joy to Lin Chu.
After all, in this vast wilderness, the chances of being discovered by wild beasts outside would be high. A cave, however, offered much greater safety.
Lin Chu then took a bottle of insect repellent from his bag and, holding his curved saber, walked towards the cave. Upon entering, he found the cave was not large, but it was sufficient for him to rest.
After a thorough inspection, Lin Chu sprinkled the insect repellent powder at the cave entrance, stretched his arms slightly, and sat down.
The night grew darker, and the chirping of insects around them became louder. Occasionally, the roars of fierce beasts could be heard. Lin Chu, inside the stone cave, frowned slightly. He walked to the cave entrance, moved a large stone to block the opening, and finally felt at ease.
Boom!
Lin Chu, deep in sleep, was suddenly awakened by a massive roaring sound. The loud chirping of insects around them ceased immediately. Accustomed to the noise, Lin Chu felt a pang of unease at the sudden silence.
Thump! Thump!
Just as Lin Chu was wondering what was happening, two sounds of falling objects suddenly occurred outside the cave. Even the ground on which Lin Chu sat trembled violently.
"What happened?" Feeling this, Lin Chu could no longer sit still. The moment he stood up, he saw two figures lying not far from the cave entrance.
Lin Chu squinted to get a better look. One was wearing a gray robe, and the area around him was stained red with blood. The other figure was dressed in fine white clothing and appeared more delicate, clearly a woman.
Seeing that both figures were motionless, Lin Chu's heart began to pound with nervousness.
After a moment, Lin Chu cautiously stepped out, picked up a twig, and gently poked the two figures before quickly retreating. He then stared at them for a long time, finding no reaction.
Had these two died? Appearing here at this time, and seemingly having fallen from above. Could they be cultivators, like Uncle Wang mentioned? If they could take him away from here, wouldn't it be faster than leaving on his own?
Lin Chu thought to himself, then excitedly ran to the gray-robed man and crouched down to check his breathing. He discovered the gray-robed man had long since ceased to breathe, clearly having died upon impact.
Seeing the gray-robed man was dead, Lin Chu shrugged, stood up, and quickly walked to the woman in white, preparing to check her breathing. However, he noticed she was wearing a mask.
Lin Chu directly removed the woman's mask and looked at her face.
"What a beautiful sister..." Lin Chu became momentarily lost in thought as he gazed at the woman's features.
The woman had long, slender eyebrows, and beneath her long lashes, her eyes were tightly closed in pain. Her fair, tender face seemed as if it could be broken by a gentle touch.
Hoo!
Lin Chu took a deep breath, his face flushed as he shifted his gaze away from the woman's face. He then reached out his hand.
Huh? She's alive! Lin Chu was suddenly delighted to find that the woman in white still had a pulse. He quickly helped her up and leaned her against a nearby rock.
"Cough cough..." As if touched by her injury, the woman in white suddenly coughed.
"Sister, are you alright?" Lin Chu called out upon seeing this.
As if hearing Lin Chu's voice, the woman in white suddenly opened her eyes and struck out at him with a palm: "Villain, die!"