Chapter 451: Yin-Yang Twin Flame
"Hoo..."
A breath laden with dense energy flowed out from Xiao Ming's throat, gradually condensing into liquid form as it descended. Upon contact with some icy stones, they began to shimmer and turn crystal-like, resembling jade.
"Congratulations on breaking through to the two-star Dou Saint."
Seeing Xiao Ming cease his actions, the two groups of people in the sky swiftly approached, extending their greetings with cupped fists and hearty laughter.
Since enmity couldn't be fostered, it was only natural to foster goodwill. Establishing some familiarity would be beneficial, given the rarity of true Dou Saints on the Dou Qi continent.
In response to their congratulations, Xiao Ming merely gave a cold smile. He clenched his fist, thanks to his formidable soul power, their underlying malice moments ago didn't escape his notice.
Though he had no fear of potential attacks and these individuals had yet to commit any harm, his mood remained far from comfortable.
The torn clothes resulting from his breakthrough had reformed into a new set on his skin earlier. At his level, a mere thought could transform Dou Qi into anything imaginable.
He casually said with a detached tone, "It's thanks to you guys not sneaking up on this Saint, isn't it this Saint who should be thanking you instead?
"This!"
The strong members of the Ice Dragon Scorpion Clan and the Fire Toad Palace couldn't help but change their expressions. They hadn't anticipated that this Dou Saint before them would perceive their prior ill intentions.
However, it wasn't entirely their fault. Who wouldn't harbor such thoughts when someone was breaking through alone? Such an atmosphere was pervasive across the Dou Qi continent.
Furthermore, they hadn't actually done anything. Was it necessary to hold a grudge?
Though dissatisfaction brewed within them, they refrained from saying much. Instead, they offered forced smiles and replied, "Sir, we were drawn merely by the aura of your breakthrough and had no intention of acting…"
There was no other option but to smile!
The person before them was a two-star Dou Saint, while the strongest within their own group was only an intermediate one-star Dou Saint. Additionally, there was another at the initial one-star Dou Saint stage affiliated with the Fire Toad Palace.
Not everyone possessed the ability to fight beyond their rank.
Confronting many against a few wasn't a viable strategy either. If a genuine battle erupted, the strength of a two-star Dou Saint could quickly deal with several Half Saints. The remaining one-star Dou Saints probably wouldn't endure for long.
Their earlier greed had arisen because Xiao Ming was in the midst of his breakthrough. Otherwise, they wouldn't have dared to entertain the notion of attacking a Dou Saint.
The group tried to maintain a pleasant demeanor by forcing smiles and speaking in kind words. However, they became panicked as they noticed Xiao Ming's previously unchanging expression gradually darken.
Just as Xiao Ming sensed that the Ice Dragon Scorpion Clan and the Fire Toad Palace might be on the verge of taking action, he suddenly noticed the members of the Fire Toad Palace putting on smiles once again.
A white light flashed from their storage rings, revealing several jade boxes.
"This is our compensation. Please don't take offense, Sir."
There was no choice. They were indeed in the wrong, so they were trying to make amends and quickly depart!
The faces of the Fire Toad Palace individuals were etched with a sense of regret.
On the other hand, the Ice Dragon Scorpion Clan didn't produce any jade boxes like the Fire Toad Palace. Instead, they presented a sealed flame.
The flame intertwined with black and white, its faint flicker resembling the graceful movement of swimming fish. Despite being obscured by layers of seals, upon glimpsing the flame's shape, Xiao Ming's eyebrows lifted involuntarily, and a word escaped his lips.
"Heavenly Flame?"
"Hehehe, Sir possesses a discerning eye. Indeed, it is a Heavenly Flame. This Heavenly Flame clashes with the attribute of our Ice Dragon Scorpion Clan. We offer it as compensation for you." The strong member of the Ice Dragon Scorpion Clan chuckled.
"A melding of black and white flames, much like the graceful swimming of a pair of Yin-Yang fishes. This is the Yin-Yang Twin Flame, correct? This kind of flame is born within the cosmic void. Where did you come across it?"
Xiao Ming didn't rashly accept the Heavenly Flame. Instead, he softly inquired.
Yin and Yang were considered the laws of nature and the origin of everything in the world.
The Yin-Yang Twin Flame, which was born in the source, was one of the forms of flames that had been transformed by the source. It carried the dual forces of life and death - the Yang flame to save lives endlessly and the Yin flame to destroy lives utterly.
This kind of Heavenly Flame ranked 21st on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Although its ranking might not be high, it was still quite useful.
The few elderly figures from the Fire Toad Palace nearby heard this and also looked over. The Yin-Yang Twin Flame had no effect on the Ice Dragon Scorpion Clan due to their conflicting attributes, but the Fire Toad Palace was composed of fire attribute magical beasts, so the Heavenly Flame was beneficial to them.
However, the ranking of the Yin-Yang Twin Flame was too low. Given their strength, it wasn't considered an extraordinary item
"The Fallen Spirit Ice Source often has meteors falling from the cosmic void due to its unique geographical location. I happened to discover this from the interior of a meteor earlier."
"Although the Heavenly Flame conflicts with our clan's attributes, coincidences happen, and I naturally wouldn't let it go to waste. I sealed it, thinking I might exchange it with someone else in the future," the strong member of the Ice Dragon Scorpion Clan explained.
Xiao Ming nodded in understanding. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, unsure whether the luck of the Ice Dragon Scorpion Clan's strong member was good or bad.
In a way, his luck was good as he had chanced upon a rare Heavenly Flame, an item highly sought after by Alchemists.
However, due to the conflicting attributes, he couldn't refine it. Seeing how securely it was sealed, the Yin-Yang Twin Flame probably didn't contain much energy.
Of course, the item now belonged to him. Whether the person's luck was good or bad was another matter. Nonetheless, his own luck was undeniably good.
With these thoughts in mind, Xiao Ming made a gesture, causing the jade box from the Fire Toad Palace and the Ice Dragon Scorpion's sealed flame to appear before him.
Without even glancing at the jade boxes, Xiao Ming directly collected them with a wave of his hand. He then broke the seal of the Heavenly Flame.
'As expected, it's quite weak, only at the low-star Dou Ancestor stage.'
Sensing the aura emanating from the Yin-Yang Twin Flame, Xiao Ming shook his head, but his disappointment was limited due to his prior expectations.
With a quick movement, he swallowed the flame, which was then refined by the "Spirit."
Seeing Xiao Ming's relatively content expression, the members of the Ice Dragon Scorpion Clan cautiously inquired, "Sir, does this mean we can leave now?"
Xiao Ming glanced at them and casually nodded.
"You certainly can. Remember to be more cautious the next time. Not everyone is as forgiving as this Saint."
Considering the Heavenly Flame's value, he didn't feel like dwelling on their previous offense.
It was quite exhausting to be constantly fighting and killing.
Seeing Xiao Ming's nod, the group's faces brightened. Without waiting for Xiao Ming to say anything more, they immediately ruptured the space and left the area, afraid that he might change his mind in the next instant.
Soon, Xiao Ming couldn't sense their presence anymore.
After the group left, he looked up at the sky. The weather in the Fallen Spirit Ice Source was relatively good today; it wasn't snowing, and the blazing sun hung high in the sky.
After identifying the direction based on the sun, Xiao Ming casually waved his hand, tearing open a spatial rift and stepping through.