Infinite Fire Record

Chapter 29: The Flame of the Dragon Elephant

The southern mountain stood in tranquil splendor. Beside the ancient tomb, a bamboo house rested in quiet solitude.

Inside, Yutian stood still, listening to the faint echo of a zither. His eyes remained fixed on the book in his hands, and a faint smile played at the corners of his lips.

Creak…

The bamboo door opened, revealing an elderly woman. She entered with a gentle smile and said, “Gongzi, Miss, the meal is ready.”

Yutian turned toward her, his gaze shifting past her to the woman in white, whose pale hands still lingered on the zither strings. Her complexion was as smooth as jade, her long black hair cascading like silk.

With a warm smile, he said, “Dragon Child, let us eat.”

Little Dragon Girl’s cold eyes lingered on Yutian for a moment before she slowly rose to her feet.

Outside the bamboo house, a stone pavilion housed a table adorned with a light yet exquisite meal.

As Yutian took his seat, Little Dragon Girl’s gaze remained fixed on the entrance of the dark cave not far away.

Shaking his head, Yutian sighed. “Dragon Child, you listen to me in all things. There is no need for you to continue living within that ancient tomb. Remaining in the darkness for too long is harmful to your health. The blood ginseng I gave you was meant to help regulate your body. Now, though your face is still pale, there is a hint of color. This proves that you are recovering. The rest will come with time. That is why I have forbidden you from practicing martial arts these past days.”

Little Dragon Girl remained silent for a moment before finally picking up her chopsticks. She gently lifted a portion of green vegetables, nodding faintly in acknowledgment.

Yutian smiled at her response, then returned to his meal.

Time passed, and the warmth of May settled over the land.

Yutian sat at the stone table, his expression serious as he studied the aged sheepskin in his hands.

Nearby, Little Dragon Girl sat beside the zither, lost in the quiet resonance of its strings.

Setting the sheepskin down, Yutian spoke. “The Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique is one of the supreme guardian arts of the Tantric Sect. It consists of thirteen levels, and with each level mastered, the practitioner gains the strength of both a dragon and an elephant.”

He exhaled slowly, deep in thought.

This martial art had once belonged to Huo Du. Though considered a secret technique, it had spread widely in the Western Regions. Many possessed copies, yet true masters of the technique remained elusive. The method was simply too arduous to cultivate.

Yutian traced his fingers over the worn sheepskin and continued. “The Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique consists of both a body-tempering method and an internal qi cultivation method. The internal method strengthens one’s qi, while the body method refines that qi into physical power. Each breakthrough requires one to shatter their previous martial foundation and rebuild from nothing. However, with each cycle, the speed of cultivation increases exponentially. The internal qi cultivated by this method is slow to accumulate, but once refined, it becomes as indestructible as adamantine—perfect for tempering the body.”

He let the sheepskin fall to the table and chuckled lightly. “But none of this matters to me. My mastery of the Burning Decree allows me to transform my power directly into the innate realm. Now, I can even draw upon the world’s spiritual energy. With this, practicing the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique will be effortless.”

Turning to Little Dragon Girl, his tone softened. “Dragon Child, wait here. I will return to the ancient tomb to cultivate the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique with the help of the Cold Jade Bed. In the meantime, focus on your training. Do not practice the Ancient Tomb Sect’s martial arts, but you may continue refining the external techniques of the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra. As for the internal techniques, wait until I return.”

Little Dragon Girl lifted her head. The faintest smile touched her lips, cold yet tinged with warmth.

Yutian, seeing her rare expression, felt a sense of relief.

The Ancient Tomb Sect possessed the supreme martial art, the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra. Aside from this, its other teachings, such as the Twelve Lesser Thoughts Technique, required absolute detachment from emotions. It was the very technique Little Dragon Girl had practiced. Now, after abstaining from it for over two months, a trace of warmth had finally returned to her heart.

With that thought, Yutian stepped into the depths of the cave.

Inside the dimly lit stone chamber, candles flickered against the darkness.

Yutian sat cross-legged on the Cold Jade Bed, his internal qi slowly circulating.

As he channeled the Burning Decree, his qi transformed into its blazing form. Unlike when he devoured foreign flames, this method followed a different path, allowing him to merge his existing power with new techniques without conflict.

Focusing his mind, he activated the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique’s qi cultivation method.

It was crude, yet undeniably effective.

A trace of golden internal energy emerged—a qi that gleamed with an indestructible aura, akin to adamantine.

As this golden energy coursed through his body, Yutian felt a growing force within his muscles and bones. His body was becoming stronger, tempered by the surging qi.

Rumble…

A muffled thunder resonated within his body.

Yutian’s eyes snapped open, shock flashing across his silver pupils. “What is this? How can such a flame appear within me?”

Within his dantian, a golden flame flickered to life, radiating a powerful Vajra aura. Yet, to his astonishment, it was fully under his control.

Immersing his mind within the flame, realization struck him like lightning. “This flame… it is born from the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique itself. How can this be?”

His brows furrowed in deep thought.

Time trickled by as he pondered. Finally, he exhaled and murmured, “Since this flame appeared alongside my cultivation, I may as well see what it is capable of.”

Channeling the flame through his body, he followed the method of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique’s body-tempering practice.

A scorching sensation spread through his flesh as the flame tempered him from within—yet, before long, it vanished without a trace.

When he opened his eyes again, a faint golden light flickered within his silver pupils.

“The second layer of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique… is complete.”

Feeling the immense power now coursing through his limbs, Yutian let out a deep laugh. His mind sank once more into cultivation, cycling his qi through the technique’s method.

Rumble…!

Moments later, he threw his head back and laughed wildly. “So that is the truth of it! The Dragon Elephant Flame—it strengthens the body beyond limits. This is the supreme fire of physical cultivation!”

(What do you think of this setting? Every supreme martial art transforms into a unique flame for the protagonist!)