Dark lord of Duo Qi continent

Walking along the dusty path, Yan Feng slowed his pace. The bleeding from his wound had stopped, but the persistent ache with every step reminded him of his vulnerabilities. The previous battle had been an eye-opener—his strength was far from complete, and he needed both time and guidance to hone his abilities.

"You survived, and that's a victory," Zhu Yan's weary but authoritative voice resonated in his mind. "But remember, next time, luck might not be on your side. You need to understand your limits. Until you master your skills, even this flame will do little for you."

"I know," Yan Feng replied, taking a deep breath. His determination, however, was unwavering. "That's why I need to grow stronger. Faster."

"Good. Your will is strong, but strength is built step by step. Rushing blindly will only lead to ruin."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Yan Feng found himself entering a dense forest. The path narrowed, hemmed in by towering trees that cast long shadows. The air was thick, the sounds of chirping insects and rustling leaves filling the stillness.

"This place feels… off," Yan Feng muttered, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of the dagger he had scavenged from one of the bandits.

"You're perceptive. This forest reeks of hostility," Zhu Yan said. "Stay alert. Danger lurks here, but so does opportunity."

Yan Feng frowned but kept moving forward. He couldn't afford to waste time, even if the forest gave him an uneasy feeling. However, as he ventured deeper, the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier, and a chilling wind swept through the trees.

Suddenly, a piercing shriek echoed through the woods. Yan Feng froze, his senses sharpening as he scanned the area.

"Something's coming," Zhu Yan warned, his tone grim.

Out of the shadows emerged a wolf-like beast, its eyes glowing crimson and its fangs bared. Its fur was matted, and a faint aura of fire flickered around its body.

"A Flamewolf," Yan Feng whispered, recognition flashing in his mind. In his past life, he had read about these creatures in Battle Through the Heavens. They were low-level magical beasts, but even the weakest of them could overpower a novice cultivator.

"Do not underestimate it," Zhu Yan cautioned. "This beast may be small, but its flames are no less deadly. Use your head, not just your strength."

The Flamewolf growled and leapt at Yan Feng with terrifying speed. Reacting on instinct, Yan Feng rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its fiery claws. He thrust his hand forward, releasing a burst of flame at the beast.

The wolf snarled as the fire singed its fur but didn't slow down. It pounced again, forcing Yan Feng to retreat further.

"Damn it," Yan Feng muttered, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. His own flames were too weak and unstable to deal significant damage.

"Calm your mind," Zhu Yan urged. "Control the flame, don't let it control you. Think! The beast is strong but predictable."

Yan Feng gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing as he observed the Flamewolf's movements. It charged again, and this time, Yan Feng sidestepped at the last moment, slashing at its side with his dagger.

The blade found its mark, and the wolf howled in pain, its movements faltering. Seizing the opportunity, Yan Feng channeled his remaining energy into a concentrated flame, hurling it at the beast's head.

The fire struck true, engulfing the wolf in a blaze of heat. When the flames died down, the beast lay motionless, its body charred.

Yan Feng collapsed to his knees, his energy completely drained.

"Not bad," Zhu Yan said after a moment. "You're learning. But you're far from ready for the challenges ahead."

After catching his breath, Yan Feng approached the wolf's body. Among its remains, he found a small, fiery crystal embedded in its chest—the Flame Core.

"Take it," Zhu Yan instructed. "This core may be weak, but it can still serve as a resource. If you survive long enough, you'll understand its value."

Yan Feng pocketed the core and resumed his journey, his body aching but his resolve stronger. As he pressed forward, he noticed faint markings on the trees—a series of runes that glowed faintly in the moonlight.

"Zhu Yan, what are these?" Yan Feng asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Runes of concealment," Zhu Yan replied. "They're old, but whoever placed them here wanted to hide something. Follow them, but tread carefully."

Intrigued, Yan Feng followed the markings, which led him off the main path and deeper into the forest. After what felt like hours, he stumbled upon a hidden clearing.

In the center of the clearing stood a small, dilapidated temple, its stone walls covered in moss and vines. Despite its age, the structure exuded a faint aura of power.

"Interesting," Zhu Yan murmured. "This place is ancient. There might be something valuable here."

Yan Feng approached cautiously, his dagger at the ready. As he stepped inside, the air grew colder, and a faint glow emanated from the temple's center.

There, on a stone pedestal, lay a scroll. Its surface was adorned with intricate symbols that seemed to pulse with energy.

"A cultivation technique," Zhu Yan said, his voice filled with wonder. "And a powerful one at that. This is no ordinary find, boy. Take it, and your path to strength may become a little less arduous."

Yan Feng hesitated for a moment before reaching out and picking up the scroll. The symbols on it flared brightly before dimming, as if recognizing him as its owner.

"Zhu Yan, what is this?" Yan Feng asked, his voice tinged with awe.

"It's called the Infernal Ember Art," Zhu Yan said. "A technique that specializes in controlling fire. With this, you might actually stand a chance in this world. But be warned—mastering it will not be easy."

Yan Feng clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll do whatever it takes. No matter how hard it is, I'll master this."

As Yan Feng left the temple, the scroll securely tucked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that his journey had just taken a significant turn. The road to Bluewood City was still long, but he now had a powerful tool to aid him.

"Good," Zhu Yan said. "But remember, power comes with a price. And this technique will demand much from you. Be prepared, boy."

Yan Feng nodded, his resolve unshaken. He didn't know what challenges lay ahead, but he was ready to face them.

As the forest thinned and the path ahead became clearer, Yan Feng felt a spark of hope ignite within him. For the first time since awakening in this strange world, he felt like he was truly moving forward.