As萧炎's steps drew closer to the dragon, the dragon's aura grew stronger, almost compelling him to feel his legs weaken and bow to the ground. Noticing this shift,萧炎 furrowed his brow—this Thousand-Yan Flame truly was strange. Could it really be treating him as if he were a Tai-Xu Ancient Dragon? Though this thought flashed through his mind,萧炎 quietly heightened his alertness. Simply in terms of aura, the Thousand-Yan Flame far surpassed the Flame of the Fallen Heart from his earlier days. A single misstep, and he might find himself in deep trouble—regretting it would be too late. Under the intense, watchful gazes of the crowd, after a moment,萧炎 finally reached the great dragon, his body hovering just before the dragon's head. From a distance, compared to the massive form of the Thousand-Yan Flame, his own figure seemed almost negligible. Only now, after close contact with the Three Thousand Yan Fire, did Xiao Yan truly feel the overwhelming sense of awe this massive creature exuded. In terms of size, he could hardly differ from a single scale on the former's body. Standing before the towering dragon head, though the Three Thousand Yan Fire currently had its eyes closed, Xiao Yan felt an odd sensation—as though the creature was gazing at him with a cold, steady gaze. This feeling sent a shiver through him, and he quickly steadied his mind. "Xiao Yan," came Qilong's voice from behind, "place your palm on the forehead of the Three Thousand Yan Fire. There, a dragon scale remains uncovered by the violet-black flames. Channel your soul energy into it. If your luck is good, you might just succeed in taming it." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle, for the Three Thousand Yan Fire flames were far from easy to subdue. Yet, though he thought this in his heart, he still stepped forward as instructed and located a dragon scale towering as tall as a human. Indeed, there was no flame swirling around it. Xiao Yan glanced at the scale and suddenly noticed that numerous black lines, resembling spider silk, ran across its surface. These lines intertwined with one another, forming intricate, unusual patterns—symbols that adhered tightly to the scale, creating a vast, dense black net that completely encased the Three Thousand Yan Fire. "This must be... a seal," Xiao Yan's eyes widened slightly as he quickly turned his gaze to other dragon scales. There, he confirmed that similar black line patterns adorned each of them. Thus, he immediately understood—these were the seals jointly applied by Xuankongzi and his two companions. "Such a powerful seal—far surpassing the one that once contained the fallen Heart Flame back in the Inner Courtyard..." Feeling the strength of this seal, Xiao Yan couldn't help but silently marvel, then hesitated no longer. He stepped forward and gently placed his palm upon the dragon scale, which lacked any flame surrounding it. To his surprise, the scale was surprisingly cold, radiating a subtle chill. Yet, he didn't have time to question this oddity. Closing his eyes, he carefully guided his soul energy along his arm, then through the scale, into the interior. This realm of emptiness is filled with purple-black flames, and at the very heart of them lies a miniature version of a great dragon. Yet at this moment, the little fire dragon is closed-eyed and coiled, as if asleep. Upon seeing the small fire dragon with its eyes tightly shut, Xiao Yan realized that this was indeed the true essence of the Three Thousand Yan Fire. Though he knew it would be extremely difficult to obtain, this still ignited a passionate glow in his eyes. The thing he had long dreamed of had finally come to life, now within reach. This kind of friendly message lingered for a moment, and then Xiao Yan found himself utterly speechless—there seemed to be not a single response. "This method truly fails..." Xiao Yan shook his head in resignation. As he was about to withdraw his soul energy, he suddenly noticed that the small fire dragon, which had been tightly closed-eyed, abruptly opened its eyes. The dragon's eyes, filled with deep purple and black flames, glowed coldly, fixed intently on Xiao Yan's strand of soul energy. Xiao Yan's entire body bristled, his scalp tingling with a sense of unease—the very essence of the Three Thousand Yan Fire had indeed not slumbered. "Stupid human," the fire dragon suddenly spoke, its voice crisp and laced with scorn. "The three thousand Yan Yan flames have actually started speaking human language now...?" Hearing this, Xiao Yan's mouth twitched involuntarily. Back then, the fallen heart flame had already been impressive in his eyes. Now, this Yan Yan flame was even more remarkable—capable of speaking full sentences and even mocking him. Indeed, it seemed that no matter what living thing endured, it eventually had to become a true spirit. "Um... actually, I came here to rescue you and free you..." As he said this, Xiao Yan felt incredibly insincere, so insincere that goosebumps rose on his arms. "Get out!" With such heartfelt, noble words, the Yan Yan flame's mocking expression deepened. This time, it cut straight to the point, speaking with cold, precise tones. As soon as the first word fell, without waiting for Xiao Yan to continue, a surge of deep purple and black flames erupted violently from within the flame dragon's body, sweeping across the entire area and engulfing Xiao Yan. Upon seeing this giant, he immediately launched himself into action. Xiao Yan's face paled—he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against the three thousand Yan Flame streams. He swiftly retreated, drawing his soul energy back. Fuming internally, Xiao Yan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and then turned his gaze toward Qiu Ling and the others, spreading his hands out. "We've failed—that man was too formidable..." Upon hearing this, a note of disappointment passed through Qiu Ling's eyes, who nodded and sighed, "Then let's move on to the next one." As soon as he finished speaking, the Mu Gu elder swiftly stepped forward. However, as soon as he began to move, Qiu Ling's eyes flashed with cold determination, and he took a step forward to block him. "Hmph," said the Mu Gu elder, eyes narrowing with a cold smile, "Is it that Qiu Ling Elder doesn't want me to step in? It seems the so-called qualification of the Dan Assembly is entirely at the whim of the Dan Tower." "Mu Gu," Qiu Ling said, his tone icy, "I urge you—don't play games now, or else..." "If I can subdue the Three Thousand Flames of Yan Yan, won't that also alleviate a major concern for your Dan Tower?" Master Mu gently smiled, then stepped aside from the hill and walked steadily toward the Three Thousand Yan Fire. Qiong Ling lightly clenched his hand in his sleeve, then exchanged glances with Xiao Yan and Cao Ying, signaling them to pay closer attention. He then turned and followed Master Mu closely, his powerful aura flowing steadily and without concealment. It seemed that as soon as Master Mu showed any sign of movement, he would immediately act. Master Mu's watchful gaze toward Qiong Ling carried a subtle cold smile. With his hand touching the dragon scales, he closed his eyes. As Master Mu closed his eyes, Xiao Yan and Cao Ying, among others, began to quietly gather their inner qi. Should Qiong Ling have any hidden plans, they would likely be included in them as well. Under the watchful eyes of all present, the anticipated stir did not materialize. After closing his eyes for perhaps ten to twelve minutes, Master Mu Gu suddenly opened them, took two steady steps backward, furrowed his brow, and muttered under his breath. Upon seeing Master Mu Gu also fall short, and with no unexpected developments occurring among the three thousand Yan-Yan Flames still asleep, Qiu Ling finally exhaled in relief and said firmly, "Next." Amidst the hills, Xiao Yan suddenly noticed the Mu Gu elder's lips slowly curling into a strange smile, which sent a chill through his heart. "Hahahaha! Qiu Ling, like this, you'll never be able to subdue the Three Thousand Yan Fire flames. From now on, let me give you a splendid performance!" The sudden, eerie laughter caused the onlookers' faces to instantly pale.