I Am a Rune Engraver, Carrying a Knife Makes Perfect Sense-Chapter 52 - The Source of Xinhuo!

—

“Greetings, Senior Xiao,” Xu Shen and the others greeted in unison, even Dong Tianming nodding respectfully.

“Oh, no need to call me ‘Senior.’ Just call me Sister Xiao if you don’t mind,” Xiao Ruyi said with a warm smile. “Of course, I mean you two youngsters,” she added, pointing at Xu Shen and Xu Guang.

Dong Tianming was clearly ignored.

“Sister Xiao, you look so young! If you told me you were my younger sister, I’d believe it,” Xu Shen immediately began flattering her.

“Exactly! Sister Xiao, you’d definitely turn heads wherever you go,” Xu Guang chimed in enthusiastically.

Xiao Ruyi chuckled, clearly pleased by their compliments. Meanwhile, Dong Tianming’s face twitched under his mask. You two are really shameless… he thought. And Xu Shen, weren’t you acting indifferent just a moment ago? What happened to that?

—

Xiao Ruyi stepped forward and took Xu Shen’s hand. “I knew from the moment I heard about you that you’d join Xinhuo Guard. I just didn’t expect to meet you so soon.”

“Sister Xiao, does that mean you already knew everything?” Xu Shen asked curiously.

Xiao Ruyi nodded. “Your videos and the decisions surrounding them were all reviewed by the five Flame Pillars and the Commander together.”

“We watched your performance on the frontlines. It was impressive—very manly,” she said with a smile, casting a sidelong glance at Dong Tianming.

Dong Tianming remained silent, knowing he had no excuse. The fact that Qu Zhixing had hidden his identity for ten years without being discovered was indeed a failure on his part. It was no wonder Xiao Ruyi wasn’t giving him any face.

—

“Come, let me show you the most important treasure of Xia Nation—the Source of Xinhuo,” Xiao Ruyi said as she led Xu Shen to the base of the massive platinum flame.

“The Source of Xinhuo…” Xu Shen murmured as he gazed at the enormous flame.

Despite standing so close to it, he felt no heat. Instead, he was enveloped by a faint sense of sorrow and an overwhelming feeling of safety.

—

Suddenly, Xu Shen’s eyes widened in shock. For a brief moment, he thought he saw countless human figures flickering within the flame.

“Did you see them?” Xiao Ruyi’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression.

“What… what are they? I think I saw people looking at me,” Xu Shen said hesitantly.

“You’re not mistaken,” Xiao Ruyi replied, her voice tinged with sadness. “There are indeed many people watching you.”

“What do you think the Source of Xinhuo is?” she asked after a pause.

Xu Shen remained silent for a long moment before shaking his head. He couldn’t figure it out. Though it appeared to be fire, it lacked any heat.

—

“During Xia Nation’s darkest days, when cultivators were just beginning to rise, we faced overwhelming adversity,” Xiao Ruyi began explaining. “While some talented pioneers emerged, most lacked the means to effectively combat the ghouls.”

“Countless lives were lost. Even as more cultivators appeared, Xia Nation remained at a disadvantage.”

Xu Shen listened intently, understanding that she was recounting the origins of the Source of Xinhuo.

—

“Then came a unique senior—a man who refused to leave his home despite reaching Yinshen Realm. Instead of fighting ghoul emperors, he stayed indoors, researching something unknown.”

“People called him a coward and a traitor. He was ridiculed endlessly.”

“But he didn’t care and continued his work in isolation.”

“One day, a platinum flame suddenly rose from a mountain. Those who approached it heard his voice:”

—

‘I offer everything I have to create the Source of Xinhuo.’

‘To those who come near me, I grant the power to protect Xia Nation.’

‘May Xia Nation shine like an eternal sun.’

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‘May humanity burn like Xinhuo to dispel the darkness.’

—

“Those who approached found a flame ignited within their hearts,” Xiao Ruyi continued. “By detonating that flame, they could burn themselves to their absolute limit, unleashing unparalleled power.”

“It was from that moment that Xia Nation regained its footing on this land.”

Her voice was soft yet carried immense weight as she recounted this pivotal moment in history.

—

Xu Shen stared at the flame with growing reverence in his eyes.

“People didn’t know his name, but they chose to guard this flame in his honor,” Xiao Ruyi said. “And so, Xinhuo Guard was born.”

“Over the years, Xia Nation grew stronger. But one day, people noticed that the flame seemed to be weakening.”

“At first, there was panic—fear that this beacon of hope might extinguish.”

“But then another Yinshen Realm senior stepped forward.”

“Before his death, he merged himself entirely into the flame, reigniting its strength.”

—

Xu Shen’s heart sank as he realized what those flickering figures within the flame truly were.

“You’re right,” Xiao Ruyi confirmed solemnly. “The figures you saw are the souls and consciousnesses of past seniors who chose to merge with the Source of Xinhuo before their deaths.”

“The Trial of Xinhuo isn’t just about tempering your heart—it’s also their way of testing whether you’re worthy of inheriting a fragment of Xinhuo.”

“After all,” she added with a faint smile, “we’re no longer in an era where everyone must fight to survive. There’s no need for people to keep sacrificing themselves endlessly.”

—

“So Xia Nation has had so many Yinshen Realm experts?” Xu Shen asked hoarsely, his voice filled with awe.

“Humanity’s potential is immense,” Xiao Ruyi replied proudly. “Every era has produced numerous Yinshen Realm cultivators.”

“But those who merge with the Source of Xinhuo are undoubtedly among the strongest.”

“The strongest? Does that mean…” Xu Shen hesitated as a thought occurred to him.

“Yes,” Xiao Ruyi said with a nod. “They were Flame Pillars.”

“When we grow old or approach death—and after new Flame Pillars are chosen—we voluntarily merge with the Source of Xinhuo to strengthen it further.”

—

Xu Shen’s eye twitched as he recalled Ye Xiaoxin’s earlier condition about becoming a Flame Pillar candidate. That old man already plans to turn me into fuel?!

“Don’t overthink it,” Xiao Ruyi said with a laugh, patting him on the head. “Joining the Source of Xinhuo is entirely voluntary.”

“And besides,” she added reassuringly, “the flame is strong enough now to burn for thousands of years without issue.”

Xu Shen exhaled deeply in relief. While he deeply respected these seniors’ sacrifices, learning that he might one day become fuel himself had been unsettling.

—

“So Old Man Xu… he ignited the flame within his heart?” Xu Shen asked softly, recalling Xu Wei’s final moments—his body engulfed in flames as he unleashed unimaginable power.

“Yes,” Dong Tianming answered this time, pointing to his own chest. “Every Xinhuo Guard has this flame within their heart.”

“Whether or not you use it is entirely up to you.”

—

“Let’s begin,” Xu Shen said firmly as he looked up at the Source of Xinhuo.

Having come this far, there was no reason to back out now. At the very least, he trusted these seniors wouldn’t harm him.

“Sit cross-legged and extend your spiritual energy into the flame,” Xiao Ruyi instructed gently before stepping aside.

Xu Shen obeyed, closing his eyes as he let his spiritual energy flow toward the platinum fire…

—

“Kid, are you sure about this? Hahaha…”

“Hey boy, this isn’t a joke—you’re still so young!”

“Good lad! A real man! Xia Nation doesn’t raise cowards—accept Xinhuo and protect everything behind you!”

“Child… if you’re not ready yet, it’s okay to leave. You’re still young…”

—

Countless figures appeared before Xu Shen’s mind’s eye—some urging him forward, others warning him off. There were men and women; some were elderly while others looked barely older than him.

Their voices filled his consciousness as his awareness drifted deeper into the flame.

Finally, he stopped before an elderly man with white hair and a hunched back. Despite his frail appearance, the man’s smile radiated warmth and kindness.

—

“Child,” the old man said softly. “Follow your heart. Whether you stay or leave, no one will blame you.”

“Are you ready?”

Xu Shen bowed deeply before replying firmly: “Junior Xu Shen is ready.”

The old man studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly.

“Then repeat after me,” he said as more figures appeared around them, forming a circle around Xu Shen.

—

“We are Xinhuo!”

The surrounding figures spoke in unison.

Xu Shen joined them: “We are Xinhuo!”

“Burn our souls and bodies…”

“…to death without regret!”

As the final words echoed through his mind, all the figures vanished. In that instant, white-gold flames erupted around Xu Shen’s body before condensing inward—settling deep within his heart.

—

Xu Shen’s eyes snapped open as he felt it—a small but potent flame now resided within his heart. Though faint, it pulsed with immense potential.

He instinctively knew that no one else could control this flame—it was entirely his own. And if unleashed… it would burn with unstoppable force.

For a fleeting moment, he thought he heard the old man’s voice again:

“Child… remember: life is what matters most.”

“You are Xia Nation’s true Xinhuo.”

“Unless faced with certain death… never ignite it lightly.”