An abstract trainer who taught Charmander the Incinerate move

Chapter 318 The Path of Heroes, Igniting the Heavens!
Xiao Huolong's massive orange-yellow body trembled slightly involuntarily before this seemingly ordinary yet profoundly deep-seated man in blue robes.

Although its simple Tang-type brain could not fully comprehend what kind of being the other was, the awe from the depths of its soul and the shock brought by the four words "Azure Lotus Emperor" made it bow down without the slightest hesitation.

Its huge, bald head was buried deep, and it roared in a wailing, urgent voice.

"Azure Lotus Emperor! Please! Please tell me how to defeat that guy outside! Elder Chi and the others are almost dying trying to save me! Please save them, tell me what to do! Aaaaaah—"

The sound echoed in the empty space, filled with the last desperate plea.

On the lotus platform, the man in the green robe slowly lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on Xiao Huolong. His eyes were clear, yet seemed to see through countless ages.

He did not answer directly, but spoke in a distant and peaceful tone, as if recounting a predetermined event.

[Back then, with unparalleled power, I sealed this fiend beneath the Tager Desert, extracting a portion of its essence and merging it into the earth's veins, transforming it into a part of the rules of this world.]

His voice was calm and even, yet it possessed a convincing authority.

However, the universe cycles, and cause and effect repeat themselves. I knew long ago that the power of the seal would eventually weaken, and this calamity was inevitable for the world. Therefore, before I attained enlightenment and ascended to immortality, leaving this world, I burned away my remains, transforming all my cultivation and my will to protect this world into this [Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame]. Firstly, to continue suppressing this fiend and delaying its breaking of the seal; secondly… to leave a sliver of hope for someone destined to find it.

The Azure Lotus Emperor's gaze seemed to penetrate Xiao Huolong's body, seeing the tragic scene unfolding outside. He pondered for a moment, his tone carrying a subtle hint of solemnity.

However, even if you now inherit the power of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, with its inherent law of both life and destruction, it will be extremely difficult to seal the Earth Demon Lord, whose strength has recovered to the Dou Zong realm. It's not that the flame's power is insufficient, but rather… your heart is still in a state of confusion.

He paused, looked directly into Xiao Huolong's large, pained and confused eyes, and said, word by word.

You cannot see where your future path lies.

"road……?"

Xiao Huolong suddenly raised his huge head, his eyes filled with confusion.

This word is far too profound for its simple way of thinking.

But the Azure Emperor's words were like a cold needle, piercing its deepest pain.

In an instant, all the feelings of helplessness surged into my heart again like a tide.

It looked down at its claws, which once could unleash the [Extreme Eight Collapse] technique to spray out endless bullets of fighting spirit, but now could not even break a rock.

Ever since it forcibly used [Unwavering Regret] in order to save everyone during that bloody battle in the warehouse, causing the complete severance of the Eight Great Daos, it has been as if it is bound by invisible shackles in every battle since.

Faced with the chubby Xiu Di, it was utterly defeated; against the gear monster of the research institute, it needed to unleash its full power just to barely withstand the opponent's attacks; against the sudden attack of the tornado cloud, it tried its best but could not turn the tide; now, all its meridians were destroyed, turning it into a useless punching bag...

Time and again, it seemed to turn back into that useless little fire dragon hiding in a dark wooden barrel, unable to even use the most basic [Spark].

"I...I've become a useless piece of trash again...Waaah..."

Xiao Huolong's massive body trembled as he choked back sobs, and large tears rolled down his large, Tang-like eyes, splashing onto the water at his feet.

"Old Master Chi... Yunzhu... Ziyan... Everyone is desperately protecting me... but I... but I can't do anything... I can only watch them die... Ugh... I'm so useless!!!"

A painful roar echoed within the Azure Lotus Space, filled with endless self-blame and despair.

Just as Xiao Huolong was completely overwhelmed by grief, the Azure Lotus Emperor suddenly changed his tone, his voice like a resounding bell, shaking his very soul.

But, there's always a way out...

This sound seemed to possess a strange magic, abruptly stopping Xiao Huolong's crying.

It raised its huge, tear-filled head and looked at the figure on the lotus platform.

The Azure Lotus Emperor spoke slowly, his voice resounding and firm.

[If you can clearly see your own "Path," understand your true nature, know why you fight, and where your power comes from, then you can truly control this Azure Lotus Core Flame, and even all the hidden power within you! At that time, there will be a sliver of hope to seal away the demons and protect everything you wish to protect!]

"What exactly is the Dao... Dao?"

Xiao Huolong wiped away his tears with his claws, his huge face filled with confusion and anxiety.

"Is it a powerful pill? Or a formidable technique? Elder Chi never taught me this!"

Seeing Xiao Huolong's pure, almost foolish, bewilderment, a faint smile appeared on the usually calm face of the Azure Lotus Emperor. He shook his head, his tone becoming gentle and guiding.

The so-called "Tao" is not an external thing, but the path your heart truly yearns to walk, the firmest belief and direction deep within your soul. Think carefully, peel away all the confusion and fear, what is it that you, Xiao Huolong, most want to do?

"What do you most want to do?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huolong unconsciously scratched his smooth forehead with his huge claws, and Tang Shi's big eyes revealed a serious look of thought for the first time.

Scenes from the past flashed through its simple mind like a revolving lantern: the loneliness of being abandoned, the hope of meeting Elder Chi, the joy of cultivating battle qi, the determination to protect others...

In just a moment, the confusion in its eyes vanished like a thin mist blown away by the wind, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and determination.

It suddenly raised its right paw, clenched it into a fist, and roared at the Azure Lotus Emperor with all its might, without the slightest hesitation.

"I want to become strong! I want to become a hero!!" This declaration is simple, straightforward, and even somewhat naive, yet it is filled with undeniable sincerity.

The Azure Lotus Emperor seemed slightly surprised. His deep gaze lingered on Xiao Huolong for a moment before he slowly spoke.

Oh? You want to become a hero?

"That's right!"

Xiao Huolong straightened his large chest, and although his eyes were still filled with tears, his tone was resolute.

"Because only by becoming a hero can I protect everyone! Only then can I defeat all those bad guys who bully good people! Only then... only then can I save those who need help and the spirits! Just like how Elder Chi protected me, Little Fairy Doctor protected me, Yunzhu protected me, and Ziyan, Luca, the woman with thick eyebrows... everyone protected me! I want to be like them and protect others! This is what I want to do most! Aaaaaahh ...

Its words contained no flowery language, yet they caused an indescribable ripple to flash in the Azure Emperor's eyes, which seemed to hold the very essence of the birth and death of stars.

He paused for a moment, then the peaceful smile on his lips slowly widened, eventually transforming into a smile filled with endless satisfaction and emotion. He nodded gently and pondered.

[Is that so... So you want to be that kind of hero... Okay.]

The single word "good" seemed to contain boundless power, and the Azure Lotus Emperor's voice became even more distant and guiding.

Now, think back, Xiao Huolong. Have you ever been a hero in your life? Reflect on how you protected others!

These words were like a thunderclap, or a key, instantly unlocking the floodgates of Xiao Huolong's memories!
The flames in its eyes suddenly burst into flames!
The image of it hiding in a dark wooden barrel, enduring loneliness and cold, frantically circulating the seemingly useless "Burning Technique" over and over again without regard for the consequences, its body burning like a furnace, and finally, at the moment it was about to burn out, after circulating it forty-nine times, the first wisp of pure fire battle qi was born. At that moment, it was no longer a piece of trash that couldn't even produce a spark!

Next came the port of Liyong City. Facing the ferocious electric monster, Mo Zhen shouted "Everyone needs you!" and its fighting spirit erupted, breaking through to the sixth level. Its Fire Claw comprehended the [Blazing] realm, and with one scald, the electric monster fled in a sorry state. Behind it were the hopeful eyes of the stowaways who had survived the ordeal!

Then, at the Wood Farm, facing the security captain Riolu's [Guidance] enhancement and [Power Strike] heavy blow, despite being paralyzed, a faint glimmer of hope in the numb eyes of the crowd ignited a true fire of will in its claws. Fire Claw stepped into [Mastery], comprehended the essence of [Burning], defeated the powerful enemy in one strike, and lit up those dim eyes!

Inside the cave where she fought fiercely with the Mighty Mercenary Group, Little Fairy Doctor withered in her arms. Her extreme grief and anger made her ignore the deadly poison, and she frantically activated the Burning Technique, burning everything away. Her Fire Claw broke through to the final Fire Dragon Explosion Claw, defeating the powerful Centipede Elder in one fell swoop.

At the summit of the volcano, in order to obtain the Fire Spirit Root, it infiltrated the Lion King's cave, risking self-destruction and enduring the extreme pain of the Lion King's Heart-Burning Flame rampaging through its meridians. Finally, driven by its longing and grief for Little Fairy Doctor, it successfully refined the Beast Fire and advanced its Burning Technique to the advanced Yellow Rank!
In Warehouse Seven, Mewtwo, in its avatar, controlled countless berserk Pokémon. In the face of despair, it transformed its arms into cannons, unleashing its ultimate technique, "Unwavering Power," using its life force as fuel to unleash an endless torrent of crimson-gold aura bullets. Like an Uzi submachine gun, it shoveled through the battlefield until its body withered, burned out, and collapsed, the cry of "Hero!" echoing in its ears… It protected everyone!

Scene after scene, burning again and again, protection after protection...

These images are no longer simple memories, but have transformed into the most fervent fuel, injected into its heart stove that seems about to go out!
"boom--!!!"

An indescribable burning sensation suddenly erupted from Xiao Huolong's heart and instantly spread throughout his body!

That was neither the scorching of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame nor the rage of the Lion King's Heart-Burning Flame, but the light of its own will being completely ignited!
It felt that the flame in its heart, which had been nearly extinguished due to repeated setbacks caused by the loss of power, was now burning fiercely like it had been doused with boiling oil!
Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn!
Burning for strength! Burning for protection! Burning for the dream of becoming a hero!
This fire has never truly gone out; it has always been buried deep within the blood and soul, waiting to be awakened once more!
"I understand... I understand!!!"

Xiao Huolong suddenly raised its huge head, and the sadness, confusion and helplessness were swept away. In its big eyes, a golden flame as bright as the core of the sun was burning!

It stared directly at the Azure Lotus Emperor, its voice booming like thunder from the heavens, resounding throughout the Azure Lotus space. Every word carried unwavering conviction and supreme enlightenment:
"My strength comes from my determination to protect everyone!"

"My flame burns because of my will to protect!"

"Even if the road ahead is a precipice or an abyss, as long as people still need me, as long as there are things in this world that I want to protect, my flame will never be extinguished!"

"My path is—"

It took a deep breath, transforming its burning conviction into a roar that resounded throughout the universe.

"Burning—through—the—sky—!!!"

Rumble, rumble—! ! !
Follow your words!
The moment Xiao Huolong roared out his Dao, the entire Azure Lotus Space trembled violently!
The Azure Lotus Emperor, seated on the lotus throne, seemed to have become fuel, radiating endless light and heat from within, his entire being bursting into flames!
His figure grew brighter and brighter in the flames, until finally, he transformed into a golden sun radiating endless light and heat!

This sun replaced the previous Azure Lotus Space, occupying Xiao Huolong's entire field of vision. It was warm, vast, and filled with the supreme laws of creation and destruction.

A grand and expectant voice seemed to resound directly from the core of the sun into the deepest part of Xiao Huolong's soul.

[A brave and kind elf...]

Follow your heart's guidance...

Now, I bestow upon you this power of the sun, originating from the very source of heaven and earth, representing hope and purification…

Go forth, give it your all, burn brightly, shine brilliantly, and illuminate this world...

This world, plunged into darkness and chaos, needs your light...

With these final words, the golden sun suddenly contracted, transforming into an extremely condensed stream of light containing the power of the sun, which instantly disappeared into the mark between Xiao Huolong's eyebrows!
"Aa ...

A dragon's roar that resounded through the heavens and the earth rose from the bottom of the pool. The Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame that had been enveloping Xiao Huolong and seemingly ruthlessly burning his body suddenly underwent a tremendous change!
The flames continuously burned Xiao Huolong's body, causing his aura to surge!
At this moment, Elder Chi and Zi Yan exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing undisguised shock.

"Zi Yan" tentatively asked.

"Lord Mo...Lord Mo Zhen,...is this a success?"

Old Chi couldn't help but gasp.

[Looks like that old moth really has some tricks up its sleeve; this kid's really going to take off this time!]

(End of this chapter)