Fourteen years had passed since the Holy Sunfire Pillars were erected across the mortal world. In that time, countless young men and women had awakened their potential, stepping onto the path of innate martial arts. The knowledge inscribed on the pillars had spread far and wide, guiding those with the will to grow stronger.
Villages that had once suffered under the rule of bandits and corrupt nobles now had their own defenders—warriors who cultivated Holy Sunfire Fist and other arts derived from the teachings on the pillars. Some became protectors of their homes, while others ventured outward, spreading their strength and justice to neighboring regions.
Over time, these martial artists organized themselves into small sects and groups. Some referred to themselves as Sunfire Guardians, while others simply followed the path in their own way. However, one thing was certain—the mortal world had changed.
Even without cultivation resources like spirit stones or elixirs, these warriors thrived. Their faith in the Heavenly Eye, the sacred symbol of justice left behind by Lu Fan, fueled their growth in ways no one had anticipated. It was no longer just a method—it had become a movement.
The Holy Sunfire Pillars were not just monuments of knowledge but also sources of power. During rainy days, they would attract lightning, creating an opportunity for martial artists to temper their bodies and strengthen their Qi. Many warriors who had reached bottlenecks in their training would stand near the pillars during thunderstorms, allowing the heavenly lightning to temper their bones, blood, and Qi. This phenomenon led to the rapid advancement of innate martial artists, creating a surge of powerful fighters in the mortal regions.
Beyond just martial techniques, the pillars contained alchemy recipes, weapon refining techniques, and cultivation theories—all drawn from Lu Fan's extensive knowledge. He had engraved not only the methods he created but also his insights into Blood Qi, elemental affinities, and the deeper reasoning behind martial movements inspired by natural forces. These teachings sparked a revolution of knowledge, as martial artists and scholars alike studied and expanded upon his theories.
In mere years, what was once a scattered and struggling mortal world had transformed into a land of thriving warriors and scholars, pushing the limits of what was once thought possible. Techniques that had been considered lost or exclusive to cultivators were now understood and practiced by mortals, closing the gap between the common people and the world of cultivation.
Lu Fan's detailed fire cultivation theory revolutionized how martial artists approached flame-based techniques. By categorizing fire into distinct stages—Blood Flame → Heart Flame → Sunfire → True Sunfire—he provided a clear progression path for warriors to cultivate stronger flames. This systematic approach allowed even those without cultivation resources to gradually refine their flames, making fire-based martial arts more accessible than ever before.
Additionally, he introduced multiple methods for cultivating Holy Sunfire. Some warriors followed his chanting techniques, using sacred mantras to resonate with fire energy. Others learned to ignite their Blood Qi with Thunder, triggering the formation of Blood Flame as the first step toward higher-level flames. For those who lacked the right elemental affinity, Lu Fan also included ways to alter flames using special materials, allowing martial artists to develop unique fire attributes suited to their own styles.
As a result of these innovations, new variations of Holy Fire emerged across the mortal world. Some warriors discovered Lightning Sunfire, which crackled with thunderous energy, while others refined Serene Moonfire, a flame that burned cold yet carried immense destructive power. Even Karmic Purging Flames, inspired by Lu Fan's studies of belief and purification, began to manifest among dedicated practitioners.
Through these countless new fire techniques, the once-ordinary mortal realm experienced an unprecedented martial revolution, producing powerful warriors whose abilities bordered on the mystical, rivaling even low-level cultivators.
No matter how many different types of flames emerged, they all shared one common trait—the Holy Attribute. Whether it was Lightning Sunfire, Serene Moonfire, or Karmic Purging Flames, each flame carried an innate purity that opposed all things evil. This was the lasting influence of Lu Fan's teachings, as his pillars contained not only cultivation techniques but also spiritual intent—a belief that fire was not merely for destruction, but also for purification and protection.
Even martial artists who had never heard of Lu Fan's name instinctively felt a sense of righteousness when practicing these flame arts. Whether they intended it or not, their flames naturally resisted evil Qi, ghosts, and demonic creatures. Over time, people began to refer to these flames as "Sacred Flames of the Mortal World."
As the number of martial artists practicing Holy Flames increased, even low-level Qi cultivators began to fear the innate experts of the mortal realm. No longer were mortals helpless against cultivators—instead, they had their own path to power, one built upon faith, discipline, and the unyielding flames of righteousness.
Some cultivators, curious about the mysterious pillars, ventured to study them. They observed the intricate engravings and tried to decipher the martial arts and cultivation techniques carved into the columns. However, after examining the pillars closely, they found them to be made of mixed metal essence, which rendered them useless as weapons. The pillars were far too heavy to be carried easily and were too large to fit inside any storage bags, making them impractical for transport.
The metal essence that gave the pillars their immense weight and resilience was, in fact, the key to their unique properties. While the martial arts and cultivation methods inscribed on them were valuable to mortals its common knowledge to cultivators, the pillars themselves were seemingly common in the eyes of cultivators. Unable to see the deeper significance, most of them left after a brief inspection.
To them, the pillars were simply monuments, monumental in size but not worth the effort to carry or utilize. Yet, what they failed to realize was the hidden power within the pillars—the accumulated faith of the people and the unseen influence it had on their martial arts and cultivation. They would soon learn that some things could not be judged by appearances alone.