The night bled crimson across the peaks as Feng Xieyun walked alone into the forbidden valley.
The sect's protective wards shivered behind him, whispering warnings that few disciples dared test. Even elders seldom entered this place, for it was said that the bones of ancient beasts slumbered here, and their guardians still prowled.
But Xieyun did not slow.
The System's chime whispered in his mind:
> [Mission Active: Bloodpath Catalyst.]
[Objective: Acquire the first Soul Treasure — The Crimson Dragon's Heart.]
[Estimated Host survival chance: 11%.]
He smiled faintly. "Then let ninety percent of me die, as long as what remains is enough."
The valley yawned before him, jagged cliffs glowing faintly with veins of fire crystal. The air reeked of sulfur and old blood. A river of molten rock cut through its heart, and above it, the skeleton of a dragon coiled across the cliffs like a mountain chain.
Its empty eye sockets glowed faintly red, as though mocking him.
> [Caution: Ancient guardian detected. Heart location beneath dragon's chest cavity.]
The ground trembled.
From the molten river rose a beast of scales and shadow—part serpent, part wolf, its eyes molten gold. Its claws dripped magma, and its roar cracked the air like splitting stone.
The Guardian of the Crimson Heart.
Xieyun's crimson eyes burned. "So you are the threshold."
---
The guardian lunged. Its maw opened wide, molten flame spewing forth in a torrent that seared the valley black.
Xieyun's lotus fire burst from his palms, black petals unfurling like a shield. The two flames clashed, sparks raining like meteors.
The blast hurled him backward, slamming him into stone. Blood filled his mouth.
The System's voice was merciless.
> [Warning: Host's current cultivation insufficient. Survival rate dropping.]
Xieyun spat blood, laughter curling from his lips. "Insufficient? That has always been true. And yet—I still stand."
He surged forward, his steps carving black scorch marks across the earth. The lotus petals spun around him, slicing through the guardian's claws.
But the beast's scales deflected the flame. It roared, tail whipping like a mountain falling. The impact shattered stone, throwing Xieyun into the molten river.
The heat seared flesh, burning through his robes. For a heartbeat, agony swallowed him whole.
Then something deeper stirred.
Memories.
Of his past life on Earth—the boardroom betrayal, the lover's false smile, the fire that devoured him.
Of his rebirth under the crimson moon.
Of Lian Zhi's scream as chains dragged her away.
The agony sharpened into resolve.
Xieyun rose from the molten river, black flames consuming the lava itself. His voice thundered across the valley.
"You are fire? Then I will devour fire itself!"
---
The guardian charged again. Xieyun met it head-on, his black lotus flame blooming into a storm. Each petal cut deeper now, searing through scale, piercing flesh.
Still, the beast did not falter. Its jaws snapped shut on his shoulder, teeth sinking into bone.
Pain lanced through him. Blood gushed, sizzling against the guardian's fangs.
The System chimed:
> [Emergency Condition Triggered.]
[Host may ignite Life Flame to survive. Warning: Reduces lifespan by 10 years.]
Xieyun's breath came ragged, crimson eyes blazing. "Ten years is nothing… compared to eternity without her."
He roared, igniting the Life Flame. Black fire erupted from his core, burning with a brilliance that eclipsed the guardian's light.
The lotus bloomed again—this time not in defense, but in annihilation.
A thousand black petals swirled into a vortex, devouring scale, muscle, bone. The guardian howled, thrashing as its body was torn apart, piece by piece, until only ash remained.
Its molten eyes dimmed. Its body collapsed into the river.
And in the silence that followed, the dragon skeleton shuddered.
---
From within its cavernous chest, a glow flared.
A crimson crystal, pulsing like a heart, tore free of the bone cage. It drifted into the air, radiating heat and ancient power.
Xieyun staggered forward, blood dripping from his wounds, his arm hanging limp.
The crystal hovered before him, each pulse echoing like a heartbeat in his ears.
The System's voice rang with rare gravity.
> [Soul Treasure acquired: Crimson Dragon's Heart.]
[Absorption will strengthen Host's flame and extend realm influence.]
[Warning: Treasure absorption will attract Heaven's gaze.]
Xieyun reached out, his hand trembling but unyielding.
"Then let Heaven watch."
He seized the crystal, crushing it against his chest.
---
The world convulsed.
The dragon's skeleton erupted in flame, its roar echoing across the realm though its body was long dead. The valley cracked, molten rivers bursting skyward.
Xieyun's body convulsed as the Heart fused with him. Fire poured into his veins, scorching every nerve, every cell. He screamed, lotus petals exploding outward in an inferno that consumed the valley.
When the flames died, he stood alone, his body charred but unbroken.
His crimson eyes gleamed like blood-soaked stars.
The System chimed.
> [Mission Complete.]
[Lotus Flame Advancement: Second Bloom → Awakening of the Third Bloom in progress.]
[Warning: Heavenly Interference detected.]
Above the valley, clouds churned black. Lightning cracked, crimson in color.
The heavens had noticed.
Xieyun raised his gaze, his lips curving into a bloodied smile.
"Come, then. Strike me. See if your chains are stronger than my fire."
And for the first time, thunder answered.
---
✨ End of Chapter Twenty-Nine