The ancient Gate of the Flame Planet roared open like a slumbering titan inhaling for the first time in millennia. Its runes flared with blinding crimson light, spinning into a burning vortex. Every disciple could feel the heat licking at their skin—even from miles away—yet the space around the three chosen figures felt oddly calm, almost sacred.
Little Fire stood between Spirit Fairy and Shuye, his expression unwavering, but his heartbeat was a little too fast. The night before still echoed in his mind—two girls asleep on each of his shoulders, soft breath against his neck, their hands holding his until dawn.
He hadn't slept a second.
Now the world burned before him, and he stepped forward.
Flames swallowed the three of them whole.
---
A sudden shift.
A violent pull.
Then—silence.
The three landed on a colossal stone platform floating above a molten ocean. Rivers of lava twisted below like fiery serpents, and the sky was filled with drifting meteors, each one leaving a trail of gold across the dark-red heavens.
Spirit Fairy inhaled sharply.
"This… this realm is beautiful."
Blue light shimmered around her, the soft fluid flames dancing along her skin like water. Her dress—dark and light blue—fluttered from a gentle wind heat, almost glowing against the crimson backdrop.
Shuye, though still pale from her condition, tried to breathe steadily. Warm wind circulated around her fingertips; the wind-sword at her back hummed as if reacting to the ancient realm.
Little Fire's eyes narrowed.
"This place isn't peaceful. The temperature… It's too high."
Even for him.
Spirit Fairy nodded.
"The fire here is alive."
Shuye added softly,
"It feels… like something ancient is watching."
The three looked across the massive stone bridge stretching into the distance. That was the path deeper into the realm.
Little Fire turned.
"Stay close. We move together."
They nodded—and stepped forward.
---
As they walked, the heat grew unbearable. Lava geysers erupted near the path, spraying molten droplets that Spirit Fairy evaporated with a flick of her fan.
But Shuye's steps began to slow.
Her breath grew uneven.
The black ancient wind inside her veins twitched violently, resisting the realm's heat.
Little Fire reacted immediately, reaching for her shoulder.
"Shuye, stop. Your aura is unstable."
She shook her head, forcing a small smile.
"I can still walk."
She took one step.
Then another.
But the third step—
Her knees weakened.
Spirit Fairy caught her just before she collapsed. "Your wind is rejecting the heat of this realm. You need to rest."
Shuye bit her lip. She hated being the burden.
"Let me… walk a little longer. I don't want either of you to slow—"
Little Fire put his hand gently but firmly on her shoulder.
"Shuye. Look at me."
She lifted her eyes.
"You are not slowing us down. We move when you're steady—not before."
His voice was calm, gentle… protective.
Her face flushed—and she nodded silently.
---
The realm didn't have a sun, yet a strange cycle existed. The sky slowly dimmed, turning into a deep emberscape. Ancient red trees—stone-like yet alive—glowed faintly, illuminating the land.
They stopped under the shade of a giant crimson arch-rock for the night.
Spirit Fairy created a protective water-flame bubble, cooling the area.
Little Fire prepared to meditate.
Shuye sat quietly, clutching her chest. The black wind inside her veins violently surged again, sending pain up her spine. Sweat gathered on her brow.
Little Fire noticed instantly.
"You're trembling."
She tried to hide it, but her entire body was shaking.
Spirit Fairy tensed.
"It's worse than this morning."
Little Fire stepped before Shuye, lowering himself to her eye level.
"Shuye, I need to stabilize you. But… it requires direct contact. And I'll need to use Light."
She froze.
Her heart started pounding.
"I—I…"
He sighed and tied a blindfold over his eyes.
"I won't see anything. I promise."
Spirit Fairy looked away but didn't interfere.
Shuye's lips quivered.
"O-okay… I trust you."
Little Fire placed his hand gently but firmly on her chest—exactly over her heart.
Shuye gasped, her entire body stiffening. A rush of light entered her core, soothing, warm, almost painfully gentle. The black wind trembled violently, trying to resist it.
Her face turned crimson.
Her breath hitched.
But she didn't pull away.
Little Fire whispered,
"Breathe slowly. Match my rhythm."
She tried. Their breaths synchronized unconsciously. Every pulse of golden light felt like a warm embrace inside her veins.
Spirit Fairy watched silently, a complex emotion flickering in her blue eyes.
After a long moment, Shuye exhaled shakily.
"The pain… it's fading."
Little Fire removed his hand, his palm glowing faintly with leftover light aura.
He exhaled in relief.
"You'll be stable for a while."
Shuye glanced at him, her face still bright red.
"Thank you…"
He didn't reply but gently adjusted her sitting posture so she wouldn't strain her meridians.
The realm darkened further. The warmth of that moment lingered for all three of them.
---
Just as dawn-like light began to return, the ground trembled.
A low growl echoed.
Then another.
And another.
Dozens of ember-red eyes appeared in the darkness.
"Ashen Wolves," Spirit Fairy whispered. "A high-tier flame beast pack."
Little Fire stepped forward and summoned liquid fire along his arm.
"Shuye, stay behind me—"
"No."
Her voice was firm despite her weakness.
"I'll fight."
The wolves lunged.
Spirit Fairy moved first.
She opened her fan.
Her dance began.
Blue water-flames rippled across the ground, turning into flowing blades. Every step she took caused waves of azure fire to slice through the wolves.
Her movements were beautiful—fluid, graceful, deadly.
Shuye followed.
Her wind sword swept out with light-green arcs. Though her body was weak, her control was precise. Each slash created circles of wind that tore through wolf fur and embers.
But the pack was large.
And relentless.
Two wolves rushed at Shuye from both sides.
Little Fire vanished.
BOOM!
A fist of molten fire smashed one wolf away. His leg swept the other aside. He grabbed Shuye's wrists and held her steady as she nearly collapsed.
"You're pushing too hard."
Her breath shook.
"I can still—!"
Before she finished, another wolf leaped at them.
Little Fire's arm wrapped around her waist.
He pulled her close.
His other hand created a fire barrier that exploded outward, sending the wolf flying.
Shuye's heart skipped.
He didn't let go.
"Stay behind me," he said softly.
She didn't argue again.
The battle roared.
Spirit Fairy danced fiercely, sweat shining along her cheek.
Little Fire fought like a blazing fortress.
Shuye supported with controlled wind slashes.
Together—they wiped out the pack.
Ash and embers drifted across the air like crimson snow.
Spirit Fairy panted.
"That was… a lot."
Little Fire checked Shuye's pulse. She was exhausted.
"We rest again," he said.
Neither girl protested.
---
As they prepared to leave the battlefield—
A gentle clap echoed behind them.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
They turned sharply.
A man stood atop a floating rock, dressed in elegant black-red robes lined with gold. His hair was fire-red, long and smooth. A crimson insignia glowed on his forehead—marking him as someone from the heavens.
His domain aura enveloped the space subtly but unmistakably.
Little Fire's eyes narrowed.
"A Heaven Enlightenment realm…?"
Spirit Fairy stepped slightly in front of Shuye.
Shuye whispered weakly,
"He… feels dangerous."
The man smiled warmly.
Too warmly.
"You three fought beautifully," he said. "Allow me to introduce myself."
He placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly.
"I am Huo Zhenxu. Son of the Fire God of the Upper Realm."
Spirit Fairy's face stiffened.
Shuye's breath caught.
Little Fire's gaze sharpened like a blade.
Huo Zhenxu's eyes drifted—first to Spirit Fairy.
They lingered.
Too long.
"A rare fire… so fluid it mimics water. A perfect cauldron vessel."
His smile deepened.
Then his eyes shifted—landing on Shuye.
And for a brief moment… his pupils narrowed.
As if he saw something black swirling inside her.
"Oh? A trace of Ancient Wind… only half…"
His voice lowered to a whisper.
"Interesting. Very… interesting."
Little Fire stepped in front of both girls.
"State your purpose."
Huo Zhenxu smiled pleasantly.
"Oh, nothing alarming. Just passing by. This realm is vast—we'll surely meet again."
But beneath that smile…
His thoughts were clearly far darker.
He wanted Spirit Fairy.
He wanted Shuye's ancient wind.
He wanted the Meteor Core.
And he was willing to wait, watch, and strike at the perfect moment.
He turned away.
"Enjoy your exploration, Little Fire," he said without turning his head.
"I'll see you again when the time is right."
Then he vanished like a drifting flame.
Spirit Fairy clenched her fan.
"I don't trust him."
Shuye shivered.
"He looked at me like he could see through every part of my body."
Little Fire exhaled slowly, rage simmering beneath his calm face.
"I don't like him either."
He turned toward the deeper path.
"We move. Stay close. The real dangers… start now."
----Waiting---