After arranging everything, Liu Xi withdrew from the state of Heaven-Man Unity, his consciousness fully returning to his body.
"Hng!"
A deep fatigue and overwhelming weakness surged over him, making it difficult to adjust. Creating the Azure Flame Sky Curtain and forging the embryonic form of a Saint-grade Peerless Saint Artifact had consumed an enormous amount of the Azure Lotus Origin. When his mind wasn't in his body, the impact wasn't obvious, but once he returned, all the accumulated fatigue hit him at once.
Standing above the clouds, Liu Xi braced his waist with one hand, feeling utterly drained. He let out a long sigh.
"This kind of work is really not suitable until I reach Saint Grade. After breaking through, it should be much easier…"
He turned around. Before him stood a one-hundred-zhang-tall Azure Lotus Cauldron, covered in layers of lotus patterns. A vast inner world existed within it. Torrents of Azure Flames surged upward like a blazing sea, radiating a domineering and majestic aura. Heaven and earth energy circled the massive cauldron, rising and falling like tides, giving it the might to swallow mountains and rivers.
"Good. Very good."
Liu Xi was thoroughly satisfied. Around him, at the height of the Ninth Heaven, the Azure Flame Sky Curtain stretched in all directions—an endless layer of Azure Fire clouds spread across the sky. It would purify all fire-attribute energy, serve as a natural barrier, and, when linked with the Azure Lotus Cauldron, call forth heavenly flames against any enemy.
Pleased with his self-made system, Liu Xi took a step and his figure blurred, entering the cauldron.
Light twisted for a moment, and he arrived in another realm—an endless sea of Azure Fire, surging like waves. The chaos stone, merged with his Azure Lotus Origin, had turned into this ocean of flame.
"The heaven-and-earth power of the Burning Heaven Continent all gathers here. Whether for cultivation or recovering my origin, this place is perfect."
He was about to sink into the sea of Azure Fire to begin recovery when he suddenly remembered—this kind of place shouldn't be enjoyed alone.
He sent out a message with a single thought.
On the Burning Heaven Continent below, Xiao Yixian, Zi Yan, Qing Lin, Yun Yun, and Zhu Kun—who were all refining and converting their energy—abruptly received his summons. The five woke from their cultivation, exchanged confused glances, and all ascended together, arriving at the Azure Flame Sky Curtain.
Seeing the massive cauldron, each of them wore an expression of shock.
Before they could speak, space rippled above the cauldron, forming a vortex. A terrifying suction force erupted instantly.
Sensing Liu Xi's aura, the five did not resist. The world spun, and they were pulled into the Azure Flame Sea.
Moments later, they landed within the blazing azure ocean. Shock filled their faces—then they spotted Liu Xi not far away, clearly weakened.
"Husbend!"
"Husbend, what happened!?"
Xiao Yixian, Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and Yun Yun rushed to him, concern overflowing. Even Zhu Kun did not immediately step forward, but the look in his eyes revealed genuine worry—Liu Xi was clearly at his weakest.
"No need to worry. Creating the Azure Flame Sky Curtain and forging this Peerless Saint Artifact consumed some of my origin."
After soothing the four women, Liu Xi continued explaining.
"Next, I need to go into seclusion to restore my origin before I can attempt breaking through to the Saint Grade. I won't be able to handle many matters during this time. So, Father-in-law—Xian'er, Zi Yan, Qing Lin—you will stay here to cultivate. This Azure Flame Sea contains the purest energy. If you can all reach Spiritual Grade Heavenly Sovereign before our force is established, it'll be ideal."
"With me included, our force will have seven Heavenly Sovereigns. It'll be enough to show the major superforces our foundation and our potential, so they won't dare underestimate us."
"We'll do our best!"
The three girls answered firmly.
Zhu Kun also nodded heavily. As one of the strongest of the Dou Qi Continent, he refused to rely on his son-in-law forever—his pride wouldn't allow it.
Yun Yun lowered her head slightly, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes. After all, she was still too weak…
But Liu Xi immediately brought her into the conversation.
"Yun'er, once you finish converting your energy, the preparations for building our faction will be handed over to you. All the Dou Saints will be under your command."
"Even with the energy problem solved, this place is still barren. Establishing our foothold on this continent requires city planning, expansion, organization—everything falls to you."
"Also, work closely with Jing'er. You'll need to establish a full defensive array system: defense, detection, attack, support—everything must be complete."
Yun Yun's eyes lit up. The immense trust Liu Xi placed in her warmed her heart. What mattered most wasn't authority—it was being needed by him. She felt her own value, and for his sake, was willing to give everything.
Her gentle voice carried undeniable determination.
"I understand."
Xiao Yixian, Zi Yan, and Qing Lin expressed no objections. Power or authority meant little to them—their hearts were already tied to Liu Xi. Instead of competing, it was better to cultivate and grow stronger so they could support him longer.
After giving final instructions, the five entered cultivation once again, stirring waves within the sea of Azure Flame. Pure energy gathered like tides, splitting into five streams and flowing into them.
Liu Xi observed quietly.
Yun Yun finished her energy conversion first—but only reached the peak of 9th Grade Sovereign, still far from Earth Sovereign. She felt disappointed, but Liu Xi went over to comfort her. After a period of affectionate coaxing that left Yun Yun flushed red and forgetting her sadness, he sent her out of the cauldron.
Her strength might be lower, but her beauty hit all of Liu Xi's weak spots.
With him supporting her, no one would dare look down on her.
After sending Yun Yun out, Liu Xi cast a deep look at the three women still cultivating—Xiao Yixian, Qing Lin, Zi Yan.
Then he sank downward, diving into the depths of the Azure Flame Sea—the true core of this flame world.
(End of Chapter)
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