Cultivation Chamber No. 1
Liu Xi's breathing was still slightly rapid, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. During cultivation, it had felt as though he'd just awakened from a nightmare—yet at the same time, he couldn't shake the sense that everything he'd seen was real.
"I must have truly entered the world of the Fallen Heart Flame just now. That enormous, formless fire serpent battering at the spatial seal—that was its true body."
"A Heavenly Flame that has endured through countless ages… its power and intelligence are terrifying beyond measure."
Even the memory of those vast, triangular serpent eyes filled with endless malice made Liu Xi's spine tingle.
"With the Green Lotus Core Flame protecting me, I shouldn't have felt so helpless even before the Fallen Heart Flame. Did my soul truly enter that magma world… or did the Fallen Heart Flame project its own memories directly into my consciousness? That would explain why I couldn't resist its soul-corroding power."
Liu Xi steadied his breath, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
Then he gave a self-mocking smile. "Whatever the reason, without a means to counter soul attacks, facing it again will leave me powerless. My soul skills are limited to a bit of illusion—perhaps…"
He stopped himself, shaking his head. "Enough. No point chasing phantoms."
He straightened his posture upon the Green Lotus Platform and, with an inward look, noticed that all the violent fire energy within his body had been fully refined into Dou Qi.
"…Oh?"
His eyes lit up with delight. The meridians throughout his body had widened once again, faintly glowing with a crystal-like sheen.
A surge of azure Dou Qi flowed through him like a mighty river, strong and vigorous. Without realizing it, he had broken through—he was now a 5-Star Dou Wang.
"Hah… half a year of effort finally paid off. To reach 5-Star Dou Wang—it truly wasn't easy."
Though his lips curved into a smile, his tone still carried a quiet sigh of relief.
He rose from the lotus platform and stretched his limbs, his stiff joints popping faintly. With each motion, the crimson mist within the chamber swirled and churned as if stirred by his will. His grasp over elemental fire energy had clearly deepened.
"Feels good to be light again…"
After loosening his body, Liu Xi leapt down from the platform and put it away.
He walked toward the black energy slot, retrieved his purple Fire Crystal Card, and glanced at the five-digit display. "Looks like I used up about one hundred and fifty Fire Energy points. That means… I've been cultivating for five days."
He twirled the card between his fingers and pushed open the chamber door. The card vanished into his storage ring.
Bang!
The heavy door swung open, and Liu Xi stepped out.
His gaze lingered briefly on the sealed black iron gate that led to the seventh floor. A trace of unease flickered in his eyes.
"Heh, compared to obtaining the Green Lotus Core Flame, facing the Fallen Heart Flame is like asking for death…" he murmured wryly, before turning away down the corridor.
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Outside the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, Liu Xi made his way back to his courtyard.
"Welcome home, Young Master," greeted Xiao Yixian softly, her gentle smile as serene as the white gown she wore. Her eyes shimmered with warmth.
Seeing her waiting at the door, Liu Xi returned the smile. "Mm. I got caught up in cultivation and lost track of time. Have you settled into life here in the Inner Academy?"
"It's fine," Xiao Yixian replied lightly. "But that little girl you took in as your little sister—Zi Yan—she's been coming every day asking for you. Says she found something and wants to report it."
"Oh?"
Interest sparked in Liu Xi's eyes. He knew well of Zi Yan's treasure-seeking talent—but he hadn't expected her to be so diligent about it.
If she was that excited, the "treasure" she found might actually be something extraordinary.
He smiled. "Did Zi Yan come by today?"
"Not yet—"
"Big brother~!"
Before Xiao Yixian could finish, a lively, childish voice echoed from afar.
Liu Xi turned his head—just in time to see a billowing trail of dust racing straight toward his courtyard like a charging dragon.
"She's been like this every single day lately," Xiao Yixian explained helplessly. "So full of energy."
Within moments, the tiny figure came into view. Zi Yan dashed forward like a purple blur, her every step stirring gusts of wind and clouds of dust.
"Big brother! I heard you came out of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, so I rushed straight here!" Zi Yan's violet eyes sparkled brightly as she beamed at him.
"Zi—"
Before Liu Xi could even finish her name, the little girl was already upon him—arms spread wide as she launched herself straight into his chest.
Crack!
It was like being hit by a speeding wagon. Liu Xi's eyes bulged, his body sent flying through the air. 'Ow! That hurts! This must be what it feels like to be tackled by a young dragon… damn, I think my bones cracked—and I'm a Dou Wang!'
"Young Master—!" Xiao Yixian gasped in alarm.
Thud!
Liu Xi landed hard, his limbs going limp. Zi Yan straddled his abdomen, both hands braced on his chest, her face full of excitement.
"Big brother, I found a treasure! Huh? Why does your face look so pale… ah! You're bleeding!"
Though Zi Yan's body was soft, it didn't change the fact that her true form was a 5th Rank Magical Beast. Liu Xi spat out a mouthful of blood and groaned inwardly. 'The first one to ever make me cough blood… is my own little sister.'
He lifted his head slightly, voice hoarse. "Zi Yan… if you don't get off me soon, you're going to sit your big brother to death…"
Zi Yan blinked innocently and stood up, tilting her head. "Big brother, how can your body be so fragile?"
Xiao Yixian rushed to help him up. "Young Master, are you alright?"
Supported by her, Liu Xi managed to stand, grimacing. "Your big brother's an alchemist, not a body cultivator! You have any idea how much strength you're packing?"
Zi Yan rubbed her head sheepishly. "Hehe… I just wanted to tell you about the treasure I found!"
Liu Xi sighed, retrieving a jade bottle from his ring. He popped a 3rd Tier Green Wood Pill into his mouth to heal the internal injuries.
Seeing the pill, Zi Yan's eyes lit up. "Big brother, is that one tasty too?"
Liu Xi gave her a helpless look. "This is a real medicinal pill, not candy. It can't be eaten for fun. What about the ones I gave you?"
"I already finished them!" Zi Yan admitted with a guilty grin.
That explained her "enthusiasm."
Liu Xi exhaled, shaking his head. "Alright then. Let's go inside and talk about this treasure of yours."
(End of Chapter)
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