The battle at Black Mountain Fortress ended in overwhelming victory for the Jia Ma Empire.
The combined forces of the Three Empires lay shattered. Xie Bi Yan, Yan Luotian, and the Three Mulan Elders—three mighty Dou Zongs—had fallen in succession. Nearly all Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs perished in combat.
The plains beyond the fortress were littered with corpses; the dead and wounded numbered beyond count. More than a hundred thousand soldiers were captured, and the seized spoils piled into mountains.
After this war, Liu Xi's prestige within the Jia Ma Empire soared to an unshakable height—no one could stand beside him.
---
In the quiet chamber beneath the fortress, Liu Xi sat cross-legged upon the bed. His eyes were closed in deep focus as he observed the changes within the Fallen Heart Flame.
The invisible flame serpent seemed equally vexed by the black lines coiling around its body. Fire flared along its scales as it worked relentlessly to refine and burn away the poison.
The Demon Poison Spot was indeed terrifying—it could seal acupoints and corrode meridians—but against the Fallen Heart Flame's energy-forged body, it was restrained rather than dominant.
Under the continuous burning, trace amounts of the venom dissolved, releasing droplets of crystal-clear, viscous liquid filled with pure essence that flowed back into Liu Xi's meridians.
The refined energy made his meridians tremble with delight. As it coursed through the circulation path of the Nine Nether Ghost Flame Technique, it transformed into pure Dou Qi, invigorating every fiber of his being.
When he opened his eyes, their depths shimmered with a faint, excited light. He exhaled a thin wisp of gray-black poison smoke and chuckled.
"Heh… the Fallen Heart Flame never disappoints. Still, without being able to draw upon its full Dou Zong-level strength for a while… it feels oddly unsafe."
A flash of light came from his ring as a golden scroll appeared in his hand—the flying Dou Technique refinement method he had taken from Yan Luotian's ring: Sky Swallowing Nine-Wing Flight.
If he couldn't rely on Dou Zong strength, he would compensate with speed. Yan Luotian's golden wings had left a deep impression on him that day—their lightning-fast speed had inflicted countless wounds upon him. Had Medusa not intercepted him, Yan Luotian might have escaped.
Unrolling the scroll, Liu Xi read every line carefully. The primary material for the Nine-Wing Flight required a pair of powerful beast wings, reinforced by various elemental materials to enhance velocity.
He had the Heaven Demon Phoenix Bone Wings as the core material, and with his accumulated stock of rare items plus the spoils of war, the rest would be no problem. Closing his eyes, he reviewed the refinement sequence once more.
When he opened them again, his gaze was determined. "Let's begin."
A flick of his hand produced a pair of pale, jade-like bone wings—once fierce and deadly, now cleansed of their former malice.
Liu Xi extended a finger, summoning a strand of azure flame that floated toward the bone wings, wrapping around them completely. The blazing heat caused the room's temperature to spike sharply.
He focused intently. The bone wings emitted a soft glow, resisting the burning power of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
"As expected of the Heaven Demon Phoenix's wings," Liu Xi murmured with a faint smile.
Time slipped by like water. Three hours later, under the continuous tempering of the azure flame, faint wisps of gray smoke drifted from the bone wings as their aura grew purer.
Liu Xi's lips curved upward. Channeling his Spiritual Power through his brow, he maintained the flame at a steady temperature, continuing the refinement process.
Drip!
A clear sound broke the silence. The wings began to soften slightly, and beneath them hung drops of milky, viscous liquid—falling one after another with a faint plink.
The process soon accelerated, the bone wings gradually melting as the thick liquid accumulated.
Three days passed before the final remnants of the wings dissolved completely, leaving behind only a pool of luminous white liquid exuding refined energy.
Liu Xi exhaled softly. "Perfect."
He then took out various auxiliary materials—bones, feathers, crystalline spikes—each radiating energy of wind or lightning attributes, ideal for enhancing speed.
He tossed them one by one into the azure flames. They melted and fused into the white liquid, adding streaks of color—distinct yet harmoniously balanced.
With complex seals flowing from his hands, Liu Xi guided streams of energy into the mixture, fusing the materials. Strange patterns began to form upon the surface of the liquid, glowing faintly with mystic light.
Like refining a pill, the next step was slow nourishment and integration—a long but essential process.
After another three days, Liu Xi smiled with satisfaction as the living, pulsating liquid within the flames began its final transformation.
Pouring vast Spiritual Power into it, he watched as the liquid twisted and condensed—taking shape.
Soon, a pair of gleaming white bone wings about one zhang wide emerged, etched with intricate runes. Wind and lightning energy gathered in the room, swirling around the wings like spirits of nature.
As the flames receded into his body, the wings shrank to palm size, floating quietly before him.
He pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall. The wings absorbed it instantly, bursting into radiant light before merging into his back.
A moment later, a burning sensation flared from his shoulder blades, followed by a brilliant glow. A pair of sleek, jade-hued wings unfolded behind him, radiant and powerful.
Feeling the gathering wind and lightning around him, Liu Xi smiled. "Now this… this is a treasure."
He retracted the wings, stretched lazily, and walked out of the chamber.
---
"Young Master, you finally came out…"
Liu Xi looked up to see Xiao Yixian seated at a stone table in the courtyard, with Zi Yan beside her—and Yun Yun as well.
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes as he casually approached and sat down. "I was refining a treasure—it took some time. My apologies for keeping you waiting. Sect Master Yun, when did you arrive?"
Yun Yun's gentle smile faded, replaced by solemnity. "Master Liu, something's happened."
Liu Xi's brows furrowed, a faint unease rising in his heart. "What is it?"
Her expression darkened. "In the Jia Ma Empire, a city called Wutan has suffered a tragedy. The Xiao Clan—once home to Xiao Yan, who fled Yunlan Mountain a year ago—was almost completely wiped out four days ago."
She paused, her tone sharpening. "According to the survivors… on the night of the massacre, a sinister black mist covered the city—the same as when Protector Jiu appeared."
Liu Xi's gaze sank, the faintest flicker of killing intent glinting in his eyes.
The extermination of the Xiao Clan meant little to Yun Yun herself—but the one who had done it was clearly tied to the Hall of Souls.
And the reappearance of that black mist…
was a shadow returning to haunt them all.
(End of Chapter)
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