The solidified, molten Sun Essence slowly flowed around Its body, the flames forming Its divine form gently flickering.
A brief silence followed, yet it felt as though centuries had passed.
"…You do possess some courage."
The vast, majestic voice rang out once more. The anger within its tone seemed to have faded somewhat, but the sense of indifference and detachment remained heavy.
"Having already received benefits, reshaped your body, and been branded with divine marks…"
The Phoenix God's gaze swept across the crimson-gold phoenix imprint on Lin Xia's arm, now shining spontaneously due to Its descent, fluttering faintly like a living being as well as the identical mark glowing upon Larvitar's carapace.
"…you should take your companion and leave this place at once."
Its voice carried an unquestionable intent to expel.
"This is My land of nirvana, the site of My inheritance. It is not a place where you may linger, nor will I permit wanton destruction or the theft of My source power!"
When speaking of "destruction" and "theft," Its indifferent gaze seemed to glance at the wrecked pit left behind by the dissolving ore vein, as well as at Larvitar beside it, still frozen stiff, yet its eyes clearly revealing a trace of lingering heartache as they flicked toward the remaining ore vein.
"Xiao Xia, let's go!"
Upon hearing this explicit order of expulsion, Lou Gao felt a tremendous weight lift from his heart, even mixed with a sense of relief.
Almost immediately, he stepped forward, suppressing the trembling of his soul, reaching out to grab Lin Xia's arm.
How could a god's will be defied?
Being able to leave alive, carrying such immense fortune, was already a blessing beyond heaven's grace!
He feared that Lin Xia, young and hot-blooded, might fail to grasp the immensity of the heavens and once again provoke this true god, an act that would spell utter and eternal doom!
However, Lin Xia's body stood rooted in place, utterly unmoving.
Lou Gao's heart sank sharply, inwardly crying out in alarm.
He watched as Lin Xia slowly, yet with unwavering resolve shook off Lou Gao's grasp. His gaze, sharp as the finest chisel, rose unflinchingly to meet the flame god who looked down upon all living beings from above.
There was no fear in Lin Xia's eyes, no hesitation—only an almost obsessive persistence and sincerity.
"Your Excellency!"
Lin Xia's voice rose slightly. Under the suppression of divine might, it sounded exceptionally strained, yet every word rang out clearly.
"We… wish to accept your inheritance!"
Boom!
The instant those words were spoken, Lou Gao felt his vision go black, his heart seemingly stopping altogether!
You little ancestor, what are you doing?!
Are you insane?!
A madman, an absolute madman!
He felt the blood in his entire body turn ice-cold. When he looked at Lin Xia again, his eyes were filled with shock and despair.
The flame phoenix in the sky was clearly stunned as well.
Those enormous phoenix eyes, formed from Sun Essence cores, revealed a distinct expression of astonishment for the very first time.
Its massive flaming body even paused slightly, the molten golden radiance flowing around It freezing for a brief moment.
Evidently, It had never expected that the human youth It had just pulled back from the brink of death would dare, after being explicitly ordered to leave to make such a… audacious, borderline blasphemous request!
A brief, deathly silence followed.
Within the mine cavern, only the crackling of flames and the dull rumble from the depths of the earth—suppressed by divine will remained.
"…Heh."
After a long while, a low laugh echoed within their souls, deep and rolling like molten lava, breaking the silence.
There was no anger in the laughter. Instead, it carried a faint trace of… absurdity and helplessness?
"Inheritance?"
The Phoenix God's massive head lowered slightly. Its gaze, like a tangible beam of light, once more fixed upon Lin Xia, scrutinizing, and carrying a hint of insight.
"Human, your courage is commendable, but… ignorant."
Its voice returned to that detached tone of one who looks down upon all things.
"Your Martial Soul core is sandstorm and rock. Though you possess an affinity with fire, have been tempered by the Sun Essence, and have even been branded with My divine mark—thus gaining the talent to wield flames… your essence, your soul imprint, does not align with the Great Dao I govern: 'Nirvana,' 'Eternal Flame,' 'World-Scorching Destruction and Creation.'"
"To force acceptance would not result in inheritance. Instead, it would bring self-destruction by fire, and in the end… both body and soul would be annihilated. You would not even be granted a chance at nirvana."
Its gaze shifted toward Lou Gao, who stood nearby, so tense he could scarcely breathe.
"As for this man… his age is advanced. The malleability of his soul and flesh has nearly withered away. Though he is an artisan who has spent his life accompanied by fire and has accumulated a trace of fire affinity, his foundation has long since solidified, and his potential has been exhausted. My divine trial can only be borne by one of supreme will, supreme opportunity, and supreme potential."
"He… would be utterly incapable of enduring even the most basic 'Fireseed Soul Tempering.' In an instant, he would be reduced to ashes."
The Phoenix God's words were like a cold verdict, clearly dissecting the insurmountable gulf between the two of them and Its inheritance.
Upon hearing this, the last shred of unrealistic hope in Lou Gao's heart was completely extinguished, leaving only bitterness and resignation.
Indeed. An old man like himself, with the Martial Soul Sacred Molding Pen, his soul power stalled at Soul Saint for many years—what right did he have to covet a god's inheritance?
Being able to witness all of this and leave alive was already an immeasurable blessing.
Yet Lin Xia's gaze did not waver in the slightest.
The Phoenix God's judgment was something he had long anticipated—perhaps even understood more clearly than anyone else. From the very beginning, he had never intended to inherit the Phoenix God's divine position himself.
"Your Excellency speaks with clarity!"
Lin Xia spoke once more, his tone still respectful, yet his resolve burning even fiercer.
"This disciple, Lin Xia, knows full well that his attributes are imbalanced and would never dare harbor ambitions of inheriting Your Excellency's supreme divine seat!"
Lin Xia's words caused a flicker of surprise to pass through the Phoenix God's eyes once more.
Not for himself?
Then why such persistence?
Lin Xia took a deep breath, as though mustering the courage of his entire life. He stepped half a pace to the side and solemnly pointed toward Lou Gao, whose face was pale and whose eyes were filled with turmoil.
"What this disciple seeks is for my teacher—Lou Gao!"
Lou Gao was utterly stunned, his mind completely blank. He pointed at his own nose, unable to believe what he was hearing.
Xiao Xia… he's doing this for me?!
This… how is this possible?!
"Though my teacher is advanced in years, he is one of the divine craftsmen of this era. He has spent his entire life pursuing the pinnacle of forging—melting metal, refining iron, using fire to temper artifacts. His will is unyielding, and his understanding and control of the essence of flame have long since been etched into his very bones and soul!"
Lin Xia's voice was powerful, filled with unquestionable conviction.
"His Martial Soul, the 'Sacred Molding Pen,' may appear unrelated to fire, yet the labor of his entire life has been devoted to the principle of 'metal meeting fire to become an artifact'! What he lacks is not comprehension of flame, but rather… a catalyst, a catalyst capable of igniting his dormant potential and shattering the shackles of his life!"
Lin Xia's eyes burned brightly, as though aflame with faith itself.
"Your Excellency! A divine trial does not rely solely on talent and potential! Temperament, perseverance, and devotion to the Dao are equally vital! My teacher's craftsmanship is as steadfast as iron, unyielding through countless setbacks!"
"This disciple dares to stake his life on it: if given the chance, he will unleash a brilliance of will that would make even a god look upon him anew! The 'potential' he lacks may very well require the supreme hammer of a divine trial to be reforged and awakened!"
Lin Xia paused, his voice growing even more earnest.
"As for attributes… this disciple dares to speculate that Your Excellency's inheritance does not narrowly demand a fire-type Martial Soul!"
"Otherwise, what meaning would there be in branding me with divine marks and granting me a flame-based talent?"
"What Your Excellency truly values—could it not be devotion to the Dao of flame, comprehension of the true meaning of nirvana, and a heart that never abandons the path, no matter the odds?!"
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