Deep within the northern mountains of the Black-Corner Region lay Demon Flame Valley, a colossal gorge the size of a small city. Within it lived thousands — mostly outer disciples and common affiliates. Fewer than one-tenth were true core members permitted into the inner valley.
But on this day, chaos swept through the heart of the valley.
A dozen intruders — each a powerhouse at the Dou Wang level or higher — had descended like a storm.
It was Liu Xi's party.
Their advance tore through the valley's defenses like a hot blade through wax. Guards of the Da Dou Shi and Dou Ling ranks were incinerated before they could even raise their weapons.
By the time the group reached the heart of the valley, the true strength of Demon Flame Valley revealed itself — four Dou Huang elders and eleven Dou Wang experts, led by Fang Yan himself.
On the central square, Fang Yan stood surrounded by his subordinates, his face pale yet feigning composure. "Su Qian!" he roared. "You dare attack Demon Flame Valley? Are you not afraid that once the Old Ancestor returns, he'll annihilate your Jia Nan Academy?"
His words drew strange looks from the Inner Academy elders. When their gazes met, faint amusement flickered in their eyes.
Su Qian turned to Liu Xi, who stood calmly at his side. "The Earth Demon Old Ghost is already dead," Su Qian declared coldly. "And today, Demon Flame Valley will be wiped from this land."
"Impossible!" Fang Yan's expression twisted in disbelief. "That's impossible! The Old Ancestor was a 7-Star Dou Zong! You expect me to believe the likes of you could defeat him?"
Liu Xi didn't bother responding to the outburst. His tone remained serene. "Elders," he said softly, "prepare to strike. Let's end this quickly."
"Understood!"
With that single command, battle erupted.
Powerful auras burst forth — torrents of Dou Qi rising to the heavens. Two among them radiated the overwhelming might of Dou Zong power, shaking the valley itself. The Demon Flame Valley elders trembled, terror flashing in their eyes.
'So this is how the heavens destroy us…?' Fang Yan thought bitterly. Then, desperation twisted his face.
"Wait!" he shouted suddenly, his voice echoing through the valley. "I've long heard that Elder Liu Xi commands a Heavenly Flame and wields matchless control over fire. Would you dare… engage in a contest of flame mastery with me?"
"If we lose," he continued quickly, "you may deal with us as you wish. But if by some miracle we win — you must withdraw, and we'll never oppose you again!"
The sudden plea made everyone pause — Su Qian, Qin Xuan, Xiao Yixian, Zi Yan, and the Inner Academy elders all turned toward Liu Xi, awaiting his response.
A faint smile curved Liu Xi's lips. 'His will to live is… commendable.'
Seeing that smile, Fang Yan's heart leapt with hope. He was certain that with their "Incineration Technique," they could conjure a fusion flame nearly equal to a Heavenly Flame. Perhaps there was still a chance.
All around him, the valley's fighters stared at Liu Xi with desperate eyes — terrified of battle, clinging to this thin thread of survival.
But the next words that left Liu Xi's mouth shattered all hope.
"Why," he asked evenly, "would I waste time on such a contest when we already have an overwhelming advantage? Crushing you outright is far simpler."
His calm, almost indifferent tone struck Fang Yan like a hammer.
"You—!" Fang Yan snarled. "Where is your pride as a 6th Tier Alchemist? You possess a Heavenly Flame, yet you won't even duel in fire control? Coward!"
Liu Xi sighed, expression faintly exasperated. 'These people truly have no idea how to think.'
"Elders," he said, turning away, "attack."
"Yes!"
A thunderous roar of energy erupted as the battle resumed. The Inner Academy's experts surged forward, their Dou Qi tearing through the air like crashing waves. Within moments, the fight became a one-sided slaughter.
With Su Qian and Xiao Yixian both unleashing the full might of Dou Zong power, the defenders crumbled. Dou Wangs were obliterated where they stood, and the four Dou Huangs — including Fang Yan — spat blood as they staggered backward.
Knocked to his knees by a casual strike from Su Qian, Fang Yan glared through a haze of blood, his voice trembling with rage. "Since you press us so cruelly… then even in death, I'll make sure you pay! Second! Third!"
The two other elders — battered and bloodied — exchanged grim looks. With a fierce shout, their hands flew through complex seals.
Three faint gray flames burst from their bodies, swirling together in the air. As they fused, the flames grew darker, denser — a strange ash-brown fire rising toward the heavens.
The valley's temperature spiked. Space itself began to distort under the growing heat — a heat that came dangerously close to the aura of a true Heavenly Flame.
Su Qian retreated slightly, his eyes narrowing. Even Xiao Yixian's brows furrowed in mild surprise. This fire, though crude, was not to be underestimated.
"This flame isn't bad," Liu Xi said quietly, standing with his hands behind his back. "But it's lifeless — a dead flame. It will never compare to a true Heavenly Flame."
He spoke with calm certainty. A true Heavenly Flame was born of sentience — an existence that could grow endlessly by devouring Heaven and Earth energy. Even the weakest among them, like the Mysterious Yellow Flame at the bottom of the Heavenly Flame Ranking, could one day rival a Dou Saint… or beyond.
Fang Yan sneered, glaring at Liu Xi. "And what of our Transmuted Flame? How does it compare, hmm? Could we earn a sliver of mercy from you?"
"Temperature… passable," Liu Xi said lightly. "Power… average."
"You—!" Fang Yan's fury twisted into humiliation. "I think your so-called Heavenly Flame is just a name — no substance! If you have any pride, prove it! Let fire decide!"
Liu Xi's smile deepened. "Since you insist… I'll take that flame as my reward."
He stepped forward, his presence steady and composed. "Grand Elder," he said without looking back, "take care of the others. This one is mine."
"Understood. Be careful," Su Qian replied, confidence in his tone.
Fang Yan's lips curled into a deceitful grin. 'He's only a Dou Huang. If we can restrain him, there's still hope!'
"Liu Xi!" he cried out. "You truly have courage. Second, Third — let's not disappoint him! Starr Sky Fire Phoenix!"
The two surviving elders didn't hesitate. Their seals shifted again, and vast waves of gray flames surged upward, pouring into the ash-brown inferno above.
A moment later, an overwhelming surge of energy erupted.
A sharp, piercing cry split the sky. From within the storm of gray-black fire, a colossal fiery phoenix burst forth — wings stretching over thirty feet, its body a living inferno.
The three elders stood trembling, drained pale by the technique, but Fang Yan still forced a grin. "Well, Elder Liu Xi? How does this flame compare?"
Liu Xi studied the blazing creature thoughtfully, nodding. "Not bad," he admitted. "Flawed in structure, but with enough power to trouble a lesser Dou Zong for a while."
Indeed, their "Incineration Technique" mirrored the concept of the Three Beast Savage Technique — combining three forces into one. But such methods always came at a price: their bodies, their souls, and their lives.
(End of Chapter)
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