The Burning Heaven Mountain Range.
The air was saturated with searing fire-attributed Spiritual Energy, and the winding chain of volcanoes overflowed with bubbling crimson magma. The temperature of this magma was unimaginably high—enough to justify the title of the greatest volcano in the Great Thousand World. The molten rivers that had erupted for tens of thousands of years eventually cooled and solidified, forming what was now the Burning Heaven Continent.
This sacred mountain was revered by the Flame Swallowing Clan. Even a High Level Earth Sovereign dared not linger too long within the magma's suffocating heat.
Deep beneath the molten sea, Liu Xi sat cross-legged. A faint layer of azure flame shrouded his body, shielding him completely from the magma's heat. His entire form resembled a black hole, endlessly devouring the ferocious fire Spiritual Energy that raged all around him—this was the energy most compatible with his cultivation.
As the Spiritual Energy surged into Liu Xi's body, it was immediately enveloped and refined by the Azure Lotus Flame. The flame's power to refine all things compressed the torrent of energy—transforming a spiritual stream thick as a water barrel into one no wider than a bowl. Though condensed, it was exponentially purer. Were it to be refined into Sovereign Spiritual Liquid, it would easily exceed a hundred thousand drops.
The process didn't end there. Once absorbed into Liu Xi's Sovereign Sea, the energy was further devoured by the Chaos Stone within his body. When released again, it emerged even more condensed and imbued with faint traces of chaotic aura.
Only then did Liu Xi circulate and refine the energy along his cultivation path, allowing it to flow through his meridians and disperse throughout his limbs and bones.
His foundation grew stronger with every cycle. His already solid Heavenly Sovereign Spiritual Body became denser and more ancient in aura, emanating a primal pressure of eternity.
For those at the Heavenly Sovereign Realm, the Heavenly Sovereign Spiritual Body was paramount—it was the very foundation upon which all future breakthroughs would rest.
But what benefited most was Liu Xi's Azure Lotus Celestial Body. Forged from the Azure Lotus Flame itself, this Celestial Body was now evolving once again. Absorbing the chaotic Spiritual Energy, it began to undergo a subtle, profound transformation.
Liu Xi did not resist; he could tell this evolution was beneficial. His Azure Lotus Celestial Body was gradually exuding an eternal, indestructible feeling. Perhaps, when it was fully infused with chaotic essence, it would undergo a complete metamorphosis—and by then, his strength would once again soar to new heights.
At a certain moment, Liu Xi opened his eyes.
"It's time to move deeper. Once I get close enough to the Burning Heaven Spirit Flame, I should have the confidence to subdue it."
While stabilizing his realm, Liu Xi was also acclimating himself to the environment of the Burning Heaven Spirit Flame. Every drop of magma here carried traces of that divine flame, which was why the heat was so intense.
The closer one drew to the core flame, the more violent the heat became—until even peak Heavenly Sovereigns would find it a forbidden zone.
Even Liu Xi dared not approach too recklessly. The Burning Heaven Spirit Flame was leagues stronger than him; a single misstep could mean being devoured entirely.
After adjusting to this layer of magma, he stood, flexed his limbs slightly, and then dove deeper into the molten abyss.
He moved like a fish in water—swift and fluid, lightning-fast as he cut through the molten depths. Beneath this endless crimson sea of magma, there was nothing but deathly silence. No creature could survive here.
Only Liu Xi persisted—alone in his descent, bearing the crushing heat and solitude as he ventured ever deeper.
After a time, he paused again, sensing the pressure and concentration of fire Spiritual Energy around him.
"This place should suffice…"
Once more, he crossed his legs and sat down, enduring the immense pressure of the molten currents and returning to cultivation.
Time flowed quietly in this fiery isolation.
---
Fire Spirit Continent.
Situated in the vast northern region of the Great Thousand World, this continent was ruled solely by the Fire Spirit Clan—an ancient tribe of countless experts renowned for their mastery of flame.
Their dominion was possible because of their patriarch—the Fire Spirit Ancestor, a Heavenly Sovereign powerhouse. Though Fire Spirit Continent was but one among the myriad lesser continents, unlike the Skylaw Continent, one of the Ten Super Continents, a single Heavenly Sovereign was enough to reign supreme here.
Moreover, the Fire Spirit Clan stood under the shadow of a greater power—one of the Five Ancient Clans: the Ancient Maha Clan.
At the heart of the continent stood Fire Spirit City, built upon a massive volcano. Fire Spiritual Energy surged through every street, and even the air shimmered with faint, terrifying fluctuations.
This was the Fire Spirit Clan's protective spiritual formation—fortified further by several of the clan's sacred flames. Even a Heavenly Sovereign would hesitate to trespass.
Inside Fire Spirit Palace, a messenger burst in with barely contained excitement, kneeling before the throne.
"Clan Leader! News has arrived—Qing Lian has been found. He's in the northern region!"
"Oh?"
The elderly man on the throne, robed in flames, raised his brows in surprise. "Quickly tell me where?"
"According to the report," the messenger replied, "he was seen in the Burning Heaven Continent. After thorough investigation, we confirmed that Qing Lian is cultivating deep within the Burning Heaven Mountain Range."
"So, he went there…" murmured the Fire Spirit Clan Leader. "The Burning Heaven Continent was once a battlefield, uninhabitable to ordinary beings. Only the Flame Swallowing Clan can live there. Even our clan abandoned that land long ago. But… for a cultivator like him, it's indeed an excellent place to train."
The messenger hesitated, then added, "Clan Leader, the Ancient Maha Clan has issued a bounty for Qing Lian. If we send them this information, the reward will be substantial."
The Fire Spirit Clan Leader's lips curved into a faint smile. "Information alone is worthless. If we capture him and deliver him personally, the Maha Clan's Patriarch will surely grant us treasures—perhaps enough for me to break through to the Heavenly Sovereign Realm."
The messenger paled slightly, lowering his head. "Clan Leader… according to reports, that person's strength is extraordinary. Back in the Skylaw Continent, he defeated five Heavenly Sovereigns single-handedly. Even the Ghost Emperor, a first-tier Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign, fell to him…"
The Fire Spirit Clan Leader's eyes flickered. Of course he knew these rumors—and they stirred in him not only fear but deep jealousy.
Leaning forward slightly, he pressed a hand to his temple and muttered, "If direct force won't do… then we'll use shadows. As long as we can deliver him to the Ancient Maha Clan, my breakthrough will be assured."
Two paths lay ahead of Liu Xi: one outward—to clash with the Extraterrestrial Evil Race; the other inward—to gamble with the Ancient Maha Clan.
(End of Chapter)
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