The ground beneath Vill Long Feng trembled as the blazing monument pulsed with radiant energy. The golden and crimson flames danced wildly, as if a long-slumbering force had finally awakened.
Vill stepped forward, his body still surging with the power of the Eternal Flames. His battle with the Infernal Guardians had only served to sharpen his control, and now, he felt more attuned to the essence of fire than ever before. But something about the monument before him sent a shiver through his soul—not of fear, but of recognition.
A voice, deep and commanding, resonated from within the monument.
"You, who have overcome the trials of fire… step forward and prove your worth."
Vill's eyes narrowed. He was never one to back down from a challenge. He walked toward the structure, each step resonating with power. The closer he got, the more the flames bent toward him, as if acknowledging his presence.
The moment he set foot before the monument, the entire battlefield shifted.
The sky darkened, and a violent storm of fire erupted around him. The flames formed a massive shape—a colossal figure wreathed in golden embers. A humanoid entity of pure fire, its face obscured by a burning crown, stood before him.
"I am the Sovereign of the Eternal Flames." The being's voice was neither hostile nor welcoming. It was absolute. "Prove to me that you are worthy to wield my legacy."
Without warning, the entity's massive hand swung toward Vill with the force of a falling star. The very air ignited from the sheer heat.
Vill reacted instantly.
He raised his arm, and golden flames erupted from his body. Instead of dodging, he met the attack head-on. His flames collided with the Sovereign's strike, sending a shockwave through the battlefield. The impact sent Vill skidding back, but he remained on his feet.
The Sovereign did not stop.
It raised both hands, summoning countless spears of fire from the sky, each one burning hotter than the last. With a flick of its wrist, the spears rained down upon Vill like a storm of destruction.
But Vill did not run.
He clenched his fists, and the flames around him roared to life. With a single thought, his fire coalesced into a barrier, shielding him from the deadly assault. Each spear that struck his defense shattered into embers, unable to break through his control.
The Sovereign let out a rumbling chuckle. "Good. But not enough."
With a wave of its hand, the flames around Vill surged violently, threatening to consume him. But instead of resisting, Vill closed his eyes.
He reached deep into himself, into the core of his being. His Dragon and Phoenix bloodlines stirred, their power intertwining with the Eternal Flames he had absorbed. His body burned, but it did not hurt. Instead, it felt right.
His eyes snapped open, now glowing with a fire beyond mortal comprehension.
With a single step, he moved.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he appeared before the Sovereign in an instant. His fist, wreathed in golden flames, struck out like a meteor. The impact was earth-shattering, sending ripples of fire across the battlefield. The Sovereign staggered for the first time.
Vill did not stop.
His fists became blurs of destruction, each strike infused with the power of the Eternal Flames. His fire was no longer merely a tool—it was an extension of his will. With each attack, he could feel the legacy of the Sovereign bending to his command.
And then, with a final devastating blow, he shattered the Sovereign's form.
The flames that once formed the entity scattered into the air, and the battlefield returned to silence.
From the remnants of the Sovereign, a single ember remained, floating toward Vill. He extended his hand, and the ember settled into his palm.
Instantly, his body erupted with energy.
His cultivation surged. The Eternal Flames fully accepted him as their master, refining his body, strengthening his soul. His flames were no longer bound by mortal limits. They had transcended into something far greater.
As the power settled within him, a final whisper echoed in his mind.
"You are now the Sovereign of the Eternal Flames."
Vill opened his eyes.
He had taken his first true step toward supremacy.
And the world would soon know his name.