Ten months later...
In the crimson world of molten magma, Liu Xi no longer remembered how many times he had descended into this fiery underworld. Each visit left his Spiritual Power severely depleted, forcing him to spend days recovering.
Yet, every time he returned from this place, he brought back fragments of those malicious spiritual waves that the Fallen Heart Flame had used to invade his consciousness. With those fragments, he continuously refined and evolved the foundation of his Illusionary Heart Technique, until at last—he succeeded in creating a new Soul Skill of his own.
A faint radiance gathered and flickered in the magma world, and Liu Xi's translucent spiritual form took shape once again. A confident smile curved his lips.
"Fallen Heart Flame... your old friend Liu Xi is back again! Come out and greet me!"
"Hissss!"
Provoked by such words, the Fallen Heart Flame roared in rage. The moment Liu Xi's voice fell, a thunderous screech echoed throughout the molten realm.
Invisible waves of searing energy surged up from the magma, silently lashing toward Liu Xi's spiritual form above the lava lake.
His illusory figure trembled slightly, but then—another spiritual ripple burst from his body, forming a spherical transparent barrier that enveloped him completely. The Fallen Heart Flame's invisible shockwave crashed against the barrier but failed to penetrate it.
Liu Xi chuckled smugly. "Did you think these little tricks still work on me after ten months? Come now—show me your true body!"
Hwoooosh!
A massive, serpentine shape erupted from the lava—its entire form wreathed in unseen fire. The colossal flame serpent's tail remained buried beneath the magma while its enormous upper body loomed above, over ten meters wide, its length unmeasurable.
Twin triangular eyes blazed with invisible fire, flickering with uncontrollable fury.
"Hissss!"
'If I'm guilty of anything, then let another Heavenly Flame come devour me—but not this wretch who mocks me day after day! I'll burn you alive... if I can't burn you to death, I swear I'll never rest!'
Even Heavenly Flames possessed a will of their own. Seeing Liu Xi's infuriatingly calm smile, the flame serpent thrashed violently, and the entire magma world trembled as waves of fiery energy rippled through the air.
"Still so angry? After all, I've kept you company for ten months now! Don't tell me that's worse than being a lonely snake!" Liu Xi laughed softly, shaking his head.
His burning gaze locked onto the invisible flame serpent. "Since you're so lively, I suppose I'll use you as my test subject today."
The moment the words fell, his Spiritual Power surged outward, transforming into a strange, intangible ripple. In an instant, it spread wide, enveloping the massive serpent completely.
Boom!
It was as though a giant hammer had struck the serpent's skull. The Fallen Heart Flame's body spasmed, its mind thrown into chaos. Its consciousness shattered momentarily, and the blazing eyes went dull.
Within that moment of weakness, Liu Xi's Spiritual Power wove a web-like net around the serpent's scattered awareness, seizing control of its will.
"Hissss!"
When the Fallen Heart Flame's consciousness reassembled, it let out a furious roar and tried to lunge at Liu Xi—only to realize, to its horror, that its body would not obey!
Liu Xi's eyes gleamed with delight. "So... it worked! Now then... come."
The serpent's enormous body writhed obediently through the molten air, sliding up to Liu Xi's spiritual form before lowering its massive head in submission.
He could still see pure hatred burning in its eyes, but it no longer mattered—because he could now command its body directly, bypassing its will entirely.
...
On the lotus seat within the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, Liu Xi's eyes slowly opened. A satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
"Pity... with my current Spiritual Power at the Mortal Realm Perfection Stage, I can only control the Fallen Heart Flame. Once it leaves the range of my Spiritual Domain, it'll break free. Still, to think I could develop a technique capable of dominating a living consciousness... I'll name it—Soul Dominion."
...
When Liu Xi descended to the first floor of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, a familiar voice called from behind him.
"Liu boy—wait a moment!"
He stopped and turned to see Elder Liu approaching quickly. "Elder, I just finished cultivating. What's the matter?"
The elder smiled kindly. "It's not me who needs you. The Grand Elder sent word—he wants to see you the moment you leave the tower."
Liu Xi froze, blinking in surprise. 'No way... did he somehow find out I've been provoking the Fallen Heart Flame all this time?'
He asked cautiously, "Elder Liu, do you happen to know what this is about?"
The elder shook his head. "Not exactly. But I've heard rumors that the Black-Corner Region has been restless lately. It's probably related. After all, you're a 6th Tier Alchemist now—once you graduate, you'll be one of our Inner Academy's Elders. Your status is no small matter."
"Could it be about Han Feng?" Liu Xi wondered aloud. The Black-Corner Region was always chaotic, and the only one still fixated on him was Han Feng.
He clasped his hands respectfully. "Thank you for the message, Elder. I'll go see the Grand Elder right away."
"Haha, no need for thanks. I'm just the messenger. You're more familiar with the Grand Elder than I am," Elder Liu chuckled. "Oh, and one more thing—be cautious when cultivating inside the tower these days. The flames have been unusually violent lately. Quite strange, actually."
Liu Xi's expression turned slightly awkward. Of course they were violent—he was the one provoking the Fallen Heart Flame every other week.
"I'll keep that in mind, Elder. Thank you."
He departed quickly, making his way toward the Inner Academy's secluded loft where the Grand Elder resided.
'Originally, I thought I'd need to kill Han Feng first and seize his incomplete Flame Mantra before I could control the Fallen Heart Flame. But now... that's unnecessary. The Flame Mantra has become irrelevant. Still, I'll need Han Feng's alchemical inheritance for myself.'
Arriving before the loft, Liu Xi called out, "Grand Elder, Liu Xi has come as requested!"
A calm, aged voice drifted from the second floor. "Ah, you're here. Come in."
Relief washed over Liu Xi—the tone wasn't stern, so this wasn't about punishment. It had to concern Han Feng.
He entered, ascending to the second floor. Inside the study, Grand Elder Su Qian sat serenely behind a low table.
Liu Xi bowed with a smile. "Liu Xi greets the Grand Elder. Might I presume this summons concerns Han Feng?"
Su Qian's eyes glimmered with faint surprise before he nodded, smiling. "Indeed. Recently, Han Feng has been in frequent contact with several factions in the Black-Corner Region. Our spies report that their joint target... is you."
"They dare target the Inner Academy?" Liu Xi exclaimed in feigned shock.
Su Qian shook his head, a proud gleam in his eyes. "Of course not. They won't touch the Inner Academy. But it seems Han Feng intends to ambush you after your graduation, two months from now. The other forces are hesitant, still weighing their risks."
Liu Xi's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Then they'll be waiting in vain. I'll be staying in the Inner Academy after graduation. By the time they find out, they'll be the ones dumbfounded."
Su Qian laughed heartily. "Exactly! I only called you here to ease your mind. Han Feng may lurk like a vulture in the Black-Corner Region, but don't act rashly. Your path is far greater than his."
(End of Chapter)
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