Emerging from Seclusion

The Seventh Floor of the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower had become an ocean of dark crimson energy. At its very center, where the energy was most concentrated, a Silver Light Cluster floated in the air.

Through the cluster, a graceful figure could vaguely be seen within. With every breath the person inside took, its surface filtered the energy outside while absorbing it like a storm.

As time passed, the ocean of energy gathered on the Seventh Floor gradually faded and began to run dry. Meanwhile, the silver patterns on the cluster's surface became increasingly distinct.

After the clock on the Seventh Floor had turned eighty-seven times, the incomparably dazzling Silver Light Cluster slowly cracked open like an eggshell.

If anyone had been standing here, they would have been astonished to find that not a trace of energy remained in this space. Such thinness was exceedingly strange.

The crack rapidly spread. At last, with a bang, the entire cluster exploded along the fissures, turning into countless motes of light. The lovely figure within was finally revealed.

Her skin was as smooth as congealed cream, her face as lovely as a peach blossom, and her blue-violet eyes seemed to glitter with starlight. She was Liuli, who had spent another three months in seclusion.

"This is..." The Young Girl clenched her fist, sensing the vastly different power within her body, and fell into a daze.

Within the Dou Qi Space at her dantian, a Silver Crystal Core had appeared, continuously absorbing the Dou Qi inside her body.

"Sword Heart! I condensed it successfully!" Liuli exclaimed joyfully as she mobilized the Dou Qi in her body and poured it into the crystal core.

Buzz! The crystal core suddenly trembled, and a sharp energy erupted from within. Centered on Liuli, hundreds of fierce Sword Qi rapidly spread outward and heavily slashed against the surrounding walls, causing the entire Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower to shudder.

Seeing the power of this casual strike, Liuli nodded in satisfaction.

The Sword Heart was an energy crystal core produced after fully mastering the Sword Clan Inheritance Technique. A cultivator who possessed it would not only greatly increase their cultivation speed, but their Dou Qi would also carry the special effects of Sword Qi, making it more offensive and destructive.

When facing enemies, the Sword Heart could also accelerate the mobilization of Dou Qi, unleashing all the Dou Qi stored within it to temporarily cause one's strength to soar, much like a Secret Method such as the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations.

However, unlike the latter, the Sword Heart used stored energy. After it was exhausted, it would not leave behind a period of weakness like many Secret Methods did, making it quite terrifying. Of course, its boosting effect was not as powerful as those Secret Methods.

With the awakening of the Sword Heart, Liuli's original cultivation technique, the "Two Forms Thirteen Sword Techniques," had successfully opened the Third Seal and advanced to Earth-tier High Rank.

Although Liuli had only just entered the Dou Zong realm, with her cultivation technique, Sword Heart, Heavenly Flames, and more than ten formidable Dou Skills, dealing with a Dou Zong Below Five Stars would not be a problem.

Liuli stretched lazily, her graceful figure forming a perfect curve. After nearly two and a half years, the Young Girl who had once retained traces of childishness had grown increasingly mature and captivating.

However, what disappointed Liuli was that while her figure had only gotten better, her height had not improved at all. Although she had reached the standard height for women in this world, she did not have the slightest hint of a tall, elegant presence.

She was going to be Big Sister. Couldn't she grow a little more like a mature beauty? At this rate, she was starting to look more and more like a virtuous wife.

Taking out some clothes from her Storage Ring, Liuli quickly put them on. She looked around before finally walking toward the pitch-black opening at the center of the tower floor.

Arriving at the opening, she looked down into utter darkness. Yet through her Soul Power, Liuli could still sense what lay below.

It was an ocean of crimson magma. Countless violent fire-element energies filled the entire underground world. Within that sea of magma, an enormous invisible serpent could faintly be seen wandering about.

"Fallen Heart Flame." Liuli slowly called out the great serpent's true name. It was one of the Heavenly Flames that had slipped out from the Heavenly Flame Plaza before the Cave Mansion so many people dreamed of.

The great serpent noticed Liuli's Soul Power and slowly raised its head from the magma. Its illusory crimson eyes flickered with greed and wariness.

It sensed the existence of Heavenly Flames within the Young Girl's body, but it also sensed the dangerous aura emanating from her.

Liuli and the Fallen Heart Flame remained locked in a distant standoff for a long while. In the end, she curled her lips slightly and turned to leave.

She was in no mood to deal with this fellow right now. She would not touch a single thing Xiao Yan had set his sights on.

The Fallen Heart Flame stared at the opening above for a long time, flicked out its forked tongue, then rolled over and plunged back into the sea of fire.

After leaving the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower, Liuli saw Su Qian. The old man was standing directly in front of the entrance, staring at her without blinking.

"Elder Su Qian." Liuli bowed in greeting.

"One-star Dou Zong. Not bad. It's no wonder you absorbed half the energy of the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower." Su Qian nodded, but there was an unmistakable hint of resentment and reproach in his words.

Liuli awkwardly scratched her cheek, not knowing how to respond.

"Still, these are minor matters. Once the energy is gone, it will naturally replenish itself. As long as you lend the academy a hand whenever it needs you during your time here, that will be enough." Su Qian's expression softened considerably. Stroking his beard, he spoke.

Liuli nodded and said solemnly, "Should the academy ever face trouble, Liuli will certainly give it her all."

"That is all I needed to hear. Since you have emerged from seclusion, there is no need for me to guard this place any longer. This is an Elder's Pavilion Pass Token. If anything comes up, come directly to the Elder's Pavilion and find me." Su Qian tossed her a token before turning and walking through the air.

Liuli put the Token into her Storage Ring. At that moment, a Black-robed Old Man walked over step by step.

"Elder Liu, congratulations on advancing to the Dou Emperor realm as well." Liuli smiled faintly upon seeing who it was.

"Hehehe, it is thanks to you as well. Without that Pill of yours, my realm might have remained stuck at this hurdle for the rest of my life." Elder Liu smiled helplessly. Compared to the Young Girl before him, all of his improvements truly seemed insignificant.

"How long has it been since I entered seclusion?" Liuli asked. Having stayed at the bottom of the tower every day, she had nearly forgotten all sense of time.

"About two years and seven months," Elder Liu answered.

It sounded like a long time, but even if other cultivators had to spend three or even five times as long to break through the barrier to the Dou Zong realm, most strong individuals at the Peak Dou Huang stage would still flock to the chance.

"More than two years..." Liuli pondered for a moment before smiling again. "Elder Liu, could you take me to Elder Huo from the Alchemy Department?"

"You want to... refine pills?" Elder Liu froze for a moment before asking.

Liuli possessed Heavenly Flames, so he naturally guessed that she was an Alchemist, and likely not a low-ranking one. Otherwise, how could she casually give away a Sixth-grade Pill? Unless her family was wealthy and deeply established.

"I just want to refine something for myself," Liuli answered.

This time, she was not planning to refine any high-grade pills, but several Pills to assist the growth of her Sword Heart. They were mostly around the third or fourth grade.

"Do you need me to make arrangements for the medicinal ingredients?" Elder Liu asked again. Now that he had become a Dou Emperor, his status among the elders was quite high. Using a little authority to get things done would be highly efficient.

"I have already prepared the ingredients myself. There is no need to trouble Elder Liu." Liuli declined. Although these pills were not high-grade, most of the ingredients they used were unique to the Northern Domain of Central Continent and were relatively obscure and rare. Most were controlled by the Sword Clan, so Liuli had stockpiled quite a few in her Storage Ring. There was no need to make others go to great lengths to search for them.

"I understand. Come with me."

Jia Ma Empire, Stone Desert City

A crow flew through the bustling streets, passed over an imposing gate, and slowly landed on the railing of a pavilion.

Xiao Ding reached out and stroked the crow's feathers a few times, then took out a roll of letter paper from the small wooden box tied to its leg and carefully read it.

"Elder Brother, is there news from home?" A Young Man who resembled him somewhat, though with a more sinister air, walked over and asked.

"Dad sent word that the situation in Wutan City has already been settled. Our Xiao Family has become Wutan City's representative. Dad has also broken through to the Dou Ling realm," the White-robed Youth replied.

"That is excellent. We no longer need to worry about Dad or the family's safety. Back when you and I left to make our way in the world, Dad's position within the family had been shaken considerably. Now that he has broken through to Dou Ling, those problems will resolve themselves." The Young Man smiled.

"How is Xiao Yanzi?" Xiao Ding asked.

"He is still recovering from his injuries, but his spirits have not been very good. It feels as if he has suffered some kind of blow..." The Young Man frowned, his voice carrying a trace of concern.

"Neither of us can really talk him through it. His temperament is calm, but he is extremely resolute. We have to believe in him. A few setbacks will not bring him down.

Come to think of it, nearly three years have passed. His Three Year Agreement with that young lady from the Nalan Family is almost here. Who would have thought that in these three years, our little brother would grow from a Dou Qi Third Stage good-for-nothing, mocked by the world, into someone who has surpassed us? Such talent is even more terrifying than that Xiao Family genius from back then. Perhaps this is heaven making it up to him?" Looking at the mercenaries training below, Xiao Ding spoke with gratification.

"On the road ahead, we two brothers may only be able to watch his back and silently pray for him." Xiao Li gave a bitter smile, but his voice was filled with pride.

The first volume had ended. In the next volume, the two of them would finally meet!