Time flowed on, the years quietly turned, and in the blink of an eye, a full year had passed.
Deep within Ancient Dragon Island, the secluded cultivation chamber Xiao Ling had sealed with multiple layers of restrictions remained shrouded in hazy, interwoven Spiritual Power. Its aura was steady and vast, without the slightest trace of disorder.
Throughout that year, there had been scarcely any movement within the chamber. Only the long, unbroken aura of refining a Heavenly Flame's origin slowly stirred like an undercurrent in the deep sea.
During that time, Xiao Xuan and Zhu Kun had come together several times to investigate. Standing outside the restrictions, they quietly extended their Soul Perception, hoping to examine the situation within, but gained nothing each time.
Still, they could roughly tell that everything inside remained normal, so neither of them initially found anything unusual.
Yet as half a year, then a full year, slowly passed, even Xiao Xuan and Zhu Kun could not help but grow surprised.
By all reason, given Xiao Ling's devouring talent and solid foundation, even if refining this origin took considerable time, it should not have dragged on for so long.
Though they had their doubts, neither disturbed him over this matter. As Peak Dou Sheng, they knew well that external interference was most taboo when refining a Heavenly Flame's origin. The slightest misstep could render all prior effort futile.
Even though they were curious what level of refinement Xiao Ling was undertaking, they continued guarding the forbidden area outside, allowing him to remain immersed in seclusion and complete this crucial cultivation that would transform his strength.
Over the past year, the Dou Qi Continent had appeared peaceful on the surface, but turbulent undercurrents had long been surging beneath.
Across the Central Plains, clashes between various factions grew