A Father and Son's Choice, Reforging a Martial Soul!

"However, the Origin-Returning Soul-Raising Pill is a heaven-defying rarity. There is only one in this world, and no second pill exists."

Qian Xunzong looked calmly at the Ma father and son before slowly revealing the cruel truth:

"There is only one pill, which means there is only one opportunity. Between the two of you, father and son, only one can choose it."

"Either the pill goes to Ma Jinyan. He can reforge his shattered martial soul, repair every flaw in his foundation, restore his cultivation to its peak, and perhaps even break through his limits to rise another level. But Sect Master Ma, your origin has been exhausted and your lifespan depleted. No medicine can save you. After some time, you will die and vanish from this world."

"Or the pill goes to Sect Master Ma. You can eradicate the poison within your body, restore your depleted origin, extend your lifespan, and regain your vitality. But Ma Jinyan will remain an ordinary person, forever cut off from the path of a soul master."

One choice between two: one lived, one died; one flourished, one withered.

A single pill would decide the fates of father and son for the rest of their lives. It was unimaginably cruel, yet utterly fair.

The entire Crimson Flame Main Hall instantly fell deathly silent. A needle dropping could have been heard.

Everyone's eyes remained fixed on the Ma father and son, filled with sympathy, regret, and anxious concern. No one dared speak.

This choice was simply too cruel. On one side was his biological father's life, and on the other was his son's future. No matter which they chose, it would leave behind a piercing regret.

After a brief silence, Ma Jinyan barely hesitated. He suddenly raised his head, his eyes red as tears surged forth. His voice choked, yet incomparably resolute. "I give it up!"

"Give this pill to my father!"

He bit his lip hard as tears continued to slide down his face, splashing onto the ground in tiny droplets. His tone carried an unshakable determination:

"My father raised me. Without him, there would be no Ma Jinyan today. My cultivation, my martial soul, my future—I can give all of it up! It does not matter if I become useless. I can be an ordinary person and live peacefully for the rest of my life! But I cannot live without my father! I want my father to live!"

To him, cultivation and his future were all external things. The bond between father and son was the most precious thing in the world. He would rather remain ordinary for life and become a mere mortal than exchange his father's safety for anything else.

His tearful words moved everyone present to the core. Every elder's eyes reddened, and their hearts ached bitterly.

Yet Ma Mingshan, upon hearing this, slowly shook his head.

The frail, elderly sect master showed not the slightest joy in his eyes. Instead, they were filled with resolve and fatherly love. Trembling, he raised a hand and gently wiped the tears from his son's face. His voice was hoarse, yet incomparably firm. "Silly child, you cannot."

"Your father has lived a full life and led this sect for decades. I have lived long enough. But you are different. You are still young. Your life has only just begun."

"Do you know what it means, in these troubled times, in this world of soul masters where the strong reign supreme, to have no soul power, no cultivation, and no martial soul?" Ma Mingshan's eyes were filled with heartache and reluctance, every word heavy.

"It means you will forever be beneath others. It means you will be bullied for your entire life. It means you will have no dignity and be at the mercy of anyone who wishes to manipulate you! I would rather sacrifice myself and exhaust my final spark of life than let you spend your life bowing your head, living in this world without dignity!"

"This pill should go to you! I want you to return to your peak so that you can serve beneath the young master as well!!"

Father and son pushed the opportunity back and forth, each yielding to the other. One was willing to sacrifice his future for his father's life, while the other was willing to sacrifice his life for his son's path.

No one in the hall interrupted. Only muffled sobs rose and fell. A solemn, tragic atmosphere enveloped the entire place, weighing heavily on every heart.

"Father! Do not be foolish! I do not want any future—I only want you to live!"

Ma Jinyan clutched Ma Mingshan's arm tightly as tears poured from his eyes. Several times, his sobs stole his voice.

"Listen to me!" Ma Mingshan's gaze turned stern, though his tone remained full of fatherly affection.

"As the son of Ma Mingshan, how can you spend your whole life as an ordinary person, suffering contempt and bullying? There has never been anyone mediocre in the Ma Family bloodline!"

The two remained deadlocked, arguing without end. Neither would accept this sole chance of survival for himself.

After a long while, several Blazing Flame Sect elders could no longer endure it. They stepped forward one after another to persuade him, their voices earnest and emotional.

"Jin Yan, you are still young, and your future is boundless. The sect master spent his entire life laboring for the sect and its disciples. It is already enough!"

"Yes, Young Sect Master. Your talent is extraordinary. Once your martial soul is restored, you will surely return to the summit and continue Lie Yan's glory. The sect master's sacrifice... is worth it!"

"Young Master, the dead are gone, while the living must go on. This is the sect master's final wish. You must not let him down! Only by returning to your peak can you repay the sect master's painstaking devotion!"

Everyone took turns persuading him, every sentence sincere and every word heartfelt.

Ma Jinyan looked at his father's resolute eyes, then at the elders' earnest gazes. The last line of defense in his heart completely crumbled, and endless grief and helplessness swept through his body.

He dropped heavily to his knees, tears gushing wildly as his entire body shook violently. In the end, he could only lower his head through tears and sob in a hoarse voice:

"Your son... will obey Father's arrangements..."

At that moment, despair, sorrow, and reluctance intertwined in the youth's eyes, making everyone's hearts ache for him. He had given up the family bond he cherished most, bearing his father's life and expectations as he accepted this heaven-defying opportunity to change his fate.

Seeing that his son had finally agreed, Ma Mingshan's tense body instantly relaxed. A relieved, gratified yet sorrowful smile appeared on his face. He gently stroked Ma Jinyan's head and murmured softly:

"Good child... live well. Live with dignity. Live with brilliance..."

The matter was settled, and the opportunity's recipient had been decided.

Ma Mingshan slowly raised his head to face Qian Xunzong. His voice was solemn and grave, every word ringing through the entire hall:

"Today, in the name of Ma Mingshan, thirteenth-generation sect master of the Blazing Flame Sect, I formally announce—starting today, the Blazing Flame Sect is disbanded! There will be no more Blazing Flame Sect in this world. From this day onward, all disciples, elders, resources, and foundations of the Blazing Flame Sect will submit to Young Master Qian Xunzong and join his ranks, following him forever without abandoning him!"

The Blazing Flame Sect had stood within the volcanic mountain range for centuries. As one of the Earth Three Sects, it possessed profound foundations and a renowned name. Today, it formally came to an end.

All the elders present bowed in unison, their solemn voices resounding through heaven and earth. "We are willing to submit and swear to follow the Second Young Master unto death!"

Looking at the Blazing Flame Sect members who had completely submitted before him, and at this perfect conclusion, a faint trace of satisfaction flashed through Qian Xunzong's eyes. He was quite pleased inwardly.

By saving them and throwing out this opportunity, he had successfully subdued the entire Blazing Flame Sect, gaining a group of utterly loyal fire-attribute soul masters with top-tier combat strength. The forces under his command had grown once more, and his harvest had been immense.

Then, Qian Xunzong's lips curved slightly as he slowly spoke again, bringing boundless surprise to everyone. "Sect Master Ma is sincere and righteous, deeply devoted to his son, and selfless throughout his life. He is worthy of admiration.

"However, you do not need to die either."

As soon as those words fell, everyone froze. They lifted their heads blankly, their hearts filled with astonishment.

A faint light flashed in Qian Xunzong's palm, and a jade-green herb appeared. Its branches and leaves unfurled, overflowing with vitality. Threads of life force continuously spilled from it and wrapped around his body. Merely drawing near made one feel refreshed, as though life itself were stirring within them.

"This is a Longevity-Extending Herb. It can replenish vitality and prolong one's lifespan," Qian Xunzong explained calmly.

"After you consume it, you will gain an additional year of life out of thin air. Though it cannot cure your poison, it will be enough for you to peacefully witness Jin Yan reforge his martial soul and return to his peak."

This herb was not an immortal-grade treasure, but to Ma Mingshan in his current state, it was extraordinarily precious.

Just as a trace of comfort rose in everyone's hearts, Qian Xunzong abruptly changed the subject and revealed an even more shocking heaven-defying opportunity.

"Not only that, I can grant you an even greater fortune."

"I can allow you to completely eradicate the poison within your body, restore every bit of your damaged origin, and heal all your injuries. Not only will you survive completely, but you can return to your peak and even possess terrifying strength comparable to a Limit Douluo."

Boom!

The entire hall erupted at those words. Everyone's pupils contracted sharply, their faces filled with utter shock as even their breathing stalled.

An elderly sect master on the verge of death, whose origin had been depleted, could not only live but also fully recover, return to his peak, and even enter the ranks of Limit Douluos? This was a double heaven-defying fortune that changed one's fate!

Ma Mingshan's body shook violently. He stared at Qian Xunzong in disbelief, his eyes overflowing with shock and incredulity.

Before anyone could recover, Qian Xunzong slowly revealed the sole restriction:

"But there are no free opportunities in this world. This fortune has one condition. You must accept my shackles for life and never take even half a step beyond the territory I designate. You will guard one place for the rest of your life and never leave for eternity."

It seemed to restrict one's freedom, but in truth, it was an unparalleled honor.

No one knew that Qian Xunzong had already decided to bestow the Throne of Guardian and Mercy upon Ma Mingshan.

Ma Mingshan possessed a good grasp of the bigger picture, a solid temperament, and suitable strength. He was conscientious and responsible, making him truly well-suited to inherit the Throne of Guardian and Mercy.

The Divine Seal Throne contained vast and sacred energy, enough to easily wash away and purify the strange poison that had accumulated in Ma Mingshan's body for years. It could completely restore his depleted and damaged life origin, soothing all old injuries and losses.

Not only could it fully heal his injuries and greatly extend his lifespan, but it could also use the power of the divine seal to reshape his soul power foundation, break through his previous limits, and restore him to his peak. He was already level ninety-five, and with the throne's support, he would possess terrifying combat strength comparable to a Limit Douluo.

As for the so-called shackles, they were also the throne's restraints, ensuring that he would serve Qian Xunzong permanently and guard his forces.

Such an opportunity was an unmatched fortune that could only be encountered by chance even across the entire continent!

After his shock faded, Ma Mingshan did not hesitate in the slightest. He solemnly bowed. Though his body swayed unsteadily, his voice was incomparably firm:

"This old man is willing! Thank you, Young Master, for the grace of granting me a new life! From this day onward, this old man will observe these shackles for life, guard the designated territory, swear to follow Young Master unto death, and never betray you!"

He could live, witness his son's rise to the peak, return to his own peak, and protect one region once more. He asked for nothing else and accepted willingly!

Thus, all matters were completely settled.

Qian Xunzong nodded slightly, handing the Longevity-Extending Herb to Ma Mingshan while placing the Origin-Returning Soul-Raising Pill into Ma Jinyan's hand.

"Very well. The two of you should immediately enter seclusion, regulate your breathing, and refine the medicinal power."

Father and son solemnly accepted the treasures, their hearts filled with reverence and gratitude. They bowed once again in thanks.

Then, they each sat down cross-legged and began regulating their breathing, refining the herb and the pill.

Ma Mingshan's refinement of the Longevity-Extending Herb proceeded much more quickly. The time it took for an incense stick to burn passed in an instant, and the jade-green herb's medicinal power completely merged into his limbs, bones, meridians, and origin.

His dry, snow-white hair quietly regained a faint black sheen. His pale, haggard face gradually became rosy and full, while his clouded eyes regained their clarity and sharpness.

In the brief span of one incense stick, Ma Mingshan's decaying body, once on the brink of death, had been completely renewed. Though he had not escaped his dire condition of illness and depleted lifespan, it was enough to grant him another year of life.

"This subordinate thanks the Second Young Master for the grace of granting me a new life!"

Without hesitation, Ma Mingshan knelt before Qian Xunzong. Seeing this, Qian Xunzong waved a hand. "Sect Master Ma, there is no need for such courtesy."

Ma Jinyan's refinement process, however, was far more prolonged.

The Origin-Returning Soul-Raising Pill was a heaven-defying divine pill. Reforging a martial soul, repairing one's foundation, and removing its flaws was a vast undertaking that defied the heavens and changed one's fate.

For a full half hour, crimson radiance swirled through the Crimson Flame Main Hall. Vast, surging fire-attribute soul power gathered frantically from all directions and poured into Ma Jinyan's body.

Everyone stood quietly to one side, holding their breath as they witnessed this heaven-defying transformation from beginning to end.

Ma Jinyan's entire body shone brilliantly. Nourished by the divine power of the pill, his shattered martial soul origin gradually pieced itself together, reforged itself, and condensed. His damaged and severed soul power meridians were all restored and connected, the flaws that had plagued his martial soul for years were completely removed, and his innate constitution and talent underwent another sublime transformation.

Boundless, surging soul power erupted explosively from within him. Layer upon layer of soul power pressure swept through the entire hall, shaking every heart.

Level eighty, level eighty-five, level ninety... level ninety-three, level ninety-four!

His Soul Power Level soared all the way upward, unstoppable and without the slightest obstruction!

When his soul power finally settled at level ninety-four, Titled Douluo, a faint rumble echoed between heaven and earth. Eight Soul Rings lit up first, followed by a dazzling crimson Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring rising from beneath his feet and circling his body, its halo vast and its pressure immense!

Behind him appeared a phoenix engulfed in blood-red flames, its aura magnificent and majestic.

Half an hour later, Ma Jinyan slowly opened his eyes. Fire blazed within them, soaring toward the heavens with a sharp, dazzling brilliance, like reborn flames burning away the darkness of the past and revealing their full edge!

He rose to his feet, his aura steady and vast, his soul power dense and pure. The fire-attribute soul power around him was tyrannical and mighty, far surpassing what it had once been. He had truly achieved nirvanic rebirth.

"I... my martial soul has completely shed its flaws and become the Heavenly Soul Rainbow Phoenix!!!"

Seeing both father and son reborn and their strength soaring, every elder and disciple of the Blazing Flame Sect was filled with excitement, their eyes brimming with tears.

Ma Mingshan was overwhelmed with emotion, reverence, and gratitude. Together with Ma Jinyan, he knelt once more before Qian Xunzong, their voices sincere and solemn:

"Young Master has granted new life to both father and son, and new life to all of Lie Yan's people. This grace and virtue will never be forgotten by the Ma Family or our sect. We are willing to die in service to Young Master!!"

Afterward, Ma Mingshan immediately issued orders to prepare a grand feast and set up banquets everywhere, pouring out every reserve of the sect to solemnly thank Qian Xunzong for his grace of granting them new life.

The Crimson Flame Mountain Range was decorated with lanterns and banners. The former desolation and oppression had completely dissipated, replaced by the joy and excitement of new life.

Across the volcanic mountain range stretching for dozens of miles, crimson firelight gleamed brilliantly while roaring flames rose without end. They bore witness to the fall of the century-old Blazing Flame Sect, as well as the nirvanic rebirth of a father and son, opening an entirely new chapter.