The Emperor Road Reopened

For three days, bloody battle raged through Wutan City, leaving corpses strewn across the land. The Hall of Souls Venerable Elder, the Misty Cloud Sect Master, and the Blood Saber Ancestor all fell beneath blades of wind and flame. Their three Venerable-rank bodies were burned to ash by nine nether wind flame, leaving only three Dou Zun golden cores, which Xiao Ze sealed inside a jade casket and placed in the Xiao Clan Ancestral Shrine—to honor the fallen souls and anchor the clan's fortune.

As the first light of dawn fell over the ruins, Xiao Ze stood amid the shattered walls of the City Lord's Mansion, his black robes snapping in the wind, wind and flame burning undying in his eyes.

"Uncle." Xiao Yan knelt on one knee. Though his aura was weak, his gaze blazed like a torch. "After this battle, I sensed the barrier to Dou Zong loosening. If I enter seclusion for seven days, I may be able to break through."

Xiao Ze turned, and a crimson-gold Jade Slip appeared in his palm. Nine flame patterns were carved into it, faintly resonating with nine nether wind flame.

"Go." He handed over the jade slip. "This is the third stage of the Nine Flames Return to Origin Art—'Fire-Fusing Foundation Building.' Combined with purifying lotus demon flame and nine nether wind flame, it will be enough to help you form an 'emperor flame seed' and break into the Dou Zong realm."

He paused, his voice low. "But remember, Dou Zong is not the end. It is the beginning of the Emperor Road."

Xiao Yan solemnly accepted it and kowtowed. "I will not fail your trust, Uncle. I will reopen the road to Dou Di!"

With that, he turned and entered the secret chamber. The stone door closed, and the Nine Nether Flame Formation formed automatically to guard his seclusion.

Xiao Clan Ancestral Shrine, Bloodflame Altar.

Xiao Ze sat alone before the three Venerable-rank remains, forming seals with both hands. Nine nether wind flame slowly coiled around him, flowing like wind, sharp as blades.

"Hall of Souls elder... since you were a Half-Step Dou Sheng, your soul must contain a fragment of the 'Emperor-Banishing Lock.'"

His eyes snapped open, and he barked, "Refine!"

Nine nether wind flame transformed into a thousand fiery threads and burrowed into the Venerable Elder's remnant soul, burning away stray thoughts and stripping out memories—

Boom!

Scene after scene exploded within Xiao Ze's sea of consciousness:

—In the Central Plains, at the Hall of Souls Headquarters, a nine-story black tower pierced the clouds. A broken golden chain was sealed atop it, inscribed with ancient seal script: "Emperor-Banishing Lock, nine chains seal the heavens."

—Nine heavenly flames were pierced through by the chains, their mournful cries unending. One flame actually shared the same origin as nine nether wind flame, yet was far more ancient, as though it had come from the Primordial Beginning.

—A white-haired old man knelt before the tower, roaring hoarsely, "The Dou Di is dead! The Nine Flames are incomplete! Unless the forbidden lock is broken, the Emperor Road will remain closed forever!"

—At the end of the vision, a low voice rang out: "Nine nether wind flame has appeared in the world. Nine Flames Return to Origin is about to begin... kill him, seize the flame, and lock the Emperor Road!"

Xiao Ze abruptly coughed up blood. His eyes turned crimson, yet wild laughter burst from him. "Hahaha... so that's it! So that's it!"

"The road to Dou Di was sealed by the Hall of Souls and the Gu Clan working together! The nine heavenly flames were formed from a Dou Di's blood. Only by gathering all Nine Flames and burning away the forbidden lock can the Emperor Road be reopened!"

He shattered the remnant soul with one palm, rose to his feet, and looked toward the Central Plains, his voice sharp as a blade. "Since you want to lock the heavens, then I, Xiao Ze—will burn the heavens!"

Seven days later, the secret chamber shook.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three heavenly flames shot into the sky—Nine nether wind flame, Pure Lotus demon flame, and Residual Burning Flame. They intertwined above Xiao Yan's head, forming a lotus of wind and fire. At its center, a Crimson-Gold Flame Seed slowly took shape, radiating a pressure that made hearts tremble.

"The Emperor Flame Seed... is complete!"

Xiao Yan opened his eyes, flames dancing within them. Dou Qi surged around him like a sea, and his aura climbed higher and higher—

One-Star Dou Zong!

Two-Star Dou Zong!

...

Seven-Star Dou Zong!

In seven days of seclusion, he broke through seven stages in succession, ascending straight to Peak Dou Zong!

"Uncle!" Xiao Yan emerged from seclusion and knelt on one knee. "I have become a Dou Zong and formed the Emperor Flame Seed. I can fight a Dou Zun!"

Xiao Ze nodded, but his expression remained grave. "It is not enough. The Hall of Souls knows you have broken through and will surely send stronger opponents. The Gu Clan... has also made its move."

He took out a shattered jade talisman, a faint golden glow lingering upon it.

"This is... Xiao Xun'er's Life-Bonded Soul Talisman."

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted sharply. "Xun'er? What happened to her?"

"She was exposed," Xiao Ze said heavily. "The Gu Clan discovered that she failed to report your acquisition of the flame. They have imprisoned her in the Ancient Realm Soul-Locking Tower and ordered her to face the wall and reflect on her transgression. If she offends again, they will destroy her bloodline."

Xiao Yan clenched his fists. Nine nether wind flame erupted violently, burning away the air around him.

"The Gu Clan... how could they be so heartless!"

"They are not heartless. They are afraid." Xiao Ze sneered. "Afraid of you setting foot on the Emperor Road, afraid of Nine Flames Return to Origin, afraid of... the return of a Dou Di."

He looked at Xiao Yan. "Do you want to save her?"

"Yes!"

"Then grow stronger." Xiao Ze raised his hand, and nine nether wind flame condensed into an ancient map, which slowly unfurled—

"The Central Plains, the Fire Domain. A clue to the second heavenly flame has appeared—Fallen heart flame is about to awaken."

"Go there. Seize the flame, temper your body, and break through to Dou Zun!"

"I want you to make fire your steps and battle your road, trample the Gu Clan's prodigies, burn away the Hall of Souls' schemes, and reopen—the gate to Dou Di!"

That night, at the Xiao Clan Ancestral Shrine in Wutan City.

Xiao Ze stood alone at the altar and cast the three Dou Zun golden cores into the fire. Nine nether wind flame blazed fiercely, forming a curtain of fire that reflected nine indistinct figures.

"Nine nether wind flame was originally the flame of the Nine Nether Dou Di. I am his reincarnation, but with the Nine Flames incomplete, the Emperor Soul cannot gather..." he murmured. "Now that Xiao Yan has opened the Emperor Road, I must use my remnant soul as a guide to awaken the spirits of the other eight flames."

He bit through his fingertip and drew a talisman in blood. Nine nether wind flame suddenly surged, shooting into the clouds and becoming a pillar of fire that pierced heaven and earth.

"Nine Flames Return to Origin, the emperor lock shall be undone—in the name of Nine Nether, I summon you all to return!"

In an instant—

In the Fire Domain of the Central Plains, fallen heart flame abruptly trembled, as though answering;

Deep within Fallen God Ravine, bone spirit cold flame suddenly assumed human form and whispered, "Nine Nether... have you finally awakened?";

In the Far Northern Icefields, where sea heart flame had lain dormant for a thousand years, the ice cracked open;

The nine heavenly flames answered one another across the distance.

The road to Dou Di had truly opened.

Several days later, at the border of the Central Plains.

Wearing a Flame-Patterned Cloak and carrying the Xuan Heavy Ruler on his back, Xiao Yan stood atop a mountain, gazing toward the crimson land in the distance—the Fire Domain.

"Xun'er, wait for me."

"Hall of Souls, Gu Clan... in this life, I, Xiao Yan, will make you kneel and beg for mercy!"

The wind rose, the flames stirred, and the young man strode upon fire.

Next chapter preview: "Flame Region Trial"

Xiao Yan entered the Fire Domain of the Central Plains and was surrounded by prodigies intent on killing him. Fallen heart flame emerged, and nine nether wind flame resonated and awakened. Xiao Ze laid his plans in secret as the trial of Nine Flames began, officially raising the curtain on the struggle for the Emperor Road.