The Nine Nether Token Emerges

Central Plains, on the outskirts of the Heaven-Burning Qi Refining Tower, Flame City.

Yellow sand filled the sky beneath a sun blazing like fire. An ancient stone stele stood before the city gates, inscribed with the words "Heavenly Flames Have Masters, Nine Nether Return to Origin." Though weathered, the lettering exuded an ancient pressure. For countless centuries, no one had been able to decipher its meaning.

Today, a figure approached across the sand.

His black robes snapped in the wind, wind and fire accompanying his steps. As his eyes opened and closed, nine nether wind flame flowed through them like dragons. Holding the Ancient Emperor Token, Xiao Yan stood before the stele and murmured, "Uncle said the Nine Nether Windfire Token was here... then here it shall emerge."

He pressed the token into the recess in the stele.

"Buzzz—"

The stele shuddered, shedding dust and sand. Nine fiery patterns emerged across its surface, coiling upward like awakening dragons. In an instant, heaven and earth changed color, crimson clouds churned, and a magnificent pillar of fire shot skyward, piercing straight through the clouds!

"The Nine Nether Windfire Token has emerged!"

"Its bearer shall command all flames and rule the Heavenly Flames! With Nine Flames Return to Origin, the Emperor Road shall reopen!"

The voice thundered across a hundred thousand miles, reaching every major power in the Central Plains.

"What? The Nine Nether Windfire Token has emerged?!"

"Impossible! Isn't that the token from ancient legends?"

"Quick! Investigate! Find out who activated it!"

Flame City square, beneath the fire stele.

Xiao Yan stood upon a raised platform, the Nine Nether Windfire Token floating above his head. Crimson-gold fire enveloped him, as though an emperor had descended into the mortal world. Powerful figures arrived from every direction upon hearing the news—prodigies, independent cultivators, and sect elders. All were cowed by the might of that Emperor Flame, sinking to their knees despite themselves.

"I am Xiao Yan, descendant of the Xiao Clan and master of nine nether wind flame." His voice was not loud, yet it struck their ears like thunder and rang throughout the square. "Now, bearing the Nine Nether Token, I proclaim to the world—the Heavenly Flame Tournament shall begin in three months, at the heart of the Fire Domain."

"All who possess Heavenly Flames may come and fight. The victors shall gain the recognition of Nine Nether and walk the Emperor Road together; the defeated shall return their Heavenly Flames to their rightful places and make way for Nine Flames Return to Origin."

"If anyone refuses to submit—" His gaze turned cold, and his Windfire Emperor Body erupted with power. "I shall burn all defiance to ashes!"

Before his words had faded, nine nether wind flame surged forth. A wave of fire a thousand zhang high swept outward, incinerating a distant stone mountain a hundred zhang tall into nothingness. Only a stretch of scorched, glassy earth remained.

The entire square fell deathly silent.

A moment later, a Dou Zong prodigy stepped out from the crowd and dropped to one knee. "Huo Wuya of Burning Flame Valley pledges allegiance to the Nine Nether Token Lord and wishes to explore the secrets of Heavenly Flames alongside him!"

"Lei Zhan of the Thunderfire Sect pledges allegiance!"

"Feng Li of Windfire Hall pledges allegiance!"

"Yan Fen of the Black Rock Alliance pledges allegiance!"

For a time, dozens of figures knelt in succession, all of them among the strongest of the Central Plains' younger generation. Some sought opportunities, some sought survival, and others sought the Emperor Road. Awed by the Nine Nether Token's might and Xiao Yan's strength, they willingly submitted.

"Very good." Xiao Yan drew back the token. The Nine Nether Windfire Token transformed into a fiery mark and branded itself between his brows. "We shall meet in the Fire Domain in three months. Anyone who dares seize the token shall be killed without mercy."

He turned and strode away through the air, wind and fire following him like an emperor returning to his throne.

Hall of Souls, Netherworld Hall.

Bang! The Venerable Elder shattered the jade table with a palm strike, his fury so great that he laughed. "That Xiao Yan! He dares command the assembled heroes with the Nine Nether Token? Who does he think he is? A reincarnated Dou Di?"

"Venerable Elder, we must not underestimate him," a black-robed figure murmured. "The emergence of the Nine Nether Windfire Token means Nine Flames Return to Origin has begun. If he gathers all nine flames, the Emperor Seal will break, and ten thousand years of planning by our Hall of Souls will be destroyed in an instant."

"Pass down my command—mobilize every member of the Black Flame Alliance! Infiltrate Flame City within three months and seize the token when the opportunity arises!"

"Also, contact the Gu Clan—if Xiao Yan dies, the Nine Nether Token is theirs, but the Heavenly Flames belong to our Hall of Souls!"

"Yes!"

Gu Clan, Emperor Hall.

Upon the nine golden chairs, the elders stared at Xiao Yan's image in the crystal mirror, remaining silent for a long time.

"He... truly formed the Windfire Emperor Body?"

"Yes, Clan Elder." A young man knelt on the floor. "He has also activated the Nine Nether Windfire Token. Seventy-two powers in the Central Plains have already answered his call. Heroes are flocking to him, and his momentum is immense."

The elder closed his eyes. Only after a long while did he sigh. "The Emperor Road is about to open. No single person can stop it. Pass down my command—the remnants of the Ancient Emperor Guards are to observe in secret. They must not act rashly."

"Also, begin the Ancient Emperor Trial and send the younger generation into the Fire Domain to contend for opportunities."

"If Xiao Yan dares come... let him learn that the Gu Clan are the true masters of Heavenly Flames!"

Wutan City, Xiao Clan Ancestral Shrine.

Xiao Ze sat cross-legged at the heart of the formation, nine nether wind flame resonating with the underground fire veins. Sensing the emergence of the Nine Nether Token, he smiled faintly. "Yan'er, you've finally taken the first step..."

He raised his hand, and a crimson-gold token emerged from the void—the very one Xiao Yan had seized from the Ancient Emperor Guards.

"The Ancient Emperor Token, combined with the Nine Nether Token, can open the Emperor Fire Trial Grounds..." he murmured. "Go. Go to the Central Plains, go to the Fire Domain, and reclaim everything that belongs to the Xiao Clan."

He gazed toward the horizon, as though he could see a figure wreathed in wind and fire striding across the flames, myriad fires following behind him. Nine Flames Return to Origin—the Emperor Road was about to open.

Next chapter preview: "Prodigies Gather in the Fire Domain"

The Heavenly Flame Tournament begins, and the prodigies of the Central Plains converge on the Fire Domain. The Gu Clan, the Hall of Souls, and the Black-Corner Region all send powerful fighters to infiltrate it. With his Windfire Emperor Body, Xiao Yan battles the assembled heroes alone, defeats three Dou Zong in succession, and seizes the Heaven-tier Dou Technique, the Burning Heaven Art. The name of Nine Nether resounds across the continent! The storm has only just begun.