Central Plains, Nine Extremes Mountain.
Nine towering peaks formed a ring, each summit bearing a Bloodline Stele covered in ancient runes. This was the Nine Clans' final trump card—the Bloodline Altar. Legend held that, using the essence blood of the ten-thousand-year-old Gu Clan as a catalyst, the altar could summon "heaven's mandate flame" back into the world and reshape the order of Dou Qi. All those without Gu Clan blood would become slaves for eternity, forbidden to cultivate fire.
"The altar has awakened! Heaven's mandate shall return!"
The Nine Clans Elders stood atop the peaks, chanting ancient incantations in unison. In an instant, the earth trembled and bloody light surged skyward. Nine blood-red pillars of light erupted from the steles and converged in the heavens, condensing into a swirling golden flame—heaven's mandate flame · source return form.
"Mortal flames shall perish! The old order shall shine anew!" The Soul Clan Ancestor threw back his head and laughed. "Lin Yan, even with the flames of the people, you cannot withstand the true mandate of heaven!"
But just then—
"BOOM!"
Across the northern horizon, a sea of crimson-gold fire swept toward them like a rising tide. Wherever it passed, yellow sand became flame and mountain stone melted into molten slurry. Above the sea of fire, a figure strode upon the flames, his Flame Blade sheathed, his eyes blazing like torches.
Lin Yan had arrived.
Behind him stood countless ordinary people.
There were one-armed veterans with fire burning in their palms; banished servants who used their blood as a catalyst; youths from the borderlands who had walked a thousand miles; village women holding infants, kneeling and bowing their heads to the earth, seeking only a future where their children could hold their heads high and cultivate fire.
None of them were powerful. None