Several months had passed since Liu Xiaowen's departure, and Green Luo had grown a little colder and quieter.
Xu Xuan stepped out of the great hall. Having emerged from seclusion today, he gazed toward a peak on Green Luo's southeastern edge, where Liang Yong resided.
He had been cultivating in seclusion when he suddenly sensed a surge of savage fury rushing from the southeast. It battered against its surroundings, fiery energy rising and sulfur spreading through the air. He immediately understood that Liang Yong was about to break through.
He rode a streak of lightning straight southeast and landed on the peak. Rumbles poured from the cave dwelling, shaking its formations.
Xu Xuan used his magical power to draw over some clouds and conceal the phenomena, but Liang Yong burst straight out of seclusion. Black fire blazed around him, its tongues flickering as the air cracked explosively.
The flames were ferocious, as though enraged. They lashed out in all directions with one explosion after another, collapsing the cave dwelling.
As Liang Yong gradually reined in his aura and stabilized his Immortal Foundation, the commotion subsided. When Xu Xuan looked again, the black-and-gray flames had formed a jeweled wheel, hanging behind Liang Yong and slowly turning.
Liang Yong gave a sharp cry, and his body stretched until he stood twice a man's height. His skin turned blue-black, his hair scarlet, and his face demonic. Four arms extended, and two snakes coiled around his waist. Terror and majesty mingled in that deeply intimidating form.
Clearly, however, Liang Yong could not sustain it for long. An instant later, he returned to normal. Xu Xuan descended on the wind and said with a smile:
"Congratulations on forging your Immortal Foundation, Protector Liang."
This was joyous news. Liang Yong excelled at combat, and now that