Before the crystal coffin in Jia Nan Academy's underground sealing chamber, four-colored flames surged wildly. The golden radiance of the mysterious yellow earth-core flame, the deep blue of the sea heart flame, the jade green of the green lotus core flame, and the crimson of the fallen heart flame intertwined in Xiao Yan's palm, yet refused to merge. Instead, they tore at one another like four untamable beasts, every collision sending ripping agony through his meridians.
"Urgh!" Xiao Yan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the jade floor before him red. The repulsion between the four heavenly flames far exceeded his expectations. The newly subdued sea heart flame was especially troublesome: its water-element origin naturally clashed with the fire-element attributes of the other three flames. Moments earlier, it had nearly broken through his Dou Qi restraints and scorched the crystal coffin sealing the fallen heart flame.
"You can't try again!" Xiao Yi Xian hurriedly pressed down on his shoulder, sending Dou Qi from beneath her purple dress into his body to temporarily suppress the rampaging flames. "Your meridians are already cracking. Forcing them to merge again will damage your foundations!" Nalan Yanran also took out a Tranquility Pill. "Han Feng may have been captured, but forces in the Black-Corner Region are still stirring. You can't fall now."
Xiao Yan bit through the pill. Its cool medicinal power flowed down his throat, slightly calming his churning blood and Qi. He gazed at the four distinctly colored flames in his palm, defiance flashing in his eyes alongside helplessness. "The sea heart flame's water-element energy conflicts with the other heavenly flames. Unless I break through to Dou Zong and use Dou Zong-level Dou Qi to forcibly neutralize their attributes, merging them is impossible."
The dean approached, leaning on his staff, and studied the flame patterns lingering on the crystal coffin. "While consulting ancient texts, I discovered that merging heavenly flames requires the right timing and favorable surroundings. You already have three heavenly flames as your foundation. Why not seal the sea heart flame for now, then try merging them with the fallen heart flame's earth-fire origin after you reach Dou Zong?" He took out a pitch-black jade box. "This is the Flame-Locking Box treasured by the academy. Forged from ten-thousand-year black iron mixed with obsidian, it can temporarily isolate a heavenly flame's aura."
Xiao Yan accepted the Flame-Locking Box, its chill spreading through his fingertips. Intricate sealing runes covered its surface, faintly radiating a flame-suppressing power. Taking a deep breath, he slowly guided the sea heart flame into the box. The deep-blue flame hissed the moment it touched the inner wall. The runes instantly lit up, forming a black curtain of light that locked the flame firmly inside.
"That should keep it safe." Xiao Yan placed the Flame-Locking Box in the deepest part of his Storage Ring, where three layers of Dou Qi barriers stood guard. "Once I've dealt with matters in the Black-Corner Region, I'll enter seclusion and attempt to reach Dou Zong. Until then, no one must learn that I possess four heavenly flames." Xiao Yi Xian added, "The sea heart flame's water-element attribute might counter the Otherworldly Demons' dark energy. Once you successfully merge them, we'll have a better chance against those demons."
On the third day after sealing the sea heart flame, Xiao Yan convened an alliance assembly in Jia Nan Academy's plaza. The master of Ten Thousand Beasts Valley, the mayor of Falling Wind Town, and the leaders of forces large and small throughout the Black-Corner Region all attended. Even the commander of the reinforcements sent by the Jia Ma Empire made a special trip to join them. On the raised platform at the plaza's center, Xiao Yan's Eight-Star Dou Wang aura had yet to fully recover, but it carried unquestionable authority.
"I've gathered you here today to completely purge the Black-Corner Region of the remaining Otherworldly Demons and rebel forces." Xiao Yan's voice, carried by Dou Qi, spread throughout the plaza. "Han Feng has been captured, but his remaining forces still occupy Black Wind Valley, conspiring with the Otherworldly Demon Altar. I propose that Xiao Gate take the lead, joining Jia Nan Academy and Ten Thousand Beasts Valley to form a combined army. Within three days, we'll march on Black Wind Valley, destroy the altar, and restore peace to the Black-Corner Region!"
Murmurs immediately rose below the platform. A leader with a brutish face stepped forward. "You're young, Gate Master Xiao, but you certainly talk big! Black Wind Valley has treacherous terrain and a Dou Zong expert guarding it. Why should we follow you to our deaths?" Several others echoed his words, clearly former followers of Han Feng deliberately making trouble.
Xiao Yan's gaze turned cold, and the mysterious yellow flame flashed across his fingertips. "Anyone unwilling to participate may leave immediately. But from this day onward, anyone who makes an enemy of Xiao Gate makes an enemy of the Anti-Demon Alliance. They will be killed without mercy!" His Eight-Star Dou Wang pressure erupted. The leaders who had been shouting moments before turned deathly pale and involuntarily retreated several steps.
The master of Ten Thousand Beasts Valley stood. "Ten Thousand Beasts Valley is willing to follow Gate Master Xiao's orders!" The dean also declared, "Jia Nan Academy offers its full support!" With two major powers taking the lead, the other leaders hastened to submit. Seeing this, even the troublemakers could only grit their teeth and agree. Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction. "The combined army will split into three divisions. Ten Thousand Beasts Valley will outflank them on the left, the academy's disciples will lead the frontal assault, and Xiao Gate will break through on the right. Assemble here in three days!"
Once the deployment was settled, Xiao Yan left Nalan Yanran to coordinate the combined army's affairs and returned to Xiao Gate's base with Xiao Yi Xian and the Xiao Clan members. Bluestone Terrace's expansion had been completed within half a month, and its defensive formation had been upgraded to a high-tier Spirit-Absorbing Formation, capable of withstanding attacks from Dou Zong experts. The herb garden beside the river valley held purification spirit grass cultivated by Xiao Yi Xian, giving off a faint fragrance. Inside the council hall, Xiao Chen was leading several stewards in organizing a map of the Black-Corner Region's forces.
"Brother Xiao Yan, these are the tributes sent by the seven tribes that recently submitted." Xiao Chen handed over a list detailing various ores, medicinal herbs, and magical beast materials. "But the Black Tooth Tribe and the Blood Wolf Gang still refuse to state their position. They even injured the envoys we sent to negotiate." Xiao Yan tapped his fingers against the table. "Those two tribes have close ties to Han Feng. They never intended to submit sincerely."
Xiao Yi Xian pointed to Black Tooth Mountain on the map. "The Black Tooth Tribe excels at laying poison formations, and the Blood Wolf Gang's leader is an early-stage Dou Emperor. Their two leaders have joined forces to hold Black Tooth Mountain. It's easy to defend and difficult to attack." Xiao Yan gave a cold laugh. "A perfect chance to establish our authority. Pass down my order: tomorrow morning, I'll personally lead Xiao Gate's elite forces against Black Tooth Mountain!"
Early the next morning, thirty core Xiao Gate disciples assembled at the foot of the mountain. These disciples were elites chosen from the Xiao Clan and the allied forces. Even the weakest had reached the peak of Da Dou Shi, and five had already broken through to Dou Ling. Xiao Yan wore the Flame Spirit Armor obtained from the Misty Cloud Sect's treasury. The mysterious yellow earth-core flame flowed over his Heavy Sword, while his Eight-Star Dou Wang aura made the very air tremble.
"Our target is Black Tooth Mountain. Those who surrender will be spared!" At Xiao Yan's command, his Azure Luan Wings spread, and he led the disciples up the mountain path. Sure enough, poison formations covered the entrance to Black Tooth Mountain. Dark-green poison mist filled the valley, giving off a pungent stench. Xiao Yi Xian stepped forward, green mist swirling around her fingertips. "A few poison formations like these won't stop me." She flicked her fingers, turning several antidote pills into powder that dispersed into the poisonous mist. More than half of the dark green instantly faded.
"Kill!" Xiao Gate's disciples surged forward and clashed fiercely with the Black Tooth Tribe members guarding the mountain pass. Xiao Yan headed straight for the tribal hall at the summit. Just as he reached its entrance, he saw the Blood Wolf Gang's leader blocking his path with more than ten followers. "Xiao Yan, you brat! You dare invade my Black Tooth Mountain? Today, you'll come here and never leave!" The Blood Wolf Gang's leader swelled into a wolfman ten feet tall, his early-stage Dou Emperor aura ferocious beyond measure.
"You're courting death." Xiao Yan swept his Heavy Sword sideways, and the mysterious yellow earth-core flame became a golden blade of sword Qi. The wolfman swung his sharp claws to block it, only to be driven back again and again, the fur on his claws scorched black. "How is this possible? Your Dou Qi can actually counter my beast transformation!" Terror filled the wolfman's face. He had never seen such an overbearing flame.
Xiao Yan gave him no chance to catch his breath. His Azure Luan Wings accelerated, and he slipped behind the wolfman like a phantom, pointing his Heavy Sword straight at his heart. "Will you surrender?" The wolfman still wanted to resist, but the mysterious yellow flame's purification power suppressed him until he could not move. He could only grit his teeth and say, "I surrender!" With their leader's surrender, the members of the Black Tooth Tribe and the Blood Wolf Gang laid down their weapons one after another. In less than half a day, Xiao Gate had completely subdued Black Tooth Mountain.
After this battle, no one in the Black-Corner Region dared question Xiao Gate's authority again. Xiao Yan seized the opportunity to issue three new rules: all subordinate forces were to contribute thirty percent of their resources each month to the fight against the demons; private fighting between forces was forbidden, with all disputes to be arbitrated by Xiao Gate; any trace of Otherworldly Demons had to be reported immediately, and anyone who concealed such information would be killed without exception.
To ensure the new rules were enforced, Xiao Yan stationed Xiao Gate disciples among forces large and small to oversee resource contributions and searches for Otherworldly Demons. Against those who refused to obey, he personally led punitive expeditions. Within a single month, he crushed five rebellions and planted Xiao Gate's banners throughout the Black-Corner Region's towns and cities.
Looking at the latest map of the region's forces, Jia Nan Academy's dean remarked with emotion, "I never imagined Xiao Gate could unite the Black-Corner Region in so little time. Young Xiao's methods are even more formidable than I expected." The master of Ten Thousand Beasts Valley nodded as well. "The Black-Corner Region is more united now than ever before. Even the Otherworldly Demons have greatly curbed their activities."
Yet Xiao Yan never lowered his guard. He knew hidden currents ran beneath the surface calm. Han Feng was imprisoned in Jia Nan Academy's dungeon, but the "master" he had spoken of had never appeared. The Otherworldly Demon Altar in Fog Forest was still operating, and the number of black-robed figures only continued to grow. As for his father Xiao Zhan's whereabouts, he had no leads at all. Only the occasional faint sensation from the sea heart flame's seal reminded him that this was far from over.
Even as he consolidated the region's forces, Xiao Yan never neglected his cultivation. After handling his daily affairs, he would enter the lowest level of Jia Nan Academy's Heavenly Flames Tower and temper his Dou Qi with the fallen heart flame's power. Nourished by three heavenly flame origins, the mysterious yellow earth-core flame grew increasingly pure. His Eight-Star Dou Wang cultivation had long since stabilized, and he was only one step away from Dou Emperor.
One day, while cultivating in the Heavenly Flames Tower, Xiao Yan suddenly sensed an unusual disturbance from the Flame-Locking Box inside his Storage Ring. He took it out and discovered faint ripples appearing on the black curtain of light. The sea heart flame seemed to be resonating with the fallen heart flame. Could it be...? Stirred by a sudden thought, Xiao Yan placed the Flame-Locking Box beside the crystal sealing the fallen heart flame. The two flames trembled gently through their containers, as though exchanging some kind of information.
"Once I reach Dou Zong, I'll uncover the connection between you." Xiao Yan tightened his grip on the Flame-Locking Box, anticipation flashing in his eyes. He could sense that merging the four heavenly flames was not impossible; all he lacked was the right opportunity. And that opportunity might lie within the mysteries surrounding the Otherworldly Demon Altar and his father's disappearance.
Three months later, Xiao Gate's influence covered the entire Black-Corner Region. The base at Bluestone Terrace had expanded into a magnificent castle, and its defensive formation had been upgraded to the Nine-Flame Heaven-Burning Formation, capable of withstanding attacks from a Peak Dou Zong. The herb garden beside the river valley had grown into the Black-Corner Region's largest medicinal herb production base, while the pills refined by Xiao Yi Xian were sold as far away as the Jia Ma Empire. Under Xiao Yan's guidance, the Xiao Clan members' strength advanced by leaps and bounds. Xiao Chen had even broken through to Dou Ling, becoming a leading figure among Xiao Gate's younger generation.
At the anniversary celebration of Xiao Gate's founding, the leaders of every force in the Black-Corner Region gathered at Bluestone Terrace Castle. Xiao Yan stood on the watchtower atop the castle, gazing at the neatly assembled Xiao Gate disciples in the plaza and listening to the cheers drifting from afar. His Eight-Star Dou Wang aura carried the steady bearing of a sovereign.
"Brother Xiao Yan, Jia Nan Academy has sent word that the fallen heart flame's seal has become much more stable." Xiao Chen ran over to report, his face brimming with pride. "The dean said that once you reach Dou Zong, you might be able to use the fallen heart flame's power to completely purify the Otherworldly Demon Altar in Black Wind Valley." Xiao Yan nodded. "Spread the word. After the celebration, I'll enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to Dou Emperor."
Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran climbed the watchtower and gazed across the Black-Corner Region's vast rivers and mountains. The setting sun's golden radiance fell upon them, bathing purple dress and white robes in a warm glow. "Once you reach Dou Emperor, we can march on Black Wind Valley," Nalan Yanran said expectantly. "Then we must find Uncle Xiao Zhan and uncover every mystery."
Xiao Yan took both their hands. The mysterious yellow earth-core flame danced gently in his palm, illuminating the resolve in his eyes. "We will." He knew Xiao Gate's rise was only the beginning; the true challenges still lay ahead. But with these dependable companions beside him and the support of Xiao Gate's countless disciples, he was confident he could overcome every hardship and danger in his path.
Night deepened, and the celebration's bonfires blazed in the castle plaza. Xiao Yan stood atop the tower, gazing at the starry sky over the Black-Corner Region and gripping the Flame-Locking Box tightly. The power of four heavenly flames lay quietly dormant within him, awaiting the day he reached Dou Zong. Xiao Gate's banners snapped in the night wind, proclaiming the arrival of a new era. And Xiao Yan's legend continued to unfold, writing new chapters still.
Before you continue