Entering the light barrier felt like passing through a bubble. An invisible ripple swept over him, much like the scan he had experienced when leaving the Library Pavilion at the Outer Academy.
This scan, however, seemed to lack the strength to follow through. The moment it reached the Fallen Heart Flame within Chen Cang, it dissipated completely.
Hum...
Above the skeleton, the swaying Fallen Heart Flame grew increasingly agitated. Chen Cang looked up. It was clearly a young flame that had yet to develop intelligence, but at this moment, it seemed brimming with awareness.
It was like a child who had spotted a favorite toy, eager to reach out and touch it, only to be restrained by an invisible hand. All it could do was struggle and resist on instinct.
Stranger still, Chen Cang felt an immense closeness to this young flame. He even found it more endearing than the Fallen Heart Flame he had already refined within his body.
"Your fire-control technique... is truly uncanny, young friend. Had I possessed such means back then, perhaps... I would never have met this fate."
While Chen Cang studied the Fallen Heart Flame, a dazzling white light erupted from the skeleton. The light rapidly contracted and writhed, finally forming an illusory figure.
The figure wore white robes, with snow-white hair and beard and an aged face. He restrained the restless young Fallen Heart Flame with one hand, and his words carried an indescribable undertone.
Clearly, he thought Chen Cang was responsible for the little Fallen Heart Flame's unusual behavior.
Yet all Chen Cang wanted to say was, I'm innocent!
From beginning to end, he had done absolutely nothing. The little Fallen Heart Flame had acted on its own; it had nothing to do with him.
"I assume the call I sensed earlier