Xiao Yan held the invitation letter, which shimmered with a faint golden light, his fingertips able to feel a subtle pulse emanating from the runes, as if some ancient power flowed within it. Thunder Realm Lord stood beside him, his eyes filled with satisfaction and anticipation. "Receiving an invitation from the Council of the Heavens means your strength and heritage have been recognized. This is an opportunity that Realm Lord dream of."
" The All-Heavens Hub..." Xiao Yan repeated the name softly. There wasn't much information about this place in the remnant memory of the Flame God, only that it was the core connecting countless small worlds and the place where the laws of all heavens converged.
Three days later, Xiao Yan polished the Heaven Burning Sword until it gleamed, shouldered a simple bag, bid farewell to Thunder Realm Lord and several new friends, and embarked on his journey to the All-Heavens Hub. The teleportation array to the Hub was located on the Heavenly Altar at the very center of the Realm Capital, and was personally guarded by three high-ranking Realm Lord, demonstrating its importance.
The moment I stepped into the teleportation array, I felt an intense sense of spatial compression, more intense than any teleportation I had ever experienced before. The surrounding scenery distorted into colorful bands of light, and the whistling air currents of the laws filled my ears. After an unknown amount of time, I finally felt a solid touch beneath my feet.
Xiao Yan opened his eyes and found himself standing on a vast, boundless white jade plaza. The plaza was covered with countless teleportation arrays, and Realm Lord dressed in various costumes kept emerging from the arrays. Each of them exuded a powerful aura, the weakest of whom was at least Intermediate Realm Lord.
At the end of the square stands a magnificent building that defies description—it appears to be composed of countless stars, with shimmering bridges of light connecting the buildings, and countless streams of light weaving through them, carrying the laws of information.
"Young man, are you also here to attend the council meeting?" a gentle voice sounded beside him.
Xiao Yan turned around and saw a middle-aged man dressed in a blue robe. He had a refined appearance, a calm look in his eyes that seemed to have seen through the ways of the world, and an unfathomable Peak Realm Lord.
"This junior, Xiao Yan, is new to the Hub. I humbly request your guidance, senior." Xiao Yan bowed respectfully.
The man in the blue robe smiled and waved his hand, "My name is Yun He, just a free spirit, not someone who can offer guidance. You must be the successor of Senior Flame God, right? The aura of the Heaven Burning Sword is quite unique."
Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised. "Senior knows my master?"
"I wouldn't say we know each other," Yun He said with emotion. "Back when Senior Flame God was fighting against the Outer Realm Demons on the Battlefield of the Heavens, I was just a lowly cultivator who had just entered the core realm. His Heaven -Heaven Burning Sword was a weapon that made demons tremble with fear."
As they walked and talked, Yun He introduced Xiao Yan to a lot about the situation of the All-Heavens Hub: the Realm Lord here come from thousands of small worlds, some like Xiao Yan who inherited the legacy, and others who broke through through their own hard work; the council is composed of twelve Supreme Realm Lord, each of whom has the power to overturn rivers and seas, and is the core force that protects the heavens.
"This council's summons of us is likely truly related to the Outer Realm Demons," Yun He said gravely. "In recent centuries, there have been increasing reports of the peripheral small worlds being corrupted by demons, and... it's said that a new leader has emerged among the demons, whose strength is unfathomable."
Xiao Yan felt a chill run down his spine as he recalled the terrifying memories of Outer Realm Demons in the lingering remnants of the Flame God's will—they had no fixed form, fed on devouring the world's origin, leaving only desolation in their wake.
As they spoke, the two arrived before a massive circular hall. Above the hall floated the three ancient characters "Council Hall," radiating an aura of majestic law. Many Realm Lord were entering one after another, each with a solemn expression on their face.
"Go in, young brother Xiao Yan." Yun He stopped in his tracks. "With your potential, you might just shine in this council. Remember, no matter what happens, stay true to yourself. The legacy of Senior Flame God cannot be buried in your hands."
Xiao Yan nodded solemnly. "This junior understands, thank you for your guidance, Senior Yun He."
Stepping into the council hall, it was even more spacious than he had imagined. In the center was a huge circular platform, where twelve elderly men dressed in different attire sat upright, their auras as deep and imposing as mountains, casting an invisible pressure over the entire hall. Below the platform were densely packed seats, already occupied by many Realm Lord. Xiao Yan found a seat towards the back and silently observed his surroundings.
Soon, an elderly man with white hair and beard stood up. He sat at the head of the twelve Sovereign, exuding the most powerful aura, clearly the leader of the council.
"Fellow Daoists," the old man's voice, though not loud, carried clearly throughout the hall, "I have summoned you all here because we have discovered new developments in the Outer Realm Demons. They have been cultivating a new monster in the ' Void Rift,' called the ' Law-Devouring Beast,' capable of devouring the power of a cultivator's laws. Three mid-level worlds have already perished because of it."
A murmur of discussion immediately arose within the hall, and many Realm Lord showed expressions of surprise. Laws were the foundation of Realm Lord, and monsters that could devour laws were simply their nemesis.
"What's even more troublesome," the elder continued, "Is that, according to our investigation, the number of Law-Devouring Beast is increasing rapidly. If they are allowed to break through the Void Rift, the consequences will be unimaginable."
A burly man in armor stood up, his voice booming. "Elder, let's fight them! Do you think we, the Realm Lord the Heavens, are afraid of those demons?"
"We must not act rashly," another Supreme Realm Lord shook his head. "The weakness of the Law-Devouring Beast has not yet been found; a direct confrontation will only result in pointless sacrifice."
The discussion in the council chamber gradually heated up. Some advocated sending people to investigate weaknesses first, while others believed that all forces should be gathered to build a defensive line. Each had its own reasons.
Xiao Yan listened quietly, his mind flashing back to the information about demons in the lingering thoughts of the Flame God. Suddenly, he recalled a vague memory— the Flame God had mentioned in his notes that although the Outer Realm Demons were ferocious, they all had a trace of " Origin Fire " at their core, which was the source of their power and also their weakest point. And this flame had a similar fluctuation to his Heaven-Burning Flame.
"This junior has something to say." Xiao Yan stood up, his voice clear and bright.
The hall fell silent instantly, all eyes focused on the young Realm Lord, some surprised, some doubtful, and some indifferent.
The head elder looked at him gently. "Please speak, young friend."
Xiao Yan took a deep breath and said loudly, "I have seen records about Outer Realm Demons in the inheritance. At their core lies the ' Origin Fire,' which is the key to their power. Perhaps... this Law-Devouring Beast also has the same weakness."
Upon hearing this, many Realm Lord showed thoughtful expressions, and the twelve Sovereign also exchanged glances with a hint of interest in their eyes.
"Oh?" the elder asked, "Then, young friend, do you know how to find this Origin Fire?"
"My Heavenly Heaven-Burning Flame is similar in nature to the Demonic Origin Fire, so I might be able to sense its presence," Xiao Yan said frankly. "If I can encounter the Law-Devouring Beast, I'm willing to give it a try."
A commotion broke out in the hall. Some thought he was too young and reckless, while others thought it was worth a try.
The Grand Elder pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. Since you have such confidence, then join the exploration team. We will depart in three days, led by Realm Lord Yun He. Please be extremely careful."
Xiao Yan respectfully replied, "Yes, this junior understands."
As he sat down, he could feel many eyes on him, some scrutinizing, some expectant. He knew this was just the beginning. Faced with the threat of Outer Realm Demons, he had to grow up quickly, not only to inherit the legacy of the Flame God, but also to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the heavens.
Outside the window, the light streams of the All-Heavens Hub continued to flow ceaselessly, as if telling the story of the rise and fall of countless worlds. Xiao Yan gripped the Heaven Burning Sword tightly in his hand, the blade trembling slightly in his pocket, as if responding to his determination.
The battle is about to begin.