The chamber below was bathed in an intense glow of molten gold and fiery crimson. Several towering pillars stood around the perimeter, and at the center, a massive, gaping hole was suspended beneath a conical crucible.
A dense, circular energy barrier enveloped the pit, tightly sealing the area. The surface of the barrier shimmered with mysterious, serpentine lines, as if snakes were slithering across it, leaving behind winding grooves that pulsed with power.
The energy within the barrier was wild and violent. Waves of fierce spiritual pressure rippled outward, accompanied by a low, continuous rumbling—like muffled explosions deep within the earth.
Xiao Hua stepped forward and formed a hand seal. In response, a small gap appeared in the energy barrier, and searing heat instantly gushed outward, flooding the chamber with scorching air.
Unfazed, Xiao Hua walked forward with calm steps and entered the barrier. As soon as he passed through, the gap sealed shut behind him, trapping the blazing energy within and preventing even a trace from escaping.
He took a deep breath of the scorching energy around him. A satisfied expression surfaced on his face as he smiled and murmured, "It seems a bit of rough work will be needed…"
Xiao Hua leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping into the depths of the massive pit below. A brilliant crimson glow lit his eyes. A searing aura surged upward from the hole, lively and fierce like an awakening volcano.
Though there was still considerable distance between the entrance and the sea of magma far below, the oppressive heat remained intense and undiminished.
Bang!
Just as he was studying the depths, a deep, echoing sound reverberated through the chamber—like something massive slamming against the walls.
Bang!
Another heartbeat-like thud followed, louder and more forceful than the last. The frequency of the impacts grew more rapid, the seal below clearly being struck with increasing ferocity.
"How did that snake suddenly grow stronger?" Xiao Hua frowned, a trace of confusion flickering across his face. Even in the novel, there was no clear explanation for this abrupt surge in strength. Moreover, the timing didn't align—the increase in power shouldn't have happened until much later.
"Child, that snake absorbed the remnants of the Abysmal Calamity Ghostflame. That's the reason for its sudden growth." Lady Azure's voice echoed calmly in his mind.
"I see…" Understanding dawned in Xiao Hua's eyes as he let out a soft sigh. He hadn't expected that asking Little Fairy Doctor for help would inadvertently empower the very thing they were trying to suppress.
"No wonder it was easier to seal earlier… It must've been focused on devouring the remnants of her flame instead of resisting the seal."
Xiao Hua drew in a deep breath and, without hesitation, leapt forward. His figure flickered, vanishing like a streak of light as he dove straight into the heart of the abyss—a world of molten magma.
What unfolded before him was a vast, seemingly endless world of fire and heat. The massive pool of bright-red magma released waves of scalding energy, thick enough to make it difficult to breathe.
Even standing near it was almost unbearable, the oppressive heat making the air feel as though it could melt flesh.
From within the churning magma, enormous bubbles constantly rose and burst on the surface. Each explosion sent waves of scorching air and thick white smoke surging outward. The vapor, drawn from the deepest layers underground, carried an intense, suffocating heat and a pungent scent that made the lungs recoil.
It was rumored that this underground vapor carried a kind of fire poison—once inhaled, it could wreak havoc within the body and become a serious threat.
Boom!
Suddenly, a thunderous rumble erupted from the depths below. Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed as he looked down. His gaze sharpened, and he slowly inhaled despite the heat.
"Here it comes…" Xiao Hua murmured softly, his eyes sharpening as he stared at the dark-red magma churning violently in the vast world of flame beneath him. Wild and chaotic energy surged from below, growing more intense with each passing moment.
The magma roiled with increasing fury, as though something massive was about to burst forth from its depths. But then—suddenly—it fell still.
Despite the eerie calm, Xiao Hua didn't let down his guard. On the contrary, his gaze grew colder. He could clearly sense it—the savage energy was rising, drawing ever closer to the surface.
Puff!
In the blink of an eye, a towering wave of magma erupted into the air. From its depths, a massive, near-transparent fire python burst forth with explosive force. It was dozens of feet long, its serpentine body cloaked in invisible flames that radiated an oppressive heat.
A majestic, overwhelming pressure surged outward from it—so fierce that even Xiao Hua's smile carried a trace of solemnity.
"Hiss!"
The colossal python, emerging as though it had been sealed away for millennia, raised its enormous head high. It coiled in the air, its long body seemingly endless.
A piercing sonic screech suddenly ripped through the space—a sound so sharp and violent that even a Dou Wang expert would convulse and die on the spot if caught unprepared.
As the sonic wave rippled outward, it was as if countless bombs had been hurled into the magma world. Low, thunderous explosions echoed again and again, causing jets of magma to erupt violently as torrents of flame surged in all directions.
After venting its fury in a nearly berserk manner, the enormous transparent fire python seemed to sense something from the surface above. It suddenly raised its massive head, and its triangular pupils—each flickering with an invisible flame—locked sharply onto Xiao Hua.
Xiao Hua smiled faintly as the serpent's gaze fell on him. He could feel it probing—not just him, but the presence hidden within his spiritual sea.
"Of course... this damn snake's strength has already reached the point where even a peak Dou Zong would struggle to face it," he muttered under his breath, his brows furrowing slightly.
Despite keeping calm on the surface, a trace of annoyance flickered in his heart as he endured the snake's probing stare.
"It's not like you're the one fighting it—so why are you the one complaining?" Lady Azure floated out of Xiao Hua's body and came to stand beside him, casting a mildly irritated glance his way.
A moment later, six of the Nine Lightning Beasts emerged from his body—each one radiating immense power. Golden, blue, purple, orange, emerald, and crimson red hues shimmered as they took formation around Xiao Hua and Lady Azure. Their gazes turned fierce, locking onto the invisible serpent that dared to meet their eyes with its own baleful glare.
"Because that means I have to trouble you all again…" Xiao Hua shook his head with a bitter smile, clearly feeling a bit embarrassed at having to rely on them once more.
"Don't worry. You'll have your share of the hard work too. After all, you're the one who has to seal it in the end," Lady Azure replied with a smirk.
"Let's begin. If we drag this out, the seal might not be able to withstand the force of our battle—and others might get caught in the aftermath."
As her voice echoed, Lady Azure and the six Lightning Beasts shot forward like bolts of divine lightning. At the same moment, the Fallen Heart Flame let out a thunderous roar and charged toward them with violent fury, the two sides colliding in a clash of overwhelming power.
...
"First, let's isolate this entire place."
Xiao Hua unfurled four pairs of wings from his back. One pair shimmered with a vibrant seven-colored glow, crackling with wind and lightning energy. The other pair blazed with majestic crimson-red feathers tinged in fiery orange hues, radiating heat and intensity.
"Space Isolation!"
His hands moved swiftly, forming seals before clenching tightly. Instantly, cracks spread across the space around them like fractured glass. With a resounding shatter, the entire scene shifted—the endless world of magma dissolved, replaced by a vast, starlit void scattered with countless floating rocks.
Xiao Hua had forcefully separated the battlefield from the magma world to prevent the clash from damaging the seal below. More importantly, the magma realm was the birthplace of the Fallen Heart Flame—it served as an endless reservoir of energy for the flame.
Naturally, Xiao Hua's first move was to sever that connection and relocate the battle to a place where the flame's strength would be diminished.
"Ha… ha…" Xiao Hua's face was deathly pale as he gasped for breath after completing the isolation. As expected, the cost of using this ability was immense.
Although he could naturally manipulate space after unfurling the two pairs of wings and activating the Boundless Dance, Xiao Hua still had to expend an enormous amount of Dou Qi to completely isolate and seal the space. Even with his boundless reserves, the consumption was overwhelming.
"Hiss!"
Sensing that its energy source had been severed, the Fallen Heart Flame let out a furious, high-pitched roar. Upon realizing Xiao Hua was the cause—and noticing his weakened state—the snake-like flame coiled its body and shot toward him like a bolt.
Bang!
A deafening thunderclap echoed as a flash of blue lightning lit up the void. In an instant, a majestic blue Lightning Beast appeared before Xiao Hua, its cold eyes fixed on the insolent flame serpent that dared to ignore its presence and strike at him.
Roar!
With a thunderous roar that shook space itself, the blue-colored Lightning Beast stomped its forelegs, then charged forward with terrifying momentum. Powerful ripples of lightning energy spread out in its wake as it surged ahead.
Roar!
As it closed the distance, the Lightning Beast opened its massive jaws and aimed to bite down on the invisible serpent in a fierce attack.
Hiss!
As it closed the distance, the Lightning Beast opened its massive jaws and aimed to bite down on the invisible serpent in a fierce attack.
Boom!
The invisible flame pillar slammed into the Lightning Beast's open maw, erupting with a muffled explosion. A fiery shockwave burst forth, forming a swirling cloud of blazing red energy in the void.
Swoosh!
Before the fiery-red cloud could fully disperse, a sharp sound of air being torn echoed—something shot forward at blinding speed toward Xiao Hua. However, just as it was about to break free from the cloud, its movement was abruptly halted, revealing the true form: the Fallen Heart Flame, attempting to strike at Xiao Hua.
The invisible serpent twisted midair, feeling a sudden pain at its tail. Its eyes widened as a surge of tyrannical lightning coursed through its body. Turning its gaze, it saw the blue-colored Lightning Beast biting down on its tail, completely unscathed by its earlier flame attack.
The serpent's fury boiled over—despite all its efforts, its target, Xiao Hua, had yet to be reached, as this beast kept thwarting its every move.
With overwhelming force, the Lightning Beast swung its head, flinging the invisible serpent across the void like a ragdoll.
Its piercing gaze locked onto the airborne snake, the Lightning Beast opened its mouth wide. Crackling lightning surged within, rapidly condensing into a glowing blue sphere in front of its maw.
Roar!
With a deafening roar, the blue-colored Lightning Beast unleashed the sphere. In an instant, it transformed into a crackling pillar of blue lightning, tearing through the void with unstoppable momentum.
The invisible serpent narrowed its huge, slit eyes as it spotted the incoming pillar of blue lightning. A cold, dark light flashed across its gaze. In the next instant, torrents of invisible flames surged from its body, and its massive form vanished within the sea of fire.
The flames spread outward at incredible speed, sweeping across a ten-meter radius just as the lightning pillar thundered forward with terrifying momentum.
Bang!
The moment the pillar of blue lightning pillar struck one of the flames, a deafening explosion echoed through the void. An immense wave of energy rippled outward, causing the very space around them to tremble violently.
Many of the scattered flames were extinguished by the impact, but some survived—propelled even farther by the shockwave. The invisible fire spread rapidly, covering the space and surrounding Xiao Hua and the others entirely.
Xiao Hua instantly understood—the fire python had dissolved itself into ordinary flames, hiding within the sweeping sea of invisible fire. At any moment, it could condense its true form from any wisp and launch a surprise attack from within the flames closing in around him.
Yet despite being surrounded by countless wisps of flame, Xiao Hua remained calm and composed. What might have thrown an ordinary expert into panic was nothing to him. He wasn't the least bit concerned.
"That was a bad decision..." Xiao Hua murmured softly as he took out a few recovery pills and swallowed them. Of all people, he knew the true strength of the Nine Lightning Beasts. Choosing to dodge the attack this way was, without a doubt, the worst choice the Fallen Heart Flame could have made.
His gaze shifted to the orange-colored Lightning Beast, which stepped forward the moment it sensed the countless invisible flames spreading through the space.
Ripples of energy spread beneath its feet as it advanced, completely unbothered by the surrounding flames. With each step, the glow from its body intensified, becoming brighter and more radiant.
Roar!
With a low, thunderous roar, the orange-colored Lightning Beast unleashed a surge of power. Countless arcs of orange lightning burst from its body and shot out in all directions, crackling fiercely as they struck and incinerated the invisible flames around it.
Sssshhhhhaaaaaaa!
A low, blood-curdling screech echoed through the void as one of the invisible flames trembled violently, emitting intense ripples of unstable energy. From within it, the massive serpent emerged, its body writhing in agony as countless arcs of orange lightning relentlessly surged across its form.
"Heavenly Wrathful Lightning has the power to incinerate both heaven and ground," Xiao Hua said coldly, his voice calm and emotionless as he watched the Fallen Heart Flame struggle. "As one of the divine treasures created by the heavens and earth, this lightning is your worst nemesis, Fallen Heart Flame… even more so than the Heavenly Astral Lightning."
He had anticipated this outcome the moment he saw the Fallen Heart Flame disperse itself into countless invisible wisps.
After all, even if its body was split, each flame wisp remained a part of its core. Now, it was experiencing the agony of each strike simultaneously. The pain coursing through its being was beyond imagination.
"However, our goal isn't to eliminate the serpent," Xiao Hua murmured under his breath, his voice nearly drowned by the deafening thunder and the serpent's agonized screeches.
As if responding to his words, the orange-colored Lightning Beast abruptly ceased its discharge. The arcs of orange lightning flickering across its massive body vanished in an instant.
Ji!
The serpent let out a sharp, furious hiss that echoed through the void, its hateful eyes locked onto the Lightning Beast—whose glow had now dimmed significantly, as though its energy had been heavily drained.
Sensing weakness, the invisible serpent surged forward, its colossal body twisting through the empty space as it lunged at the exhausted Lightning Beast.
But before it could reach its target, a dainty figure suddenly appeared—standing gracefully atop the tip of its nose.
The serpent's eyes widened in shock as it stared at the woman dressed in a flowing turquoise robe. A powerful, suffocating pressure descended upon it—one that suppressed not only its spirit but its very existence.
Its instincts howled in alarm. This woman… she was not just strong. She felt like its creator… its very origin.
With a soft smile, Lady Azure gently tapped her slender finger against her elegant leg. A faint ripple that spread silently beneath her feet. The next instant, the enormous serpent was struck by a tremendous force, crashing down five meters as countless cracks split through the void beneath it, spreading wildly from the impact.
Lady Azure stepped forward—and vanished.
She reappeared instantly in front of the serpent, a brilliant jade flame with a maroon core erupting from her palm. Without hesitation, she struck. The blazing flame collided violently with the invisible snake, sending its massive body flying backward through the void.
Bang!
The serpent managed to stabilize its massive body midair. Letting out a furious hiss, it soared into the sky and unleashed a surge of energy that spread outward in all directions.
In the next moment, the entire sky above Xiao Hua and the others was consumed by waves of invisible flame. These flames circled around the invisible fire python like an army of loyal soldiers, awaiting the command to strike.
Ji!
A sharp, shrieking hiss tore through the air. At that instant, the sky erupted—the invisible flames descended like falling stars, each one hurtling down with terrifying speed.
The sound of their descent echoed ominously, like the roar of the heavens tearing open.
As Xiao Hua raised his head to watch the incoming barrage, a strange thought crossed his mind: 'This must be how the dinosaurs must have felt… staring helplessly at the sky as meteorites came crashing down to erase their era.'
Xiao Hua chuckled softly and shook his head. Despite the overwhelming display, he knew their situation was far from helpless. After all, they possessed a certain beast—one capable of withstanding this kind of attack without even flinching.
As that thought crossed his mind, a colossal shadow suddenly loomed over Xiao Hua and the others, blanketing the sky that had been filled with the falling meteor-like flames.
Xiu! Xiu!
The descending flames tore through the sky with sharp, whistling howls, accompanied by the roar of scorching winds—like meteorites crashing through the Earth's atmosphere.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
One after another, the fiery meteors collided against the massive shadow above. Each impact exploded into a violent firestorm that swept across the void, shaking it with faint tremors.
And yet, none of the flames reached Xiao Hua and his group. The shadow had taken the full brunt of the assault, shielding them completely.
The serpent watched silently as the violent firestorm swept across the void. It remained still, gathering its strength. It understood one thing clearly: the fact that this sealed space still held firm meant that Xiao Hua was still alive—and prepared for retaliation.
Suddenly, three figures emerged from the blazing storm. The blue-colored Lightning Beast, the crimson-red Lightning Beast, and Lady Azure flew out unscathed. Not a single burn or injury marked their bodies, as if the serpent's fiery meteors had never touched them.
The Fallen Heart Flame's eyes narrowed sharply. Without hesitation, its massive body coiled, twisted, and then launched forward like a thunderbolt, aiming directly at Lady Azure and the two Lightning Beasts.
It knew escape was impossible. The space had been sealed, isolated by Xiao Hua. If it wished to break free from this void, it had only one path—to defeat him. But Xiao Hua was not alone; his guardians stood firmly in his defense. Thus, if the serpent wished to live… it had to destroy them all.
...
Meanwhile, Xiao Hua lifted his head and smiled as his gaze fell upon a towering figure—a colossal, purple-colored Lightning Beast. Among all the Lightning Beasts, none could compare to it in terms of sheer toughness and durability.
A moment later, the massive creature began to shrink, returning to its original form. It silently took its place beside Xiao Hua, standing guard alongside the orange-colored Lightning Beast.
Xiao Hua watched quietly as the Fallen Heart Flame battled fiercely against Lady Azure and the two Lightning Beasts.
At a glance, it might seem impressive that the flame could hold its own against the three of them. But the reality was far more cruel. They were holding back—deliberately avoiding its core essence, ensuring it would not be harmed or destroyed.
Xiao Hua knew the time had come—it was finally time to begin sealing the Fallen Heart Flame.
"Heavenly Tribulation Body, Embryo Form! Azure Tribulation Peak!" he murmured softly.
The black robes draped over his figure began to flutter wildly, despite the absence of any wind. At the same time, his aura surged upward like a rocket, rising at an astonishing pace. After a moment, it gradually stabilized—his strength now reaching the level of a 1-Star Dou Zun.
But he wasn't finished.
"Velvet Amethyst Change!"
As the third phrase echoed from his lips, his steady aura erupted once more, surging even higher. His eyes—already transformed by the second level of his Heavenly Tribulation Body—underwent another change, glowing with even deeper intensity.
In that instant, two flames burst from his body: one a brilliant, royal purple, and the other a calm, sky-blue. They spiraled around him, their energies intertwining as they began to crystalize, forming clusters of amethyst and sapphire shards that spread across his body like divine armor.
His long, jet-black hair suddenly took on a radiant purple hue, gleaming with brilliance. Across the surface of his body, faint sky-blue lines began to weave and flicker, like streams of light flowing beneath his skin. His eyes, once gold and azure due to the second level of his secret technique, began to transform once more.
His right eye, once blazing with molten gold, now shimmered with a brilliant violet glow. Faint white lights flickered within it, resembling a star-studded purple night sky. His left eye, previously gleaming with an azure light, transformed into a deep sapphire hue, radiating the luster of a priceless gem.
The ferocious beast-shaped tattoo between his brows split into six distinct colors. On the right side: gold, blue, and purple. On the left: azure, invisible flame, and deep dark-purple.
Elegant arcs of lightning danced gracefully on the right half of the tattoo, while ethereal threads of flame swirled and flowed on the left, creating a perfect harmony of storm and fire.
Behind Xiao Hua, a majestic and divine halo slowly unfurled—like the rising of a celestial sun born of chaos and elemental fury.
The halo surged outward in a radiant wheel, vast and resplendent, composed of intertwining arcs of lightning and streams of flame. Its edges flickering with arcs of golden, blue, and violet lightning, while the inner ring swirled with flames of azure, deep purple, and an invisible blaze tipped in red.
The elements moved in harmony, spinning around one another without colliding, as if drawn together by some unseen force.
The lightning crackled quietly, releasing faint pulses of energy, while the flames burned steadily with a deep, oppressive heat. The entire halo pulsed with power, reflecting the tattoo on Xiao Hua's forehead—as if it was a natural extension of his body and strength.
Following the transformation in his appearance, the aura within Xiao Hua's body came to a complete halt—yet it now burned at the peak of Dou Zun, a true Nine-Star Dou Zun!
The eruption of three Primordial Heavenly Flames and three Heavenly Lightnings was unimaginably fierce and overwhelming. Had Xiao Hua failed to fully contain and control these six terrifying forces simultaneously, he would have faced devastating repercussions once the secret technique's time limit expired.
Fortunately, after enduring six descents of Heavenly Lightning and withstanding eight trials of the Heavenly Judgment Lightning, his body had become incredibly resilient. His bones and internal organs had reached a level of toughness that was nearly indestructible.
Moreover, after undergoing millions of reincarnations within the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, his control over flames, lightning, space, spirit energy, and the fusion of Primordial Heavenly Flames with Heavenly Lightning had reached an extraordinary level. As a result, he could now unleash this terrifying power without suffering any backlash.
Though the technique demanded an immense toll to activate, the sheer sensation of boundless energy surging through his body brought an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction. Even with his normally calm and composed mind, he could not suppress the exhilarating rush flooding his heart.
After his aura stabilized, he slowly raised his palm. Instantly, five magnificent flames of different colors ignited, swirling around his arm like divine fire. The brilliance of the flames illuminated his figure, and within their elegant dance, faint arcs of lightning flickered like serpents weaving through fire.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Hua waved his hand. A cluster of flames materialized in front of him, suspended in the void. His hands moved in tandem, each pulling at the five flames simultaneously. In the next moment, they began to transform.
In his right hand, a cluster of five pure elemental flames—green, invisible, purple, milky-white, and emerald—burned with sacred brilliance. In his left, a storm of pure lightning condensed into form, each arc pulsing with overwhelming energy.
"Now," Xiao Hua whispered, his voice calm yet resolute, "let the sealing begin…"
...
High above, the battle raged.
Flashes of radiant light—blue, crimson, and five-coloured glow—collided with invisible flame, sending shockwaves of lightning and fire rippling through the void with each clash. The chaos surged ever farther from Xiao Hua, shaking the sealed space to its very limits.
The crimson-red Lightning Beast opened its maw wide, lunging to bite the Fallen Heart Flame. In response, the invisible serpent unleashed a large cluster of scorching, invisible flames directly into the beast's mouth.
The force of the blast created enough momentum to push the serpent's body backward, narrowly causing the Lightning Beast to miss its target while searing it with flames.
As the serpent was hurled backward through the air, the blue-colored Lightning Beast suddenly appeared at its side. With terrifying force and lightning-fast speed, it raised a claw and slashed downward.
Screech!
The serpent let out a pained shriek as it was sent flying through the void. Yet even in agony, its venomous gaze remained locked on the blue Lightning Beast—furious that its counterattack had failed to faze the creature.
Just then, a figure appeared in its uncontrolled flight path—Lady Azure.
Calm and composed, she raised her snow-white, jade-like hands and began weaving a series of complex seals at blinding speed. As the final seal was completed, the surrounding void trembled.
A five-colored formation instantly materialized.
At its core was a circular sigil etched with a radiant handprint, encircled by five fiery patterns, each representing a different flame. Surrounding the center, a phoenix and a dragon danced in a perpetual spiral, their bodies wreathed in vibrant flame.
Multiple concentric rings encased the formation, each rendered in a distinct color and inscribed with ancient runes and symbols drawn in five-colored fire. At the outermost edge, eight anchor points glowed with individual glyphs, each pulsing with immense power.
The entire array shimmered with a halo of divine, five-colored flame. From its edges, thin threads of burning energy extended outward—each one containing a force so overwhelming it seemed barely restrained.
"Prismatic Flame Ancestral Seal!"
As Lady Azure's voice echoed through the void, she thrust her palm forward. Five-colored energy surged and curled around her hand like a divine flame.
In the next instant, the energy shot outward and fused seamlessly with the five-colored formation in the air.
The moment the energy integrated, the entire formation radiated a gentle, majestic glow. A low, ancient cry resounded as the formation trembled and began to rotate slowly, pulsing with overwhelming power.
Then, with a brilliant flash, a colossal, ethereal palm surged forth from the heart of the formation. Its surface was covered in ancient glyphs that shimmered with primal energy, and its form exuded a sacred, ancestral might.
Trailing a radiant tail of multicolored light, the palm tore through the void, shaking the very fabric of space as it hurtled forward. In a blink, it crashed into the enormous serpent with unstoppable force, unleashing a thunderous impact that echoed across the void.
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed as terrifying energy ripples burst forth like a raging storm. Though the shockwave lasted only a brief moment, the sheer destructive power of Lady Azure's strike was enough to shatter the already fragile spatial isolation—destabilized earlier by the Heavenly Wrathful Lightning.
The star-filled void with its floating rocks collapsed, revealing once again the vast, searing world of magma.
Weakened and battered, the Fallen Heart Flame suddenly gleamed with joy. A familiar warmth surged through its body—the fiery energy of its birthplace was rushing in. It immediately understood: the spatial barrier the young man had created was gone.
Overjoyed, the invisible serpent wasted no time. It eagerly absorbed the immense fiery energy from the magma world, its strength gradually recovering. Now that it had returned to its domain, it believed the tides had turned—its chances of victory had increased exponentially.
Yet, as that thought settled in, a sense of unease crept into its heart.
Its gaze shifted to Lady Azure and the two Lightning Beasts—beings who had relentlessly attacked it until moments ago. Now, they stood still, unmoving, watching it from a distance.
A strange and inexplicable emotion flickered in the serpent's eyes. It couldn't understand—why had they stopped? Why were they waiting?
Then, the serpent's eyes swept across the magma world, searching for the one responsible for the spatial isolation. As its gaze moved through the fiery landscape, it finally found him—Xiao Hua—and its pupils widened in shock and disbelief.
Before him floated five unfamiliar flames and five unknown types of lightning—none of which the Fallen Heart Flame had ever encountered.
Yet, among them, one particular flame emitted an essence that resonated deeply within its soul. It was unmistakable. That flame was the very origin of its existence—the primordial essence that had given birth to the Fallen Heart Flame itself.
It had no idea what the young man was attempting, but one thing became clear: among everyone present, he was undoubtedly the most mysterious.
Shaaa!!!
Letting out a sharp, furious hiss, the enormous snake coiled its massive body and launched forward with blinding speed, aiming straight for Xiao Hua.
Naturally, Lady Azure and the two Lightning Beasts moved swiftly to block the Fallen Heart Flame's advance, positioning themselves in its path. Meanwhile, the remaining three Lightning Beasts stood vigil beside Xiao Hua, guarding him without the slightest gap.
Xiao Hua's expression remained calm and unreadable as he quietly gazed at the five flames and five lightnings suspended before him.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the five Primordial Heavenly Flames and the Heavenly Lightnings dispersed, encircling the ongoing battle between the Fallen Heart Flame, Lady Azure, and the two Lightning Beasts.
"Boundless World Seal!"
As his voice echoed through the magma world, the five Heavenly Flames ignited simultaneously. They rose and spiraled upward, forming a blazing vertical ring like a divine halo, its radiant brilliance piercing through the very fabric of the heavens.
In perfect synchrony, the five Heavenly Lightnings surged into the sky, shrieking with celestial might. They twisted sideways, forming a horizontal ring of thunder that crackled like a crown of divine judgment encircling the world.
Flame above, lightning around—twin rings born of destruction and law, their rhythms intertwined in perfect harmony, balancing devastation with divine order.
As the twin halos spun, Xiao Hua unfurled two pairs of majestic wings, vibrant and radiant, spreading wide behind him like the herald of a celestial sovereign. Spatial energy surged from his hands, converging at the heart of the rings—where the Fallen Heart Flame clashed fiercely with Lady Azure and the two Lightning Beasts—forming a domain of seemingly boundless breadth.
Within this domain, the world of magma roiled and churned, as though the earth's fiery veins had been summoned forth to bear witness to the coming reckoning.
Encasing this blazing realm, a vast surge of Spiritual Strength poured forth from between Xiao Hua's brows. It spread outward, encompassing the magma domain in a veil-thin sphere of shimmering essence—gentle as morning mist, yet unyielding as divine will. It cradled the chaos within, sealing it in serene stillness.
Above the lightning halo, a Formation Array emerged—an intricate structure of golden glyphs and arcane patterns etched across its surface, glowing like drifting stardust. At the same time, a second formation rose from below, pulsing with deep azure light that shimmered like the ocean depths.
The two arrays trembled softly, letting out faint, harmonious cries. A breath later, they began to move—one descending from above, the other ascending from below—approaching each other in a slow, deliberate rhythm, as if heaven and earth themselves were aligning for a divine judgment.
Sensing the movement of the two arrays, Lady Azure and the two Lightning Beasts swiftly retreated, withdrawing through the passage Xiao Hua had prepared for them. The moment they exited, the opening sealed shut, and the once veil-like barrier solidified into an impenetrable shell.
Naturally, the Fallen Heart Flame sensed the unnatural shift in energy. In that instant, the invisible serpent understood Xiao Hua's true intent—he was attempting to seal it away. And this seal… was far more terrifying than the headmaster's. If completed, it could imprison the serpent for centuries, perhaps longer.
Panic surged within the serpent. It turned and dove into the sea of magma, only to discover—to its shock—that this wasn't the true magma world it once called home, but a conjured sea crafted by Xiao Hua's will.
Desperately, it tried to flee from the fabricated magma sea, only to realize with mounting dread that no matter how far it moved, the distance to the edge never shortened. In fact, it felt as though it grew farther.
A chilling realization dawned.
Spatial isolation.
The serpent's heart sank. It was trapped within a domain where distance was distorted—forever out of reach, forever contained.
As the thought flashed across the invisible serpent's mind, the two arrays finally met—interlocking and coiling around the veil like the jaws of fate, sealing destiny in a single moment.
And so, within layers of fire and lightning, domain and spirit, array and law—a world was born, then bound.
A sealed sphere now floated in the void, adorned with two radiant rings—one vertical, one horizontal—rotating slowly like a sacred planet beneath the heavens. Its power did not roar, nor did it boast. It simply existed—quiet, absolute, complete.
So was the Boundless World Seal completed—a miniature realm forged to imprison the Fallen Heart Flame, ensuring it could never again troubled the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy.
-------|
Read 20 Advanced Chapters in Patreon:
http://patreon.com/GodYato