Amidst the vast expanse of the forest, a massive camp was being erected. At its heart, a long table had been set, around which numerous young men and women had gathered. All of them stood respectfully, their gazes fixed upon the young lady positioned at the very front.
She possessed flowing crimson-red hair that cascaded down her back, neatly styled and crowned with a flame-shaped diadem that accentuated her commanding presence. Her eyes were sharp and composed, brimming with confidence and quiet pride. Though her expression remained calm, her gaze alone carried an aura of unquestionable authority.
Draped in an ornate gown of red and black, embroidered with golden flame patterns, she exuded both elegance and might. Armoured shoulder guards lent her a martial air, while the flowing sleeves softened her form with grace. A sapphire-like gem embedded at the center of her chest piece shimmered faintly, adding a touch of nobility and mystique.
Adorned with refined jewelry — a delicate golden headpiece upon her brow, teardrop earrings, and a gemstone choker — her every detail spoke of heroic dignity and unshakable resolve.
This valiant young lady was not merely the leader of the group—she also bore a far more distinguished identity. An identity so renowned that it commanded the deep respect of every young man and woman present.
She was the daughter and sole heir of Tang Zhen, the Valley Chief of Burning Flame Valley—one of the great Three Great Valleys famed throughout the Central Plains!
"Young lady, the incoming beast tide is overwhelming! Please, retreat to safety first! As long as you remain unharmed, even our deaths would not be in vain!" one of the young men shouted anxiously, his voice thick with concern. From the emblem on his robe, it was clear he hailed from Burning Flame Valley.
"Enough!"
Her voice rang out like a flame-imbued thunderclap as she slammed her palm down upon the table, silencing the pleas around her. "How many times must I say it? I will not retreat alone! The escape route can only carry one person—give it to someone else. I will not turn my back and let you all fall in my place!"
Her crimson robes fluttered lightly as she swept her sharp gaze across the table, her presence radiating fiery resolve.
Taking a deep breath, she continued, voice steady and commanding, "I've already sent word to my father. With his strength, it won't take long for him to arrive. Until then, we hold this position and fortify against the beast tide. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Everyone cupped their fists in unison, their voices firm. A dense light of determination flickered within their eyes—none of them would allow even a single wound to mar their young lady's figure.
As the group dispersed to make preparations, a few high-ranking disciples huddled together, speaking in hushed tones.
"When the beast tide arrives," one of them whispered gravely, "I will strike and knock the young lady unconscious. When that moment comes, you must take her and flee. Among us, your speed is unmatched."
Their gazes turned toward a young woman within their ranks. She possessed an agility-type Dou Technique, one that could greatly enhance her speed in moments of crisis. Once activated, she would be the swiftest among them—capable of carrying their young lady away while the rest bought her time.
"…I understand," she finally replied, her voice quiet. Her brows furrowed tightly, and her lips trembled as she bit down in hesitation.
Though her heart longed to stand and fight beside her martial brothers and sisters until the bitter end, she understood—protecting the young lady took precedence above all else.
Seeing her reluctant agreement, the others nodded with solemn satisfaction. If they were to die, then let it be in defense of their young lady—their deaths would not be in vain.
Gudong—!
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently, and the distant mountains quaked in response. A deafening rumble followed—an endless tide of heavy footfalls accompanied by the savage roars of countless beasts approaching with terrifying momentum.
The expressions of the Burning Flame Valley disciples darkened. There was no longer any doubt—the beast tide had arrived.
"Everyone, gather at the front gate!"
The red-clothed young lady's voice rang out, clear and forceful, cutting through the cacophony like a blade. Her call resounded through the vast camp, reaching even the furthest corners, as if to ignite the fighting spirit in every disciple and steel their wavering hearts.
Naturally, her voice achieved its purpose. One by one, the disciples straightened their backs and lifted their heads, revealing battle-hardened expressions etched with unwavering resolve. With preparations complete, they advanced toward the front gate.
There, they stood shoulder to shoulder, their gazes locked onto the towering cloud of dust rising in the distance.
Within that churning haze, countless silhouettes surged forward—beastly figures of every shape and size, stampeding toward them like an unstoppable tide.
Their expressions grew tense. Each disciple fixed their eyes on the approaching horde of magical beasts, their roars echoing like thunder across the heavens. The beasts blanketed the horizon, charging forth with murderous intent.
Even the red-clothed young lady could not conceal the shock in her eyes. The sheer number of beasts surpassed her expectations. Yet, despite the dread creeping into her heart, retreat was never an option.
She would not—no, she could not—abandon the disciples of Burning Flame Valley to face this calamity alone.
The high-ranking disciples exchanged solemn glances, nodding in silent agreement. They had resolved to carry out the plan, even if it meant invoking their young lady's wrath.
Without a word, one of them began to move—quietly approaching her from behind, ready to knock her unconscious and spirit her away from the battlefield.
Kacha—!
But just as he neared, a sudden and sharp cracking sound tore through the air, halting him in his tracks.
Their heads snapped upward. Suspicion turned to alarm as they saw a thin spatial rift slicing across the sky, just some distance away from where they stood.
Boom!
In the next instant, the rift burst open—and a blood-drenched figure shot out from within, crashing violently into the earth below.
The bloodied figure slowly, and with great effort, rose to his feet—positioning himself between the advancing beast tide and the disciples of Burning Flame Valley. Only now could they clearly see that the one who had emerged from the spatial rift… was a young man.
His gaze swept over the disciples. Though his eyes bore the haze of someone on the verge of death, a single glance from him sent chills down their spines. Beneath that dying look lay a terrifying depth of strength—subtle, yet undeniable.
It was difficult to comprehend. His aura was weak to the point of collapse, his body drenched in blood, as if he had been torn apart countless times. He looked like he could perish at any moment—one gust of wind might be enough to extinguish his final breath.
Yet the next moment, his gaze turned toward the onrushing beast tide.
He drew in a deep breath. Suddenly, his Spiritual Strength erupted from between his brows, surging into the sky and manifesting as an enormous illusory beast, towering over a thousand feet.
With a deafening roar, the phantom beast opened its gaping maw—and from within, a strange and terrifying ripple surged outward like a storm, tearing through the air with overwhelming pressure.
Hhhhoooonnnngggg!!!!
As the strange, resonant sound echoed from the enormous illusory beast's maw, the entire vast forest fell into an eerie silence. Even the beast tide—previously thundering with momentum—came to a sudden, unnatural halt.
A moment later, the expressions of the magical beasts began to shift. One by one, their ferocious faces contorted in fear as they sensed the terrifying sonic wave that surged from all directions, crashing into their minds like an invisible tide.
The red-clothed young lady's expression changed drastically. Her eyes narrowed as she swiftly issued a warning, her tone grim, "He's launching a spiritual attack! Everyone, brace your minds!"
None of them had expected it. After all, the young man's aura was so weak it bordered on death—who could have imagined he still possessed the strength to unleash a spiritual assault?
Though spiritual attacks were rare on the Dou Qi continent and few experts could wield them proficiently, that didn't mean they did not exist. And now, standing before them, was a living testament—this seemingly dying young man, wielding his Spiritual Strength with terrifying precision.
Buzz—!
The entire forest began to tremble as the sonic wave spread forth.
The disciples of Burning Flame Valley immediately felt a dizzying sensation surge through their minds as the sound entered their ears. Though the discomfort was intense, most of them gritted their teeth and endured it through sheer willpower. However, a few were less fortunate—unable to withstand the pressure, they collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
As for the magical beasts of the tide, the spiritual attack descended before they had any chance to prepare.
But even if they had, it would've been futile.
Magical beasts were naturally vulnerable to spiritual attacks—few, if any, possessed techniques or innate defenses to guard their souls. It was a fatal flaw, one they had no means to overcome.
Boom!
A soul-shattering explosion echoed deep within their minds. In the next instant, muffled thuds resounded across the battlefield as beast after beast collapsed to the ground—lifeless.
Their souls had been torn apart by the invisible storm. Slain not by blade or flame, but by the overwhelming might of a single spiritual attack.
The spiritual assault came swiftly—and vanished just as quickly.
The disciples of Burning Flame Valley staggered to their feet, still reeling from the aftershock. In stunned silence, their eyes turned toward the direction where the beast tide once surged.
Some even swallowed hard in disbelief as their gazes swept across the field now littered with the corpses of magical beasts. This beast tide had been composed of numerous sixth-rank magical beasts—and at its helm, a formidable seventh-rank leader.
Yet none had withstood that single spiritual attack… not one.
That it came from a young man on the brink of death only deepened their shock.
Thankfully, the spiritual shockwave had not been aimed at them. Had it been, then merely surviving with grievous injuries would have been considered a stroke of fortune—especially after witnessing the devastation that now surrounded them.
Puff—!
A soft, muffled thud pulled them from their daze.
Their eyes snapped toward the sound—only to see the young man's body collapse lifelessly to the ground.
Hesitation filled the air.
The disciples exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what to do with the mysterious youth who had saved them so decisively, yet exuded a dangerous, unknown aura.
The red-clothed young lady inhaled deeply and began walking toward him. The high-ranking disciples hurriedly stepped forward, warning her of the possible danger. But she remained resolute, her expression calm and unwavering.
Regardless of who he was, she had to know—who was this man… and whether he still drew breath.
As she drew closer, the young man's figure gradually came into view—and the moment she saw his condition, she couldn't help but inhale sharply.
His injuries were unimaginably severe. Even from a mere glance at the surface wounds, she could tell he was on the brink of death. If his external injuries were already this grave, she dared not imagine the extent of the damage within.
And yet… despite his near-ruined state, a dense and unyielding life force still pulsed from his body—faint, but astonishingly resilient.
'Could it be… because of his blood?'
Her gaze swept across the crimson blood staining his torn garments—and there, interwoven within the red, shimmered traces of gold. Golden-hued blood… each drop emanated a life force so potent it made her heart tremble.
This was no ordinary human.
Just as that thought crossed her mind—
Whoosh!
Suddenly, five flames burst out from the young man's body without warning!
"Ah!" Startled, she let out a soft cry of alarm, drawing the attention of the nearby disciples. Alarmed by her reaction, several of them immediately rushed forward in concern.
"Young lady, are you alright?!" one of the disciples shouted in alarm, as the group instinctively drew their weapons, ready to defend her against any threat the young man might pose.
"I'm fine," the red-clothed young lady raised her hand calmly, gesturing for them to stand down. "The flames merely startled me."
Her gaze returned to the unconscious youth lying before her.
The five strange flames danced around his body, casting a brilliant, five-colored radiance that shimmered with a strange beauty. As they enveloped him, the blood staining his skin evaporated instantly, along with the tattered remnants of his upper garments—revealing a well-toned, sculpted physique beneath.
A soft murmur spread among the group.
Several of the young ladies couldn't help but flush a deep crimson, their faces reddening all the way to their ears and necks before quickly turning away in embarrassment. A few, unable to resist curiosity, peeked back with stolen glances.
Even the red-clothed young lady wasn't entirely immune. Her cheeks turned slightly red, but she quickly composed herself and focused on checking his condition.
Fortunately, his lower garments remained untouched by the flames. Though she couldn't begin to guess the logic behind it, she still breathed a quiet sigh of relief that the fire had spared at least that much.
"His wounds… they're healing?! How is that possible?!"
The red-clothed young lady's eyes widened in disbelief as her gaze swept across the young man's body. The wounds that had moments ago seemed fatal were now visibly closing, the torn flesh mending at an astonishing pace. She could hardly believe such grievous injuries could recover so easily.
Frowning slightly, she placed her hand gently on his chest, attempting to probe deeper into his condition.
But just as her arm landed on his chest, the young man's arm suddenly moved. In a swift motion, he grasped her wrist and pulled her forward—his arm wrapping tightly around her slender waist.
"Ah—!" The red-clothed young lady gasped in surprise, her eyes locking with his for an instant… only to realize he remained completely unconscious.
"Young Lady!"
The disciples of Burning Flame Valley rushed forward in alarm, clearly prepared to separate her from the young man's unexpected grasp.
But she raised her free hand and calmly halted them.
"Calm down. He's still unconscious. Most likely… his body is reacting instinctively, seeking something it needs to stabilize itself. That may explain his actions."
Though her voice remained composed, her heart skipped a beat as she felt the strength in his arm—even in such a weakened state.
She took a deep breath and extended her senses, probing deeper into the young man's condition. Her brows lifted slightly as she began to understand what was happening within his body.
"I see… the wounds are only closing to stop the bleeding. The internal injuries remain untouched..." the red-clothed young lady murmured under her breath.
Even so, she couldn't hide the shock in her heart. The flames surrounding his body were not ordinary—they were healing him.
And more than that, these flames were strange… and powerful. Their aura bore a striking resemblance to Heavenly Flames.
As the daughter of Tang Zhen, Valley Chief of Burning Flame Valley, she was no stranger to such things. Her valley possessed the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, ranked twelfth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. She had long been exposed to its aura and was highly attuned to the nature of Heavenly Flames.
That was why she could feel it clearly now—the five flames surrounding this young man bore the same terrifying essence. They were real Heavenly Flames.
She has never expected to meet someone with five Heavenly Flames in his body. Moreover, she stares at the countenance of the young man and realize that he is closer to her own age. This revelation is quite shocking to her.
She stared at him in disbelief. Not only did he possess five Heavenly Flames within his body, but judging by his youthful appearance… he seemed to be around her age.
This revelation shook her to the core.
'Isn't it said that one can only possess a single Heavenly Flame? If not, the violent clash between the flames would tear the body apart… How, then, does this young man possess five of them?'
The red-clothed young lady muttered inwardly, her heart gripped by shock. She couldn't help but feel astonished—this defied everything she had learned.
Kacha! Kacha! Kacha!
Just as her mind swirled with questions, a series of sharp cracking sounds echoed from above. The red-clothed young lady lifted her head—and her heart trembled at the sight.
Countless spatial cracks had formed in the sky.
Some were vast enough to span half of the vast forest, while others were just wide enough for a single person to pass through.
Yet regardless of size, they all radiated a terrifying pressure. To her, it was as if gaping maws of an ancient beast had suddenly opened across the heavens, ready to devour the world. A shiver ran down her spine, and she instinctively clenched her fists to steady herself.
Then, just a few breaths later—
The spatial cracks began to mend themselves, one after another, vanishing as if they had never existed. In their place, a calm, azure sky reappeared, scattered with a few drifting clouds, lazily floating by as though nothing had happened.
"…What in the world is going on?"
A soft murmur slipped from her lips as she stared blankly at the sky, unable to make sense of the chaos she had just witnessed.
Whoosh—!
Just as the soft murmur escaped her lips, a sudden rush of wind stirred through the sky. The red-clothed young lady instinctively looked upward—and in the next moment, her heart eased with relief.
A slender old man in crimson robes appeared in the air, his presence both commanding and composed. His mature face bore a stern, authoritative expression, marked by sharp, regal features that retained their dignity despite the touch of age.
His neatly styled hair and beard carried a reddish hue, blending seamlessly with the fiery red and blue halo of Dou Qi energy swirling behind him.
He wore long, flowing robes adorned in red and embroidered with flame motifs and intricate golden patterns. Upon his shoulders rested black guards etched with majestic, glowing designs, further enhancing the aura of a battle-hardened expert.
"Father!" the red-clothed young lady called out, a bright smile blooming on her face as she caught sight of the familiar figure. She could clearly see the deep concern etched on the old man's features.
"Valley Chief!" the disciples echoed in unison, cupping their fists respectfully. Joy returned to their weary faces at the sight of the familiar figure.
It was no surprise—this red-robed old man was none other than Tang Zhen, Valley Chief of Burning Flame Valley, and one of the renowned powerhouses of the Central Plains. He was also the father of their young lady.
Tang Zhen nodded slightly, though his expression remained tight with concern as his eyes swept over his disciples. But it was only when his gaze landed on his daughter that the tension in his features visibly softened. A long sigh of relief escaped his lips.
However, the moment his gaze fell upon the scene before him, his face stiffened—morphing into a mixture of shock and disbelief.
There, in the middle of the forest, his daughter was being held tightly by an unconscious young man… who, to make matters worse, was completely bare from the waist up.
How could he not feel a certain way after witnessing such a sight?
"Huo Er… What exactly are you doing?" Tang Zhen asked, his voice carrying a mix of disbelief and barely contained confusion.
"Eh? What am I doing…?" The red-clothed young lady—Huo Er—tilted her head slightly, genuine confusion in her eyes. Her gaze shifted slowly toward the young man holding her… and only then did she fully register the compromising position she was in.
Her cheeks flushed a deep red.
"You're mistaken, Father! There's a proper explanation for this…!" she said hurriedly, waving her hands in embarrassment.
But before she could say more, a wave of weakness suddenly swept through her body. Her face turned slightly pale as her strength rapidly waned.
At the same time, the five flames surrounding the unconscious young man flared brightly, as though invigorated by new energy.
Tang Zhen's eyes narrowed in alarm. His figure flickered, vanishing from where he stood and reappearing beside his daughter in an instant. With a swift probe of his sense, he quickly grasped the situation.
The young man—though still unconscious—was absorbing Huo Er's Dou Qi at an alarming rate.
Without hesitation, Tang Zhen waved his sleeve, and a gentle force pulled Huo Er from the youth's embrace. The moment she was separated, the five flames dimmed slightly, though they still continued to burn with a radiant, fiery light.
"What's with this young man's flames…? And his condition, too…" Tang Zhen murmured in puzzlement, his brows furrowing deeply as his sharp gaze locked onto the unconscious youth.
Just as he prepared to probe more deeply into the young man's state, a concerned voice interrupted him.
"Father, please… he saved us from the beast tide. Don't do anything that might harm him," the red-clothed young lady pleaded, stepping forward with worry in her eyes.
"You've misunderstood, Huo Er," Tang Zhen replied with a helpless smile, shaking his head. "I have no intention of harming him. I'm merely curious. His body overflows with life force, yet internally, he's ravaged by severe injuries. It's… an odd contradiction."
"Then… please help him," Huo Er said softly, her gaze falling on the young man. "We owe him that much."
Tang Zhen's expression softened as he looked at his daughter's earnest face.
"There's no need for me to interfere," he said calmly. "His flames are already working to mend his body. What he needs now… is a place rich in fire-attributed energy to nourish and stabilize him."
He let out a light sigh and smiled, his voice carrying quiet reassurance.
"Does that mean…?" the red-clothed young lady's eyes lit up slightly, already anticipating her father's next words.
"That's right," Tang Zhen nodded with a faint smile. "We'll bring this young man with us—back to the Roasting Fire Mountain Range, where our Burning Flame Valley resides."
"Understood. I'll begin preparations for our departure. Since our mission here is already complete, there's no reason to remain any longer," Huo Er replied, a small, relieved smile appearing on her lips.
Turning to a few nearby male disciples, she issued he instructions calmly, "Please carry this young man to one of the spare tents. Remember, he is our benefactor—treat him with care and respect."
Noticing some of the disciples hesitating as they glanced at the lingering flames around the young man's body, Tang Zhen added reassuringly, "You need not worry. The flames around him won't harm you, even if you carry him directly. They're not hostile—at least not in his current state."
With that, the atmosphere grew more composed, and the disciples began moving with purpose, their hearts still lingering on the mysterious young man who had shattered a beast tide with a single strike.
"Understood, Young Lady! Thank you, Valley Chief!" the male disciples cupped their fists respectfully, then stepped forward and carefully lifted the unconscious young man.
After gently placing him inside one of the empty tents, they quietly withdrew, returning to their preparations for departure from the vast forest.
Moments after the tent fell silent, a faint azure glow emerged from the young man's body. It hovered for a breath before slipping into his storage ring, retrieving an emerald-green jade slip.
With a soft pulse of spiritual strength, the jade lit up. Words began to form on its surface, glowing faintly for only a few moments before vanishing into the air.
The jade dimmed and returned to the young man's storage ring, while the azure glow quietly merged back into his body—leaving behind no trace that anything had occurred.
By the time the male disciples returned to check on him, the tent was silent, still, and undisturbed—as though nothing had ever happened.
As for the message that had been sent out, only a select few received it.
The words were clear and concise:
"The child is safe. He is being taken to a place called Burning Flame Valley. If you are concerned, go there—but do not move him. He requires a rich environment of fire-attributed energy to recover. Focus on strengthening your forces and other matters. Once he awakens, he will explain everything."
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