At this moment, Liu Xi's eyes gleamed brightly, while Mu Gu's face was filled with greed. Cao Ying and Dan Chen, on the other hand, were torn between yearning and fear.
No one had expected that even though the Heavenly Flame was sealed, just gazing upon it from afar would stir such awe and dread within their hearts.
A flicker of longing flashed through Elder Qiu Ling's eyes before it turned into helplessness. He had tried in the past—if this flame could be subdued, it would've been long ago.
"That's right," Qiu Ling said solemnly. "This is the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Liu Xi, as the champion of the Pill Gathering, you will go first."
"Upon the dragon's head, there is a single scale not covered by fire—that is where its core flame resides. Approach carefully and attempt to subdue it with a calm, steady will. Above all, do not wake it."
Instantly, all eyes turned toward Liu Xi, each expression different. Some hoped he would test the waters for them. Others feared he might actually succeed—leaving them all with nothing.
The emotions in the air were… complicated.
Well, not for everyone.
Cao Ying's charming eyes glimmered with amusement as she said softly, "Do your best, Master Liu. But please, be careful."
Dan Chen echoed gently, "Please be safe, Master Liu." Her tone was far more timid, barely above a whisper.
Liu Xi nodded slightly, then under the watchful gazes of everyone present, he stepped forward, flying toward the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
The closer he drew, the more terrifying the draconic pressure became. Even an ordinary Dou Zun would feel their strength suppressed before such might.
But with Liu Xi's overwhelming Spiritual Power, resisting this pressure was child's play.
'Even sealed away, its destructive power can still be felt. No wonder Elder Xuan couldn't subdue it,' Liu Xi thought calmly. 'A creature born of heaven and earth—its energy far surpasses that of human experts of the same level.'
And the stronger it was, the more exhilarated Liu Xi felt. The greater the power, the greater the reward once it became his.
Weaving through streams of purple-black flame, he soon arrived before the massive draconic form of the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
He took a deep breath, located the scale untouched by fire, and pressed his hand upon it.
A surge of Spiritual Power burst forth, flowing through the scale into the Heavenly Flame's body.
In an instant, Liu Xi found himself standing within a world of violet-black fire. At its center lay a half-foot-long purple dragon, sealed in slumber—yet even so, it radiated madness, fury, and a hunger to destroy all.
Liu Xi smiled faintly. 'So twisted. Well, after being sealed for this long, who wouldn't go mad?'
He hadn't planned to "soothe" it—such ideals were meaningless. He would simply take it by force.
At that thought, his fierce Spiritual Power surged forth, spreading across the space as its nature rapidly shifted and evolved.
The small dragon's eyes remained closed, yet its flames flickered mockingly—as if laughing at Liu Xi's audacity. Then, with a thunderous roar, a tide of violent fire erupted.
"Begone!"
The clash was over in an instant.
The Three Thousand Burning Flame's consciousness felt only a moment of shock before its mind was shattered completely, plunging into endless darkness.
Liu Xi's cyan flame rose around him, devouring the surging purple-black fire. Staring at the now-lifeless miniature dragon, he chuckled.
"I'm the bane of beings like you. From now on, you'll become my strength. But first, let's put on a little show…"
He gathered his Spiritual Power, weaving it into delicate threads that knit together a false consciousness for the Heavenly Flame.
When he squeezed the tiny dragon's body, the surrounding fire instinctively parted, unable to harm him. The Three Thousand Burning Flame now lay firmly under his control.
'Time to head back. I can't wait to see Mu Gu's face when he breaks the seal—only to be devoured by the very flame he covets.'
A sly smile crossed Liu Xi's lips as he withdrew from the flame world.
Back in the Star Region, his body trembled slightly as he opened his eyes. A faint trace of disappointment appeared on his face at just the right moment, and he swiftly retreated from the massive flame dragon.
Elder Qiu Ling hurried over, both anxious and relieved. The Heavenly Flame had stirred briefly earlier, but thankfully hadn't awakened fully.
"How was it—?"
Liu Xi shook his head with a weary sigh. "No luck. Even the Three Association Heads couldn't subdue it."
Qiu Ling frowned, then softened his tone. Seeing the hint of disappointment in Liu Xi's eyes, he merely offered comfort instead of pressing further.
From the side came Mu Gu's rasping laughter. "Failure is failure. Heavenly Flames are treasures of heaven and earth—only the fated may obtain them. The rest are doomed to walk away empty-handed."
Qiu Ling didn't stop him; by Pill Tower's rules, Mu Gu had the right to attempt subjugation next. Still, his tone turned cold as steel.
"Mu Gu, you may try. But if you dare make any reckless move, don't blame this old man for being merciless."
As Liu Xi returned to the group, before anyone else could ask, two familiar figures rushed up to him.
"Master Liu, I'm glad you're unharmed," Cao Ying said warmly. "If the Three Thousand Burning Flame could be subdued easily, someone would have done it long ago."
"Don't let Mu Gu's words bother you," Dan Chen added softly. "Even without the Heavenly Flame, you are still the Pill Gathering champion."
Liu Xi glanced at them both—Cao Ying's concern was open and genuine, while Dan Chen's shyness made her words all the more sincere.
He almost laughed aloud. 'I'm only pretending—this flame is already mine.'
Regaining composure, he sighed lightly. "It's fine. The Three Thousand Burning Flame's core may be sealed, but its consciousness remains awake. Stay back—its fire is dangerous."
Cao Ying smiled coyly. "Is Master Liu… worried about me?"
Dan Chen bowed her head slightly. "Thank you for the warning, Master Liu."
The other contestants, even the envious ones like Song Qing, pricked up their ears, listening intently to every word Liu Xi said about the Heavenly Flame.
No one dared underestimate the threat radiating from the slumbering dragon. Even at a distance, its presence made their hearts tremble.
Just then, a dark figure flew toward them—it was Mu Gu, face twisted with frustration. He had clearly failed.
Qiu Ling exhaled in relief. 'Good. Better the flame remain sealed than fall into the hands of the Hall of Souls. That would be the Pill Tower's eternal shame.'
"Next, Qing Hua," Qiu Ling announced.
But no one noticed the cold glint flickering in Mu Gu's eyes as he stood alone, his expression twisted in silent malice.
(End of Chapter)
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