The shattered and unstable world of the Star Region trembled faintly as Xuan Kongzi's figure flashed into it like lightning. His expression was grim, eyes sharp as blades. Releasing his Spiritual Perception, he quickly scanned the area and sighed in relief — the Three Thousand Burning Flame was still calm.
Taking a single step, his figure flickered, nearly teleporting across space to appear several dozen feet away.
Just as Xuan Kongzi had anticipated, the Hall of Souls had not only planted Mu Gu within the Pill Tower but had also dispatched powerful forces to assault Holy Pill City from the outside.
Murder, looting, and the harvesting of souls — chaos reigned.
Once again, the Star Region began to groan at the brink of collapse, as though bearing a weight it could no longer support.
Helpless, Xuan Kongzi, Tian Leizi, and Xuan Yi were forced to jointly stabilize the spatial domain, leaving the invaders to be handled by the Pill Tower's remaining experts and allied forces.
Fortunately, as the spatial pressure gradually eased, the attackers were eventually repelled, and the tide turned in the Pill Tower's favor.
When Qiu Ling finally led the others out of the Star Region, Xuan Kongzi didn't even have time to ask what had happened before the First Elder spoke urgently.
"Mu Gu summoned three Hall of Souls Dou Zuns through a spatial scroll and broke the Three Thousand Burning Flame's seal. In the end, they were all slain — but the seal has been completely undone! Liu Xi stayed behind to restrain the flame so we could escape. Association Head, please — you must save him!"
Xuan Kongzi's expression darkened. He was furious enough to want to strike someone. Four Dou Zuns — this was a blatant provocation from the Hall of Souls! Even if they were all dead, the cost was devastating.
The Three Thousand Burning Flame had been unsealed. If left unchecked, Holy Pill City would be annihilated. Losing such a precious Heavenly Flame was one thing — but losing the Pill Tower's rising star, Liu Xi, was a far greater wound.
Barking quick orders, Xuan Kongzi instructed Tian Leizi and Xuan Yi to continue reinforcing the Star Region, while commanding the lower-ranked experts to evacuate the city's residents.
Then, without hesitation, he shot back into the Star Region himself. He would reseal the Three Thousand Burning Flame — and bring back the hero of the Pill Tower, alive or dead.
Without Liu Xi, not only would the Heavenly Flame be lost, but the resulting eruption might wipe Holy Pill City from existence.
---
'Good lad,' Xuan Kongzi thought, eyes glistening with both pride and admiration. 'Such courage… This is the future of the Pill Tower!'
Sensing that the Heavenly Flame had not yet gone berserk, he guessed that Liu Xi must still be locked in combat with it. His respect for the young man rose even higher — nearly rivaling his affection for his own disciple, Cao Ying.
With that thought, his movements grew faster. Within moments, the colossal dragon form of the Three Thousand Burning Flame came into view — eerily motionless in the air.
Xuan Kongzi's eyes flickered with surprise. The last time this thing had stirred, it had torn the Star Region apart. Yet now, it was unnaturally calm.
In a flash, he appeared near the dragon's head, Dou Qi surging through his body as his robe fluttered in the scorching aura. His sleeves spread wide, ready to strike at any sign of hostility.
But to his astonishment, the flame remained still. Its aura was as powerful and tyrannical as ever, but its body was quiet, unmoving — lifelessly serene.
Leaping onto the dragon's head, Xuan Kongzi's expression changed again as his eyes fell upon a strange sight — two figures within a faintly glowing formation: Liu Xi and the Origin Flame itself, facing each other, both suspended in stillness.
From them surged immense, intertwining Spiritual Power.
"No wonder the flame is silent…" Xuan Kongzi muttered. "They've entered a state of soul confrontation. Their consciousnesses are battling within the spiritual domain, leaving the Three Thousand Burning Flame unable to control its body. But if I interrupt them now, Liu Xi's soul could suffer grievous damage…"
He hesitated. His first instinct was to break the link and pull Liu Xi out — it was safer, even if it cost some of the young man's soul strength. Better that than losing him entirely.
Yet, looking closer, he realized something. From Liu Xi's posture, this battle favored him — perhaps even intentionally so.
If Liu Xi succeeded in subduing the flame, it would be a monumental boon for both him and the Pill Tower.
"Very well," Xuan Kongzi murmured softly. "I won't ruin your chance. With your Spiritual Power and Heavenly Flame, subduing it isn't impossible. Before your strength wanes, I'll be ready to pull you out. Whatever damage you take, the Pill Tower can mend it."
Settling cross-legged in the air, Xuan Kongzi closed his eyes and extended his Spiritual Perception, carefully monitoring the struggle.
---
Meanwhile, within the mental world forged between Liu Xi and the Three Thousand Burning Flame, things were far different from what Xuan Kongzi imagined.
He pictured Liu Xi locked in a fierce spiritual duel — exhausted, battered, yet unyielding.
Reality: Liu Xi sat calmly atop the dragon's head, eyes half-lidded in focus, feeling the boundless power coursing beneath him — and quietly absorbing it.
In the rolling sea of violet-black flames, the enormous dragon knelt, subservient, while Liu Xi drew its strength into himself through the bond of the Soul Control Technique.
The Three Thousand Burning Flame was known as the Flame of Stars, the Immortal Flame — containing the condensed energy of countless celestial bodies. It was an immeasurable treasure accumulated through endless ages.
As Liu Xi absorbed that power, a faint frown creased his brow. Something felt… off. It was like being surrounded by piles of gold, yet only being able to pick up one coin at a time.
He hadn't noticed this limitation before, but now that he had the full might of the Heavenly Flame at his disposal, it was impossible to ignore.
He already had a theory — the Soul Control Technique enhanced not only his Spiritual Power but also his affinity with flame itself.
After all, a Heavenly Flame was the spirit of fire incarnate.
In other words, his talent had already reached the level required to advance to the Dou Saint realm or beyond — but his current Qi Method, the Nine Nether Ghost Flame Technique, was only a Mid Level Di Class method. It could no longer sustain his rapid growth, slowing his cultivation drastically.
He didn't regret abandoning the Flame Mantra, though. Had he changed to that path, he might never have achieved what he had now.
His foundation lay in the Soul Control Technique — this was his Dao, his destiny.
Relaxing, Liu Xi smiled faintly, his eyes bright with calm determination. "If my Qi Method is no longer enough, I'll modify it — or replace it. But for now…"
He patted the massive dragon beneath him gently. "Three Thousand Burning Flame — become my strength."
(End of Chapter)
---
A Huge Shoutout and Welcome to TheDarkAdmiral and thedistraction for Joining us on Patreon and Becoming a Member of Diamond.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.