Endless darkness stretched before Liu Xi's eyes. There was no up or down, no sense of direction — only a boundless void. His footsteps were calm and measured, neither hurried nor hesitant. The Void Devouring Flame had existed far longer than him, an ancient predator honed by time itself. Once it chose to strike, it would seize upon a single flaw and crush him in one, fatal blow. That was why impatience was fatal — the more anxious he became, the easier it would be for the predator to find its opening.
Though the Void Devouring Flame was darkness itself, born from nothingness and destruction, this was not its peak state. Against Liu Xi, the one to lose composure first would not be him — it would be the weakened flame. The moment its flame origin appeared and revealed the slightest flaw would be the signal for Liu Xi to strike.
In the Yao Clan's Spatial Realm, black and azure flames tore the heavens apart. One side devoured everything like a bottomless abyss; the other blazed with endless fury, flooding the sky in waves of azure light. They raged and collided like mortal enemies bound by hatred and vengeance, neither willing to yield an inch. The ground trembled as their clash filled the realm — this was not merely a battle of fire, but of life and annihilation.
The devouring between Heavenly Flames had always been cruel. The weak were consumed; only the strong endured. When two kings met, only one could remain. The Void Devouring Flame had lived for millennia, its existence tracing back to the age of Tuoshe Ancient Emperor. Like the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, it was one of the Heavenly Flames released by that legendary emperor. Yet unlike the Lotus Flame, whose consciousness had long since fragmented, the Void Devouring Flame's will remained intact — making it far stronger. It had once reached the level of a 9-Star Dou Saint, while the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame barely matched a 6-Star Dou Saint.
Now, that proud existence had fallen to its lowest point — and Liu Xi would never let such a chance pass.
The endless azure fire rolled like a storm, clashing with the black flame that sought to swallow all. But this time, the devouring darkness met its nemesis. Every wave that struck against the azure flame was either purified or completely dissolved. What should have been an advantage turned into an exhausting struggle, and the flame of nothingness began to falter.
It had already consumed massive energy, sealing the Yao Clan's realm, battling Emperor Yao's remnant soul, and devouring Yan Jin. Its strength had been drained to the bone, and even now, it was forced to divide its mind to suppress Yan Jin's undigested Heavenly Flame.
Inside the void, Liu Xi stopped walking. He clasped his hands behind his back, a faint smile rising on his lips. Since the Void Devouring Flame was so patient, he might as well give it something to think about.
"Void Devouring Flam, I'm certain you can hear me," Liu Xi said softly, his tone light, yet carrying a deep resonance that filled the space. "Aren't you curious? You, ranked second on the Heavenly Flame Ranking — how could another flame stand against you?"
He chuckled. "Care to guess? My flame carries the essence of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame… and also the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame, the Eight Wasteland Destruction Flame, the Red Lotus Karma Flame… altogether sixteen Heavenly Flames. Doesn't that stir your greed?"
The void remained silent — not a sound, not even a ripple. That proud entity endured his taunt in silence.
"Heh, you're injured, aren't you? Emperor Yao's final strike must have cut deep. You're rushing to refine Yan Jin's Heavenly Flame to restore your origin, aren't you?" His voice grew even calmer, almost casual, but his words stabbed like blades.
"Originally, you could have easily crushed Emperor Yao… if you had an Emperor Realm Soul. But you don't, do you? You're still just at the Perfect Heaven Realm Soul."
"When you first appeared and began devouring the Yao Clan's Spatial Realm, I sensed it — you never reached the Emperor Realm. You're wounded, your power incomplete. Everything you've prepared was supposed to be flawless… and yet here you are."
A faint tremor stirred through the darkness, so subtle that only Liu Xi's Spiritual Perception could detect it. The Void Devouring Flame was furious — and barely restraining itself.
Liu Xi's tone sharpened. "By the way, I should thank you. The Soul Essence of the Tiangang Human Hall helped me break the bottleneck from the Spirit Realm to the Heaven Realm. Without your Hall of Souls' handiwork, I might still be wandering in stagnation."
That faint tremor flared into a violent pulse, fury surging like a volcano beneath ice.
"And not just that," Liu Xi continued, his voice like a mocking melody, "I destroyed your Heaven Hall and Earth Hall too. Their Soul Essences were exquisite — I still remember their taste. Without them, I wouldn't have reached this level of soul cultivation."
"Thank you, Void Devouring Flame."
For a brief instant, the void shuddered violently. Then—
Boom!
A towering shadow took form in the dark, half-transparent, its face shrouded by mist. But Liu Xi knew exactly what it was — the flame's true origin.
"Who… are you?!" roared the Void Devouring Flame, its voice shaking the void like thunder.
Liu Xi's grin widened. "Who am I? I'm your master."
At that moment, he unleashed his full soul might. The boundless aura of an Emperor Realm Soul burst forth like a tidal wave, sweeping through the entire space. The void warped, crushed beneath an unseen weight. The realm that had once belonged to the Void Devouring Flame now bent to Liu Xi's will.
A colossal figure rose behind him, wreathed in blazing azure fire. That same overwhelming presence once seen from Emperor Yao's remnant soul now radiated from Liu Xi's body — only this time, it was complete, unbroken, absolute.
"Now then… become my strength."
His deep, commanding voice echoed endlessly in the void.
"Soul Dominion."
Invisible waves rippled outward. The Void Devouring Flame shrieked, its consciousness fracturing under the overwhelming spiritual force. Against anyone else, its flame origin could have annihilated the body and soul. But against Liu Xi, it was nothing but prey.
Its will shattered and reformed, only to shatter again. When it reassembled, the fire's consciousness was no longer its own — it bowed to Liu Xi's soul.
"Finally," Liu Xi murmured, his tone calm yet resonant with triumph. "It's time to harvest the fruits of my plan."
As the last echo faded, the darkness broke apart. Azure light swept across the void like dawn tearing through eternal night. The second-ranked Heavenly Flame — the Void Devouring Flame — had fallen under Liu Xi's control.
(End of Chapter)
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