Chapter 98 Purple Princess
The Second Elder said, "Elder, the Heavenly Dou Empire has seen a series of powerful allies emerge, increasing its overall strength, which should be beneficial to our alliance."
"However, Huo Wu is not a direct descendant of the royal family, and her stance and future movements are uncertain. Should we consider including the Blazing Fire Academy in some form of cooperation framework with the Heavenly Dou Empire?"
The Third Elder shook his head: "Inappropriate. Our alliance with the Heavenly Dou royal family is an equal cooperation between two major powers. Although the Blazing Fire Academy is strong, it is ultimately just a subordinate academy of the empire. If we single it out, it might displease the royal family and make us appear overly opportunistic. In my opinion, we only need to maintain a good relationship with the Heavenly Dou royal family."
"As for Huo Wu, we can indirectly contact and learn about her through Liu Erlong. Erlong is also a top-tier fire-attribute expert; perhaps she can find common ground with Huo Wu."
Yu Luomian nodded: "The Third Elder is right. The focus of the alliance remains the Heavenly Dou royal family."
"Huo Wu's rise will make the high-end combat power of the Heaven Dou Empire even more dazzling in the short term, attracting more attention, especially from Wuhun City. For our family, the pressure may actually be relatively reduced."
"Tell the people negotiating with the Heaven Dou Empire that the conditions can be flexible, but the core interests must be guaranteed."
"At the same time, let Erlong cultivate diligently and master the power of level 77 as soon as possible. In this era, one's own strength is the greatest guarantee."
Outside a cultivation wind tunnel at Shenfeng Academy, a lithe figure in cyan stopped cultivating, looked up at the sky, and watched the gradually fading flame ranking list.
A complex expression appeared on his handsome face, containing satisfaction, admiration, and a trace of imperceptible pressure and an even more fervent fighting spirit.
It was Feng Xiaotian, the top young talent of Shenfeng Academy, who had always held a special affection for Huo Wu.
"Huo Wu...congratulations," Feng Xiaotian murmured to himself, the wind blade he had gathered in his hand quietly dissipating. "Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix, the nascent form of a domain...you have indeed surpassed everyone else."
He clenched his fist, his eyes rekindling with fierce fighting spirit: "However, I, Feng Xiaotian, will not fall behind! The Gale Twin-Headed Wolf is not necessarily inferior to the Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix! One day, I will stand before you in a position worthy of yours!"
He turned and resolutely walked deeper into the wind cave, where there were even more violent gales, even more difficult challenges, and his determination to become stronger.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Haotian School.
These two major sects, both among the top three, also paid close attention to Huo Wu's ranking.
Inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Fengzhi discussed matters with Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.
"Fire Dance... the emergence of a top-tier genius support with extremely strong offensive capabilities is both a challenge and a reminder to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's focus on support roles."
Ning Fengzhi's gentle face was thoughtful. "Rongrong's cultivation must be accelerated."
"In addition, we should strengthen ties with the Heaven Dou Royal Family to express our congratulations to Princess Xue Ke and Miss Fire Dance, and at the same time..."
"We can privately contact Blazing Fire Academy to see if there is any possibility of cooperation in the research and development of fire-attribute materials and soul tools. It's always better to have one more friend than one more potential competitor."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood with his sword in his arms and said calmly, "This woman's sharpness is too exposed and needs to be tempered. However, her flames do have the potential to spread like wildfire."
Bone Douluo Gu Rong chuckled, "Old Chen, are you taking a liking to her talent? It's a pity she's not cut out for swordsmanship."
Within the Haotian Sect, Tang Xiao and the elders maintained a relatively detached yet increasingly solemn demeanor.
"Another unparalleled genius… This ranking list is increasingly capable of stirring up trouble," Tang Xiao said in a deep voice. "Huo Wu's rise may accelerate the changes in the continent's situation. Our seclusion and isolation may ensure temporary peace, but it's not a long-term solution."
"Pass down the order: the sect's younger generation's training missions can be appropriately linked to some 'reliable' missions within the Heaven Dou Empire, especially those involving border reconnaissance and the extermination of fallen soul masters. Let the young people go out and broaden their horizons, and also gather intelligence from the outside world. But they must remain secretive and not reveal the sect's location."
The Grand Elder sighed, "A storm is brewing. I only hope that in this chaotic world, our Haotian Sect can find a glimmer of hope for revival."
Blazing Fire Academy, Earth Fire Melting Heart Secret Realm.
Huo Wu sat cross-legged beside the boiling lava pool, surrounded by crimson-gold flames. The phantom of the Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix flickered behind her. The power of the Burning Heaven Domain was carefully contained within three feet of her body, constantly refining and familiarizing herself with it.
Her face still bore that innate pride, but deep within her eyes lay a depth and solemnity she had never known before.
The surge in power brought not only joy, but also a heavy responsibility and the varied gazes cast from all directions.
"Domain... Soul King... Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix..." Huo Wu murmured in her heart, the flames in her palms transforming into various forms, from a raging fire dragon to a nimble fire sparrow, her control exquisitely precise.
"Not enough... This is far from enough! I must become stronger, strong enough to control my own destiny, strong enough for my flames to illuminate everything I want to illuminate!"
She remembered her father's and the dean's instructions, the possible attitude of the Heavenly Dou Royal Family, the covetous forces on the continent, and even more so, the figure she had always regarded as her goal, now seemingly closer yet also further away—Liu Erlong, who also possessed a top-tier fire attribute martial soul and was now a level 77 Soul Saint.
"Senior Liu Erlong..." Fire Dance's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
"One day, I will challenge you with the true form of a Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix!"
The flames burned silently in the secret realm, accumulating the power to scorch the heavens and shatter the earth.
And the undercurrents on the continent, because of the birth of this newly promoted "Blazing Princess," began to surge and collide even more violently.
Ranked sixteenth on the Goddess Ranking, Fire Dance, like a blazing spark thrown into the torrent of destiny, had already ignited a new chapter. Various forces began a new round of planning, scheming, recruitment, and defense around this proud fire maiden.
The situation on the mainland, following Liu Erlong and Xue Ke, became even more turbulent with the sudden emergence of Huo Wu. An even greater storm was slowly brewing in the silent stillness…
Above the sky, the afterglow of Huo Wu's crimson-gold flames had not yet dissipated, and that scorching and proud aura still pulsed in the senses of soul masters throughout the continent.
People's amazement at the "Blazing Flame Princess," their speculation about the future of the Blazing Fire Academy, and their discussions about the fate of the Heaven Dou Empire continued to ferment.
However, just as the clamor of the human world reached its peak, a deep, muffled dragon's roar, seemingly from the depths of the abyss, suddenly resounded from the depths of the heavens!
"Roar—!!!"
(End of chapter)