The moment Li Hao touched the faint flame, it surged into his body like a wild beast breaking free of its cage. What appeared weak outside transformed into something violent and uncontrollable within him.
A searing heat tore through his meridians. His veins burned as if molten lava had replaced his blood.
Li Hao's expression tightened, but he did not retreat.
"Refine it…" a distant voice echoed faintly, as if guiding him from beyond time.
Gritting his teeth, Li Hao immediately circulated his qi. His Ice Heavenly Sword martial soul released a chilling force, suppressing the raging heat, while traces of lightning from his Dragon soul stabilized the chaotic energy flow.
The clash inside his body was brutal—fire against ice, chaos against control.
Sweat poured down his face. His breathing grew uneven.
Yet his mind remained calm.
He had endured worse.
Slowly, the flame began to change. Its violent resistance weakened, and instead, it started responding to his will.
Bit by bit, Li Hao compressed the flame, guiding it toward his Soul Sea.
This was no longer just survival.
This was domination.