The heat coursing through Xiao Ming's veins intensified, twisting his body continuously in violent spasms. Every muscle felt like it was being torn apart by invisible talons, and his very flesh seemed to grind and twist under the relentless assault of the Shadow Phoenix's Natal Flame.
The gem fragment had firmly rooted itself in his heart vein, anchoring the unholy fire deep within his core. From that moment, the next step of the process began—the purging of his mortal bloodline.
A searing pain erupted from his chest, forcing Xiao Ming to lurch forward as he coughed violently.
PFFT!
A mouthful of dark red blood splattered onto the cavern floor, sizzling upon contact like molten metal. Xiao Ming's breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps as he clutched at his chest. His heart pounded with a ferocity that threatened to burst through his ribcage.
