A small wisp of flame hovered before him, its size deceiving. Despite its small form, even a six-star Dou Saint, if careless enough to let it into their body, could be reduced to ashes. Its terrifying power was undeniable.
"Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, ranked third on the Heavenly Flame List. Once you're with me, Gu Fei, your reputation will not be tarnished..." Gu Fei's eyes fixated on the wisp of demonic flame.
As his words fell, the flames within his body began to surge wildly, forming a fiery armor on his skin. However, his usual mastery of controlling flames faltered; his flames seemed to tremble as if facing a supreme ruler.
"Hiss!"
Despite the trembling of his own flames, Gu Fei did not retreat. He swiftly extended his hand, reaching through the flame lotus, and grabbed hold of the pinkish wisp of flame.
"Bang!"
The moment Gu Fei's hand touched the pink flame, it expanded instantly. The raging fire engulfed his entire body in a flash.
Under such intense heat, no sweat could even form, as any moisture would instantly evaporate.
"Hu..."
Even Gu Fei showed signs of pain as his body was engulfed by the demonic flame. This was only bearable because of his exceptionally strong physical constitution. An ordinary five-star Dou Saint would have had their skin crack under such scorching heat, but Gu Fei's body had already reached the durability of an ancient Dragon-Phoenix at the six-star Dou Saint level, similar to Zi Yan.
"This is nothing that would make me back down!"
Clenching his teeth, Gu Fei continued to channel the flames within his body, resisting the destructive heat of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. Finally, with steely resolve, he swallowed the pink flame whole.
"Boom!"
The moment the demonic flame's essence entered his body, an intense burning sensation surged through Gu Fei's entire being. Even his vaunted body couldn't withstand it, as his meridians, flesh, and blood began to tear apart.
"Refine it!"
Enduring the searing pain, Gu Fei forced himself to remain calm. His immense Dou Qi surged within him, wrapping around the demonic flame essence, guiding it along his cultivation path.
"Boom! Boom!"
As Gu Fei's Dou Qi refined the demonic flame's essence, the flame struggled violently. Fortunately, Gu Fei's Dou Qi had a natural suppressive effect on heavenly flames. Moreover, his current strength was at the five-star Dou Saint level, and with the aid of the Ninth-Tier Nine Yin Yellow Spring Pill, the demonic flame had already been weakened.
After much difficulty, Gu Fei finally succeeded in guiding the essence of the demonic flame through his meridians, allowing its energy to flow. With each cycle of refinement, his strength surged, as the energy contained within the Demonic Flame was immeasurable.
The massive fireball floating in the air pulsed, sending out waves of fiery energy. Though the absorption process seemed slow at first, as the demonic flame weakened and Gu Fei grew stronger, the pace naturally quickened.
"Rumble!"
As the demonic flame began to be refined, dark clouds of energy swirled overhead. The magma sea below churned wildly. But Gu Fei paid no mind to the changes around him, fully immersed in the overwhelming feeling of his rapidly advancing cultivation.
The boundless energy, like a flood, coursed through his meridians, flesh, and bones, filling him with an indescribable sensation of power.
...
Meanwhile, outside the Demonic Flame Space, Zi Yan continued to wait. Even after a month had passed, she had not moved from her spot. Although this time was shorter compared to other instances, the loneliness she felt was magnified. In previous sessions, Gu Fei was at least nearby, visible, but now she could only rely on the dragon seal to sense whether he was alive.
"Brother Gu Fei, you must not have anything happen to you!" Zi Yan prayed in her heart.
Not long after, Xiao Yi Xian arrived at the scene, joining Zi Yan in waiting for Gu Fei.
"He will be fine!" Xiao Yi Xian forced a smile, trying to comfort Zi Yan but also to reassure herself. With her arrival, the wait became a little less lonely for Zi Yan.
The area around them, once a mountain range, had been melted into a sea of magma by the demonic flame. Now, with the flame sealed, the magma had solidified into a flat plain.
Despite being ravaged by the demonic flame, the land had become a hotspot for treasure seekers. A type of crystal stone, imbued with fiery energy, had been discovered here and dubbed "Demonic Flame Rock". Though the remnants of the demonic flame within were diluted thousands of times, they were still considered valuable treasures for fire attribute cultivators and alchemists.
In the two years following the demonic flame's rampage, the area had attracted many factions, all vying for control of the Demonic Flame Rock. Among them, the Hall of Souls had claimed the largest territory, bullying other factions into submission.
However, they dared not approach the area where Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian were located. That area was regarded as a forbidden zone, a place that even the Soul Hall's master, Hun Miesheng, had warned against approaching.