The Black Serpent Sect's forces were relentless, their dark energy clashing against the fiery defenses of the Vermilion Bird Sect. Li Wei stood at the edge of the battlefield, his heart pounding as he took in the chaos. Disciples fought valiantly, but the enemy's numbers were overwhelming. The air was thick with the stench of burning wood and the cries of the wounded.
Feng, bloodied but still standing, shouted over the din. "They're after you, Li Wei! They've been searching for the Eternal Flame for years. If they get their hands on it, the entire cultivation world will fall into darkness!"
Li Wei clenched his fists, the warmth in his chest flaring in response to his anger. He had only just begun to understand the power of the Eternal Flame, but he knew he couldn't stand by and watch his newfound home be destroyed.
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**The Wings of the Phoenix**
Drawing on the technique he had learned in the Phoenix Shrine, Li Wei focused his *Qi* and activated *Phoenix Ascension*. Golden flames erupted from his back, forming wings of pure fire. The heat was intense, but it filled him with a sense of power and purpose. With a single beat of his fiery wings, he launched himself into the sky, leaving a trail of golden light in his wake.
The Black Serpent cultivators looked up in shock as Li Wei descended upon them like a blazing comet. He moved with incredible speed, his flames cutting through their dark energy like a hot knife through butter. Each strike was precise, each movement guided by the instincts the pendant had awakened in him.
But the battle was far from easy. The Black Serpent cultivators were skilled, and their leader—a tall, gaunt man with eyes like black voids—was a formidable opponent. He wielded a staff that crackled with dark lightning, and his aura was suffocating.
"So, you're the one who carries the Eternal Flame," the man sneered. "Hand it over, boy, and I might let you live."
Li Wei landed a few paces away, his wings dissipating as he faced the man. "I won't let you take it. The Eternal Flame isn't just power—it's a responsibility."
The man laughed, a cold, hollow sound. "Responsibility? Power is power. And I intend to take it from you."
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**The Cost of Power**
The two clashed, their energies colliding in a burst of light and shadow. Li Wei's flames burned brightly, but the man's dark energy was relentless, corroding everything it touched. Each strike drained Li Wei's strength, and he could feel the toll the Eternal Flame was taking on his body. His vision blurred, and his movements grew sluggish.
The man noticed his weakness and pressed the attack. "You're not strong enough to wield the Eternal Flame. It will consume you before you can defeat me."
Li Wei gritted his teeth, refusing to give up. He thought of Elder Mei's words: *True strength lies not in the flames themselves, but in the heart that wields them.* He focused on the warmth in his chest, not as a source of power, but as a reminder of why he fought—to protect those who had given him a home, to honor the legacy he carried.
With a roar, Li Wei unleashed a wave of golden flames, their intensity greater than anything he had produced before. The man's dark energy faltered, and for a moment, he was blinded by the light. Seizing the opportunity, Li Wei struck, his fist connecting with the man's chest and sending him flying.
The Black Serpent leader crashed to the ground, his staff shattered. He glared at Li Wei, his expression a mixture of rage and disbelief. "This isn't over," he spat. "The Black Serpent Sect will not rest until the Eternal Flame is ours."
With that, he vanished into a cloud of dark smoke, his followers retreating with him.
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**Aftermath**
The battlefield fell silent, the Vermilion Bird Sect's disciples staring at Li Wei in awe. Feng approached, his usual arrogance replaced by grudging respect. "You… you actually did it. You drove them off."
Li Wei collapsed to his knees, exhaustion overwhelming him. The golden flames flickered and died, leaving him drained and trembling. Elder Mei appeared at his side, her expression a mixture of pride and concern.
"You've done well, Li Wei," she said softly. "But you must learn to control the Eternal Flame, or it will consume you."
Li Wei nodded weakly. "I understand. But… why do they want it so badly? What is the Black Serpent Sect planning?"
Elder Mei's expression darkened. "The Eternal Flame is not just a source of power—it is a key. Legend says it can unlock the Seal of the Void, an ancient barrier that holds back a great evil. If the Black Serpent Sect succeeds, the consequences will be catastrophic."
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**A New Mission**
As Li Wei recovered, he realized that his journey was far from over. The Black Serpent Sect would not stop until they had the Eternal Flame, and it was up to him to protect it. But he couldn't do it alone.
Feng stepped forward, his arms crossed. "Look, I'm not saying I like you, but… you've got guts. And if the Black Serpent Sect is after you, then they're a threat to all of us. I'll help you."
Li Wei smiled faintly. "Thanks, Feng."
Elder Mei placed a hand on his shoulder. "Rest for now. Tomorrow, your training begins in earnest. You must master the Eternal Flame before the Black Serpent Sect strikes again."
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