Xiao Chen's eyes burned as he finally reached the core of the volcano. Rivers of molten gold churned around him, and the heat was unbearable. Yet, as he approached the coveted flame, his steps faltered. The Demon Emperor Flame — the prize he had fought so hard to claim — was gone.
His vision blurred with rage. "Who… who dared take it before me?!" he roared, fists smashing the molten ground. Sparks flew in every direction as he cursed the unknown intruder with a voice that could have shattered mountains. "I will find you… and I will tear you apart!"
No sooner had he screamed than the Flame Dragon Spirit appeared, its massive form encircled by a maelstrom of fire. Its eyes glowed like molten gold, and its roar shook the entire volcanic core.
Xiao Chen charged, but the dragon was fast, its claws and tail striking with terrifying precision. Blow after blow landed on him. Blood dripped from his lips, his vision blurred, and frustration surged through him. Every strike seemed to remind him of the lost opportunity, the flame slipping through his grasp.
Realizing the fight could cost him his life, he reached for a one-time teleportation talisman obtained from a previous, fortunate encounter. Activating it, he vanished in a flash of light, leaving the volcano behind. His heart bled with loss, the sting of failure tangible. Unknown to him, Yuan gained 200 Fate Points from Xiao Chen's frustration, the system rewarding him for seizing opportunities even indirectly.
Scene – Yuan's Refinement
Meanwhile, Yuan had returned to Blazing Sovereign City. Renting a high-quality Cave Heaven, he set the Demon Emperor Flame before him, ready to refine it. The flame was wild, nearly impossible to tame, its energy scorching his meridians. He drew upon the Ice Essence he had acquired, attempting to calm the blaze.
The sensation was agonizing — his meridians alternated between searing heat and bone-chilling cold. Pain coursed through him, yet he persevered, unwilling to let the opportunity slip. He tried everything he could do but the energy of both Ice and Fire was getting his out of control, He was on the verge of exploding, thoughts began wandering in his mind ,"am I going to die again, no I will not accept it he screamed inwardly" Then, unexpectedly, the Primordial Chaos Scripture began to run automatically. Its divine patterns flowed across his consciousness, and a calm, commanding energy radiated outwards, a single strand of Chaos Qi flooded in his meridians, this Chaos Qi was far different than the one he used as sword aura. If the Chaos Qi of his sword aura was a drop them this Chaos Qi was like a whole ocean itself. In the presence of Chaos Qi Demon Emperor Flame and Ice Essence quivered under its influence, as though afraid of its authority.
With newfound control, Yuan slowly brought the flame and essence under his command. The once chaotic fire now obeyed his will like a kitten.
As the flames settled, Yuan felt his own cultivation surge. One level after another of his Resonant Core was shattered: He was already in the 2nd stage of of resonant core after plundering multiple initial chances. With that he broke through
2nd Level → 3rd Level of Resonant Core
3rd Level → 4th Level Resonant Core
4th Level → 5th Level Resonant Core
5th Level → 6th Level Resonant Core
At the peak of the 6th Resonant Core, he paused. He was just one step from the late stage, yet he could not advance further.
"If not for the Primordial Chaos Scripture," he thought, his eyes glowing with comprehension. "Alas! It covers essence, body, and soul. Were it not so… I might have already reached the peak just one step away from the Heavenly Soul Realm. But it's okay I might not be weaker than one" he thought inwardly as he clenched his fists
Yuan's expression softened, appreciation touching his features. "These major opportunities for protagonists are really overpowered…that's why they grow so quickly. If Xiao Chen may have gotten it, he might have also reached the middle stage of resonant core. Your every twist, every chance… they are all the benefits I can seize to rise even faster and grow beyond this world."
He leaned back, planning his next moves. Thoughts of Xiao Chen's lost opportunities swirled in his mind. Yuan knew he would follow, strike, and plunder the future chances that heaven would present. With calculated patience, he prepared the plans for the battles and treasures yet to come.