Night had fallen over the Xiao Clan.
The once lively courtyard was now quiet.
Most disciples had returned to their rooms after the exhausting clan competition.
But not everyone was resting.
Far behind the clan grounds, deep within the mountain forest, a lone figure stood on the edge of a cliff.
Xiao Tian.
The cool night wind brushed against his black robes.
His eyes reflected the moonlight as he looked toward the distant horizon.
Today's battle with Xiao Yan replayed in his mind.
Although the match ended in a draw…
Xiao Tian knew the truth.
If he had used even a fraction of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, the fight would have ended instantly.
But revealing such power now would only attract trouble.
Right now…
He needed time.
Time to grow stronger.
Time to prepare.
Because he knew the future.
And the future of the Dou Qi Continent was filled with chaos.
Xiao Tian slowly raised his hand.
A faint crimson spark appeared in his palm.
The demonic lotus-shaped flame flickered softly.
Even in its suppressed form, the surrounding air twisted slightly from its heat.
Xiao Tian stared at it quietly.
"This power…"
"It's still far from fully awakened."
In his previous life, the legendary Demonic Lotus Saint once tried to refine the entire continent with this flame.
Such terrifying power could not be controlled easily.
But Xiao Tian did not fear it.
Instead…
He welcomed it.
Because power like this was exactly what he needed.
A Sudden Discovery
Just as Xiao Tian was about to extinguish the flame—
Something strange happened.
The crimson fire flickered violently.
Almost like it was reacting to something.
Xiao Tian frowned slightly.
"What's wrong…?"
The flame suddenly pointed toward the deeper part of the mountain.
Almost like a compass.
His eyes narrowed.
"A reaction…?"
That meant something nearby was resonating with the Demonic Lotus Flame.
Possibly…
A treasure.
Without hesitation, Xiao Tian began walking deeper into the forest.
The night was quiet.
Only the sound of insects and rustling leaves accompanied him.
The deeper he went, the stronger the flame's reaction became.
Eventually he arrived at a small rocky valley.
At first glance, the place looked ordinary.
But Xiao Tian immediately noticed something unusual.
The temperature here was slightly higher than the surrounding forest.
He crouched down and touched the ground.
Warm.
"Interesting…"
He began examining the area carefully.
Then suddenly—
His eyes locked onto a crack in the stone wall.
A faint red glow flickered inside.
Xiao Tian approached slowly.
The closer he got, the stronger the reaction from the Demonic Lotus Flame became.
When he looked inside the crack…
His pupils shrank.
Inside the rock was a small crystal.
The crystal glowed with faint red energy.
And within it…
A tiny flame flickered.
Not a Heavenly Flame.
But something similar.
"A Beast Flame…"
Xiao Tian whispered.
Beast flames were far weaker than Heavenly Flames, but they were still valuable resources for cultivators.
More importantly—
This particular flame seemed to possess an unusual purity.
Almost like a fragment of a stronger flame.
Xiao Tian immediately understood.
"This flame must have formed because of the Demonic Lotus Flame's influence."
Even though the Heavenly Flame inside his body was sealed, tiny traces of its power still leaked into the surrounding environment.
Over time…
That power could create smaller flames like this one.
Xiao Tian smiled slightly.
"This will be useful."
He carefully broke the crystal open.
The small flame immediately tried to escape.
But Xiao Tian quickly caught it.
The tiny fire struggled violently.
But the moment it touched the aura of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, it instantly became obedient.
Like a subordinate meeting its king.
Xiao Tian absorbed it into his body.
The energy spread through his meridians.
Moments later—
A powerful aura burst from him.
BOOM
Dust rose around the valley.
His cultivation advanced again.
Six-Star Dou Zhi Qi.
Xiao Tian slowly exhaled.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Not bad."
"With the Demonic Lotus Flame refining other flames…"
"My cultivation speed will be terrifying."
Someone Watching
However—
Xiao Tian was not the only one in the forest tonight.
Hidden behind a large tree several hundred meters away…
A pair of beautiful golden eyes watched him silently.
It was Gu Xuner.
She had secretly followed Xiao Tian after the competition.
Because her instincts told her something was wrong.
And now…
She had seen something shocking.
The strange crimson flame.
The hidden beast flame.
And Xiao Tian's sudden breakthrough.
Her brows slowly furrowed.
"That flame…"
"It wasn't ordinary Dou Qi."
Even someone as knowledgeable as her had never seen such a terrifying aura before.
And more importantly—
Xiao Tian's cultivation had increased far too quickly.
"This is impossible…"
She whispered.
Unless…
He had encountered some kind of ancient inheritance.
Xuner's gaze became serious.
"Xiao Tian…"
"What exactly happened to you?"
Xiao Tian's Future Plan
Meanwhile, Xiao Tian had no idea someone was watching him.
He stood quietly in the valley.
Feeling the stronger Dou Qi flowing through his body.
Six-Star Dou Zhi Qi.
He had already surpassed most of the younger generation in the clan.
But this was still far from enough.
Because his true goal lay far beyond the Xiao Clan.
His gaze slowly turned west again.
Toward the endless desert.
The home of the Snake People.
The territory ruled by the proud queen.
Medusa.
In his previous life…
He met her too late.
By the time he realized her feelings, everything was already lost.
But this time would be different.
A determined look appeared in Xiao Tian's eye