Chapter 123 – The Siege of the Ember Throne

The sky was red before the first blade fell.

Not from fire—but from fury.

The Flame Court's Ember Throne, a fortress-realm carved into a dormant star, floated above a web of volcanic realms and fire-scarred dominions. Once unassailable. Now… targeted.

Chen stood at the prow of a celestial warship, divine wind roaring around him, cloak billowing like a banner of rebellion. Behind him flew dozens of vessels—flesh and flame, mortal and divine, bound under his banner.

This wasn't a raid.

This was war made personal.

Moments Before the Assault – Within the Command Bridge

"The Flame Court has concentrated its elite within the Ember Throne," Sarina reported, eyes narrowed as her fingers danced across an arcane projection.

"They're using the captured essence of minor goddesses as fuel to bolster their shield," Lanmei added grimly. "It's… cruel. Efficient."

"They're daring us to come," Mei said.

Chen's gaze was hard. "Then we break the gate down."

The Battle Begins – Outer Shields

The skies cracked.

The first salvo from Chen's forces struck the Ember Throne's outer barrier—an incandescent dome of solar flame that once held off three invading divine hosts. But this time, Soulflame surged through the core of the assault.

Chen leapt from the ship himself, leading the charge.

With one sweep of his hand, he released the power of the Phoenix Rebirth Fang, a technique born from the goddess's feather.

A flaming spear of Soulflame, cloaked in celestial wind, pierced the shield and shattered it like glass.

The defenders screamed in alarm.

The siege had begun.

Inside the Ember Throne

The Flame Court scrambled.

Sovereigns barked orders. Legions moved into formation. One high inquisitor tried to rally the defenders—

Until Lanmei appeared behind him, blade whispering death, and silence fell in his place.

Mei led shock troops through the inner sanctum, disrupting the Leyline Pillars that sustained the throne's artificial gravity and solar field.

Ye Yue descended into the Crucible Chamber, striking down flame-imbued war monks with grace sharpened into steel.

And Chen…

Chen pushed deeper, alone, through divine forges and rivers of fire. His presence drew the Flame Court's elite—dozens of captains and enforcers.

None slowed him.

The Heart of the Throne – Showdown

He reached the Ember Core.

There, atop a throne carved from living fire, waited Flame Sovereign Ardrek, one of the oldest gods of the court—his skin molten, eyes embers, voice thunder.

"You dare bring your heresy here?"

"No," Chen said, stepping forward. "I bring the future."

Flame exploded.

But Soulflame rose to meet it.

Their battle shattered entire levels of the Ember Throne. Flames devoured walls. Soulflame split the heavens. Chen matched Ardrek's divine wrath blow for blow—until he surged with that new dual cultivation resonance, drawing strength not only from his own soul, but the shared light of Ye Yue, Lanmei, and Mei.

His aura ignited into a second sun.

With one final strike, he broke Ardrek's throne in two.

Aftermath – The Ember Throne Falls

The Flame Court's banners dropped.

The siege lasted only hours, but its impact would echo for centuries.

Chen stood over the shattered core, exhausted but unbowed. Around him, the Ember Throne crumbled, falling piece by piece toward the volcanic world below.

From the remnants of the citadel, he raised one fist.

Behind him, all who followed him roared.