Chapter 14: The Sole Survivor of the Secret Realm, Huang Jiuji

Chapter 14: The Sole Survivor of the Secret Realm, Huang Jiuji

Inside the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Secret Realm, Medicinal Garden

Hearing the childlike voice refer to itself as "this lord," Xiao Tiance couldn't help but laugh, both amused and thrilled.

Before him stood the spirit of the Green Lotus Core Flame, an intelligent and fully formed elemental being.

In the original tale, Xiao Yan subdued the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame and fused it with six other Heavenly Flames to recreate a flame spirit, which he named Xiao Yi. Though this flame spirit was not as powerful as the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, it was still an extraordinary find.

With a grin, Xiao Tiance addressed the flame spirit, "I am Xiao Tiance of the Xiao Clan. Little one, do you have a name?"

"Hmph! A disrespectful mortal dares to ask this lord's name? Prepare to die!"

The flame spirit scoffed, clearly offended by Xiao Tiance's self assured tone. Without hesitation, it launched an attack.

A blazing green lotus formed in its hands, radiating with terrifying energy, before being hurled at Xiao Tiance with astonishing speed.

As the burning lotus hurtled toward him, Xiao Tiance's excitement only grew. Earlier, the flame spirit's attacks had been on par with a One Star Dou Zun. Now, this green lotus attack rivaled the strength of a Five Star Dou Zun.

"What a fiery little temper," Xiao Tiance remarked casually.

Stretching out his hand, he enveloped his palm in soul power. To the flame spirit's shock, Xiao Tiance effortlessly caught the green lotus, holding it as delicately as if it were a real flower.

"Let's see how you handle this!"

Frustrated, the flame spirit prepared another attack but froze mid action. Its movements were completely suppressed, and no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't transform into its flame form.

"Little one, your strength is commendable, but challenging a Dou Sheng is rather bold," Xiao Tiance remarked with a playful smile as he watched the immobilized flame spirit.

"Release this lord! Release this lord now!" the flame spirit shouted, struggling in vain against the invisible force holding it in place.

Ignoring its demands, Xiao Tiance applied even more pressure with his Ling Realm peak soul power, causing the flame spirit to tremble as if it might dissolve.

"Since you've achieved a rare transformation, I'll give you a chance. Swear loyalty to me, or I'll shatter your spirit right here and now," Xiao Tiance said, his tone calm yet firm.

The flame spirit quivered in fear. It could sense that Xiao Tiance was not bluffing. If its spirit were destroyed, it would never reform. Elemental flames were born under extraordinary circumstances, and developing intelligence was an even rarer occurrence.

After a brief silence, the flame spirit finally relented. "I am willing to submit."

"A wise decision," Xiao Tiance said with a smile as he released his grip.

The flame spirit eyed him warily, surprised by his restraint. "Aren't you going to imprint your soul mark on me?"

Xiao Tiance chuckled. "You're not the first Heavenly Flame I've encountered. A century ago, I nearly subdued the Nihility Devouring Flame, which ranked second on the Heavenly Flame List. Like you, it had intelligence and power far greater than mine at the time.

"I see no need to control you with a soul imprint. You have potential to grow stronger, and I trust that you'll follow me willingly. Now, tell me, do you have a name?"

The flame spirit hesitated before replying, "Master, I have no name."

"Then I'll give you one. From now on, you'll bear the surname Xiao. As for your name, let's call you Xiao Duming. I hope you'll become the brightest among all flames, standing unrivaled," Xiao Tiance said warmly.

"Xiao Duming... Thank you, Master, for granting me a name!" the flame spirit cheered, flipping joyfully atop the Green Lotus.

"You'll accompany me from now on. I'll expand my meridians to give you a space to reside when you're not cultivating," Xiao Tiance said with a smile.

Nodding eagerly, Xiao Duming shrank into a small, doll like form and perched on Xiao Tiance's shoulder.

With a content smile, Xiao Tiance used a jade blade to sever the Ten Thousand Year Green Lotus and stored the entire medicinal garden in his spatial ring. With Xiao Qing in tow, he continued exploring deeper into the secret realm.

The trio (counting Xiao Duming as a person) soon arrived at what appeared to be a vast enclosure for magical beasts. Though expansive, spanning tens of thousands of square meters, it was littered with nothing but corpses and bones.

Many of the corpses belonged to Dou Sheng level magical beasts, preserved by their formidable strength even in death. Xiao Tiance extracted their magic cores and lifeblood before burying the remains in a hastily dug pit.

Their exploration led them to a pavilion with three gilded words inscribed above its entrance: Treasure Pavilion.

However, as they approached, an elderly man appeared before the pavilion.

The sight startled the group, for this was no mere puppet or corpse it was a living person.

Despite his frail, almost decrepit appearance, the old man exuded an overwhelming aura equivalent to an Eight Star Dou Sheng.

The elder spoke in a raspy, halting voice, as if unused to conversation. "I am Huang Jiuji, Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan and its last survivor. Young ones, you have trespassed into my clan's sacred grounds. What punishment do you think you deserve?"

Though his words carried a tone of reproach, there was no killing intent in Huang Jiuji's demeanor. Sensing this, Xiao Tiance immediately responded with humility.

"Senior, please forgive our intrusion. I am Xiao Tiance of the Xiao Clan. My subordinates stumbled upon this secret realm, and we came to explore it, unaware that a mighty elder of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan still resided here. Had we known, we would never have dared to enter without permission."

Huang Jiuji chuckled hoarsely. "Ah, descendants of the Xiao Clan... Your strength is impressive for your age."

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