Chapter 16: Absorbing the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame

Chapter 16: Absorbing the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame

Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Secret Realm, Treasure Pavilion, Third Floor

"Senior, your methods are extraordinary. I'm truly in awe," Xiao Tiance said respectfully.

"This is nothing," Huang Jiuji replied, his tone tinged with a mix of pride and sorrow. "Our Heavenly Phoenix Clan always had a special affinity for Heavenly Flames. At our peak, we possessed five or six of them.

"However, perhaps it was the price of the countless sins we committed. Over time, our ability to reproduce dwindled. To preserve the purity of our bloodline, we refrained from intermarrying with outsiders. After our devastating war with the Void Ancient Dragon Clan a thousand years ago, the Heavenly Phoenix Clan was nearly annihilated. Now, only I remain."

As he spoke, Huang Jiuji's voice carried a profound sense of regret and melancholy.

"Fortunes cannot be indulged indefinitely, nor sins perpetuated endlessly. The blessings of a noble family rarely last beyond five generations. Though the Heavenly Phoenix Clan has vanished from the Dou Qi Continent, its legacy remains undeniably glorious and awe inspiring. Please, accept my condolences, Senior," Xiao Tiance said solemnly, attempting to offer some comfort.

Huang Jiuji murmured, as if lost in thought, "Fortunes cannot be indulged indefinitely, nor sins perpetuated endlessly. The blessings of a noble family rarely last beyond five generations... Wise words indeed. Xiao Clan boy, would you be willing to take the entire Treasure Pavilion with you?"

Hearing this, Xiao Tiance immediately sensed that Huang Jiuji had ulterior motives. After a moment's contemplation, he replied, "Anyone would covet such treasures, Senior. But I suspect you have conditions for granting them, don't you?"

"Indeed," Huang Jiuji said with a chuckle. "Faced with treasures like these, you've remained clear headed. You've exceeded my expectations. Do you know why our bloodline dwindled?

"To hatch our offspring, we must use a special Ninth Grade Golden Pill. This pill is extraordinarily difficult to refine and requires rare ingredients. Over time, this became an insurmountable obstacle for our clan."

He explained the arduous process of nurturing their young, his expression grave.

Understanding the implications, Xiao Tiance asked directly, "So, Senior, your condition for granting me the Treasure Pavilion is that my Xiao Clan helps refine these Ninth Grade Golden Pills in the future, correct?"

Huang Jiuji shook his head, his eyes burning with resolve. "No, not quite. I know you are a skilled alchemist, though not yet at the Ninth Grade Grandmaster level. I won't make unreasonable demands.

"All I ask is that you swear in the name of the Xiao Clan to devote all necessary resources and effort to help our last two heirs hatch in the future. If you agree, I'll entrust the entire Treasure Pavilion to you along with my cultivation and this body."

"Senior…" Xiao Tiance was taken aback. Huang Jiuji was an Eight Star Dou Sheng at his peak. Why would someone of such strength not seek external help?

Noticing his confusion, Huang Jiuji explained, "I'm already a dead man, boy. The only reason I'm alive is because of the formation within this secret realm, which sustains my life force.

"But the formation is failing. Despite my attempts to repair it, its effectiveness diminishes with each passing day. I deliberately exposed this secret realm, hoping someone would discover it before my time ran out.

"If no one strong enough entered within this one month window, the Heavenly Phoenix Secret Realm would have disappeared forever. I would've sealed everything in the chaotic space streams, and my clan's last hope would've perished with me.

"But fate has smiled upon us. You're not only strong but also a high ranking alchemist. Though you can't immediately help my clan, there is still hope. Xiao Clan boy, will you take on this responsibility?"

Hearing this, Xiao Tiance finally understood why the Heavenly Phoenix Clan never appeared in the original storyline. The one month window must have passed without anyone meeting Huang Jiuji's requirements.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Tiance made his decision. "Senior Huang, I, Xiao Tiance, swear that I will devote my life to mastering alchemy and ensure the Heavenly Phoenix Clan's heirs are successfully born. Should I fail, may I be struck down by heaven and earth, my soul condemned to eternal suffering."

Huang Jiuji nodded, satisfied with his sincerity. "Good. I trust you."

He tossed his spatial ring to Xiao Tiance, explaining, "This ring holds my clan's legacy. I've disabled its restrictions. When you descend to the lower levels, use your Dou Qi to collect everything into the ring.

"For now, focus on refining the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. With this ring, the flame won't resist you."

"Thank you for your immense generosity, Senior. I am deeply grateful," Xiao Tiance said with a bow.

Huang Jiuji waved him off with a smile before leaving with the two Heavenly Phoenix eggs, Xiao Qing, and Xiao Duoming.

Once alone, Xiao Tiance took a moment to prepare himself. After adjusting his state of mind, he turned his attention to the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, its golden glow radiating a terrifying heat.

"Let's begin," he muttered.

As he extended his hand, the once dormant flame roared to life, its energy flaring violently. Before Xiao Tiance could react, the Heavenly Phoenix Clan's spatial ring emitted a brilliant light, instantly calming the flame. The Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame transformed into a gentle orb, floating obediently into his palm.

"What a terrifying yet fascinating power," Xiao Tiance marveled. "With just one restriction, the Heavenly Phoenix Clan could tame such a mighty flame. Their strength at their peak must have been unimaginable."

Without further hesitation, he began the arduous process of absorbing the flame.

The pain was excruciating, as if every inch of his body and soul were being consumed by fire. Yet, Xiao Tiance endured, his resolve unwavering. Hours turned into days as he fought to harmonize with the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame.

Finally, as the torment subsided, he opened his eyes. His body, charred and covered in blood, bore the marks of his struggle.

"Such terrifying power," he muttered, inspecting the changes in his Dou Qi and body. "Even with the Heavenly Phoenix Clan's assistance, this process was brutal. But it's time to break through!"

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon. Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1