Chapter 27: The Flame That Never Forgot
---
Chapter 27: The Flame That Never Forgot
She knelt before him, proud and silent.
Su Li—once the crimson flame of his past life, a woman forged in war and betrayal, now bowed with head lowered in the sanctum of his chaotic temple.
Tian Mo stood above her, shirtless, his aura coiled like a dragon in stillness. The runes around his soul domain pulsed with black light, reacting to her presence. This was no ordinary reunion—this was the reckoning of passion, power, and betrayal.
"You never visited my grave," he said coldly, his voice resonant with restrained fury.
"You never had one," she whispered. "They erased you. I survived so I could remember."
Tian Mo circled her slowly. "And yet, when I needed you… when I was hunted, shattered, left for dead—where were you?"
"I was killing the ones who did it," she replied, lifting her gaze. There was no fear in her eyes—only heat. "And by the time I returned, you were gone."
A long silence passed.
Tian Mo extended his hand, cupping her chin. "Do you still burn for me?"
She didn't flinch. "I never stopped."
With a flick of his fingers, her robes melted off like mist, revealing the flawless, toned body of a battle-hardened cultivator. Her body bore scars—badges of loyalty in a world that had none.
"You'll prove it," he said.
And then there were no more words.
The sanctum's walls pulsed with spiritual heat as he claimed her—not with tenderness, but dominance. Every motion, every thrust, was a punishment and a reward. She surrendered fully, her cultivation base trembling under his chaotic pressure, until her core broke—and reformed under his brand.
Su Li, the Crimson Flame General, was reborn as his flame-bound blade.
---
Meanwhile, in the southern branch of the Hidden Circle, Yin Hua descended into ancient ruins hidden beneath an abandoned sect's compound.
Beside her floated a locked crystal coffin—sealed by nine heavenly scripts.
"Master will want this," she murmured.
Inside lay a body in perfect preservation—an early cultivator of Earth from the First Reawakening Era. Around the coffin's edges were sigils she recognized from Tian Mo's teachings.
False Dao inscriptions…
Not just a corpse.
A legacy weapon. A failed experiment in reaching beyond the limits of the world.
She tapped her comm rune.
"My lord… I've found the key."
---
In the upper layers of Earth's cultivation society, Elena Zhou had begun reformatting major guilds, business alliances, and resource networks. With her financial power and newfound cultivation dominance, her word was law.
And behind her throne stood a new figure:
Su Li, dressed in blood-red robes, her aura fierce and regal.
"Two queens at his feet," Elena said one evening, raising a toast to Su Li.
"One flame," Su Li replied, smirking, "and one frost."
"And both," Elena whispered, "are his now."
---
Status Update:
Tian Mo: Spirit Severing (Mid-Stage) | Su Li branded and bonded | Beginning to form False Dao Foundation Concept
Su Li: Reclaimed and converted | Now one of Tian Mo's core battle generals
Yin Hua: Discovered ancient relic related to False Dao attempts
Anna: Completed first batch of inner court training—20 new disciples now bonded
Black Lotus Court: Now spread across three cities
Elena Zhou: Coordinating global economic influence under Tian Mo's name
Terra Watchers: Alarmed by strange Qi shifts from Earth
---