In the vast emptiness between heaven and earth, an unbearable aridity and searing heat enveloped the area, as though all moisture within the space had instantaneously evaporated. The entire mountain seemed exhausted under such an intense heat, even its vibrant greenery dimmed under the scorching influence. Yet no one paid heed to these changes within nature. Instead, the gaze of all present remained fixated upon that gargantuan cauldron situated within the crater.
Beneath the watchful eyes of the crowd, a frail-looking figure sat cross-legged before the cauldron. With each complex variation of their hand seals, the temperatures across the sky fluctuated alarmingly as though manipulated directly by that slender form—a maddening cycle of scalding and coolness almost unbearable for onlookers.
High Elder Zhuli hovered in the sky, his hands clasped firmly behind his back, his expression deeply solemn while his focus never wavered from the cauldron below.
“Candlelight, you truly believe that he can refine the Long-huang crystal sheath?” Suddenly a hoary voice resounded near his ear.
Glancing aside slowly, Zhuli beheld an old cultivator adorned with both black and white locks who wore sturdy combat attire and bore a grimly stern demeanor.
“Had he not earned first place in the Alchemic Conference, he would not hold such honor. Although young, in the past days, I’ve discerned that this one stands head and shoulders above the youthful peers—a veteran’s insight combined with an iron-willed heart,” Zhuli responded without shifting focus toward the youth.
“You know well what Ziyen means for us Eastern Long-isle…” continued the grim elder after pausing thoughtfully—whom Zhuli addressed as Elder Qiyou.
“Please don’t worry about him. True, there exist others upon this land wielders of top-tier strange flames apart from Xiaoyan, yet it won’t be suitable for us, in this weakened stage of Tai Xugalong, if they assist. Besides—” a hint of gentler conviction crossed Zhuli’s voice, “Prior to her fall into slumber, young Miss Cai expressed a wish to have Xiaoyan aid. Despite her tender age, she would not gamble her life on mere whim nor would she invest unearned trust. Therefore, we may assume, she carries unshakable belief in Xiaoyan’s capacity.”
Silently acknowledging those thoughts, Elder You replied solemnly, “Let us hope so. You see, young Miss Ziyen carries in her being the entirety of the true royal lineage, currently the rarest existing descendant amongst us. She is vital for the unbroken wholeness of our race. Should any disaster find her, it will shatter Tai Xuglong forever. Moreover, our two venerates locked in eternal retreat remain lost in unknown schedules for awakening. Bereft of that duo, our strength amidst The Four Islets remains under grave risk from rivals.”
“Aforethought does little benefit at a time as this,” Zhuli sighed, glancing sternly at his surroundings with firm resolve etched clearly on his face: “We must maintain our greatest vigilance still. If rumors reach The Other Three Islands, they may well send over spies seeking information. Bear in mind our competitors possess boundless ambitions and cannot afford to tolerate the appearance of royalty’s pureblooded offspring. They’d see our people rallying behind it and lose their tenuous control.”
With a slow nod came silence before a final fleeting glance at seated Xiaoyan by Qiyou’s eyes; soon his form began to evaporate alongside several invisible, power-dense presences retreating.
Once Elder Qiyou vanished completely from sight, Zhuli allowed himself one last look over at Xiaoyan.
“Xiao Yan,” he murmured softly, his voice nearly breaking with urgency. “The fate of Tai Xuglong relies on your success.”
Nearby, seated calmly within the volcanic crater’s cauldron was Xiaoyan’s thin silhouette—he seemed stirred briefly by Zhuli’s whispering. Twitching faintly his brow, scalding vapor exhaled from his throat like ancient beasts’ breaths through the winds:
“Converge!” With but a quiet syllable slipping beyond parted lips like an incantation’s wind, tremulous reactions emerged within the cauldron—the mighty fire serpent shuddered and convulsed violently.
Soon to the astonishment of spectators watching anxiously, fire dragon transformation became evident: its once deep purple skin interlaced with ash-white shadows gradually gave way to a curious hue of shadowy violet—an ominous shade unlike earthly origins.
Letting out a deafening bellow, its size shrank but within that diminished stature burned an even fiercer core—a firestorm of such extremity enough capable of altering experienced cultivators’ countenance.
Suddenly spewing forth unrestrained dark violets from within its gaping mouths—directed at Ziyen’s sealed crystalline exterior—fiery collisions ensued instantly followed by loud sizzling sounds as though earth met sky in war.
Against this fierce interaction, against the crowd’s breath-hinged hopes rising steadily with every passing moment, an infinitesively small glistening droplet of deep purplish gold gradually surfaced out from upon that indomitable crystalline armor.
“The Long Huan crystal layer melts!” Despite its minuscule appearance, experienced eyes caught that single shimmering droplet. Excited voices suppressed whispers at the sight, yet betrayed none of their overwhelming anticipation.
“Hmmph—” A relieved exhalation escaped from Zhuli, while a long-clenched palm uncurled at his side. Admittedly only the first step of many remained—it signaled nonetheless Xiaoyan’s successful sublimation of even unyielding Longhuan crystal.
Such success warranted their admiration—what mattered most hence laid ahead: holding steadfast on refining the crystalline remnants entirely.
Underlyingly simple yet deeply time-consuming, Zhuli realized complete annihilation required patient effort as per the laws of nature—no shortcuts exist, every inch gained must derive from sheer will and endurance.
With optimism guiding their hope, the assembly turned into observers.
For nearly ten days passed swiftly through waiting’s haze—the process continued.
During these days, without cessation or pause even momentarily of body and spirit, the fire flared in its battle of melting, consuming steadily his very energy reservoir as he endured.
Indeed, his mana nearly ran dry twice over those harsh, ceaseless refining tenures.
Yet twice did he persist resisting the temptation towards the vial of priceless ancestral draconic essence prepared by Elder Zhuli—opting instead to force himself into recovery through advanced techniques, particularly refining his cultivation toward the edge of Heaven-Connecting Grade, drawing frantically from ambient natural reservoirs with desperate hunger unmatched by the replenishment gained.
Despite the lop-sided consumption of his efforts, with the aid of some medicinal elixirs—his persistence prevailed.
Over ten full sun-rises and moonlight vigils, through all, his energy flow never faltered—even for one heartbeat—displaying endurance that commanded deep reverence even against proud warriors of Tai Xulong breed.
Such perseverance—however mighty—could scarcely sustain perpetually in the face of such demanding toll. Thus when fifteenth evening arrived, Xiaoyan finally acknowledged physical limits—resorting this time to the vial offered by Elder Zhuli, drawing one bead gently.
“Boom!” With contact, ancestral draconic droplet radiated forth a dazzling golden brilliance outward all from within.
Like wild tempest rushing vast plains, boundless energies tore throughout Xiaoyan’s being from bone-root to muscle fiber while desiccated mana paths revived instantaneously, flooded fresh streams of vital combative essence—replacing all with vibrant surging potency as bones creaked, tingled oddly with invigorating power—toughens enhanced as each cell adapted through its divine might.
“This—truly the essence of ancient dragons! So amazing!” Thoughts erupted joyfully within Xiaoyan’s mind—power rivaled only by superior alchemical concoctions—indeed confirming Tai XuLong superiority unmatched throughout bestial kingdom realms merely by essence’ alone superiority:
“Henceforward—we press ever on!”
Fist tightening in resolve, a smile crept upon weary visage; the moment of transformation had arrived anew as cauldron-bound crystal veil encasing Cai Lin nearly erased itself fully.
But it remained not quite yet—true essence liberation awaited deeper within the sealed form: where deep crystalline chains still ensnared body’s core entirely, awaiting fiery dissolution fully before complete release and rebirtlh could ensue…
Day met night as another month fled from grasped fingertips—the once-thick shell continued fading until vanishing altogether—miracles manifest through endurance against endless odds…
From all corners encrusted mountain ranges to the island center’s heartland, joy rippled silently through hearts of multitudes—eagerly predicting the moment not far hence before Longhuans final shavings vanished fully—and upon which rebirth awaited: True-blood dragon-Phoenix monarch would emerge.
Before this colossal ritual apparatus, a solitary silhouette sat with unkempt hair and tired crimsoned eyes, yet within—burned an unbreakable fire, a resilience so great it shook observers’ very spirit itself.
Around mountain’s vast perimeter, many silently watched his wearied form—from behind whose hunched and trembling back arose legends unbidden—the will and sacrifice borne by the lone figure carved deeply within proud dragon hearts that never bowed to none.
“This youth possesses unparalleled potential—revival of Longevity’s lost glory to Xiaojie clan becomes evermore feasible. Xiao Yan, indeed your Xiao blood carries bright fortune.”
Glowing silently in satisfaction while observing Xiaoyan’s mastery still—Zhuli slowly caressed his beard as a faint sigh escaped.
“This youth is truly extraordinary, holding control of strange fire for over a full month—amazing, indeed. There is much one may yet aspire to learn through example of his discipline and resilience.”
Upon uttering final syllabled thoughts, the Elder drew breathe preparably to urge quiet from his assembled brethren when sudden—thunder clapped through empty space, an angered challenge tearing unexpectedly through serene skies.
“Xie’s army, what audacity you dare show upon trespassing upon Eastern Long Isle grounds!” The exclamation tore space into a violent uproar from unknown origin.
Upon these unexpected words, Zhuli’s countenance transformed sharply—eyes narrowing coldly—his head tilted with intent scrutiny outward:
“So—it’s begun at last…”
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