Chapter 1641:

“Tuoshe Gu Di… is the Number One Strange Flame on the Strange Flame Chart…” The voice at the Strange Flame Plaza echoed again and all fell into deep silence. Everyone’s expression wore unusual surprise. Obviously, they were shaken to disbelief by such an inconceivable revelation. Understanding the astonishment rooted in every heart, Zhu Kun chose silence, only looking up to stare at the enormous stone statue, a complex countenance appearing on his face. None would expect that the last Dou Emperor figure existing so far on this Dou Qi Continent would not be human nor monster, but a flame birthed under Heaven and Earth itself…

“Gulp…”

Suddenly breaking the silence of the grand plaza, someone harshly swallowed saliva as every soul began returning to senses. Sharing glances, unrelenting disbelief danced in each gaze. “Brother Zhu Kun, are you indeed speaking truthfully?” Gu Yuan’s composure had completely broken apart as he took a few deep breaths and spoke.

“When it comes to age, you are all but junior pupils under my chopsticks. Within this Continent of斗气, Who could claim clearer ancient knowledge apart from me?” Zhu Kun replied with a smile calmly.

Upon hearing this, laughter tinged with bitterness arose among men. There really was never any intention by Zhu Kun to deceive. Thus, once initial shock gave way to acclimation, the difficulty of believing truth became gradually accepted.

“But what’s all this got to do with attaining a Dou Emperor status?” Regaining focus, Gu Yuan’s eyes lifted, leading dialogue directly back to central matters at hand. Regardless of origins of Tuoshe Gu Di, currently their greatest concern was facing Hún Tiāndì in battle headlong.

“There are primarily two most valuable artifacts within Ancient Emperor’s Palace. One is the incomplete帝品丹, already obtained by Hún Tiāndì. The second -“

As the words spilled, Zhu Kun suddenly paused. Fixated gaze locking on the massive ten-thousand zhang stone statue directly ahead his eyes narrowed sharply, uttering gradually with heavy deliberation in pronunciation. “It was where Tuoshe Gudi left behind the Origin of Emperors – The Emperor’s Essential Source!”

“Imperial Essential Source!” Hearts collectively quivered throughout crowd whispering among selves puzzled and perplexed.

“One may also consider it Tuoshe Gu Di’s inheritance left behind this. This, is actually the most prized possession residing within Emperor Gudi’s sacred dwelling. Compared to it, Emperor Pills are somewhat lesser.” Smiling slightly as Zhu Kun said with calm assurance. “By acquiring this Source of an Emperor, we might likewise produce an equally towering Emperorr. Afterwards even if Hún Tiāndì breaks through and enters Dou Emperor class relying on Divine Pills, what challenge might he still pose!”

The group’s collective eyes gleamed, their faith and determination rekindled amidst prior despondency. A twist of events indeed—just as despair seemed imminent, an unexpectedly fresh avenue appeared offering renewed hope.

“Where might this Source reside and just how might one grasp such power of legacy!” Excitement flicketed in flickered features upon GuYuan, who added, however—”Yet hastily having just blurted this out already feels off-tune. Quickly he amended with urgency.” “Brother Zhukun, kindly avoid misinterpretation, We wouldn’t pursue the Legacy without your consent nor presume any claims ourselves. You rightfully stand as rightful inheritor, ours objectives but solely resisting Hunclan ambitions, absolutely no designs on contestative pursuit.”

Fully understanding should Zhukun’s words prove credible that the “Imperials’s Essence” must carry beyond comprehension unparalleled value, such mighty vigor, no soul in Heaven and Earth remains unaffected; naturally GuYuan dreaded prior statements misstep as covetous toward Imperial Origin.

“You needn’t say as one might feel compelled to. Had I opportunity myself I wouldn’t hesitate claiming and absorbing forthright.” Observing the anxious justifications, Zhukun responded with ironic chuckle lacing bitter resignation into vocal tones as murmured explanation. “Acquiring Emperor inheritance was never facile nor direct! For an age I strived hard, yet reaped naught.”

“Aha. I see.” GuYuan paused, hesitating. “Could you guide us precisely where its location?”

Proceeding toward towering stone effigy, Zhukun gestured his hands in gentle slap to massive surface stone.

“Right within here. Yet, none have entry. Even should we join effort at maximum intensity and strike forth unitedly – shatter this statue, we could not.”

Upon this claim, everyone converged around feeling texture of stone statue; far from pleasant sensation nor extraordinary perception. Touch revealed only ordinary cold rock, as no indication otherwise presented itself despite prolonged examination.

**BOOM!**

Then unexpectedly—Lei Ying gave an experimental touch only next suddenly lashing a punch full strength against effigy!

A dull impact sounded as Xio Yan and other stunned witnesses observed; even then Lei Ying’s figure had already recoiled backward skidding a few hundred zhang on plaza ground painfully regaining posture amidst clear embarrassment.

“Naturally strange occurrences!” As eyes fixed the event, disbelief abandoned. After all Lei Ying’s single punch alone would have sundered mountains easily—yet now not slightest crack formed in solid rock while recipient only thrown into dishonor instead? Certainly strange, abnormal indeed!

“Emperor’s Source protects the statue!” GuYuan expressed surprised realization that prior in discovery of Tuoshe’s imperial palace itself none even identified these hidden qualities embedded within this monument.

“Mmmh.” A nod confirmed from Kun. Sincere but ruefulness etched in tonal grain— “The Emperor’s Core definitely hides behind statue’s barrier, only we cannot breach and thus retrieve the sacred source within.”

Undoubtedly a distinctive method would apply,” Furrowed by contemplation, GuYuan insisted while Kun hesitated with hesitant head shake. Brief moment deep reflection passed before further addition came—”Also, Emperor Source will assuredly not permit universal absorption by all indiscriminately… reckless attempt risks fatal backlash.

However since Tuoshe Gu Di, having arisen once an Imperial Flame, must presumably favor beings of close familiarity with the Flame, resistance would surely be much lower for a kin flame entity.”

Upon speaking thus—universal moment dawning struck among collective onlookers eyes instinctively turning towards Xio Yan. Naturally among such present company none knew flames—neither intimate nor comprehensive understanding—as comparably as XiaoYan himself had demonstrated thus far on all known fronts.

“Xiao Yan proves an optimal contender certainly. Already in possession of the妖净莲之，itself housing an essence core of fiery flame spirit. Chances of success likely greatest in his hands,” GuYuna admitted agreement with nodding assent at conclusion.

With words suddenly directing onto his lap however—Xiao Yan merely froze a fraction before mustering forced chuckle.

“I suspect such decisions should better rest on retrieval first of Emperor’s Core source out here, before delving further into deliberation of potential candidates would perhaps wiser.”

This prompted soft chuckles throughout plaza company even while brows frowned again, minds seeking practical alternatives once more—but despite length reflection—no ideas seemed viable. Source retrieval depended purely on opening the statue itself but being shielded by the same Essence meant neither Gu Yuan nor even KuZhun had viable approaches available.

The entire problem had become paradox—an unsolvable dead loop.

Silence reined as frustration surfaced on Xiao Yan’s forehead—yet upon nearing surrender, at his shoulder emerged flickering crimson flames—Little Flame Immortal appeared without prelude.

Little flame however was acting distinctly this time. Features twisted as fixed gaze held the statue, facial micro-shifts showing strange flicker unlike the usual self.

Noticing the abnormal behavior, XiaoYan couldn’t prevent alarm. By deduction upon revelation regarding True Di’s flame lineage—perhaps ancient epochs past he too consumed妖净莲之, thus creating unresolved feud and tension between the ancient fire Emperor and current flame bearer.

“I can open the Statue.”

Unexpectedly quiet, yet potent enough words by Little Flame captured all attention at once. Zhu Kun and Gu Yuan instantly materializing either side of XiaoYan locking eyes onto diminutive flame core.

“Hey Flame, are you okay?” XiaoYan asked cautiously.

At the time, his Little Flame companion appeared as though dredging up deep ancient memories long entombed in subconscious.

“Mmh.” LittleFlame nodded slowly before meaty childish countenance re-lit with familiar playful smirk breaking forth once more.

This sight soothed a breath from Xiao yan relief as softly urging. “Attempt as you may but should prove unattainable do not strain forcing success. Please desist promptly.”

With nod affirmation, flame figure rose slowly into air and before all gazes steadily hovered level above the giant statues chest cavity—then from him exploded an eruption.

A floodwave burst—of妖净莲之 spreading rapidly until shaping luminously into concentrated blaze ray, directly targeting core cavity of statue.

With arrival of fiery lance impact—

**Wrrum! Wrummm!!!—**

Giant effigy’s exterior emitted sudden undulating tremulents. Almost like ripples radiating concentric waves into surrounding space.

Before all eyes, a monolith utterly impervious and unworthy throughout all past testing attempts was now reacting visibly to an external influence unlike anything attempted prior—surprise and joy surged upon faces of every soul.

**Wrrum!** Trembling increased in intensity building up to climax where the stonemasonry gave **Crackkk…** and indeed chest surface began opening slowly as though door unveiling.

Out from the aperture, a soft glow spread across space; Like thin veiled silk, draping the assembly gathered across platter.

Then, abruptly —

**THUD! THUD! THUDH!!**

Leiying & Yanjin simultaneously lost strength— knees abruptly struck stone floor hard, overwhelmed beneath crushing invisible dominance carried upon that thin sheet-like glow surrounding plaza like invisible pressure field.

In sequence: GuYuan and Zhu Kun also knees began lowering—bones groaning under strain audibly crackled, faces blurring crimson in effort resistance until at point where physical limits breached, they finally dropped fully on two feet with **Bang!!** against solid ground breaking moment silence anew.

Only exception across entire plaza—XiaoYan alone remained standing surrounded by several types of flame undulated across torso and limbs. Awe mingled confusion reflected his bewildered expression as he puzzled at the reason behind his immunity.

“G*ddamnt Tuoshe Gud!” With teeth grit, Zhu Kun growled—entombed with rage, as helpless under immense compression force equivalent to titan’s press, yet trapped motionless.

GuYuan offered resigned chuckle—struggles proven useless so he relaxed posture fully—undergo pressure placed a mighty Battle King figure, no disgrace involved.

The sheet glow swept across field dissipated gradually. Then from all others recollected to erect stances while luminous veil now narrowed target. One singular radiant beam emerged, enveloping XiaoYan at plaza center within intense light cocoon.

With brilliance lifting, both recovered slowly regaining upright positions astonished.

“Lucky dog! Fate always aligns best with you.” Zhu Kun’s expression clouded, back remembering that his past greed seeking the Divine Origin trapped him for centuries. Unexpected, yet destiny willed the sacred power to choose Xiao Yan.

“Indeed XiaoYan! Then our fates rest with thy hands…”