Lunar Grace stood quietly, her forehead shimmering brilliantly. Within it, a tiny woman danced—though small and manifested as a mark, she appeared vividly lifelike.
This was extraordinary—how could a person’s forehead hold such a sight?
Regardless, she was unharmed, and Shi Hao let out a long sigh of relief. The crisis had finally passed.
Lunar Grace’s tall, snow-white figure remained flawless, her raven-black hair even more lustrous than before, exuding a vibrant vitality.
Above her head, the azure moon continued to transform, gradually expanding. The immortal silhouette within grew clearer, as if standing proudly above the clouds—like a true immortal descending into the world.
*Pop!*
She dispersed like a bubble, dissolving into mist and merging into the azure moon. Finally, the entire moon transformed into a cluster of flames, enveloping Lunar Grace in an exceptionally serene glow, radiating no heat.
The Azure Moon Flame had changed. Instead of harming her, it wrapped around her protectively.
Shi Hao was astonished. This remnant flame of an immortal was incredibly gentle, transforming into a dress that draped over Lunar Grace, shielding her at its center.
Lunar Grace remained tranquil, her gaze clear and wise, completely composed as she chanted sacred words, forming a mysterious covenant with the flame.
At last, success!
Upon her, it was as though a cyan treasure robe shimmered—ancient flames had turned into a long skirt, beautiful and sacred, with a metallic sheen that gleamed with crystalline radiance, giving Lunar Grace an extraordinary elegance.
“It can even transform into battle armor?” Shi Hao marveled, sensing that the Azure Moon Flame was unique, perfectly attuned to Lunar Grace.
*Whoosh!*
The next moment, a flash of cyan moonlight, and the dress vanished. Lunar Grace’s ivory-like form was revealed once more, while the flame turned into mist and settled upon her forehead.
A soft chime—it merged with the dancing figure, the mark, becoming one and residing there permanently.
“It’s different from other legendary ancient flames, like the Ten Thousand Sins Flame or the Great Crimson Heaven Flame,” Shi Hao murmured.
The ruins fell silent. The azure moon disappeared, merging with the mark hidden within Lunar Grace’s forehead, only manifesting when summoned.
Lunar Grace stood still, quietly contemplating, sensing deeply. Gradually, a smile graced her face—she felt an immense sense of achievement. She had succeeded.
Suddenly, she sensed something and looked up sharply, meeting Shi Hao’s bright, roguish gaze fixed on her snow-white form. Instantly, radiant light burst forth.
Her curvaceous jade-like body shone like the sun, dazzling to the eyes—though it was actually cyan moonlight flowing from her forehead, enveloping her entirely.
Simultaneously, a long dress materialized, draping over her. Lunar Grace clothed herself in an instant before withdrawing the sacred glow from her forehead.
“Had enough of looking?” Her voice was melodious, devoid of earthly agitation, calm and serene.
“No!” Shi Hao answered decisively.
Lunar Grace smoothed her hair and smiled faintly, radiant as a divine moon, more ethereal and holy than ever, with an added liveliness. “I keep my word. And you must strengthen your Dao heart.”
Shi Hao was taken aback, then laughed. “Are you talking about that agreement?”
“Yes.” Lunar Grace nodded.
“Since when did you become so generous and carefree?” Shi Hao asked, surprised.
Lunar Grace spoke softly, “After the great battle of the three thousand provinces, if you fail, you should settle down and accumulate experience. One day, you will rise and achieve greatness.”
Shi Hao’s expression immediately fell. So, the so-called agreement was her assuming he would lose, advising him to reflect and cultivate.
“Lunar Grace, I just saved you, and now you belittle me?”
She shook her head. “I believe your talent will one day shine brilliantly. You shouldn’t be distracted—focus on cultivation.”
“What makes us human is our emotions. If we only focus on cultivation and neglect everything else, we’ll miss much along the way,” Shi Hao disagreed.
Lunar Grace murmured, “Beauty fades to bones. Even the most peerless will return to dust. One should seek transcendence beyond the mortal world.”
“I’ve always been transcending, walking this path steadfastly. It doesn’t conflict with human emotions,” Shi Hao said, then frowned. “What’s wrong with you? After obtaining this rare ancient flame, you seem detached, as if ready to leave the world behind.”
“After truly receiving the immortal’s remnant flame, I inexplicably felt this way. Suddenly, everything in the mortal world seemed fleeting—only transcendence remains the true path,” Lunar Grace said. Her jet-black hair cascaded like satin, her figure shrouded in faint mist, ethereal and almost otherworldly.
“Hey, Lunar Grace, don’t tell me you’re growing disillusioned. Have a child soon—this path isn’t healthy!” Shi Hao blurted out, shocking even himself.
Even the serene and transcendent Lunar Grace was stunned, her flawless face twisting with indignation.
“At least there’s still hope for you,” Shi Hao muttered.
“The mortal world has an end. These mountains and rivers, all things, will fade into nothingness. We are but specks—desires and thoughts are mere dust. Why linger? There’s only one path beneath our feet…” Lunar Grace gazed at the heavens.
“You’re bewitched. Let me pull you back.” Shi Hao spoke righteously, grabbing her hand and roaring like a lion, “Wake up!”
A flash of cyan holy light, and Lunar Grace broke free, shooting him a sidelong glance—*Stop pretending to be noble while taking advantage!*
“If I emerge first in the three thousand provinces’ great battle, I’ll personally bring you back to experience the beauty of the mortal world—like being a wife and mother,” Shi Hao teased.
“Fine. If you can become the world’s number one,” Lunar Grace replied nonchalantly.
“Then it’s settled!” Shi Hao, seeing her indifference, felt a surge of competitive spirit, determined to rise in the great battle.
He then inquired about the mysteries of the Azure Moon Flame—what changes came with obtaining such a rare treasure.
Lunar Grace shared openly, as if enlightened, sensing something ahead—a lighthouse illuminating her future path.
Typically, once one became a deity and ignited themselves, rare flames would depart.
The moment of deification granted profound insight, a fleeting glimpse of one’s path—a unique instant in a cultivator’s life.
Yet Lunar Grace, not yet a deity, had experienced this epiphany.
Rare flames formed covenants with prodigies for this very moment, seeking reciprocation.
“Is it the flame that reveals the path, the insights, the Dao? Do we build our own path upon it?” Shi Hao mused.
“Unclear. These ancient flames, remnants of immortals, plant the Dao as seeds, elevating one’s foundation,” Lunar Grace said.
“Why rely on them? Can’t we forge our own Dao seeds?” Shi Hao questioned, doubting the conventional path of divine ignition.
Lunar Grace was surprised. “Rare flames are remnants of immortals—celestial seeds. Planting the Dao with them ensures a smooth path to transcendence.”
“Rather than that, I’d prefer to take a grain of sand, a blade of grass, a tree, or a mountain as my reference—to use the entire world, sun, moon, and stars as my flame, planting my own Dao,” Shi Hao declared.
Lunar Grace’s expression shifted. “How would you do that?”
“Why not ignite myself directly, without ancient flames?” Shi Hao asked.
Lunar Grace replied, “Many, lacking rare flames, use other divine fires. Some, finding none, ignite themselves.”
“So, only the most ordinary would do as I suggest?” Shi Hao asked.
“Yes,” Lunar Grace nodded.
“Then why does this path feel right to me?” Shi Hao murmured. “Or should I first study an ancient flame before attempting it?”
*Boom!*
A bolt of heavenly lightning struck Shi Hao’s body, sending him flying, his hair standing on end, his body charred.
An ordinary Venerable One would have perished instantly.
Yet Shi Hao spat out arcs of electricity, unharmed but stunned. He glared skyward.
“Who the hell struck me?!” he roared.
Lunar Grace was equally shocked—the lightning had emerged from the void, unattributed.
Shi Hao searched with his Double Pupils but found nothing.
“In the Immortal Ancient era, profound words or discussions could summon heavenly thunder. But now, even tribulations are rare. Why…?” Lunar Grace mused, studying Shi Hao with gleaming eyes.
Frustrated, Shi Hao grumbled, “Let’s go.”
Embarrassed by the inexplicable lightning strike, he wanted to leave immediately.
Lunar Grace suppressed a laugh, feigning indifference while lightly remarking, “Be virtuous, and heaven will protect you.”
Blushing, Shi Hao couldn’t wait to depart.
Soon, they returned to the Celestial Immortal Academy.
*Dong!*
A great bell tolled, resonating across the heavens.
“The academy’s Dao Bell—what’s happening? Why is it ringing?” Lunar Grace wondered. Normally, it only sounded for major events.
Simultaneously, distant bells echoed, shaking the earth.
“That’s from Kun Province!” Lunar Grace confirmed.
Their location bordered Celestial Immortal Province, Fire Province, and Kun Province—a unique intersection.
Then, another ancient bell tolled, its sound vast and distant—from Fire Province!
“Could it be…?” Lunar Grace, though transcendent, couldn’t hide the excitement in her eyes.
“What’s going on?” Shi Hao asked.
Lunar Grace replied, “The gathering of talents, the great battle of the three thousand provinces—it must be near. As legends say, when the bells of the world chime in unison, ancient sects and lineages announce the commencement!”
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