The presence chuckled softly.
"And here I thought that junior had perished long ago."
It studied the flame more closely, its expression shifting from amusement to confusion.
"This does not add up."
It withdrew its hand slightly.
"Array Spirit," it commanded. "Check all records related to this Dao Flame."
The mechanical voice responded instantly.
"All records found."
A torrent of information flowed into the presence's awareness.
Its expression grew increasingly perplexed as it sifted through the data.
"So… the junior did not die quietly," it muttered. "He grew strong. Very strong."
Its eyes widened a fraction.
"Magma Ancestor… So that is what they called you in the end."
It continued reading.
"Oh? You overcame the continental barrier?" the presence said, clearly impressed. "Led an entire charge into the Southern Continent?"
A pause.
"And yet… you still fell."
