> [Summons from the Sovereign Council – Priority Flamecall: Tier Omega]
Recipient: Jiang Han
Location: Sovereign Sky Spire, 8th Flame Layer, Inner Realm
Reason: Flamewheel Stability & Inheritance Alignment Review
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The Journey Upward
Jiang Han stood at the base of the Sovereign Sky Spire, a colossal obsidian tower veined with living flame, suspended in sky-glass and runes.
Only the most elite ever stepped into the Eighth Flame Layer—a realm between realms where decisions shaped nations.
Tian Xue reached for his hand before he stepped onto the lift rune.
> "You don't have to say yes to anything," she whispered.
"Just come back as you."
He smiled. "I always will."
The lift activated.
Upward he rose, Tempest and the Phoenix Hatchling circling silently behind him.
---
The Sovereign Council
The chamber at the peak resembled a sun trapped in crystal.
Twelve thrones stood in a perfect circle, each holding a Sovereign of unimaginable power. Some were human. Some were spirit. One was clearly not born of this world.
In the center: the Flamewheel Core Projection, slowly rotating—now stabilized thanks to Jiang's intervention.
The oldest Sovereign, wearing a cloak of burning silence, spoke:
> "Jiang Han. Flamebearer. Wielder of six true paths."
> "We are here not to test you, but to offer."
---
The Offer
A Sovereign known as Ashen Decree stood.
> "You have inherited Long Chen's legacy, but you are not Long Chen."
> "You have surpassed what any mortal should bear."
> "The Flamewheel requires a new Keeper—one who can guide its rebirth through flame, through war, through worlds."
Another Sovereign added:
> "You would live beyond death. Become flame, not wield it. Guide all others… and give up your ties to this realm."
Jiang Han's hands clenched.
> "You want me to abandon them?"
> "Not abandon," Ashen Decree said. "But transcend."
> "They will live. And you will watch."
---
The Memory of Long Chen
As the vote neared, the Flamewheel Core shimmered—revealing a final, locked echo:
> [Flamewheel Keeper Record: Long Chen – Access Level: Heir Recognized]
The echo flickered.
Long Chen appeared, seated on the same floor Jiang now stood upon.
> "They offered this to me too."
> "I said no."
He looked straight into Jiang's soul.
> "Because a world without us in it isn't one worth saving from afar."
> "You want to fix it?"
"Then walk with them. Fight beside them. Burn for them."
The vision ended.
---
Jiang's Answer
Jiang stepped forward.
Every Sovereign's eyes turned toward him.
> "Your offer is great."
> "But I've seen what happens when power forgets the people."
> "Long Chen bled beside his friends. He died with a sword in his hand, not a crown on his head."
> "So I choose the same."
> "I'll walk with them."
A pause.
Then—
> "So be it," Ashen Decree intoned.
"Then walk as a Flamebearer Sovereign-In-Motion."
> [Title Gained: Flame Sovereign Nominee – Bound to Mortal Plane]
Flame Core Bonus: +15% All Soul Synchronization / +1 Free Flame Throne Slot
---
Return to the World
As Jiang descended from the Sky Spire, the first person waiting at the bottom—
Was Tian Xue.
She didn't ask what happened.
She just walked to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
> "So you're still mine?"
He chuckled softly.
> "Always."