> [Grand Flame Path Final – Commencing]
Location: Celestial Flame Summit Arena (Sky Class Battlefield)
Participants: Jiang Han vs Shen Lianfeng
Battlefield Modifier: Chaotic Flame Resonance Storm – Unstable Energy Fields Present
---
Entering the Summit
The arena shimmered like floating obsidian, rimmed in jagged fire crystals that pulsed with ancient heat.
The sky cracked above them—lightning storms laced with flame arcs.
Jiang Han stepped into the central platform, Tempest and the newborn Phoenix circling overhead.
Across from him stood Shen Lianfeng—calm, calculating, dressed in midnight robes lined with ancient glyphs.
At his side floated two soul pets:
1. Crimson Ironwing – a mutated aerial flame-type falcon, built for explosive blitz and high-speed maneuvering.
2. Aether Serpent Core – a semi-mechanical Sovereign-class beast stitched from Ascender-tech and sovereign marrow, coiling like living fire and void intertwined.
The crowd whispered.
> "That second one… it's not natural."
"Forbidden tech. It shouldn't exist."
Tian Xue watched tensely from the stands.
> "This isn't just a final match. This is another test."
---
The Battle Begins
> [Flame Path Final Commenced]
All flame restrictions lifted. Full power authorization granted.
The sky cracked—
And they moved.
Shen Lianfeng launched first, Crimson Ironwing diving with a sonic boom. Aether Serpent coiled from below, striking with dual flame-void claws.
Jiang activated Judgment Flame Shield, deflecting the first strike.
Then:
> [Twin Sync: Phoenix + Tempest – Ascendant Form Initiated]
Status: 24-second fusion window. All elemental stats increased by 17%.
Jiang danced through flame and fang, Emberfang glowing white-hot, his soul pets fusing into a Tempest-Phoenix Wyrmling that slashed at the Serpent's void-laced shell.
> "You copy Sovereign power…" Jiang growled.
"I earned mine."
---
Shen Lianfeng's Trap
But Shen was a tactician.
As Jiang struck the serpent's core, it absorbed his flame and countered with a ripple of null energy.
The platform beneath him cracked. Resonance storm thundered above.
> "Predictable," Shen said quietly.
"You charge. You overwhelm. You burn."
> "But can you adapt?"
He triggered a rune burst, and the serpent's tail extended—sealing Jiang in a vortex of inverted flame, cutting him off from his pets.
The Phoenix screeched in panic as Jiang was swallowed in fireless void.
Tian Xue stood.
> "No—he can't survive in there!"
But then…
---
The Flame That Doesn't Die
In the dark vortex, Jiang's heartbeat slowed.
No sound. No light.
But within him—Long Chen's words returned.
> "They want silence."
"Then give them your roar."
Jiang focused.
Flame, not as power—but as identity.
He gripped Emberfang with both hands and whispered:
> "You want flame without soul..."
> "Then take mine."
He unleashed everything.
---
Final Counter – Soulflame Singularity: Rebirth Pulse
> [Skill Activated: Soulflame Singularity – Echo Variant: Rebirth Pulse]
Condition Met: Identity Lock Broken. Adaptive Flame Triggered.
Effect: Force-synchronizes soul pet fusion; burns through null interference; flame becomes untrackable.
A sphere of white flame exploded outward—not destroying the vortex, but rewriting it.
Jiang walked out, cloak scorched, eyes burning.
Behind him flew a phoenix-wyrmling with a lightning-etched halo.
He slashed forward—
And shattered the Aether Serpent.
---
Victory
Shen Lianfeng staggered.
His falcon soul pet fell.
His serpent shattered into nullfire shards.
Jiang stood tall.
> "You were right."
> "I do burn. But I burn with them. With everything I carry."
Shen smiled faintly.
> "Then... you win."
The system chimed:
> [Winner: Jiang Han]
Title Gained: Flame Path Champion
Reward: Right to Claim Seventh Flame Throne Initiated
Next Trial: Jiang Clan Flameblood Duel – Jiang Tianxu (Awaiting in Relic Realm)