Chapter 210: The Bloodflame Sword Duke and The White Corrosive Flame Empress
Standing before the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect's grand gates was a tall man clad in red and blue armor layered over martial robes of matching hues. His white gauntlets gleamed faintly under the morning sun, his arms and face marked with scars long since healed but never faded — the kind only battle could leave behind.
Strapped to his back was a long red-and-white sword, and upon his chestplate glimmered a distinct insignia — one that declared him a noble of the Almighty Red Star Empire.
The disciples nearby could not sense his aura, yet instinct alone told them he was no one to provoke. Even without releasing any power, his presence pressed upon their hearts like a mountain.
When several Mortal Lord experts arrived to greet him, they froze in shock. The strongest among them — a Middle Stage Mortal Lord — found himself sweating as he realized he couldn't gauge the man's true depth at all.
"Sir, it is our honor to welcome a distinguished guest of the Almighty Red Star Empire to our Bright Brilliant Blade Sect," one Elder said, bowing slightly. "May we know your name and what brings you to our humble grounds?"
The man didn't answer.
He simply stood in silence, his sharp gaze fixed on the towering sect before him — ignoring the Elder's words as though he were air.
"Sir…" the Elder tried again, his tone straining between courtesy and irritation. "While you are indeed a guest of status, you are intruding upon sect grounds. Surely you can at least show some—"
The man's eyes shifted, and the Elder's voice died.
In that instant, a crushing pressure descended. The Elder and three nearby Early Stage Mortal Lords dropped to their knees under the weight, their breathing ragged. Even several Golden Lords in the vicinity faltered.
Then—
"Enough. What do you think you're doing?"
A firm, commanding voice cut through the pressure like a blade.
Instantly, the suffocating aura dissipated into nothing.
"E–Exalted Grand Elder!" the Mortal Lords cried out, hastily bowing. The surrounding disciples immediately knelt, trembling with reverence.
The Empire man turned, his eyes narrowing slightly before a faint smile curved his lips. "Well, well. So a big fish still swims here. You're still alive, old man."
"Alive and annoyed, apparently," the Exalted Grand Elder replied with a huff. "I tried to retire, but these damned circumstances dragged me back. What in blazes do you want?"
"…You know why I'm here." The man's tone dropped, his eyes flashing cold light.
"I have an idea," the Elder said after a moment's pause. "Fine. I'll take you to him. Open the formation and let him in!"
The command rang out, and the massive gate runes of the sect began to shift, parting as barriers of golden light folded inward.
...
Some time later, the man from the Empire walked beside a white-haired old man with a long beard and sharp, ruddy eyes. His clothing was plain, his presence restrained — but anyone with sense could feel the razor edge of power hidden beneath that unassuming appearance.
"Pristine Master '9th Brilliance' Rohan," the man from the Empire said calmly. "A living legend. During your era, you, the former Sect Master, and the Vice Sect Master were the three mighty Sword Pillars known across the continent. Or so the world believed… but if rumors are true, there were six."
Rohan's lips curled faintly. "Your Empire's spies haven't dulled with age. Hmph. But don't pretend I don't know who you are. By extension, you're still one of ours, in a sense. Isn't that right—Aetherial Master Rowan, the Exalted Bloodflame Sword Duke of the Almighty Red Star Empire?"
Rowan's eyes narrowed, but his tone stayed cool. "As expected, you've done your homework. You're still sharp, old man. A pity you never managed to break past the Middle Stage of the Master Realm."
"Doesn't matter," Rohan replied with a sly smile. "I've already accepted that I'll never break through in this lifetime. Still, I wouldn't advise you to underestimate this retired old man — Pristine Master, Middle Stage or not."
"I've no intention of provoking you," Rowan said simply. "I'm still at Early Stage Aetherial Master, and while the realm surpasses Pristine, I'm well aware that cultivation titles mean little when true strength differs."
"Heh. You're no fun." Rohan chuckled, the sharp light in his eyes fading into casual amusement. "Very well. Let's go."
A while later, the two reached one of the forbidden zones deep within the sect. As they entered, four powerful figures awaited them — one of whom was Rukia herself.
"An expert from the Almighty Red Star Empire? Why would one of them come here?" muttered a man with long, unkempt hair and three swords strapped to his back, his aura sharp but unfocused.
"Oh, I recognize him," said another man, tall and heroic, his tone half-exasperated. "It's been a long time, brother Rowan! Hahaha — so you finally reached the Aetherial Master Realm. Damn, I'm falling behind… I only just broke into the Aetherial Soul Tier, and even our junior sister here has nearly caught up to me!"
"Ah, so it really is senior brother Rowan," Rukia said with a curious smile. "The Sect Master and this guy here have mentioned you before."
The last man among them remained silent. He appeared older than the rest, his aura vast and controlled — the unmistakable power of an Aetherial Soul, half a step into the Master Realm. Even Rowan raised an eyebrow at the depth of his presence.
With this lineup alone, the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect was terrifying — a force destined to shake the world once every one of these cultivators reached their next breakthroughs.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all and its good to see you again brother Hogan," Rowan said with a respectful nod. "Where is he?"
His tone softened slightly, a rare humility replacing his usual command. "I, Rowan Bluescinos, wish to speak with Master."
Rukia sighed, rubbing her temple. "So you also secretly took on that strange last name like these guys… Haaah." She glanced toward the depths of the forbidden zone. "Master is—"
…
Early the next morning, a storm of fiery, dark winds tore across the skies as a six-winged serpent demonic beast unleashed its fury upon all creatures and experts swarming the battlefield below.
This Winged Serpent was none other than Elton's contracted beast. Its concentrated blasts of wind and flame shattered formation after formation. Explosive currents sliced through the air as the great serpent wheeled high above, its wings trailing sparks that burned through the clouds.
From the ground, counterattacks fired upward in desperate waves—but its aerial dominance made it hard for the enemy to land a decisive blow.
"Formation 6-A9! Purple Lightning Chi Net—activate!"
A commander of the Purple Rumblings Martial Sect bellowed the order.
At once, their formation lit up in bright arcs of lightning. Dozens leapt onto their own flying demonic beasts, weaving sigils in the air. Purple energy surged upward, attempting to entrap the serpent mid-flight.
They weren't alone. Another force—clearly not allied by blood or oath—had temporarily joined hands with them, launching bombardments from long range.
"Rrraaaagh! Damned pests! Why don't you all just die already?!" the Winged Serpent roared, wind and flame colliding in violent bursts.
Behind it, a massive barrier shimmered faintly, protecting a newly constructed treehouse within. Elton and company had shifted their base slightly after Christy's Kokon Tengan detected something unusual in the area. Elton had confirmed it soon after with his Celestial Sense, realizing there was far more to this land than it seemed.
As the battle raged, something changed.
The air grew dry—unnaturally so. Every breath stung like inhaling hot sand. Even the Winged Serpent faltered mid-flight, confusion flashing through its reptilian eyes.
A white haze of smoke began creeping across the battlefield, spreading fast. The sky dimmed. From somewhere deep within the haze came a low chant, barely audible yet oppressive, seeping dread into every heart.
"Fall back and regroup! Stay alert!" shouted the same commander of the Purple Rumblings Martial Sect.
Then a voice—clear, commanding, and feminine—echoed through the choking mist:
—O white flames of Soloman, baptize my enemies in your purifying fire. I raise my hands to the sky, and the flames follow with majesty.
White Flame Giant Palms of Soloman: INCINERATE—
In an instant, white liquid flames swirled above the clouds, coalescing into a colossal palm that blazed brighter than the sun. The Winged Serpent recoiled in awe as the burning giant hand loomed over the battlefield, its surface writhing with snakes of white lightning.
Panic rippled through the enemy ranks. Orders turned to screams. The palm descended faster than any mortal eye could follow.
A deafening boom split the heavens.
The ground erupted as white flame and lightning merged into one unstoppable catastrophe. The impact flattened everything within range—formations, beasts, and men alike—leaving only ash and echoes behind.
A wave of scorching wind rolled outward, setting the surrounding forest alight before gradually fading. The smoke still scattered intensely far into the distance.
One attack—
One magician—
And armies vanished in a heartbeat.
That was the might of Erica Soloman, whose mastery over her White Flames and newly refined control had reached a terrifying new height. The sheer scale of her magic rivaled that of a Mortal Lord's killing strike.
Far away, amid the drifting smoke and shimmering heat, a lone figure stepped forward. White flames cloaked her body, her staff glowing like molten silver. Her expression was cold, eyes fierce—until a familiar arm wrapped gently around her from behind.
"Let's go back, Erri," Elton said softly, a wry smile playing on his lips. "We've sent enough of a message."
Erica's icy demeanor melted. "Then… as you wish, El Onyem." Her face flushed crimson as she leaned into his embrace before both turned and vanished into the forest.
That day, the legend of the White Corrosive Flame Empress was born—
the radiant member of the White Star Radiance Sect, whose brilliance would no longer be shadowed by Daoist Heavens Star Eyes or Daoist Crimson Star Fang.
And this—was only the beginning.