Moments later, the poisonous fog within the Five Ring Flame Expelling Formation finally dissipated, and the raging sea of fire died away.
The distorted air gradually calmed, returning to crystal clarity—and of Xie Bi Yan, no trace remained.
Yao Tianhuo released the hand seal with a weary breath. "Five Ring Flame Expelling Formation—dissolve!"
The fiery curtain that spanned nearly a hundred meters slowly vanished. The five fire spirits forming the array flickered faintly before fading away. With a wave of his hand, a glimmer of light flashed, and a black Storage Ring from the distance flew neatly into his palm.
"Little friend," Yao Tianhuo said solemnly, offering the ring to Liu Xi, "check if there's any record of that strange black light within this man's ring. If your body shows any abnormalities—anything at all—this old man will spare no effort to help you."
Liu Xi took the ring with a calm smile. "Elder Yao, you needn't worry. That black light is troublesome, but not fatal. I'll handle it."
Hearing this, Yao Tianhuo's expression softened. He had briefly sensed the pulse of the Fallen Heart Flame earlier. With such a Heavenly Flame protecting Liu Xi, it wasn't surprising he could counter that sinister energy.
"In that case, this old man shall rest for now," Yao Tianhuo said, his faint form growing dimmer. "When the time comes to restore my spiritual essence, I'll trouble you again."
His voice faded as he turned into a streak of light, returning to the ring.
"Master Liu, your injuries…" Jia Xingtian hesitated. Having witnessed Liu Xi battle Dou Zong powerhouses head-on, he could no longer treat him as a junior.
Liu Xi's appearance was indeed grim—his robes torn, body blood-streaked, wounds carved by Yan Luotian's razor-sharp sword feathers.
"It's nothing," Liu Xi said, shaking his head lightly. "Just surface wounds—nothing that cuts too deep."
His gaze shifted toward the chaotic allied army in the distance. "Elder Jia, the aftermath and retreat of the coalition—handle it as you see fit. I'll return to the fortress."
"Leave it to me!" Jia Xingtian replied, spirits lifted. Without a Dou Zong to command them, the coalition army was little more than scattered sand.
As he left to manage the retreat, Liu Xi turned and flew toward the Black Mountain Fortress. His mind mused, 'That black light must have been the Demon Poison Spot—formed from the old scorpion's lifetime of toxic Dou Qi and poison arts. If I can refine it, it might even become a valuable treasure… Heh, I refuse to believe that the Fallen Heart Flame can't purify one Dou Zong's poison.'
When Liu Xi returned, the fortress erupted into thunderous cheers. Countless eyes followed him, filled with reverence and relief.
Landing atop the wall, Liu Xi retracted his Dou Qi wings. Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan hurried over, concern flooding their faces. Xiao Yixian's gentle hands checked his wounds as she asked anxiously, "Young Master, are you alright? That black light—did it harm you?"
Zi Yan puffed her cheeks angrily, raising her tiny fists. "That old man was awful! If he weren't already dead, I'd put on my bone-spike gloves and beat him until he couldn't stand again!"
Liu Xi chuckled softly. "I'm fine—just a few scratches. As for that black light, I already have a way to deal with it."
He then handed Xiao Yixian the ring he'd taken from Xie Bi Yan. "This belonged to Xie Bi Yan. He was a master of poisons—see if there's anything inside that might help your cultivation."
Xiao Yixian accepted the ring with a nod, determination shining in her eyes. "I'll find a way to remove that black poison."
Not far away, Yun Yun watched with a complicated look. Concern flickered in her eyes, but when she saw Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan hovering around Liu Xi, she quietly stepped back.
Beside her, Hai Bodong smirked teasingly. "Sect Master Yun, won't you go over and express your concern? That young man is the greatest genius our Jia Ma Empire has seen in centuries—he's bound to ascend to Dou Zong and beyond."
Yun Yun's cheeks flushed faintly, though her voice remained calm and cold. "He already has people by his side. Besides, Elder Hai, don't you have something better to do? Now's the perfect time to crush the remnants of the allied army."
Before Hai Bodong could answer, a pair of pale-green Dou Qi wings unfolded behind her. With a soft whoosh, she soared into the air, her graceful figure vanishing toward the battlefield.
Hai Bodong chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he glanced toward Liu Xi, who was surrounded by Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan. "Little friend," he murmured, "I've done what I can. Sect Master Yun isn't the type to share a man easily—let's see if you have the luck to handle that one."
"Enough talking," Fa Ma's stern voice rang out nearby. "Help end this battle. There are still plenty of Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs among the coalition. Since they dared invade Jia Ma, they won't be leaving easily!"
Flapping his Dou Qi wings, Fa Ma shot into the sky.
"As it should be," Hai Bodong said coldly. The killing intent that once earned him the title Ice Emperor surged again. His 9-Star Dou Huang aura erupted as he followed Fa Ma into battle.
The tables had turned. All across the fortress, Jia Ma's Dou Wangs took to the skies, their laughter and fighting spirit echoing over the field.
Before the Black Mountain Fortress, the massive gates—over four zhang high and three zhang wide—creaked open.
Beyond them stood rows of imperial soldiers, blades gleaming, formation neat and disciplined. Under the command of Marshal Nalan Jie and General Mu Chen, the army stood ready—swords drawn, bows taut.
Nalan Jie's face brimmed with reverence. "Master Liu Xi, you've saved our empire in its darkest hour. You are truly a hero of the nation!"
Mu Chen's eyes burned with fighting intent. "Then let's strike! Let this battle wash away our humiliation!"
Clang!
Nalan Jie drew his sword and raised it high, his Dou Qi-infused voice booming across the sky. "Today, we avenge our fallen! All forces—charge!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
The deafening roar rolled like thunder. The vanguard advanced in perfect formation, shields and blades flashing as they surged through the gates.
The coalition, stripped of its Dou Zongs, was in total panic. Corpses of Dou Wangs fell from the sky like rain, spreading chaos and despair.
The moment they clashed with Jia Ma's troops, their line shattered completely. Screams, pleas, and cries of surrender filled the air—each man paying for his own greed and cruelty.
From afar, Queen Medusa's figure streaked across the sky, returning to the fortress. She landed silently behind Liu Xi.
Xiao Yixian's expression stiffened. Pouting, she huffed, "Young Master, aren't you going to explain this?"
Liu Xi laughed awkwardly. "Xian'er, don't be jealous—this really was an accident! Medusa, you're free now."
Medusa's eyes trembled faintly, a strange light flashing within. She looked at Liu Xi one last time, then turned away, stepping onto the void as she left the fortress without a word.
"Humph…"
Mid-flight, Medusa suddenly clutched her chest. A sharp ache surged through her—an emotion not her own, rising from the other soul within her body.
Biting her lip, she didn't look back. Though she had achieved her dream of reaching Dou Zong, a fatal flaw remained.
No matter how much she hated Liu Xi or wished to kill him, she couldn't. The other presence inside her whispered softly, soothingly, forcing her to obey him.
"Liu Xi… this Queen never wants to see you again!"
Her voice, filled with pain and fury, echoed across the sky as she vanished into the horizon.
So long as Liu Xi lived, Medusa would never truly be free.
(End of Chapter)
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