A cold wind swept across the mountains behind the Xiao Clan.
The forest was quiet.
Only the sound of rustling leaves and distant birds echoed through the valley.
At the edge of a steep cliff sat a lone figure.
Xiao Tian.
His legs were crossed, his back straight, and his breathing slow and steady.
Invisible energy from the surrounding environment flowed toward him like countless streams converging into a single river.
This was the natural energy of heaven and earth.
The source of all Dou Qi cultivation.
Most cultivators had to spend years learning how to absorb this energy efficiently.
But for Xiao Tian…
It felt as natural as breathing.
After all, he had once stood at the very peak of the Dou Qi Continent.
The Heavenly Flame Emperor.
And beyond that…
He now carried the memories of the ancient Demonic Lotus Saint.
A being whose name alone once caused countless sects to tremble.
Slowly, Xiao Tian opened his eyes.
A faint crimson glow flashed across his pupils.
"Three-Star Dou Zhi Qi…"
He murmured softly.
For a normal cultivator, reaching this level might require several months of hard training.
But he had achieved it in a single morning.
And yet…
Xiao Tian was not satisfied.
Because he knew how terrifying the cultivation world truly was.
In his previous life, he had climbed step by step from the bottom.
He had seen countless geniuses fall.
He had watched entire clans disappear overnight.
And the one truth he learned from all those years was simple.
Strength was everything.
Without power, even love could become a weapon used against you.
A shadow flashed across Xiao Tian's mind.
The face of Gu Xuner.
The sword piercing his chest.
Her cold words.
"You were only a tool."
Xiao Tian's fingers slowly tightened.
His nails dug into his palm.
But he quickly calmed himself.
Anger would not help him now.
Revenge required patience.
And more importantly…
Power.
His gaze slowly shifted toward his right hand.
Within his palm lay the terrifying flame he had awakened earlier.
The third Heavenly Flame.
The legendary Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
Even in his previous life, Xiao Tian had never imagined possessing such a flame.
The Demonic Lotus Flame was infamous throughout the continent.
Its power was not limited to burning physical matter.
It could burn souls.
Burn karma.
Even burn the destiny of living beings.
The ancient Demonic Lotus Saint once attempted to refine the entire continent using this flame.
Although he ultimately failed, his legend remained terrifying.
And now…
That same power existed inside Xiao Tian.
"Let's test it."
He slowly raised his hand.
A tiny spark appeared on his fingertip.
At first it looked harmless.
Just a small crimson flame.
But the moment it appeared—
The surrounding temperature skyrocketed.
The air distorted violently.
Even the stone beneath Xiao Tian's feet began to melt.
The flame flickered gently.
Its shape resembled a lotus petal.
Beautiful.
Yet terrifying.
Xiao Tian stared at it carefully.
"This is only a fragment of its power…"
"If I fully release it…"
The entire mountain might disappear.
But the problem was clear.
His body was still far too weak.
If he attempted to control the full power of the Demonic Lotus Flame now…
He might burn himself to ashes.
Xiao Tian frowned slightly.
"I need a stronger body."
Fortunately, the memories of the Demonic Lotus Saint provided countless cultivation techniques.
One of them appeared in his mind.
Demonic Lotus Body Tempering Art.
A cultivation method designed specifically for controlling the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
Xiao Tian's eyes lit up.
"This will work."
Without hesitation, he began circulating the technique.
Instantly—
A burning sensation spread throughout his body.
The tiny lotus flame entered his meridians.
Pain exploded through his entire body.
It felt like thousands of burning needles piercing his flesh.
But Xiao Tian did not scream.
He simply endured it silently.
Because he had experienced far worse pain before.
Minutes passed.
Sweat covered his body.
His muscles trembled.
But gradually…
The burning sensation began to stabilize.
His bones, muscles, and meridians slowly became stronger under the flame's tempering.
After nearly an hour—
Xiao Tian suddenly opened his eyes.
A powerful aura erupted from his body.
BOOM!
The ground cracked.
Dust rose into the air.
His cultivation advanced again.
Four-Star Dou Zhi Qi.
Xiao Tian exhaled slowly.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"As expected…"
"The Demonic Lotus techniques are extraordinary."
But just as he stood up—
A faint sound reached his ears.
Footsteps.
Someone was approaching.
Xiao Tian instantly suppressed his aura and hid behind a large rock.
A moment later…
Two young men entered the clearing.
Both were disciples of the Xiao Clan.
One of them was tall and muscular.
The other had a slightly arrogant expression.
Xiao Tian immediately recognized them.
Xiao Ning and Xiao Ke.
They were minor geniuses within the clan.
Xiao Ning crossed his arms and laughed.
"Did you see Xiao Tian earlier today?"
Xiao Ke nodded.
"That guy used to follow Gu Xuner like a dog."
"But today he ignored her."
Xiao Ning sneered.
"Probably realized he's not worthy."
"After all, Miss Xuner is far above someone like him."
The two began laughing.
Hidden behind the rock, Xiao Tian's expression remained calm.
In his previous life, words like these would have angered him.
But now…
They felt meaningless.
However—
Xiao Ning suddenly said something else.
"I heard Miss Xuner is often seen with Xiao Yan lately."
"They look pretty close."
Xiao Ke chuckled.
"Of course."
"Xiao Yan is the true genius of the clan."
"Compared to him, Xiao Tian is nothing."
Silence fell over the clearing.
Then—
A calm voice suddenly echoed behind them.
"Are you finished?"
Both disciples jumped in shock.
They quickly turned around.
Xiao Tian stepped out from behind the rock.
His expression was completely indifferent.
But something about his presence felt different.
Colder.
Sharper.
Xiao Ning frowned.
"Oh?"
"So the dog heard us."
"Did we hurt your feelings?"
Xiao Ke laughed loudly.
"Maybe he's angry because Miss Xuner prefers Xiao Yan."
Xiao Ning smirked.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"Fight us?"
The two clearly did not take Xiao Tian seriously.
After all, his cultivation had always been mediocre.
But Xiao Tian simply stared at them.
Then he spoke calmly.
"Yes."
"I will."
Before they could react—
Xiao Tian moved.
His speed was unbelievably fast.
Within a single step he appeared directly in front of Xiao Ning.
Xiao Ning's eyes widened.
"So fast—!"
But it was too late.
Xiao Tian's fist struck his chest.
BANG!
A powerful shockwave exploded.
Xiao Ning's body flew backward like a broken kite.
He crashed into a tree and collapsed to the ground.
Xiao Ke froze in shock.
"What—?!"
Xiao Tian slowly turned toward him.
His gaze was cold.
"You were saying something earlier."
"Repeat it."
Xiao Ke's face turned pale.
Because the aura radiating from Xiao Tian was clearly stronger than before.
"Four-Star Dou Zhi Qi…"
"How is that possible?!"
Xiao Tian took a step forward.
The ground cracked slightly beneath his foot.
"Leave."
"Before I change my mind."
Xiao Ke quickly dragged the unconscious Xiao Ning and ran away.
Within seconds they disappeared into the forest.
Silence returned to the mountain.
Xiao Tian looked at his fist.
A faint crimson glow flickered briefly.
The power of the Demonic Lotus Flame had enhanced his strength far beyond normal cultivators.
"This is only the beginning."
His gaze slowly shifted toward the distant west.
Beyond countless mountains lay a vast desert.
The Tagore Desert.
The territory of the Snake People.
The place where fate once changed.
The place where a proud queen ruled.
Medusa.
A faint smile appeared on Xiao Tian's face.
"In my previous life…"
"I met you too late."
"But this time…"
"I will come to you first."
Above him, the crimson lotus flame flickered quietly.
As if responding to its master's ambition.
And far away in the Xiao Clan courtyard—
Gu Xuner suddenly stopped walking.
For some reason…
She felt a strange disturbance in her heart.
As if something important had just changed.