Chapter Sixty-Four: The Spirit of the Phoenix

He waved his hand toward the rear, signaling Lantis and Shadow to stay back for the moment. Li Ren skirted around the pillar of light that led to the Third Domain. Within the realm of Heavenly Fire, the flames could no longer harm him in the slightest. His body naturally radiated a faint halo, which kept all external heavenly fires at bay, unerringly blocked outside the shimmering circle.

He walked for a long time before stopping. The ground before him remained a fiery red crystal, seemingly unremarkable, though it appeared a touch brighter than elsewhere. Without hesitation, Li Ren stepped onto it.

At the very instant his foot touched the crystal, a surge of intense flames suddenly erupted from beneath, engulfing him entirely. The pillar of fire soared skyward, so fierce it disturbed even the leaden clouds above.

The immense aura of heavenly fire spread instantly from the column, like a world-destroying ring, sweeping across every corner of the Fire Domain in a heartbeat. The shockwave raced outward; as soon as the pillar appeared, Lantis sensed danger. Without any visible movement, she turned and was already beside Shadow.

The faint halo around her expanded abruptly, enveloping Shadow as well. Just as this protective circle completed, the destructive wave of heavenly fire swept over the spot where they stood.

The halo trembled violently, as if under tremendous pressure, slowly distorting into an oval. Fortunately, the shockwave passed as quickly as it came. Lantis let out a quiet sigh of relief, Shadow looking upon her with gratitude.

Had the blast struck with such force, and Shadow lacked protection, he would have been utterly annihilated by the heavenly fire. The pillar still burned fiercely, and Lantis had no idea what had happened. The phenomenon exceeded anything she knew. She could only wait, though it seemed some unknown change had occurred to Li Ren; at least, his aura remained perceptible.

Inside the pillar, the unique skeletal spirit fire belonging to Li Ren had vanished, yet, bizarrely, even within the raging heavenly fire, nothing could approach his body, kept at bay by the gentle glow around him.

Unknown space.

Red, flames burning everywhere one looked.

Li Ren floated in midair, puzzled as to what had happened, and how he had ended up in this strange place. Clearly, it was connected to the presence he had sensed at the last moment.

He could not tell if he was moving forward or if the flames were receding. The red gradually gave way to white, and in the distance, a magnificent purple appeared.

A small sparrow darted up and down amidst the purple, seeming utterly joyful.

Yet Li Ren knew that the purple flames were beyond what he understood; their temperature dwarfed even the red and white heavenly fires. Even in this mysterious space, he could clearly see occasional cracks burned through the purple flame, though they disappeared in a flash.

He watched, helpless, for since arriving his body no longer obeyed him; movement was impossible.

The little bird tumbling in the purple fire seemed to sense Li Ren’s presence. It chirped cheerfully and flew toward him.

Its call was crisp and elegant.

Li Ren could only watch as it drew near, finally discerning its appearance.

It was clad in luxurious, smooth purple feathers, with golden eyes shining with vibrant spirit. Three upright feathers atop its head slightly spoiled its exquisite cuteness, lending it a comical air. The purple was tinged with gold, making it rather unique.

The bird circled Li Ren twice, apparently puzzled.

Its round little eyes spun, then it chirped merrily and settled atop his head.

Its sharp beak pecked vigorously, leaving Li Ren frustrated, though not a single mark remained.

The bird seemed delighted, squeaking twice like a mouse, as if laughter was hidden in its voice.

Li Ren did not mind the little creature’s antics; let it do as it pleased, what could it matter?

Sensing Li Ren’s indifference, the bird landed atop his head again, pecking fiercely.

Li Ren cried out in pain. A sudden streak of purple flame appeared at his crown with the bird’s peck, piercingly agonizing, though he could not see what it looked like.

Eventually, after the bird had vented its mischief, Li Ren found himself at the very center of the purple flames.

“Heavenly fire tempers the spirit, sacred fire refines the heart. Fate binds us; what is destined by Heaven shall never be denied! No regrets toward all things! No regrets toward Heaven and earth!”

A drifting voice rang out unexpectedly. As it spoke, the flames below surged and danced.

The little bird took flight before Li Ren, and as the voice faded, it let out a high, piercing call. All the flames in the space rushed toward it, gathering to form a colossal sphere of fire. When the last flicker was absorbed, the sphere began to transform, revealing its true form.

Its body was cloaked in fire, crowned with pure gold flames atop its head, long feathers streaked with gold amid the purple, and narrow, fierce eyes fixed upon the man before it, shining with enigmatic light.

Confusion, release, sighs, and unwillingness—all these emotions gathered in its gaze. Li Ren was stunned by the immense bird’s ferocity, volatility, and regal presence, but before he could react, it lunged at him.

The great bird became a mass of flame, merging into his body.

The pillar vanished; the once crimson ground turned ashen, the realm of heavenly fire ceased to exist.

Li Ren stood where he was, a faint line etched at his feet stretching into the distance.

From above, the gray line traced a pattern resembling the bird, its head raised to the sky, eyes filled with disdain and fearlessness.

“The divine beast, Vermilion Bird…”

Li Ren spoke softly, now understanding the origin of the giant bird beneath him. In that moment, he saw many things, truths unknown to him, secrets Shadow had always kept.

He remained silent until Lantis and Shadow arrived at his side, then returned to himself.

“Let’s go. This Tower of Realms truly is extraordinary!” Li Ren sighed, his eyes drifting idly to the sky.

Above the tenth floor of the tower, the mysterious figure was startled to find Li Ren’s gaze piercing through the mist, seeming to look directly at him, with an indescribable meaning in his eyes.

He hastily dismissed the strange thoughts in his mind, glanced at Li Ren once more. Li Ren, as if intuiting his intentions, merely smiled faintly, then withdrew his gaze and stepped into the pillar of light.

The figure pondered for a long time, swept his hand, and the leaden clouds beneath his feet shifted with some unknown change, but he too withdrew, masking his presence.

A hush like death settled.