"Feng Liqi is back."
When Xi received this news, even she was somewhat surprised. "She's back?"
Not just Xi—everyone else was equally astonished.
"Didn't she run away? It's only been a few days, and she's already returned, tail between her legs?"
"Judging by when she left that farewell note, it's barely been ten days."
The Heliobi who had come to inform Xi displayed clear contempt for Feng Liqi. "This one keeps breaking her own record, getting faster every time."
Previously, Feng Liqi had fled several times, but always came crawling back. Each time she returned sooner than before.
"I remember at the start, she could manage to stay away a year or two. But this time, only about ten days? That has to be a new record."
"Definitely. Last time, she held out two or three months."
"Only ten days… Did something outside frighten her back this quickly?"
The Heliobi murmured among themselves, voices filled with undisguised disdain for Feng Liqi.
Sitting high above them, Xi merely watched the discussion quietly, never once stopping it.
Only when their gossip subsided did she raise a hand, silencing the noise entirely.
"Enough about Feng Liqi. Our priority is the Heaven-Mending Creation."
Since the general who'd contracted with Xi had begun to decay centuries ago, the Azure Flame Realm—built upon a shattered Xianzhou—had been steadily shrinking.
Now, having obtained a divine body from beyond the sky, Xi planned to initiate the Heaven-Mending Creation to stabilize and expand the Azure Flame Realm once again.
Therefore, all their efforts must be focused on this crucial endeavor.
"Xi is right—the Heaven-Mending Creation should be our greatest concern."
"Exactly! Even if Feng Liqi merges with us, she'll vanish instantly. There's no need to worry about her."
"And besides, even if something unexpected does occur..."
The Heliobus who spoke turned his gaze meaningfully toward Xi, whose expression had turned thoughtful.
Even if they merged and no one remained to guard them—it wouldn't matter.
Even if other races chose this moment to rebel—it wouldn't matter.
"As long as she exists, we're invincible here!"
With Xi around, the Heliobi would never again fall back into servitude.
Under Xi's leadership, the Heliobi would never lose!
All the Heliobi wholeheartedly trusted Xi's power.
She was the child of the Sui Emperor—and at the same age, Xi's strength far surpassed her predecessor. To describe her as the student surpassing the master was entirely accurate.
Not to mention, she'd also inherited all the power of the Cangcheng Xianzhou's "General Futian."
She was, without a doubt, invincible in this realm!
Thus, becoming part of Xi was considered an honor among ordinary Heliobi.
Yet, despite being revered and trusted by all, Xi seemed not to hear their praises at all.
Her gaze remained unfocused, lost in thought.
"Feng Liqi…"
...
After gradually collecting information on the Heaven-Mending Creation, Sora felt rather amazed.
The Azure Flame Realm, built from a damaged Xianzhou, was inherently unstable. Over the centuries, its territory had continuously shrunk.
In Sora's eyes, this was simply because the broken Xianzhou couldn't hold together much longer.
Thus, every few decades, Xi would gather everyone for the Heaven-Mending Creation, attempting to stabilize the Xianzhou once more.
"…Still, this time they're really boasting big," Sora sighed softly. "Claiming they'll solve all the Azure Flame Realm's issues in one go."
"If they fail, wouldn't they be laughed at?"
"From what I know about Xi, she never makes claims she can't fulfill. Maybe she really did find a solution?" Feng Xi, who had transformed into a small cluster of white flames, hovered cautiously beside Sora, glancing nervously around.
Ahri was puzzled by this: "Feng Xi-jiejie, why do you look so scared?"
After obtaining permission from her parents, Ahri had accompanied Sora to the Central Prefecture, where the Heaven-Mending Creation was to take place.
Ever since arriving here, Feng Xi's behavior had grown noticeably more anxious.
She no longer maintained human form, instead remaining as a ball of flame close by Sora's side every day.
"Because I'm scared someone will devour me," Feng Xi admitted softly, her flames trembling slightly.
Among Heliobi, strength determined rank. Stronger individuals devoured weaker ones, absorbing them entirely.
Feng Xi didn't wish to be devoured and lose herself, so she remained extremely vigilant.
This unspoken rule was universally understood by the Heliobi—until Feng Xi encountered one exception: Sora.
When she first saw Sora, wasn't her terror precisely because she feared he might devour her?
Yet, astonishingly, Sora had no intention of absorbing her at all, completely beyond Feng Xi's imagination.
Heliobi were generally social beings. Without anyone to speak with, Feng Xi quickly became bored and decided to join Sora in watching the Heaven-Mending Creation.
"But I'm still curious," Feng Xi persisted, "What exactly are you looking for?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Saying this, Sora led Feng Xi and Ahri into the venue.
The venue was vast, filled with ancient traces of history.
Upon entering, Sora was momentarily stunned by the sheer number of beings gathered here.
Since his arrival, even counting everyone in Ahri's village, he'd never seen more than a hundred people.
But here, at a glance, there must have been tens of thousands.
Not just Foxians, but also pointy-eared Vidyadhara, solemn-faced Xianzhou humans, and, of course, the flaming forms clustered near the central platform—those were Heliobi.
All these races had gathered here today for the Heaven-Mending Creation.
"Hopefully," Sora muttered softly, "I'll be able to get my body back just by talking…"
Seeing the current situation, Sora felt troubled. If words alone can solve this, then let's avoid conflict.
That was the only thought occupying his mind at the moment.
The commotion grew louder as the crowd swelled. Feng Xi quietly introduced the leaders of each race to him:
The Foxian leader was an elderly man with thin white brows. The Vidyadhara's leader was a woman with a stern expression. As for the Xianzhou…
Sora glanced left and right but couldn't discern who among the silent crowd might be their leader.
"Curious?" Feng Xi leaned closer and whispered, "I happen to know exactly who it is."
Sora gave her a surprised look. "And how do you know that?"
"I spent a few months in the Xianzhou's Jiulan Realm years ago. Naturally, I know."
As Feng Xi spoke, she discreetly pointed out the current leader of the Xianzhou people.
It was a serious-looking youth, with black hair cascading down his shoulders, lending him a somewhat delicate appearance.
This guy is their new leader? Sora stared at his face, almost in disbelief.
He appeared even younger than Sora himself. To think he'd already become their leader was quite shocking.
Though Sora knew the youthful appearance of Xianzhou natives didn't necessarily match their actual age, the elders seated behind the boy appeared considerably older. Choosing him despite that could only mean the boy had extraordinary qualities.
But these things had nothing to do with Sora. He needed only to reclaim his body.
As time slowly passed, the atmosphere suddenly began to shift.
Near the central platform, the flames of the gathered Heliobi surged intensely. At the same time, strange phenomena began manifesting throughout the sky and surroundings.
"Wow!"
Ahri looked up into the heavens, where countless streams of brilliant light converged into a dazzling point—like a second sun appearing in broad daylight.
Then, that radiant sphere descended dramatically onto the central stage!
Boom!
Blazing platinum flames burst forth, and a figure appeared before the gathered crowd.
The Foxian elder's wandering fingers grew tense; the Vidyadhara woman's gaze remained steady as ever; the Xianzhou delegation collectively gripped the armrests of their seats.
From the roaring flames, a figure slowly emerged:
This was the current leader of the Heliobi—Xi.
Bathed in platinum fire, she now stood proudly before everyone atop the damaged Xianzhou.
"Welcome, everyone, to this event—" Xi's expression was calmer than anyone else's, but when her gaze passed Sora, she paused for a brief moment.
Sora felt she was looking straight at him, yet simultaneously seemed to be looking through him to someone else.
Turning around, he saw nothing but Foxians behind him.
Does this woman know me? Or perhaps she's found my body?
While Sora puzzled over this, Xi continued to scan the crowd and slowly announced the event's name: "Heaven-Mending Creation."
"You might wonder why we're performing the Heaven-Mending Creation. The reason is simple—the Azure Flame Realm will soon vanish entirely."
Her words were casual, yet instantly threw the crowd into panic.
Foxians were the most disturbed—among the Xianzhou's long-lived races, their lifespans were the shortest. The Vidyadhara reacted moderately, while the Xianzhou humans remained notably silent, as if already aware of this outcome.
The uproar lasted briefly, silenced when Xi caused platinum flames to explode overhead, subduing the noise.
"The Azure Flame Realm has stood for several centuries, yet its foundational energies are almost completely exhausted."
Xi gently touched her own body, addressing the crowd calmly: "That is why we must perform the Heaven-Mending Creation to permanently solve our predicament."
"Yes, the Heaven-Mending Creation exists to preserve our Azure Flame Realm for generations to come."
"And this time, we can perfectly eliminate all future troubles!"
"So, rejoice! For I—the perfect one—shall become the new ruler of the Azure Flame Realm."
At these words, several among the Xianzhou tried to rise in protest but were swiftly restrained by their young leader.
"Upper God Xi, you mean to say you'll mend the Azure Flame Realm and rule it indefinitely?"
Xi glanced him up and down, then replied coolly, "Naturally. My rule will certainly surpass yours."
"At least, I've provided all species a place to survive—haven't I?"
"But, if I recall correctly," the young leader spoke carefully, "those Borisin once imprisoned in the Isolation Prison have also been freed by you, haven't they…?"
Xi laughed lightly. "That was precisely my agreement with Futian. He signed a contract with me—to protect all surviving lives. I have fulfilled exactly that."
"As for who survives, that depends solely on who was left alive aboard the Xianzhou."
The Foxian elder's fingers slowly tightened around his staff.
"Very well. Since that's the case, I have nothing more to say." The Xianzhou's young leader returned quietly to his seat.
Xi swept her eyes around the venue and declared loudly, "Does anyone else object?"
Her intention was clear—to firmly suppress any lingering resistance. As long as she existed, no one would ever overturn the heavens again!
"Then, let us begin our Heaven-Mending Creation!"
Xi waved her hand, and countless golden flames spread across the sky. Simultaneously, a striking fireball gradually descended from above, drawing every eye.
"This is our Heaven-Mending material—the only one we require!"
The moment this flame appeared, Sora sensed a profound connection from the depths of his soul.
Without a doubt, whatever lay within that flame was indeed his own body!
Hey hey hey, seriously? They're really doing this?!
He glanced around, preparing to sneak away.
The flaming sphere gently touched down before the crowd. When it dispersed, a figure appeared, back turned to everyone.
An exceptionally muscular body drew countless stares, only a small pair of shorts concealing the most essential parts.
Without a shred of doubt—this was Sora's body!
In the instant it appeared, a link established itself clearly within Sora's mind. Everything around him seemed to freeze in time.
Black mist surged forth from the body, rapidly engulfing Sora completely.
Simultaneously, whispers echoed softly by his ear:
[THE BONDS OF REALITY FADE AWAY... FORMLESS VESSELS SINK INTO THE ABYSS OF CHAOS... CONSCIOUSNESS DIMS WITHIN BOUNDLESS DARKNESS ON THE FAR SHORE...]
[CAN YOU DO IT? CAN YOU SAVE THEM? WILL THEY ACKNOWLEDGE YOU?]
[PROVE IT. RESCUE THEM...]
[CAN THIS BECOME THE FULCRUM THAT SHIFTS THE FUTURE...?]
This voice belonged unmistakably to TERMINUS, delivering cryptic riddles directly into Sora's ears.
After speaking, the darkness that engulfed Sora vanished instantly, as if it had never existed at all.
Time, previously halted, slowly resumed its normal flow.
"This is…the material for the Heaven-Mending?"
"Why does it look exactly like a Xianzhou person's body?"
Whispers arose around him, snapping Sora back to reality.
Only now did he realize something wasn't quite right with his location.
His viewpoint had drastically changed—he'd somehow teleported directly from the spectator seats to the stage itself.
Indeed, he now found himself standing on the platform, and his true form, the Kougouken Saikou sword, was hanging snugly at the waist of the displayed body.
Hey! Sword, are you trying to force a transformation here? Sora mentally complained.
"Now, let us become one!" With an enthusiastic shout, Xi transformed into a streaking comet of flames, charging straight into Sora's forehead!
Yet, just as she entered, an unexpected voice whispered into her ear:
"Hey, buddy. This is my body—mind stepping out?"
Not only did Xi hear it clearly, but these words also emerged clearly from the mouth of the tightly shut-eyed body, echoing throughout the venue!
Instantly, everyone heard this voice.
Recognizing that familiar tone, Feng Xi whipped her gaze around, only to discover Sora had vanished without her noticing.
Ahri quickly scanned the surroundings, spotting the sword now snugly strapped at the waist of the body.
"Feng Xi-jie! Look over there!"
Ahri's shout immediately drew all Foxian eyes to the sword. Their curiosity spread quickly, pulling the attention of the Vidyadhara, and eventually even the Xianzhou.
In mere moments, every gaze in the arena had focused squarely on Sora.
"Is that…a sword possessed by a Heliobus?"
Hearing this, the gathered races quickly understood: perhaps internal strife had erupted among the Heliobi.
Well then—time to enjoy the show.