Night fell over Azure Sky.
Lanterns floated in spiritual silence.
The arena quieted, but the flame in Jiang Han's core only burned brighter.
He sat alone atop a watchtower, Tempest coiled around his neck like a guardian spirit.
Below, his teammates rested—Zhao Kai snoring. Bo Ren polishing rune-inked gloves. Tian Xue meditating beside the Phoenix Egg, which now pulsed in time with her heartbeat.
> "You've come far," said a voice from behind.
Jiang turned.
A man stood cloaked in white, bearing the insignia of a twelve-pointed flame.
> The Sovereign Flame Council.
---
The Envoy's Message
The man bowed slightly.
> "You are Jiang Han, wielder of four Sovereign Flames, bearer of Trithrone Alignment, and bonded to a soul wyrmling of thunder."
> "The Council requests your presence at the Flame Temple of Radiant Ash."
Jiang's hand drifted toward his blade.
> "Why now?"
> "Because the Sixth Flame stirs. The Flame of Judgment. And it responds only to those who burn with conflicting truths."
Jiang frowned. "What does that even mean?"
The man looked toward the stars.
> "You burn like Long Chen once did… and that nearly broke the Flamewheel."
> "The Temple wants to see whether you will complete his failure—"
"—or survive it."
He handed Jiang a scroll and vanished in golden ash.
---
A Warning in the Scroll
Back in his quarters, Jiang unrolled the scroll.
It wasn't from the envoy.
It was from someone else.
The writing shimmered faintly in Sovereign script.
> "If you go to the Flame Temple, you'll see the Sixth Flame—but not all flames want to be held."
"I tried. And I burned more than I could rebuild."
"If you value her—don't let the flame judge her heart."
— L. C.
Jiang's eyes widened.
> "Long Chen."
Tian Xue stepped into the room, seeing the look on his face.
> "What happened?"
> "We've been invited to the Flame Temple."
> "That's a good thing, right?"
Jiang folded the scroll.
> "Not if we don't come back."
---
Preparing for the Temple
> [New Quest: Invitation to Radiant Ash]
Travel to the Flame Temple via Inner Sanctum Gate
Requirement: At least one bonded soul pet and three verified flame paths
Optional Challenge: Carry a purified Sovereign Egg (Bonus Reward)
Bo Ren pulled an old map.
> "Radiant Ash Temple is inside the Flame Valley—a leyline nexus once used for flame trials and rebirth rituals."
Yue: "So, probably unstable, probably full of traps, and definitely watched."
Lin Yao: "But there's a chance the Phoenix Egg will respond better there."
Zhao Kai grinned. "Let's go before something else tries to steal it."
Tian Xue smiled softly. "Then we go as one."
---
Arrival – The Flame Temple
The next day, under the authority of Azure Sky Academy's leadership and with special clearance from Headmistress Ye Qingmei, Team Dawnflame was granted temporary leave from the tournament.
They traveled via Sky Carriage, escorted by windward eagles and flame banners.
Beneath them: miles of molten land, broken only by the black-stone stairs of the Flame Temple.
The gates opened at their presence.
And the temple spoke.
> [Flame Temple – Radiant Ash has recognized your intent]
Active Flame Paths: Legacy, Mourning, Beast, Sorrowfire
Detected Bonds: Lightning Soul Wyrmling, Phoenix Soul Egg (Stage 2)
Initiating Flame Trial: Judgment of Balance
Only the worthy may claim the Sixth Flame.
Jiang stepped onto the altar.
The ground glowed white-gold.
Above him, the fire formed a shape—a scale, burning at both ends.
> "Let your flame be measured."