The night wind howled atop Red Sky Mountain. The sky was veiled in golden-red mist, glowing faintly like an eternal flame refusing to die. Amid the silence, Li Yun sat cross-legged on a warm black stone, surrounded by swirling red energy that danced wildly around him.
The Soul Flame within his body continued to blaze. It felt like a miniature sun ignited inside his dantian, radiating heat and spiritual pressure he had yet to fully comprehend.
But that night, he was not alone.
"This energy…" muttered an old elder in white robes, standing atop a peak of the Southern Shadow Sect—thousands of li away from the Twilight Sky Sect. "Could it be… the legacy has truly awakened?"
Far in the distant east, within the Eternal Ice Cavern, a pair of blue eyes glowed from the darkness. A tall woman, cloaked in mist, slowly opened her eyes. She looked southwest—toward the source of the legacy's aura.
"Red Sky… your legacy lives still," she whispered softly.
One by one, the great powers of the world began to sense it—the ancient seal of a long-lost inheritance was showing signs of life once more.
Back at Twilight Sky Sect, Li Yun slowly opened his eyes. His pupils shimmered like embers before fading to normal. His breathing was steady, and his body now radiated strength—even his pores seemed to glow.
Zhiya sat not far away, leaning against an old tree, silently watching him.
"Thanks for keeping watch," Li Yun said quietly.
Zhiya gave a faint smile. "You didn't sleep for three days. I thought you had turned into fire."
Li Yun chuckled, his voice hoarse. "Almost. But it seems... I made it through."
Zhiya nodded, then gazed up at the night sky. "You realize, don't you? The world is beginning to notice you. Your legacy's aura is far too bright."
"Let them come," Li Yun replied. "If they do, I'll face them."
Zhiya turned to him, serious. "You're not strong enough yet."
"I know." Li Yun stood. "But I'll keep walking. This... is the true path I've chosen."
Silence fell between them for a moment, until light footsteps approached from behind. An elder of the sect appeared, concern on his face.
"Li Yun, the Sect Master requests your presence. There's… a guest from the Thousand Eyes Sect."
Li Yun and Zhiya exchanged glances. The Thousand Eyes Sect was no ordinary sect—they were renowned for their ability to read fate lines and uncover hidden legacies. But they never visited small sects like Twilight Sky without reason.
In the sect's main hall, a young woman stood gracefully before the Sect Master. She wore sky-blue robes adorned with tiny eye-shaped patterns across the fabric. Her face was calm, but her gaze seemed to pierce skin and glimpse the soul within.
As Li Yun stepped in, her eyes turned immediately toward him.
"So this is... the heir of the Red Sky Flame."
Li Yun frowned. "And who are you?"
The woman offered a faint smile. "My name is Lin Qian. I am a seer from the Thousand Eyes Sect. And I've come... to warn you."
All eyes turned to her.
"Moments ago, the heavens opened, and I saw a path of fire slicing through the fate of the world. At the end of that path… was destruction. But within the fire stood a young man, defying destiny."
She looked straight at Li Yun.
"That man… is you."
Li Yun met her gaze. "If my fate leads to destruction, then I will burn it down… and forge a new one."
The Sect Master coughed. "Lin Qian, your reason for coming—"
"The Red Sky legacy has awakened," Lin Qian interrupted softly. "And there are forces who will not stand idly by. I... have not come merely to warn."
She paused for a moment.
"I wish to follow it. To seek the end of that path."
Zhiya narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Lin Qian smiled. "I want to be a witness."
That same night, deep beneath the earth—in the ancient ruins of the Red Sky Clan—the eyes of a sealed flame dragon, dormant for thousands of years, slowly opened.
"The heir… has finally emerged..."