The Flame Gate Sect was not just a fortress. It was a city of fire, carved into the heart of an active volcano, floating above a lava lake that pulsed like a living heart. Giant phoenix statues lined the crimson-stone bridges, and rivers of molten gold flowed beside marble walkways.
As the ship descended, Shen Li stood on deck, eyes narrowed.
"This place... it feels alive."
Yan Su nodded. "Because it is. The entire sect sits atop a spirit beast's corpse. An ancient Flame Titan. Its bones burn even in death."
Lan Fei turned to them. "The trials begin in one hour. If you survive, you earn a place. If you fail… you burn."
Yue Qian glanced sideways. "They don't do warm welcomes here, do they?"
🔥 The Seven Rings of Flame
Lan Fei led them through a towering crimson gate. Inside was a massive coliseum with seven glowing rings, each hovering above boiling lava. Tens of thousands of sect members watched from stands above.
"The Trial by Flame," she announced. "Seven rings. Seven challenges. One mistake and you fall."
A gong echoed.
"Step forward, Shen Li of no sect."
He moved without hesitation.
Ring One lit up—Trial of Resolve.
A flame illusion surrounded him. He stood before a mirror… and saw himself. Broken. Alone. Yue Qian's corpse in his arms. Yan Su screaming. The Spark shattering.
"This will be your future," the illusion whispered. "Give up."
Shen Li stepped forward.
"No."
The illusion screamed and vanished.
Ring One cleared.
The crowd gasped.
Lan Fei's eyes narrowed in interest.
⚔️ Trial Two: The Blood Ember Duel
Ring Two flared, revealing a dueling platform. A tall, muscular cultivator in flame armor stepped forward.
"Ren Jie," Lan Fei said. "Top ten outer disciple. You must defeat him using only physical combat. No spiritual energy."
Ren Jie cracked his knuckles. "You're dead, boy."
The gong rang.
Ren Jie charged.
But Shen Li didn't move. He just sidestepped—fast, precise. One strike to the ribs. Another to the neck.
BOOM!
Ren Jie flew out of the ring.
Silence.
Then chaos.
Yue Qian's lips parted in awe. "He's faster… than before."
Lan Fei was smiling now, just barely.
"Interesting."
🐉 Trial Three: The Ember Beast
A gate opened. Out came a three-headed fire serpent, each maw dripping molten venom.
"Defeat it in under five breaths."
Shen Li inhaled.
The Spark of Origin ignited faintly in his chest.
He vanished.
Five BOOMS.
The beast collapsed.
Gasps again. Whispers of his name.
💀 Trial Four: Ghost of the Past
A black mist surrounded him. From it, stepped a familiar figure.
His father.
Not as he was in death—but in life. Cold eyes. Merciless blade.
"You let me die," the illusion snarled.
Shen Li's fists clenched. "You chose your path. I'll forge mine."
He struck.
The ghost shattered into ash.
Ring Four cleared.
🧠 Trial Five: Flame of Mind
Flames surrounded his head—this trial tested willpower.
Mental attacks. Images. Screams. Pain. Doubt.
But Shen Li stood still, eyes closed.
"I've already burned once. What's one more fire?"
The flames flared… then died out.
Ring Five cleared.
The crowd was silent now. No jeers. Only tension.
🪞 Trial Six: The Mirror Match
A clone stepped from the fire.
Shen Li.
Same clothes. Same spark. Same grin.
But twisted.
"Let's see how strong you really are."
They clashed. Punch for punch. Technique for technique. Every move Shen Li made, the clone copied.
But Shen Li smirked.
"You copy what I was."
He shifted his stance. His Spark pulsed. He used a move he had just learned during the Ember Beast trial—a triple feint strike.
The clone blinked.
Too late.
BAM!
The clone shattered.
Ring Six cleared.
🔥 Trial Seven: The Crimson Flame
A firestorm formed. From it emerged a phoenix made of molten fire, wings spanning the entire coliseum.
It screeched—a soul-piercing sound.
Lan Fei whispered, "That's the ancient spirit of the Flame Titan. Only one chosen by fate can tame it."
Shen Li stood firm.
The phoenix dove.
He didn't run.
He opened his arms.
The Spark inside him responded.
BOOM!!!
The flames exploded around him.
Smoke.
Silence.
When it cleared—
Shen Li stood in the center of the ring.
The phoenix hovered above him.
Bow its head.
Tamed.
The coliseum ERUPTED in cheers and disbelief.
Lan Fei's hands trembled.
"That's impossible… Unless he's…"
She didn't finish.
But the elders watching in secret now looked at each other, stunned.
"That Spark… That flame… Is he… one of the Ancient Heirs?"
⚠️ Cliffhanger
In the shadows, a masked figure watched.
"The spark grows. He's nearing the threshold. We must act before the Crimson Abyss awakens."
Another cloaked person beside him nodded.