The night hung heavy over Blazing Sovereign City, shrouded in mist and pale moonlight. Inside the quiet of Shen Yuan's room at a modest inn, the wind howled and distant thunder rumbled, filling the silence.
He sat cross-legged on a jade platform, eyes half-closed, as the Fate Defier System shimmered to life before him. He glanced toward the figure outside the window.
Target: Xiao Chen — Bearer of Eternal Flame Body
Current Luck: 2114
Warning: Target's fate density exceeds normal bounds.
Suggested course: Plunder luck by seizing opportunities. Can only be killed if target's luck drops below 100.
Shen Yuan's brows furrowed as lines of golden text scrolled before him.
"Eternal Flame Body…" he murmured. "One of the Ten Primordial Bodies. No wonder he's the son of heaven."
The system's mechanical voice echoed again:
> "Eternal Flame Body — the embodiment of creation's fire. Capable of housing and harmonizing multiple Heavenly Flames without conflict. Each flame absorbed multiplies the bearer's total flame power. Theoretically, full mastery could incinerate the world itself."
Shen Yuan clenched his fist, his aura rippling like restrained thunder. "In due time, it will all be mine."
He knew better than to strike recklessly. Any attempt to kill Xiao Chen outright would summon unexpected powerhouses or hidden talismans that could whisk him away. These sons of heavenly fate were far harder to kill than cockroaches.
Silently, he began to follow, shadows bending around him as he moved.
---
Scene – The Blazing Sovereign Secret Realm
Deep within the volcanic ranges north of the Bai Clan, the Blazing Sovereign Secret Realm burned like a world forged from molten gold. Rivers of magma flowed beneath obsidian bridges. Ancient runes hovered in midair, and the air was thick with the scent of fire essence.
Xiao Chen moved through the realm like a shadow. He had deciphered a map and now knew the location of the portal to the Blazing Sovereign's Rest. Three crimson flames danced over his shoulders — each one a Heavenly Fire he had devoured. His Eternal Flame Body pulsed with radiant light, veins like molten gold tracing beneath his skin.
"Hahaha! I can feel it!" he roared, eyes blazing. "Two Heavenly Fires already mine — the Scarlet Blood Lotus Flame and the Crimson Divine Flame. Soon, I'll claim the Demon Emperor Flame and ascend beyond the realm. Perhaps even reach the heavenly soul realm."
As he advanced, a cave appeared in his path. But just as he was about to enter, a thunderous roar shook the air. A massive lion, its body wreathed in blazing fire, blocked the entrance.
Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed. This guardian must be the cave's master — and the rare Fire Tao treasure within was likely its prize. Without hesitation, the two collided, claws and flames clashing with intent to kill.
From a distance, Shen Yuan saw the perfect opportunity. Slipping on his invisibility cloak, he darted into the cave, moving faster than the eye could track.
Inside, the cave opened into a vast chamber. At its center stood a towering altar, fifteen feet high. On it rested a jade slip and a flaming bead. The lion was likely drawing power from the bead, fueling its evolution.
Shen Yuan approached carefully. He pressed the jade slip to his forehead. It dissolved instantly, filling his mind with divine knowledge — sharp, ecstatic torment.
"Nine Heavens Eternal Sword Art…" he breathed. "A growth-type sword art… elemental sword auras… with my myriad origin physique and infinite origin root, I can only imagine the disaster I could unleash once I master this."
He carefully placed the flaming bead into his inventory, disappearing back into the shadows. A system notification appeared:
[Plundered 450 Luck Points]
---
Meanwhile, Xiao Chen finally defeated the Blazing Lion. Panting, he entered the cave, only to find it empty. Frustration boiled within him. "Nothing… after all that?" With a roar of anger, he punched the cave wall, feeling the hollow ache of loss.
He turned back, a nagging feeling tugging at him, as though something irreplaceable had slipped through his grasp.