"Master…"

"Isn't this your Purple Eagle Flame?" As Gu He unveiled the purple flames, Liu Ling's eyes widened. Having followed Gu He for many years, he naturally recognized these purple flames as the ones Gu He used for alchemy.

The Purple Eagle Flame was an extraordinary beastly fire, which Gu He had acquired with great difficulty. Could it be that Master even wants to reward me with this Purple Eagle Flame?

Thinking of what Gu He had just said, Liu Ling could no longer hold back.

Thud!

"Master, this cannot be!"

"Absolutely not!"

"You've already imparted seventh-grade techniques and cultivation to your disciple. That alone is more than enough". "This Purple Eagle Flame is the fire you use for alchemy, Master. Your disciple cannot accept it!"

This time, Liu Ling, contrary to his usual self, kneeled down and refused to accept. The Purple Eagle Flame had remarkable effects for alchemists. If he were to accept it, what would Master do for alchemy in the future?

At this thought, Liu Ling adamantly declined the Purple Eagle Flame. "Ling'er, rise." Seeing Liu Ling kneel again, Gu He felt a headache. This foolish lad was fine, but his resolve was a bit too weak. Kneeling at every turn, who could bear this?

"Master, if you retract your request, then I'll rise." Liu Ling shook his head, still refusing to accept. "Ling'er, if you keep this up, Master will get angry." With Liu Ling not heeding his words, Gu He could only assume a "strict teacher" stance and feigned anger.

"Master!" Upon hearing Gu He's words, Liu Ling was unwilling, but he had to obediently stand up."Master, I truly cannot accept this Purple Eagle Flame." Liu Ling still refused to take the Purple Eagle Flame.

"Ling'er, in fact, I've received news about another type of fire." Seeing Liu Ling resolute, Gu He had to resort to a last-ditch effort: "I won't need this Purple Eagle Flame much longer. If you don't want it, I'll give it to someone else."

Having said that, Gu He prepared to retrieve the Purple Eagle Flame from his hand. Hearing this, Liu Ling was momentarily stunned. When he snapped back, he hastily grabbed Gu He's sleeve.

"Don't... Master…"

"I was wrong, Master!"

Liu Ling's mournful expression immediately turned into a fawning one. "Master, since you won't use it, please give it to your disciple."

Gu He's face turned stern: "Didn't you adamantly refuse it?" Liu Ling quickly admitted his mistake: "Master, I was wrong. I want it, I want…"

"That's more like it." Gu He's eyes glinted with a trace of satisfaction. He no longer restrained Liu Ling and directly handed over the Purple Eagle Flame.

Meanwhile, in Gu He's mind, the system's prompt tone slowly rang.

[Ding, the host has bestowed the Purple Eagle Flame to senior disciple Liu Ling. Congratulations to the host for triggering a tenfold return, obtaining the Heavenly Flame -Nine Abyssal Flames.]

[The Nine Abyssal Flames have been delivered to the system space. Please check.]

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Ten thousand fold return!

Nine Abyssal Flames!

Gu He's hand holding the Purple Eagle Flame couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"Thank you, Master!" Liu Ling cautiously received the Purple Eagle Flame and bowed to Gu He in gratitude.

"Go on, quickly refine it." Hearing the system's prompt tone in his mind, Gu He was eager to check it out. He promptly

urged Liu Ling to leave.

"Yes, I shall take my leave."

Just like Gu He's emotions, Liu Ling was also impatient to refine the Purple Eagle Flame. Upon hearing Gu He's urging, he didn't linger and hurriedly left Gu He's room.

After Liu Ling left, Gu He couldn't wait any longer and entered the system space. Inside the system space, apart from the black scroll and the purple light cluster, there was now an additional purple flame.

This purple flame was highly spirited, resembling a phoenix. "So, this is the Nine Abyssal Flames?" Looking at the purple flame before him, excitement shone in Gu He's eyes.

A Heavenly Flame was a coveted item for every alchemist, and Gu He was no exception, being an alchemist himself.

["Ding, does the host wish to begin the assimilation of the Nine Abyssal Flames?"]

As Gu He's consciousness approached the Nine Abyssal Flames, the system's voice resounded in his mind. Hearing the system's voice, Gu He momentarily paused and then shook his head.

He wasn't sure if haphazardly merging with an Otherworldly Fire would be dangerous. Even though he had the system's assistance, for safety's sake, Gu He thought it better to first elevate his cultivation.

Thinking this, Gu He immediately turned his gaze to the nearby purple light cluster. "System, extract 19 years of cultivation!" After a moment of contemplation, Gu He gave a direct command to the system.

As Gu He's words fell, a massive surge of power burst forth within him.

"Not good!"

Sensing this energy, Gu He's expression changed. He then swiftly moved and appeared in the neighbouring alchemy room. By now, the vast energy had already flooded Gu He's limbs and bones. He forcibly calmed himself and activated the Purple Yang Formula to start absorbing this immense energy.

After a moment, Gu He's cultivation began to steadily rise...

Fourth Star Dou King!

Fifth Star Dou King!

Sixth Star Dou King!

...

In the alchemy room, Gu He's aura was soaring continuously, extremely terrifying. Fortunately, Gu He had shifted to this alchemy room in time. To prevent an explosion, the walls of this room were constructed with precious materials, making it hard for the commotion caused by Gu He's successive breakthroughs to be detected by outsiders.

Seventh Star Dou King!

Eighth Star Dou King!

Ninth Star Dou King!

As he incessantly absorbed the energy within him, Gu He's cultivation continued to increase. Finally, Gu He's cultivation reached its peak at the Ninth Star Dou King.

Just one step away, and he would break through to the Dou Emperor realm. Simultaneously, the energy within Gu He's body was finally depleted. Slowly opening his eyes, a trace of excitement flashed in Gu He's gaze.

Ninth Star Dou King!

In a mere moment, he had leapt from a Third Star Dou King to a peak Ninth Star Dou King. This feeling was incredibly exhilarating. Feeling the formidable power of a Ninth Star Dou King within him, a confident smile unconsciously appeared on Gu He's lips.

With this progress, it wouldn't be long before he could break through to the Dou Emperor realm. Being familiar with the original work, he naturally understood this.

Only by stepping into the Dou Emperor realm could he possess a thread of self-preservation

amidst this world teeming with formidable individuals.

"According to my current strength as a Ninth Star Dou King and with the assistance of the system, fusing with the Nine Abyssal Flames should be safe."

After a moment of contemplation, Gu He spoke calmly, "System, extract the Nine Abyssal Flames."As soon as Gu He's words fell, the purple flame within the system space transformed into a purple light, instantly entering Gu He's body.

Upon the integration of the Nine Abyssal Flames, Gu He felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His complexion turned extremely pale in an instant.

An intensely scorching sensation surged within him. Drops of sweat rolled down Gu He's forehead as he felt every fibre of his body convulsing relentlessly.

Amidst this heart-wrenching pain, the Nine Abyssal Flames gradually began to assimilate within Gu He. After what felt like an eternity, the excruciating pain within Gu He's body slowly faded.

At that very moment, Gu He slowly opened his eyes, a trace of purple light shimmering in his pitch-black pupils. Extending his right hand slowly, Gu He's thoughts flickered, causing a ball of purple flame to surge instantly.

Gazing at the purple Nine Abyssal Flames in his hand, a satisfied smile curled on Gu He's lips. "Next, it's time for this Emperor-grade technique, the Devouring Soul Art.

Following his excitement, Gu He gradually calmed down. His gaze shifted slowly to the black scroll within the system space.