More than a week had passed in the world outside the Realm of Sacred Flames. While the parties had died down and those who lost left in disheartenment, many people had also remained, to see those who would emerge from the realm. Since strength was celebrated, many people were curious to see how strong those young men and women had become.
That was why, on the day everyone was set to return, many people gathered at the Flame Sanctum. Wu Meiying stood behind Zhe Dāozhe and next to Zhe Fēnglì.
Zhe Dāozhe presented a figure of understated strength as he stood on the platform leading of the Flame Sanctum. Despite the passage of years, his visage remained untouched by the eroding hand of time. Raven-black hair flowed gracefully down to his shoulders, a stark contrast to the wisdom etched in his gaze. There was not a single strand of gray, a testament to his vitality and unyielding spirit.
His attire was a seamless fusion of traditional and scholarly elements that day. He wore a flowing, ebony robe adorned with intricate silver embroidery. The fabric rippled with a life of its own. A sash of deep crimson sat around his waist, tied tightly to keep his robes from parting, and secured by a silver clash shaped like the guard of a katana. Strapped to the sash was his weapon of choice. Though it looked unadorned and plain, his sword was one of the most powerful known in the land.
While his aura and presence were impressive, Wu Meiying still thought of him as a child. He was only old compared to people in this world. There were many men and women in the Nine Heavens who were older, wiser, and more powerful than him. However, he was revered here, and Wu Meiying was not as powerful now as she was in her first life.
Standing near the portal was Huǒ Huangdi, the commanding figure of the Phoenix Clan and ruler of the Xia Dynasty. The aura of regal authority and unyielding strength he possessed was, while not as prominent as Zhe Dāozhe, still commanded the respect of others. His presence, much like the blazing sun at its zenith, demanded unwavering attention.
His hair, wild and flowing freely, blazed like a river of crimson that mirrored his cultivation. It framed his face with a fiery, untamed beauty, cascading down his back like rivers of molten lava. Eyes that were a striking shade of molten gold gleamed with an intensity that could sear the very soul of anyone who met them. His visage was etched with the unmistakable features of a formidable hero, with a sharp, resolute jawline and a nose that bore the proud silhouette of a warrior.
Huǒ Huangdi’s attire, robes of deep crimson and gold, embroidered with intricate partners that depicted the guardian deity of his clan, the mighty phoenix, adorned his powerful figure. His robes looked like liquid flames, giving the impression of an eternal inferno in constant motion.
He along with his elders stood beside the portal, which had just opened to allow the victors of the International Power Ranking Tournament to emerge.
The first to emerge was a figure of exquisite beauty and grace, someone who’s refined elegance was so feminine it was hard to tell whether they were man or woman. Silky hair that cascaded down his back like a glistening water gleamed with a lustrous sheen, reflecting the light in an iridescent dance. A pair of artfully styled bangs framed his face. His features possessed a delicate, feminine quality, with almond-shaped, ice-blue eyes that held an enigmatic allure. A small, finely sculpted nose and full, inviting lips contributed to his captivating visage. Even his skin was smooth and white like fresh snow.
Wu Meiying recognized Da Feiyu. He was a member of the Da Family, which was a prominent family in the Ten Kingdoms Alliance.
“He’s grown much stronger now,” Zhe Fēnglì murmured, eyes narrowed.
Wu Meiying nodded. “He reached the second subrealm of the Deva Realm. That’s a very impressive leap, but it’s not surprising either. The Realm of Sacred Flames is known for refining the body’s and cultivation of those who enter.”
While on the less powerful side when considered from the angle of someone who lived in the Nine Heavens, the Realm of Sacred Flames was still one of the most powerful places to refine yourself in this small world. Just entering would allow a cultivator to grow stronger. That was also why it was so heavily restricted. The Phoenix Clan wanted to control who could and couldn’t enter.
By monopolizing access to the Realm of Sacred Flames, the Phoenix Clan was able to maintain their position of power and prestige within the cultivation world. They could also effectively manage and exploit the resources within this realm to enhance their clan’s strength and wealth. Other clans and nations who wanted access to this realm also had to curry favor with them. This always put them in a better position during negotiations. In essence, the Phoeenix Clan’s control over the Realm of Sacred Flames was a means of consolidating and enhancing their power in martial strength, cultural significance, and economical prestige. It allowed them to remain at the forefront of cultivation and ensured their clan’s prosperity.
Another person soon emerged from the portal. The woman to emerge possessed a striking and formidable figure. Her tall, commanding presence was something else as she stood near the portal with an air of confidence and authority that drew attention. Her well-toned and muscular physique was a testament to her rigorous training and martial prowess. She was tall, but her body was lean and agile, ideal for combat, with a grace that belied her strength.
Her countenance reflected both determination and intelligence. Her eyes, in particular, exuded a fierce intelligence that hinted at her strategic acumen. They were sharp and perceptive.
Her height complimented her weapon of choice, the lengthy chang gun, which gave her imposing silhouette an even greater impact whilst on the battlefield. Being longer than the average gun, her staff was a demonstration of her mastery and proficiency in wielding such a formidable weapon.
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The traditional hanfu she wore befitted her country’s emphasis on scholarly pursuits. It was adorned with symbols of her lineage, signifying her status as a warrior, a scholar, and the princess of a nation.
“That’s Tang Tiantian. It seems she also grew significantly,” Zhe Fēnglì said with a sigh of admiration.
“She reached the Seeker Realm. That’s an impressive feat. Very impressive,” Wu Meiying agreed.
Wu Meiying could have reached the Seeker Realm by now if she’d rushed her cultivation, but that would have put her at a disadvantage when attempting to break past the Samsara Cycle Cultivation Realm. Her goal was not reaching the pinnacle of the mortal realms. She wished to ascend to godhood, which was the only way she could accomplish her ultimate goal.
One by one the others emerged and while none of them had grown as powerful as Day Feiyu or Tang Tiantian, they all possessed an aura of strength they lacked before entering. At last, six of the ten people who had entered. All that was left was Wu Jian, Huǒ Yulie, Huǒ Shuchang, and Huǒ Pànguó.
Minutes past.
An hour past.
Two hours.
The sun hung at its zenith in the cloudless azure sky. Its rays beat down upon the Flame Sanctum with an almost palpable intensity. The grand structure of ornate crimson and gold gleamed in the sunlight as if ignited into flames by the sun’s rays. The air quivered with heat, and the distant murmur of conversations was like that of sizzling embers in a forge.
Wu Meiying glanced at the vast courtyard that lay sprawled before the imposing steps that led up to the portal, bustling with cultivators and dignitaries from various kingdoms, all assembled under the punishing midday sun. Silk robes of vivid reds and oceanic blues adorned the figures. Canopies of scarlet, suspended on wooden frames, offered scant respite from the sun’s relentless rays. As she scanned the ground, her eyes found those who belonged to the Shang Kingdom.
That one right there…
Hua Xue bore an ethereal beauty that transcended the passage of time. Her alabaster skin, as smooth and pure as freshly fallen snow, seemed untouched by her centuries of life. Cascading down her figure like a winter waterfall was a pristine mantle of silver hair. Eyes devoid of color held secrets of ages untold. She possessed the sort of beauty that left no room for doubt; those who beheld her could only see her as a living goddess, which explained why she wore a veil to hide her face. Even with it, everyone in the vicinity was drawn to her.
Tall and graceful, Hua Xue looked like a woman crafted by the gods to symbolize perfection. Her presence commanded attention, her elegance and poise making her the very embodiment of refinement. She didn’t even have to do anything. Just standing there as she was made people look in her direction. Only the chilly gaze she sent people, which could have frozen even the blood running through a person’s veins, prevented people from getting close.
“What is taking those four so long?” asked Shui Meili as she fanned herself.
“Patience, Sect Master of Supreme Ocean Palace,” Zhou Xie’e said with a smile. “It is possible they are much further away from the portal than the others. They might also be injured. Let us give them a little more time.”
“Hmph. We have been here for hours. I am quite tired of waiting. If they do not arrive within the next fifteen minutes, I’m leaving.”
While her words were rude, no one could say anything about it. She was one of the most prominent figures in the cultivation world. Even Huǒ Huangdi could not say anything, such was her strength, both as a cultivator and an political figure. All he could do was twitch in irritation.
She fortunately did not have to wait long as someone finally emerged. It was Huǒ Pànguó. His clothing was a little worse for wear. It looked like he had been through a lot. However, while his power had not increased by much, the control he possessed now couldn’t be compared to before. It was clear that both his body and chi had undergone strict refinement.
Stepping out next was a beautiful woman with a petite figure. Huǒ Yulie appeared even more breathtaking than before as she emerged from the portal with an otherworldly grace, her presence akin to that of a radiant phoenix reborn from the heart of a celestial flame.
Her figure was adorned in a gown as vivid as the richest ember, a seamless blend of fiery reeds and passionate oranges, billowing like the very flames she had emerged from. The fabric flowed like molten silk, tracing the curves of her form with regal elegance.
Huǒ Yulie’s pure white skin was aglow with luminous vitality, radiant with a warm, inviting sheen that caused those gazing upon her to swallow heavily. Hair cascaded like a flaming waterfall behind her, each strand shimmering with the essence of fire. Even her golden eyes contained a more vibrant luster than before.
Despite the strength of heer cultivation, her figure was delicate. High cheekbones, a pert nose, and full, inviting lips composed a visage that was both regal and inviting. They complimented her petite frame well. Wu Meiying could understand her appeal. She was so small and yet so beautiful that men would feel the urge to both protect her and corrupt her. She was amazed that Wu Jian had been able to resist up to now.
“She’s reached the peak of the Seeker Realm. Truly incredible,” Zhe Dāozhe said with honest admiration.
“What a stunning feat!” exclaimed Elder Huǒ Yumao exclaimed.
“Damn. She really is in a different league than us,” Huǒ Yhazhi said.
“What did you expect?” asked Huǒ Chiange. “She’s our golden child for a reason. No wonder Father keeps her locked up in the Phoenix Sanctuary.”
Huǒ Yulie was indeed an impressive specimen. Even within the Nine Heavens, her strength would have been celebrated. An eighteen year old woman reaching the Seeker Realm was rare no matter the location, and she had achieved this feat on this small world, making it even more amazing.
Her cultivation is also very stable. It’s incredible that she can achieve this level of strength so swiftly and still maintain such a stable base. That’s a phoenix for you. Though it will become much harder for her to cultivate after she achieved godhood.
Wu Meiying studied the woman for a few seconds, but her attention was pulled away from Huǒ Yulie when three more people emerged from the portal. While gasps of shock echoed all around them, Wu Meiying was glad for her veil because it meant she didn’t have to hide her smile at what she saw.