The Nine-Petaled Soul Calming Flame slowly drifted up from the depths, emerging above the lake surface like a newborn star. The moment it appeared, the temperature surged violently. Silverlake began to boil—bubbles rising in thick clusters as if the entire lake were trying to escape the heat.

All the fire-attributed lotuses scattered across the water trembled at once. Their petals quivered like living things, hopping and spinning with what seemed like raw, instinctive joy, as though they were greeting their king.

A wave of vitality exploded outward.

Wang Chen felt it hit first—a dense, intoxicating surge that poured straight into his bones, making his limbs feel weightless. Even Rong Lua, pale and armless, gasped as the wild surge washed over him. Before their eyes, his severed tendons writhed, muscles contracting and twisting like snakes seeking reunion. It almost looked as if Rong Lua's arms were about to regrow right then and there.

For a single heart-stopping moment, everyone believed it might actually happen.

Then the illusion broke.

The vitality faded, the phantom regeneration stilled, and the world snapped back into normalcy.

Wang Chen lowered his hand, a faint tremor running through his fingers. Admiration flickered in his gaze—quiet, profound. "Amazing…" he muttered under his breath, unable to hide the awe in his voice.

Even Lin Huang, whose expression rarely shifted from calm determination, stared at the blue flame with wide, reverent eyes. The heavenly fire hovered in the air like a child of the heavens, its glow bright enough to make the very world seem dim in comparison.

The world itself seemed to cheer as the Nine-Petaled Soul Calming Flame made its appearance.

"Junior sister, quick—quickly capture it!" Lin Huang urged, unable to hold back his excitement.

But Li Mei didn't move.

Her expression remained steady, calm, even indifferent. The flame was far too ancient, far too exalted, to be approached with reckless eagerness. The Nine-Petaled Soul Calming Flame was no simple treasure—its origins were legendary. Some records claimed it surpassed the Nascent Soul Realm. Others whispered it had reached the threshold of Deity-level intelligence… and a few even hinted it had once been nurtured by a Manifestation Realm immortal.

Charging recklessly would only provoke it.

Her gaze remained fixed on the shimmering blue flame as she slowly exhaled.

Just then, her eyes shifted—barely, subtly—toward Wang Chen, standing quietly behind her. The sight of him steadied her nerves. I don't need to worry, she thought, a faint warmth blooming in her chest. If anything goes wrong, Master is here.

With that realization, the last of her tension bled away. Confidence replaced it.

Her plan was flawless—mostly. Even so, anything involving a sentient flame carried risks. Having Wang Chen at her back meant she could dare the impossible without fear.

She straightened slightly, eyes sharpening like blades of pure intent.

It was time.

Wang Chen felt Li Mei's gaze brush over him and answered it with a small, encouraging smile. Knowing her past life, he actually trusted her abilities more than his own. Even so, a faint edge of tension lingered beneath that lazy smile—his hand rested metaphorically on the hilt of Chronoblade, prepared to activate it the instant something went wrong.

Out over the shimmering lake, the Nine-Petaled Soul Calming Flame floated lightly above the surface, no larger than a basketball. Its body was an ocean-blue orb, its translucent fire rippling like tiny waves. A pair of crystalline eyes blinked up at the scattered fire-attributed candies, brimming with longing, and from its glowing mouth hung a tiny cherry-pink tongue dripping glittering droplets.

"Gimme… gimme all those candies, me hungry."

The childish voice echoed over the lake, soft and broken like a toddler struggling with their first words.

Tap. Tap.

Li Mei advanced with a serene, almost motherly smile. Her steps were steady, rhythmically brushing the lake's surface as she closed the distance. At about a hundred meters away, the flame turned sharply toward her—its vigilance flaring like a startled animal. It clutched the nearest fire candy close with its shimmering aura. For all its innocence, the flame was ancient… and it knew very well never to trust cultivators.

Each time Li Mei drew near, the flame drifted lower, dipping toward the water surface as if preparing to sink back into safety. Her eyebrow twitched. Every instinct screamed at her to rush forward and grab it, but she forced herself to remain composed.

Lin Huang stood rigid on the shore, breath held painfully tight in his chest.

"You can do it, Li Mei!" Wang Chen encouraged silently, both fists clenched behind his back in prayer.

The flame puffed up with an attempt at fierceness, its voice wobbling like a child pretending to be a tiger.

"Wicked human, stay away from candies, don't even touch a single one!"

Li Mei's lips curved upward at the sound. Whatever tension lingered in her chest evaporated instantly. What was she even worried about? The opponent was basically an adorable spark with a sweet tooth. Meanwhile, she'd lived two lifetimes, seen countless worlds, and once stood at the Eternal Emperor Realm. Let alone fear—she had more life experience than this little flame could imagine.

Her heart settled into calm clarity.

The All-Seeing Eyes in her pupils began rotating smoothly, delicate light patterns spinning like celestial gears. Her pace increased, steps confident, aura steady.

The Nine-Petaled Soul Flame froze mid-air, sensing her advance, and tried to resist. Its eyes widened, panic fluttering.

"W… wicked human stay aw… ay or I burn…"

But the words dragged sluggishly, as if something far older and far wiser within the flame was interfering—curiosity, instinct, maybe even a faint tug of destiny.

The lake's surface rippled around them, suspended between stillness and tension, waiting for the moment of collision between fate and desire.

Li Mei moved like a streak of lightning—one instant standing still, the next her hands were already wrapped around the trembling flame. The lake hardly had time to ripple before it was over. A cross-shaped runic mark surfaced on the flame's body, mirroring the same chilling sigil flashing within Li Mei's pupils.

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