The Infernal Abyss Beast observed Qin Chen with its piercing golden eyes, its massive form exuding a calm, ancient presence.
Qin Chen, his golden-purple flames still faintly flickering around him, turned his gaze toward the unconscious girl lying within the chamber. Her breathing was stable, yet her body was trapped in an unresponsive state, golden-red flames swirling faintly around her like a cage.
He frowned. "What's her deal?"
The Infernal Abyss Beast let out a low rumble, shifting its gaze toward the girl.
"That one… she was once a Core Disciple of your Azure Sky Sect, a powerful talent. She disappeared years ago while seeking strength, and it seems your sect has long since assumed her dead."
Qin Chen's golden eyes flickered. "A Core Disciple?"
The beast nodded. "She came here three years ago in search of power… but she was not ready."
Qin Chen raised an eyebrow. "Not ready how?"
"She carries the bloodline of a mythical flame beast, but it is not pure. A diluted, incomplete lineage." The beast's golden eyes glowed. "She attempted the trial of Sovereign Flames, and she failed."
Qin Chen narrowed his eyes, staring at the golden-red flames still flickering around her. "Failed how?"
"The Sovereign Flames rejected her. Her fire was not strong enough, her bloodline not pure enough. Instead of being tempered, she was overwhelmed. The flames refused to acknowledge her, and as a result… she has remained in this state, neither fully alive nor dead, unable to wake, unable to perish."
Qin Chen crossed his arms, studying the girl. She was young, perhaps his age, with crimson hair that shimmered faintly with traces of fire energy. Even in her unconscious state, her aura suggested talent.
But if she couldn't handle the flames, then what was he supposed to do?
As if reading his thoughts, the Infernal Abyss Beast spoke again.
"For three years, no one has been able to undo this effect. Her only chance of awakening was if someone who had mastered Sovereign Flames intervened."
Qin Chen's golden eyes flashed.
Sovereign Flames?
A smirk formed on his lips. "So that means I'm the only one who can save her."
The beast let out a deep chuckle. "That is correct."
Without another word, Qin Chen stepped forward, raising his hand.
BOOOOM!
A surge of true Sovereign Flames erupted from his palm, far purer than the chaotic flames that had bound her. His golden-purple fire spiraled outward, coiling around the girl's unconscious body.
As his flames touched the golden-red energy binding her—
CRACK!
The flames that had imprisoned her for three years shattered.
Fwoosh!
The golden-red flames dispersed into nothingness, completely consumed by Qin Chen's superior fire.
Then—
The girl's breathing quickened.
Her fingers twitched.
Her eyes snapped open.
She gasped, golden-red light flashing through her pupils as she bolted upright, her entire body trembling.
Her gaze immediately darted to Qin Chen, her expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
"W-What…?" she whispered.
Qin Chen smirked. "Took you long enough to wake up."
The girl's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
The last thing she remembered was failing the trial, being swallowed by the flames—losing.
And now, suddenly, she was awake?
She looked around wildly, her eyes eventually settling on the Infernal Abyss Beast.
The beast chuckled. "Welcome back, little one."
Her expression twisted in shock. "I… I was supposed to be dead…"
Qin Chen crossed his arms. "You were stuck in some kind of limbo. The flames refused to acknowledge you, so you couldn't wake up."
She turned to him, her confusion deepening. "Then… how am I awake now?"
Qin Chen's smirk widened. "Because unlike you, the flames don't reject me."
For a moment, silence.
Then—
Her eyes widened in pure shock.
Her fire-related bloodline had allowed her to walk further into the domain than others.
She had been called a genius.
Yet, against the Sovereign Flames, she had been nothing.
But this man?
He had dominated them.
He had consumed them.
What kind of monster was he?!
Qin Chen turned to the Infernal Abyss Beast, his golden eyes flickering. "Well, looks like she's fine now. I assume you're sending us back?"
The beast let out a deep, amused rumble. "That is correct."
The Infernal Abyss Beast stepped forward, towering over them both, its immense presence filling the chamber.
"I will watch your progress, Qin Chen. And when you are ready… I will be waiting."
Before either of them could respond—
The world twisted.
A massive surge of spatial energy surrounded them.
The last thing Qin Chen saw was the amused expression of the Infernal Abyss Beast.
Then—
FLASH!
When the light faded—
Qin Chen and the girl were standing outside the Crimson Hellstorm Domain, right in front of the teleportation array.
The air was still. The blazing storm that had once surrounded the domain had vanished.
The girl staggered slightly, still dazed. She turned to Qin Chen, eyes filled with disbelief.
"Who… who are you?"
Qin Chen smirked.
"Qin Chen, Core Disciple of Azure Sky Sect."
Her breath hitched. "Core Disciple…?"
"And you?" Qin Chen asked casually.
She hesitated before answering.
"Liu Qingcheng."
"Third Ranked Core Disciple of the Azure Sky Sect."
Qin Chen's smirk widened. "Well, Liu Qingcheng… looks like you've been gone for a while."
"Do you happen to know my little brother, Liu Chenqing?"
He's the one ranked second on the ranking tablet right?
That's a pretty impressive set of siblings, he thought.
"I know him." He said with a nod.
Her eyes lit up, "How is he doing?"
"Well, he's ranked second now, so I'm assuming he's doing pretty well."
She smiled warmly at that, "Speaking of ranking, what are you?"
Qin Chen smirked, "Unranked."
Her eyes revealed some confusion, "But…?"
He smiled, "You'll find out when we get back."
Her expression turned serious again.
She clenched her fists, eyes flashing.
She had been missing for three years.
And now?
She was back.
But the world she left behind had changed.