Chapter 626: Imperial Rank! (4000)

"Your brutality is partly my fault, but the Demon Fire's destructive power is too great—if you leave freely, the entire Dou Qi Continent will suffer a cataclysmic disaster," said "Xiao Yan" slowly shaking his head.

"Hmph! A mere residual soul from who-knows-where, daring to be so arrogant before me! Do you still think you're that legendary Pure Lotus Demon Saint of old?!" The Pure Lotus Demon Fire glared at "Xiao Yan," its hand seals abruptly shifting—the two colossal fire arrays in heaven and earth spun once more: "This Demonic Array was originally set by you yourself—today, let you taste its might!"

"Refine!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than the Pure Lotus Demon Fire roared in fury—two pillars of light, brimming with annihilation, shot forth again from the heavenly and earthly arrays, striking toward "Xiao Yan" with lightning speed.

Seeing the Pure Lotus Demon Fire unleash the Demonic Array's power again, those who had retreated turned pale—if those beams struck, no more than five fingers' worth of them would survive.

"Shhh!"

Watching the beams streak across the sky like falling stars, "Xiao Yan" slowly raised a finger and lightly pointed: "Stop!"

As his calm voice fell, the two beams about to strike them froze instantly in place.

The beams halted less than five zhang from the crowd— the annihilation force radiating from them made their scalps tingle with dread.

"The Refining Heaven Ancient Formation was created by me. As for mastery over it, you are inferior," said "Xiao Yan," one hand behind his back, a faint smile on his face as he gazed at the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, whose expression had turned grim.

"Damn you!"

Seeing this, the Pure Lotus Demon Fire could not help but curse—but no sooner had the curse left his lips than his face turned ashen: he realized his control over the Demonic Array was slipping away.

Though the Pure Lotus Demon Saint had left only a tiny fragment of his soul within the Ancient Maps, the Refining Heaven Ancient Formation had originally been established by him within the Demon Fire Space—as a contingency measure. Thus, though the Soul Force within the Ancient Maps was minuscule, it contained the very "key" to controlling the Refining Heaven Ancient Formation.

"Boom—boom—boom!"

In heaven and earth, the two colossal fire arrays trembled violently—then, layers of milky-white flame erupted from within the arrays, surging into the body of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire. As the flames entered him, the Pure Lotus Demon Fire lost all control over the Refining Heaven Ancient Formation.

"Pure Lotus Demon Saint, I'll fight you to the death!"

With the Demonic Array now out of his control, the Pure Lotus Demon Fire's eyes turned blood-red. He knew full well the terrifying power of this array—and if the Pure Lotus Demon Saint reclaimed it, he would surely be sealed again. He had endured that dull existence for thousands of years—he was utterly sick of it.

He swore—he would never be sealed again. Never!

"Demon Fire, Annihilate the World!"

The Pure Lotus Demon Fire's body swelled rapidly—then, with a loud "Bang!" it exploded into boundless flames that filled heaven and earth. All energy within this space was instantly vaporized by the extreme infernal heat.

"Ahh!"

As the Pure Lotus Demon Fire unleashed his full power, a half-Sage cultivator let out a piercing scream—his Dou Qi ignited instantly, his meridians twisting and warping.

"Boom!"

The half-Sage's scream did not last long—his entire body exploded into black ash, drifting down into the Magma Sea below. Yet those around him grew cold with dread: all energy here had been vaporized by the Pure Lotus Demon Fire. If they stayed, they could not replenish their Dou Qi—and the only outcome would be burning to death.

To resist the Pure Lotus Demon Fire's infernal heat without relying on Dou Qi—even Zi Yan lacked such confidence. To survive, they must leave this hellish place immediately.

"Chii!"

As the crowd trembled in fear, "Xiao Yan" suddenly swept his sleeve—the two colossal arrays, each tens of thousands of zhang wide, suddenly emitted a radiant light. The light twisted midair, then surged forward as a force that shoved everyone toward the exit.

"Hurry and leave. If the Pure Lotus Demon Fire explodes, none of you will survive."

Hearing "Xiao Yan"'s cold words, the crowd erupted in wild joy—no time for thought—they immediately launched themselves forward, scrambling desperately toward the Space Channel.

"Miss, we must go quickly!" Gu Nanhai said to Xun Er. This place was far too perilous—no one had anticipated the Pure Lotus Demon Fire had grown this terrifying.

"But Brother Xiao Yan..." Xun Er frowned, her eyes fixed on Xiao Yan. He now seemed possessed by the Pure Lotus Demon Saint—if they left now, who could guarantee he wouldn't harm Xiao Yan?

"Go first. Worrying won't help. Staying here does nothing for Xiao Yan. The Pure Lotus Demon Saint is using his body to manifest—he likely won't kill him," Gu Nanhai hesitated, then gritted his teeth and spoke firmly.

Hearing this, Xun Er bit her Red Lips, eyes filled with hesitation. Leaving Xiao Yan alone in this desolate, lifeless space—she truly felt no peace. And here, still lurked the monstrous Pure Lotus Demon Fire.

As the crowd hesitated, the milky-white flames above grew larger—until, at their center, faint pink hues began to emerge. These pink flames slowly coalesced, then a crimson, eerie Fire Lotus slowly rotated into view in the sky.

As soon as the crimson Fire Lotus appeared, even Gu Nanhai's face flushed red—his Dou Qi burned hot within him, as if ready to ignite spontaneously.

"Go!"

Not far beneath the Fire Lotus, "Xiao Yan" still stood with arms crossed—subtly, a faint aura of authority spread outward. Yet all knew this unfamiliar authority came from the shadowy figure on his surface.

"Wum!"

The spinning Fire Lotus finally stilled, its milky-white hue unchanged—but every petal was now threaded with fine red veins, like human blood vessels. Occasional red glimmers flashed, filling the beautiful Fire Lotus with an eerie, sinister aura.

"When I first encountered you, your body was as pure as a newborn's. I gave you sentience, granted you human thought—but the path you chose has strayed far from what I intended," said the shadowy figure outside "Xiao Yan," gazing at the eerie Fire Lotus above, sighing softly.

"Pure Lotus Demon Saint, how I grow is my own business—you meddle too much!" The Fire Lotus emitted a faint glow, and the Pure Lotus Demon Fire's roar echoed from within.

"I only wished to spare you from self-destruction. I made you this way—so let me end it all." The shadow gazed at the Fire Lotus, changed its hand seals—suddenly, the two vast arrays above and below surged toward each other, massive fire curtains erupting from their centers, forming a square pillar of flame in an instant, sealing the Fire Lotus within.

"The sentience and memories I gave you—I now reclaim. From now on, you shall return to the purity you had when I first discovered you."

"Pure Lotus Demon Saint, you heartless bastard—I won't let you succeed!"

From within the Fire Lotus, a furious roar erupted again—the Fire Lotus spun at blinding speed, and torrents of terrifying crimson flames shot outward. Against these strange crimson flames, the fire curtain formed by the arrays twisted violently.

"When my time was near, I once considered erasing your memories—but I could not bring myself to do it. So I sealed you, hoping you might overcome your rage and killing intent. But now I see—thousands of years of sealing have only deepened your hatred. Since so..." The Pure Lotus Demon Saint gazed at the wildly struggling Pure Lotus Demon Fire, sighed softly, shifted his hand seals—and the colossal array spanning tens of thousands of zhang began collapsing from the outside inward. Yet as the outer layers crumbled, the fire pillar imprisoning the Pure Lotus Demon Fire grew denser and firmer.

"Boom—boom—boom!"

As the Demonic Array activated, the Pure Lotus Demon Fire raged against the fire curtain—its earth-shattering impacts caused even Xun Er's golden flames to dim slightly.

"Refining Heaven Ancient Formation—Strip Away!"

The Pure Lotus Demon Saint's spectral hand waved gently—suddenly, countless threads of flame erupted from the fire curtain, weaving into a net that sank deep into the heart of the Fire Lotus. The net slowly pulled upward, forcing thin streams of crimson mist to seep out from the Fire Lotus's core.

"Ahh!"

As the crimson mist rose, the Pure Lotus Demon Fire screamed in agony, spinning wildly—but no matter how much energy it unleashed, it could not break free of the array's fire curtain.

As the Pure Lotus Demon Saint spoke, the white veil enveloping Xiao Yan drifted gently toward the imprisoned Pure Lotus Demon Fire: "The Refining Heaven Ancient Formation has absorbed energy for thousands of years. This full-scale eruption—you cannot withstand it, little demon. Come with me..."

Yet just as the Pure Lotus Demon Saint's power withdrew, Xiao Yan, who had been closed-eyed, suddenly snapped his eyes open—a strange smile appeared on his face. The final trial of the Asura Soul-Cutting Art erupted at this moment.

With a "Wum!" the black shadow beneath Xiao Yan surged like ink, staining the entire space. Before the Pure Lotus Demon Fire and the Pure Lotus Demon Saint's residual soul, a shadow appeared—identical to Xiao Yan, but with Three Heads Six Arms.

With a "Boom!" a terrifyingly powerful Soul Power exploded outward, directly shattering the Pure Lotus Demon Saint's hold and breaking the seal on the Pure Lotus Demon Fire.

"Puh!" Xiao Yan spat a mouthful of blood, eyes wide in shock as he stared at the Three Heads Six Arms shadow. No wonder Hun Lao Gui had said he couldn't pass the third trial—he clearly felt the shadow was fused with his Spiritual Soul, as if it were his very Soul Avatar!

After reaching Heaven Realm Great Perfection, the Spiritual Soul can become independent—the Asura Soul-Cutting Art exploits this very trait.

The Pure Lotus Demon Fire was equally stunned, staring at the Three Heads Six Arms Xiao Yan. The two exchanged silent Soul Power messages—then the Demon Fire's expression turned ruthless as it growled: "Fine! Help me break free, and I'll help you kill your body and achieve Reincarnation!"

"Huu!" The Pure Lotus Demon Fire's essence willingly surged into the Asura Soul-Cutting Art—its face twisted into a grin, its finger pointing skyward in perfect mimicry, and a torrent of black Soul Power poured into the Refining Heaven Ancient Formation.

Boom—boom—boom!! With the infusion of this Soul Power, the Refining Heaven Ancient Formation stirred once more, and this time, even the Pure Lotus Demon Saint's residual Spiritual Soul could not stop it!

"Hahaha! Pure Lotus Demon Saint, you calculated every detail—but you never foresaw this moment!" The Pure Lotus Demon Flame, clinging to the Asura Soul-Cutting Technique, laughed wildly—it had won! It had defeated the Pure Lotus Demon Saint!

"You're laughing too soon." Xiao Yan wiped blood from his lips, his eyes flashing with sharpness.

Xiao Yan had always been wary of the Asura Soul-Cutting Technique; from the very beginning, he had sensed it was deeply strange, unlike any other Soul Technique—it seemed to possess its own consciousness.

Each great calamity always appeared precisely when he was weakest, and each time, it felt as if it aimed to kill him and force his Reincarnation.

Seeing the final calamity emerge, Xiao Yan glanced at the Pure Lotus Demon Saint, who was trying to halt the Refining Heaven Ancient Formation, and asked: "Pure Lotus Demon Saint, how much Demon Flame can you seize from this space?"

"Demon Flame?" The Pure Lotus Demon Saint frowned, puzzled why Xiao Yan asked this now.

"I'd like to borrow some fire." Xiao Yan swept his hand, and the massive Fire Lotus beneath his feet slowly dissolved—eleven Strange Flames, like guardians, encircled him completely.

Then, Xiao Yan assumed a posture he knew intimately—the eleven Origin Flame Seeds began, under his control, to slowly coalesce, compressing and fusing furiously!

A destruction aura so potent it startled the Pure Lotus Demon Saint erupted forth.

Since the Three Heads Six Arms Asura sought Reincarnation, Xiao Yan would naturally give him a small gift.

The Buddha Fury Lotus of eleven Strange Flames was only Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade—but what if it fused with the Pure Lotus Demon Flame?

The Pure Lotus Demon Saint's gaze hardened; his residual Spiritual Soul re-entered Xiao Yan's body—but this time, he did not seize control of Xiao Yan's body. Instead, he gave all his power to Xiao Yan.

As the Pure Lotus Demon Saint's power merged in, the entire space shuddered violently—milky-white flames surged from all directions!

At this moment, the Asura Soul-Cutting Technique, which had believed victory assured, suddenly displayed a human-like expression of gravity and terror—and the Pure Lotus Demon Flame's laughter ceased abruptly.

For they both felt it: an Emperor Might seeped from the still-forming Fire Lotus!

Buddha Fury Lotus—Emperor Grade version!

(End of Chapter)