Bab 4: chains of power
Gu Xiao left the sacred hall of the Gu Clan with his face a mask of indifference, but inside, his thoughts were turbulent. The elders had always been cautious, even paranoid about the appearance of any power that could destabilize the clan's delicate balance. His flame, the Soul Devour Flame, was more than just a weapon—it was a threat to everything they stood for. And now, with the clan's eyes on him, he would have to walk a dangerous line between control and defiance.
As he moved through the clan's compound, the members of the Gu Clan gave him wary glances, whispers trailing in his wake. News of his Heavenly Flame had spread fast, though it wasn't clear how much they knew. Gu Xiao could feel the shift in their attitudes—some looked at him with awe, others with fear. He was no longer the quiet, unassuming member of the Gu Clan. He was something else now, something far more dangerous.
His mind wandered to Xiao Yan. Their paths were different, but both were now targets—Xiao Yan by the Hall of Souls, and Gu Xiao by his own clan, perhaps by the entire continent if word spread further. Yet, the battle against the Hall of Souls loomed larger than anything else, and both of them were needed for the coming storm.
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Training with the Clan
The next few days were filled with rigorous training, far more than Gu Xiao had anticipated. Gu Yuan had assigned some of the strongest elders to oversee his progress, their Dou Qi abilities rivaling even the most feared Dou Zuns in the world. Their task was simple: ensure that Gu Xiao could not only control the Soul Devour Flame but also suppress its growing intelligence.
Every session felt like a test of will, not just physical prowess. The flame, coiled within him, grew more restless with each passing day, pushing against the boundaries he had imposed. The elders weren't blind to this; they could feel the dangerous undercurrent of power that threatened to break free from Gu Xiao at any moment.
"Concentrate," one of the elders said sharply, his voice cutting through the stillness of the training grounds. "Your control is slipping."
Gu Xiao stood in the center of the training circle, his brow furrowed in concentration. His Dou Qi swirled around him, while the flames flickered at the edges, threatening to surge out of control. He could feel the Soul Devour Flame pushing against him, its whispers becoming louder, more insistent.
"Let me out. You need me, Gu Xiao."
He gritted his teeth, suppressing the flame with sheer force of will. The elders watched him closely, their gazes filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. They were powerful, but even they were unsure how to deal with a flame that seemed to have a mind of its own.
After hours of training, Gu Xiao finally collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily. The flames receded into his body, the battle won for now.
The lead elder, a stern man with silver hair and a deep frown, approached. "You are improving, but the flame's will is growing stronger. You must be careful, Gu Xiao. If you lose control, it could mean disaster for you and for the clan."
Gu Xiao wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze hardening. "I'm not afraid of the flame."
"Fear isn't the issue," the elder replied, his tone warning. "Arrogance is."
Gu Xiao said nothing, his mind drifting back to the battle with the Hall of Souls. He had used the flame then, and it had been devastating. But there was more to the flame, something deeper, something he had yet to fully understand. And he knew that one day, it might no longer obey him.
---
News from the Hall of Souls
Days later, as Gu Xiao rested in his quarters, a messenger from the clan arrived at his door. The man bowed low before speaking.
"Gu Xiao, there is news from Xiao Yan's side. The Hall of Souls is moving again, and they've dispatched a greater force. It seems they are planning to strike soon, and Xiao Yan's group will need reinforcements."
Gu Xiao's eyes sharpened. The Hall of Souls had been quiet since the death of the Dou Zun elder, but he knew it wouldn't last. Their retaliation was inevitable.
"Where?" Gu Xiao asked, standing and moving to gather his gear.
"They're heading toward the Tianmu Mountain Range, where Xiao Yan is rumored to be. The Hall of Souls has sent two Dou Zuns this time, along with their armies."
Gu Xiao's grip on his sword tightened. "Two Dou Zuns?"
The messenger nodded. "It seems they've taken Xiao Yan more seriously after the last encounter."
Gu Xiao felt the flame stir within him again, the thought of another battle awakening its hunger. He had avoided conflict for so long, but the time for hiding was over. Xiao Yan couldn't face this alone. And perhaps, in the chaos of battle, Gu Xiao would finally discover the true nature of his flame.
"I'll go," he said, his voice firm. "Prepare a transport for me immediately."
---
The Battle of Tianmu Mountain
The air was thick with tension as Gu Xiao approached the Tianmu Mountain Range. The land was rugged, its jagged peaks looming in the distance like the teeth of some ancient beast. Xiao Yan's forces were already preparing for battle, their ranks bolstered by a few allies, but even from a distance, Gu Xiao could sense the overwhelming power of the Hall of Souls' army.
The two Dou Zuns stood at the forefront, their Dou Qi a black, swirling vortex that twisted the sky above. Beside them were several powerful Dou Huangs and a sea of foot soldiers, their armor glinting under the dim light. It was a force designed to crush any resistance.
Gu Xiao arrived just as Xiao Yan's group was forming their battle lines. Xiao Yan himself stood at the center, his Bone Chilling Flame flickering around him, his expression grim but determined. Yao Lao floated beside him, his gaze locked on the approaching enemy.
As Gu Xiao approached, Xiao Yan turned, surprise flashing in his eyes. "Gu Xiao? I wasn't expecting you."
Gu Xiao nodded, his face serious. "The Hall of Souls is sending everything they have this time. You'll need more than just your flames to face them."
Xiao Yan's gaze darkened, but he nodded in agreement. "They're determined to capture Yao Lao, no matter the cost. We've fought them before, but this… this is different."
Gu Xiao's eyes flicked toward the two Dou Zuns, their power radiating like a dark sun over the battlefield. His own flame stirred within him, eager for release. "Leave the Dou Zuns to me."
Xiao Yan blinked, clearly surprised. "You think you can handle two of them?"
"I don't need to handle them," Gu Xiao said quietly. "The flame will."
Xiao Yan hesitated, but then he nodded. "Be careful, Gu Xiao. We can't afford to lose anyone today."
Gu Xiao said nothing as he moved forward, positioning himself on the front line. His heart pounded in his chest, but his expression remained cold, unreadable. The Soul Devour Flame whispered in his mind, its hunger growing with every step.
"Let me out. Let me burn everything."
The Dou Zuns noticed him as he approached, their eyes narrowing in recognition.
"Another brat with a Heavenly Flame?" one of them sneered. "The Hall of Souls will claim that flame just like we'll claim Yao Lao."
Gu Xiao's lips curled into a cold smile. "You can try."
And then, with a flick of his wrist, the Soul Devour Flame roared to life, black and silver fire erupting from his body, twisting around him like a living serpent.
The battle was about to begin.
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