บท 3: chapter 3
Years had passed since Gu Xiao had secretly obtained the Soul Devour Flame, its volatile energy a constant but carefully concealed presence within him. Over time, his strength had grown immensely, though he remained in the shadows, keeping his flame hidden from even the Gu Clan. Unlike his peers, who craved fame and glory, Gu Xiao sought only one thing—mastery over his power.
The Gu Clan remained one of the strongest forces on the continent, with the matriarch Gu Yuan guiding the clan with an iron hand. The clan's focus had been on keeping the Xiao Clan's chosen son, Xiao Yan, alive and helping him in his battles against the Hall of Souls. Despite Gu Xiao's own immense power, he had not yet revealed his true abilities, not even to Gu Yuan.
But everything was about to change.
---
The Battle at the Hall of Souls
The sky over the Hall of Souls was black with ominous clouds, as if the heavens themselves were mourning the battle to come. Xiao Yan stood at the forefront, his body radiating powerful Dou Qi, the intense energy of the Bone Chilling Flame swirling around him. His gaze was locked on the figure in front of him—a Dou Zun elder of the Hall of Souls, a man whose presence exuded pure malice.
"Xiao Yan, you've come a long way," the elder sneered, his dark Dou Qi rising like a storm. "But today, it ends."
Xiao Yan's fists clenched as Yao Lao's voice rang in his ears. "Be careful, Xiao Yan. This elder is far stronger than anyone you've faced before. His power is on a different level."
"I know, Teacher," Xiao Yan muttered, his eyes narrowing. "But I can't back down now."
The Dou Zun elder's laugh echoed across the battlefield. "You've played with fire for too long, boy. You think your Heavenly Flame will save you? The Hall of Souls has ways of dealing with flames, even those as rare as yours."
Xiao Yan's expression darkened, but his resolve didn't waver. "We'll see about that."
Just as the battle was about to erupt, a figure appeared on the horizon, cloaked in a simple black robe. Gu Xiao had arrived, his face calm but his eyes burning with hidden power. No one knew he was there—not even the Gu Clan had expected his involvement. He had come of his own accord, drawn by the tension in the air and the possibility of finally confronting the Hall of Souls.
From his hiding place on a cliff overlooking the battlefield, Gu Xiao observed the scene below. His gaze lingered on the Dou Zun elder, the formidable opponent standing between Xiao Yan and victory. For a moment, the Soul Devour Flame stirred within him, whispering dark promises of destruction.
"Let me out, Gu Xiao. You've hidden me long enough."
Gu Xiao's eyes narrowed. "Not yet."
---
The battle began with a clash of Dou Qi, the ground shaking as Xiao Yan's Bone Chilling Flame collided with the Dou Zun elder's dark, suffocating energy. The sky lit up with explosions of fire and shadow, each combatant pushing themselves to the limit.
Xiao Yan fought valiantly, his mastery over his flame impressive, but the Dou Zun elder was relentless. Each of Xiao Yan's strikes was met with brutal counterattacks, his Dou Qi reserves slowly draining under the elder's overwhelming power.
Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind. "Xiao Yan! You need to retreat. This elder is too strong for you to face alone right now!"
But Xiao Yan gritted his teeth, unwilling to retreat. He had come too far. "I can do this, Teacher!" he yelled, forcing more Dou Qi into his flames.
The Dou Zun elder sneered, seeing through Xiao Yan's desperation. "Foolish boy! You've been playing with forces beyond your control. Now, I'll show you true power!"
The elder gathered his dark Dou Qi into a massive vortex, the energy so dense that even the ground beneath them began to crack. "Die, Xiao Yan!"
But just as the elder was about to release his attack, a sudden, suffocating heat swept through the battlefield. The Dou Zun elder paused, confusion flashing in his eyes. The air had changed—something far more dangerous was approaching.
From the cliffside, Gu Xiao stepped forward, his hidden presence suddenly becoming known. The black and silver flames of the Soul Devour Flame began to flicker around him, though he made no grand gesture. His power was subtle but undeniable, and for the first time, the Dou Zun elder's confident sneer faltered.
"Who…?" the elder growled, his eyes locking onto Gu Xiao.
Xiao Yan, breathing heavily from the exertion of battle, also looked toward the newcomer. He recognized Gu Xiao, but he had never sensed this kind of power from him before. Gu Xiao had always seemed quiet, strong but never on the level of a threat to someone like a Dou Zun elder.
But now, the aura surrounding him was different. This was no ordinary Dou Qi.
"Gu Xiao?" Xiao Yan muttered, surprise etched on his face. "What are you—?"
Gu Xiao didn't respond immediately. Instead, he calmly walked onto the battlefield, his gaze fixed on the Dou Zun elder. "Step aside, Xiao Yan. This one is mine."
The Dou Zun elder's anger flared. "Another child thinks they can challenge me? You'll regret stepping into this fight!"
But as the elder began to gather his energy again, Gu Xiao raised his hand. The air around him distorted as black and silver flames erupted from his body, the sheer heat causing the ground to melt. The flames flickered and twisted, as if alive, and the Dou Zun elder's eyes widened in horror.
"That flame… it has intelligence!"
Gu Xiao's expression remained calm. "I've kept this flame hidden for long enough."
With a flick of his wrist, the flames surged forward, a massive wave of black fire that consumed the elder's Dou Qi in an instant. The elder screamed, his Dou Qi crumbling under the sheer might of the Soul Devour Flame. He struggled to defend himself, but it was no use. The flame's sentience made it impossible to counter—it was as though it knew every weakness, every flaw in the elder's defenses.
Within moments, the Dou Zun elder was engulfed, his screams echoing through the mountains as the flame devoured him completely.
Xiao Yan watched in stunned silence. He had never seen such a powerful flame before, not even in the countless battles he had fought. And the fact that Gu Xiao, someone who had kept to the shadows, possessed such power… it was shocking.
When the flames finally receded, the elder was gone—nothing more than ash. Gu Xiao stood in the center of the battlefield, his black and silver flames flickering gently around him. The Soul Devour Flame was quiet, satisfied for now.
Xiao Yan stepped forward, still trying to process what he had just witnessed. "Gu Xiao… that flame…"
Gu Xiao glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "It's not something I talk about."
Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind. "That flame… it's dangerous, Xiao Yan. Be careful around him."
But Gu Xiao didn't linger. He turned and began to walk away, the flame still contained within him. "This battle isn't mine," he said quietly. "But if the Hall of Souls continues to threaten us, I won't stay hidden forever."
Xiao Yan watched him go, still reeling from the display of power. For the first time, he realized that he wasn't the only one carrying dangerous secrets.
And Gu Xiao, with his intelligent, uncontrollable flame, was a far greater mystery than anyone had realized.
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