---
One week had passed since I stepped out of the Hidden Flame Cavern, reborn as a Dou Zhe.
To the outside world, I said nothing. The elders assumed I'd just crossed into 9th Duan Qi after "hard training." Only Father, Xiao Zhan, noticed the difference.
He began watching me with quiet eyes—curious, calculating, but not unkind.
---
Xiao Clan's Inner Training Ground
The stone arena beneath the clan's central training hall was reserved for elders and top talents. Most of the clan believed I was unworthy of stepping foot here.
But I had access now.
Not because they permitted me—because I forced it open.
A single duel.
Xiao Ning, 9th Duan Qi, arrogant, short-tempered, and loud.
He called me a "burnt candle" whose flame had sputtered too early.
I answered him with a flame-imbued palm strike that crushed his defense in one blow.
He didn't get up.
After that, the doors opened.
---
> Ash Born System Notice
• Dou Zhe Progress: 1-Star → 2-Star (In Progress)
• Martial Skill Tree Expanded
→ New Skill: Flame Fang (Active)
A compressed spear of violet flame. Pierces natural armor and minor spiritual shields.
Cooldown: 30 seconds
→ New Passive: Ember Pressure
Intimidation effect against enemies of lower cultivation stage.
Phoenix Core Sync: 27%
---
That Night…
I was meditating in the courtyard when I felt it.
A ripple in the flame.
It wasn't from my core—it came from outside, drifting like invisible smoke through the fabric of reality.
The air shivered. Then—
> "—Ashes… rise…"
The whisper came from the system.
No, through the system.
I stood. My palm lit with violet fire. The shadows around me deepened, and the system displayed something new.
> Ash Signal Detected: Distant Flame Signature Recognized
> Potential Phoenix Fragment — 1,200 km northwest
Danger Level: Unknown. Time-sensitive event.
This was no illusion.
There was something out there—a remnant of the same ancient beast whose flame now lived inside me.
> "Is this… another trial?" I asked.
The system didn't answer.
But the flame pulsed again.
Yes.
---
Meanwhile — Deep in the Empire's North
A group of traveling snake-women from the Snake-People Tribe crossed into empire territory under disguise. Their leader—Queen Medusa—had gone missing weeks earlier during a secret flame-hunting expedition.
No one spoke it aloud, but her warriors feared the truth.
In the shadows, a sealed chamber filled with molten glyphs flickered. A sliver of violet ash hovered in an orb at its center.
The temperature rose.
Something stirred.
---
Back in Wu Tan – Xiao Clan Meeting Hall
Elder Xiao Shan's voice thundered. "The Misty Cloud Sect seeks to visit Wu Tan within the next moon! We must present our best talents!"
The Misty Cloud Sect was known for elegance and strength… and ruthless politics.
"Xiao Yan will be our representative," someone said. "He has the highest potential."
Xiao Ning nodded from his injured seat. "Yes… even though he barely trained this year."
I stepped forward.
"I will represent the clan."
Silence.
Xiao Zhan's voice broke through. "You?"
"I've grown," I said. "Let me show them."
An elder laughed. "Words won't impress the Misty Cloud Sect."
I bowed.
"Then allow me to burn them instead."
---
[End of Chapter 4