Chapter 51: Chapter 51
The azure glow within the jade bottle flickered and pulsed, as the dormant natal flame seed stirred restlessly.
Ethan felt its innate hunger — even though it remained mere larvae, the seed had already sensed the immense power of the innate spiritual fire lying deep within the cave’s core.
The blue flame writhed, eager to devour any semblance of flame energy to hasten their growth, to awaken, to transform.
"Steady now, little one," Ethan murmured gently, offering comfort.
"Relax here with me — your feast awaits."
Sure enough, at his touch, the restless blue flame ceased its frantic oscillations, settling to a soft simmer inside the jade bottle.
"I’m here, Mr. Burn!" Ethan’s voice cracked through the thick mist, assurance underlying the demand.
"Come down, then," came Ash Burn’s steady, resonant reply from deep below.
"You’ve felt the fury of the demon fire from below, yes?"
"Indeed," Ethan replied confidently, scanning the haze.
"If you find the heat unbearable, you need not proceed further. The entrance to the eighteenth floor is no dishonor," Ash Burn cautioned.
"But I’d urge you to descend," he added softly. "There’s something important I must share."
Minutes later, Ethan followed Ash Burn’s mental beckoning through the swirling mists of the cavernous depth.
"My body is unique," Ethan explained as they moved.
"My body is no ordinary vessel. Since I started physical cultivation, I have tested countless sacred treasures — metals, wood, water, fire, earth, even more exotic elements: thunder, rain, wind."
"Though the demon fire here is potent beyond imagining, I can say with certainty that my defenses are well prepared. The elemental chaos that would ravage others is but a mere ripple against my flesh and blood."
"My defenses withstood the demon’s flames. The sealing formations reduced its true power, and it is not with its owner still dangerous. It is strong enough to burn Soul formation realm and even some Void Amalgamation realm spiritual cultivators, but it is still far from being able to cause substantial harm to this disciple."
Laughter echoed out to the stone ceilings, bold and teasing.
"Azraeth V’khorath, you heard that, yes? This young man here considers your mighty flame anything but child’s play—a trifle beneath his notice."
"This is arrogance born of youth!" a gruff voice snarled.
"And every soul here wonders: how long can you endure your century-old bindings, knowing your demon fire is chained still?"
"You fools," came a voice rich with disdain, "my soul is eternal. Nowhere can you hide from the wrath of Azraeth V’khorath!"
The bitter taunts ricocheted through the mystic space, as Ethan’s eyes glowed fiercely.
Activating his Heaven- Piercing Mind Eye, he sought to pierce the shadows and find this Azraeth — but his powers had limits.
Though now bestowed, the Mind Eye’s range faded before the overwhelming aura; Azraeth’s strength dwarfed Ethan’s current domain of sight.
He was not merely an elder — he was a living legend of the demon world, a force rivaling Ash Burn himself.
Standing at the entrance to the eighteenth floor, Ethan surveyed his surroundings carefully.
Unlike his imagination, the area lacked cells or caves.
A great stone door barred entry, sleek and unyielding.
Surprisingly, no demonic aura permeated its surface.
"That must be where Mr. Burn waits," Ethan mused internally.
Searching below, he unraveled the secret.
The main source of demon fire surged not from above, but burbled from deep beneath the threshold.
His keen eyes caught a massive stone circle etched with intricate runes beneath his feet — the heart of a stupendous formation.
"Eighteen layers of formation," Ethan murmured, impressed, nad it’s still stable after so many centuries."
His thoughts were interrupted by lively banter below.
"Old Azraeth, you’re stubborn enough to hold on after centuries." Ash Burn’s voice carried amusement.
"Fool! Though chained, my lineage of Earth Demon Gods is immortal! You and your precious formations won’t cage me forever."
"Ha! We shall see when I rise from seclusion again. This time, I’ll shatter every barrier you place before me!"
"You’ll still find fate’s grip tighter than your claws, Azraeth." Ash Burn’s deep tone was laden with solemn warning.
Azraeth’s laughter echoed, rich and defiant.
Ethan listened, mind awhirl. Within these ancient quarrels lay the history of endless wars — of clans, emperors, and civilizations long vanished.
The stone door remained a silent sentinel as the day dimmed into twilight.
"I’m ready," Ethan said quietly, eyes aflame with resolve.
Following Azel through the gate, he stepped into a spacious cavernous chamber.
Sparse and simple in decor: a wooden table, a sturdy bed, and a palpable aura of gravity and history filled the room.
Mr. Burn sat in quiet meditation upon a futon, eyes closed in serene focus.
At the sound of Ethan’s approach, the elder’s eyes opened slowly, gleaming with warmth and wisdom.
"Ethan," Mr. Burn greeted, "the demon sealed here is none other than Azraeth V’khorath — the demon ancestor of the Black Demon Sect in the Blackspire mountain. His latent powers are bound deep beneath the ground."
"Azraeth possesses the renowned innate spiritual fire called demon fire — ranked among the five great flaming wonders of this world."
"His strength is beyond the imagining of even most elders of our sect."
"A few Centuries ago, the Azure Origin Sect bore horrific losses subduing him. Now, I am the sole survivor of that ear of the Azure Origin Dao sect — all my brothers fallen to dust and memory."
Mr. Burn’s visage darkened, ancient sorrow rippling beneath aged skin.
"Some of my comrades pursued forbidden paths, refused the laws of heaven — attaining power to move mountains and reclaim the seas with a breath."
"Yet, against fate’s final decree, none may best the relentless flow of time and law."
"The old friends I cherish slowly pass away like autumn leaves drifting in the wind."
Ethan saw a hint of loneliness and desolation in his eyes.
This is loneliness that has been accumulated for centruies.
Right and wrong, success or failure everything turns into nothing.
Mr. Burn paused, voice heavy with longing.
"It’s just me complaining, you don’t have to worry about it." Ash burn waved his hand.
"Then Mr. Burn, what are your reason for calling this disciple here?" Ethan went straight to the point.