Chapter 1036 - 467: No Matter If My Path Leads Through Blades and Flames, I Will Keep Moving Forward!

"The third trial, and also the most challenging one, is ’Fire Void Transformation.’" The old man looked deeply into Xu Qinghan’s eyes, with a hint of complex emotions, "Fire and void are two sides of the same coin. To thoroughly Purify the void, you must first understand it, even... to a certain extent, coexist with it. This is not a fall, but a transcendence. You will face the Origin of the Master of Nothingness, and even enter the Abyss of the void, seeking the eternal opportunity of the fire within."

Xu Qinghan’s breath hitched, facing the Origin of the Master of Nothingness and entering the Abyss of the void? It sounded more terrifying than death. She recalled her senior brother Xu Ran’s agony as he was eroded by the void, a pain that cut to the bone, leaving even the Divine Soul tormented.

"These three great trials, each step is fraught with danger, and one wrong move could lead to endless ruin," the old man said gravely, "But you have no choice. Fire Ignitor, you are the last hope of the fire, and also the Cosmos’ last hope."

Xu Qinghan clenched her fists tightly, her nails piercing into her palms, yet she felt no pain. She remembered her senior brother Xu Ran’s figure dissipating into the void, remembered Yu Kong, the old man, and the sacrifices made by the Half-Fallen for the fire.

"Senior, I understand." Xu Qinghan lifted her head, her eyes as resolute as steel, no longer any trace of confusion, "I am willing to accept the trial. No matter if the path ahead is mountains of knives or seas of fire, I will continue forward!"

The old man looked at her, a faint smile of comfort appearing in his eyes.

"Very good." The old man nodded, "The Ancient God’s Fire within you is powerful, but your initial merger and the massive consumption from the Fire Ignition have left it unstable. Before starting the trial, you need to meditate in the Fire Sanctuary to fully stabilize your strength and learn from the knowledge and experience accumulated by the Guardians across the ages."

The days that followed saw Xu Qinghan embarking on rigorous cultivation within the Fire Sanctuary.

The old man personally guided her, imparting the mysteries of the fire. He did not directly bestow power, instead, he guided Xu Qinghan to perceive and understand it.

She sat meditatively before the altar, feeling the pulse of the fire, which was not merely a flame but the rhythm of the Cosmos’ vitality. She immersed herself in the ancient Fire Scripture, which were not on paper but condensations of the Power of Fire, chronicling the origin, evolution of the fire, and the blood-stained history of Guardians’ struggles against the Master of Nothingness.

She witnessed scenes from distant epochs, the birth of the fire, and the prosperity of all things in the universe; she also saw the arrival of the Master of Nothingness, turning countless stars into Deathly Silence and devouring numerous civilizations in horrifying scenes. She saw the Guardians forge ahead, igniting the fire with their lives, casting hope with their will in a tragic magnificence.

Each epiphany deepened Xu Qinghan’s understanding of the fire, making the Ancient God’s Fire within her burn even more fiercely, resonating with the fire in the sanctuary, becoming one.

She also sought advice from other Guardians of the fire, who, though aged, were battle-hardened, possessing rich experience. They taught her how to better wield the Power of Fire, how to remain clear under the erosion of the void, and how to find vitality in desperate straits.

With each cycle of practice, Xu Qinghan’s power grew rapidly. She was no longer the girl who needed protection but was gradually becoming a true Ignitor of Fire. She could clearly feel the surging of the fire within her, each breath seemingly able to mobilize the Power of the Origin of the Universe.

However, amidst her growing strength, a constant sorrow lingered in Xu Qinghan’s heart. Whenever the night grew deep and quiet, she would recall her senior brother Xu Ran’s fading figure, remembering his words, "Fire... burned out!"

She knew that her senior brother’s sacrifice was her motivation to move forward and her eternal pain. She must become stronger, strong enough to reverse life and death, strong enough to call her senior brother back from the void!

Three months later, Xu Qinghan’s power had fully stabilized, even becoming stronger than before. She could effortlessly invoke the Ancient God’s Fire, transforming it into various forms, achieving a new realm in both offense and defense.

The mark of the Ancient God’s Fire on her brow shone more brilliantly, emitting a dazzling golden light, like a true star pulsating on her forehead.

"Child, you are ready." The old man looked at the transformed Xu Qinghan, his eyes filled with admiration.

Xu Qinghan stood up and deeply bowed to the old man and the other Guardians of the fire, "Thank you for your guidance, seniors. Qinghan will remember it always."

"No need for such formality." The old man helped her up, "The hope of the fire rests with you. Now, it is time for your first trial—Unity of Fire."

He walked to the altar, raised his hand, and the fire on the altar leaped, emitting a golden glow, condensing into an ancient Star Map in mid-air.

The Star Map was adorned with countless specks of light, some shining brightly, some dim, and some even shrouded in the dark aura of the void.

"These specks are the scattered fire seeds throughout the universe," the old man pointed to the Star Map, "Most of them are in zones already eroded by the Master of Nothingness or suppressed by the power of the void. Your task is to find them, awaken them, and bring them back to merge with your Ancient God’s Fire."

Xu Qinghan scanned the Star Map and saw many familiar names, those she had read about in ancient texts, ancient civilization ruins conquered by the Master of Nothingness, territories once guarded by the fire.