The vast sky above the Crimson Cloud Empire seemed to burn with a mysterious glow.
Today felt different.
For the first time, the "Celestial Destiny Assembly" was about to be held — the grand competition where only the finest geniuses were chosen.
The victor's destiny would change... and perhaps, so would the fate of the entire cultivation world.
People had traveled from far and wide — sect leaders, royal clans, even mighty emperors.
All eyes were fixed on one place — the Flame Sovereign Arena, the birthplace of legends.
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In the midst of it all, a presence rose that seemed to suppress everything around it.
Red and golden clouds floated across the sky, and hearts across the empire began to race.
And then... she arrived.
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Huo Lian - The Flame Empress
A tornado of crimson and gold descended from the heavens.
At its center stood a girl — Huo Lian, the Flame Empress of the Crimson Cloud Empire.
Her long crimson-golden hair flowed like waves of fire.
Her eyes shimmered like molten gold — deep and dangerous, as if a glimpse of an ancient phoenix lived within.
Her face?
Smooth and pure like divine jade, her beauty was so breathtaking that it stole one's breath away — yet carried such a chill and reverence that it felt like standing before a goddess.
Huo Lian's figure was slender, perfectly shaped, with long legs and an elegant grace — as if even the world's gravity bowed to her every step.
She wore a royal crimson robe embroidered with golden flames, with a sacred Fire Lotus symbol shining at the center.
As she walked through the air, flame petals scattered across the ground.
With each step, it felt as if the air around her ignited, and people bowed instinctively — not out of compulsion, but because her aura demanded it.
Reactions among the cultivators:
Some froze in shock.
Some had awe in their eyes.
Some male cultivators simply stared, mouths agape — lost in a dream.
This was Huo Lian, ranked as the 5th most beautiful woman in the entire cultivation world!
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Xiao Tian's POV
Standing casually in a corner, Xiao Tian — eyes filled with boredom — for the first time looked truly serious.
"Whoa..."
He whistled lightly and said,
"Now this... is the literal definition of 'beauty hotter than flames'."
But deep inside, a strange feeling stirred.
Was this girl fated to cross paths with him too?
Would he be able to escape her... or would she also end up tangled in his irresistible charm?
A mischievous sparkle lit up in Xiao Tian's eyes.
"Looks like this Assembly is about to get really interesting," he thought, smirking.
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Scene Transition
Huo Lian took her first step onto the Flame Sovereign Arena.
All the elders and sect masters rose to their feet — some even bowed respectfully.
Huo Lian swept her molten-gold eyes across the crowd — and offered a faint smile.
That smile?
It was like the sun itself smiling down upon the earth... yet it also carried the power to burn one to ashes.
The Assembly bell rang, signifying:
> "The Celestial Destiny Assembly has begun. Let the heavens choose their new heirs!"
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(Part 2)
The bell had barely stopped ringing when a sudden commotion erupted.
Confusion and shock flashed across the faces of sect leaders, cultivators, and elders alike.
Because... a young man — a boy — was casually walking straight into the center of the arena without permission!
And the craziest part?
He didn't look serious at all!
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Xiao Tian's Entry
Xiao Tian yawned slightly, as if bored by a tedious lecture.
A casual arrogance gleamed in his eyes, as if to say:
> "I wasn't invited... but here I am. And I'm the most important one here."
A loose black cloak fluttered over his white robe, and he casually twirled a bamboo stick — looking more like a tourist sightseeing than a participant.
As he stepped into the center of the Flame Sovereign Arena, he grinned mockingly and said:
> "There's a competition going on, right? Consider a seat reserved for me too."
Public reaction:
Some elders' faces turned red with anger.
Sect disciples whispered among themselves.
The personal guards of the Flame Empress raised their weapons — alert and ready.
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Huo Lian's Reaction
And most importantly —
In Huo Lian's molten-gold eyes, a tiny, barely visible flicker appeared.
She calmly raised her hand — signaling, "Hold."
The guards froze instantly.
Then, with a voice that was both sweet and deadly, she asked:
> "Who are you, daring to step onto these sacred grounds without invitation?"
Her voice had a power that could stab the heart... but was also so beautiful that one could die just from hearing it.
Xiao Tian smiled — and in a lazy, playful tone, replied:
> "Just a wandering traveler... dragged here by destiny." "Besides, with such a beautiful Empress present, how could I possibly stay away?"
The crowd froze in shock.
No one had ever dared to openly compliment the Flame Empress' beauty like that — and with such boldness!
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Tension Builds
In Huo Lian's eyes, a new gleam appeared.
Not anger... not amusement... just the cold glow of a slumbering flame.
She stared directly into Xiao Tian's eyes and said:
> "Destiny will burn itself to ashes... if it dares raise its head before the peak."
Xiao Tian chuckled and replied:
> "If you try to burn me... I might just dance with the flames."
And he spun his bamboo stick in the air — as if the entire arena was his stage.
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Announcement
The presiding elder, eyes closed in anger, declared:
> "You have broken the rules! If you wish to participate, prove your qualification!"
Xiao Tian merely stretched his shoulders lazily and said:
> "One fight. Send out your strongest disciple."
Huo Lian snapped her fingers — a blazing phoenix sigil appeared in the air.
It was announced:
> "The Flame Trial of Destiny is initiated. The intruder will battle the top sect champions. If he wins... his name shall be written on the Flame Destiny Scroll."
The crowd roared — some laughed mockingly, others with excitement.
Everyone believed this cocky boy would be crushed within seconds.
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Xiao Tian vs Top Disciple
The top disciple of a major sect — Wu Ming — stepped into the arena.
Flames surged across the stage.
Wu Ming:
> "Are you ready to be humiliated?"
Xiao Tian, smiling casually:
> "Humiliation? I already feel bored looking at you."
The battle began.
Wu Ming unleashed a giant Flame Dragon Technique — a massive fire dragon shook the entire arena!
But...
Xiao Tian simply tapped the air lightly with his bamboo stick —
and the entire Flame Dragon shrank into a tiny stick of burning wood... with a single puff of smoke!
Public: "WHAT?!"
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Xiao Tian's Counterattack
Xiao Tian moved his bamboo stick through the air like an artist painting calligraphy.
Within a second...
Wu Ming was hanging upside down in mid-air — like laundry hung out to dry!
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Flame Empress Huo Lian watched with an amused expression.
For the first time, someone had caused such chaos at her Assembly — and won.
But most importantly...
Something stirred in the Flame Empress' heart — a slight, rare curiosity.
> "Who is this boy... and why does it feel like even the heavens are watching over him?"
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Scene End
Xiao Tian twirled his bamboo stick casually and returned to the center of the arena.
With a cheeky smile, he looked directly at the Flame Empress.
> "I believe I've qualified, Empress."
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(Part 3)
The arena fell completely silent.
Where once there had been cheering and shouting, now only a deep, stunned stillness remained.
Everyone was at a loss...
How had this seemingly cultivation-less boy defeated a top disciple — so effortlessly?
And without even using any flashy techniques — as if it were a joke!
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Flame Empress Huo Lian's Inner Thoughts
Seated upon her royal golden throne, Flame Empress Huo Lian observed Xiao Tian intently.
Questions flooded her mind:
> "What hidden lineage does this boy belong to?"
"How did he nullify flame energy without cultivation?"
"Is that bamboo stick... some ancient treasure?"
For the first time, her heart was filled with a strange curiosity —
the kind of curiosity only a true sovereign felt when encountering something that defied all logic.
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The Silent Test
Huo Lian gave a subtle signal to her right-hand general.
The general bowed and silently unfurled a scroll.
Written on it:
> Secret Flame Trial: Stage 2 Initiated
"He who can pass the Trial of Seven Infernos shall earn the right to stay in the Sovereign's Court."
The Trial of Seven Infernos —
A hidden test even sect heirs were rarely allowed to face!
And yet, this boy... was being offered the chance without even asking.
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Announcement
A guard officially announced:
> "Xiao Tian! You have passed the basic trial!" "Now you must face the Secret Flame Trial — if you succeed, the Flame Empress herself shall meet you."
The public was stunned.
Meeting the Flame Empress personally?
That was an honor reserved only for imperial heirs!
Some were shocked.
Some were jealous.
And some thought — "This boy is finished. No one has ever survived the Trial of Seven Infernos!"
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Xiao Tian's Reaction
Twisting his bamboo stick theatrically, Xiao Tian smiled lazily and said:
> "Seven Infernos, huh? Good thing I was in the mood for a little barbecue anyway."
Everyone froze again.
How could someone be so casual with death standing right in front of him?!
An invisible smile flickered at the corners of the Flame Empress' lips... but she remained silent.
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