Chapter 656: Invitation to the Festival

Chapter 656: Invitation to the Festival

"Emperor Flame... It seems to be a fusion of dozens of Divine Flames, incredibly domineering. Even this old man's life essence flame cannot contend with it. Truly deserving of its name as the emperor of flames. Just now, it was this old man who lost."

Their exchange didn't result in the expected cataclysm, but the moment the outcome became clear, Ancestor Huo Ling knew that with just an Avatar, he couldn't defeat the Heavenly Emperor before him.

"I only managed to win by a small margin." Xiao Ming showed no sign of pride, only a faint smile.

Ancestor Huo Ling shook his head and said, "A loss is a loss."

He then turned sharply to Huo Mo and Old Yan. After a moment's hesitation, he waved his sleeve. A fierce flame swept over them and engulfed them both.

"Ah!!!"

Immediately, the two let out harrowing screams as the flames enveloped them, causing Sage Zi Yun and the others to break out in cold sweat.

A few breaths later, the two reappeared in everyone's sight, barely alive.

Huo Mo and Old Yan were barely breathing at this moment, and most of their cultivation had been abolished.

Xiao Ming was somewhat surprised at how decisive this Ancestor Huo Ling had acted.

In reality, Ancestor Huo Ling had his own considerations. By crippling their cultivation himself, even if it came at a high cost, they still had a chance to recover. But if Xiao Ming had acted, their lives might have been forfeited.

Since that was the case, it was better for him to do it personally.

After crippling their cultivation, Ancestor Huo Ling still felt it wasn't enough. He pointed at Old Yan, and a dark flame suddenly burst from his body.

"Huo Yan, you failed in your duty as a protector and did not properly oversee Huo Mo, allowing him to act recklessly under the clan's name and rob others. Today, I strip you of the Divine Flame granted to you by the clan as a warning."

Under Ancestor Huo Ling's cold shout, the pitch-black flame shot up into the sky and converged in his palm, emitting an extreme coldness.

Old Yan, already half-dead, couldn't utter a word of protest despite all the resentment he felt. Instead, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

Undeterred by the lack of response, Ancestor Huo Ling casually tossed the Divine Flame, and the black flame swiftly flew towards Xiao Ming, who caught it effortlessly with one hand.

"This is...?" Xiao Ming examined the dark flame. Although it appeared to be extremely cold, it was merely an illusion caused by absorbing all the surrounding heat. The actual temperature of the flame was exceptionally high.

To prevent the loss of the Sacred Flame, he would undoubtedly participate personally.

The gap between an Avatar and the true body was immense. At that time, the confrontation wouldn't be as simple as today's skirmish.

If the Heavenly Emperor lost at the Fire Spirit Festival, even if the Fire Spirit Clan had to compensate with another lower-ranked Divine Flame, they would still regain their lost face.

However, there were a few who thought that Ancestor Huo Ling might suffer a significant loss. After all, with the appearance of the Emperor Flame, Xiao Ming's identity as a Grandmaster Alchemist was confirmed.

A Grandmaster Alchemist on the verge of reaching the Spirit Grade Great Grandmaster rank. How could his control over flames be lacking?

Of course, if Xiao Ming truly managed to surpass all the other Heavenly Sovereigns and win the crown, his name would resound throughout the Great Thousand World, and the impact of Ancestor Huo Ling's defeat today would be minimized.

Losing to an unknown person and losing to someone with a prominent reputation were entirely different matters.

Besides, if everyone else also lost, it would be as if the Fire Spirit Clan hadn't lost.

However, the primary thought of Ancestor Huo Ling was that Xiao Ming wouldn't be able to take the Sacred Flame.

From their earlier exchange, he had gauged Xiao Ming's level clearly. Xiao Ming was only at the Initial Phase of the Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereign. The chances of him taking the Sacred Flame at the Fire Spirit Festival were extremely low.

Ancestor Huo Ling was actually worried that Xiao Ming wouldn't agree, since it was essentially a gamble with very low odds of success.

To his surprise, he actually agreed.

"In a year, this Emperor will personally visit the Fire Spirit Clan. I hope you won't go back on your word."

As Xiao Ming spoke, he summoned Huo Mo's storage bag.

Ancestor Huo Ling hesitated but ultimately sighed inwardly as he watched Xiao Ming pocket the storage bag.

'Never mind, the techniques on Huo Mo can only be cultivated up to the Perfection Earthly Sovereign Stage. Heavenly Sovereigns have already found their own path. It's okay for him to see them. I can get it back when the Fire Spirit Festival begins.'

"Since this is the case, I shall await that day and welcome you with open arms. Farewell."

Ancestor Huo Ling glanced at Huo Mo and Old Yan one last time before cupping his hands towards Xiao Ming. A burst of red light enveloped them, and in the next instant, the three of them disappeared from the sky under the gaze of countless onlookers.