Dark lord of Duo Qi continent

The forest lay in eerie silence after the battle with the guardian soul. Yan Feng sat cross-legged near the remains of a dying fire, exhaustion weighing heavily on his body. The scroll of the Infernal Ember Art rested in his lap, its faint glow fading into the dim light of dawn.

His thoughts swirled as he replayed the encounter in his mind. The guardian soul's words still echoed: "Power without purpose is meaningless." Was his purpose enough?

"Zhu Yan," he called out, his voice low but steady. "Why did you let me take this technique? You're a Dou Di—surely you must have better techniques than this."

For a moment, there was only silence, broken by the occasional crackle of embers. Then Zhu Yan's voice filled his mind, calm but carrying a weight of authority.

"Better? Perhaps. Safer? Certainly. But stronger? That depends entirely on you."

Yan Feng frowned, his confusion evident. "What do you mean? If you have better techniques, why not teach me? Why make me risk everything for this dangerous art?"

"Because power earned through struggle is power that endures," Zhu Yan replied. "The Infernal Ember Art is not just a cultivation technique—it is a trial. It will push you to your limits, force you to understand fire, not as a tool, but as a part of your very being. That understanding is something no technique, not even one of mine, can simply hand to you."

Yan Feng's grip on the scroll tightened. "So, it's a test? To prove myself worthy of your techniques?"

Zhu Yan chuckled softly, his tone carrying a hint of nostalgia. "No, boy. It's not about proving yourself to me. It's about preparing yourself for the path ahead. Let me ask you—what do you know of fire?"

Yan Feng hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "It's… a weapon? A force to destroy my enemies?"

"Wrong," Zhu Yan said firmly. "Fire is creation and destruction in perfect balance. It burns away weakness but forges strength. It consumes, but it also provides warmth, light, and life. To master fire, you must understand this duality. The Infernal Ember Art will teach you this lesson in ways no other technique can."

The weight of Zhu Yan's words settled heavily on Yan Feng. "And your techniques? What makes them different?"

"My techniques were created for a Dou Di, by a Dou Di. They require strength, experience, and understanding that you do not yet possess. If I gave them to you now, they would destroy you. The Infernal Ember Art may be dangerous, but it is a flame that can guide even a novice. Think of it as the first step toward unlocking your true potential."

Yan Feng clenched his fists, frustration flickering in his eyes. "So, I'm not ready for your techniques. That's what you're saying?"

"Not yet," Zhu Yan admitted. "But don't let that dishearten you. Even I started with nothing. My rise to Dou Di was not handed to me—I earned it through blood, sweat, and endless struggle. If you wish to stand where I once stood, you must do the same."

Yan Feng's curiosity was piqued. Zhu Yan rarely spoke of his own life, but his words now carried a personal weight.

"What was it like for you?" Yan Feng asked. "Your rise to Dou Di?"

Zhu Yan sighed, his voice tinged with a mixture of pride and sorrow. "It was... lonely. I was born in an era where the strong ruled with iron fists, and the weak were little more than fodder. I clawed my way up from nothing, mastering fire techniques that burned my own flesh before they burned my enemies. Every victory came at a cost—friends, family, even my humanity."

Yan Feng's breath hitched. The raw emotion in Zhu Yan's voice was palpable.

"By the time I reached the peak, there was no one left to stand beside me. I became a Dou Di, a name feared across the continent, but what did it matter? Power without purpose is a curse, not a blessing."

Yan Feng remained silent, the weight of Zhu Yan's words sinking in.

"You remind me of myself in those early days," Zhu Yan continued. "You have the will, the hunger for strength, but you lack understanding. That's why I chose the Infernal Ember Art for you. It will force you to confront not just your enemies, but yourself. Only then will you be ready to wield the power of a Dou Di."

Yan Feng stared at the scroll, its faded glow seeming almost alive. "Tell me more about this technique. Who created it?"

Zhu Yan's voice grew somber. "The Infernal Ember Art was the life's work of a Dou Di known as Tian Xuan, the Infernal Sovereign. He was a master of fire who believed that true strength came not from overwhelming power, but from perfect control. This technique embodies his philosophy, pushing its user to achieve mastery through trials of will and endurance."

"Tian Xuan…" Yan Feng murmured, the name unfamiliar but heavy with significance.

"He was both revered and reviled in his time," Zhu Yan said. "Some called him a genius; others, a madman. He created flames that could raze mountains, but also techniques that could heal even the gravest wounds. His power was unparalleled, but his legacy was lost to time. Until now."

Yan Feng felt a chill run down his spine. He was holding a piece of history, a fragment of a legend that had been forgotten by the world.

"Do not squander this gift," Zhu Yan said. "The Infernal Ember Art will shape you into something far greater than you are now—if you survive its trials."

Yan Feng took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. He unrolled the scroll again, his eyes scanning the ancient symbols.

"Fine," he said, his voice steady. "If this is the path I have to take, then so be it. I'll master this technique, no matter what it takes."

"Good," Zhu Yan said, his tone approving. "But remember—this is only the beginning. The Infernal Ember Art is not just a tool for strength. It will test your resolve, your patience, and your very soul. Fail, and it will consume you. Succeed, and it will set you on a path to greatness."

Yan Feng nodded, determination burning in his eyes. He didn't just want power—he needed it. To survive, to grow, and to claim his place in this world.

As he prepared to continue his training, the morning sun broke through the forest canopy, its golden light casting long shadows on the ground. The road ahead was still long, but Yan Feng was ready to face it.

With the Infernal Ember Art in his hands and Zhu Yan's guidance in his mind, his journey to strength had truly begun.