Qiao Xuan’s hand clenched tightly beneath his sleeve as he looked steadily at the man in front of him. Slowly, he spoke, “There’s something I haven’t figured out yet.”

Bai Cang asked in a deep voice, “What is it?”

Qiao Xuan met his eyes directly, “That demonic flame… also known as the Chaos Fire, where did you get it?”

Bai Cang was slightly startled, then opened his palm. A small grey flame flickered in his hand as he murmured, “Chaos Fire? So that’s its name… I don’t mind telling you, I stumbled upon it in a ruin in Nanyue Kingdom.”

“The relic of Sage Emperor Dong Qian?” Qiao Xuan asked again.

This time, Bai Cang was truly surprised. How did Qiao Xuan know about this? Had he also been to that ruin? Nodding, Bai Cang replied, “That’s right.”

Qiao Xuan fixed his gaze on him, his expression darkening, and any hope he held was extinguished.

The ancient Chaos Fire once burned down the Three Realms, leaving nothing behind. Among the relics of the Three Sages, his master’s was the most likely to contain the seal. This wasn’t hard to guess… but he never expected that Bai Cang had been there, nor that he could break the seal and obtain the Chaos Fire.

Bai Cang raised his eyebrow and stared at him with his violet eyes, “Did you come here just to ask me that?”

Qiao Xuan lowered his gaze, murmuring softly, “Yes…”

It was all his fault. In that past life, he shouldn’t have saved Bai Cang, shouldn’t have allowed this disaster to continue. Now, not only were the Three Realms in danger, but even his master was being dragged into it… If his master really died because of this, if the Three Realms truly were destroyed, he would never forgive himself.

He had once thought that none of this had anything to do with him, but now he realized that it was all connected to him.

His mistake, and he was the one who had to fix it.

Seeing the boy’s devastated look, Bai Cang suddenly felt a pang of heartache. Why was he so sad…?

Bai Cang couldn’t help but take a step forward, lifting his hand to touch the boy in front of him, wanting to comfort him…

But at that very moment, he saw the boy suddenly raise his eyes, and in those dark pupils was a cold and resolute expression. Without warning, a sword was thrust towards his chest!

Bai Cang was caught off guard. The sword pierced him, cold and sharp, embedding itself in his chest. He raised his head in shock, staring at the boy’s eyes, and in that moment, he understood everything.

You came back to kill me.

Qiao Xuan held the sword, his grip steady and firm, with no hesitation or retreat, and there was no warmth in his gaze.

This was the first time Bai Cang had seen this side of the boy. The boy he remembered was either fragile and timid, like Qing Xun, a helpless little creature needing someone to lean on to survive, or he was cunning and lively like Qiao Xuan—carefree, calm, and rational, yet with a soft heart deep down…

He never knew that the boy could be this cold and ruthless, this calculated… Every expression, every action was perfectly timed, with not a single move wasted.

So, it wasn’t that you couldn’t do it, you just weren’t cruel enough.

Just like last time, when you had the chance to kill me but gave up… But this time, why have you suddenly hardened your heart?

Have you finally made up your mind?

Qiao Xuan coldly withdrew his sword. Blood dripped from the tip, forming crimson blooms on the dark ground.

He raised the sword again, this time pointing directly at Bai Cang’s throat.

With just one more strike, he could kill this demon.

Bai Cang’s body swayed slightly, but he neither raged nor showed pain. Instead, he curled his lips into a faint smile, letting out a soft laugh, “Killing me would rid you of the problem once and for all, wouldn’t it? A good choice… Otherwise, who knows… One day I might…”

He might lose control again, and hurt you once more.

The fact that you’ve figured this out is a good thing.

You should deal with your enemies decisively, without hesitation.

Qiao Xuan stared at Bai Cang’s face, gripping his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

What he was doing wasn’t noble. He was using Bai Cang’s love for him to kill him, which was utterly despicable.

But then again, hadn’t he never been a righteous hero?

If he wanted to achieve his goal, he had to use any means necessary.

This was a truth he understood long ago. It’s not that he couldn’t do it; it’s just that he was so, so tired. Seven lifetimes of tribulation—hadn’t that been enough suffering? He only wanted to live as an ordinary person, carefree and happy, without meddling in past grudges, without caring about the world, and most importantly, without getting involved in past love tribulations or using things he shouldn’t use… He preferred to live simply.

Let the past fade like smoke.

But in the end, he still arrived at this moment.

Bai Cang’s lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just smiled softly, “Why hesitate? Have you softened your heart again?”

Qiao Xuan’s lips trembled. He shook his head, his voice gentle, “No. I just wanted to tell you… I’ve never really hated you. And… you’re not unworthy of love. At least the me of that lifetime… loved you.”

Bai Cang stared at him blankly.

Is this your final kindness to me? Or is it pity?

So you think that someone like me is worthy of love… that I was loved once…

In this life, hearing that… seems like it’s enough.

Bai Cang closed his eyes.

Qiao Xuan pressed his lips tightly together.

Emotions that once existed, even when let go, couldn’t be erased… But even so, I’m sorry…

He pushed his sword forward, about to pierce Bai Cang’s throat—

At the critical moment, a stone suddenly flew in, knocking Qiao Xuan’s sword aside, narrowly missing Bai Cang’s neck. Qiao Xuan swiftly turned his head, coldly glaring at the direction from which the stone had come.

Ruo Hua floated in, her robes fluttering like an immortal, approaching gracefully.

Retracting her hand, she smiled faintly at Qiao Xuan.

Bai Cang opened his eyes, surprised to see Ruo Hua. Why did she save him? Was she still intent on taking him to the Celestial Realm?

Qiao Xuan eyed Ruo Hua warily.

Someone who shouldn’t have been here, yet here she was.

The Goddess, dressed in purple, stood amidst the demonic domain, a stark contrast that sent an ominous feeling through Qiao Xuan’s heart. This was an unexpected variable he hadn’t accounted for.

Suddenly, he remembered that back in the Underworld, Ruo Hua had accompanied him to the Reincarnation Palace.

Once could be a coincidence, but twice? Could that also be a coincidence?

Ruo Hua’s lips parted slightly, her beautiful eyes looking at Qiao Xuan with a gentle smile, “Don’t misunderstand. I only stopped you because I didn’t want you to regret it later. I’m doing you a favor…”

Qiao Xuan narrowed his eyes, “What do you mean by that, Goddess?”

Ruo Hua chuckled softly, “It wasn’t Bai Cang who broke the Chaos Fire seal. Even if you kill him, it won’t solve the problem.”

Qiao Xuan’s expression changed drastically, his eyes fixed coldly on Ruo Hua.

Bai Cang’s face also darkened. Was Qiao Xuan trying to kill him for some other reason? Had he missed something crucial?

Ruo Hua glanced at Bai Cang with pity, shaking her head with a light sigh, “Honestly, I almost feel sorry for you. The noble Sovereign, so deeply in love, but the one you hold dear… didn’t even figure things out and just wanted your life…”

She paused, then smiled gently at Qiao Xuan, “Bai Cang was just a misled demonic cultivator. He may have obtained a wisp of the Chaos Fire, but he wasn’t the one who broke the seal. Do you want to know who did?”

Qiao Xuan shifted his sword, pointing it at Ruo Hua, “Who?”

Ruo Hua lowered her gaze with a soft laugh, “It was you.”

Before her words fully landed, she waved her hand, and a grey flame shot towards Qiao Xuan!

Seeing this, Bai Cang’s eyes went wide with rage. He wanted to rush over to stop it, but his injuries were too severe—he couldn’t make it in time.

The grey flame touched Qiao Xuan’s sword, instantly burning the spiritual blade to ash. But the flame didn’t stop—it surged towards Qiao Xuan’s hand—

Qiao Xuan’s face turned pale.

Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that Ruo Hua also possessed the Chaos Fire! Watching the fierce flames rush towards him, there was no time to evade. Was he really going to die here today?

Everything happened in an instant.

Qiao Xuan had no time to think and could only close his eyes, waiting for death. However, in the next moment, the overwhelming grey flames quietly extinguished upon touching him.

As if they had never existed at all…

Not even a strand of his hair was singed…

Qiao Xuan stood there, dumbfounded.

What… just happened…?

Bai Cang was equally stunned. He knew the terrifying power of the flame—it could burn anything in the Three Realms. In that moment, he thought Qiao Xuan would die, but the flames… seemed unable to hurt him…

How could that be?

Only Ruo Hua remained calm, as if everything had gone exactly as she expected. She withdrew her hand, her eyes filled with an almost obsessive light as she gazed at Qiao Xuan, murmuring to herself, “So it’s true…”

She suddenly raised her head, her expression breathtakingly beautiful yet terrifyingly sharp. White silks whipped around, clearing away the surrounding demonic cultivators who had tried to intervene. In the blink of an eye, before anyone could react, Ruo Hua swept up the still-shocked Qiao Xuan and disappeared from sight!

………………………

The series of events left Qiao Xuan in a daze. He hadn’t even had time to fully process what had happened when he was captured by Ruo Hua. Her power was far beyond what he had imagined; clearly, she had been hiding her true strength.

Moreover, her earlier words… there was so much information to digest…

Bai Cang wasn’t the one who broke the seal. Ruo Hua claimed that he was. The Chaos Fire didn’t harm him… If it weren’t for that, he wouldn’t have believed a word Ruo Hua said…

But now, he had no choice but to believe.

Could it really be because of him?

Was he truly the one responsible for all of this?

Suddenly, Qiao Xuan recalled entering the relic twice. That small flame that had merged with his body had never reacted, so he hadn’t given it much thought. He had never done anything to break the seal—he hadn’t done anything at all…

So why did Ruo Hua say he was the one who broke it?

Qiao Xuan stopped struggling, lowering his gaze as he concealed his thoughts. He wanted to see what else Ruo Hua knew.

Perhaps this time, he could finally clear the doubts in his heart.

One hour later.

Ruo Hua brought Qiao Xuan to the Northern Burial Sea. She chose a secluded island, threw Qiao Xuan into a room, and casually set up a barrier around it. Only then did she sit down leisurely, her eyes smiling softly as she looked at Qiao Xuan. Her voice was sweet, almost intoxicating, “You must have many questions in your heart, right?”

She raised her hand, gently lifting Qiao Xuan’s chin as she smiled playfully, “Ask, and I’ll answer everything for you.”

Qiao Xuan looked at her quietly, “Why did you say that I broke the seal?”

Ruo Hua smiled faintly, “Because I saw it with my own eyes.”

Qiao Xuan was stunned, staring at her, unable to comprehend what he could have possibly done or what Ruo Hua had seen…

Ruo Hua gazed at his confused expression, her voice soft and soothing as she began, “It’s a long story…”

Back when she was traveling, she accidentally fell into Sage Emperor Dong Qian’s ruin in Nanyue Kingdom with Bai Cang, where she was guided by the demonic flame and obtained a wisp of it. At that time, she saw the seal within the Three Realms. As long as the three seals were broken, one could gain full control of the demonic flame and wield supreme power to roam the Three Realms…

Unfortunately, her power at the time was too limited to break the seal in the relic. However, the demonic flame led her to the Underworld, where the seal was weakest and already on the verge of collapse…

In her pursuit of the flame, she even saved a dying little wolf along the way. But her journey to the Underworld wasn’t smooth, and she was stopped at the entrance.

She retreated to train for hundreds of years, and when she returned to the Underworld again, the little wolf she had saved had grown into a powerful demon in the Western Desolation Territory, guarding the entrance to the Underworld at the Snow Mountains.

She never paid much attention to that demon—she only wanted to pass. But to her surprise, the foolish demon was still grateful for her life-saving act and insisted on accompanying her. Ruo Hua didn’t care either way and allowed the demon to come along.

But that time, she still failed, stopped once again at the banks of the River of Forgetfulness.

Afterward, Ruo Hua didn’t return to the Underworld for many years.

Until…

She lowered her head, casting an intrigued look at the handsome young man before her. Her first interest in Qiao Xuan was piqued by Jiang Weiqing. It was already surprising that someone like Jiang Weiqing, cold and indifferent, would be so concerned about this boy, but what intrigued her even more was that Hua Lan also liked him…

Nothing could be more interesting than that.

Who exactly was this boy, and why did he have such connections with them?

But back then, her interest in him was merely that—interest. After living for so long, even rare things no longer seemed strange…

What truly made her pay attention to Qiao Xuan was what happened in the Underworld.

She sensed the destruction of the seal in Sage Emperor Dong Qian’s ruin, and the disappearance of the demonic flame, but she didn’t know who was responsible. This event prompted her to re-enter the Underworld, determined not to return empty-handed.

What she didn’t expect was to encounter Qiao Xuan there.

Qiao Xuan turned out to be the little slave from before…

And their destination was the Reincarnation Palace.

Somehow, it seemed everything was tied to this boy…

It was in the Reincarnation Palace.

Ruo Hua witnessed something she could hardly believe.

After Qiao Xuan and the red-haired ghost were absorbed into the mirror, she, guided by the Chaos Fire, arrived at the grand hall.

And then—she saw everything that happened within the mirror.

The glorious age of the ancient era.

And the destruction of it all.

She saw the gods and Buddhas turning to ashes under the Chaos Fire.

She saw Qiao Xuan being devoured by the flames, yet instead of dying, he fell out of the mirror…

As if using the last of its power.

The Reincarnation Mirror shattered into countless pieces after ejecting Qiao Xuan and the ghost. The already fragile seal crumbled before Qiao Xuan, and the black flame merged into his body, as though it had been waiting for him for a very, very long time…

Then, the massive temporal turbulence collapsed the already ruined Reincarnation Palace, and they were all swept away.

When she awoke, she was no longer in the Underworld.

The thing she had sought for hundreds of years had been taken by someone else, and she had gained nothing. But Ruo Hua wasn’t angry or frustrated in the slightest because she had discovered something far more interesting.

The Fire of World Annihilation.

So, this was the flame that could destroy everything…

And Qiao Xuan was the key to unlocking it all.

Two seals down.

Only one more remained, and the Fire of World Annihilation would return to the world.

It was like going out to find treasure but instead discovering a hidden trove. What could be more thrilling than that?

Ruo Hua gazed at Qiao Xuan gently, “Have you ever wondered what that flame that merged into your body really is?”

Qiao Xuan’s face tensed. He hadn’t thought about it before, but now he didn’t need to.

Ruo Hua smiled, her eyes twinkling as she explained, “The Chaos Fire cannot fully return just by reuniting the flames. To burn everything to ashes, it requires a Chaos Consciousness. This consciousness is born of the heavens and earth; the Chaos Fire exists because of it, and it was born because of it. It will one day return, carrying the rage to incinerate the entire Three Realms. Its purpose is to reset the Three Realms.”

She looked intently at Qiao Xuan, her eyes burning with intensity, “A new Chaos Consciousness has been born in this new era of the Three Realms. It will return with the Chaos Fire to the world.”

Qiao Xuan listened in silence.

Ruo Hua asked softly, “Is there anything else you want to know?”

Qiao Xuan blinked, “So it’s just a flame? Does it really need some consciousness? That sounds absurd, and I don’t feel any anger at all.”

Ruo Hua stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, her voice ringing out joyfully, “What an amusing little fellow.”

Qiao Xuan remained calm, then asked curiously, “Let’s assume I really am this Chaos Consciousness, and I’m supposed to destroy the world. Shouldn’t you be trying to kill me?”

Ruo Hua shook her head slightly and said, “No, how could I bear to kill you? I’d rather protect you.”

With a gentle wave of her hand, Ruo Hua lifted Qiao Xuan effortlessly onto the bed. She leaned against the side, running her fingers through a lock of his hair, her voice soft, “Do you know how Mi Yun died? She wanted to kill you, kept nagging, and wouldn’t listen to me. Even though Hua Lan and the others were protecting you, what if something went wrong? You’re the key to everything, after all… So, I killed her to prevent her from bothering you.”

Qiao Xuan’s expression froze slightly. That, he hadn’t expected…

“You’ve disappeared. Taichu and Shu Chen will surely be worried and come looking for you…” Ruo Hua smiled softly, “During this time, just stay here. I’ll take good care of you.”

In an instant, Qiao Xuan understood Ruo Hua’s plan.

She intended to keep him here, lure his master and Shu Chen out, and then use the opportunity to head to Xuanhe Valley to find the final seal…

Heh, quite the clever plan.

But what he truly hadn’t expected was that Ruo Hua was completely mad. She knew everything, yet didn’t realize that if the Three Realms were destroyed, she wouldn’t escape either?

Qiao Xuan was silent for a moment before saying, “I think you should reconsider. Don’t act impulsively—there’s no undoing this once it’s done.”

“Impulsive?” Ruo Hua raised an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with excitement and strange intensity. She covered her mouth with a soft laugh, “No, you don’t know how happy I was when I discovered the existence of the Chaos Fire. I’m not impulsive at all.”

Qiao Xuan responded, “But…”

Ruo Hua smiled softly, “No buts. I’m feeling a bit tired now, and you’re a crafty little thing… For the next few days, you’ll just have to stay here with me.”

With that, she calmly removed her outer robe and lay down beside Qiao Xuan.

The bed was large enough for two people, and though Ruo Hua was breathtakingly beautiful, with her collar slightly open, Qiao Xuan—who was as bent as could be—remained completely unfazed.

Ruo Hua had already closed her eyes.

Qiao Xuan glanced down at the ribbons binding him. Even though Ruo Hua seemed to be sound asleep, if he made any move, he knew he wouldn’t escape her watchful eyes. She was certainly very cautious…

………………………

As soon as Qiao Xuan closed his eyes, the events of the ancient era filled his mind. He had a terrifying nightmare where he turned into endless flames and burned everyone he knew. His heart had screamed for it to stop, but he couldn’t control it.

In the end, the fire consumed everything.

His master reached out, trying to pull him from the flames, but he couldn’t even…

Qiao Xuan jolted awake, realizing it had only been a nightmare.

He was drenched in cold sweat.

Turning his head, he saw that Ruo Hua had already gotten up and was standing with her back to him. The woman’s tall, graceful figure was beautiful, but the scars peeking out from her bare shoulder were hideous.

Qiao Xuan narrowed his eyes.

He remembered when he had encountered Lian Su in the Northern Burial Sea and the things she had told him while they strolled through the streets. In hindsight, perhaps everything had been a sign. The last of the dragon race in the mortal realm—how had she survived and become a god?

It probably wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

Qiao Xuan suddenly spoke, “I heard that you’re the last dragon to ascend to godhood.”

Ruo Hua had already dressed. She turned with a smile, her expression meaningful, “That’s common knowledge in the Celestial Realm.”

Qiao Xuan said, “We’re kind of alike. I’m the last phoenix.”

Ruo Hua’s smile was faint, almost nonexistent. She shook her head, “I’m nothing like you.”

Qiao Xuan asked, “Why not?”

Ruo Hua thought for a moment, then, seemingly interested in him, sat down in front of him, resting her chin in her hand, “Why don’t you tell me how you survived? What happened to your parents? How did they die?”

Qiao Xuan sighed, “I don’t know. My parents weren’t around when I was still just an egg. I was born without ever seeing my kin.”

Ruo Hua said, “So you never met your parents.”

Qiao Xuan nodded. Poor me, right? Poor me! Go ahead, let’s compare tragedies.

Ruo Hua laughed, “How lucky.”

Qiao Xuan: “…” This doesn’t feel like consolation.

Ruo Hua’s gaze turned nostalgic as she slowly spoke, “I met mine. My parents were very good to me. By then, the dragon race had already dwindled. My parents were the last of the dragons. They hid in the Deep Sea Dragon Cave, carefully avoiding humans. After much difficulty, they finally had me…

“Unfortunately, I was a sickly child, weak and frail, with poor talent. I wasn’t a powerful dragon like Hua Lan, and if the dragon race had been thriving, I would’ve been considered one of the most useless among them. But since it was just me and my parents left, there were no other dragons to scorn me… Staying alive, hidden from the world, was all that mattered…

“My father, desperate for me to grow up healthy, risked his life to find rare fruits and herbs that could cleanse my bones and aid in cultivation. He couldn’t keep his identity hidden, and one day, he was discovered by humans and never returned.” Ruo Hua recounted this calmly.

Qiao Xuan felt his throat tighten.

Ruo Hua’s lips curved slightly as if she no longer cared. She continued in a soft tone, “Humans… They always thought dragons were treasure troves. When they found out there was still a dragon left in the Northern Burial Sea, they swarmed like sharks scenting blood, turning the sea upside down. Eventually, they found our home… My mother hid me in a crevice. Although she was strong, there were too many of them, and their methods were despicable. In the end, she was captured…

“They skinned her alive, saying they could make several suits of protective armor from her hide. Dragon hide is incredibly tough. They pried off her scales, saying dragon scales were treasures. They snapped her horns, gouged out her eyes. Their eyes were bloodshot with excitement… Dragon bones, dragon flesh, dragon essence, dragon horns… Every part of her was valuable. Since dragons had long disappeared from the Northern Burial Sea, she might’ve been the last one. They made a fortune off her…”

As Ruo Hua spoke, she covered her mouth and laughed, “But those humans were too greedy. When they realized she was the last dragon, they started fighting each other to claim her. Do you know what happened? They killed half of themselves over it. Finally, an old man stepped in, saying if they kept going, none of them would make it out alive. Only then did they stop and take my mother away, not leaving me a single strand of her hair…”

Qiao Xuan suddenly recalled strolling through the markets of the Northern Burial Sea and seeing the many “dragon” products displayed in the stalls.

He looked at Ruo Hua, feeling a chill creep over him.

Ruo Hua was… laughing.

She moved closer to Qiao Xuan, her eyes glowing with intensity, her voice as soft as a breeze, “But they were wrong. I am the last dragon.”