Takuya's body instantly vanished into thin air, leaving not a single speck behind, yet the Heavenly Sea Ice Heart and the two chains capable of transforming into pythons remained, suspended motionlessly in the air.

The massive sphere of lightning still hovered overhead, its internal currents coiling and twisting as if ready to devour any living thing. Xue Li of the Feather Clan was not far from the lightning sphere, with the Heavenly Sea Ice Heart floating ten zhang before her, but she dared not move, subtly retreating further away.

Ji Changkong, shielded by the Five Elements light barrier on his body, walked calmly to the colossal sphere of lightning and thrust his right hand into it. "Hiss, hiss, hiss!"

Amidst the strange sounds, the lightning sphere rapidly shrank, threads of electrical energy slithering like small snakes into his palm. In moments, the entire sphere vanished without a trace.

When the last spark of lightning faded in his hand, he opened his palm and reclaimed both the Heavenly Sea Ice Heart and the two peculiar chains. He casually tucked the chains into his Jiezi Bag, then held up the Heavenly Sea Ice Heart toward Xue Li in the distance, waving it. "For you." Xue Li froze, staring at him blankly, yet she dared not approach. "What? Afraid I'll harm you?" Ji Changkong frowned.

"One must always be cautious. You could kill Takuya so easily; you can extinguish me just as simply. According to what Takuya said, the treasures on the next level benefit us both. If I live, I will only reduce your gains."

"I am different from Takuya."

"But I must be prudent."

"If you don't take this Heavenly Sea Ice Heart now, you won't live another quarter of an hour. Ah, forget it, I'll just leave it here. I'm departing first." Ji Changkong tossed the Heavenly Sea Ice Heart aside with a flash of a smile, then walked forward without looking back, sparing Xue Li no further glance.

In a pagoda fraught with danger, having one more friend was infinitely better than having one more enemy. After helping Leo of the Three-Eyed Clan once, he had earned Leo's aid in return, a fact that taught him that acts of kindness could sometimes bring him benefits too.

He had originally planned to circle back for Hong Mandun and invite him to share the Heavenly Sea Ice Heart with Xue Li. However, upon reflection, he considered that leaving Hong Mandun there might be advantageous. If he truly gained something on the next level, merely remembering Hong Mandun’s goodwill would suffice. Thus, he did not turn back but departed straight ahead.

Xue Li stood stunned for a long while, her bright eyes glittering, watching his retreating figure until he disappeared. Only then did Xue Li realize that Ji Changkong, despite being only at the Ninth Palace Heaven Realm, did not fear the environment here at all. The fire rain splashed onto him, emitting searing heat, yet it caused him no real harm.

Realizing this, Xue Li was even more astonished, unable to comprehend why he was immune not only to the power of lightning but also able to move freely through the downpour of fire. In Xue Li’s mind, Ji Changkong seemed enveloped in a mysterious veil that no one could see through.

When he had walked so far that his figure gradually faded from view, Xue Li slowly stepped forward and snatched the Heavenly Sea Ice Heart into her grasp. She glanced around vigilantly, as if afraid someone would snatch it from her.

The searing wounds on her body rapidly healed once the Heavenly Sea Ice Heart was secured. She no longer needed to rely on the dark green wings on her back to ward off the fire rain from above; a cool sensation instantly flooded her entire body. "I will remember this grace!" Xue Li whispered softly before she proceeded onward.

Amidst the sea of fire, Ji Changkong opened his mind, sensing everything within this peculiar world. Following the profound insight of 'Selflessness' from the Illusory Void Realm, he immersed his spirit, merging with this strange domain to perceive everything unfolding within it.

During his confrontation with Takuya just now, he had unintentionally detected that something within this strange world seemed to be drawing him in, faintly connected to the blood flowing within him. After the battle with Takuya, due to the shift in his state of mind, that marvelous sensation had entirely vanished.

Leaving Xue Li, he once again submerged his spirit into that state of selflessness, allowing his Sea of Soul to merge with the world’s sea of fire and lightning. Gradually, he lost himself, forgetting who he was, and altered his direction of travel, heading toward a secluded edge of the region.

In a haze, he only knew that something was continuously attracting him—more accurately, attracting the blood within him, urging him toward a specific location. After an unknown period, he abruptly awoke from the state of selflessness.

Focusing his gaze, he saw a massive rock suspended in the void ahead, radiating astonishing heat waves, dozens of times hotter than any other area in this world—comparable to the burning heat within the North Phoenix's body when it unleashed its Five-Colored Flames.

Between the vast rocks, there was a cluster of flame entwined with electric light. This flame was about the size of a washbasin, with threads of lightning coiling around it, the electricity enveloping scorching fire sprouts. From a distance, this mass of fire resembled a giant crystal ball cracked with countless textures, and those threads of lightning looked like those very textures.

Just a single glance revealed the unimaginable power of lightning and flame contained within that crystal-like ball of fire!

Thick lightning bolts from the sky struck down upon the rock, instantly vanishing. Then, the electrical power within that flame intensified slightly. The continuous downpour of fire rain also fell onto the rock and was absorbed. It seemed the power from both the lightning and the fire rain was being consumed by that strange electrical charge. What kind of flame was this that contained the tyrannical and violent power of lightning?

Ji Changkong was dumbfounded and immediately sensed the blood within his body beginning to boil uncontrollably, like an escaped wild horse, surging so violently that his meridians began to swell painfully. "Pfft!"

A sword of blood shot out from his palm, landing with uncanny accuracy onto the massive rock. The spilled blood soaked into the rock and permeated the strange flame burning within it.

Ji Changkong stared at his palm in horror, watching the wound on his palm gradually heal, his eyes filled with utter confusion.

The blood in his body had moved without his control, actively flying out to strike the rock! Was there some connection between them? What the hell was going on?

Droplets of his own blood seeped into the strange flame, yet instead of being incinerated by the intense heat and the fierce streaks of lightning, they integrated into the flame like strange essence, seemingly imparting life to it. "Boom!" The rock violently shattered, sending fragments scattering in all directions. The flame that existed within the rock immediately soared out and, locking onto Ji Changkong, rapidly flew toward him.

Ji Changkong was terrified out of his wits. He sensed an unimaginable, terrifying power emanating from that mass of flame—a power distinct from mere fire or lightning, but a fusion of the two. He was uncertain if he could withstand it. He turned to flee, but discovered the flame's speed far exceeded his expectation. Before he could even move, the flame arrived in an instant and vanished into his chest. "Hiss, hiss, hiss!"

His internal blood felt as if it were burning, an unbearable agony flooding his entire body. Ji Changkong couldn't help but roar, clutching his chest and screaming.

The powers of fire and lightning surged wildly within him, threatening to incinerate everything inside, to scorch clean everything imprinted on his body and soul, to utterly erase him.

This pain was ten times more agonizing than the most extreme tempering of his Body Forging Art, utterly surpassing the limit of what his physical body could endure!

Never one to faint, he suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed limply into the sea of fire, his body slowly submerging beneath the flames until he vanished without a trace.

In the final sliver of awareness before losing consciousness, his last thought was to rely on the Taixu Secret Record, which cultivated life itself through repetition of the state of selflessness, as his ultimate means of survival, merging himself with everything in this world.

As he fainted, his Sea of Life became one with the sea of fire, and his life essence seemed to completely disappear; no one could sense his presence. For he had become a part of this world.

Within minutes, this strange world began to grow restless and agitated. The lightning coiling in the sky seemed to gain eyes, launching attacks on any living creature.

The magma in the sea of fire solidified, forming cyclones that began to rage through this bizarre realm. The fire rain descending from above grew even denser, transforming from a drizzle into a veritable downpour.

Iron-like rocks that surfaced from the sea of fire would spontaneously explode if anyone approached, leaving the few individuals remaining here battered and struggling desperately to evade destruction.

It was as if the keystone controlling this world had vanished, causing what was once a relatively calm domain to erupt into complete chaos.

After an immeasurable time, a figure bathed in crimson fire suddenly materialized above the sea of fire where Ji Changkong was submerged. A moment later, a small figure exuding an aura of chilling cold also arrived. "Fire Phoenix, you sensed it?" The small figure looked grave, even revealing a hint of unease in her eyes.

The Fire Phoenix nodded, the scar on her face wrinkling, making her appear ferocious and violent. "The main objective of my journey is gone. The entity that balances this level has vanished, and the path ahead will only grow harder..." "Should we still proceed?" Xiao Han's gaze was sharp.

The Fire Phoenix hesitated, then fiercely retorted, "If I ever find out who did this, I will flay them alive! That thing belongs to me; I have spent so many years on this star for it. To think someone else got it!" "Should we continue?" Xiao Han asked again.

"We'll discuss it when we reach the next level," the Fire Phoenix decided after a moment’s hesitation. Then she added, "He will appear! I can sense the one who obtained 'It.' I will wait for him on the next level!"

"The person who obtains 'It' will possess a restraint over you once they master it, a constraint that even affects my power. You should be cautious!" Xiao Han warned. "Don't worry, I know what I’m doing. I won't shortchange you on the agreed benefits!" the Fire Phoenix snorted. Xiao Han nodded and said nothing more.

The Fire Phoenix gritted her teeth and paced above the sea of fire where Ji Changkong was lost, her eyes closed as she sensed, clearly attempting to locate someone.

After a long while, the Fire Phoenix gave up in frustration. "Let's go. We'll wait on the next level; he is bound to show up." After a very long time.

A figure slowly surfaced from the sea of fire, his face peaceful and content, a faint smile lingering on his lips, like a sleeping infant, utterly carefree. While others fled frantically under the bombardment of lightning and fire, he appeared completely out of place.

Threads of lightning and power from the flames flowed within him, merging according to a mysterious cosmic rule. The 'Fusion' formula of the Taixu Secret Record seemed to be operating on its own, integrating the two powers without manual direction—a truly marvelous process.

As if in a deep slumber, in his dazed state, he seemed to be slowly comprehending something—the very essence of a certain power, the existential meaning and operational laws of flame and lightning. After an unknown duration, he slowly awoke and sat up sluggishly in the sea of fire.

A tremendous shock resonated in his mind; vast insights suddenly erupted within his Sea of Soul, scattered and turbulent messages comprehended in his hazy state exploding outward.

The myriad profound techniques of the "Heavenly Evolution Ancient Art" instantly became clear and lucid. Suddenly, he sat cross-legged in the sea of fire, his eyes closed, internalizing the surge of realizations flowing from his Sea of Soul, forgetting time, forgetting everything.

In his mind, within his Sea of Soul, there was nothing but his comprehension of the Five Elements' power, only the true meaning of the 'Fusion' formula from the Illusory Void Realm!

This strange world offered no means of calculating the passage of time. Here, he silently absorbed and comprehended everything flooding his mind, completely unaware of the outside situation. Days, years, or even decades might have slipped by unnoticed.

One day, a meandering bolt of lightning suddenly exploded beside him, accompanied by continuous, deafening thunder. Finally, after cultivating for what felt like many years, he regained consciousness under the barrage of thunder.

Memories long dissolved deep within his soul rapidly sprouted within his spirit, like new branches and leaves in spring. His concealed memories quickly flooded his mind.

"Who am I?" he murmured to himself.

Ten seconds later, he burst into laughter, which grew louder and louder until it abruptly ceased. He suddenly stood up and declared, "I am Ji Changkong!"

His eyes snapped open, and within the depths of both pupils danced two strange flames, appearing as if woven from lightning, seemingly imbued with endless mystery. He closed his eyes, then opened them again; the strange color in his pupils had vanished. "Tenth Direction Heaven Realm! Hahaha, this is the Tenth Direction Heaven Realm!" He suddenly roared with laughter, striding purposefully in one direction, his pace quickening with urgency. The vast lightning and fire power seemed to yield before his steps, clearing the path for him. The Sixth Level of the Nine-Layer Pagoda.

This was a massive stone chamber, its walls lined with stone doors, every one tightly shut.

Fire Phoenix, Xiao Han, Yin Ji, Tian Lie, Jiu Nan, and Tu Tie sat silently, seemingly already asleep, emitting not the slightest fluctuation of aura.

Leo of the Three-Eyed Clan and Xue Li of the Feather Clan were each in a corner, also with their eyes closed, deep in unknown thoughts.

After a long silence, Tian Lie abruptly rose in agitation. "Shouldn't we go back and look? What if someone obtained the 'Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire' but doesn't know the way here?"

Yin Ji, whose eyes remained closed, suddenly opened them and looked at the Fire Phoenix. "If we don't have the 'Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire,' is it truly impossible to open those doors? Is there no other way?"

The scar on the Fire Phoenix’s face twitched, her expression one of sheer agitation as she snapped, "Shut your mouth! If you all knew how to open that door, you would have done it already. Stop your useless chatter!" Yin Ji and Tian Lie exchanged a glance, a flicker of annoyance crossing their eyes, but they managed to restrain themselves.

"If the 'Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire' hadn't been obtained, all the doors here would have been open when we entered this level, and we could have walked right in," Xiao Han explained coolly to the two, glancing at them without warmth. "But now that someone has obtained the 'Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire,' it is the only way to open the doors. There is no alternative!"

Tian Lie gave a dry laugh and muttered to himself, "What if that person can't find the way here?"

"The person who obtained the 'Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire' will be guided by fire and lightning on the level below. As long as he wakes up, he will certainly find his way here," Xiao Han stated.

Tu Tie, over on the side, pulled a jade-green ring from his robes, examined the pattern on it, and grumbled, "Thirty-seven years have passed, why hasn't he woken up yet..."

"He's only at the Ninth Palace Heaven Realm. Thirty-seven years is still relatively short for mastering the 'Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire.' Let's wait; he will appear within fifty years!" the Fire Phoenix snorted, annoyance blazing across her face. "I should have killed him earlier! I should have been wary the moment my Little Red showed unusual affection for him!" The small, fiery red bird on the Fire Phoenix's shoulder chirped dissatisfiedly, seemingly wanting to argue. "You be quiet too!" The Fire Phoenix glared at the bird, silencing it.

The bird immediately quieted down, its intelligent eyes full of grievance, like a child scolded by an adult. "Chirp, chirp!" After being quiet for only a moment, the bird chirped again, even more cheerfully. "You!" The Fire Phoenix grew genuinely angry, glaring fiercely at the bird, seemingly intending to discipline it.

The little bird, which she called Little Red, suddenly flew off her shoulder, darted to a stone door, and began beating its wings against it, even turning back to signal the Fire Phoenix. "Hm?" The Fire Phoenix stood up, glanced at the stone door, and her eyes suddenly brightened. Gritting her teeth, she said, "He's here! He's earlier than I expected by more than a decade!"

Yin Ji, Tian Lie, and Xiao Han all stood up, subtle excitement in their eyes, waiting for something anxiously.

In the corner, Leo of the Three-Eyed Clan and Xue Li of the Feather Clan both frowned simultaneously and glanced at the stone door, which had begun to emit a faint glow, sighing inwardly with resignation.

With the Yin Ji, Tian Lie faction watching like hungry wolves, they could do nothing but wait for events to unfold. For the past twenty years while being surrounded, these two had remained silent as if dead, terrified of provoking those great fiends and bringing about their own doom. It was only because of their restraint that they had survived until now. The light on the door flickered, and in moments, it transformed into the appearance of a lake surface.

A hand reached out from within to test the surface, and then a figure stepped out from the wall that looked like a lake. As soon as he appeared, the lake-like wall behind him shifted back into solid stone.

Little Red danced excitedly before him, chirping incessantly, seemingly trying to tell him something.

Yin Ji, Tian Lie, and the others all smirked and surrounded him. Yin Ji sneered most menacingly. "Kid, we've been waiting here for you for thirty-seven years. You’ve finally made it alive."

"Tenth Direction Heaven Realm! Hmph, I knew you would break through to the Tenth Direction Heaven Realm!" The Fire Phoenix quickly strode toward him, raising her hand, and a ball of flame materialized in her palm, projected toward Ji Changkong. "Stop!" Just then, Xiao Han cried out sharply, immediately stepping in front of Ji Changkong, where an aura of chilling cold condensed before her, forming a barrier of ice rock. "Fire Phoenix, what are you doing?" the Fire Phoenix demanded fiercely. "Fire Phoenix, I advise you to stop, or we won't be polite either." Yin Ji and the others quietly surrounded the Fire Phoenix, their expressions decidedly unfriendly.

"Fire Phoenix, you should know the 'Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire' is our guarantee for proceeding further. If this brat dies, we won't be able to open the stone doors. We won't only lose what's on this level, but we won't be able to advance to the next one either. He must live!" Xiao Han said coldly. "I know you only want the 'Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire' and might not care about the treasures on the upper levels, but we do!" "If I obtain the 'Blazing Thunder Sacred Fire,' I can still break open the doors for you!" the Fire Phoenix retorted.

"The 'Flame Thunder Sacred Fire,' once it changes hands, its power will be halved, certainly not enough to open the path ahead. Am I wrong, Huofeng?" Xiaohan looked at her coldly. "This is also why you flew into a rage when you learned the 'Flame Thunder Sacred Fire' had been obtained by someone else, because even if you recovered the 'Flame Thunder Sacred Fire,' it could only manifest half its strength. Isn't that right?" "How do you know?" Huofeng took a deep breath, gradually calming down.

"That's none of your concern," Xiaohan sneered. "This kid must stay alive! At least until this exploration is over. By then, you can deal with him however you wish; we will never interfere! But before the exploration concludes, you absolutely cannot touch him!" "Huofeng, I know you are powerful, but are you more powerful than the five of us combined?" Yinji chuckled sinisterly.

"Fine, I promise you," Huofeng murmured after a moment of contemplation. Her gaze swept over Xiaohan and the others, then suddenly grew steady.