Before leaving with Devouring Ghost, Scarlet Flame Monarch took out the Noble Glazed Flame and said, "Young master, this clump of flame is rather high level. I have absorbed most of its essence, but its source is still present. You can fuse it with your flame to create an even stronger flame. It won't be helpful for me anymore, so you should take it back."

Like Devouring Ghost, Scarlet Flame Monarch had changed the way he addressed Xiang Shaoyun under Xiang Shaoyun's request. Xiang Shaoyun wanted them to address each other as brothers, but they insisted on maintaining the relationship of master and followers. He couldn't do anything to change their mind.

He accepted the Noble Glazed Flame and had them leave immediately. He was worried that the Dragon Phoenix Academy would find out about Scarlet Flame Monarch's escape. At that time, things would get troublesome.

After Scarlet Flame Monarch and Devouring Ghost vanished, he turned and went into the Dragon Phoenix Mountain Range.

Before the start of the competition between the four academies, he could not go too far from the Dragon Phoenix Mountain Range because his master had requested him to join the competition as well. Of course, he would be representing himself, not the academy.

When Xiang Shaoyun returned to the mountain range, he found an excellent cultivation spot and went into seclusion. As he focused on fusing the Noble Glazed Flame, Aikai stood guard for him.

The Noble Glazed Flame was a high-level flame that was an even higher grade than Yun Flame. Yun Flame was originally a thousand-year flame, and after fusing with the devil flame seed, its grade increased, becoming a flame comparable with a four-thousand-year flame. The Noble Glazed Flame's grade was even higher and was at least a five-thousand-year flame. Only such a flame was powerful enough to pose a threat to Sovereigns.

In truth, the previous owner of the Noble Glazed Flame had only obtained the flame after braving many dangers. Scarlet Flame Monarch had absorbed most of its power, but its source remained. The flame could quickly recover as long as enough energy was supplied. Taking the advantage of its current weakness, Xiang Shaoyun started fusing it with Yun Flame.

Right after entering the cave he had dug, he directed Yun Flame to devour the Noble Glazed Flame. Although the Noble Glazed Flame was weakened, its grade was still higher. When it sensed the power of a similar element approaching, it naturally launched its counterattack.

Yun Flame was currently in its peak form, and an intense battle erupted between the two flames. Xiang Shaoyun's flame star started swelling, causing him great discomfort. The burning pain allowed him to once again experience a pain so horrible he wished he was dead.

The battle between the two flames would not end anytime soon, but Xiang Shaoyun did not wish to sit around waiting. Neither did he want any mishap to happen to Yun Flame. Thus, he circulated his cultivation method and used the profundity of flame to assist Yun Flame in the battle.

Xiang Shaoyun had long become one with Yun Flame, and Yun Flame was akin to an extension of his body. With him joining the fray, the two became one and started forcibly devouring the Noble Glazed Flame.

The Noble Glazed Flame started weakening as its blue flame shrank. The red flame started holding the upper hand, its flame spreading everywhere. Xiang Shaoyun's entire person turned almost illusory as tongues of flame covered his entire body, as though he was going to be evaporated alive.

After about half a month, Yun Flame finally fully fused with the Noble Glazed Flame. A mighty flame power erupted from the flame star.

Bang!

There was a limit to the size of the flame star, so some of the terrifying flame power still escaped and burst out like a volcano that had been accumulating power for over 10,000 years. If he couldn't put this power under control, his body would be destroyed in the eventual explosion. After all, the flame within him had advanced to a terrifyingly destructive flame.

"Withdraw!" Xiang Shaoyun was already prepared for this, so he was able to act immediately. He activated his astral cosmos sea and dragged the terrifying flame power inside it.

There was a lava pond in the astral cosmos sea, and growing on the pond was a blaze flower. It was an excellent location to hold all the excess flame power. The inclusion of the flame power caused the lava to boil, and the blaze flower began to look even more mesmerizing. It matured considerably, and before long, it would be fully ripe.

Additionally, two fresh sprouts grew out from the two sides of the blaze flower. They were newly grown blaze flowers, their growth induced by the powerful flame energy.

The nine-colored fog had also absorbed a considerable amount of the flame power and had grown thicker, but since there was no inclusion of other elements, Xiang Shaoyun was unable to form more draconic aura and increase his strength.

However, he did not feel that it was a pity. His flame star had been fully filled, and that alone had granted him a much richer amount of astral energy. The growth of his nine-colored fog was merely a bonus. He was very satisfied with the result.

The only thing that mattered was that Yun Flame had become even more terrifying. Even a regular Sovereign wouldn't be able to extinguish the flame once burned, and they would quickly turn into a pile of ash. Only some peak Sovereigns would stand a chance against this version of Yun Flame. If he could absorb another flame, turning Yun Flame into a 10,000-year flame, he could perhaps burn even Saints to death.

However, every single unique flame was extremely rare and hard to find. For now, Xiang Shaoyun did not have the time to go looking for more. He could do so after the competition of the four academies was over. At that time, he would be able to burn Saints.

A clump of enchanting flame was flickering in his palm. It was mainly red with a tinge of blue and black, moving actively like it was alive. With a gentle wave of his hand, a tongue of flame lunged at a nearby boulder.

Thump!

Instantly, the boulder over 10-meter in diameter was reduced to ashes. Even after burning through the entire boulder, the flame continued burning the ground beneath. It would be able to burn through the entire mountain before long. With another wave of his hand, the flame was drawn back to his palm.

"It feels amazing to have such a powerful flame in possession," muttered Xiang Shaoyun in satisfaction.

Xiang Shaoyun did not end his seclusion at that. He entered the cave again and resumed his cultivation session. This time, he was going to refine the devil vine's blood heart to form a true soul body that could strengthen his soul power and life force.

It was commonly known that the devil vine's blood heart could awaken one's bloodline power, strengthen one's life force, prolong one's lifespan, and form a soul foundation. However, not many were aware that it could also be used to form a soul body. Of course, the premise of doing so was to have a powerful soul.

Xiang Shaoyun's soul had long been as strong as a fifth-stage Sovereign's. If it wasn't for his lagging cultivation base, he would have been able to form his soul foundation long ago. Thus, he was taking the chance to form a soul body before forming his soul foundation. That way, he would be even more formidable after forming the soul foundation.

"Devil vine's blood heart, you better not disappoint me," muttered Xiang Shaoyun as he started refining the blood heart.