The shattered gate still hissed with smoke as Lohan stepped inside the chamber. The air here was different—heavy with divine energy, but corrupted.
> "This used to be my research hall... before they sealed it."
He brushed his hand against the ancient stone wall, igniting glyphs that pulsed with orange and gold light.
The moment he activated them, the chamber responded.
> [Hidden Legacy Activated: Emberheart Vault]
[Do you wish to unlock sealed memory logs?]
[Yes.]
A cascade of scenes played in his mind: Justine as a young disciple, training with innocent eyes, clinging to his every word. Then, slowly, her image twisted—drenched in divine power, her smile fading into apathy.
> "How long were you planning it, Justine?"
The final image was clear. Justine raising her hand alongside the gods, casting the sealing spell that ended his life.
---
Crimson Sky Sect – Outer Courtyard
Winter, disguised in an outer robe, slipped past guards with ease. Her presence blurred like mist, undetectable.
She arrived at the edge of the tower where the divine channeling room was located.
> "The divine flow is changing… Lohan's tampering with it," she muttered.
"He's getting stronger."
Beside her, Raze cracked his knuckles.
> "If he's starting a fire, we might as well fuel it."
---
Emberheart Vault
Lohan stood before an altar. On it rested a crimson orb: The Phoenix Core.
> "This is what they tried to steal from me."
He reached out.
> [Warning: Absorbing this relic will alter your soul.]
[Do you wish to proceed?]
Lohan smirked.
> "I was born to burn."
> [Confirmed. Absorbing Phoenix Core…]
His body surged with heat. The air warped. His eyes flared red-gold, tattoos of flame carving down his arms like molten veins.
> [Skill Evolved: Thousandfold Flame → Phoenix Sovereign Flame (Stage 1)]
[New Passive Acquired: Flameborn Regeneration]
He dropped to one knee, coughing smoke—but laughing.
> "Now... I'm ready for the gods."
---
Meanwhile, a shadow knelt before Justine at the divine sanctum.
> "He has awakened the Phoenix Core," the figure said.
Justine's gaze hardened.
> "So the traitor dares to play god again."
She rose, divine light swirling around her like a storm.
> "Prepare the pantheon. The next time we meet…"
"…he won't leave alive."
---