I Am Overlord c1-962
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The restaurant was as busy as usual, with customers entering and leaving continuously. Xiang Shaoyun entered and scanned the restaurant. Sure enough, a young man was seated at a corner of the restaurant. A look of joy surfaced on Xiang Shaoyun's face as he strode toward the young man.
Halfway there, the young man stood up and greeted respectfully, "Greetings, young master."
"Um. Let's drink as we talk," said Xiang Shaoyun joyfully.
The young man nodded and called a waiter over. He ordered two jars of liquor, and the two started drinking. They did not talk much, only focusing on drinking and eating some meat. They conversed on idle topics and did not touch on anything special. When they were done, they left the restaurant and started leaving the city.
They moved quickly, and before long, they reached a spot in the forest with no other people.
"You're here alone?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
"This is important, so we don't need anyone else here," answered the young man.
"Good. Isolate this place first. We'll talk after," said Xiang Shaoyun.
The young man nodded and used a technique to isolate the area from the outside world. Xiang Shaoyun also had Aikai stand guard to make sure nobody approached them.
Finally, Xiang Shaoyun commanded, "Scarlet Flame Monarch, come out."
At that, Scarlet Flame Monarch appeared before him and laughed in excitement, "Haha, I, Scarlet Flame Monarch, am finally free!"
Not even the young man's restriction could block Scarlet Flame Monarch's excited voice. It went right through.
Xiang Shaoyun quickly stopped him. "Flame Monarch, stop shouting. Things will get troublesome if someone notices us."
Scarlet Flame Monarch was lost in his joy for a moment, but Xiang Shaoyun's reminder caused him to quickly shut his mouth. He apologized, "Sorry, Master. If I didn't vent that out, I would have gone crazy. I feel much better now."
Xiang Shaoyun did not say anything, but the young man facing him exclaimed in agitation, "Y-you're really Second Brother Scarlet Flame!"
Scarlet Flame Monarch looked at the foreign youth and frowned as he asked, "Who are you?"
Not many people addressed him as second brother, but each person who would was extremely intimate with him. However, Scarlet Flame Monarch was completely unfamiliar with the young man before him. Even so, the young man was probably trustworthy since he was someone Xiang Shaoyun brought here. Furthermore, the young man gave him a sense of closeness.
"Second brother, I'm Devouring Ghost!" said the emotional Devouring Ghost.
That's right. The young man was none other than Devouring Ghost. He only looked so young because he had taken over Linggu Haonan's body, gaining a new look.
Scarlet Flame Monarch shivered, and his eyes widened. He raised his brows and asked emotionally, "Y-You're really Devouring Ghost?"
Scarlet Flame Monarch had long heard from Xiang Shaoyun that Devouring Ghost had gained his freedom by taking over a new body. Thus, he was aware that Devouring Ghost had a new look. He already believed that this youth was Devouring Ghost, but he needed a final confirmation before he could fully trust it.
"Second brother, I'm really Devouring Ghost! Back then, the five of us were known as the strongest Heaven Battling generals. We accompanied our master and waged war across the lands, sweeping through the world. Who doesn't know us? Who doesn't recognize us?" replied Devouring Ghost with a heroic air.
"Fourth brother, it's really you!" Scarlet Flame Monarch's eyes flickered as he shouted emotionally before giving Devouring Ghost a big hug.
"Second brother!" Devouring Ghost couldn't repress the joy in his heart, and he teared up.
These two were truly tough guys and would rather bleed than shed tears, but they were actually crying loudly right now. It was obvious the separation of 10,000 years had not extinguished their feelings for each other. Rather, it had helped them show their true feelings. It was said that men would not cry easily, but that was only because they had yet to be pushed to the extremes.
Back then, they were iron generals who fought on numerous bloody battlefields, spreading their reputation far and wide. They were heroic and majestic, but time was merciless. Everything had changed, and they were no longer the same people from back then.
Looking at the two, Xiang Shaoyun's eyes grew misty. Scenes started flashing through his mind as some of his past memories started surfacing again.
In his memories, he was a purple-haired young man. Seated on a black horse, he wielded a saber and led five young men as they roamed the world. They had slaughtered the rulers of beasts, obliterated numerous powerful opponents, and rampaged through the territories of numerous ancient races. They had also suffered numerous injuries and encountered many hardships, but they had overcome it all together. Ultimately, they built a powerful army and waged wars across the world, aiming to be the best of the best.
They were frivolous young men with raging ambitions, fearing nothing in the world. With their fearlessness, they became feared all over the world. But because of that, calamity befell them. The many ancient races and rulers joined hands to defeat them, killing and imprisoning them.
Chapter 915: Farewell
In his memories, the six of them worked together and helped each other. They were inseparable; their deep feelings for each other left a deep impression on him. They were akin to brothers, but all of them saw the purple-haired youth as their leader. The purple-haired youth was the strongest and the most arrogant and domineering of them all. He was born with the majesty of dragons and phoenixes, and none of his peers dared to challenge him. He was most definitely someone who had obtained great success at a young age.
The memories were still hazy and incomplete, and Xiang Shaoyun could only see a portion of them. He had a feeling he was the purple-haired young man, but at the same time, it felt so foreign and distant to him, as though what had happened to him was more than a simple reincarnation.
He retreated not far away, giving some space for Scarlet Flame Monarch and Devouring Ghost to catch up. They had been separated for 10,000 years. They naturally had many things to say to each other.
Xiang Shaoyun sat down silently as he thought about the memory fragments he saw. Inwardly, he thought, If it is really reincarnation and anyone can awaken the memories from their past life, wouldn't this be an extremely terrifying matter?
At this time, Scarlet Flame Monarch and Devouring Ghost had finally calmed their emotions. They walked toward Xiang Shaoyun, the joy on their faces apparent. Experts who had gone through numerous situations of life and death like them would rarely reveal their emotions on their faces. But now, their feelings were fully worn on their faces. It was clear just how emotional they were at this moment.
"Thank you, Master, for allowing us to meet again," said Scarlet Flame Monarch respectfully.
"You are being too polite. Devouring Ghost is your brother, but am I not your brother as well?" said Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
"Haha, that's right. You're our brother as well, young master. Back then, when the six of us rampaged over the world, which bastard dared not to kneel before us? Which young lady was not filled with admiration toward us? How great, carefree, and unrestrained that felt?" said Devouring Ghost with a tone of recollection.
"Yeah. If history can repeat, I can die without regrets," said Scarlet Flame Monarch with a sigh.
"Alright. Stop being all melancholic. We still have plenty of time to drink, feast, and fight together," said Xiang Shaoyun. "For now, we should focus on recovering Flame Monarch's strength."
"Master, you don't have to worry about me anymore. With my freedom regained, I will definitely recover so long as I have enough resources," said Scarlet Flame Monarch. He knew Xiang Shaoyun wasn't very wealthy himself, and even wasting a large number of spirit crystals on him wouldn't be useful. He might as well rely on himself to recover.
"Young master, let me handle matters concerning second brother. Green Ghost has quite a lot of treasures in his collection. I b
elieve we have enough to help second brother recover," said Devouring Ghost.
It had been a few years, and Devouring Ghost had reached fourth-stage Soul Foundation Realm. Of course, that was still far below his previous strength, but this wasn't his original body. Even after fully adapting to it, he still needed to cultivate from scratch.
"Um. Since that is the case, both you and Du Xuanhao should return to the Bloodsin City and recuperate," said Xiang Shaoyun. He then started asking Devouring Ghost about the city, but he was mainly concerned about Saber Emperor Du Xuanhao.
Devouring Ghost told Xiang Shaoyun all he knew. Xiang Shaoyun learned that Du Xuanhao had formed his soul foundation to become a Sovereign, and Xiang Shaoyun was overjoyed. After all, Du Xuanhao was the first expert to follow him. Moreover, Du Xuanhao had helped him greatly in the past. Deep inside, he respected Du Xuanhao as an elder brother.
Originally, Devouring Ghost planned to bring Du Xuanhao to search for the Saber Devil's inheritance, but Du Xuanhao insisted on tempering himself for a few more years at the Bloodsin City. He wanted to further consolidate his cultivation before going off to search for the Saber Devil's inheritance with Devouring Ghost.
Devouring Ghost also told Xiang Shaoyun that the Ghostface Sect and Skeleton Gang had merged and were growing healthily. However, they focused on progressing in a low-profile manner and growing their strength. They were working on building a powerful army that would help Xiang Shaoyun retake the Ziling Sect in the future.
One more thing worth mentioning was that the first three levels of the Devil Domain had seen the appearances of high-level devils. It was a source of worry, and many experts had come to the Bloodsin City to help suppress the devils. They were afraid that a disturbance similar to what had happened during ancient times would repeat—where many devils attacked the surface world. Such an attack would only throw the entire world into chaos.
The news also caused some worry to rise within Xiang Shaoyun, as though he could picture the terrifying scene of a massive devil army invading the dominion. He shivered and said, "If the devils are really invading the dominion, can humans withstand their assault?"
"We won't," answered both Scarlet Flame Monarch and Devouring Ghost at the same time.
"You have so little confidence in humanity?" Xiang Shaoyun was astonished.
"Although we humans are prosperous right now, our physiques are innately weak. That is a fact. Few of us can reach the Saint Realm, and it is even harder for one of us to go beyond that realm. However, the Four Paramount Devil Clans have many individuals beyond the Devil Saint realm. We humans won't be their match. During the chaos in ancient times, the devils had only been beaten back through the cooperation of the demonic beasts and many other races. Even so, the Imperial Nether Clan had been able to settle on the surface world. At that time, only one of the Four Paramount Devil Clans had attacked. If all four of them had attacked, the surface world would definitely face destruction," said Scarlet Flame Monarch.
Devouring Ghost added, "However, it won't be easy for the devils to invade. The super experts of the human race had placed a supreme formation to suppress the devils. To break through it, they need to pay a high price. Such matters are still too distant for us. Right now, you should focus on cultivating in the Dragon Phoenix Academy. After recovering your strength, what can't we do, and where can't we go? Even if the devils are to invade then, they won't be able to do anything to you. Back then, you managed to get your name on the Contribution Stele's top 10. Very few people are capable of being your match."
"You're right. Strength is everything," said Xiang Shaoyun with a firm look. He then asked about Liang Zhuangmin. Before this, he had given Liang Zhuangmin a command token to go look for Devouring Ghost. With Devouring Ghost here, it proved that Liang Zhuangmin had successfully met Devouring Ghost.
"That little fellow is quite ambitious. He went to the Devil Domain alone," said Devouring Ghost.
"It's worrying to hear about him entering the Devil Domain with his strength," said Xiang Shaoyun with a sigh.
"Don't worry, young master. I know he has a close relationship with you, so I have someone protecting him in the dark. No help will be given unless absolutely necessary, so he will still be able to temper himself," said Devouring Ghost.
"Um. You did well. To gain strength, one can only rely on oneself," said Xiang Shaoyun.
He understood why Liang Zhuangmin wanted to enter the Devil Domain: to catch up with Wu Zhijun. If he couldn't surpass her, how could he hope to have her as his woman?
Before sending off Scarlet Flame Monarch and Devouring Ghost, Xiang Shaoyun gave Devouring Ghost some dark origin energy. He also handed over a considerable amount of light elemental sovereign medicines. These were his gains from the angels, and since Devouring Ghost was now cultivating the powers of light and darkness, these gifts would be helpful.
Devouring Ghost had not expected Xiang Shaoyun to have so many treasures in his possession. He accepted them all without hesitation. In his eyes, everything the overlord did was right.
Chapter 916: Fusing the Noble Glazed Flame
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.
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.