The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Jiang Chen sat cross-legged on the scorched earth, his body still tingling with the aftershocks of his awakening. The remnants of his old self had been burned away, replaced by a force that pulsed with boundless vitality.

He raised his hand, watching as flames coiled around his fingers. They were not ordinary flames, but something ancient—primordial fire, the essence of destruction and rebirth.

"This power… it’s as if my very soul is burning," Jiang Chen murmured, his voice tinged with awe.

A rustling sound from nearby drew his attention. His sharp eyes locked onto the jade slip left behind by the mysterious figure. Without hesitation, he reached out and grasped it, feeling an unusual warmth emanating from within.

As soon as his fingers made contact, a surge of information flooded his mind. It was a cultivation technique—one unlike anything he had ever encountered before.

The Ninefold Scorched Heaven Art.

A technique that harnessed the essence of the primordial flame, capable of incinerating all adversaries and refining the wielder’s body into an indestructible vessel.

Jiang Chen’s breath quickened. This was no ordinary inheritance—this was the legacy of an ancient sovereign, a being who had once dominated the heavens!

Determination burned in his gaze. The path ahead would be treacherous, but he would not falter.

With newfound resolve, he clenched the jade slip tightly and whispered, "From this moment forth, I shall forge my destiny with fire and steel. Those who once sought to destroy me… shall become ashes beneath my feet."