The night sky above the Crimson Flame Sect shimmered with stars.
To most disciples, it was peaceful. Serene. Another night of quiet meditation.
But for Long Feng, every flicker in the dark, every breeze against his skin… was a warning.
---
Something Was Off
After completing the Inner Flame Pact with Mei Ling, Long Feng had barely slept. Her flame had awakened smoothly, yes—but it awakened more than just power.
It awakened attention.
From those watching.
From those waiting.
And from something else… something that hadn't moved in a long time.
He sat in meditation outside her courtyard, legs crossed, spiritual sense extended in all directions like a silent net.
Then—
> Silence.
Too silent.
He opened his eyes.
> "They're here."
---
Masks in the Mist
Three figures dropped from the rooftop like falling leaves—silent, fast, coordinated.
They wore black robes laced with silver threads. Masks covered their faces. No auras. No breath. No emotion.
But their killing intent…
> It burned.
The tallest stepped forward and held up a black scroll. It unfurled itself midair, glowing with divine inscriptions.
At the top:
Judgment Order – Flamebreaker Level
Target: Long Feng & Mei Ling
Crime: Rebirth of Heaven's Calamity Flame
Long Feng's eyes narrowed.
> "So it's true… I was never just reborn."
"I was prophesied to return."
---
The First Strike
The assassins moved as one.
Long Feng dodged the first blade strike by inches, spinning into the air with a burst of flame from his heels. He threw a punch laced with Eternal Ember—the ground beneath them exploded as molten fire surged like a tidal wave.
The second assassin countered with a shadow blade, slicing through air that turned to black fog.
"Demonic arts," Long Feng muttered. "Perfect."
He vanished.
Then reappeared behind them.
> "Ember Seal: Lotus Bloom."
A blast of golden fire erupted in a lotus shape—consuming two attackers instantly in a storm of purification flame.
They screamed.
But the third remained.
---
Assassin Leader – The Silver Judge
This one was different.
Taller. Heavier. Mask carved with runes that pulsed with divine power.
He raised a hand—and stopped Long Feng's flame midair.
> "Your Eternal Ember is strong," the Judge said. "But I was forged in the Judgment Furnace… where gods confessed their sins through screams."
His other hand lashed out, summoning chains made of light.
Long Feng barely dodged—but one scraped his arm, slicing open skin through his protective Qi.
> "Tch—!"
The Silver Judge stepped forward, voice calm.
> "You are not meant to exist, War God."
> "The heavens themselves demand your soul."
---
Mei Ling Intervenes
Before the second strike could fall, a blue light burst from the side courtyard.
Mei Ling.
She stood barefoot in her night robe, palm glowing with her newborn flame. Her eyes were wild, but clear.
> "Don't touch him."
The Judge turned, surprised.
"Ah… the girl. The Second Flame."
"You'll leave," she said coldly. "Or burn."
He laughed.
And vanished.
Only to reappear behind her—
But she was ready.
> "Twin Bloom Shield!"
A swirling lotus of spiritual water-flame exploded from her core, blocking the strike and throwing him back several meters.
Long Feng's eyes widened slightly.
> She's already using technique form? In her first day?
---
Two Flames, One Stand
They stood together now—Long Feng and Mei Ling—back to back.
"You should've stayed inside," he muttered.
"You should've told me you were baiting assassins."
He smirked. "Fair."
Then they moved as one.
His golden flame surged forward, clashing with the Silver Judge's divine light.
Mei Ling's blue lotus flame circled them both, weaving through the field like a protective cocoon.
They weren't just fighting.
They were dancing.
Each attack mirrored. Each dodge synced. Their flames wove together in ways no other pair could mimic.
> "They're in sync…" the Judge whispered. "It's begun…"
---
The Final Blow
The Judge raised his hand.
> "Then I must use the sin-brand."
A dark glyph burst from his mask, crawling up his body. His spiritual pressure exploded—crushing, suffocating.
Long Feng winced. Even with his cultivation, it weighed on him like a mountain.
Mei Ling stumbled.
> If he finishes that brand, we're dead.
Then… Long Feng moved.
He whispered to her.
> "Let our flames blend, just once."
She nodded—no hesitation.
He placed one hand on her back. His flame passed into hers. Hers passed into him.
Then—
> "Dual Flame Art: Lotus Wrath!"
A massive blast of spiraling flame and frost erupted, golden and blue, blinding the night.
The Judge screamed.
His mask cracked.
Then shattered.
His body turned to dust and scattered into the wind.
---
Morning After
By the time the sun rose, the courtyard was still.
The flames had faded. The assassins were gone. But their message remained.
Long Feng stood over the scattered ashes of the Judge's mask.
Etched into the inside were three words:
> BORN TO BURN.
Mei Ling sat on the steps behind him, pale and breathing heavily.
He walked over, crouched, and offered her water.
She took it.
"I didn't think I could," she whispered.
He looked at her.
"You didn't think," he said gently. "You did."
A long pause.
Then, very softly:
> "You saved me too."
---