Chapter 123: Convergence of Flames: The Triad of Spirit Projections

The chamber was a battlefield of opposing forces, fire, and ice clashing in a symphony of destruction and creation. Jiang Feng's body burned with the golden fury of the Sunflower Seeds and the Golden Crow's divine essence, Solaris Infernum, while Ji Moran radiated the icy brilliance of the Phoenix Blood Leaf and the Lunara Glacies Moon Flame. The two forces, though diametrically opposed, were inextricably linked, their energies intertwining in a delicate dance of balance and harmony.

Jiang Feng's skin glowed with a molten hue, cracks spreading across his body as the Golden Crow's essence threatened to consume him. Beside him, Ji Moran stood encased in a crystalline shell of ice, her breath visible in the freezing air as the Moon Flame's power surged through her veins. The chamber ground itself seemed to groan under the weight of their combined energies, the walls cracking and the air thick with tension.

"Jiang Feng," Ji Moran called out, her voice steady despite the strain. "We need to balance the energies. If we don't, we'll both be consumed."

Jiang Feng nodded, his jaw clenched as he fought to control the raging fire within him. "The flames... they're too much. We need to exchange essence—harmonize the Sun and Moon flames but how do we do that, did the phoenix mention anything?."

Ji Moran hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward, her icy aura meeting his fiery one. The two forces collided, creating a swirling vortex of heat and frost. Without another word, she closed the distance between them, their lips meeting in a kiss that was both tender and fierce. At that moment, the Golden Crow's sun flame and the Lunara Glacies Moon Flame intertwined, their energies flowing between them in a seamless exchange.

Jiang Feng's eyes widened in sudden shock, their bodies shook as a sudden shock hit the both of them. This was their first time kissing someone, when Ji Moran was advised of the exchange method she was so frightened that she didn't know what to say or how to explain it. It was only with a burst of courage that she did what she did!

The effect was immediate. Jiang Feng felt the overwhelming heat within him subside, replaced by a soothing coolness that tempered the Golden Crow's fiery essence. Ji Moran, in turn, felt the icy grip of the Moon Flame soften, warmed by the radiant energy of the Sun flame. The two flames, once at odds, now worked in harmony, their combined power stabilizing the chaotic energies within both of them.

As the exchange continued, Jiang Feng's Essence Lake began to expand rapidly. The once tumultuous burning lake of blue and yellow calmed, its surface shimmering with a golden light as the lake grew to an astonishing 20,000 meters—just 1,000 meters shy of the threshold for the 7th stage of the Essence Condensation Realm under the concept of his reverse cultivation. The Golden Crow's essence had unlocked a new level of power within him, its divine energy flowing through his meridians like a river of molten gold.

Ji Moran, too, experienced a profound transformation. The exchange of essence propelled her into the late stages of the first level of the Golden Core Realm, her icy aura intensifying as the Lunara Glacies Moon Flame awakened a new power within her. This ability, which she named **"Glacial Eclipse,"** allowed her to summon a massive ice construct in the shape of a crescent moon. The construct radiated an aura of absolute cold, capable of freezing even the most intense flames and slowing time itself within its radius. It was a power befitting the legacy of the Moon Flame, a testament to her growing mastery over its icy essence.

But the transformations did not end there. Above Jiang Feng, the Golden Crow's spirit projection materialized, its radiant form casting a golden light that illuminated the entire chamber. The crow's wings spread wide, its eyes burning with the intensity of the sun as it let out a piercing cry. The spirit projection was a manifestation of the Golden Crow's divine legacy, a symbol of Jiang Feng's newfound connection to its power.

However, the moment the Golden Crow's spirit projection appeared, the Gate of Darkness rippled into being. Its ominous presence loomed over Jiang Feng, its shadowy form threatening to engulf the Golden Crow's light. The two forces clashed, the Gate of Darkness attempting to shatter the Golden Crow's spirit projection as waves of dark energy gathered. But the Golden Crow, a primordial creature of myth and legend, would not be so easily subdued. Its radiant form burned brighter, pushing back against the darkness and asserting its dominance.

"Stop!!" Jiang Feng frantically cried inwardly after seeing that the two were about to clash.

In the end, the Gate of Darkness relented, its form solidifying into a second spirit projection that stood alongside the Golden Crow. The two projections, though opposing in nature, now coexisted within Jiang Feng, their combined power a testament to his growing strength.

But the surprises were far from over. The Skyforge Flame Fairy, which had been observing the events from the sidelines, suddenly rippled with energy. Its clone, housed within the Skyforge Furnace, emerged as a third spirit projection. The fairy's luminous form stood tall, its size rivaling that of the Aetherion Dragon and the other spirit projections. Its presence was a reminder of the Skyforge Flame's unique nature, a force that transcended the boundaries of fire and ice.

Jiang Feng stared in awe at the three spirit projections and the Aetherion Dragon that stood before him—the Golden Crow, the Gate of Darkness, the Aetherion Dragon, and the Skyforge Flame Fairy. Each one represented a different aspect of his power, a testament to the diverse legacies he had inherited. The Aetherion Dragon, now coiled back around his heart, let out a low rumble, its presence a constant reminder of the draconic bloodline that flowed through his veins.

Ji Moran watched in silence, her icy aura now calm and controlled. The exchange of essence had not only stabilized their energies but also deepened their connection. She could feel the Golden Crow's warmth within her, a subtle reminder of the bond they now shared.

"This... this is incredible," Jiang Feng said, his voice filled with wonder. "Three spirit projections... I never imagined this was possible."

Ji Moran nodded, her expression thoughtful. "This has never happened in all of history. I don't know what to make of it."

Jiang Feng agreed, his gaze shifting to the spirit projections that hovered above him. The Golden Crow's radiant light, the Gate of Darkness's ominous shadow, and the Skyforge Flame Fairy's luminous presence. He then looked at the soul of the Aetherion Dragon which seemed to now embody all the aspects of the other spirit projections somehow—each one was a part of him, a reflection of the path he had chosen.

As the chamber settled, the two stood side by side, their energies now balanced and harmonious. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but with their newfound powers and the bond they shared, they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.

The Triad of Spirit Projections had been awakened, Jiang Feng looked at Ji Moran who smiled back at him. He knew it wasn't a good time to bring up what happened so they each played it off. It was also at that time a light flashed across Jiang Feng's eyes as words began to form in his mind.

Solar Annihilation Wing- Starfire Cataclysm. When the Golden Crow activates Starfire Cataclysm, it channels the boundless power of the sun into its wings, transforming them into colossal arcs of searing, golden fire. With one powerful flap, the Golden Crow unleashes a planet-wide wave of solar energy so intense that it doesn't just burn—it disintegrates everything it touches.

This wave is not chaotic; it is precise and purposeful, as though the sun itself is passing judgment on all creation. The true terror of Starfire Cataclysm lies in its aftermath. The solar flames left behind continue to burn for days, feeding on ambient Qi and growing hotter the longer they exist. Entire battlefields become uninhabitable zones, glowing with residua.

Jiang Feng was lost in thought when he heard Ji Moran's voice. Looking over he saw that her face was beat red as she said "You should change into a new set of clothes"

—

As the events unfolded in the Obsidian Waterfall Realm, far above in the upper realm—a place revered by many as the immortal realm—a breathtaking scene stretched across the horizon. The air itself seemed to hum with life, thick with spiritual energy so potent it felt almost tangible, like a fine mist clinging to the skin. The atmosphere was dense, charged with an otherworldly vitality that made even the simplest breath feel like an act of cultivation.

The space here was unnervingly stable, a stark contrast to the fragile, rippling void of the lower realms. In this realm, even the most talented young cultivators, like Jiang Feng, would find it impossible to cause so much as a faint tremor in the fabric of reality. This was a place where the laws of existence were unyielding, a testament to the realm's divine nature.

Perched atop a towering mountain, its peak piercing the heavens, stood an ancient temple. It was a structure that seemed to defy time itself, its weathered stones bearing the marks of countless millennia. The temple was shrouded in a veil of clouds, their silvery tendrils curling around its walls as if paying homage to its grandeur.

The massive doors, once imposing and ornate, now hung precariously on their hinges, their wood splintered and worn, as though they might collapse at the slightest touch. Yet, despite their dilapidation, they exuded an air of solemn dignity, as if they guarded secrets too profound for mortal comprehension.

The mountaintop itself was a wild, untamed expanse, a stark contrast to the temple's solemnity. Tall grass swayed in the gentle breeze, their golden tips catching the light of the eternal sun. Ancient trees, their trunks gnarled and twisted with age, reached skyward like silent sentinels.

The air was alive with the sounds of nature—roars of wild beasts echoed in the distance, their voices carrying a primal power that sent shivers down the spine. Birds with iridescent feathers darted through the canopy, their calls melodic yet haunting, as if they sang of forgotten legends. Everywhere one looked, life thrived in its purest, most unrestrained form.

Inside the temple, the atmosphere shifted. The air was still, heavy with the weight of centuries of meditation and prayer. The walls, though cracked and worn, seemed to pulse with a quiet energy, as if they absorbed the wisdom of all who had ever set foot within. Seated on a frayed prayer mat at the heart of the temple was an old man, his presence commanding yet serene.

His face was lined with the marks of time, each wrinkle a testament to the countless years he had lived. Four white dots adorned his forehead, arranged in a perfect square, their meaning known only to those versed in the ancient ways. Around his neck hung a string of brown prayer beads, their surface smooth from years of use. The beads emitted a calming aura, their energy so soothing it seemed to quiet the very soul.

Though his body bore the frailty of age, the old man's eyes told a different story. They burned with a fierce vitality, their depths shimmering with wisdom and an unyielding fighting spirit. They were the eyes of a man who had seen the rise and fall of empires, who had weathered storms that would have broken lesser beings.

Seated before him on another prayer mat was a young cultivator, his posture straight yet relaxed, as if he were both humble and confident in equal measure. He, too, wore a string of brown prayer beads around his neck, their presence a silent bond between master and disciple. But what truly set him apart was the flame that hovered above his head—a brown flame that flickered gently, its movements mirroring the calm, collected aura of both the young man and the elder. It was as if the flame were alive, a manifestation of their shared spirit.

"Grandfather," the young man began, his voice steady yet tinged with reverence, "the Buddha Grand Flame has spoken. It senses the presence of the Skyforge Flame, Caelestis Fernax, as well as the Sun and Moon Flames, Saloris Infernum and Lunara Glacies. Yet, though it can feel their energy, it cannot pinpoint their exact locations."

The old man's eyes softened, a faint smile playing on his lips. He raised his hands in a gesture of gratitude, his prayer beads clinking softly. "Buddha be praised," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate with the very walls of the temple. He nodded slowly, as if confirming something he had long suspected. "A great era is upon us, my child. The awakening of the Buddha Grand Flame—Zenithus Sanctum—was but the beginning. Now, with the emergence of Caelestis, Saloris, and Lunara, the threads of fate are weaving a tapestry of change. The world as we know it will soon be transformed. Amitaba!" His final word was a chant, a prayer that seemed to hang in the air, imbued with both hope and solemnity.

The young man bowed his head, his expression one of deep contemplation. Above him, the brown flame flickered gently, its light casting a warm glow over the ancient temple. Outside, the wind whispered through the tall grass, carrying with it the scent of earth and the distant cries of wild beasts. The immortal realm stood as it always had—timeless, majestic, and filled with the promise of mysteries yet to be uncovered.