Just as the old patriarch forced me to my death, I achieved the unity of Dao and fruition.

The crimson gold platform slowly rose.

As the last inch of the platform lifted off the ground, the flames inside the entire Fire Temple quieted down.

The fire dragon lowered its head, the fire phoenix folded its wings, and countless fire-based rules manifested from the depths of the void, like long, crimson rivers that slowly flowed around the altar.

"This is the fire-bearing platform."

The voice of the Fire Virtue Palace Master came from the front.

"To inherit the position of fire, it is not simply a matter of obtaining a legacy or refining a treasure."

"The position of fire is the position recognized by heaven and earth."

"I must hand over to you the authority over the fire path, the original imprint, and the immortal soul contract connected to all the fires that I have borne for heaven and earth over the years."

"Once Heaven and Earth approve, you will be the new fire of this world."

Gu Changjin put on a serious listening expression.

However, he quickly went through the whole process in his mind.

To put it bluntly, the Fire Virtue Palace Master first severed his connection with the world, and then stuffed Gu Changjin into that empty position.

Under normal circumstances, this would be an incredible opportunity.

Once successful, the successor will be able to borrow the power of the origin and far surpass the ultimate realm of True Immortal.

However, in Gu Changjin's perception, the Fire Virtue Palace Master in front of him still could not be considered a true Xuanxian.

He did not achieve immortality, nor did he truly bring a world under his control.

He simply sat in the original position of the source of fire, and by taking advantage of his world status, he forcibly stepped out of the True Immortal realm.

In terms of strength alone, he should surpass the average early-stage Xuanxian, but not quite reach the mid-stage Xuanxian.

Moreover, all the blessings will disappear once you leave this position.

This approach is indeed clever, and it is indeed effective.

However, compared to the Devouring Immortal Technique that Gu Changjin truly condensed, it was ultimately a step below.

Of course, whether or not it's edible is another matter.

How to eat it is another matter entirely.

Above the Fire Virtue Immortal Palace are the Four Directions Immortal Palaces.

Above that, there is the main palace of the celestial palace.

If the Fire Virtue Palace Master already possesses such strength, who knows just how powerful those old fogies who occupy even higher positions are?

Gu Changjin never intended to cause too much of a commotion here.

If you can quietly eat one, you will never disturb the second.

"Zhenyan, step onto the stage."

The Palace Master of Huode Palace naturally had no idea what he was thinking.

Gu Changjin nodded, stepped onto the fire-bearing platform, and sat down cross-legged.

"Break free from your little world."

"Whatever you feel later, do not resist it."

"When the essence of heaven and earth enters the body, there will inevitably be some pain."

"But with your physical condition, there will be absolutely no accidents."

"Yes."

Gu Changjin obediently unfolded that illusory small world of fire.

At the same time, the crimson flames surrounding the Fire Virtue Palace Master suddenly spread.

One ancient immortal array after another lit up, completely sealing off the entire main hall.

"When the fire position is handed over, the rules of heaven and earth will experience a brief tremor."

"I have sealed off this place to prevent outsiders from disturbing it."

Gu Changjin looked up at the immortal formations.

After confirming that the formation could not only isolate one's aura, but also prevent even a divine thought of seeking help from being transmitted, his expression became even more respectful.

"The Palace Master has considered everything carefully."

"Of course."

The Fire Virtue Palace Master was very satisfied.

The next moment, the crimson flames suddenly trembled.

Nine nearly transparent lines of fire slowly emerged from the deepest part of the flames.

The first is the authority over the fire passage.

The second is the original imprint.

The third one is connected to the myriad fires of this realm.

The remaining six are all the Great Dao and Immortal Soul that the Fire Virtue Palace Master has integrated into heaven and earth over the years.

These nine lines of fire represent everything he has truly accumulated over tens of thousands of years while sitting in the position of fire.

Now, in order to extricate himself, he is holding nothing back.

Nine fire lines fell simultaneously, connecting with the small fire realm behind Gu Changjin.

boom!

Endless fire power surged into Gu Changjin's body in an instant!

The Fire Virtue Palace Master stared intently at the Fire-Bearing Platform.

Great! Everything went smoothly!

There was no rejection!

Even the most likely scenario of a backlash from heaven and earth did not occur.

Gu Changjin's body was like a vessel truly born for the fire path; all power entering it vanished instantly.

"As expected, it's an innate fire-elemental holy body!"

The more the Fire Virtue Palace Master looked, the more satisfied he became.

At the normal pace, once the first trace of the original imprint enters the body, it will take the successor at least several months to adapt.

Gu Changjin only took a few breaths.

it is good!

The faster you inhale, the sooner the handover can be completed.

Without further hesitation, the Palace Master of Huode Palace accelerated the transmission speed.

%.

%.

50%!

Gu Changjin accepted all comers.

The fire authority that entered the body didn't even pass through that illusory little world before being directly drawn into the devouring immortal business by the Dao Fruit.

In the deepest darkness, a crimson star slowly lit up.

The Fire Virtue Palace Master was unaware of this.

He was still immersed in the joy of being about to break free from the shackles of this world's origin.

Even after 70% of the fire position had been transferred out, Gu Changjin still showed no signs of saturation.

The Palace Master of Huode Palace finally had some doubts.

"Haven't reached the limit yet?"

Gu Changjin closed his eyes and shook his head earnestly.

"It seems... it's still a little short."

"normal."

The Palace Master of Huode quickly convinced himself.

It's the innate fire-path sacred body.

It's reasonable that it can carry more.

He activated his power once more.

80%.

Ninety percent!

At this point, the Fire Virtue Palace Master's originally crimson-gold flames had shrunk by more than half.

But Gu Changjin continued to absorb the energy.

Not only in the position of absorbing fire.

A faint, almost imperceptible pulling force, even following the nine fire lines, began to draw away the immortal power of the Fire Virtue Palace Master himself.

"Why are you still smoking?"

The Palace Master of Huode Palace was taken aback.

Gu Changjin also opened his eyes at the right time, a look of confusion on his face.

"Palace Master, is the handover not yet complete?"

"It should be soon..."

For the first time, a hint of hesitation appeared in the voice of the Fire Virtue Palace Master.

He waited a few more moments.

Then he discovered that not only had he failed to escape from the position of fire, but even the essence he had accumulated within his body for tens of thousands of years was beginning to leak out along the connection.

wrong!

That's absolutely wrong!

The Fire Virtue Palace Master suddenly contracted the flames, attempting to sever the nine fire lines.

But as soon as the fire started to ignite, darkness silently spread from the fire-bearing platform.

In an instant, all the fires in the entire hall were extinguished.

As night fell, dozens of imperial stars rose one after another in the darkness, their cold starlight shining on the crimson-gold flame that had shrunk by more than half.

A terrifying aura, truly belonging to the mid-stage of the Profound Immortal realm, instantly enveloped the entire main hall!

"A Mystic Immortal?!"

The voice of the Fire Virtue Palace Master finally changed.

"impossible!"

"You just broke through to True Immortal, who exactly are you?!"

Gu Changjin slowly opened his eyes.

The blankness and respect on his face vanished completely at that moment.

"Palace Master, please don't be anxious."

"You have protected all living beings for tens of thousands of years, and now you have finally found a successor."

"I just thought that I should do a good deed to the end and help you hand over this last bit as well."

One last thing?

That was his own fate!

"Stop!"

The Fire Virtue Palace Master was completely panicked.

The crimson flames struggled wildly, trying to reignite the myriad flames of this realm.

However, all the fire-based rules he summoned, as soon as they entered the main hall, seemed to have found their true source and actively surged towards Gu Changjin.

The Fire Virtue Palace Master finally sensed something.

"The source of fire... the true source of fire, how could it be within you?!"

What he previously thought was the innate fire-path holy body was actually just the aura left behind by the origin of fire!

The thing that Prince Zhenyan sealed away has long been swallowed up by the person in front of him!

"You only just realized that?"

Gu Changjin shook his head.

"It's too late."

The Devouring Immortal Cultivation Project has fully commenced.

Although the Fire Virtue Palace Master can borrow the power of the Fire position to possess strength exceeding that of an early-stage Xuanxian, he has personally stripped away ninety percent of his authority in order to complete the handover.

More importantly, he himself voluntarily gave up those nine fire lines connecting the two sides.

Now, every single one of them has become a conduit to devour him.

He wanted to escape.

However, the isolation array he personally set up sealed the entire hall completely.

Forget about asking for help, they couldn't even let out a single breath.

"No!"

In the darkness, the crimson flame grew smaller and smaller.

In the end, only a tiny glimmer of light, the size of a bean, remained.

Then, it was completely swallowed up by the night.

The main hall of the Fire God Temple fell silent again.

……

I don't know how much time has passed.

Above the celestial palace and the Milky Way, the daylight gradually fades.

A faint nightfall enveloped the Five Elements Immortal Palace.

The main hall of the Fire God remained closed, and no unusual phenomena were observed.

Inside the main hall, Gu Changjin had already taken the seat that originally belonged to the Fire Virtue Palace Master.

Strands of crimson-gold flames swirled around his body before slowly receding back into it.

The fire that had attempted to connect with his immortal soul was also swallowed up by the devouring of immortal karma and swept into the night, thus not truly pinning him to this realm.

Gu Changjin slowly opened his eyes.

Countless memories belonging to the Fire Virtue Palace Master, as well as the deeper secrets of this world, flashed through his consciousness.

"I see……"

He spoke softly, leaning back in his high seat.

The gaze that was originally level with the front gradually rose.

It was as if, beyond the Fire Virtue Immortal Palace, one could see the Four Directions Immortal Palace even higher above.

And the ancient main palace that sits at the very center and highest point of all the celestial palaces.

"So... how much of your own consciousness do you, sitting at the very top, still have left?"