NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 17: Chapter 17 The Spy Within and the Serpent Below
Recap:
After taking on the title of Flame Reconciler and facing off against Ren Feilong, the rival heir of the Vault, Long Tianyu has firmly established his position. However, the awakening of Jilung has thrown the elemental balance into chaos. Now, in Blackwood Hollow, a spy is poised to make a move, and deep beneath the ocean, a creature stirs, ready to counter the awakening flame.
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Blackwood Hollow greeted Tianyu with a sense of reverence.
Yet, the peace felt delicate. The ground still pulsed with the lingering flame Qi from his battle with the Soul Reavers.
Although he had emerged victorious, Tianyu was acutely aware that the enemy was now watching him more closely than ever.
Inside the Flame Hall, he focused on mastering his newly acquired technique: **Ashen Sovereign Step**—a movement skill that enabled him to blend into residual flames and reappear mid-fight, delivering delayed afterburn strikes.
But as he practiced, an unsettling feeling crept in.
There was a presence in the Rebirth Court that felt out of place.
---
Lei Fen entered quietly and knelt beside Tianyu.
"We found something," he said, placing a shard of spirit glass on the floor.
It shimmered with traces of vault contracts. "Someone is leaking information about our movements from within the core council."
Tianyu's expression hardened at the revelation.
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The following morning, he convened an emergency assembly.
Every elite disciple gathered in the lower hall. Tianyu's flame spread slowly, testing each person's Qi through the Sovereign Embers Technique.
It was harmless to most but lethal to traitors.
One figure trembled under the scrutiny: a tall, lean man with calm eyes—Han Zu.
He had joined the Rebirth Court just a month ago after the fall of the Black Hollow Sect.
As the flame approached him, his aura shifted dramatically, transforming from calm to corrupted.
Then, without warning, he struck.
---
Han Zu sprang into the air, launching five cursed chains in a swirling motion.
> [Technique Detected: Vault Mark Spider Chain Lock]
With a swift motion, Tianyu raised his hand and shattered the chains with a single word:
Break.
The Flameborn Key on his wrist flared to life.
The seal broke apart, unveiling the mark hidden beneath Han Zu's robe—Vault Class-B Agent.
Qin Yao rushed to intervene, but Tianyu stepped in front.
I've got this.
Han Zu's voice twisted ominously.
You think this is where it ends?
I know it's just the beginning for you.
They clashed in the vast expanse of the hall, with Han Zu alternating between cursed talismans and shadow blade techniques.
But Tianyu unveiled a new power, merging **Ashen Sovereign Step** with **Dragonfire Judgment** to deliver a devastating blow through the realms of space and flame.
> [Spy Eliminated Inner Circle Secured]
Yet, Tianyu didn't celebrate.
He turned to the bewildered disciples.
We are not victims.
We are heirs of flame.
If you fear infiltration, become the fire that no shadow can penetrate.
A cheer erupted, but the reality was clear.
The Vault wasn't just attacking from the outside; they were digging deep into his very roots.
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That night, Long Shen called Tianyu for a private meeting.
There's something more urgent.
He laid a scroll marked with water sigils on the table.
This was brought by a scout from the ocean sect.
It revealed a sigil emerging beneath the Sapphire Trench.
An ancient symbol.
The Sea Serpent Queen, Anahadrais, is stirring.
Tianyu raised an eyebrow.
"She's the one the Vault used to balance Jilung's fire, isn't she?"
"Yes. A water entity sealed alongside the Nine Chains.
If she awakens now, she'll think it's war."
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> [System Update: Elemental Equilibrium Protocol Triggered]
> New Objective: Reach the Sapphire Trench before the Vault does
> Optional: Parley or Combat - Tianyu's actions will determine the Sea Queen's alignment
> Time Limit: 7 Days
> Reward: Unknown Variable by outcome
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Tianyu glanced at the map, then at his court. "We leave at dawn."
Lei Fen, Qin Yao, Rui, and Long Shen nodded in agreement.
"We've fought dragons. Now let's meet a god."
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Teaser for Chapter 18:
Beneath the ocean, Tianyu must navigate the submerged ruins of the Aqua Palace. But the Sea Queen has visions of fire, and her mind is slipping. To soothe her, Tianyu must offer a memory that burns even in water.