"You should've said so earlier—I have the Cosmic Flame right here." As Joe Di spoke, a swirl of gray fire appeared in his palm.
Ethan North's jaw dropped as he stared in disbelief at the Cosmic Flame in Joe Di's hand. As someone who had stepped into the Third Stage, Ethan had witnessed countless wonders over the years, yet this was the first time he'd ever seen such a flame. Still, he instantly recognized it—this was no ordinary fire, but the legendary Cosmic Flame, and at least of the Sacred grade.
"So? Burning through your Shadowsteel with this Cosmic Flame shouldn't be a problem, right?" Seeing Ethan North still speechless, Joe Di gave the flame in his hand a little flourish.
Ethan North finally snapped out of it and muttered, "Is there anything you don't have?"
Joe Di understood Ethan's meaning and could only reply, "Old North, now's not the time to marvel at my collection. The real question is: do you want me to burn away your Shadowsteel or not?"
"Of course I do." Ethan North finally recovered from his shock. If Joe Di possessed the Cosmic Flame, it meant the Shadowsteel binding him could actually be burned through.
If the Shadowsteel was destroyed, Ethan North would be free—how many years had he been trapped here? The thought made him dizzy; he couldn't even remember how long it had been.
"Once I've burned away your Shadowsteel, wait aside while I attempt to break through to Ninth-Rank Formation Sovereign," Joe Di instructed.
Ethan North shook his head. "If you didn't have a Sacred Cosmic Flame, I would've had no hope of escape at all. But even with your flame, burning through the Shadowsteel that's binding me will take years."
"Honestly, Old North, you sure know how to fuss. If you'd just asked for help the moment I arrived, you wouldn't have had to wait this long. Anyway, I'm starting the burn now, and after that I'll be working on my array calculations—just watch from the side." As Joe Di spoke, he summoned the Cosmic Flame.