Zi Yan was utterly frustrated.
That hateful human refused to fight her head-on, leaving her proud strength with nowhere to be unleashed!
"Ah—it hurts!"
The blazing energy raging within her body was like molten magma, searing its way from her back through every limb and bone. Agony pulsed through her veins, every muscle trembling under the fiery invasion.
Fortunately, deep within her body, a surge of violet energy erupted — pure and majestic, shielding her flesh and meridians while forcefully expelling the foreign flames that burned within.
Though she could no longer move, Zi Yan's violet eyes still glared fiercely at Liu Xi, her lips muttering constant defiance. Even in pain, she refused to yield—until her gaze shifted.
Her eyes widened, fixed on the glittering treasures before her — resting in Liu Xi's long fingers were several warm, fragrant pills, their enticing aroma carrying waves of potent medicinal energy.
Her small, adorable nose twitched. Each breath filled her senses with that intoxicating scent.
"So fragrant…" she murmured unconsciously.
Liu Xi smiled knowingly. Seeing her resistance wavering, he flicked one pill between his fingers, sending it straight into Zi Yan's slightly parted lips.
"Mmm! Delicious! So delicious!"
Her words came out muffled as she chewed the pill eagerly. The moment the sweet medicinal liquid melted on her tongue, her pain vanished, replaced by a warm, blissful feeling that lit up her little face with contentment.
"How about it?" Liu Xi said with a teasing grin. "If you call me Big Brother, I'll make you these candies every day."
Zi Yan blinked rapidly, sitting up weakly and kneeling on the floor. She rubbed her cheek, swallowed the remaining sweetness, and even stuck out her tongue to lick her lips — unwilling to let the taste fade.
The frost and fury in her violet eyes melted away. 'He actually made those disgusting herbs taste this good… If I'd met him earlier, I wouldn't have had to chew on raw roots all this time. Still, me, Zi Yan, become someone's little sister? Impossible!'
She swallowed hard and looked up at him. "You promise? If I become your little sister, you'll give me these candies every day?"
Liu Xi smiled and nodded.
"...Big Brother!" Zi Yan's voice was soft and reluctant, but her will crumbled before the lure of the pills.
"Good girl." Liu Xi chuckled in satisfaction. "Then you can admit defeat now. Your Big Brother will always be your Big Brother."
"Fine!" Zi Yan huffed, but her hungry eyes never once left the handful of pills in his palm. Raising a small, dirt-smeared hand, she declared clearly, "I admit defeat!"
In response, Liu Xi handed her the rest of the pills. Zi Yan's face brightened with pure joy as she immediately popped one into her mouth, savoring it with a delighted hum.
Liu Xi, meanwhile, placed his palm gently on her slender shoulder, channeling his Dou Qi to withdraw the lingering fire energy he had struck her with earlier.
His brows lifted in surprise. Though his Green Lotus Core Flame was incredibly domineering, it was already being devoured by the strange violet energy within her body — dissolved like ice in boiling water. 'As expected of the Ancient Void Dragon bloodline…'
He sighed inwardly. 'Despite her bedraggled appearance, her injuries are only superficial. Aside from that brief moment of paralysis, she's fine. Truly, the blood of the highest-tier magical beast is astonishing.'
The yellow-robed referee descended back onto the arena, wings of Dou Qi folding behind him.
Seeing that neither combatant had fought to the death — and had, in fact, ended on such a harmonious note — he smiled in relief. Two geniuses like these were far too valuable to lose to petty rivalry.
He raised his voice solemnly: "The winner of this match — Liu Xi! Also… could you please disperse your fire spirits now?"
Standing at the center of the arena, surrounded by five terrifying flame beasts, the elder felt his scalp go numb as he hurriedly added, "Quickly, if you would!"
Liu Xi nodded lightly. His gaze swept over the five dark-cyan flame beasts — each exuding an aura nearing that of a Dou Wang. He raised his palm and commanded calmly, "Return."
The fire spirits roared silently, their enormous forms trembling before collapsing into torrents of blue-green flame. The fires spun into a vortex that rushed back into Liu Xi's outstretched hand, vanishing within.
Each of those spirits had been born from his alien flame — a costly creation that consumed one-tenth of his Dou Qi apiece. But since he'd withdrawn them before their energy dispersed, he could recover much of it intact.
As the final wisp of blue flame disappeared, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers that shook the entire arena.
Moments ago, that overwhelming aura had left every student breathless. Even the strongest among them now realized they couldn't compare to even one of Liu Xi's summoned fire spirits!
Among them stood Wang Shan — a fellow student who once challenged Liu Xi after failing to break through to Dou Wang. Watching now, he could only sigh in defeat and admiration. 'I'll never catch up to him… Even as a Dou Wang, I wouldn't withstand that flame.'
"Demon Lord! Demon Lord!" the crowd roared.
Then, from somewhere in the stands, another voice broke through the chorus.
"Azure Flame Lord! Azure Flame Lord!"
Perhaps because of his mastery over the cyan flame, someone had coined a new title for him — "Azure Flame Lord."
To everyone's surprise, the name caught on instantly among the newer students. They shouted it with enthusiasm, while the older students, loyal to the old days, still called him "Demon Lord." After all, they had seen firsthand how Liu Xi toyed with the academy's strongest when he first entered the Inner Academy.
Liu Xi himself ignored the titles. His gaze had already drifted toward the stands — to where Elder Su Qian was watching. The old man met his eyes and nodded approvingly.
Liu Xi turned to Zi Yan, who was still holding a pile of pills with a radiant grin. "Come on, Zi Yan. Elder Su Qian's over there. Let's go greet him."
Zi Yan followed his gaze and spotted Su Qian. "Okay!" she chirped.
When they reached the judges' platform, Su Qian chuckled as he looked at the pair. "It seems you two get along quite well. I assume you've realized Zi Yan isn't an ordinary human?"
Liu Xi nodded. "Yes. She's definitely not."
Su Qian's smile softened. "Indeed. When I first met her, I was startled too — such a tiny girl, struggling to survive among magical beasts, chased all over by several 5th Rank creatures. She looked so pitiful, I brought her back myself."
Zi Yan's little face flushed crimson. "Hey! I didn't ask you to bring me back! And I wasn't being chased — I was…"
"Strategically retreating," Liu Xi added helpfully, smirking.
Her violet eyes lit up. "Exactly! I was strategically retreating after stealing their herbs!"
Su Qian laughed heartily, stroking his beard. He didn't expose her fib. "Whatever the case, you're both the brightest geniuses of our Inner Academy. Seeing you two coexist peacefully puts my mind at ease."
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.