The immense Spiritual Power Xiao Yan had borrowed from Yao Chen was reaching its limit—barely stable now, a volatile force equal to that of a Dou Huang.
Each swing of the Heavy Xuan Ruler tore through the air, his movements fluid and deadly.
Ten minutes later, the entire area lay in ruin. Deep gouges crisscrossed the shattered ground; thick trees had been snapped clean in half, and debris blanketed the earth.
Han Yue, Lin Yan, Liu Qing, and Lin Xiuya all lay defeated. Liu Qing's arms were broken, leaving him unable to lift his spear. Lin Xiuya's sword was shattered, his aura nearly extinguished as he fell into unconsciousness.
A fleeting killing intent flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes—but he forced it down, sliding the Heavy Ruler back onto his back.
"In the end, we are classmates," he muttered. "You've wronged me, but I cannot repay with betrayal. I'll spare your lives today."
He stamped his foot against the ground and soared skyward, heading straight toward Xun'er.
Moments later, two more familiar figures appeared beside her—Hu Jia and Wu Hao.
Xiao Yan frowned but didn't slow down. Appearing before them, he called out urgently, "Xun'er! No time to explain. Come with me!"
"Alright."
Though puzzled, Xun'er trusted him completely and ran toward him without hesitation, her robes fluttering like pale gold silk.
Hu Jia's brows furrowed sharply. Snapping the long whip from her slender waist, she barked, "Xiao Yan, you bastard! What are you doing? Why steal the Academy's Heavenly Flame—and where do you plan to take Xun'er? Is there some misunderstanding here?"
Wu Hao said nothing. He simply drew his blood-red greatsword and slammed it into the ground with a metallic clang, eyes cold as stone. "Answer me—did you do this?"
Faced with his former comrades—people who had once fought beside him—Xiao Yan fell silent. With Yao Chen as his master, Jia Nan Academy had long since taught him nothing. He had come here only for the Heavenly Flame.
"Xun'er believes in you, brother. Do what you think is right," Xun'er said softly, standing by his side.
A faint smile curved Xiao Yan's lips. At least someone still understood him. Looking at Hu Jia and Wu Hao, he simply said, "Yes."
Hu Jia trembled. Her whip cracked through the air with a sharp snap, eyes reddening. "Why?! The Grand Elder is risking his life against that Earth Demon Old Ghost for you—and you're stealing from your own Academy?!"
Xiao Yan sighed, a flicker of guilt flashing across his face before fading entirely.
Why? Because this was his only chance. At any other time, only a life-or-death battle with Su Qian could grant him access to the Fallen Heart Flame.
And now… the Heavenly Flame was already his.
Xun'er's calm indifference toward the Academy's loss struck Hu Jia and Wu Hao like thunder. Their image of Xiao Yan as noble and selfless—and of Xun'er as pure and wise—shattered completely.
Wu Hao finally realized just how vast the gulf between him and Xun'er truly was. He had never even stood a chance.
With a cold snarl, he pulled a black-engraved badge from his Storage Ring and tossed it at Xiao Yan's feet before stabbing his sword straight through it.
Crack!
The badge splintered into shards. His face remained expressionless.
"Wu Hao! What are you doing?" Xiao Yan frowned. That badge bore the symbol of Pan Gate—the brotherhood they had founded together.
"Pan Gate? Hard as rock? Hah!" Wu Hao spat on the ground. "I spit on it!"
Lifting the hem of his blood-red robe, he sliced it open with a streak of Dou Qi—clean and decisive.
Rip!
The torn fabric drifted to the ground. His voice came out cold and final. "Xiao Yan, from this moment on, I, Wu Hao, sever all ties with you. Our brotherhood ends here."
"Now—return what belongs to the Academy."
His body burst forward in a flash of red Dou Qi, the ground cracking beneath his feet. In the blink of an eye, his greatsword came crashing down toward Xiao Yan's head with ruthless force.
"Wu Hao, are you mad?!" Xiao Yan roared, pulling Xun'er behind him.
The deadly pressure surged closer. With no time to hesitate, Xiao Yan clenched his fist. As the blade neared, he thrust his knuckles forward.
"Octane Blast!"
Boom!
The greatsword was sent flying, its shockwave scattering dust and stone. The hidden force in Xiao Yan's strike burst out, sending Wu Hao reeling. His arms went numb; blood sprayed from his mouth as he collapsed.
Clang!
The fallen sword plunged into the ground, still quivering from the impact.
"Wu Hao! Xiao Yan, you—!" Hu Jia's eyes blazed with fury.
Snap!
Her whip lashed out like a viper toward Xiao Yan's neck—but he caught it midair, his hand like lightning. With a hard pull, he dragged her toward him.
Hu Jia gasped, releasing the whip and flipping back to land on her feet, eyes wary and burning with anger.
Xiao Yan tossed the whip aside. His voice carried sorrow and frustration. "Why… why can't any of you understand me?"
Hu Jia's lips curled bitterly. "Understand you? You call this righteousness—stealing the Academy's Heavenly Flame for yourself? So this is what obsession turns a man into."
"Enough." Xiao Yan shook his head, his expression dimming. Turning away, he muttered, "There's no point explaining."
But just as he took a step, a hand clamped around his ankle.
"As long as I still breathe," Wu Hao croaked weakly, "you're not taking that Heavenly Flame anywhere."
Xiao Yan's eyes filled with pain and fury. "Do you even know what I'm facing?! Why must you all stand against me? Why can't you understand?"
Xun'er held his hand tightly, her voice gentle yet firm. "I understand, Brother Xiao Yan. No one bears a heavier fate than you."
Relief softened Xiao Yan's expression. "Thank you, Xun'er."
He pulled her close. "We must leave the Academy—now."
"Alright."
Xun'er's calm confidence eased his heart. The seal within her body could shatter Dou Saints—let alone anyone here. Besides, she had already called upon her clan's protectors.
With one arm around her slender waist, Xiao Yan broke free from Wu Hao's grip, ignited Yao Chen's Spiritual Power, and shot into the sky.
Suddenly, his expression changed. He unhooked the crystal vessel tied to his belt—the one holding the miniature Fallen Heart Flame.
The flame-serpent within was trembling violently, its heat soaring. The crystalline vessel cracked and began to melt under the heat. Xiao Yan quickly poured out his Dou Qi to suppress it.
"Let go, Xiao Yan!" Yao Chen's urgent voice echoed in his mind. "The more you suppress a rampaging Heavenly Flame, the stronger its backlash becomes!"
Without hesitation, Xiao Yan flung the vessel away. The crystal exploded with a sharp snap!
A streak of invisible fire burst forth, the tiny flame-serpent darting across the sky.
"Damn it!" Xiao Yan cursed, chasing after it. That Heavenly Flame was his life's goal—he couldn't let it escape!
Suddenly, a calm voice sounded ahead.
"Well, well. Already formed into a living spirit? The Academy's nurturing truly is impressive."
A tall figure extended his hand, catching the invisible serpent as it curled lovingly around his fingers. The man neither flinched nor burned; his calm smile was faintly amused.
"Liu Xi!"
The man—his tone lazy and composed—looked up at Xiao Yan soaring toward him, then at the girl in his arms whose aura radiated faint danger.
Far in the distance, the earth shook as the battle above the Inner Academy raged on.
Liu Xi chuckled lightly. "Heh… looks like quite a lot has happened."
(End of Chapter)
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