Jian Nan Inner Court
"Grand Elder!"
A group of elders and teachers from the inner courtyard of Jia Nan Academy had gathered beside the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower. Su Qian, the respected Grand Elder of the Inner Court, approached with a stern expression.
"What happened? Why has the Heavenly Flame vanished?"
"We're unsure, Grand Elder," one teacher responded, shaking his head. "We only just arrived. We'll need to question whoever was inside supplying fighting spirit to the flame."
Ever since Su Qian had received the Little Fallen Heart Flame from Zi Yan, the tower had resumed functioning. Though the flame's strength was limited, teachers and elders supported it by supplying their spirit power to maintain fire output.
But just moments ago, the flames had abruptly gone out, drawing immediate concern.
Soon, four injured teachers emerged from the tower, staggering.
"What happened? Who attacked you?" Su Qian asked.
"It was Xiao Yan."
"Xiao Yan? He's just a Dou Grandmaster! How could he defeat all four of you?"
"He had assistance. A spirit body helped him—one wielding the Bone Chilling Flame, ranked 11th on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. It overpowered us easily and took the Little Fallen Heart Flame."
Su Qian's expression darkened. He'd heard the stories about Yao Chen, once Pavilion Master of Xingyun Pavilion, who possessed that very flame.
"Seal off the Inner Court immediately," he ordered. "Mobilize all students and faculty. Search the mountain range. Find Xiao Yan—alive or dead."
---
Mountain Cave, Outside the Inner Court
Within a secluded cave, Yao Chen's spirit form hovered beside a cross-legged Xiao Yan.
"Little Yanzi, even that weak Fallen Heart Flame—must you steal that too?" Yao Chen sighed in exasperation.
Xiao Yan grinned. "Didn't you once say that fate favors the destined? Since I succeeded, doesn't that make me the destined one?"
Yao Chen narrowed his eyes. "That flame is still in its embryonic stage. Its strength is limited."
"Even the weakest mosquito is still meat, teacher. My current Burning Technique is only low-grade Yellow Rank. Devouring this may be enough to evolve it."
Yao Chen sighed again. He knew Xiao Yan's hunger for strength, and also knew there was no stopping him.
"Fine. Since you've made up your mind, begin the absorption."
---
Three Days Later
While Jia Nan Academy remained unaware of the cave's hidden devouring process, another figure wasn't so oblivious.
Han Feng had arrived.
"A Heavenly Flame... inside this cave."
Though the cave was shielded by a barrier, Han Feng immediately recognized the familiar aura—his former master's, Yao Chen. The presence was undeniable.
Before he could act, the flame devouring within the cave had already concluded.
"Haha! Mid Yellow Rank!" Xiao Yan's joyful voice echoed as he rose.
His technique had successfully evolved.
"He's coming," Yao Chen warned.
"Who?"
"My ungrateful disciple—Han Feng."
"Perfect." Xiao Yan stood up, flame swirling in his palm. "Time to avenge you, teacher."
"He's far stronger than you. You're just a Dou Ling. He's a peak Dou Huang."
"So what? I have the Fallen Heart Flame now."
With a flick, a greenish-white lotus of fire formed in his hand. Xiao Yan stepped out.
Han Feng stood outside, gaze locked on the black ring around Xiao Yan's finger. He could feel the familiar spirit fluctuation within.
"You must be Xiao Yan."
"You know me?"
"Hand over the Heavenly Flame and the ring. For our shared roots as disciples of Yao Chen, I'll spare you."
"The fire? Sure. Catch."
With a smirk, Xiao Yan launched the Buddha's Wrath Lotus.
Han Feng panicked. Without the Sea Heart Flame, his strength had dropped. He raised a defensive Dou Qi wall.
Boom!
The fire lotus exploded on impact. A mushroom cloud burst skyward, shaking the forest.
Su Qian, watching from afar, saw the detonation.
"That's it. Xiao Yan is there! All teachers and students—pursue him to the ends of the earth. The Fallen Heart Flame must be recovered, no matter the cost!"
Black Corner Region – Black Emperor City
At the towering black gates of the famed Black Emperor City, Ye Feng stood with Zi Yan. The city walls shimmered faintly under the sun, their surfaces layered in rare Black Mirror Stone, capable of reflecting attacks.
Zi Yan frowned. "He really did it. Xiao Yan absorbed the flame."
Ye Feng nodded. "He succeeded."
"Won't Jia Nan Academy hunt him down? He still has family. They won't let this slide easily."
Ye Feng smiled faintly. "Who knows?"
Thanks to his interference, Xiao Yan, who originally never obtained a Heavenly Flame this early, had now devoured the Little Fallen Heart Flame. Ironically, this weaker variant was more trouble than the full version.
The Great Fallen Heart Flame was explosive, a disaster waiting to erupt from the Tianfen Tower. Whoever subdued it would be seen as the Inner Court's hero.
But the Little Fallen Heart Flame? Harmless, stable, and essential to the Tower's operation. Anyone who took it away became an enemy of the Inner Court.
Zi Yan clenched her fists. Her voice was laced with anger.
"Damn it, Xiao Yan... You dared to steal the Fallen Heart Flame. I, Zi Yan, will chase you to the ends of the world and kill you!"
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