High above the Inner Academy, the atmosphere was tense.
At the mention of Demon Flame Valley, Grand Elder Su Qian's smile faded, replaced by a grave solemnity.
"In the days when the Headmaster was still here," he said, voice deep with restrained anger, "that old ghost of the Demon Flame Valley cowered within Demon Flame Valley like a frightened quail. But once the Headmaster departed, even that decrepit coward dared to bring his arrogance to our gates."
A cold glint flashed through Su Qian's eyes as he continued, "First there was Han Feng, now the Earth Demon Old Ghost. The Inner Academy cannot simply endure and retreat. We must strike back — crush the arrogance festering within the Black-Corner Region. This time, we'll seize the opportunity to completely annihilate Demon Flame Valley."
Liu Xi nodded, expression calm but eyes sharp. "Agreed. With the Inner Academy's strength behind us, the operation will be much safer. Grand Elder, you decide the time — the sooner, the better."
Su Qian pondered briefly. With himself, Xiao Yixian, and Liu Xi — whose strength already rivaled a Dou Zong — Demon Flame Valley, without its fallen leader, had no power to resist.
"Tomorrow," Su Qian said decisively. "We depart at first light. The less warning they have, the better."
"No problem," Liu Xi replied lightly.
After finalizing their plan, Liu Xi departed with Xiao Yixian.
He hadn't been back to the Inner Academy in a long time, and since he would soon set out for the Central Plains, he made sure to visit the elders of both the Inner and Outer Academy one by one — Elder Liu, Elder Zhao, the fiery-tempered Elder Huo, and Vice Headmaster Hu Qian.
By the time dusk approached, Liu Xi had heard all manner of news — some disappointing, some expected.
Within the Inner Academy, Xiao Yan had been completely expelled. Having robbed the Academy of the Fallen Heart Flame and injured numerous elders and students during its defense, Su Qian had formally erased his name from the rolls.
The Pan Gate Xiao Yan founded was soon disbanded from top to bottom. Hu Jia joined Han Yue's faction, Wu Hao sided with Liu Qing's, and the remaining members scattered, absorbed by other groups.
In the Outer Academy, the Xiao Clan members — Xiao Ning, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Mei — were spared from punishment but stripped of any eligibility to participate in future Inner Academy entrance trials.
Even if they possessed talent, they would graduate early — forbidden from remaining to teach.
As for what awaited them upon returning to the Jia Ma Empire… only fate would tell.
Liu Xi listened to it all in silence.
After all, his and Xiao Yan's goals had been the same — both had sought the Fallen Heart Flame. Yet where Xiao Yan's actions led to ruin, his own had brought stability to the Inner Academy.
Perhaps that was the difference: one worshipped, the other reviled.
Just then, a cheerful voice broke his thoughts.
"Big Brother!"
A flash of violet light streaked across the courtyard as Zi Yan burst through the door, hopping toward him with her usual energy.
Liu Xi frowned slightly and stepped forward in concern. "Zi Yan? What happened? Who hurt you?"
The little girl's face was smudged with dirt, her purple hair messy, and her robe torn and stained with blood. Yet her eyes sparkled mischievously.
"I didn't get hurt!" she declared proudly. "This blood's from that big tiger — my old rival! I saw it near the Inner Academy and gave it a good beating!"
After a quick examination, Liu Xi found not a single wound on her — her smooth, pale skin seemed unbreakable. His frown melted into amusement.
"Turned into a little flower cat, haven't you?" he teased, gently pinching her soft cheeks. "Are you sure you weren't the one being beaten?"
Zi Yan puffed out her cheeks, pulling out a snow-white berry. She waved it triumphantly before his eyes. "See? Proof! I scared it off and even got this from its stash!"
Liu Xi chuckled. "Alright, little flower cat, go wash up. And tomorrow — no wandering off. We're leaving."
"Heehee, Big Brother should come wash too!"
"Uh… maybe when you're older, Zi Yan."
"Stupid Body Transformation Grass…" she muttered in protest, pouting.
---
The next morning, dawn's first light shimmered over the Inner Academy.
Liu Xi arrived at the Grand Elder's pavilion with Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan in tow.
Su Qian stood waiting outside, joined by Elder Qin Xuan and ten Dou Wang elders. When they saw Liu Xi, their faces brightened with smiles of respect — though their gazes turned wary when they met Xiao Yixian's calm, poison-tinged presence. A real Dou Zong commanded awe beyond words.
Once everyone had assembled, Su Qian's smile faded once more. His expression hardened, his voice echoing with solemn weight.
"Two days ago," he said, "the despicable Earth Demon Old Ghost led the beasts of Demon Flame Valley to our gates. They sought to steal our Fallen Heart Flame — their arrogance knew no bounds."
"Thanks to Elder Liu Xi's timely return, not only was the flame recovered, but the Earth Demon Old Ghost was slain through his and Miss Xiao Yixian's combined strength. The Inner Academy was spared great disaster."
"But Demon Flame Valley still stands. Today, we march to erase it — to show every rogue in the Black-Corner Region that Canaan Academy is not a place they may come and go as they please!"
His words ignited the fury in every elder's heart. The memory of that invasion — of the old ghost's insolence — made their blood boil.
The last one who had dared attack the Inner Academy was Han Feng. He'd rallied a band of thugs and stormed the gates.
And he'd died for it.
"Depart!" Su Qian's voice thundered. "Target — Demon Flame Valley!"
---
In the heart of Demon Flame Valley, a heavy silence hung over the council hall.
The master's seat was empty. The surviving elders — Fang Yan and several others — sat grim-faced below.
After being ordered to chase Xiao Yan, they had returned only to find a ruined battlefield — and no trace of their Old Ghost.
Now, dread consumed them.
"First Elder," the Second Elder said nervously, "what should we do? The Old Ancestor has yet to return. If something has happened to him, then Demon Flame Valley—"
"Silence!" Fang Yan barked, his eyes flashing. "The Old Ancestor was a 7-Star Dou Zong. How could anything happen to him? No one is to speak of this again."
But even he couldn't hide the uncertainty beneath his composure.
"Still," the Third Elder pressed, "if word spreads that the Old Ancestor hasn't returned, our prestige will crumble. And worse — what if the Jia Nan Academy retaliates?"
Fang Yan's brow furrowed deeply. "The Old Ancestor has returned," he said firmly, forcing conviction into his tone. "He's simply in seclusion, recovering from minor injuries. If Canaan Academy dares move against us, we'll rally the entire Black-Corner Region! Let's see who can withstand the storm — they have strength, but we have numbers."
But before his bravado could settle, a thunderous roar shook the heavens.
"Demon Flame Valley—" the voice boomed from above, "—shall be erased from this land today!"
The council hall trembled as the echo rolled across the valley, shattering the illusion of safety.
(End of Chapter)
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