The morning sun slowly rose over the Xiao Clan.
Golden light spread across the ancient buildings, illuminating the quiet courtyards and training grounds.
But beneath the peaceful surface…
Something had already begun to change.
Because rumors were spreading.
Fast.
Very fast.
Within just one night, nearly every disciple in the Xiao Clan had heard about the shocking battle during the clan competition.
The fight between two rising geniuses.
Xiao Yan.
And
Xiao Tian.
Many disciples still couldn't believe what they had seen.
A previously unknown disciple had suddenly appeared and fought Xiao Yan to a draw.
Some even whispered that Xiao Tian had the advantage.
Inside the training yard, several disciples were discussing the battle excitedly.
"I swear I saw flames around his fist!"
"Yeah! His Dou Qi felt terrifying!"
"Where did that guy even come from?"
Meanwhile—
Standing silently beside the arena wall…
Xiao Yan listened quietly.
His expression was calm.
But inside his mind…
He was deeply troubled.
Xiao Yan's Doubt
"Teacher…"
Xiao Yan whispered internally.
Inside his ring, the old voice of Yao Chen slowly responded.
"You're thinking about that boy again."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly.
"Something about him feels wrong."
During their fight yesterday, Xiao Yan clearly sensed something strange.
Xiao Tian's Dou Qi…
Was unusually pure.
And more importantly—
There was a faint pressure hidden within it.
Even Yao Chen had felt it.
The old spirit spoke again.
"That aura…"
"It reminded me of something extremely dangerous."
Xiao Yan frowned.
"Dangerous?"
Yao Chen's voice became serious.
"Yes."
"If my guess is correct…"
"That boy might possess a very powerful flame."
Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat.
"A flame?"
In the Dou Qi Continent, there was only one type of flame powerful enough to frighten even Yao Chen.
A Heavenly Flame.
But Xiao Yan quickly shook his head.
"That's impossible."
"He's just a clan disciple."
Even Heavenly Flames were rare treasures fought over by entire empires.
How could someone like Xiao Tian possess one?
Yao Chen remained silent for a moment.
Then he said quietly,
"I hope I'm wrong."
Gu Xuner's Curiosity
Meanwhile, in another part of the Xiao Clan.
Inside a quiet courtyard filled with bamboo trees.
Gu Xuner sat gracefully beside a stone table.
Her elegant golden dress shimmered under the sunlight.
Across from her stood an elderly servant.
"Miss…"
"Do you really want me to investigate him?"
Xuner nodded calmly.
"Yes."
The servant hesitated.
"But he's just a Xiao Clan disciple."
Xuner's beautiful eyes slowly narrowed.
"Just a disciple?"
She softly shook her head.
"No."
"I saw something last night."
The servant froze.
Xuner rarely showed such serious expressions.
"What did you see, Miss?"
Xuner looked toward the distant mountains.
Her voice became quiet.
"A flame…"
"A very strange flame."
Even someone from the powerful Gu Clan like her had never felt such a strange aura before.
It was not just powerful.
It felt ancient.
Dangerous.
Almost like something that should not exist in this world.
Xuner slowly clenched her fingers.
"Xiao Tian…"
"What are you hiding?"
Xiao Tian's Decision
At this moment—
The person causing all this curiosity was sitting calmly on the roof of a quiet building.
Xiao Tian.
He watched the busy clan courtyard below.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"It seems I attracted too much attention…"
But he wasn't worried.
In fact—
Everything was happening exactly as he expected.
The Xiao Clan was too small.
Staying here for too long would only limit his growth.
If he wanted to truly rise again…
He had to leave.
Soon.
His thoughts slowly turned toward the west.
The endless desert.
The dangerous land of the Snake People.
The territory ruled by the proud and beautiful queen—
Medusa.
In the original timeline…
She was one of the most terrifying existences in the Jia Ma Empire.
But Xiao Tian knew something others didn't.
Right now—
Medusa had not yet evolved.
She was preparing for the dangerous ritual that would transform her into the Heaven Swallowing Python.
And that ritual…
Required a Heavenly Flame.
Xiao Tian slowly opened his palm.
A crimson lotus flame appeared again.
The legendary Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
A dangerous smile appeared on his face.
"This time…"
"I'll be the one who helps her."
Unexpected Visitor
Just as Xiao Tian extinguished the flame—
A soft voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Planning something dangerous?"
Xiao Tian didn't turn around.
Because he already knew who it was.
Gu Xuner.
She stood quietly behind him.
Her golden eyes stared directly at his back.
"You're not an ordinary disciple."
Xiao Tian finally turned around.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the air became silent.
Xuner's gaze was sharp.
Almost like she was trying to see through him.
"You were in the mountains last night."
She said calmly.
Xiao Tian raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"And what if I was?"
Xuner didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she asked another question.
"That flame…"
"What exactly is it?"
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
For a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
Then suddenly—
Xiao Tian laughed softly.
"You saw it, huh."
Xuner's eyes widened slightly.
She hadn't expected him to admit it so easily.
Xiao Tian stepped closer to her.
His expression calm.
But his eyes contained an ancient confidence that didn't belong to someone his age.
"Let me ask you something instead."
He said quietly.
"If you discovered a terrifying power…"
"One strong enough to shake the entire continent…"
"Would you tell anyone?"
Xuner remained silent.
Because she already knew the answer.
No.
Of course not.
Xiao Tian smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
The wind blew gently between them.
And for the first time—
Xuner felt something strange.
The boy standing in front of her…
Felt more like an ancient ruler than a young disciple.
She slowly asked one final question.
"Are you planning to leave the Xiao Clan?"
Xiao Tian didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
"When?"
He turned toward the distant western horizon.
"Soon."
"Very soon."