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Xiao Yan smirked arrogantly, his gaze cold and unyielding as he locked eyes with Bai Cheng. His voice carried a tone of unwavering determination:
"The Heavenly Flame is mine. There's no way I'll give it to anyone. You can all leave."
"What did you say!?"
Bai Cheng's fury ignited, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes. Taking a threatening step forward, his battle energy surged outward, forming an oppressive aura that targeted Xiao Yan.
The members of Bai's gang chimed in, their taunts and jeers blending into an obnoxious cacophony:
"Our boss is only borrowing it out of courtesy! If you know what's good for you, hand over the Heavenly Flame!"
Xiao Yan faced Bai Cheng's hostility and the gang's arrogance with an unwavering posture. Though his body leaned slightly forward, his gaze was as sharp as lightning, radiating defiance. His stance remained resolute, refusing to yield even an inch.
Standing protectively in front of Xiao Yan, Zi Yan's voice was soft yet firm, carrying an unshakable resolve:
"You lot, if any of you dare harm Brother Xiao Yan, just try! I'll make sure you regret it!"
Her words exuded a fierce and unyielding aura, like a lioness defending her territory.
The immense power radiating from Zi Yan was like an insurmountable barrier, forcing Bai Cheng and his group to involuntarily step back. A flicker of apprehension crept into their eyes.
Zi Yan's gaze was steady and clear, a testament to her unshakable determination. It was an unspoken declaration that demanded respect, leaving no room for dismissal.
Standing beside her, Xiao Yan felt a rare sense of reassurance, a warmth that lightened the heavy tension.
"It seems my effort in refining those pills wasn't in vain. This little sister Zi Yan truly sees me as her elder brother," Xiao Yan thought to himself with amusement.
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Bo Hai Dong watched the escalating tension. His impulse to intervene grew stronger, eager to teach Bai Cheng and his lackeys a lesson they wouldn't forget.
Sweeping his gaze across the Bai Gang members, a trace of disdain flickered in Bo Hai Dong's eyes. He had long been disgusted by their overbearing and pompous behavior.
As his energy gathered, he resembled a predator poised to strike. Just as he prepared to act, Xiao Yan shot him a quick glance, signaling for him to stand down.
Bo Hai Dong froze, his movements halting. A trace of hesitation crossed his face, but he complied with Xiao Yan's silent request.
Xiao Yan's calm and composed expression conveyed a clear message: if Bo Hai Dong acted, the situation would spiral out of control. Xiao Yan had no intention of letting things escalate further.
After all, Xiao Yan had previously promised Elder Su Qian and Vice Principal Hu Po that his bodyguard wouldn't stir up trouble within the academy. Letting Bo Hai Dong intervene now would violate that promise.
The tension between the two sides thickened, filling the air like a coiled spring ready to snap.
At that moment, a sharp voice broke through the atmosphere. Xiao Xun'er strode forward, her steps confident and her expression unwavering.
Joining Zi Yan, Xiao Xun'er stood firmly in front of Xiao Yan. Her gaze was resolute, her aura commanding.
"Anyone who dares lay a finger on my brother will answer to me!" Her voice rang with authority and determination, sending a chill down Bai Cheng's spine.
Though Bai Cheng didn't know much about Xiao Xun'er, he instinctively sensed she wasn't someone to be trifled with.
The oppressive aura she exuded struck fear into others, deterring even the most reckless from challenging her.
Faced with the firm resolve of Xiao Xun'er and Zi Yan, the Bai Gang members faltered, their confidence shaken.
They realized that forcing a confrontation might lead to consequences far beyond their control.
At the same time, an undercurrent of jealousy surged within them as they turned their thoughts toward Xiao Yan.
"Damn, how does this guy have so many beautiful girls backing him up?"
"Seriously, what's his deal?!"
"Is it just because he's handsome or something?"
As Bai Cheng began reconsidering his approach, the situation took another turn. A group of top-tier academy geniuses, led by Lin Xiuya, arrived at the scene.
Lin Xiuya and his group had long coveted Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flame, and now they saw their chance to claim it.
Their gazes locked onto Xiao Yan, their eyes gleaming with greed, like a pack of wolves spotting an isolated rabbit.
They directed various threats toward Xiao Yan, their voices laced with oppressive intent.
"Xiao Wuya, you're quite bold, aren't you? You're in the wrong, yet you're still so defiant!"
"Kid, hand over the Heavenly Flame to us now, and we'll overlook your earlier disrespect."
"If not, well, you'll regret it."
The geniuses spoke coldly, their tone resolute and unquestionable.
Lin Xiuya stepped forward with a faint smile. "Classmate Wuya, you don't need to take their words to heart. However, if you don't hand over the Heavenly Flame, your time at the academy might not be so pleasant."
Though his words sounded non-threatening on the surface, the mocking smirk at the corner of his mouth betrayed his domineering intentions.
Seeing this, Bai Cheng and his gang were overjoyed. They eagerly joined in to further pressure Xiao Yan, their voices loud and menacing.
They believed that, even with the help of Xiao Yan's two sisters, he would have no choice but to hand over the Heavenly Flame today. Otherwise, he'd face their severe retaliation and suppression.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, the entire dormitory corridor enveloped in an oppressive energy, as if a violent confrontation could erupt at any moment.
Inside Xiao Yan's dorm, Elder Su Qian sat with his eyes closed, fully immersed in his meditation. He was in the midst of a breakthrough, delving into the intricacies of alchemy.
His mind floated like a star in the vastness of space, quietly receiving flashes of inspiration and sensing the subtle tremors of his soul.
But this tranquility was abruptly shattered by the arrogant voices outside. Su Qian was forcefully pulled out of his meditative state.
His heart burned with anger, a seething flame igniting within him.
"What is that noise?" Su Qian wondered. Moments later, the clamorous sounds from the corridor reached his ears.
Frowning deeply, he quickly pieced together what was happening.
"What? These fools are here to rob Xiao Yan of his Heavenly Flame!"
Fury surged through him as he recalled the promises he had made to Xiao Yan. His indignation grew even stronger.
Without hesitation, he stormed toward the dormitory door, his anger palpable.
Su Qian burst into the corridor, his aura dominating.
"E-Elder Su Qian!?"
Bai Cheng, Lin Xiuya, and the other so-called geniuses froze in shock. Their faces paled as fear and unease gripped their hearts.
"G-Greetings, Elder!"
Without hesitation, Bai Cheng, Lin Xiuya, and their group bowed respectfully, their arrogance evaporating in an instant as they tried to curry favor with Su Qian.
But Su Qian's expression was thunderous, his brows furrowed, and his eyes blazing with rage.
"I was this close to a breakthrough—insight was right at my fingertips!" Su Qian thought furiously.
"And you idiots had to interrupt me!"
His voice exploded like rolling thunder, reverberating through the corridor with unbridled anger.
"Who gave you the gall to bully classmate Wuya here!?"
Bai Cheng and Lin Xiuya panicked, stumbling over their words as they tried to explain.
"E-Elder, we weren't bullying him! We just wanted to get to know him better and maybe borrow his Heavenly Flame for a bit!"
Hearing this excuse, Su Qian's fury erupted further. He glared at Bai Cheng and Lin Xiuya, his voice booming like a thunderclap.
"Do you take me for a deaf old man? Do you think I didn't hear your aggressive words just now?"
His rage silenced the corridor. No one dared to speak further, their arrogance replaced by fear and submission.
(End of Chapter)