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"This time we're truly out of luck! The Grand Elder was actually in that kid's dormitory!" a student said through gritted teeth, his eyes blazing with anger.
Another student chimed in, echoing his frustration, "Exactly! Bai Cheng and the others were really unlucky this time. Otherwise, that heavenly flame would've been ours by now!"
Bai Cheng took a deep breath, suppressing his rising frustration. He knew this wasn't the right moment to act rashly.
"Everyone, calm down," he said softly, attempting to ease the tension. "Grand Elder Su Qian holds absolute authority in the academy. If we act recklessly, the consequences will be unimaginable.
We're not after a fleeting victory but long-term benefits."
Bai Shan stepped forward, his voice tinged with discontent. "Brother, aren't you being too lenient? That Xiao Wuya just enrolled—why does he deserve the Grand Elder's favor? Our Bai Clan has the resources and standing!" His fists were clenched tightly, a clear expression of the resentment boiling within him.
Bai Cheng frowned, turning to Bai Shan with a quiet reprimand. "It's not that we're doing nothing about this, but the timing isn't right. Now is not the best moment for us to make a move."
He cast a meaningful glance at Bai Shan, hoping his younger brother would understand that this wasn't weakness but strategic wisdom.
Bai Shan trembled with anger. Although Bai Cheng insisted on caution, his frustration burned fiercely, like an uncontrollable flame.
Why should Xiao Wuya, a mere newcomer, be allowed to claim such a rare heavenly flame so easily?
Unbeknownst to Bai Cheng, Bai Shan retreated to his room in secret. After ensuring he was alone, he retrieved a spiritual artifact—the Bai Clan's ancestral *Transmission Talisman*.
Clutching the talisman tightly, he closed his eyes, summoning his inner strength to imbue his voice within it.
"Bai Shan of the inner clan requests an audience with the Patriarch!" Though his voice was soft, it echoed across the Bai Clan's domain.
In the Bai Clan's Patriarch's chamber, a middle-aged man draped in white robes sat with an air of solemn authority. His eyes, deep as the cosmos, glimmered faintly.
Suddenly, his expression shifted as if sensing something.
Raising his hand, he withdrew a crystalline Transmission Talisman from his sleeve. Bai Shan's faint voice resonated from within.
"A Transmission Talisman?" queried an elder in green robes beside him, his gaze cautious and vigilant.
The Patriarch deliberated briefly before nodding.
"Relay the message to me," he commanded, his tone calm but imbued with an unyielding power.
Fixing his gaze on the talisman, his expression grew grave.
"Bai Shan, instead of focusing on your studies, what urgent matter compels you to contact me?" Bai Canglong's voice was steady yet commanding.
"Father, you're unaware of recent events!" Bai Shan responded excitedly. "A major discovery has been made at Jia Nan Academy. Beneath the Sky-Burning Qi Refining Tower, a heavenly flame known as the *Fallen Heart Flame* has been uncovered!"
Bai Canglong's face shifted dramatically at the revelation. The talisman trembled faintly in his grasp.
"The Fallen Heart Flame!" he murmured, his tone heavy.
"That flame is exceedingly rare—an extraordinary treasure that appears once in millennia."
Seeing his father's reaction, Bai Shan quickly elaborated, "Yes, Father! It's said the Fallen Heart Flame possesses the power to annihilate everything, making it an invaluable resource for cultivation."
"Exactly, Father!" Bai Shan added enthusiastically. "Mastering this heavenly flame would guarantee becoming one of the strongest in the world!"
"Fool, stop spouting nonsense! That's a heavenly flame we're talking about," Bai Canglong snapped.
He paused in thought, his eyes flickering with a trace of hesitation.
Heavenly Flame Scheme
He murmured softly to himself, "No wonder the aura of the Sky-Burning Qi Refining Tower is so overwhelming—it's being suppressed by a heavenly flame."
"Exactly!" Bai Shan said solemnly. "Once this news spreads, all the major factions will surely dispatch their elites to fight for it."
Bai Shan continued, "Father, we must also seize this opportunity. The Bai Clan should claim the Fallen Heart Flame as well."
Bai Canglong furrowed his brow deeply, his eyes brimming with desire.
"Tell me, where is the Fallen Heart Flame now?" His voice betrayed his barely restrained excitement.
"It was taken by someone named Xiao Wuya," Bai Shan replied immediately. "He's currently in the academy under the protection of Grand Elder Su Qian and the institution itself."
Hearing this, Bai Canglong's expression darkened slightly.
Though eagerness coursed through him, the mention of Su Qian's name was like a dousing of cold water, forcing clarity into his thoughts.
"Su Qian…" Bai Canglong muttered softly, a flicker of caution passing through his gaze.
"Our Bai Clan is just an ordinary family, and I'm merely a peak Dou Wang.
But Su Qian is a bona fide Dou Zong.
If I were to attempt to snatch the heavenly flame, I'd likely meet a grim end."
He took a deep breath, gradually calming the turmoil in his heart.
"For now, we must act prudently.
We cannot let impulsive actions endanger our family."
Bai Shan, understanding his father's reasoning, dared not press further. He nodded silently, signaling his agreement.
"Excellent. Bai Shan, your report came at just the right time."
Bai Canglong's voice carried a note of approval and pride. "When you return, you will certainly be rewarded for your efforts."
Bai Shan beamed with pride and satisfaction.
"Thank you, Father!" he said with enthusiasm. "I only did what was necessary."
Lowering his voice, Bai Canglong added, "Take heed—this information must not be shared with anyone else."
Bai Shan quickly nodded, fully understanding the importance of secrecy.
Eagerly, he asked, "Father, what's your plan?"
Bai Canglong smiled faintly, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes.
"Don't worry. With this intelligence advantage, even if we don't obtain the heavenly flame ourselves, we can still reap significant benefits."
Bai Shan nodded excitedly.
"Understood! I'll leave it to you!" His face lit up with expectation and excitement.
After the conversation ended, Bai Shan's expression was one of exhilaration.
He could already imagine Xiao Wuya's heavenly flame being taken from him, leaving him in utter defeat.
Meanwhile, Bai Canglong stood in his spacious study, his eyes filled with greedy ambition. The thought of the heavenly flame ignited a fiery yearning within him.
Yet his rational mind knew that with only his Dou Wang strength, storming Jia Nan Academy to claim the flame was pure fantasy.
"Is there no other way?" he murmured, frowning as he contemplated his options.
Closing his eyes, he fell into deep thought, searching for a solution.
Suddenly, inspiration struck. Opening his eyes, a sly grin spread across his face.
(End of Chapter)