"Big Brother, do you think we should go back and help Father govern the Xiao Empire?"
In the Black-Corner Region, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, who had just established a small faction, gathered to discuss their plans.
After hearing Xiao Li's suggestion, Xiao Ding shook his head. "Father wanted us to go out and make our own way. How could we give up halfway?"
"But Father has already expanded the Xiao Empire's territory more than tenfold. Before long, he might even bring the Black-Corner Region under his rule!" Xiao Li said helplessly.
"Then before Father advances into the Black-Corner Region, we'll go somewhere farther away to make our mark!" Xiao Ding said earnestly.
"Where? The Central Plains?" Xiao Li asked doubtfully.
"Exactly. The Central Plains are vast and rich in resources. There will be more opportunities there!" Xiao Ding nodded.
After some discussion, the two decided to abandon the enterprise they had only just built and head to the Central Plains to pursue their fortunes.
An unknown amount of time passed in the underground magma beneath Jia Nan Academy.
A faint, unusual sound suddenly came from within Xiao Yan's body as he sat cross-legged.
With that strange sound, the Dou Qi flowing through his body abruptly stopped.
Slowly coming to his senses, Xiao Yan first surveyed his surroundings in a slight daze. Then, with a stir of his consciousness, the scene within his Dou Qi Vortex appeared before his inner eye.
As soon as his consciousness entered the Dou Qi Vortex, soft emerald light shone toward it. A sweep of his consciousness sent joy rising slowly from the depths of his heart, seeping into his very marrow.
Inside the Dou Qi Vortex, the mingled blue-and-white flames had vanished completely. In their place was an emerald-green flame, like jade.
The