The sky over Azure Sky Academy buzzed with excitement.
Students crowded the amphitheater, banners waving. The spirit screens shimmered as the Top 32 teams were announced.
> [Team Dawnflame – Seed #11]
Captain: Jiang Han | Combat Rating: ??? | Status: Ranked Flameholder
Upcoming Opponent: Team Bloodveil – Seed #6
Captain: Jiang Linyu | Combat Rating: S+ | Status: Legacy Bloodline Holder – Jiang Clan
Jiang Han froze.
> "Jiang… Linyu?"
Bo Ren looked up sharply. "Another survivor?"
Tian Xue frowned. "But I thought your clan…"
Zhao Kai scratched his head. "Didn't they all—?"
Yue narrowed her eyes. "This doesn't smell right."
Jiang clenched his fists.
> "He was supposed to die."
---
The Announcement
A hush fell as Jiang Linyu stepped onto the arena platform.
He looked like Jiang Han—but older, sharper, colder. His flame aura was refined and narrow, carved like a dagger.
He raised a hand, smiling to the crowd.
> "Brothers and sisters of the Jiang bloodline—let it be known I have returned not just to compete, but to restore our name."
The crowd erupted.
> "And to the pretender bearing our family's name—Jiang Han—I challenge you not just for the match..."
> "But for your claim."
Yue muttered, "So dramatic."
Bo Ren squinted. "That's not just showmanship. That's a blood-right challenge. From one heir to another."
---
After the Storm
Back at the dorms, Jiang Han stood at the window, staring at the burning tournament bracket.
Tian Xue entered quietly, carrying the Phoenix Egg. Its feathers had started to grow, flickering with firelight.
> "You okay?"
> "He shouldn't exist," Jiang said. "Jiang Linyu was exiled before the clan fell. He swore vengeance on our father."
He paused.
> "He hated Long Chen. Said he was the reason the Jiang name became cursed."
Tian Xue sat beside him.
> "Then you don't beat him just with flame."
> "You beat him by showing them your flame is different."
---
Preparing for the Match
> [Flame Path Arena: Match #17 – Scheduled 24 hours from now]
Special Conditions: Bloodline Conflict – Audience Access Tier Expanded
Legacy Wagers Permitted
Winner Gains: Sovereign Flame Record Fragment (Jiang Clan Archive)
Bo Ren looked worried. "He's trying to use the match to rewrite history."
Zhao Kai cracked his knuckles. "Then we just punch him so hard he forgets it."
Yue smirked. "Or I shoot his flame crest off. Either works."
Tian Xue whispered, "Let's not forget what's important. If he carries a corrupted version of the Jiang legacy, he might be trying to awaken the wrong flame."
Jiang stood, fire humming beneath his skin.
> "Then I'll show him how a true Jiang burns."
---
Arena Night – Whispers of the Past
As Jiang Han walked through the arena's flame-lit hallway, memories flooded him.
His father's teachings.
The fall of the Jiang estate.
Long Chen's refusal to abandon them.
And his own vow—reborn with three SSS-tier talents and a fractured universe—to build something better.
He stepped into the ring.
The crowd roared.
Jiang Linyu stood across from him, arms folded, his flame coiling like a blade.
> "Still clinging to borrowed power?" Linyu sneered.
"Or did Long Chen whisper more lies into your soul?"
Jiang answered quietly.
> "I don't need to answer you."
> "My flame will."