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Chapter 26: The Flame That Vanished (Extended Version)
(The fog in Shan Yuan had thickened like a curtain of smoke, curling through broken lanterns and cracked rooftops. The moon was barely visible above, and the shadows had grown long and sharp.)
(After the fight, the group moved in silence—Shilià trailing slightly behind the others.)
🐱 Shilià (quietly, sniffing the air):
— "There's something else in this fog… not just moisture… it smells like… forgotten fire."
🔊 Xiao Feng (glancing back):
— "What does that even mean?"
🐱 Shilià (murmuring to herself):
— "Like something that wanted to burn, but wasn't allowed to…"
💀 Gu Tang (checking rooftops):
— "Keep it tight. We're not alone."
🧒 Lu Zhen (close to Shilià):
— "You okay? You've been quiet since the alley."
(She doesn't answer right away. Instead, she stops walking and stares into the mist—unmoving.)
🐱 Shilià (almost dreamlike):
— "He's here."
🔊 Xiao Feng (alarmed):
— "Who's here?"
(Suddenly, the torches flicker and a burst of wind slashes through the alley like a silent scream.)
💥 WHSSH!
(A strange suction—like space folding in on itself—pulls the fog violently toward the rooftops. The group turns in panic.)
🔊 Gu Tang (shouting):
— "Shilià?!"
(She's gone. No sound. No cry. No struggle. Just gone.)
🧒 Lu Zhen (terrified):
— "She was just right behind me!"
💀 Gu Tang (gritting teeth):
— "There's no blood. No signs of force. Just… vanished."
🔊 Xiao Feng (gripping his blade):
— "This isn't normal. This is... targeted."
🌀 System Warning:
> [LIFE FLAME SIGNATURE: TERMINATED]
[Unknown Spatial Interference Detected]
[Potential Ancient Power Identified]
💭 Xiao Feng (in his mind):
"She wasn't taken randomly. Someone knew what she is..."
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Somewhere else...
(A hidden cave deep within the northern cliffs. A ceremonial circle of cold, black stone. Shilià lies unconscious, her small frame chained with glowing red sigils.)
🔥 (Around her, pale blue flames float, whispering in a language older than time.)
(As she stirs, her eyes open—glowing golden-red. She does not scream. She remembers.)
🐱 Shilià (softly, bitter):
— "You again... You should've stayed buried."
👤 Mysterious Voice (from the shadows):
— "One thousand years I've searched. And now… the flame returns to its altar."
(He steps forward—a cloaked figure with a crooked staff etched in dragon-bone.)
👤 The Man:
— "Little girl... No. You're no girl. You're the Cradle of Flame. And the Jie family isn't the only one who wants your ashes."
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🔥 End of Chapter 26 (Extended)
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