Wood Style And Sharingan

Huaihai College — Principal's Office

"Principal, we've confirmed that the beast tides affecting both us and Xiahai City were orchestrated by an organization known as the Burning Fire Clan," Yun Ming reported, standing at attention in front of Principal Wang Daochuan.

Principal Wang sat comfortably behind his desk, one hand holding a worn-out cultivation manual, the other delicately balancing a teacup. His expression was one of contentment, eyes half-lidded with leisure. Without even glancing up, he asked casually, "The Burning Fire Clan, you say? What's the full story?"

"We discovered a minor base of theirs in the City of Sin, manned mostly by second- and third-level psychics. But unfortunately, we failed to locate their leader," Yun Ming replied with a frown. "According to the captives we interrogated, the beast tide was launched under direct orders from their leader with the sole purpose of eliminating two of our students: Smith and Yan Yue."

Pfffft!

Wang Daochuan instantly spat his tea across the desk, eyes bulging in disbelief. He tossed aside the manual and leaned forward sharply.

"You're telling me… the Burning Fire Clan caused a full-scale beast tide just to kill Smith and Yan Yue?!"

Yun Ming nodded solemnly. "Yes, sir. It seems extreme, but all our findings support it."

The principal's previously relaxed demeanor vanished. He leaned back slowly, folding his hands under his chin, his eyes now gleaming with intensity.

"This isn't just a simple grudge," he said seriously. "Both Smith and Yan Yue are Double-S talent students. That means someone out there wants to eliminate Huaihai College's rising stars before they fully bloom. The only ones who'd benefit from that... would be enemies of the academy."

He rubbed the few stubborn strands of hair still clinging to his shiny head, deep in thought.

"My guess? The leader of this so-called Burning Fire Clan is a rogue—probably someone we expelled years ago. Someone who holds a deep grudge."

"We searched thoroughly," Yun Ming added. "It looks like their influence in the City of Sin is still shallow. They've only just started establishing roots."

"But it won't stay that way for long," Wang Daochuan murmured. "We must act before they grow stronger. The most pressing task is to find their leader. As long as he remains hidden, we're dealing with a lurking threat."

He tapped his desk decisively.

"Yun Ming, inform the Executive Department to continue collecting intel on the Burning Fire Clan during their missions. Let every member of our academy know—they are a dangerous enemy. If our people encounter them in the wild, and they can't be captured... they are to be eliminated without hesitation."

His voice sharpened. "We will never tolerate anyone who targets our students. Especially not the ones with the greatest potential."

"Yes, sir!" Yun Ming saluted and turned to leave.

---

The Jiang Family Villa

"Dad, I'm home!"

Smith pushed open the grand double doors of his family's villa and called out casually, as was his habit. You could never be sure if his father, Jiang Lei, was actually home unless you yelled.

"Oh! My good son returns at last!" Jiang Lei's voice rang out from the living room. He was seated at a wide table filled with open books and scrolls. When he saw Smith walk in, he set down what appeared to be a spiritual cultivation manual and stood up with a grin.

Smith blinked in surprise. "Dad, are you… studying superpowers?"

Jiang Lei laughed, wiping his hands. "Of course! Learning never stops. There's always more to master, no matter how strong you get."

"But haven't you already reached fifth-level? Ordinary techniques shouldn't be useful to you anymore, right?"

"That's where you're wrong. No knowledge is ever wasted. You'll understand when you're older," Jiang Lei replied sagely, pouring his son a glass of water.

Smith sat down and took a long sip. "Anyway, the mission's done. We found out who's behind the beast tide. It was caused by an organization called the Burning Fire Clan. We destroyed one of their outposts in the City of Sin but couldn't find their leader."

"Oh, you went to the City of Sin too? How was it?"

"In a word? Chaotic."

Smith's eyes darkened slightly at the memory.

"Well, it is called the City of Sin. Wouldn't be living up to its name otherwise," Jiang Lei chuckled. "But what did the Burning Fire Clan want with you two?"

Smith looked down, then answered quietly, "They started the beast tide to create confusion... then used it to try and assassinate me and Yan Yue."

"Oh, so that's how it is," Jiang Lei nodded thoughtfully.

"…That's it? That's your reaction?" Smith stared, baffled.

"Dad, I'm your son. Someone tried to kill me! Shouldn't you at least pretend to be worried?"

Jiang Lei rolled his eyes. "Worried? Please. If I got concerned every time someone tried to kill me, I'd have died of anxiety years ago. Go ask around—at least a thousand people want me dead. Did I complain?"

Smith was speechless. "...Dad, you're too casual about this."

"Son, the truth is simple." Jiang Lei clapped a hand on his shoulder. "When you're strong enough, nobody dares to touch you. That's why you need to keep improving—so you can walk tall, no matter who's coming for you."

Smith frowned. "So what, the Burning Fire Clan couldn't beat you, so they came after me instead?"

"Exactly!" Jiang Lei snapped his fingers. "It's a compliment, really. You're part of my bloodline—of course they'd go for you. That's just something you'll have to get used to."

Smith sighed. Sometimes, he wondered if his father took anything seriously.

Then Jiang Lei's eyes lit up. "Forget about all that. Today is your birthday, remember?"

Smith raised an eyebrow. "Is it?"

"It is! And I got you something special this year." Jiang Lei reached behind the couch and produced a large red gift box with a beaming grin.

Smith's smile faded slightly. "Wait… isn't that the same gift box you used last year?"

Jiang Lei blinked. "So what? It's still a perfectly good box. Recycling is good for the planet. Don't be picky."

"…Last year you filled this box with adult magazines and called it a 'growth gift.'"

"This year's different, I promise!" Jiang Lei waved off the concern. "Open it and see."

Sighing, Smith untied the ribbon and slowly lifted the lid.

His eyes widened.

Inside, carefully arranged in a foam-lined interior, were ten mid-grade spirit stones and over a dozen demon cores. And not just low-tier ones—most of them were third-level demon cores.

"What the—Dad! Where'd you get all this?! I thought you said we were out of spirit stones and demon cores!"

"Well, we were," Jiang Lei said sheepishly. "But then I did a little digging in the old warehouse and—voila! Turns out we had a secret stash."

Smith lifted one of the spirit stones, the spiritual energy vibrating against his fingertips.

"These alone are worth a fortune," he said quietly. "You sure we can afford to part with all this?"

"Son, you're part of the Jiang family," Jiang Lei said proudly. "We're still the largest and wealthiest family in Huaihai City. I may be a battle-hardened warrior, but I'm also a first-generation tycoon. And that makes you… a rich second generation."

Smith couldn't help but laugh. "I almost forgot I was one of those."

"Don't worry, I'll remind you every birthday," Jiang Lei grinned.

"…Thanks, Dad. I actually really appreciate this."

"Of course! It's the least I could do."

Smith tucked the box away carefully. While his father's parenting style was eccentric—if not downright irresponsible—he always came through when it mattered.

A warm feeling spread through his chest.

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