Xu Mei broke the silence first, her voice steady but cautious. "Taking the flame now would be safer. We don't know what might happen if we leave it to grow."
Su Ling shook her head slightly. "But if we refine it now, we'll only get a fraction of its true potential. If it evolves… it could become something far greater."
Wang Lei crossed his arms, glancing at Li Hao. "Either way, it's your call."
Li Hao stood quietly before the flickering ice flame, his thoughts calm and focused. He could feel its potential—its depth, its future.
Rushing would bring short-term gain.
Patience would bring transformation.
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with clarity.
"I'll nurture it," he said.
No hesitation.
No greed.
Only control.
The others nodded. They understood—this was Li Hao's path.