Exiting the Heavenly Flame Qi Tower, Xiao Yan stood at the entrance, gazing at the mysterious black tower that was only partially visible from the ground. He couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. For some reason, he always felt that this black tower was more than it appeared. “Whew, I never expected… to encounter a ‘Fire Spirit’ with emotional intelligence. Tsk, tsk, no wonder the Inner Academy is so tightly guarded, even setting up a ‘Spatial Cage’ that can only be cast by a Dou Zun expert,” the Elder Alchemist’s surprised voice suddenly rang in his mind.
Hearing the Elder Alchemist, Xiao Yan slightly froze, then casually looked around and waved at Wu Hao, who still seemed dazed. He then turned and walked back the way they came.
“Teacher, what is this ‘Fire Spirit’ you speak of?” As he leisurely walked along the shaded path, Xiao Yan asked in his mind.
“It is an alternative life form born from pure flame. The invisible fire python you saw earlier should have been the intellect born from the Fallen Heart Flame. In fact, that fire python is the very essence of the Fallen Heart Flame within this Heavenly Flame Qi Tower!” The Elder Alchemist explained slowly.
“What? That fire python is the Fallen Heart Flame?” His steps paused abruptly, and Xiao Yan’s face couldn’t help but change, exclaiming in shock in his mind.
“Yes, my senses are not wrong… These strange flames in the world, after years of accumulation, can grow into various forms. For example, the Blue Lotus Earth Heart Flame you encountered last time in the underground lava. Its plant-like form is the result of the Earth Heart Flame being compressed for centuries.”
“Of course, while the Blue Lotus Earth Heart Flame had a plant-like form, it did not possess its own emotions or intellect. However, just now, I truly sensed the emotions of that fire python. A flame with its own intelligence is what we call a Fire Spirit. Its intellect can even rival some high-ranking magical beasts capable of transforming into human forms.”
“But… if we do manage to obtain such a ‘Fire Spirit,’ how could we refine it? I also felt the terrifying aura of that thing earlier. Even a Battle Emperor expert would not be a match for it. How could we possibly consume it?”
The Elder Alchemist’s words left Xiao Yan somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected that flames could develop their own consciousness. Now that the flame had its own awareness, it certainly wouldn’t willingly be consumed and refined. From the terrifying aura it displayed earlier, Xiao Yan felt utterly disheartened.
“It is indeed very difficult… But there’s no other way. Of course, if you’re willing to give up on this Fallen Heart Flame and look for another Ancestral Flame, that would be fine too,” the Elder Alchemist said with a light smile.
“Are you kidding me… Ancestral Flames aren’t that easy to find,” Xiao Yan protested in his mind. After years of effort, he had finally obtained the Blue Lotus Earth Heart Flame by chance. And now, he had finally found the location of the Fallen Heart Flame. How could he give it up?
“Then we can only wait and see… Actually, before considering what to do after obtaining the Fallen Heart Flame, the question of how to get it is already a major challenge.” The Elder Alchemist’s voice carried a hint of headache. “In the Inner Academy, there are many strong experts. Inside the tower, I could vaguely sense extremely weak yet overwhelmingly powerful auras on the lower levels. With my current soul state, I can’t gain much advantage against them.”
Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed, and he tightly clasped his hands together.
“And I’m certain that the Inner Academy can speed up the cultivation of students because of the Fallen Heart Flame. They have the intelligent Fallen Heart Flame sealed within the Heavenly Flame Qi Tower, allowing students to absorb its fragments to purify their meridians and refine their Dou Qi…”
“They are… farming the Fallen Heart Flame!” The Elder Alchemist exhaled a cold breath and said calmly.
His clasped hands trembled. Xiao Yan discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, stunned by the Inner Academy’s bold and crazy actions. These people were unbelievably daring, actually having the audacity to farm one of the most destructive forces in the world.
After the Elder Alchemist’s explanation, Xiao Yan finally understood. The Inner Academy was treating the Fallen Heart Flame like a cow, constantly milking it for its unlimited supply of “milk”—the projections of the Fallen Heart Flame. Such behavior was truly insane.
“Surely, they are bold because of their skill. This Inner Academy is truly terrifying…” Xiao Yan swallowed and muttered in his mind.
“Hmph, bold? I think they are playing with fire,” the Elder Alchemist snorted.
“How so? I don’t see anything wrong,” Xiao Yan said in surprise.
“Heh, right now, they rely on the Spatial Cage to keep things in check, but that’s only a temporary solution. The Spatial Cage alone cannot indefinitely seal the Fallen Heart Flame within the tower. Flames should be allowed to flow, not blocked. The Fallen Heart Flame, born from the elements, has true destructive power. Sealing it in the tower is like building a barrier at the mouth of a volcano. Have you ever seen a volcano that can be blocked? The current restraint is only storing energy. When it erupts, the Heavenly Flame Qi Tower will be destroyed in an instant!”
“But the Fallen Heart Flame, though terrifying, is not to be underestimated. The old guys in the Inner Academy are no pushovers. During the eruption, both sides will take damage. That might be our opportunity.”
“Teacher means… to wait for the Fallen Heart Flame to erupt on its own?” Xiao Yan blinked, surprised.
“Yes, we have no other choice. We are outnumbered and outpowered, and a direct approach would be useless,” the Elder Alchemist nodded.
“How long will that take?” Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and laughed bitterly.
“Judging from the Fallen Heart Flame’s counterattack, it could happen in as little as a year or as much as two years,” the Elder Alchemist murmured, lowering his voice.
Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered rapidly. After a while, he carefully surveyed the surroundings. Other than Wu Hao, who was still tapping his dizzy head, there was no movement. The Elder Alchemist’s words were crucial to the Inner Academy’s survival.
“In the coming days, you must focus on training in the tower. It’s best to reach the Dou Ling level within half a year. Combined with the Blue Lotus Earth Heart Flame and the Flame Splitting Wave Technique, you should be invincible at the Dou Ling level. If you use the Buddha’s Wrathful Fire Lotus with the fusion of purple and blue flames, even Elder Su outside the forest would not dare to face it with one hand.”
“As for the large Buddha’s Wrathful Fire Lotus using Bone Spirit Cold Fire and the Blue Lotus Earth Heart Flame, try to use it sparingly. While it is terrifyingly powerful, the backlash is severe, and sometimes, it’s more loss than gain.”
“Also, you should start practicing the Earth-class Body Technique, ‘Three Thousand Thunder Movements.’ Once you master it, you will be invincible against ordinary Dou Ling experts and even able to escape from Dou Wang experts. We need to gather strength for the eruption of the Fallen Heart Flame.”
The Elder Alchemist’s words were like a barrage of bullets, leaving Xiao Yan smiling wryly. It took him a while to digest everything.
“Shouldn’t we also gather the materials for the Earth Spirit Pill?” After mulling over the Elder Alchemist’s reminders, Xiao Yan noticed a missing piece and smiled.
“That’s right, but those materials are extremely rare. You must be careful and watchful,” the Elder Alchemist nodded.
Xiao Yan nodded with a bitter smile, raised his head, and gazed at the azure sky, letting out a long sigh. There were just too many troublesome things.
“Why the heavy sigh? Because of the Pan Gate?” Suddenly, a voice sounded behind him. Xiao Yan turned to see Wu Hao, who seemed to have recovered from the heart flame’s scorching confusion.
“Ha ha, nothing,” Xiao Yan smiled lightly. “Let’s go, let’s go back and check.”
With that, he quickened his pace and headed back the way they came, with Wu Hao following closely behind.
After about forty-five minutes, Xiao Yan and Wu Hao approached the new student dormitory area. As they entered, the empty road left them puzzled.
Just as they were confused, a figure ran out of the dormitory, gasping for breath. Seeing Xiao Yan and Wu Hao, the anxious face lit up with joy. The figure rushed over, shouting, “Chief, something’s happened!”
“What is it?” Hearing the new student’s cry, Xiao Yan hurried forward and asked.
“Some people tried to lure the new students away, but no one agreed. So, they started causing trouble. Now, they’re forcing Xun’er and Hu Jia to fight!”
“Who are they? Do you know them?” Xiao Yan’s face darkened, and he hastened his steps, asking as he walked.
The new student hesitated, causing Xiao Yan to stop abruptly and say firmly, “Tell me!”
“The leader… is Bai Shan,” the new student said with a bitter smile after being scolded.
“Damn, that traitor!” Xiao Yan and Wu Hao’s faces instantly turned grim.
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