Following the spiral staircase for about five minutes, Xiao Yan’s vision suddenly opened up. As he turned another corner, a spacious level of the tower appeared before him. The second level of the Heavenly Fire Refining Qi Tower was not much different in size from the first, but it was slightly quieter than the first. There was no feeling of congestion here, and though there were groups of students passing by, it was much more comfortable than the first level where one could hardly walk. Xiao Yan’s appearance caught the attention of some students who had come out of their training rooms for a brief rest, though there was no commotion. After glancing at Xiao Yan, they resumed their hushed conversations, puzzled as to why he was here at this time.
Xiao Yan retracted his scanning gaze, unconcerned with the stares around him, and stepped into the second level of the tower. Upon entering, he took a breath of the slightly scorching air. He could feel that the fiery heat in the air on the second level was much greater than on the first. It seemed that every lower level of the Heavenly Fire Refining Qi Tower had a higher temperature. One couldn’t help but wonder just how hot the final level would be. Perhaps only some elders would dare to enter such a place.
Xiao Yan moved along the circular corridor, and to his left were the low-level training rooms. But Xiao Yan was not interested in these, so he continued inward. After about seven or eight minutes, he reached the area of the intermediate-level training rooms. Standing before an intermediate-level training room with a sign indicating vacancies, Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, but did not immediately enter. Instead, he quietly made his way toward the center of the level. Since he was targeting the Falling Heart Flame, he needed to find out what that bottomless black hole in the center was.
As he walked past the intermediate-level training rooms and into the advanced ones, he noticed that the training rooms here were more exquisite and fewer in number. Xiao Yan counted them and found there were only eighteen, all occupied, as indicated by the signs outside each room.
Beyond the advanced training rooms stood tall walls, and at the iron gate below, three middle-aged men wearing instructor badges stood with serious expressions. When they saw Xiao Yan stop at the intersection, they cast vigilant glances in his direction. Faced with such strict security, Xiao Yan shook his head and gave up on his investigation, turning back towards the intermediate training rooms.
Even as he slowly left, Xiao Yan could feel the three instructors’ eyes fixed on him. Such caution left him speechless. “There must be some secret at the center that can’t be revealed. Otherwise, the defense wouldn’t be so tight. Ah, that damn Falling Heart Flame, what a hassle.”
Xiao Yan murmured, paused, and then looked at a small intermediate training room nearby. These smaller rooms could accommodate only three to five people, a far cry from the spacious rooms on the first level. Observing that this room had a vacancy, Xiao Yan walked over and gently pushed open the door, entering quietly and closing it behind him.
In the training room, soft light illuminated every corner. In the center, there were five black stone platforms, spaced about two or three feet apart. Four of the platforms were already occupied by students in meditative positions. Xiao Yan moved toward the empty platform.
The sound of the door opening drew the attention of the four students, who opened their eyes and looked at Xiao Yan with alertness. When they saw he didn’t have any insignia, they relaxed. Xiao Yan’s glance also confirmed that they, too, wore no insignias, likely making them free agents—students unaffiliated with any faction.
Though Xiao Yan wore no insignia, the four remained silent, simply watching his movements closely.
“Four Great Fighters, judging by their unstable auras, they must have recently entered this level,” Xiao Yan mused, settling onto the black stone platform.
He produced a green fire crystal card, which prompted cries of surprise and envy from the other students. Noticing their covetous gazes, Xiao Yan frowned and released a powerful aura, making the four quickly avert their eyes, clearly intimidated.
Seeing that they were subdued, Xiao Yan calmed his aura and inserted the green fire crystal card into the slot. To his surprise, it deducted two days’ worth of fire energy in one go. “Does the cost increase as I go deeper? This Inner Academy is really harsh,” he thought, shaking his head.
Closing his eyes, Xiao Yan formed the cultivation seals with his hands. After a while, his breathing stabilized, and he entered a state of meditation.
In a large, well-lit room, several elders sat, their special elder badges visible under the soft lights. The atmosphere was somewhat heavy. After a long silence, an old man at the head of the table coughed and spoke, “Recently, that thing has become unstable again.”
Hearing this, the other elders frowned.
“Observations show that its fluctuations are more intense, and its mood seems to be growing increasingly agitated,” the elder continued. “It might make a major move soon, and if things go wrong, it could cause serious trouble.”
“We should reinforce the defenses. If necessary, we should inform the heads of the Inner and Outer Academies. We can’t let this thing be exposed, or those from the Black Corner Region will try to seize it. Though our Inner Academy is deep in the mountains, we are close to the northern Black Corner Region. If something happens, those old fellows will rush over, and they won’t miss the seal on the Heavenly Fire Refining Qi Tower,” one elder suggested.
“Defenses must be reinforced, but the headmaster is in deep seclusion, and the Outer Academy’s headmaster is traveling. No one knows where he is,” the first elder said, shaking his head. He then looked at an elder in the corner. “Elder Liu, how is that young man with the unique flame doing?”
“He is on the second level, unafraid of the fire poison due to his own unique flame. I have given him the care as instructed by the great elder,” Elder Liu replied.
The black-robed elder nodded, his voice somber. “I never imagined that a Falling Heart Flame would bring our Inner Academy to prominence, and now a young man not even twenty years old possesses such a marvel. Truly enviable.”
“If you encounter him, give him convenience. In the future, we may need his help when the Falling Heart Flame acts up. Don’t underestimate the power of unique flames; they possess destructive force. A single misstep, and the Inner Academy could face destruction.”
The elders below nodded, rising to bow in respect.
“Dismissed. Remember to keep an eye on the northern Black Corner Region, especially the Blood Sect. They’ve been acting strangely lately, likely due to the death of their leader’s son. Troublesome,” the great elder said, dismissing the meeting with a wave and a few coughs.
As the others left, the great elder, shrouded in black robes, stood and his form became increasingly ethereal, disappearing from the room entirely.
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