At the bottom of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, four elders from the Inner Academy sat cross-legged, their eyes closed. Between the four of them, there was a deep hole that led to the magma world.
*Shh!*
A slight sound of wind suddenly echoed from the deep hole. The eyes of the four elders snapped open almost simultaneously. They then turned their gaze toward the deep hole, with their internal qi flowing unconsciously within their bodies.
As the four elders awaited with great seriousness, a black shadow suddenly flashed out and landed lightly on the ground. The four glanced at the figure and let out a sigh of relief, smiling and cupping their hands in greeting.
The one who emerged from the deep hole was none other than Xiao Yan. He also smiled politely at the four elders. Not long after he emerged, Su Qian also appeared from the deep hole. The four elders heaved another sigh of relief, knowing well the dangers within the magma world and fearing that something might happen to Su Qian.
“Great Elder, retrieve the Flame Gathering Pot first and see if it works,” Xiao Yan said with a smile, not hurrying to summon people. “There’s no need to rush about Han Feng.”
Hearing this, Su Qian nodded and tossed the Flame Gathering Pot out of his ring. It slowly floated down before the four elders. He then said with a smile, “You all practice fire-based martial arts. Inject your qi into it and see how intensely you can activate the Fallen Heart Flame within.”
As the Flame Gathering Pot floated before them, the four elders exchanged glances. Without much hesitation, they lightly touched the pot with their fingertips and closed their eyes. The powerful qi within their bodies flowed like a tide into the pot.
Four streams of qi of varying depth and color, all fire-based, poured into the pot like tiny streams, swirled a little, and then surged into the budding Fallen Heart Flame within.
*Boom!*
With the influx of qi, the surface of the young Fallen Heart Flame suddenly burst with a brilliant light. Invisible ripples spread out from the pot as if a huge rock had been thrown into a calm lake…
These invisible ripples coiled upwards and finally penetrated the layers of the tower, enveloping the entire Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower.
In this moment, all the students meditating within the tower opened their eyes abruptly, their hands instinctively touching their chests. There, a faint heart flame began to burn. For some senior students in the Inner Academy, the heart flame was not unfamiliar—they had once experienced the sweet benefits of such a flame refining their qi.
But since the depletion of the Inner Academy’s Heart Flame, that pleasure had vanished, and they had thought it would be impossible to experience again until graduation. But now, to their surprise and delight, the Heart Flame seemed to have returned.
“The Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower can produce Heart Flames again!”
After the initial shock, news of the reawakening of the tower spread like wildfire, permeating the entire Inner Academy at an alarming rate. Almost all the students were overjoyed; the Inner Academy with the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower was a true Inner Academy.
Even though Xiao Yan and the others were at the bottom of the tower, they could still hear the excited cheers coming from above. They exchanged a look, both breathing a sigh of relief.
“Looks like it really works…” Su Qian exclaimed, then turning to the four elders with a sly smile, “It seems our Inner Academy’s elders practicing fire-based qi will have more work to do. But thankfully, this small thing doesn’t absorb qi too quickly; most of the elders should be able to handle it.”
Upon hearing Su Qian’s words, the four elders couldn’t help but shake their heads and grin bitterly. It was clear that they would have to continuously provide the Fallen Heart Flame with their qi.
Seeing the four elders’ resigned faces, Su Qian laughed heartily. Waving to Xiao Yan, he started to leave, saying, “I’ll go inform the other elders practicing fire-based martial arts. You all might have to take turns here. Think of it as training—consumption leads to growth, and it will be good for you…”
By the time Su Qian finished speaking, he had already exited the door. Xiao Yan shrugged sympathetically at the four elders and hurried after him. After all, he too practiced a fire-based martial art.
Xiao Yan and Su Qian left the tower, feeling the sudden surge of excitement and the increased flow of people inside. They both smiled; the reactivation of the tower was a godsend for these students, as it would at least double their cultivation speed with the Heart Flame.
After leaving the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, Su Qian led Xiao Yan directly to the Elders’ Meeting Hall in the depths of the Inner Academy. He had already sent an elder to invite Little Healer Immortal and Zi Yan to the meeting.
When Xiao Yan and Su Qian arrived, Little Healer Immortal, Zi Yan, Xiao Li, and several other strong cultivators from the Xiao Sect were already present. A flash of surprise appeared in everyone’s eyes when they saw Xiao Yan enter.
“You finally came out…” Xiao Li stood up first, smiling at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan nodded and found a seat between Little Healer Immortal and Zi Yan. His gaze swept over the two beauties, and he teased, “It seems like you’ve both grown prettier over the past few months?”
“Pfft, don’t think flattery will get you off the hook for leaving us behind!” Zi Yan retorted, snorting and denying Xiao Yan the pleasure of her company.
“Yeah, yeah…” Xiao Yan shook his head, laughing and rubbing the top of the girl’s head. Turning to the quietly smiling Little Healer Immortal, he softened his voice, “How have you been over the last few months?”
He was, of course, referring to the toxic condition that plagued Little Healer Immortal.
“So far, so good. It’s still under control,” Little Healer Immortal replied, brushing a strand of snow-white hair from her forehead. Her captivating, pale purple eyes then shifted back to Xiao Yan, a hint of surprise flashing in them, “You’ve advanced again, I see?”
Xiao Yan nodded with a smile. Little Healer Immortal, who was even stronger than Su Qian, could easily discern the changes in his aura.
“Ahem, save the chitchat for later. Let’s focus on the main topic,” Xiao Li said, coughing dryly.
As Xiao Li spoke, the hall filled with laughter. Xiao Yan remained calm, but Little Healer Immortal’s pale cheeks flushed a tempting pink, which she quickly hid.
“What news is there about Han Feng?” Xiao Yan asked, his expression serious.
“That guy is very cunning. I thought he had escaped the Black Corner Region long ago, but it turns out he’s hiding in the Demon Flame Valley…,” Xiao Li explained, frowning. “The Demon Flame Valley is an old power in the Black Corner Region. Although the strength of the Evil Emperor and the three elders has greatly diminished, it’s still not to be underestimated. Han Feng, taking advantage of the turmoil, has used his connections to secretly take control of the valley.”
“According to my latest information, Han Feng is reaching out to many of the forces he’s friendly with in the Black Corner Region, attempting to form a new alliance. Even the Black Emperor Sect and Elder Eagle Mountain are being invited,” Xiao Li continued.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan sighed and chuckled coldly, “That guy is like a restless locust, always stirring up trouble.”
“Han Feng has always been ambitious. Despite being defeated by you several times, he’s now reached the rank of a Battle Sect, and his influence in the Black Corner Region remains strong. If he succeeds in forming an alliance with those forces, it will pose a significant threat to both the Jia Nan Academy and the Xiao Sect.”
Su Qian’s voice was somber, “We only have two Battle Sects on our side—you and me, and maybe Xiao Yan. So, if Han Feng’s alliance is successful, we won’t outnumber them. Qian Bao and Er Lao will not intervene unless it’s a matter of survival for the Jia Nan Academy. Therefore, it’s up to us to prevent this.”
“It’s absolutely crucial that we stop this alliance from forming, or Han Feng will have the upper hand,” Xiao Li added darkly.
Xiao Yan nodded silently, tapping his fingers on the table. After a while, he asked, “When is he inviting these forces?”
“Tomorrow!” Xiao Yan leaned back, chin tilted slightly. “Second Brother, gather all the experts of the Xiao Sect and send envoys to friendly forces. Have them send their strongest experts to the Demon Flame Valley. This time, I want Han Feng gone for good!”
Xiao Li nodded heavily, a cruel smile spreading across his face, “The Demon Flame Valley and the Xiao Sect are ancient enemies. Now is the perfect time to wipe them out and show the other forces in the Black Corner Region that the Xiao Sect is not to be trifled with!”
“The Demon Flame Valley and the Jia Nan Academy are also mortal enemies. The academy will also mobilize all its forces to ensure their complete destruction!” Su Qian’s eyes flashed with a ruthless gleam. Over the years, many students from the Jia Nan Academy had fallen victim to the Demon Flame Valley, making reconciliation impossible.
Xiao Yan nodded and slowly stood up, his gaze fixed on the direction of the Demon Flame Valley. A sinister smile spread across his youthful face.
“It’s time to put an end to it all.”
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