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**
Though surprised, Lin Feng also felt a sense of relief.
Judging by the Hall of Souls' repeated attempts to capture Xiao Yan, it was clear that they had not yet obtained the Tuo She Ancient God Jade from the Xiao Clan.
Based on the surviving members of the Xiao Clan, the ancient jade was very likely in Xiao Yan's possession.
If Xiao Yan had already been captured by the Hall of Souls and Hun Tiandi had gotten hold of the Xiao Clan's piece of ancient jade, who knew if he might decide to execute his plan ahead of schedule?
If that were to happen, Lin Feng would have no choice but to gather his most important people and flee to some remote and desolate place to hide, just to avoid being used in Hun Tiandi's blood sacrifice ritual.
After all, in front of a late-stage Nine-Star Dou Sheng, even experts at the level of Dou Huang and Dou Zong were less than ants.
Wang An paused for a moment beside him, then suddenly thought of something and said again, "By the way, after that battle, Xiao Yan spent half a month recovering from his injuries.
Then, while all the elders of Jia Nan Academy were focused on the unconscious Grand Elder of the Inner Academy, he stole the Fallen Heart Flame from the Inner Academy."
"Although he was discovered halfway through by a sixth-tier alchemist who wanted revenge, in the end, he still managed to escape with the Heavenly Flame.
Now, Jia Nan Academy is offering a generous bounty: a Mid-Grade Earth Class cultivation technique and Dou Technique to anyone who can capture Xiao Yan and bring him back."
As soon as Wang An finished speaking, Pang Sheng stepped forward to add, "Because of that Mid-Grade Earth Class cultivation technique, the entire Black-Corner Region was thrown into a frenzy for a time, but in the end, no one was able to catch Xiao Yan."
"Oh? That actually happened?"
Upon hearing this news, not only did Medusa and Xiao Yixian reveal astonished expressions, even Lin Feng was inwardly shocked.
He hadn't expected that even under such difficult circumstances, Xiao Yan had still managed to steal Jia Nan Academy's Fallen Heart Flame.
However, after thinking it through carefully, everything began to make sense.
Xiao Yan had always been clever and resourceful, and with Su Qian gravely wounded, the situation presented a golden opportunity.
For someone like him to use tricks to sneak out the Fallen Heart Flame wasn't too surprising.
After all, that small Heavenly Flame never had much resistance against Xiao Yan, who carried the Sea Heart Flame within him.
And with Su Qian, the Inner Academy's Dou Zong powerhouse, unconscious, it created the perfect opening for Xiao Yan.
What did surprise Lin Feng, however, was that Qian Mu and Bai Lie, the two Nine-Star Dou Zong elders of the Inner Academy, hadn't stepped in to stop Xiao Yan.
Although the two usually secluded themselves in the Book Collection Hall and rarely appeared, Lin Feng didn't believe for a second that they failed to sense the commotion when Gu He attacked Xiao Yan for revenge.
Moreover, if the two Nine-Star Dou Zong had taken action, it would have been impossible for Xiao Yan, a mere Dou Wang, to escape with the Heavenly Flame.
It seemed that things really were as the original novel had described—unless the Inner Academy was facing total annihilation, those two old men wouldn't lift a finger.
As for that sixth-tier alchemist who came to seek revenge, it had to be Gu He.
Unfortunately for him, and for the many Black-Corner Region powerhouses lured by the Mid-Grade Earth Class cultivation techniques, none managed to kill Xiao Yan.
If they had, Lin Feng could have taken the Heavenly Flame and the Tuo She Ancient God Jade from their corpses far more easily than from Xiao Yan himself.
But given the current situation, it was almost certain that Xiao Yan and Jia Nan Academy could no longer reconcile.
Furthermore, Su Qian would definitely pass this news along to Mang Tianchi.
If the two ever crossed paths again, it was likely Mang Tianchi would not spare Xiao Yan so easily.
The only question was—would he have the chance to witness this drama unfold?
Thinking of Gu He's failed revenge attempt, Lin Feng asked with curiosity, "Since that sixth-tier alchemist didn't manage to kill Xiao Yan, where did he go?"
"According to rumors, the alchemist kept pursuing Xiao Yan relentlessly. The last known location of the two was Horizon City, thousands of miles away. After that… no one knows where they went."
Wang An shook his head as he answered.
Back then, he too had wanted to capture Xiao Yan to claim the reward of the Mid-Grade Earth Class technique.
But that kid was just too slippery—he couldn't even get close.
Xiao Yan had probably already planned his escape route well in advance.
"Horizon City? There's a space wormhole there that leads to Central Plains… looks like that Xiao Yan fled to Central Plains."
Lin Feng rubbed his chin with his palm, silently thinking to himself.
Most likely, Yao Chen had already told Xiao Yan about Feng Zun Zhe before he was captured.
Otherwise, with Xiao Yan's strength at just Five-Star Dou Wang at the time, he wouldn't have dared to recklessly head to Central Plains.
"Never thought that brat Xiao Yan would beat me to Central Plains…"
Murmuring again inwardly, Lin Feng began analyzing how this development might affect him.
First and foremost, it meant that his enemy, Xiao Yan, would likely experience a significant boost in overall strength.
That Sea Heart Flame he obtained before probably only allowed Xiao Yan's Flame Mantra to evolve to the High-Grade Black Class.
But now that he had refined the Fallen Heart Flame, there was a high chance the technique had advanced to Earth Class.
Moreover, during this time, the Fallen Heart Flame had been continuously nourished by the Dou Qi of countless Inner Academy elders.
Even if the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower had consumed some of its energy, it should still be far more powerful than before.
Thinking of this, Lin Feng asked again, "What was Xiao Yan's strength when he escaped Jia Nan Academy?"
"Five-Star Dou Wang. But that guy had tons of hidden cards. He once used a secret technique to boost his power to Seven-Star Dou Wang, and then used a special hand seal battle skill to kill the Sect Leader of the Earth Flame Sect, who was a Three-Star Dou Huang."
Having participated in the pursuit of Xiao Yan, Wang An quickly provided detailed information on him.
He continued, "Of course, during the division of Earth Flame Sect's territory afterward, our Heavenly Treasure Pavilion managed to grab a share as well."
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng wasn't too surprised.
Although Xiao Yan's strength had been greatly weakened due to his interference, as the disciple of Yao Chen and the lover of the Gu Clan's young miss, it was only natural that Xiao Yan possessed some formidable trump cards.
That hand seal battle skill was most likely the God Seal Technique gifted to him by Gu Xun'er.
Even if a Dou Wang could only use the first form, it still posed a serious threat to ordinary Dou Huang.
As for that secret technique, Lin Feng had no idea what it could be.
However, Zi Yan would definitely come looking for his help once she learned that Xiao Yan possessed the Fallen Heart Flame.
When the time came and he headed to the Inner Academy, he could simply ask the elders directly.
Since Xiao Yan had stayed there for quite a while, they surely knew something.
Having thought through the matter with Xiao Yan, Lin Feng then took out a sheet of paper from his storage ring that listed the medicinal ingredients required for the Heavenly Soul Blood Bone Pill.
Of course, this list didn't include blood essence from a Rank 7 magic beast.
He handed the paper to Wang An and instructed, "Gather all these ingredients as quickly as possible. Also, collect some highly toxic substances—the more poisonous, the better. As for the others, they're dismissed."
"As you command."
Everyone responded in unison and then gradually filed out of the main hall.
Wang An also stepped forward, bowed, and took the paper. After scanning it briefly, he noted that while these ingredients were indeed rare, with the current status of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, they could still be acquired with some effort and cost.
Then, he too left the hall.
"Sasha, you've been busy with all kinds of matters lately. Go take a rest for now. Soon, I'll be preparing to attack Demon Flame Valley—I'll be counting on you then."
After confirming that everyone had left his line of sight, Lin Feng turned toward Medusa and said calmly.
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