Chapter 161: Su Qian: From Now On, No One Is Allowed to Raise Their Voice at Me!
On the eighth floor of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, Su Qian and Lei Yi had gathered for a private discussion. However, today the room was far from quiet several figures had assembled here. Among them were five or six Dou Huang elders from the Inner Academy, representing nearly all of the academy's Dou Huang level combat power. Additionally, both Zi Yan and Xiao Yan were present.
The elders frowned slightly at the sight. Zi Yan's presence wasn't unusual; she was someone Su Qian and Lei Yi deeply favored, often accompanying them in important discussions. However, Xiao Yan's appearance here was puzzling.
"Everyone's here," Su Qian said with a nod, sweeping his gaze across the room. "This time, I'm planning to wipe out the Black Alliance founded by Han Feng and retrieve all that he owes us!"
Zi Yan's expression remained blank. She bore no grudge against Su Qian for not rescuing Lu Bu after all, the old man didn't have the strength to deal with the Fallen Heart Flame, especially not in a magma world. The most he could do at the time was reinforce the seal. Besides... who said Lu Bu was dead?
The elders frowned. One of them finally spoke up: "Elder Su Qian, we'd have no problem eliminating them if we deployed everyone. But…"
The unfinished sentence carried a clear meaning: while a decisive battle was possible, what if the enemy launched a counterattack? What if they struck at our base while we're away? After all, the Inner Academy was filled with defenseless students.
"We won't send everyone," Su Qian said firmly. "The Gold and Silver Elders will be left to me. As for Han Feng… Xiao Yan will handle him. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"!!!"
The elders turned to Xiao Yan in astonishment. They were already shocked when Lu Bu defeated a four star Dou Huang, though it was understandable given the suppression effect of his Heavenly Flame. While extraordinary, it wasn't entirely unreasonable.
But this? Xiao Yan was expected to go one on one against Han Feng, a Dou Huang at his peak, who also possessed a Heavenly Flame?
The reason the Inner Academy hadn't been able to wipe out Han Feng's Black Alliance over the past month was precisely because of Han Feng's synergy with the Gold and Silver Elders. Together, they had repeatedly repelled Su Qian, a Dou Zong powerhouse.
"I know what you're thinking," Su Qian said calmly. "But trust me Xiao Yan can do it." He had already spoken with Yao Lao beforehand and understood Xiao Yan's confidence in challenging Han Feng.
Zi Yan pouted, displeased. She felt as though Xiao Yan was stealing Lu Bu's spotlight. For some reason, she suddenly wanted to punch him.
"If that's the case… we'll follow your orders," the elders replied, bowing slightly. They might not have full confidence in Xiao Yan, but they had unwavering faith in Su Qian. If Su Qian said it would work, there had to be a reason.
Su Qian smiled, his eyes flashing coldly. Han Feng, this time, you're dead.
In the original story, Su Qian didn't pursue the Fallen Heart Flame for several reasons, including Xiao Yan's role as the hero during the Inner Academy's crisis. But the most critical reason was that Xiao Yan's teacher, Yao Lao, had left behind an extensive network of influence. Compared to that, even the Inner Academy had to tread carefully.
Fortunately, the Inner Academy still had a juvenile Fallen Heart Flame to resolve their Heart Flame issue. Without it, the Inner Academy's survival would have been uncertain.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Zi Yan let out a soft hum, drawing everyone's attention.
Ignoring their gazes, she clapped her small hands, releasing a damaged puppet it was Lu Bu's Azure Flame Puppet.
The moment it landed, a silver light flickered on its chest. Spatial power gathered in an instant, and a silver formation slowly emerged.
Zi Yan's face lit up with joy. The scene was familiar just like the last time when Lu Bu had appeared and saved her life.
Su Qian, initially alert at the intense spatial fluctuations, relaxed when he noticed Zi Yan's excitement and remembered that the puppet belonged to Lu Bu.
"What's happening?" Xiao Yan asked, baffled.
"It's probably one of Lu Bu's tricks," Yao Lao said faintly.
"Good people die young, while troublemakers live forever," Xiao Yan muttered. Though his hostility toward Lu Bu had diminished, he couldn't help but grumble. That guy had messed with him countless times his kidneys still ached just thinking about it.
Buzz… buzz…
As the silver formation glowed brighter, a figure slowly emerged from the radiant light.
"Huh? So many people…" Lu Bu said, surprised. "Are you all here to welcome me?"
"Lu Bu!" Zi Yan squealed, leaping forward and throwing herself into his arms.
The familiar scent, the familiar embrace!
Lu Bu staggered slightly from the impact but instinctively caught her, one hand resting securely on her small, firm backside a gesture that had become second nature.
The elders' eyes widened in shock. A moment ago, they had been impressed by Xiao Yan's courage to challenge Han Feng. Now Lu Bu had returned, completely unscathed, after escaping the Fallen Heart Flame. Not even his clothes were damaged. Could it be… the Fallen Heart Flame was no longer a threat?
Their suspicions deepened when Lu Bu, holding Zi Yan in one arm, raised his other hand. A cluster of formless flames appeared in his palm.
"The Fallen Heart Flame?!" Xiao Yan's eyes nearly popped out of his head. The flame he had dreamed of acquiring was now sitting casually in Lu Bu's hand.
The elders were equally stunned. Lu Bu had not only escaped the Fallen Heart Flame but had actually subdued it?
"Elder Su Qian, this flame is of no use to me. You should take it," Lu Bu said with a smile, flicking the flame toward Su Qian.
Su Qian, quick to react, snatched it out of the air and immediately stored it away. He didn't even have time to thank Lu Bu.
Xiao Yan's face turned green with envy. What if Yao Lao decided to snatch it? He couldn't afford to make enemies with Lu Bu right now.
"Cough, cough… That's all for now. Everyone, prepare yourselves. In a few days, we'll march on the Black Alliance's headquarters in Maple City!" Su Qian said hastily, his voice suddenly brisk as he dismissed the crowd.
Before anyone could respond, Su Qian disappeared, reappearing on the tower's tenth floor. He quickly retrieved a tool called the Flame Gathering Pot and placed the Fallen Heart Flame inside.
"This won't do. Someone has to guard it…" Su Qian stroked his chin thoughtfully. His mind drifted to the two librarians he had always been a bit jealous of… or not jealous at all.
"Heh… Let's see them refuse this time!" Su Qian smirked, imagining their disgruntled expressions. Not only would he get to gloat, but he'd also assign them more work.
"Hahaha… I might not be the greatest Head Elder of all time, but I'm definitely the most accomplished!" Su Qian laughed triumphantly. The Fallen Heart Flame had been secured under his watch let's see if those two dared raise their voices at him now!
…
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan eyed Lu Bu, who was still holding Zi Yan. His throat moved as if he wanted to ask how Lu Bu had dealt with the Fallen Heart Flame, but… it didn't seem relevant anymore.
"Lu Bu, I'm planning to take down Han Feng. I hope you'll assist me," Xiao Yan said. He hadn't forgotten Han Feng's collaboration with the Hall of Souls and his betrayal of Yao Lao.
To prevent Han Feng from summoning reinforcements from the Hall of Souls, he needed Lu Bu's help. The more Lu Bu opposed the Hall of Souls, the less likely he was to align with them.
"Sure, but… what's in it for me?" Lu Bu asked with a sly smile. If he was going to work, he expected to be compensated.
Xiao Yan smirked. That familiar feeling was back.
"What do you want? As long as it's not the Sea Heart Flame, everything is negotiable."
"Wow, such a change," Lu Bu said, feigning disappointment. He missed seeing Xiao Yan's rage, frustration, and despair when he was forced to make sacrifices. What a letdown…
"Humph." Xiao Yan snorted. He knew all Lu Bu wanted was cultivation resources. As long as the request wasn't outrageous, he didn't mind. Of course, he wouldn't hand over something like the Soul Advancement Method!
"I don't care about Han Feng's Heavenly Flame, but I want priority in choosing his belongings," Lu Bu said firmly. "That's not asking too much, right?"
"Deal!" Xiao Yan agreed without hesitation. It wasn't his stuff anyway what did he care?
Lu Bu chuckled. If only Xiao Yan knew just how vast Han Feng's wealth was. Would he still be so generous then?
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