Outside the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, a figure in a black robe stood for a long time. It was Xiao Yan.
His reputation was already well-known, and no one in the Inner Academy made things difficult for him. His admission went smoothly. It had been over half a month now, and he had confirmed that there was indeed a Heavenly Flame within the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.
"Teacher, how should we get this Fallen Heart Flame? Should we just take it by force?"
After standing for a long time, Xiao Yan quietly asked in his mind.
Even though he had already reached the Dou King level, the Heart Flame projected from the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower no longer had any effect on him. However, he still knew that the foundation of the Inner Academy's existence was the Heavenly Flame sealed within that tower. If possible, he didn't want such a school to decline.
Old Yao seemed to have seen the reason for Xiao Yan's hesitation. While feeling gratified, he also felt a bit helpless. On the Dou Qi Continent, strength was ultimately what mattered. Only with strength could one have choices. If Xiao Yan hadn't met that person, how could he have the right to hesitate now?
"Whatever choice you make, your teacher will support you. It's just that you don't have much time left. In a month, you must set off for the Eastern Region."
Since his exchange with Zhao Li, he had revealed some more things to Xiao Yan, making Xiao Yan, who had thought he could relax in the Inner Academy, become nervous again.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered, and he made a decision in his heart. Then his figure blurred and he disappeared from in front of the tower. When he reappeared, he was in a room that looked quite aged. An old man with white hair and beard, looking energetic, was lying leisurely to the side. It was the Great Elder of the Inner Academy, Su Qian.
He gave up the idea of having the Black Corner Region attack the Inner Academy during the chaos to seize the fire. He wanted to have a frank transaction with Jia Nan Academy.
If it succeeded, everyone would be happy. If not, he would consider other methods. For him, this fourteenth-ranked Fallen Heart Flame, while important, was no longer absolutely necessary.
Perhaps sensing someone's arrival, the rocking chair stopped abruptly. The Great Elder seemed to have anticipated this long ago and got straight to the point:
"Xiao Yan, you've come here, presumably for the Heavenly Flame beneath the tower?"
His attention to Xiao Yan didn't start from Jia Nan Academy. Although Xiao Yan was hidden behind the Black Emperor Sect, he hadn't deliberately concealed his existence. These Dou Sects knew some information about him and naturally knew some of this young man's style.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly stunned, then bowed and didn't hide anything:
"I really need the Heavenly Flame. What conditions are required for me to take it?"
These words made Su Qian feel confused. No matter how strong Xiao Yan was, his Combat Power was only at the Dou Sect level. But listening to him, it seemed he had no difficulty in subduing the Fallen Heart Flame, which even a Dou Venerate might not be able to control.
This doubt flashed through his mind. He didn't think deeply about it and looked straight at Xiao Yan, wanting to put some pressure on him, saying:
"You should know what it means to Jia Nan Academy, right?"
Xiao Yan didn't answer, only saying:
"That Fallen Heart Flame is not well-behaved. If it goes rampant, even if you all take action, Jia Nan Academy will suffer heavy losses."
His trip to the Black Corner Region had made him understand that interactions between people of the same level were nothing more than about interests. Now that they were negotiating conditions, he naturally had to grasp the points that were advantageous to him.
Xiao Yan's words made Su Qian fall silent because he couldn't refute them. Even if the Two Elders Qian and Bai took action, they could only barely seal the Heavenly Flame. Perhaps next time would be when the Fallen Heart Flame broke out of the tower, and that time wouldn't be far off. This was one of the reasons he was willing to let Xiao Yan enter the Inner Academy in the first place. Otherwise, how could they feel at ease letting someone who stirred up trouble in the Black Corner Region easily enter the Inner Academy?
Thinking this, Su Qian finally decided to give Xiao Yan a chance. For such a person, it was better to do him a favor sooner. As for the conditions, besides the backup left by the Headmaster, if Xiao Yan successfully subdued the Fallen Heart Flame, he would have to separate the Flame to allow the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower to continue operating, and Xiao Yan would also have to open a convenient Gate for Jia Nan Academy in the Black Corner Region.
Xiao Yan was surprised. These conditions were truly just a small effort for him. Even if Su Qian didn't say anything, he would have arranged it. Now that it was being treated as a condition, he naturally didn't hesitate and agreed very readily.
Afterward, the two discussed the matter for a while and finalized the arrangements. Su Qian then sent Xiao Yan to the bottom of the tower.
Looking at the crimson Magma in front of him, Xiao Yan still felt it was too smooth and asked in his mind:
"Teacher, the Great Elder agreed so easily, is there some kind of conspiracy?"
Yao Chen saw clearly that besides the threat of the Fallen Heart Flame erupting again, Xiao Yan himself was also a reason. Su Qian was optimistic about Xiao Yan's future!
However, although Xiao Yan had experienced many things, he was still a teenager after all and didn't understand what the things he displayed truly meant.
"Don't worry, your teacher is here... As for the reason, perhaps it's because of your future."
Yao Chen first comforted him, then said something vaguely, and stopped talking.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he understood something. He no longer dwelled on it. Regardless of whether it was a conspiracy or not, with Master Yao here, the small Fallen Heart Flame was under Control!
With this thought, Xiao Yan's expression relaxed. Azure Radiance flickered in his eyes as he scanned the crimson Torrent.
"I see you!"
After a long time, Xiao Yan's Azure Fire surged and he suddenly drilled into the Magma...
Hiss... hiss...
The sound of a giant Fire Python spitting its tongue reached Xiao Yan's ears through the rolling heat, making him feel a little irritable. He could feel the Heavenly Flame was nearby, but he couldn't find it no matter what.
He didn't notice that the Magma he was in seemed to have come alive, flowing like blood wriggling...
And from Yao Chen's perspective, Xiao Yan was clearly inside the belly of a giant Fire Python at this time, and the Fire Python's eyes flickered with Flame, as if Probing.
In fact, the Fallen Heart Flame was indeed Probing. It felt a strange attraction from Xiao Yan, but it didn't act rashly because decades ago, it had encountered the same thing...
Time flowed by in the silent exchange between the person and the Fire Python. After an unknown amount of Time, loud laughter came from the Magma:
"Teacher, I succeeded! My Cultivation Level has reached Peak Dou Emperor! The Flame Mantra has also reached Earth Tier Mid-Grade, and it seems not far from High Grade."
As the words fell, there was no response for a long time, which dispelled his joy and was replaced by a panic. He subconsciously looked at his finger, where there was nothing.
Xiao Yan's brow furrowed slightly, and he murmured in a low voice:
"Is it still an Illusion?"
The Fallen Heart Flame truly lived up to its name as a Heart Flame. He had fallen into the Illusion silently. He had broken similar Illusions again and again, but like the empty dream, each time was the beginning of another Illusion.
Breaking free again and again, and falling into the trap again and again, even Xiao Yan's Soul Power was somewhat fatigued, and he was extremely wary of the Fallen Heart Flame in his heart:
"Is this really the fourteenth-ranked Fallen Heart Flame? With this ability, even ordinary Dou Sects would sink into it."
He was an Alchemist, and his Soul Power was extremely powerful. According to Old Yao, he could already try to Refine Seventh Grade Pills. His Soul Power was definitely stronger than that of ordinary Dou Sects!
If he was like this, what about others?
Actually, the Fallen Heart Flame's ability came about because of Zhao Li. It was originally ignorant, only instinctively projecting Heart Flame. But after Zhao Li comprehended through its Origin that Heart Flame uses the seven emotions and six desires as fuel, it also mastered this, which is why it could silently cause Xiao Yan and even Yao Chen, who had reached the Emperor Realm, to fall into an Illusion for a short Time...
"This Time, how do I break free from the Illusion?"
Xiao Yan's brow furrowed tighter. In his memory, the Fallen Heart Flame had already been subdued by him, and he just needed to leave. What made him realize something was wrong was the Black Ring that had disappeared from his hand.
Going too far is as bad as not going far enough. The Fallen Heart Flame ultimately underestimated the image of Old Yao as omnipotent in Xiao Yan's heart. He simply didn't believe that a mere Fallen Heart Flame could silently make Master Yao disappear.
However, while Xiao Yan realized he had likely fallen into an Illusion again, he had no idea how to break free from it for the moment.
As he pondered, a familiar Strength surged from his hand, and then the familiar voice sounded in his mind:
"Little Yan, this Fallen Heart Flame has developed intelligence and wants to hitch a ride out. Its Origin Fire is indeed within you now, but it hasn't been truly Refined yet. Why not play along? Leave this place first and avoid it using the Magma for a counterattack."
A Heavenly Flame that has developed intelligence, due to its unique Properties, is definitely harder to deal with than a Cultivator of the same level!
And at Yao Chen's voice, Xiao Yan's expression visibly relaxed. Master Yao was always very reassuring. Then came realization and apprehension. If a Fallen Heart Flame ranked fourteenth could develop intelligence and be so troublesome, what about those ranked higher?
No wonder Heavenly Flames are precious, yet few people can subdue them.
"Teacher, do you mean that my Cultivation Level has really broken through to Dou Emperor? It was willing to use such a massive Quantity of Strength just to get out?"
Xiao Yan knew better than anyone how terrifying the energy required for his breakthrough and the evolution of Flame Mantra was, which made him feel even more that the Fallen Heart Flame was no ordinary Fire.
Upon hearing this, Yao Chen said coldly:
"Don't be naive. Not to mention you haven't truly Refined it yet, even if you have, a Heavenly Flame can still Backlash its master. The fact that it dares to do this likely means it has a hidden move. Don't let your guard down."
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, lowered his head discreetly, and then, as if having made up his mind, grew wings on his back and rushed out of the Magma.
"Hmm? What's this?"
Xiao Yan suddenly stopped. A Jade Shard appeared in his hand. Just now, he had felt a faint, almost imperceptible summons from below.
After a brief thought, Xiao Yan did not turn back. This was, after all, the Fallen Heart Flame's base camp. Who knew if it was behind this? If he accidentally fell into the hands of this intelligent guy, everything would be over.
Yao Chen noticed Xiao Yan's abnormality and asked:
"Little Yan, is something wrong?"
Xiao Yan organized his thoughts and told him about his discovery. Yao Chen saw the Ancient Jade, thought of Xun'er, thought of that middle-aged man, and said thoughtfully:
"There's probably another secret below. I don't know if the Fallen Heart Flame has discovered it. You should first Refine the Heavenly Flame and increase your Strength; that's the fundamental thing..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded lightly. He had already considered this, so he no longer delayed, suppressed his curiosity, and once again turned into a streak of light, gradually moving away until he disappeared into the Crimson Color Magma
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