Chapter 214 – Each Strives Forward
"Elder Xiao! Good morning!"
"Good morning, Elder Xiao!"
"Morning!"
Smiling as he exchanged greetings with passing students, Xiao Yuan made his way unimpeded to the final floor of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.
There, he found Xiao Yan still immersed in his cultivation.
At that moment, Yao Lao's figure floated forth and came before Xiao Yuan.
"Teacher!"
Xiao Yuan cupped his fists with a smile.
"Mhm, you're here."
Yao Lao nodded, his gaze sweeping toward the meditating Xiao Yan.
"It's been half a month, and Xiao Yan hasn't stirred at all."
Xiao Yuan glanced over and commented.
"While the environment here does help him," Yao Lao said, voice slightly grave, "for the Fallen Heart Flame, this place is an absolute haven. Choosing to refine a Heavenly Flame here carries no small risk."
Still, his eyes were filled with trust and high hopes for Xiao Yan.
"Do you wish to cultivate the Flame Mantra?"
Suddenly, Yao Lao shifted the topic, catching Xiao Yuan off guard.
"Why do you ask, Teacher?"
Xiao Yuan frowned slightly in confusion.
"You're my disciple too. Your condition is special, and as your teacher, I naturally want to support you. What kind of cultivation method do you need? Just ask. Now that my soul strength is recovering, I can pass on many techniques directly to you."
Yao Lao smiled warmly.
"No need for the Flame Mantra, that's not my path. As for cultivation methods, I'm not in desperate need. But Teacher, do you have a powerful fire-type Dou Technique? Using just a mid-tier Xuan-rank technique to wield a Heavenly Flame feels like a waste."
Xiao Yuan scratched his head, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Hmm, that's a fair point. Aside from Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler, I don't really have anything high-level on hand. Then again, with my soul transmission, I could summon a bunch of Dou Zongs as backup."
Now that his soul power had returned, Yao Lao's old confidence as the Medicine Sovereign had resurfaced, and his casual boasting made Xiao Yuan roll his eyes.
"This Soul Nourishing Orb—take it back. For me, unless I carry it for years, it's of little use. But for you, it'll greatly accelerate your soul strength."
As he spoke, Yao Lao handed the Yin-Yang Soul Nourishing Orb back to Xiao Yuan.
"Alright. I suppose I should search for something more suitable soon. It'd be a shame to have a Heavenly Flame yet be unable to wield it to its full potential."
Xiao Yuan sighed regretfully.
"Haha, if that's the case, I have an idea. Since Xiao Yan will be busy refining flames for quite some time, come and continue your alchemy studies with me. The Fallen Heart Flame and Ocean Heart Flame will take him a while to fully refine."
Yao Lao chuckled, stroking his beard. With a wave of his hand, the Black Demon Cauldron appeared nearby.
"Let's begin. I'll block off your alchemy fluctuations—it won't disturb Xiao Yan."
As he spoke, his expression turned solemn, and he began to instruct Xiao Yuan with great seriousness.
More than half a month had passed since that earth-shaking battle. The once-devastated Inner Academy had been gradually rebuilt. The Heavenly Flame Refining Tower had reopened as well—and to everyone's joy, it still retained its cultivation-boosting properties, thanks in part to the still-unrefined Fallen Heart Flame. Even Elder Su Qian and the others were greatly pleased by this.
The successive displays of power by Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan had catapulted the Lionheart Society into the Inner Academy's top echelon. Even the factions of Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing were now noticeably overshadowed.
With time, this young faction would likely stand unchallenged at the peak of the Inner Academy.
On the eighth floor of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower—
A group of senior Elders had gathered. Su Qian stood at the front, hands clasped behind his back.
"Great Elder, the area has been sealed exactly as instructed. The entrance to the final floor is sealed as well. Only you and Elder Xiao may enter."
One Elder bowed respectfully as he reported.
Su Qian said nothing for a moment. After a pause, he asked:
"Have we identified all the Black-Corner Region fighters who attacked us?"
"All of them."
"Then prepare. In one month, gather our forces and hunt them down—one by one. The disgrace brought upon the Inner Academy must be repaid in blood."
He waved his hand, voice cold.
"Yes!"
The Elders responded in unison, eyes blazing with fury. The Black-Corner Region's sudden assault had already spread throughout the continent. Without retaliation, what face would Jia Nan Academy have left?
Though Xiao Yuan had slain many invaders, the fact that they had stormed the Academy at all was a humiliating blow to its reputation. If not for Xiao Yuan's explosive response and Xiao Yan's follow-up, the Academy might truly have become a laughingstock.
Unforgivable!
Worse, the manner in which Xiao Yuan had killed those Black-Corner Region experts—leaving not even ashes—made it clear: the Death Tree in the Academy would need new ornaments.
The escaped Dou Huangs would make fine candidates.
The Academy didn't care if people died daily in the Black-Corner Region. But if they dared target the Academy—then they would die.
That message would be engraved in blood and bodies.
Still, Su Qian didn't include Xiao Yuan in this operation.
Why?
Because Xiao Yuan had a habit of reducing enemies to ashes. Not great for leaving "examples."
Xiao Yuan could only shrug innocently.
Who didn't know that Third Young Master Xiao was the gentlest and kindest soul around?
Besides, this gave him time to study alchemy with Yao Lao.
In the days that followed, Xiao Yuan set aside everything else and dedicated himself to alchemy. As for the Lionheart Society—well, their laid-back president had set the tone. Now even Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and Xiao Yu had adopted the same hands-off style, leaving most responsibilities to Atai.
Atai, for his part, was more than happy to take over. Compared to those monsters in charge, his own cultivation was average. Instead of struggling to keep up, he preferred managing the Society's affairs.
After all, every talent has its place. Cultivators need someone to handle logistics.
And Atai had always known exactly who he was.
(END CHAPTER)
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