Chapter 251: The Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower
The first meeting between Xiao Yan and Zi Yan ended here. It was clear that this little girl had been won over by Xiao Yan's charisma and generosity.
Putting aside the emotional cards Xiao Yan played later, the pills and the Transformation Pill he offered were already things this little girl couldn't resist.
That evening, Elder Hao personally brought two bottles of fine wine to visit Xiao Yan in his quarters. The two had a brief but pleasant conversation.
Through these interactions, Elder Hao's respect for Xiao Yan grew immensely. Xiao Yan's strength was undeniable able to subdue that little girl with ease, suggesting a power at least at the peak Dou Huang level.
As for his alchemy skills, the fact that the prideful elders of the Alchemy Department treated him with such high regard only confirmed that his abilities in alchemy were equally terrifying.
In Elder Hao's heart, Xiao Yan's status soared rapidly. While he wasn't a Dou Zong yet, his influence likely rivaled that of First Elder Su Qian.
With such thoughts in mind, Elder Hao's attitude toward Xiao Yan became increasingly respectful. Xiao Yan, in turn, was very satisfied with Elder Hao's hospitality. The two hit it off, and their dinner was filled with mutual flattery and laughter.
The next morning, Xiao Yan awoke from his cultivation and slowly opened his eyes.
When he stepped outside, he found Elder Hao already waiting for him at the door, smiling warmly.
"Xiao Yan, come with me," Elder Hao said with a grin as he led Xiao Yan toward the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower.
In the distance, the ancient black tower of the academy came into view, catching Xiao Yan's attention.
Through his vast soul perception, Xiao Yan could sense a familiar and alluring fiery presence deep beneath the black tower an intense heat burning wildly.
"Fallen Heart Flame… It really is down there!" Xiao Yan's eyes glowed with excitement.
Since leaving the Xiao Clan, he had already acquired three types of Heavenly Flames. However, their rankings were relatively low.
If not for the Yin Yang Saint Flame being carefully nurtured by the Yin Yang Evil Saint, even fusing all three flames might not have matched the top ten flames in power.
The Fallen Heart Flame, though not in the top ten, was far stronger than the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Ten Thousand Beast Flame.
If Xiao Yan could consume the Fallen Heart Flame and Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame as well, his fused flame would be capable of rivaling those ranked fifth or sixth.
As the two approached, the massive black tower loomed in front of them. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that only a small portion of the tower's tip was visible above ground.
Xiao Yan scanned the tower's exterior and noticed that the surrounding space was distorted, evidently protected by a defensive barrier.
"This is the work of the academy head," Elder Hao explained with pride. "Our headmaster is a legendary Dou Zun! I've been at this academy for decades, starting as an Outer Academy student and working my way up to elder, yet I've only seen the headmaster once."
Elder Hao's face beamed with pride, though he added with a hint of reverence, "It's all due to loyalty! Many elders haven't had the chance to meet the headmaster even once in their lifetimes."
"You're this thrilled from meeting a Dou Zun once? If you knew that my bodyguards are Half Saints, I wonder how shocked you'd be," Xiao Yan thought with an amused smile but kept silent.
"This is the entrance. Let's go inside," Elder Hao said, pointing to a large door.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and followed him.
The moment they stepped inside, a strange, invisible flame surged up in Xiao Yan's heart.
"As expected, the Fallen Heart Flame!"
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. With a single thought, the invisible flame was directly suppressed and absorbed by his Dou Qi.
Elder Hao, witnessing this, couldn't help but exclaim, "Your strength truly is extraordinary, Xiao Yan!"
Most students and even elders experienced discomfort upon first entering the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower. Yet here was Xiao Yan, not only unaffected but even smiling with a peculiar calmness.
"Xiao Yan, you can explore the area while I head to the registration room. Afterward, I'll take you to see the bottommost level," Elder Hao said before walking off toward an office.
Left alone, Xiao Yan smiled and began descending toward the lower floors.
By the second floor, the influence of the Fallen Heart Flame grew stronger. Xiao Yan paid it no mind and continued downward.
As he neared the third floor, an elder suddenly appeared.
Seeing Xiao Yan's youthful appearance, the elder hesitated and asked, "Young man, to enter the third floor, you need the strength of a Dou Ling. Do you meet the requirement?"
Startled at first, Xiao Yan quickly pulled out a finely crafted jade token and showed it to the elder.
"You're an elder of the academy?" The elder was taken aback. Realizing his mistake, he quickly smiled and said, "My apologies for not recognizing you."
The jade token clearly bore the title "Alchemy Department Elder." Although elders from the Alchemy Department were notoriously arrogant, their skills were indispensable, and the academy elders often had to seek their help.
Xiao Yan nodded courteously and continued exploring the third floor.
The third floor housed the largest number of students, as it catered to those whose cultivation levels were neither too low nor too high. Most of the seasoned students trained here.
Seeing these diligent students, Xiao Yan was reminded of the libraries at his university in his previous life, where classmates would spend entire days studying for exams and chasing their dreams.
At the same age, Xiao Yan had already moved far beyond such concerns.
Finding an unoccupied room, Xiao Yan decided to experience the tower's unique cultivation atmosphere.
He casually inserted a Fire Energy Card into the slot. This card, granted by Su Qian, contained a thousand units of Fire Energy a considerable amount.
As the energy activated, the Fallen Heart Flame's presence intensified, surging into Xiao Yan's heart.
However, Xiao Yan was unshaken. Using his soul power, he directly confronted the flame.
The Fallen Heart Flame naturally possessed a suppressive effect on souls, but against Xiao Yan, who wielded three Heavenly Flames, it was at a clear disadvantage. In mere moments, the flame retreated, consumed by Xiao Yan's power.
Just then, a series of heavy knocks echoed through the room.
Startled, Xiao Yan frowned as his previously calm expression turned cold.
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