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From the fire energy hunting competition to the rewards for the Strong Ranking, everything was distributed in the form of fire energy. The Inner Courtyard also generally used fire energy for task assignments and payments for services.
"fire energy" had already integrated into every aspect of the Jia Nan Academy Inner Academy students' lives; it was a recognized "currency" for everyone.
The greatest use of fire energy was for cultivation in the Heavenly Burning Training Qi Tower.
That mysterious building was certainly highly sought after because of its excellent effects and unique qualities.
Xiao Yan, clutching the red fire crystal card he obtained after defeating Zhou Mingrui, walked out of the house.
Xiao Meng hadn't explained it to him in too much detail, only mentioning the name and speaking in a half-veiled, riddle-like manner.
Xiao Yan decided to investigate it himself.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw someone who surprised him.
Black hair, brown eyes, linen clothes, slender build, ordinary features, deep contours… This was precisely Zhou Mingrui, the formidable opponent he encountered in the final stage of the "fire energy hunting competition."
The Inner Courtyard occupied the entire vast basin, which was very expansive, yet there were only about a thousand students inside, and their residences were quite spread out.
Xiao Yan stepped forward and greeted, "Hello, Student Zhou… What a coincidence, to meet in such a large academy. One could say it's fate."
Zhou Mingrui turned his head and glanced at him, saying with a strange tone,
"Don't you know I live next door to you? It would be strange if we didn't meet, wouldn't it?"
"Ah?" Xiao Yan was taken aback, touching his nose with a hint of surprise.
He truly hadn't known that.
On his first day in the Inner Courtyard, Xiao Meng had given him the Sea Heart Flame. After that, to adapt to his rapidly increasing strength, he had stayed in his courtyard, either meditating on his own or sparring with Xiao Meng, Xun Er, and others. He hadn't gone out even once.
Xiao Yan subconsciously glanced at the pavilion next door, which was one story shorter, and asked,
"Are you going to cultivate in the Heavenly Burning Training Qi Tower?"
Zhou Mingrui shook his head. He suddenly seemed to recall something and asked,
"Are you interested in Earth Core Tempering Body Milk?"
"Earth Core Tempering Body Milk…" Xiao Yan repeated the name, an undisguised look of joy on his face.
This was a spiritual item born deep beneath the earth. It took a hundred years to form as a mist and a thousand years to become a liquid. Only the highest-grade among them could be called Earth Core Tempering Body Milk, possessing the effect of cleansing bones and refining marrow.
He asked excitedly, "You have this thing?"
Zhou Mingrui tightened his black gloves and replied,
"No, but I've found its whereabouts. However, it's guarded by a magical beast. I can hold it off, but I can't kill it… so I need to find someone to cooperate with.
"I originally planned to call Xiao Meng, but since I ran into you, inviting you works just as well… Do you want to team up? We'll split it half and half after we get it."
Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned. Half and half? Such good terms?
"You think the terms are too generous?" As if sensing his doubt, Zhou Mingrui smiled and explained,
"Your risk isn't small either. That's a fifth-tier magical beast. I can hold it off, but if there's a mistake, I can retreat at any time, but you might be trapped in its lair… The risk you bear is worth half."
Xiao Yan listened and nodded in approval… Being trapped in a fifth-tier magical beast's lair would be almost certain death for an average student.
Of course, he was not an average student.
He had already tried it. Although he couldn't even create a true two-colored Fire Lotus, Qing Meng could easily conjure a three-colored Fire Lotus containing the Azure Lotus Core Flame, Bone Spirit Cold Flame, and Sea Heart Flame!
Moreover, he had no doubt that after consuming a "Purple Fire Pill," Qing Meng could also integrate the purple fire.
He estimated that this type of Fire Lotus would be enough to severely injure a Dou Emperor, and a normal Dou King would probably not be able to withstand it.
"When do we leave?" Xiao Yan asked somewhat impatiently. "No rush, how about the day after tomorrow? I still need to make some preparations." Zhou Mingrui waved his hand, brushed past Xiao Yan, and walked to his residence.
Watching the gate of the neighboring courtyard open and close, Xiao Yan suppressed the excitement in his heart and walked towards the Heavenly Burning Training Qi Tower according to his original plan.
About ten minutes later, he arrived at an area near the core of the Inner Courtyard. After searching for a long time, he still didn't see the towering pagoda.
Only after asking a fellow student did he learn its location.
Soon after, he walked to a depression. In the center of the depression was a black pagoda. Only the tip of the pagoda and one entrance layer were visible; most of the pagoda body was buried underground, like an iceberg floating in water.
No wonder I searched for so long and couldn't find it…
Xiao Yan also noticed that around the pagoda body, there was a layer of distortion and a wrinkled feeling, a similar situation he had witnessed in the Outer Courtyard's Hidden Scripture Pavilion.
At the entrance, a mentor was sitting on a chair, resting with his eyes closed.
Xiao Yan walked straight over and asked, "Hello, Mentor. I would like to enter the pagoda to cultivate. How should I do that?"
The young mentor opened his eyes, glanced at him, and replied,
"Just go straight in… You're a new student this year, aren't you? Don't go to the second floor. First, experience the first floor, pay attention to your emotions, know when to stop, and don't cultivate for too long on your first time."
Xiao Yan walked towards the black pagoda entrance.
As he approached the black pagoda, he frowned slightly and stopped his steps.
The black pagoda was made of a special material, exuding a chill that made Xiao Yan subtly feel as if the Heavenly Flames within his body had become less active.
Suppressing Heavenly Flames? Could it be that Jia Nan Academy's Heavenly Flame is sealed within this black pagoda?
Xiao Yan inwardly asked Yao Chen for his opinion.
Yao Chen chuckled and replied, "It seems your luck is good. The Heavenly Flame you need is probably at the bottom of this pagoda…"
A smile appeared on Xiao Yan's face, and he continued forward. As he got closer to the dark gate, the Heavenly Flames within his body suddenly stirred.
"Meng ya…" Qing Meng's voice, with a hint of confusion, came from his heart, which further confirmed Xiao Yan's earlier judgment.
…
At the deep bottom of the Heavenly Burning Training Qi Tower, in a fiery red Magma World, an invisible and colorless flame suddenly condensed, transforming into a slender young man wearing a black classical robe, a stiff-crowned soft hat, and a crystal monocle over his right eye.
He seemed to sense something, raising his head and gazing upwards.
His gaze seemed to pass through the long Magma passage, penetrate layers of Seals, and land on the refined young man who had just entered the black pagoda at the entrance.
"Heh…" Fallen Heart Flame, Amon, adjusted his monocle, curled the corners of his mouth, and formed a smile.
He snapped his fingers and whispered to himself, "Let me say hello to you first."
Xiao Yan stepped onto the hard stone surface, and suddenly his face changed, turning completely red.
A wisp of white mist emerged from his body, making sizzling sounds.
Everyone who entered the Heavenly Burning Training Qi Tower would be affected by the Fallen Heart Flame, and a wisp of invisible and formless flame would be born in their hearts.
Xiao Yan was given special treatment by Amon, a "greeting," and this wisp of heart flame burned exceptionally fiercely.
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