Xiao Yan and Zi Yan's first meeting came to an end here. It was clear that this little girl had already been won over by Xiao Yan's move.
Not to mention the emotional tactics he played afterward—just the pills and the Transformation Pill he offered alone were things this little girl simply couldn't refuse.
That night, Elder Hao specially brought two bottles of fine wine to Xiao Yan's room as a visit. The two had a simple chat to build rapport.
With closer contact, Elder Hao increasingly felt that Xiao Yan was unfathomable. In terms of strength, Xiao Yan was able to suppress that little girl to the point where she had almost no power to resist—this alone meant at least peak Dou Huang strength.
As for alchemy, the fact that he could make those arrogant old fellows of the Alchemy Department, who usually looked down on others through their nostrils, flatter him so thoroughly proved that his alchemy skills were equally terrifying.
This caused Xiao Yan's status in Elder Hao's heart to skyrocket. Although this man was not a Dou Zong, his influence might not be inferior to that of the First Elder, Su Qian.
Thinking this way, Elder Hao became increasingly respectful and courteous toward Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan was also very satisfied with Elder Hao's attitude. Both were masters of flattery, and the meal was extremely enjoyable.
Early the next morning, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes as he awoke from cultivation.
After pushing the door open and stepping outside, he saw Elder Hao already waiting at the entrance with a smiling face.
"Elder Yan Xiao, follow me," Elder Hao said with a smile.
Elder Hao led Xiao Yan toward the direction of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.
Looking at the pitch-black ancient tower in the distance within the academy, a glimmer of light appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes.
Within his vast soul perception, deep beneath the black tower, a scorching aura that felt both familiar and alluring was burning wildly.
"Fallen Heart Flame—so it really is down there!"
A trace of fervor appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes.
Since leaving the Xiao Clan, he had already found three Heavenly Flames. However, in reality, all three were ranked rather low.
If not for the Yin-Yang Sacred Flame having been carefully nurtured by the Yin-Yang Evil Saint, even the fusion of those three flames would likely not compare to any Heavenly Flame ranked in the top ten.
As for the Fallen Heart Flame, although it had not yet reached the top ten, it was still much stronger than the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame.
If he were to also devour the Fallen Heart Flame and Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame, his Heavenly Flame should be able to contend with those ranked around fifth or sixth.
As the two drew closer, an enormous black tower appeared before Xiao Yan. Upon closer inspection, however, one would discover that only a small tip of the tower was exposed above ground.
Sweeping his gaze over the outer layer of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, Xiao Yan noticed that the space around the tower body was distorted, as if a defensive layer had been specially arranged.
"This is the Headmaster's handiwork," Elder Hao said with a smile. "Our Headmaster is a legendary Dou Zun powerhouse. I've been in the academy for decades, rising from an outer academy student all the way to an elder, and yet I've only seen the Headmaster once."
As he spoke, a look of pride appeared on Elder Hao's face.
"All of this is because of loyalty! Many other elders have never even seen the Headmaster in their entire lives."
Look at you—seeing a Dou Zun once and you're this excited. If you knew my bodyguards are all Half-Saints, who knows how much shock you'd suffer.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly but said nothing.
"Hehe, Elder Yan Xiao, this is the entrance. Let's go in," Elder Hao said, pointing at a large door above.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and followed Elder Hao inside.
However, just as the two stepped through the door, an eerie, invisible flame rose from Xiao Yan's heart.
As expected—it's the Fallen Heart Flame!
A smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Yan's mouth. With a thought, the invisible flame was directly swallowed by his Dou Qi.
"Elder Yan Xiao's cultivation is truly unfathomable!" Elder Hao exclaimed in astonishment upon seeing this.
Ordinary students—even elders—usually looked quite uncomfortable the first time they entered the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower. Someone like Xiao Yan, with a strange smile on his lips, was something Elder Hao had never seen before.
"Elder Yan Xiao, take a look around here first. I'll head to the registration room nearby to sign in, then I'll take you to the lowest level to have a look," Elder Hao said with a smile.
After that, he turned and walked toward an office area.
Once Elder Hao left, Xiao Yan maintained the faint smile on his face and continued walking deeper underground.
By the time he reached the second level, the influence of the Fallen Heart Flame had increased once more.
Xiao Yan paid it no mind and continued downward.
Just as he was about to reach the third level, an elder suddenly walked out.
Seeing Xiao Yan's youthful appearance, the elder recalled his memory and realized that none of the third-level students he knew looked like this young man.
"Student, if you want to enter the third level, you need at least Dou Ling strength," the elder reminded him, assuming Xiao Yan was a new student.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly startled, then smiled and took out an exquisitely crafted jade token from his pocket.
"You're also an elder of the academy?"
Upon seeing the token, the elder froze for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
"This old man failed to recognize you."
The jade token clearly bore the words Alchemy Department Elder. Although the alchemy elders were famous for their arrogance, it was undeniable that the academy elders often had to rely on them.
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded politely in response, then began strolling around the third level.
Although the Fallen Heart Flame here was not particularly strong, this was the most populated level in the academy. Students with cultivation too low or too high were relatively few, and most veteran students stayed on this level.
Seeing these students cultivating diligently on the third level, Xiao Yan couldn't help but think of his past life in the university library.
Back then, many classmates would stay there from morning till night, striving for their graduate entrance exams.
Yet at the same age, Xiao Yan had already been considering matters far beyond school.
"This room is empty. Might as well experience the cultivation atmosphere of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower!"
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and casually entered a room.
Yesterday, Su Qian had issued him one of the Inner Academy's most precious Fire Energy Cards.
One thousand fire energy—under normal circumstances, this was no small amount.
After casually inserting the card into the slot, Xiao Yan felt an even stronger Fallen Heart Flame appear within his heart.
However, instead of panicking, Xiao Yan directly used his soul power to make contact with this strand of Fallen Heart Flame.
The Fallen Heart Flame was naturally capable of restraining souls, but unfortunately for it, it encountered a freak like Xiao Yan. Not only was he immensely powerful, he also possessed three Heavenly Flames. With just a brief encounter, this strand of Fallen Heart Flame vanished from Xiao Yan's heart amid shock and fury.
Bang bang bang!
At this moment, a heavy knocking sound suddenly rang out from Xiao Yan's room.
Xiao Yan was first startled, but then the smile on his face quickly darkened.
~~~~~
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(End of Chapter)