Sorry for disappearing for two weeks! My schedule has been packed nonstop—from weekdays to weekends—and I barely had time to rest, let alone upload and write. I couldn't meet my own update goals, and that's on me. Thank you for your patience, and I'm really sorry for the delay.
....
After killing the Old Blood Demon Hand and the Old Snow Demon Ice, Xiao Hua quietly returned to the Inner Academy.
He walked unhurriedly toward the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. Naturally, his appearance did not go unnoticed—especially by the female students. Their eyes lit up with infatuation and curiosity as they watched him pass.
"Hey, do you know who that is? I can't believe someone could be more handsome than Lin Xiuya…"
"Is he a student or an elder? How have we never seen him before?"
"Who cares which! He's officially the most handsome man in the academy. He's the reason I'm staying in the Inner Academy now!"
Blushes bloomed across the faces of several girls as they shyly exchanged glances, their hearts fluttering. Their eyes lingered on the black-robed young man whose features were as striking as his aura was calm. He walked with the composed bearing of a noble scholar—serene, untouchable, and utterly captivating.
As he continued to draw the attention of onlookers, Xiao Hua finally reached the narrow bridge that led to the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. If he remembered correctly, this would be his fourth visit to the tower since entering the Inner Academy.
The tower held little benefit for him. With his unique Qi Method, there was no particular reason to train here. Most of the time, he chose to cultivate deep within the heart of the Chaos Spiritual Forest, where the energy was far more suitable for his growth. Thus, he rarely bothered with this place.
The Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower itself was a massive black structure, most of which lay buried underground. Only the uppermost portion emerged from the earth, rising at the center of a hexagonally segmented volcanic field. Glowing rivers of lava traced along the seams of the giant stone plates, outlining the field in a fiery pattern.
The tower was tall and imposing, divided into multiple tiers that rose like the levels of an ancient pagoda. Its architecture was both sturdy and symmetrical, forged from dark metallic and stone materials that radiated heat and age.
A single narrow white bridge stretched from the surrounding platform to the tower's base—clearly the only safe path for students to enter and exit the tower.
In between the bridge, there is a statue of the six founders of Chaos Gate, Xiao Hua, Xun Er, Ming Cheng, Li Mei, Xin Yu Mei Ling and Wei Jie. In front of the statue, a stand with a golden plaque written of their names and their contributions to Jia Nan Academy.
While the female students were lost in awe, a group of three students stood nearby, their gazes scrutinizing. Unlike the others, they weren't mesmerized by Xiao Hua's presence and have recently arrived.
"We came here to train, only to be greeted by this noisy commotion. But I suppose it's no surprise, given how many girls are gathered here. For a moment, I thought someone had leaked the news about your training session, Lin Xiuya."
The one who spoke was a tall man with a strong, imposing build and a few rugged stubbles on his chin. His height surpassed that of ordinary people by nearly two heads, and the sheer size of his body emanated an innate sense of pressure.
Yet, what drew the most attention was the massive black metal hammer resting in his right hand. Under the sunlight, the hammer's surface shimmered with a heavy, deep glow—its presence alone enough to command caution.
The burly man glanced at the refined young man standing beside him and let out a low chuckle, a trace of amusement playing on his lips.
"Ha ha… But Yan Hao, don't you think that young man looks familiar? I feel like I've seen him somewhere before…"
The one who spoke, with a weary chuckle and a helpless smile, was a handsome young man dressed in elegant green robes. He appeared to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old—an age when the wild arrogance of youth had usually faded.
His gentle smile and composed demeanor naturally left a favorable impression on others. The green robes complemented his refined aura, and his presence exuded an understated elegance that often surprised those who met him.
"You too, Lin Xiuya? I thought I was the only one." Yan Hao rubbed his chin, a faint frown forming on his brow. "I definitely feel like I've seen him before… but I just can't remember where."
Despite his confusion, Yan Hao couldn't help but feel impressed. The young man's appearance was even more striking than Lin Xiuya's—a rare feat in itself. He had never seen this black-robed youth before, but from his bearing, demeanor, and noble aura, it was clear: this was no ordinary person.
"What do you think, Han Yue? Do you know who he is?"
Lin Xiuya rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then turned his gaze toward a group of seven to eight graceful young women.
A faint wave of fragrance drifted from them, causing nearby students to instinctively compose themselves. His question was directed at the figure standing at the forefront of the group.
That figure was an elegant young lady—refined and graceful. She had silver-lavender hair styled into a high ponytail, adorned with a golden accessory that shimmered subtly in the light. Her features were exquisite: pale porcelain skin, sharp yet graceful eyes, and an expression that radiated both calm intelligence and quiet strength.
She wore a majestic robe in white, lavender, and gold, decorated with celestial motifs and delicate embroidery. The flowing sleeves bore golden star patterns, while the layered robe merged elegance with practicality.
A high-waisted belt secured the robe, its panels cascading like water both in front and behind. Her boots, sleek and refined, were trimmed in black and gold.
Upon hearing Lin Xiuya's question, Han Yue raised her hand, clad in translucent black silk stockings that extended to her slender fingers. She lightly brushed her snow-white chin as she pondered.
Then, her eyes lifted—drawn to the most distinctive and captivating feature of the mysterious young man. Her pupils narrowed slightly, and a flicker of recognition passed through her gaze.
"His eyes… they are crimson and cyan," She murmured, a glint flashing across her expression.
"I'll admit his eyes are unusual… but is there something wrong with that?" Yan Hao raised his brows in confusion, puzzled by Han Yue's fixation. Crimson and cyan might be striking, but heterochromia wasn't entirely unheard of—some were simply born with it.
Lin Xiuya's gaze sharpened at Han Yue's reaction. He turned his attention toward Xiao Hua's eyes, observing them carefully. A moment later, his gaze drifted to the statue standing silently at the center of the bridge.
In that instant, his expression shifted. A tremor flickered in his eyes as he murmured softly, just loud enough for Han Yue and Yan Hao to hear.
"Elder Xiao Hua…!"
"What?" Yan Hao's body jolted. He turned quickly toward Lin Xiuya, voice hushed and tinged with disbelief. "That's him? Are you sure?"
As students of the Inner Academy, they were all too familiar with the name Xiao Hua—a figure surrounded by countless legends. The students of Alchemy Department revered him like a god, worshiping the pill-refining genius who had left behind a trove of pill formulas that elevated generations of cultivators.
But for Yan Hao, a battle maniac through and through, what thrilled him most weren't the alchemical feats—but the tale of Xiao Hua facing five Dou Zongs… and killing the strongest among them. That man was not only the oldest Dou Zong in the Black-Corner Region but also the most feared. And yet, he had perished at Xiao Hua's hands, who is only a Dou Wang at the time.
Just as Yan Hao expected them to confirm their suspicions, neither responded. Both remained silent, their eyes fixed ahead, expressions stunned and slightly tense.
"Lin Xiuya? Han Yue? What are you—?!" Confused, Yan Hao turned around to see what had rendered them speechless—and his breath caught.
Xiao Hua was already standing nearby, calmly gazing at them with a gentle smile on his face.
"Yes? Do you need something from me?" Xiao Hua asked with a serene tone. His voice wasn't loud, yet it easily reached Lin Xiuya's ears, who had been staring at the statue while awaiting the First Elder.
"My apologies, Elder Xiao Hua," Lin Xiuya quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands respectfully. "I was simply overwhelmed. I've heard the legends you left behind at Jia Nan Academy, but never imagined I'd see you in person."
"It's fine." Xiao Hua smiled gently, his gaze landing on Lin Xiuya with a flicker of curiosity. "So, you're Lin Xiuya…"
He had naturally heard Yan Hao's earlier words and was now observing the young man with mild interest.
A faint, intrigued smile played on his lips as he continued, "I've heard about the recent Top Ten Strong Ranking Competition from my teacher. If I remember correctly, you took first place, with Liu Qing as second, yes?"
"It was merely luck on my part," Lin Xiuya replied with a helpless smile, shaking his head. While some might take his words as humility, he was speaking the truth.
Had luck not been on his side, defeating the second-ranked Liu Qing—known for his sheer toughness and relentless tenacity—would have been extremely difficult task.
"According to what my master told me, it seems you truly struggled against him, even if you managed to win in the end." Xiao Hua mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
He nodded slowly, a curious smile forming on his lips. "Now I'm interested in meeting him as well."
In the novel's future, both Liu Qing and Lin Xiuya would become important allies of Xiao Yan during his return to the Jia Ma Empire, when he sought to destroy the Misty Cloud Sect.
Among all the strong cultivators of the Inner Academy, Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and Liu Yan were the most reliable and trustworthy.
In fact, at the very end of the novel, the three of them would share drinks with Xiao Yan, getting drunk together to celebrate their bond of brotherhood.
With such a future awaiting them, there was nothing wrong with Xiao Hua choosing to support Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and Liu Yan in becoming stronger.
After deciding to assist Lin Xiuya and the other two, Xiao Hua turned his gaze toward the graceful young lady among the group of women.
He extended his hand with a gentle smile and said, "Nice to meet you, Han Yue. I've heard about you from my master. It seems Sister Li Mei offered you some guidance for a time."
Seeing Xiao Hua reach out his hand toward Han Yue, Lin Xiuya and Yan Hao couldn't help but stiffen slightly. Knowing her temperament, they were well aware that this lady, known for her extreme obsession with cleanliness, typically avoided direct contact with others—especially men.
Even during battle, she would coat herself entirely in Dou Qi to avoid physical contact. Her obsession with cleanliness was so intense that it often left others at a loss for words.
However, before the two could say anything, Han Yue calmly extended her white, jade-like wrist, clad in translucent black arm sleeves.
Then, to their astonishment, she gently clasped Xiao Hua's hand. Their touch was light and fleeting, yet under the stunned gaze of Lin Xiuya and Yan Hao, her clear and elegant voice rang out—cool and flowing like spring water cascading from a snowy peak.
"Nice to meet you, Elder Xiao Hua," Han Yue replied. "Thanks to Elder Sister Li Mei's teachings, my group avoided complete defeat and humiliation during the Fire Energy Hunting Competition."
Unlike her usual cold and indifferent demeanour, Han Yue showed a rare trace of softness when speaking with Xiao Hua. A faint smile, as delicate as an epiphyllum bloom, appeared on her lips as she cupped her hands and bowed slightly.
Though she held deep admiration for Xiao Hua's accomplishments, it was his connection to Li Mei—whom she regarded as her most beloved elder sister—that inspired her gentler attitude.
But for the crowds it is a different story, especially those who is ignorance of it. When the surrounding male students saw Han Yue and Xiao Hua's hands make contact, countless gazes shot over from all directions.
For a moment, they were stunned—then, one by one, their expressions twisted with envy. Burning, jealous eyes locked onto the black-robed young man, their teeth clenched in silent frustration.
Yet, none dared to voice their discontent. After all, the person before them was the legendary figure of Jia Nan Academy.
As their gazes swept across the crowd, they couldn't help but notice the admiration and infatuation gleaming in the eyes of many female students.
Strength. Appearance. Presence. No one could deny he possessed it all. Even Lin Xiuya, known as the academy's most handsome and talented male student, seemed to pale in comparison when standing before him. With bitter acceptance, they could only acknowledge their own inadequacy.
Meanwhile, Han Yue recalled how Sister Li Mei once declared that her little brother was the most handsome man in the entire Black-Corner Region—even if one were to turn the place upside down.
At the time, Han Yue thought Li Mei was simply exaggerating, speaking out of affection and tenderness for her younger brother.
'Elder Sister Li Mei didn't lie…'
Her gaze lifted, sweeping over Xiao Hua's features, and a helpless smile curved her lips. She couldn't deny it—Xiao Hua was indeed the most handsome man she had ever seen, enough to stir a ripple in her usually calm heart.
"Ha ha. Sister Li Mei will be delighted to hear that," Xiao Hua said with a warm smile. "Since she allows you to address her so affectionately, there's no need to be overly polite with me."
He then retrieved a few jade bottles and several Dou Techniques from his storage ring, handing them to Han Yue. "These will aid your future cultivation. The pill's effect is on the paper stored inside the bottles."
"This…" Han Yue was momentarily stunned by the sudden gesture, at a loss for words. She knew Xiao Hua and his sworn siblings had a habit of spoiling those close to them, but she never expected it to be to this extent.
She instinctively wanted to return the gifts and politely decline. However, just as she opened her mouth to speak, an old, raspy voice rang out beside her.
"Ke ke, it seems you've been taking good care of your juniors, Xiao Hua."
Everyone near the bridge turned toward the source of the voice. Upon seeing the familiar elderly figure, the students immediately cupped their hands in respect.
"First Elder."
Su Qian nodded in acknowledgment as he stroked his beard. Though Han Yue and Xiao Hua had already released their hands, he had clearly witnessed their brief handshake.
Glancing at Han Yue—who had actually set aside her obsession with cleanliness, even if only momentarily—Su Qian couldn't help but feel a bit surprised. A moment later, he recovered and gave her a meaningful look before chuckling.
"Xiao Hua, ah… you should feel honored. You're one of the very few young men in the Inner Academy who has ever shaken hands with that girl Yue."
"Oh? Then I'm truly honored," Xiao Hua replied, a flicker of realization crossing his face as he recalled Han Yue's well-known obsession with cleanliness. A faint smile formed on his lips as he nodded. Though holding her soft, jade-like hand was a pleasant sensation, he had done so only out of courtesy and released it promptly.
"The honor is mine as well," Han Yue responded softly, shaking her head. "To shake hands with the founder of Chaos Gate—one of the Inner Academy's most powerful factions—is not something to take lightly."
Xiao Hua then turned toward Su Qian and asked, "First Elder, has that matter finally been resolved?"
Xiao Hua was referring to the recent unrest caused by the Fallen Heart Flame. Though not overwhelmingly powerful, it was by no means weak either. Ever since he had left the Inner Academy, the Fallen Heart Flame had been growing restless, striking against the seal as if sensing his absence and seeing it as an opportunity to break free.
For that reason, Xiao Hua had deliberately avoided entering the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower—and the same applied to the students who remained outside.
He didn't want to disturb the elders working tirelessly to suppress it. Worse, his presence might not intimidate the flame, but instead provoke it into a more violent reaction.
"It has settled," Su Qian said with a nod, catching the meaning behind Xiao Hua's words. "Thanks to that young lady you brought with you, dealing with it has become much simpler and far less taxing."
"Though it's less taxing, it's still quite exhausting. The young lady is currently resting inside the tower," Su Qian added with a smile.
"That's good." Xiao Hua nodded. A wave of relief washed over him upon hearing that the Little Fairy Doctor was resting.
Without another word, he lifted his hand and lightly swiped the air. A flash of light flickered—and in the next instant, two spatial rings appeared before everyone's eyes.
Upon seeing the two storage rings, Su Qian's eyes narrowed sharply, a trace of cold killing intent flickering deep within them.
"It seems you've dealt with the Old Blood Demon Hand and the Old Snow Demon Ice," Su Qian said with a nod of satisfaction.
These two had long been a thorn in the side of the Inner Academy. They had repeatedly hunted Jia Nan Academy students, forcing the elders to hesitate in sending anyone outside for training or missions.
Even when the elders arrived, the two would flee instantly, disappearing into hiding before emerging once more to continue their relentless pursuit.
"What's going on? Why did the First Elder suddenly release killing intent…?"
"Wait a second—did the First Elder just say Elder Xiao Hua took down two experts?"
"The Old Blood Demon Hands and the Old Snow Demon Ice…!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The students instinctively recoiled, startled by the oppressive killing intent radiating from Su Qian.
But their shock only deepened when they heard his words. Whispers turned into stunned murmurs. Some students clenched their fists, their eyes burning with hatred as they quietly repeated the names of the two slain experts.
It was clear that many held deep resentment toward the Old Blood Demon Hand and the Old Snow Demon Ice for the atrocities committed in recent years. Their hands had been stained with the blood of countless innocent students.
After a long silence, those gripped by hatred slowly exhaled, releasing their anger. Though an emptiness lingered in their hearts from losses that could never be undone, there was a trace of solace now. Xiao Hua had acted. Their fallen brothers and sisters had been avenged.
Xiao Hua, expression calm and unchanging, handed two storage rings to Su Qian.
Truthfully, he had used a small trick to acquire them. When he sealed the space, he subtly manipulated spatial strength to extract the storage rings without alerting them. Had they not been so desperate to escape, they might have sensed the spatial fluctuations and resisted.
"I've already examined their contents," He said calmly. "There was nothing of value to me, but the resources inside should be useful for the students' development."
"Ke ke, then I'll have the contents added to the reward halls so the students can access them easily," Su Qian chuckled softly as he received the two storage rings.
"Should I take it that you'll begin in about two weeks?" he asked, after scanning the rings and confirming there was nothing dangerous inside. Satisfied with the contents, he stored them away and smoothly shifted the topic.
"That's right, First Elder. I'll be counting on you and the Little Fairy Doctor when the time comes," Xiao Hua replied with a nod, immediately understanding the elder's implication.
Naturally, the fewer people who knew he was going to refine a Tier 9 Treasure Pill, the better. Drawing less attention would reduce the risk of external interference.
Even if the natural phenomenon caused by the refinement stirred up a major commotion, it would still take time for outsiders to arrive. By then, Xiao Hua and his group would have already withdrawn to safety.
Su Qian gave a nod before turning around. With a wave of his hand, his voice echoed powerfully across the area: "Open the tower!"
As his command rang out, a deep, ancient gong sounded, its mighty reverberations sweeping across the surroundings. At once, all the noise and chatter stirred by the sudden appearance of the two fallen experts' corpses came to an abrupt halt.
Soon after, the tightly sealed, pitch-black door of the tower began to creak open slowly. A faint wave of heat leaked from within, subtly raising the temperature in the area.
Su Qian shifted his gaze from the slowly opening door and swept his eyes across the gathered crowd. His aged voice resounded once more: "Students may enter the tower!"
At that moment, all those who had been waiting patiently cupped their hands respectfully toward Su Qian before rushing forward. The sound of rushing wind filled the air as countless figures shot toward the tower entrance from all directions, eager to seize their opportunity.
Han Yue was just about to ask Xiao Hua whether she could meet him again, but before the words could leave her lips, both Su Qian and Xiao Hua had already vanished from sight. She could only shake her head helplessly and step into the tower.
She couldn't deny the faint disappointment she felt at not being able to join Lin Xiuya and the others in training with him.
"You may also participate in the training. Just inform the Chaos Gate—they will guide you to me."
Just as she was walking, Xiao Hua's voice suddenly echoed in her mind. She froze mid-step, startled.
Her lips curled slightly, and a smile bloomed like a moonflower beneath the starlight—soft, fleeting, and unnoticed. In the next moment, she resumed her steps as though nothing had happened, the smile already gone without a trace.
...
Meanwhile, in a quiet chamber within the tower, Xiao Hua and Su Qian entered to find a gentle-looking young lady dressed in elegant purple robes, waiting quietly.
But it was clear—she wasn't waiting for Su Qian.
Her soft smile bloomed like a peach blossom in the spring breeze—delicate, fragrant, and subtly heart-stirring—as her affectionate gaze settled tenderly on Xiao Hua.
Even Su Qian couldn't help but sigh as the young lady completely ignored his presence, her attention focused solely on the young man. He shot Xiao Hua a look of mild exasperation, recalling how the latter had once introduced her merely as a friend.
Feeling Su Qian's sharp gaze, Xiao Hua gave a light cough and awkwardly shifted his focus. He walked toward the Little Fairy Doctor, a tender smile on his face.
"Are you alright? Was it difficult?" He asked gently, his eyes filled with concern. He took out a few medicinal pills and handed them to her. "These should help you recover more quickly."
"It wasn't too bad," she replied with a relieved smile, her heart warming at his care. "Thanks to the Abysmal Calamity Ghostflame, suppressing the Fallen Heart Flame was much easier than expected."
"I wish you'd show even half the concern for me that you do for her…" Su Qian muttered with mild exasperation, shaking his head as he watched Xiao Hua hand recovery pills to the Little Fairy Doctor the moment he noticed the slight pallor in her face—while completely ignoring him.
"Ha… ha… First Elder, you looked fine, so I figured you didn't need any," Xiao Hua replied with an awkward chuckle, finally remembering that Su Qian had also helped suppress the Fallen Heart Flame.
Hurriedly, he pulled out a few pills and handed them to the elder.
Su Qian could only shake his head with a resigned smile. 'When it comes to these two lovebirds, perhaps it's best to leave them be…'
"Anyway," Xiao Hua said, shifting the topic, "since I'm here, I might as well resolve the Fallen Heart Flame's situation once and for all."
He looked downward, his sharp gaze seeming to pierce through the very floors, locking onto the invisible serpent of flame lurking deep below.
"You do realize we just opened the tower and let the students in, right?" Su Qian raised his brows in mild confusion.
"Perhaps," Xiao Hua replied with a faint smile, his gaze still fixed downward. "But you might need to close it again."
Bang!
Just as Su Qian was about to ask what he meant, a deep, muffled rumble suddenly echoed through the tower, cutting off his words. His expression stiffened, growing more solemn by the second.
In the next moment, the entire tower began to tremble faintly. The calm energy that once filled the space suddenly surged violently, churning like boiling water.
"This is…" Su Qian's face darkened. He had just finished reinforcing the seal, but clearly, the serpent of flame refused to stay bound.
"It seems my presence has truly provoked it…" Xiao Hua sighed and shook his head. Then, he turned to Su Qian with a calm expression.
"First Elder, please have the resting elders and students evacuate the tower. I'll handle the rest."
"Are you certain?" Su Qian asked, his tone heavy and grim. While he acknowledged Xiao Hua's strength, the current Fallen Heart Flame was far from weak.
"It's not a problem." Xiao Hua smiled calmly, then turned to the worried expression on Little Fairy Doctor's face. "Have you forgotten? I possess three of the strongest protections against Heavenly Flames."
Little Fairy Doctor understood his meaning immediately, and her concern gradually eased. With the combined protection of Lady Azure, Lady Xue Yue, and the Nine Lightning Beasts, the chances of Xiao Hua being harmed by the Fallen Heart Flame are extremely low.
"Even so… please be careful," she said softly, her tone still laced with worry. "Take care of yourself."
Xiao Hua smiled affectionately, a wave of warmth and tenderness surging in his heart at her words. He gave a soft nod before rushing toward the lowest level of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower—where the seal was located.
He had to resolve this matter quickly so that the First Elder could reopen the tower and the students' cultivation wouldn't be hindered.
"That damned snake… always causing more trouble than necessary…" he muttered under his breath.
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