Chapter 204 – Visitors from the Black-Corner Region
In Su Qian's pupils, the image of the invisible fire python rapidly magnified. His hands swiftly changed seals as he let out a loud shout, and in response, the colorful energy net exploded with brilliant five-colored light!
"Bang!"
The enormous body, carrying an overwhelmingly powerful momentum, slammed into the colorful energy net. The sheer force of the impact pushed the net upward nearly ten meters, forming a dangerously stretched arc that made all the spectating students hold their breath in terror.
"Fall back!"
With a cold, stern gaze fixed on the struggling fire python, Su Qian suddenly pressed both palms downward. In that instant, it felt like the entire space was being crushed.
As his palms fell, the distorted energy net burst forth with radiant light. A powerful rebound force surged out and slammed into the python's massive body, violently knocking it back down.
The invisible fire python's massive tail twisted in mid-air before stopping just shy of hitting the ground.
Its first attack foiled, the python did not hesitate. Its tail lashed again as it launched another charge skyward. When it was within fifty meters of the net, its jaws opened wide, and a torrent of invisible flame erupted like a storm!
Watching the sea of fire sweep toward the barrier, Su Qian's expression darkened slightly. His hands moved rapidly, pouring wave after wave of surging Dou Qi into the net.
The invisible flames struck the barrier with terrifying heat, causing intense fluctuations.
However, though fierce, the fire could not easily break through a net created by eighteen Dou Wang experts and one Dou Zong. A stalemate formed between the two forces—neither side able to overpower the other.
"Screee!"
A shrill screech rang out again. The sea of invisible flame began to twist and writhe, and under Su Qian's grim gaze, it condensed into a thick, arm-sized flaming serpent. A devastating energy ripple exploded with its appearance.
The moment the flaming snake took shape, it shot forward at an unimaginable speed and smashed into the energy net.
Boom!
A thunderous explosion shook the air. The energy net trembled violently, and a thin crack appeared!
Thanks to Su Qian and the others' quick reactions, the crack didn't immediately collapse the net. But in that brief moment, a surge of violent energy blasted out and shot into the sky. The ripple of energy was powerful enough to be sensed from thousands of miles away.
"This is bad…"
As the violent energy spread, Su Qian's heart sank.
Below, Xiao Yuan squinted. As expected, it had come to this.
Outside Jia Nan Academy, in the bamboo forest near Feng City, a bamboo house stood amidst fresh greenery and a faint bamboo scent.
Inside, a man sat cross-legged in an alchemist's robe. Embroidered on the back was the elegant character for "Feng". He was engrossed in a prescription scroll, his focused expression calm and sharp.
Suddenly, he lifted his head sharply, his eyes shooting toward the distant northern sky. There, he felt a strange and vaguely familiar energy fluctuation.
The man's features were handsome, his thin lips tightly pursed with a sharp edge that added to his unique charisma.
"This feeling…" He tapped the scroll on his forehead, mind racing. After a moment, his hand froze, and his eyes flashed. "That… seems like a Heavenly Flame?"
"Boom!"
The invisible fire python slammed once more into the energy net, sending another thunderous explosion across the sky. But the barrier held firm—for now.
Still, the repeated assaults dimmed the net's colors, and many Elders' faces turned pale, their breathing strained. They were expending a tremendous amount of Dou Qi to hold the line.
"Bang!"
Another brutal strike landed. The massive body and explosive force of the python created waves of destructive power. After more than an hour of this madness, one Elder finally reached his limit.
"Pfft!"
During a fierce impact, an Elder's Dou Qi was completely drained. Blood spurted from his mouth, and he staggered down with trembling wings, barely staying aloft.
With one down, the others were under more pressure. The python sensed the opportunity and increased its attack frequency.
As time passed, more Elders collapsed from exhaustion and fell from the sky.
Watching them retreat one by one, Su Qian's face turned grim. Though he had dealt with the Fallen Heart Flame for years, he had never witnessed a full eruption—only now did he realize just how terrifying such a thing truly was.
In three short hours, ten of the eighteen Elders had fallen. Only eight remained with Su Qian, continuing to fight.
Meanwhile, the fire python was also showing signs of fatigue. The continuous assaults had depleted its energy; the flames on its body were growing dim, and its momentum was weakening.
"Looks like the Elders won't last much longer. Brother, when do we make our move?"
Xiao Yan frowned.
If the Fallen Heart Flame escaped now, it would be extremely difficult to find again.
"Don't worry. Reinforcements from the Outer Academy are on the way! And that energy spike probably attracted some powerful figures from the Black-Corner Region too. This isn't over yet."
Xiao Yuan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, voice calm.
"The Black-Corner Region?"
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. If those people got involved, things could get very messy.
"Relax. It'll be fine."
Xiao Yuan smiled and looked toward the eastern sky. A group of figures was approaching quickly.
"Haha! Elder Su, organizing took time. I hope we're not too late!"
An elderly, familiar voice rang out—it was Hu Gan, the vice principal of the Outer Academy.
Meanwhile, outside the mountains around Feng City, powerful figures from the Black-Corner Region had gathered. With a laugh from the man wearing the robe embroidered with a maple leaf, a large group soared into the air, unfolding their Dou Qi wings and speeding toward the Inner Academy.
With Hu Gan and his group arriving, the ten remaining Inner Academy Elders could finally catch their breath.
Though the Outer Academy's experts weren't as strong, they had numbers on their side. Even though the net dimmed, it held against the python's attacks.
Feeling the python's force weakening, Su Qian breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the creature's strength had limits after all.
High above, seeing its efforts failing, the fire python finally ceased its frenzied attacks. It coiled in midair, its pale eyes glaring at the barrier, tongue flicking as it gathered energy.
Seeing this, Su Qian and Hu Gan immediately led the Elders into the next phase of the sealing.
The instructors gathered as well to assist. Though weaker than the Elders, their numbers brought energy and momentum. Many students watching from afar felt a surge of bloodlust and the desire to join in.
Eighty-eight instructors couldn't fly, so they climbed to treetops around the net, forming a ring that complemented the airborne Elders.
"Form the sealing array!"
Hovering above the net, Su Qian raised his fists and roared.
With his command, beams of Dou Qi shot from the Elders—not at the python, but at Su Qian himself.
Su Qian changed hand seals rapidly, gathering immense spatial force before forming a half-meter-wide vacuum sphere. Nearly a hundred beams of Dou Qi shot into it, filling it with surging energy.
Sensing the buildup of danger, the fire python's pupils glinted fiercely. Invisible flames flared across its body as it charged again, space rippling and warping behind it.
"Shuu!"
Like a meteor, the python slammed into the barrier with a roar. The impact sent a tremor through the sky. Even the Outer Academy Elders turned pale at the sight.
"This beast is terrifying…"
Su Qian's face flushed. Gritting his teeth, he funneled more Dou Qi into the net, trying to stabilize it.
But the python realized the energy Su Qian was charging posed a real threat. It began thrashing violently, weakening the net further.
"Hurry, Elder Su!"
Hu Gan clenched his fists and shouted, his hands trembling.
Su Qian's gaze locked onto the struggling python. The sphere in his hands blazed like a second sun. His robe billowed as the power reached its limit.
At last, he whispered coldly, his voice booming across the Inner Academy: "Beast, return!"
With a thrust of his palms, the blazing sphere tore through space and silently pierced the net, slamming into the python's body like a cannonball.
"Screee!"
The python let out a blood-curdling scream as the explosion sent it crashing down into the broken Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.
"Seal!"
As it fell, Su Qian flashed with joy. He formed hand seals and shouted again.
The shattered spire of the tower surged with black energy, sealing it shut once more.
"Woooaaah!!"
Cheers erupted across the Academy. The Fallen Heart Flame had been sealed again.
"Brother! What now?"
Xiao Yan frowned, watching the now black-glowing tower.
"Don't get comfortable. That flame won't stay sealed for long—and the Black-Corner Region's people are coming."
Xiao Yuan shook his head grimly.
"The Black-Corner Region?" Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, glancing skyward. Though the Inner Academy was cloaked in space-sealing barriers, they wouldn't fool true experts.
Overhead, Su Qian exhaled in relief, smiling as the crowd cheered—but that smile froze as a sudden laugh rang out.
"Heh heh… Who would've thought the Inner Academy was hiding such a Heavenly Flame? Elder Su, you've kept quite the secret."
As the voice faded, the clear sky rippled. A large group of figures flew into view and hovered overhead. A thick, bloody aura descended upon the Inner Academy.
(END CHAPTER)
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