Chapter 256: Cultivation
"Hehe, just do your best."
Su Qian smiled lightly and didn't take Xiao Yan's words too seriously. With the Fallen Heart Flame no longer residing in the Inner Academy, even though Xiao Yan replenished it frequently, the famed "Heavenly Flame Refining Tower"—once known for accelerating cultivation—could never again function as it used to. It was quite a loss to the Inner Academy. However, Su Qian also understood the importance of a Heavenly Flame to Xiao Yan. Not to mention, Xiao Yan wasn't alone—he had Xiao Yuan and Yao Lao behind him. One was the heir to the Dean, and the other was one of the continent's top alchemists. Naturally, Su Qian couldn't demand anything.
Xiao Yan had some sense of Su Qian's inner thoughts. Truthfully, he carried guilt toward the Inner Academy and Su Qian. After all, when he had first come to Jia Nan Academy, his true goal had been the Fallen Heart Flame.
Now that he had achieved his objective, he had also caused some damage to the Inner Academy. Thus, he had long been thinking about how to make up for it. Though the so-called "Fire Gathering Pot" was somewhat effective, as the owner of the Fallen Heart Flame, Xiao Yan knew best: the residual flame here was merely a fragment, far inferior to what the original Fallen Heart Flame had offered.
With a heavy creak, the massive iron gate slowly opened. As it did, a scorching wave of heat burst forth as though sealed for countless years.
Waving his hand in front of him, Su Qian smiled bitterly. "The energy here is already this intense. I can't imagine how terrifying the magma world down below must be. Are you two really sure you want to cultivate there?"
Xiao Yan spread his hands and inhaled deeply, his face glowing with satisfaction. "This heat is exactly what I need. With our Heavenly Flames, ordinary fire is nothing. Don't worry, Elder."
"Monsters, both of you…"
Su Qian muttered, shaking his head. He stepped forward into the wide base of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan followed. This floor had no lighting, only a dim red hue filling the air, radiating from a large pit at the center. Crimson light beamed from it like a pillar, driving away the surrounding darkness.
The two walked straight toward the pit. The closer they got, the hotter it became, and the more intense and violent the fire-element energy in the air.
As they reached the pit's edge, the searing heat became nearly unbearable to Su Qian. Since he didn't practice a fire-attribute technique, this environment was far from enjoyable for him.
Standing at the edge, Xiao Yan took a deep breath. A torrent of fiery energy surged through his nose, flowing through his body, causing his temperature to rise instantly. Whether it was an illusion or not, the Fallen Heart Flame within him also stirred more actively than usual.
Peering down, all he saw was a sea of red. Blistering heat gushed upward like a volcanic vent. Though there was still quite a distance to the magma world below, the heat remained intense.
Xiao Yan gulped. His dark eyes sparkled with undisguised excitement. This place was a treasure trove for cultivation. Spending time here would undoubtedly yield great results.
"Since you're confident, I won't stop you. Xiao Yuan, take care of each other. I haven't been down there often, but I've sensed something strange. The magma world isn't as peaceful as it appears. Be cautious—you must know when to retreat!"
Seeing Xiao Yan's excitement, Su Qian turned to Xiao Yuan with a concerned reminder.
"Don't worry, Elder. We'll be careful," Xiao Yuan nodded and smiled.
"Good. I'll send some elders who practice fire techniques down soon. If anything goes wrong, they'll notice right away."
Su Qian smiled at the two most talented youths in the Inner Academy.
"Thank you, Elder."
The two of them cupped their fists, their warm smiles nearly identical.
Waving them off with a smile, Su Qian said, "You don't need to be so formal. Go try it out—I'll stand watch here. If anything happens, signal me, and I'll pull you out."
"If you're busy, Elder, feel free to go. I'll take care of it," Xiao Yuan said, releasing his Dou Zong aura.
…???
Su Qian's eyes widened in disbelief. "You… you broke through to Dou Zong?!"
"Just last night. Got lucky," Xiao Yuan replied with a smile.
"Got lucky…"
Su Qian almost spat blood. He'd spent so long trying to reach Dou Zong, and this kid just casually says he got lucky?
Frustrated for a while, Su Qian muttered, "I'm old… no use anymore… young people don't need me…"
Xiao Yuan chuckled at the elder's sour tone.
"Elder, what are you saying? You're our senior. I'm only trying to spare you some effort. With my breakthrough and my Heavenly Flame, I can handle most situations down there. You can relax."
Smiling, Xiao Yuan added.
"Sigh, you two little monsters. Go on. I'll rest a bit first."
Su Qian shook his head in resignation but also smiled with pride.
Still, he didn't leave. He knew these two weren't ordinary. He had once sensed something terrifying in that magma world—something even he feared.
If such a thing truly existed, he would risk his life to save them.
"Well, rest up then. Here—this is an Ice Heart Spirit Pill. It boosts fire resistance for six hours and slightly increases permanent fire resistance. Not much, but it'll help if you go down someday."
Xiao Yuan handed over a jade bottle, then jumped into the pit before Su Qian could respond.
Xiao Yan followed closely.
"Huh?"
Just as Xiao Yan entered, he suddenly muttered—he had sensed a faint calling from far below. It wasn't strong, but it was definitely there.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Yuan asked.
"Felt like something was calling me… might've been my imagination," Xiao Yan replied casually.
"Oh? Still feel it?"
"No, it was just for a moment."
Xiao Yuan nodded, then summoned six wisps of multicolored energy into his palm.
Three of the strands were solid, deep in color. The other three were fainter and more ethereal.
This was the Six Qi he had cultivated.
Though only three had fully formed, they were enough to help him sense people.
The Six Qi came from the human body and could be used to detect Tian Huo Zun-zhe's presence.
Moreover, the Shaoyin Monarch Flame among them was connected to the Fallen Heart Flame. And now that all three flames had fused into Heavenly Flames, tracking Tian Huo Zun-zhe wasn't impossible.
Hot winds howled around them as the two descended the tunnel. The deeper they went, the hotter it became.
A soft cyan flame emerged from Xiao Yan's body, shielding him from the heat. Looking at the sea of red below, he drew a deep breath. He remained alert—even with Xiao Yuan beside him, he wouldn't dare be careless, especially after hearing Su Qian's warnings.
Not out of distrust—but to avoid being a burden.
As he watched Xiao Yuan holding the six-colored strands, Xiao Yan felt a strange comfort, like the warmth of Xiao Yuan himself. And he could clearly sense the aura of Heavenly Flame from them.
Soon, their surroundings opened up.
Before them stretched an endless magma world. Huge bubbles rose and burst from the molten surface, releasing clouds of toxic heat. Inhaling it would be dangerous.
Xiao Yan flapped his bone wings—white as jade with black-tipped ends glowing with lightning—holding himself aloft.
Xiao Yuan simply walked through the air like it was solid ground.
The place was eerily silent. No signs of life. Just the occasional hiss of magma bubbles. The lava was so thick, it rarely stirred.
Long-term exposure to this place could warp even one's mind.
Thankfully, he had his third brother with him.
Xiao Yan felt relieved.
After confirming no immediate threats, he flew to a red cliffside, drew his Heavy Xuan Ruler, and summoned his Blue Lotus Heart Flame.
Under its intense heat, the rock wall melted like tofu. With a few quick swings, he carved out a resting cave.
Rather than jumping straight into training his new ruler technique, Xiao Yan turned to look at Xiao Yuan.
Xiao Yuan seemed to be scanning for something, like he was using a compass. Xiao Yan didn't understand, but he trusted his brother was doing something big.
After a while, seeing no signs of him stopping, Xiao Yan sat down to cultivate.
As soon as he entered his cultivation state, the surrounding space rippled violently. Crimson energy rushed toward him, surging into his body.
Xiao Yan's eyes shot open—joy and caution mixed in his gaze. The energy here was far denser than he'd expected, but also far more violent.
Taking in too much could alter a person's temperament.
But Xiao Yan was prepared.
With a calm smile, he summoned his blue flame and began refining. With a flick of his finger, several icy herbs floated into the air. These herbs contained cold or water-element energy.
Glancing at them, he waved his hand, dropping them into the flame.
Now a true sixth-tier alchemist, Xiao Yan could easily refine such medicines.
While he worked on refining a supporting medicine—
Xiao Yuan's eyes suddenly sharpened.
He had sensed a faint life signal—weak but still present. It flickered now and then, but it was strong enough to last another two to three years.
Without surprise, it was probably Tian Huo Zun-zhe.
Still, Xiao Yuan didn't plan to rescue him just yet.
He needed to get used to his own power first.
His recent bloodline awakening had brought a sharp rise in strength—both physical and in Dou Qi. But he wasn't yet in full control.
He preferred absolute precision.
Also, he had obtained fire control techniques from the Great Elder of Demon Flame Valley. He wanted to study them and integrate them into his own understanding.
And he needed to consolidate the Dou Techniques he'd learned—doing so might prove invaluable in future battles.
(END CHAPTER)
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