Chapter 171: Explosion
"Whoosh~"
In the sky, the massive fire flood dragon shot off into the distance, moving so quickly that it seemed to vanish like a flash of light. Behind it, several figures followed closely but didn't dare get too close. No one dared to take the first step to stop it, fearing that it would provoke the Fallen Heart Flame's hostility, which would lead to an attack, only providing the dragon with an advantage.
Su Qian glanced at Mo Tianxing, who was following behind, a slight coldness in his gaze. Once the events of the night were over, Canaan Academy would definitely demand an explanation from the Black Magic Sect. If they didn't give a satisfactory answer, the Black Magic Sect wouldn't be able to exist in the Black Corner Domain anymore.
Anyone involved in tonight's events would not escape. No one would be spared.
Did they really think Canaan Academy was an easy target?
Mo Tianxing immediately sensed Su Qian's gaze and, naturally, understood the meaning behind it. His eyes darkened as he looked at the fire flood dragon flying further away. He was puzzled. Where exactly was it flying to? And Han Feng, had he truly died after being swallowed by the fire flood dragon formed by the Fallen Heart Flame? If he hadn't died, he should at least have struggled. Could it be that he truly died inside the Fallen Heart Flame?
He froze for a moment, feeling a slight panic. If Han Feng was dead, then everything the man had promised was gone.
Damn it...
Mo Tianxing cursed inwardly, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light as he turned to Su Qian and spoke, "Elder, things have gone this far... I don't want to continue tangling with Canaan Academy. I have no intention toward the Fallen Heart Flame. However, I need to confirm whether Han Feng is dead or alive. How about you and I team up and intercept it?"
"You think I will cooperate with you?" Su Qian snorted coldly, his tone dismissive.
Mo Tianxing's eyes darkened, clearly irritated by Su Qian's tone. Yet, he could only suppress his emotions and forced a smile, "Elder, there's no need to act like this. Before, we were merely each working for our own interests. I couldn't avoid it then, but I hope you understand... If we let the Fallen Heart Flame continue to escape, it might attract more people's attention. There could be unexpected situations. In that case, Elder, you might regret it later."
He didn't want to delay further. The longer they waited, the lower the chances of Han Feng surviving. If there was even the slightest hope, Mo Tianxing didn't want to see Han Feng die just like that.
Who would want a debtor to die? He hoped Han Feng would live well and deliver on his promises.
"…"
Su Qian frowned at Mo Tianxing's words. He had to admit that what Mo Tianxing said made sense. If the Fallen Heart Flame's figure was exposed to too many eyes, it would inevitably attract the attention of many powerful individuals, and some might even try to seize it.
The value of the Fallen Heart Flame was immeasurable. It wasn't just a heavenly flame but also had the ability to cultivate itself, greatly enhancing the cultivator's talents.
At the very least, Canaan Academy could use it to build another Heavenly Flame Refining Tower to cultivate disciples.
If the Fallen Heart Flame were in Central State, it would probably have already attracted several Dou Zong-level experts.
As Su Qian hesitated, the fire flood dragon ahead suddenly stopped. Its massive body trembled as if it could no longer maintain its current state. Its body began to expand rapidly at a visible speed, and its aura grew even more violent. A destructive force brewed within it, erupting like a volcanic explosion.
Then, under the watchful eyes of Su Qian and Mo Tianxing, the dragon suddenly exploded. Terrifying energy immediately created a massive mushroom cloud, and the fire waves engulfed a mountain, eradicating it, with the violent shockwave spreading in all directions.
Fortunately, Su Qian and Mo Tianxing were far away. If they were any closer, both would have been heavily injured.
"What's happening?!"
Su Qian was stunned by the sight.
Mo Tianxing, standing beside him, was also dumbfounded. He didn't care about the Fallen Heart Flame; he only cared about whether Han Feng was alive or dead. With this explosion, Han Feng was most likely dead. There was no way he could survive this.
"Boom~"
A loud booming sound soon echoed from afar, followed by a scorching heatwave, confirming that everything before them wasn't an illusion but had really happened.
Su Qian stood frozen in place for a long time, then suddenly snapped out of his daze. His Dou Qi exploded around him as he shot toward the center of the explosion. He wanted to understand what had happened. Why did the Fallen Heart Flame suddenly explode? Could it have been because of its digestion of the Sea Heart Flame?
But that was clearly a terrible joke.
Withstanding the burning heat, Su Qian activated his enhanced vision with Dou Qi and swept the area. The center of the explosion had turned into a sea of lava, and everything had been obliterated. The exposed ground was charred, and countless rocks had turned into lava, with some even crystallizing.
The scene was both striking and tragic, and the Fallen Heart Flame had completely vanished...
Soon, Su Qian's eyes widened. In the very center of the explosion, there was a small, head-sized formless flame floating in the air, emitting a faint glow. It was unmistakably an undeveloped Fallen Heart Flame.
This scene was truly shocking, creating a sense of unreality for Su Qian as he watched the dramatic change unfold.
However, in just a moment, he turned into a streak of light and rushed forward, protecting the flame in case of another accident. As for the connection between this new Fallen Heart Flame and the previous one, he didn't care anymore. With this new Fallen Heart Flame in hand, all of Canaan Academy's worries would be gone. This new Fallen Heart Flame seemed to have just been born and didn't possess much intelligence yet.
If Canaan Academy could cultivate it, it surely wouldn't carry the same animosity toward them as the previous one.
Thinking of this, Su Qian couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Then...
Su Qian's gaze shifted to Mo Tianxing, who had followed him. His eyes became wary and cold, much like a mother hen protecting her chicks.
"...Elder, there's no need to be like this. I have no intention regarding this Fallen Heart Flame."
Mo Tianxing smiled and maintained some distance, signaling that he meant no harm. His gaze swept across the area, but he didn't see any trace of Han Feng's remains. Not even the Sea Heart Flame was visible. He couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Do you think this Fallen Heart Flame is the same as the previous one? Could it have failed to digest the Sea Heart Flame?" Mo Tianxing asked Su Qian.
Su Qian remained vigilant, his Dou Qi surging around him as he spoke in a deep voice, "Whether it's the same or not doesn't matter. Sect Master Mo, I advise you to leave now. Canaan Academy can forgive what happened tonight."
At this moment, the newly born Fallen Heart Flame was far more important than anything else. As long as they took it back, Canaan Academy would be rejuvenated. No longer would they have to worry about sealing the Fallen Heart Flame, and it could even be cultivated into a powerful asset.
Compared to the lifespan of humans, a heavenly flame like this could last forever. It could ensure the inheritance of Canaan Academy for generations to come.
"..."
Mo Tianxing narrowed his eyes as he watched the Fallen Heart Flame in Su Qian's hands. He had the thought of seizing it, but unfortunately, he had missed the best chance. If he had taken it earlier, he might have gained favor from Han Feng's uncle. But now, it seemed that opportunity was lost, especially since someone was already catching up.
"Tonight, I've offended you. Please don't take it to heart. I'll leave now." Mo Tianxing, ever adaptable, clasped his hands and gestured to Su Qian, then quickly flew off toward the Black Magic Sect.
Moments later, several Canaan Academy elders arrived. They were shocked by the scene before them, then turned their astonished gaze to Su Qian's hands, seeing the small Fallen Heart Flame there. They were full of questions, especially about how the massive fire flood dragon had turned into this cute little thing.
But the answer to this question, it seemed, no one would be able to answer.
This would likely remain an unsolvable mystery for some time.
...
The explosion caused by the fire flood dragon, formed by the Fallen Heart Flame, was indeed Yao Yan's doing. He had no interest in the heartfire energy the Fallen Heart Flame had accumulated over hundreds of years, as he didn't have the stomach to devour it. Especially now, with the Fallen Heart Flame, Sea Heart Flame, and Bone Spirit Cold Fire in his hands, the little heartfire energy was nothing compared to these main ingredients.
Similarly, the young Fallen Heart Flame was intentionally left behind by Yao Yan, to maintain the existence of Canaan Academy. He still needed the academy to provide talent for him.
Building the 'Heavenly Court' was no joke—he truly intended to do it.
"A bit of a pity..." The voice of the Heavenly Fire Sovereign echoed in Yao Yan's ears, tinged with a hint of regret.
"Nothing to regret. It's useless to keep things you can't consume." Yao Yan's voice was calm. He didn't lack good things. Not to mention the few drops of the Celestial Phoenix Clan's bloodline, even the poison marks in his body hadn't been completely digested. The energy these things provided was undoubtedly far more suitable for him than the heartfire energy accumulated by the Fallen Heart Flame.
"That's true..." The Heavenly Fire Sovereign nodded and then floated out from the Bone Spirit Ring, his gaze falling on the unconscious Han Feng beside Yao Yan. He asked curiously, "What do you plan to do with him?"
At this moment, Han Feng was still in a coma. The Sea Heart Flame inside him had been forcibly extracted by Yao Yan, causing his meridians to collapse, and his Dou Qi had dropped significantly, falling from Dou Huang to a one-star Dou Wang. He might even continue to fall.
After all, the Sea Heart Flame was something Han Feng had refined using the incomplete Devouring Decision, almost merging it with his body. To extract it so violently was like pulling marrow out of bones.
But it was fortunate that Han Feng practiced the incomplete version of the Devouring Decision. If it had been the complete version, Yao Yan might not have been able to extract it so forcefully.
Just like Yao Yan's Qinglian Earth Heart Flame, if someone else wanted to seize it, they would have to refine his entire body. Otherwise, they couldn't extract the Qinglian Earth Heart Flame completely.
"Take him back and leave him for Medicine Elder to handle."
Yao Yan placed the bodies of the Fallen Heart Flame and Sea Heart Flame into the jade boxes he had prepared earlier. The material of these boxes was made from the Ice Spirit Cold Spring crystal, which could seal away heavenly flames to some extent and prevent their energy from leaking out. He had prepared these in the Snake People's territory.
"I'm quite curious about this former number one Pill Refiner in Central State~" The Heavenly Fire Sovereign gently stroked his white beard and smiled.
"Let's go."
Yao Yan responded softly, and with the Heavenly Fire Sovereign returning to the Bone Spirit Ring, Yao Yan flew off toward Black Seal City, his heart eager. Once he devoured these three heavenly flames, his strength would increase exponentially, and his talent would further improve.
The refining power of heavenly flames was terrifying, comparable to physical re-forging, and every time the Devouring Decision devoured a heavenly flame, it brought Yao Yan a cleansing.
...
Meanwhile.
Far from Canaan Academy, two figures hid in the darkness, their gazes locked on the explosion site. The terrifying explosion, even from such a distance, was still clearly visible. The devastating force made these two newly promoted protectors swallow nervously.
Heavenly flames were their absolute nemesis. If that explosion had hit them, they would have perished.
"Did Han Feng fail?" one of them asked in a low voice.
"Not sure... but it doesn't concern us. Let's continue hunting. Our target is the Dou Huang level. Kekeke~" He was now feeling rather confident. Ordinary Dou Kings didn't catch his eye anymore. He aimed for Dou Huang at the start, which was more fitting for his status as a protector.
"Good, then let's start with those Dou Huangs in Mo Yan Valley. I've had my eye on their bodies for a while..."
"Let's see who gets them first~"
"Good!"
...
Not long after, Yao Yan met up with Medicine Elder and Cai Lin along the way. Both had expressions of slight excitement, though Medicine Elder's gaze was on Han Feng, while Cai Lin's focused on Yao Yan and the two jade boxes in his hands. She was no stranger to the energy of heavenly flames.
After all, Cai Lin had observed the Qinglian Earth Heart Flame up close before, and the aura from the Fallen Heart Flame just now...
"Is this the Medicine Sovereign?"
At this moment, the figure of the Heavenly Fire Sovereign floated out of the Bone Spirit Ring. He curiously looked at Medicine Elder, who was also in a soul-body state, and asked, interrupting the somber mood of Medicine Elder.
Cai Lin blinked her cold, beautiful eyes, surprised. She hadn't expected that after Yao Yan went out, he'd return with another "soul." Could this be another elder of Yao Yan's? She couldn't help but look at Yao Yan with questioning eyes.
"Anything to talk about, let's do it later. Don't be too sad. As for how to deal with him, you can decide."
Yao Yan didn't explain much. He wasn't particularly concerned with Medicine Elder's personal matters. Right now, all he wanted was to find a secluded room to meditate and try to break through to Dou Huang this year.
(END CHAPTER)
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