The sun hung high at its zenith, pouring golden light across the lush forest. Beneath the verdant canopy, a waterfall thundered endlessly, its spray sparkling like jewels.
Yet despite the blazing sunlight, a strange chill pervaded the surroundings. Frost clung to the tree branches, a thin sheet of ice glazed the river's surface, and even the air itself seemed to waver with biting cold.
The cause of this eerie contrast rested in a single flame.
A crimson fire burned steadily, but around its edges shimmered a faint blue aura, cold and ghostly. Together, crimson and azure merged into a mysterious, almost sinister radiance.
The flame hovered above a pale, jade-like palm—Liu Xi's palm. His handsome features glowed with excitement as he gazed at the flickering blaze.
This was no ordinary fire.
It was the life flame of a Rank 5 Magical Beast—the Scarlet Flame Lion. Liu Xi had obtained it through Elder Huo's connections after returning from the Book Collection Hall, spending one hundred thousand gold coins. Without Elder Huo's prestige as a seasoned alchemist, acquiring such a beast fire would have been nearly impossible.
'Another great debt owed to Elder Huo…' Liu Xi recalled the elder's hearty laughter when he had tried to thank him. The old man had merely patted his shoulder and urged him to pursue alchemy diligently in the Inner Academy.
The azure aura enveloping the beast flame was the true marvel. It came from his newly cultivated Nine Nether Ghost Flame Technique, a Mid Di Class Qi Method. Ever since Liu Xi had converted all of his former Heavenly Flame Refinement Qi into this new technique, his Dou Qi had leapt in quality, pushing him directly into the realm of a 5-Star Da Dou Shi. Even his Dou Crystal now shimmered with a cold blue radiance.
The technique's power was tyrannical. His body instinctively plundered heat from the environment, funneling it into his flame attribute Dou Qi. Thus, while his surroundings chilled to freezing, Liu Xi himself felt only comfortable warmth.
When he merged this ghostly Qi with the Scarlet Flame Lion's beast fire, the result was the flame now dancing in his palm: crimson fire wrapped in a spectral azure halo. Its strength far exceeded his expectations—Liu Xi estimated it rivaled the innate fire of a Rank 6 Magical Beast.
He narrowed his eyes at the frozen river and frost-bitten forest. "So, this is the power of beast fire fused with the Nine Nether Ghost Flame Technique…"
The flame pulsed hotter and hotter until reaching a limit, forcing him to cut off the flow. A faint sigh escaped his lips. "So, it still has a ceiling after all."
But a smile soon replaced his sigh. "No matter. For a Rank 5 beast fire, this is already more than enough."
He shaped the flame with his Pill Flame Technique, molding it into a lion's form—the very image of the Scarlet Flame Lion itself. Tossing it into the river, the tiny lion erupted, swelling to five meters in length.
The fiery beast gave a soundless roar, releasing a devastating shockwave.
Boom!
The river ice shattered into fragments, exploding outward with searing heat. Frost on nearby trees melted instantly, vapor billowing into a thick mist.
Liu Xi shielded himself with Dou Qi as waves of scalding air swept past. When the smoke cleared, he lowered his arm, staring at the devastation: the riverbed torn into a gaping crater, the surroundings charred and steaming.
A satisfied laugh broke from his throat. "This power… it's already comparable to a Di Class Dou Technique. Even without illusionary tricks, I can now defeat Wang Shan in a head-on fight."
His gaze grew contemplative. 'Tomorrow we leave for the Inner Academy. With the Fallen Heart Flame there, my cultivation speed will soar. Another two years, and I may be ready to pursue an actual Heavenly Flame…'
His lips quirked in a sly smile. 'Still, I'd best not let the Inner Academy elders know I'm eyeing their Fallen Heart Flame. They'd tear me apart. Safer to head for the Serpent Tribe's desert and search for the Green Lotus Core Flame when the time comes.'
As the river slowly refilled and cleared, Liu Xi caught his reflection: a tall youth in white robes, long black hair flowing with the wind, features sharp as sculpted jade. The faintly chilling aura of his Nine Nether Ghost Flame Technique lent him an ethereal, aloof air.
He tilted his chin, grinned, and muttered, "Handsome. Truly worthy of me." With that, he turned and departed lightly, his figure vanishing into the trees.
---
The Next Day
When Liu Xi arrived outside Vice Dean Hu Qian's office, dozens of students were already gathered. The fifty who had passed the selection clustered in small groups, chatting animatedly.
As he walked past, countless eyes turned toward him—most filled with respect. Liu Xi was not only a 4th Tier Alchemist but also the champion of the Inner Academy Selection. His strange illusionary technique had left a deep impression on all.
He returned their gazes with a calm smile and polite nods, but his icy aura made many hesitate to approach. Thus, he passed through the crowd unimpeded, joining the four other finalists—Wang Shan, Liu Lingfeng, Lin Chen, and Shui Rou'er—at the front.
"You all arrived quickly," he greeted lightly.
The four stared at him in surprise. His aura had completely changed. Once, his fiery presence blazed with heat. Now, it radiated an eerie chill.
Shui Rou'er's eyes softened with admiration. "Master Liu Xi's aura… it's grown even stronger. And he looks… even more striking now."
Liu Xi chuckled. "Just call me Liu Xi. 'Master' sounds strange. My cultivation has had a little breakthrough, that's all."
None of them believed him. A "little breakthrough" couldn't possibly alter one's aura so drastically. Clearly, he had obtained something remarkable in the Book Collection Hall. Still, they were tactful enough not to ask.
Moments later, Hu Qian emerged with three elders. His gaze swept over the group before he spoke, voice loud and solemn.
"Students! Congratulations. Your efforts have borne fruit. Today, you will enter the Inner Academy. Though you may feel out of place at first, know this—within those walls, your potential will be honed to its fullest. After one or two years, each of you will emerge utterly transformed."
Excitement rippled across the crowd. To be chosen among thousands meant they were true geniuses. Every one of them knew that strength was never given freely.
Hu Qian's expression hardened slightly. "Remember— the Inner Academy's location is unknown to outsiders. Even most Outer Academy tutors have never seen it. Therefore, we will personally escort you there."
He looked to the skies.
A shadow passed over the sun. Ten massive gryphons descended, their wings beating like thunder. Wind gusts scattered the weaker students to their knees before the beasts landed with heavy thuds. Each gryphon bore saddles and two handlers.
"Five to each gryphon," Hu Qian ordered with a smile.
The students hurried forward, scrambling onto the backs of the great beasts. Many wobbled nervously, grateful for the sturdy saddles.
Liu Xi and the other four champions leapt gracefully onto one gryphon, standing steady as mountains. Their poise earned admiring looks from below.
"Sit tight!" Hu Qian called. He and the three elders spread their magnificent Dou Qi wings, glowing with dazzling brilliance. Taking the lead, they rose into the sky, surrounding the gryphons in a protective formation.
The gryphons roared and took flight, soaring higher and higher.
Seated atop the beast's broad back, Liu Xi gazed at the elders flying with only their Dou Qi wings, a yearning stirring deep in his chest.
'To fly with one's own wings… this is every cultivator's dream.'
The Inner Academy awaited.
(End of Chapter)
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