Chapter 253: The Stirring of the Fallen Heart Flame
Elder Hao had just finished his shift and mentioned to a fellow elder that his newly acquainted friend was an extraordinary figure. However, his initially good mood vanished as he took in the scene before him.
Seven or eight young men and women lay scattered on the ground in disarray. Each of their right cheeks was swollen to a shocking degree, and the floor was littered with bloodstains and broken teeth.
"Were there students fighting here just now?" Elder Hao asked Han Yue with a furrowed brow.
He couldn't fathom who could so effortlessly knock out these individuals. After all, they weren't weaklings, and Reina was even a Dou Ling (Battle Spirit). In the academy, only that little girl Zi Yan could display such overwhelming strength.
If Zi Yan had acted, the results might have been even worse. With her monstrous, beast like physical strength, she'd probably have knocked their heads askew.
Han Yue hesitated before recounting everything that had just transpired.
After listening to the story, Elder Hao's frown deepened.
"A new student from the Alchemy Department with this level of dominance? Do you know the name of this young man?"
For some reason, Elder Hao felt a vague sense of unease.
"He said his name was Yan Xiao, and he mentioned I could seek him out if I needed help," Han Yue replied truthfully.
"Yan Xiao!" Elder Hao's eyes widened in shock, startling Han Yue.
"Elder Hao, is there a problem?" she asked nervously.
"Problem?" Elder Hao gave a wry smile but soon relaxed.
"I didn't expect that guy to have such a fiery temper. Even someone like Liu Fei wasn't spared."
His gaze softened as it shifted to Han Yue, and he smiled kindly.
"Little Yue, your unintentional actions today have earned you a very valuable favor."
Han Yue was confused.
True, Yan Xiao was strong, but for Elder Hao a Dou Wang (Battle King) to speak so highly of him, who exactly was this person?
Seeing her puzzlement, Elder Hao chuckled and explained, "That Yan Xiao isn't a mere student. He's a newly appointed elder in the Alchemy Department. His skill in alchemy surpasses even the department head.
"Beyond that, his personal strength is extraordinary. Among Dou Huangs (Battle Emperors), he's one of the best.
"Now, do you understand just how valuable that favor you earned is?"
Hearing Elder Hao's words, Han Yue's usually composed face couldn't help but show shock.
"A sixth tier alchemist and one of the top Dou Huangs? Even First Elder Su Qian must treat him with utmost respect, right?"
Coming from a family with some power, Han Yue was well aware of what a sixth tier alchemist at the peak of Dou Huang represented.
In terms of status, such an individual was nearly equivalent to a beginner Dou Zong (Battle Sect).
Her inadvertent actions had unexpectedly earned her the goodwill of someone so influential a favor that could prove invaluable in the future.
As Han Yue's face showed a faint trace of excitement, Elder Hao smiled but glanced at the unconscious students nearby with a bitter expression.
This guy hasn't even been here long, and he's already causing trouble, he thought.
Still, when Elder Hao considered Xiao Yan's strength and importance, he could only silently scold the fallen students for their lack of foresight.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan had descended through the tower's lower levels, making his way to the very bottom of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower.
Along the way, several elders stopped him to inquire about his identity. But upon seeing the token he presented, most of them smiled warmly.
While the elders of the Alchemy Department were known for their arrogance, they were undeniably skilled. No one dared to claim they would never need the help of an alchemist.
The token's "sixth tier" inscription further elicited admiration, with some elders almost flattering him outright.
When Xiao Yan finally reached the bottommost level, two elders suddenly blocked his path.
"Elder Yan Xiao, while we greatly respect your position, we cannot allow you to enter without the express permission of the First Elder," one of them said with an apologetic smile.
The bottom level of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower was tied to the academy's very foundation. It was the secret behind Jia Nan Academy's ability to produce Dou Wang powerhouses.
Additionally, the seal containing the Fallen Heart Flame was of utmost importance. Any damage to that seal would result in catastrophic losses for the Inner Academy.
Xiao Yan didn't press the matter. Smiling faintly, he found a spot nearby to sit down and quietly observe the Fallen Heart Flame's movements.
Even from here, he was close enough to sense the flame with his soul power.
As Xiao Yan's vast soul force extended into the ground, it passed through a spacious cavern until it reached a dark red space resembling fresh blood.
Within this space, a visible energy column surrounded and confined something. Strange, twisting runes covered the column's surface, and the energy emanated a wild and volatile aura.
Xiao Yan's soul force easily penetrated the barrier, revealing a molten world of dark red magma. Compared to the magma chamber that had housed the Green Lotus Core Flame, this place felt more sinister and extraordinary.
Ignoring the peculiar magma, Xiao Yan delved deeper. Soon, a sharp, chaotic screech echoed through his soul.
"Found you!"
Instead of discomfort, Xiao Yan's face lit up with excitement.
At that moment, his soul force fully extended, enveloping half of the Inner Academy's underground magma world.
Soon, a massive, translucent serpent composed entirely of invisible flames appeared within his range.
The moment the serpent sensed Xiao Yan's soul force, it let out a screech tinged with fear and began to thrash violently in a near reflexive counterattack.
The entire magma sea churned in response, boiling over.
The sudden eruption startled the two elders guarding the bottom level. Their expressions changed drastically.
"This is bad! The Fallen Heart Flame is stirring again!"
As they prepared to sound the alarm, a figure cloaked in black appeared between them and Xiao Yan.
"Is it another outburst from the Fallen Heart Flame?" Su Qian's face showed a flicker of panic, but it quickly shifted as his gaze landed on Xiao Yan.
"This disturbance is it related to Elder Yan Xiao?"
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