Chapter 264: The Peak of Nine Star Douzong
As Xiao Yan emerged from the magma with the smaller Fallen Heart Flame in his hand, Su Qian's eyes widened in shock, fixating on the tiny flame.
"So, there really was a smaller Fallen Heart Flame beneath the academy's grounds..."
Su Qian's gaze quickly turned fervent. Unlike the larger Fallen Heart Flame, which had already developed sentience, this smaller one was still in a state of innocence and ignorance, making it far easier to manage.
If cultivated properly, this tiny Fallen Heart Flame could not only provide stable Heart Flames for the academy's students but also become a powerful guardian for the Inner Academy. It was a win win opportunity.
When Xiao Yan handed the small Fallen Heart Flame to Su Qian, the elder cupped his fists and bowed deeply.
"Master Yan, your contributions to the Inner Academy are unparalleled. Your achievements might even rival those of the dean. On behalf of everyone in the Inner Academy, I thank you!"
Xiao Yan chuckled lightly and shook his head.
"Grand Elder, does this mean you'll no longer be guarding the larger Fallen Heart Flame against me refining it?" he asked teasingly.
Su Qian waved his hands in mock alarm. "I wouldn't dare! Master Yan, please, it's yours to refine as you see fit!"
In truth, Su Qian had no choice but to comply. Xiao Yan's display of power, including having a Dou Zun subordinate, left him and the academy without the strength to resist, even if they wanted to.
Moreover, Xiao Yan had already given far more to the academy than the value of the larger Fallen Heart Flame. To oppose him now would be foolish.
Seeing Su Qian's cooperative attitude, Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. He turned his gaze toward the magma surface, where a fiery prison encased the larger Fallen Heart Flame. With a casual gesture, the fiery prison dissolved into thin air.
The instant it was free, the transparent, snake like Fallen Heart Flame attempted to dive back into the magma to escape.
"Tch, after all this time, you still haven't had your sentience completely wiped out," Xiao Yan murmured, his brow furrowing slightly.
Without hesitation, he retrieved the Soul Palace from his storage ring and summoned the Heavenly Fire Venerable.
"Young Master, how may I assist you?" The Heavenly Fire Venerable appeared, his demeanor deferential.
Having witnessed Xiao Yan's immense power and influence, he no longer harbored any doubts about his decision to submit.
"That Fallen Heart Flame once belonged to you. Go and retrieve it for me," Xiao Yan ordered, pointing at the fleeing flame.
The Heavenly Fire Venerable hesitated for a moment, then nodded solemnly.
"Understood, Young Master. Consider it done."
His soul form transformed into a streak of light that shot toward the escaping Fallen Heart Flame. Moments later, the Heavenly Fire Venerable reappeared, holding the subdued flame in his grasp.
The once defiant Fallen Heart Flame was now docile, resembling the smaller version Xiao Yan had given to Su Qian. It was clear that the Heavenly Fire Venerable had completely erased its sentience.
After all, this flame was originally part of him before it gained autonomy. With its power significantly diminished by Xiao Yan, it stood no chance against its former master.
"Well done," Xiao Yan praised, taking the subdued flame from the Heavenly Fire Venerable. A satisfied smile spread across his face.
"I'll find the remains of a Dou Zun expert to help restore your body in the near future."
The Heavenly Fire Venerable's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Young Master. I am deeply indebted to you."
After a moment of hesitation, a complicated expression appeared on his face.
"However, I have one request. Please treat this Fallen Heart Flame kindly. It holds special meaning for me."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. "Understood."
The Heavenly Fire Venerable seemed relieved by Xiao Yan's response. With nothing more to say, he turned into a streak of light and returned to the Soul Palace.
Xiao Yan gazed at the flame in his hand, his eyes blazing with anticipation. Even through his protective layer of Heavenly Flame infused Dou Qi, he could feel the immense power emanating from the flame.
"The time has come to refine this Fallen Heart Flame," he muttered to himself.
His excitement grew. This was a pivotal moment one that might push him beyond his current limits.
After bidding a quick farewell to Su Qian, Xiao Yan left the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower. He traveled to a secluded valley not far from the Jia Nan Academy and finally came to a stop.
"This is it... the moment of truth," Xiao Yan said, taking a deep breath.
With the valley's isolation ensuring he wouldn't be disturbed, he sat cross legged on a large rock. The Fallen Heart Flame hovered before him, flickering like a malevolent spirit.
Xiao Yan slowly extended his hands toward the flame, channeling his Heavenly Flames to suppress its rebellious energy. The surrounding air began to distort under the overwhelming heat as he prepared for the grueling process of refining the flame.
"Let's see if this can take me to the Dou Zun realm," he murmured, a determined smile playing on his lips as he began the dangerous but exhilarating task.
With a faint smile on his lips, Xiao Yan glanced at the transparent serpent resting in his palm. He retrieved various alchemical materials specifically prepared for refining Heavenly Flames and unceremoniously shoved the ethereal serpent into his mouth.
Once this Fallen Heart Flame was refined, he would possess four types of Heavenly Flames. This would grant him the ability to wield strength so fearsome that even Dou Zun experts would be forced to take him seriously.
With four flames in his control, techniques like the Buddha Fury Lotus and the Five Rounds of Departure Flame Technique would become his true trump cards powers that could rival the destructive might of Tian class Dou Techniques.
Though the Fallen Heart Flame's immense heat caused discomfort as it entered his body, Xiao Yan remained calm. After all, this wasn't his first time refining a Heavenly Flame. The experience from previous refinements had made him adept at the process.
Moreover, the Fallen Heart Flame's sentience had already been erased by the Heavenly Fire Venerable, leaving it as a wild yet manageable force. Under Xiao Yan's control, the flame was guided into his meridians and began circulating according to the pathways of the Flame Mantra technique.
Still, no matter how skilled Xiao Yan was with the Flame Mantra and refining Heavenly Flames, neutralizing the fierce and volatile properties of a Heavenly Flame required patience and meticulous work.
Thankfully, Xiao Yan was well prepared. With a steady heart, he allowed the Flame Mantra's Dou Qi to slowly harmonize the opposing forces within him, guiding the process with a calm and deliberate approach.
Time passed quietly. Before anyone realized it, the entire summer had slipped by.
The lush green vegetation of the valley had deepened into a vibrant emerald hue. Throughout the season, Xiao Yan remained motionless, like a meditating sculpture, perfectly still in the heart of the valley.
While Xiao Yan focused on refining the flame, the Jia Nan Academy bustled with activity.
When the gates of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower reopened, many students were astonished to find that the normally temperamental Heart Flame had become more subdued.
This newfound gentleness allowed several students to venture deeper into the tower than ever before, significantly boosting their cultivation progress.
For the students, this unexpected change was a delightful surprise.
But none were more astonished or contemplative than Han Yue.
After receiving an unexpected summons from Su Qian, Han Yue couldn't help but feel amazed.
"Moon girl," Su Qian had said with a smile, "you've now earned three chances to undergo body tempering with the Heart Flame, along with three Heart Flame Tempering Pills personally prepared by Master Yan.
"With such resources, you're practically guaranteed to break through to the Dou Wang realm, even if you just sit back and do nothing!"
Su Qian's congratulatory words still echoed in Han Yue's mind.
She hadn't done much to deserve such generosity. Her kind words that day were merely out of empathy understanding how frustrating it must feel to be interrupted during closed door cultivation.
Yet those few words of understanding had brought her rewards beyond imagination.
Each Heart Flame tempering session was an immensely rare opportunity, and the value of just one chance was astronomical. If she were to sell a single opportunity, it would fetch an exorbitant price in fire energy.
As she mulled over this extraordinary stroke of fortune, Xiao Yan's youthful face surfaced in her thoughts.
She knew little about the secrets of the Fallen Heart Flame, as even most Inner Academy elders were kept in the dark.
However, seeing Su Qian's respectful demeanor toward Xiao Yan made it clear that the "Master Yan" held a status and power so great that even the Grand Elder deferred to him.
Rumors among the students painted Master Yan as a six tier alchemist at the peak of his craft, as well as a Dou Huang nearing perfection in cultivation. These two qualities alone made him a figure of immense prestige and strength.
"What a fascinating man this Master Yan is," Han Yue thought to herself.
But then, a question arose in her mind. "Could he truly be as young as he looks?"
She quickly shook her head, brushing the thought aside.
"Ridiculous. If he really is that young, his talent would be monstrous. Even in the Central Plains, such a genius would be considered a once in a century prodigy."
Still, deep down, Han Yue couldn't help but feel a trace of curiosity and... anticipation.
A Stormy Breakthrough
Dark clouds loomed ominously over the skies, thunder rumbling faintly as heavy summer rains lashed the Black Corner Region.
Within a secluded valley not far from the Jia Nan Academy, a figure that had remained dormant for months finally stirred.
The once still shadow slowly opened its eyes, and with that simple action, an overwhelming wave of scorching energy swept through the valley.
In an instant, the rain soaked valley became unbearably dry.
Xiao Yan raised his gaze to the heavens. From his eyes, two tiny flames brilliant and radiant, like multicolored glass shot forth.
Though small, the flames carried such immense power that their passage through the rain left the air parched, evaporating water in their wake.
When the flames reached the dark clouds above, they pierced through like an arrow, leaving a massive hole in the overcast sky.
Through the gap, golden sunlight spilled down, illuminating the valley in a dazzling glow.
Bathed in this light, Xiao Yan rose to his feet. He stretched his body, feeling the surging torrent of energy coursing through his veins. A smile crept across his face.
After successfully refining the Fallen Heart Flame, his strength had ascended to the peak of Nine Star Douzong.
He was now just a step away from the Dou Zun realm.
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