"Senior, let's go."
Xiao Ting swung his sword once and instantly slew the Dou Ancestor-level Flame Lizardman. His expression never changed. He raised his hand, controlled his flying sword, and appeared before Yao Tian Huo.
Yao Tian Huo could not hide his shock. He transformed his soul into a stream of light and entered the flying sword. Surprisingly, he felt no discomfort—only comfort.
Of course. This flying sword had been forged by Xiao Ting using the bone essence of a Dou Venerable. For him, wielding it was only natural.
"Actually, becoming a sword spirit isn't so bad," Yao Tian Huo joked.
"Senior, I don't like male sword spirits," Xiao Ting chuckled.
While wrapping the young Fallen Heart Flame in Purple Beast Flame, Xiao Ting approached the head of the mature, multi-talented giant flame python and gently stroked it. "Come, take me with you."
Under the threat of Purple Beast Flame, the fire serpent formed from the Fallen Heart Flame became extremely obedient and immediately carried Xiao Ting into the air.
…
Roughly thirty minutes later, Xiao Ting arrived at the center of the barrier sealing the true form of the Fallen Heart Flame.
Outside the barrier stood many people. First Elder Su Qian asked the Dou Emperor guarding the seal with a solemn expression, "Did Xiao Ting really break through the barrier and enter alone?"
"The Fallen Heart Flame did not riot. On the contrary, it welcomed him warmly."
"And Xiao Ting entered the lava world?" Su Qian could not believe it. Even if he himself stepped into the sealed lava world—the Fallen Heart Flame's home—he would still be no match for that flame.
Xiao Ting was indeed strong. At the peak of the Dou King realm he had severely injured the two elders Gold and Silver, defeated them, and even killed Pill King Han Feng. However, fighting the Fallen Heart Flame—especially the one in the lava world—was an entirely different matter.
Yet the Guardian Elder insisted the Fallen Heart Flame had welcomed Xiao Ting. Could Su Qian really be fooled so easily?
At that moment, the surrounding temperature rose sharply. Fire-attribute Battle Qi throughout the world became extremely active. The sealing barrier left by Mang Tian Chi instantly activated, releasing a terrifying force.
"Has the Fallen Heart Flame gone berserk?"
Su Qian's expression changed drastically. He immediately ordered the elders to form their array.
In the next instant, he and the surrounding elders witnessed a scene they would never forget.
A colossal flame python born from the Fallen Heart Flame shot out from the underground magma and flew straight toward the core of the barrier. Standing on its head was a young man of extraordinary bearing—none other than Xiao Ting.
"You've worked hard."
Xiao Ting crouched down and patted the head of the Fallen Heart Flame.
"Gao!" the Fallen Heart Flame replied.
No one could understand the Heavenly Flame language, yet everyone clearly sensed the flame's joy at that moment.
"What in the world is going on?!"
Many elders secretly activated their cultivation methods and stimulated their Battle Qi to confirm they were not dreaming.
"Elder." Xiao Ting stood up, smiled, and nodded at Su Qian. "You arrived at the perfect time. If you activate the barrier, I won't have to waste effort cutting open space."
Su Qian: "..."
Speechless and shocked, Su Qian still acted quickly. He formed hand seals and opened an exit in the barrier.
Surprisingly, the man who had always tried to break the seal whenever he had free time showed no reaction whatsoever to the opening.
Xiao Ting took one step forward. His body vanished like a spark and instantly reappeared before Su Qian.
"Elder, I wish to make a deal with the academy. Would you be willing to hand the Fallen Heart Flame over to me?"
"What did you say?" Su Qian's face was filled with disbelief. In his impression, Xiao Ting was not the type to make such outrageous requests. "Xiao Ting, you should know how important the Fallen Heart Flame is to Jia Nan Academy's Inner Court. It is the foundation of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, and the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower is one of the academy's cornerstones."
"On the Battle Qi Continent, many powerful clans and factions highly value the accelerated training effect provided by the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. They send their children to study at Jia Nan Academy because of it."
Xiao Ting was far more likely to demand that the Great Elder resign than to simply seize the Fallen Heart Flame.
Hearing this, Xiao Ting smiled calmly. "Elder, the Fallen Heart Flame has been erupting more and more frequently in recent years. It is becoming increasingly difficult to handle. Perhaps one day it will break the seal, destroy the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, and escape?"
This was a fact Su Qian could not deny, yet he said without fear, "I have already contacted the academy head and asked him to return to Jia Nan Academy when he has time. Once he arrives, the Fallen Heart Flame problem will be resolved."
"Even if the academy head comes, he can only strengthen the seal and buy more time before the Fallen Heart Flame erupts and escapes. That is only a temporary solution." Xiao Ting raised his hand and condensed Purple Beast Flame. "I have a way to solve this completely."
"Why doesn't the academy simply nurture a Fallen Heart Flame that swears absolute loyalty to the academy and will never betray it or cause trouble?"
As he spoke, the purple Sky Flame transformed into a lotus bud. When it bloomed, a newborn Fallen Heart Flame appeared inside.
"This is..." Su Qian and the elders' expressions changed drastically, their gazes sharpening.
"A newborn Fallen Heart Flame," Xiao Ting said with a smile. "This is its basic ability—identical to the multitasking ability of its mature form. The released Heart Flame is more than sufficient for students below the Dou Spirit level."
"For students who wish to train at the Dou Spirit or Dou King level, the elders can periodically activate the grand array to help the young flame absorb lava power. There will be no problem."
"It is only a matter of time before this Fallen Heart Flame matures. When that day comes, the many elders and deacons in the Inner Court will be freed from having to monitor the sealing barrier, control the arrays, or worry about which Fallen Heart Flame might suddenly erupt."
"The more freedom the elders regain, the more they can assist the Inner Court."
Su Qian and the surrounding elders had to admit that Xiao Ting's proposal was extremely attractive. The Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower would remain unaffected, and the crisis caused by the Fallen Heart Flame would be completely resolved. If properly nurtured, the Fallen Heart Flame might even become a guardian flame for Jia Nan Academy.
There seemed to be no reason to refuse this deal.
"There are quite a few elders here, including the Punishment Elder. Shall we vote on whether to agree to Xiao Ting's request to exchange the Fallen Heart Flame?" Su Qian looked around at everyone.
Seeing this, Xiao Ting spoke again. "Elder, I have fully stabilized my strength as a 5th-rank alchemist. From now on, I will refine even more pills for the Inner Court."
"I should be able to break through to 6th-rank very soon."
Elders: !!!
Are you threatening us? Or tempting us? Do you really think we'll agree just because you say that?
"I agree." Elder Huo was the first to raise his hand. "Xiao Ting has contributed greatly to the academy. He deserves to be rewarded."
Everyone: As expected, an old fool like you has the weakest willpower.
"I think it's fine," the Punishment Elder coughed lightly and covered his mouth. "This is indeed a mutually beneficial deal."
Even the elders in charge of punishment had betrayed them. Was a 6th-rank alchemist really that attractive?
Yes. Yes, it was!
"Very well, we have an agreement." Su Qian made the decision on behalf of everyone, then asked, "But how do you plan to take the peak-stage Fallen Heart Flame away?"
…