Chapter 162: Discovery
On the lowest floor of the Sky Burning Refining Tower.
To reach this place, one must pass through a winding path, heavily guarded at every few steps. A statue-like guardian would appear at regular intervals, ensuring that the area remained impenetrable. No one could approach this location without alerting someone.
Among the few allowed to enter and exit freely was the Elder of the Inner Academy, Su Qian.
At this moment, his expression was serious as he walked deeper into the tower, heading towards the innermost part. He quickly arrived at a sealed area. This place was very different from the upper levels of the tower. The intense heat in the vast space created a blurry, almost ethereal vision.
For those with weaker strength, just two breaths could result in their lungs being scorched by the overwhelming fire-attribute energy in the air.
The surrounding walls radiated a deep red light, illuminating the area as if the entire world was glowing. In the center of the space was a massive deep hole. The entrance was much larger than those of the upper levels, but inside wasn't the usual deep black. Instead, it was a strange dark red, like coagulated blood, giving off an eerie and terrifying feeling.
Above it, there was a mystical energy barrier, covered in complex patterns, sealing it completely. However, the seal seemed to have been in place for far too long. It had several deep creases, from which ripples of powerful energy leaked out, causing the surrounding air to crackle and pop.
Su Qian narrowed his eyes, and his pupils shimmered with light. With the assistance of his Dou Qi, the violent energy didn't block his vision. He could clearly see through the seal and the surrounding chaotic energy to observe the scene below.
It was a world of dark red magma, but unlike ordinary magma, the center of this molten world was a deep, blood-red color, constantly bubbling up with a terrifying aura.
This was the birthplace of the Fallen Heart Flame, with its core hidden deep in the blood-red magma.
Sensing the arrival of someone, the previously violent energy immediately grew even more turbulent. It surged upwards, slamming violently against the seal, causing the patterns on the seal to burst with multicolored light. The temperature around began to rise dramatically, and the terrifying heatwaves seemed to greet Su Qian.
However, this "greeting" was far from friendly.
Su Qian remained unmoved, his gaze cold as he stared down at the blood-red magma, as if staring directly into the core of the Fallen Heart Flame. The heat waves rushing toward him didn't affect him at all. The moment they came close, they were blocked by an invisible spatial force.
"If this is all, I will begin reinforcing the seal now." Su Qian said in a cold tone.
He had come here to reinforce the seal. The seal left behind by the former Academy Head had been weakened by the corrosive effects of the Fallen Heart Flame. If not for the continuous reinforcement by generations of elders, the Fallen Heart Flame would have broken free long ago. But now, the Canaan Academy needed the Fallen Heart Flame and could not release it, which only deepened the conflict between the two.
"Roar~"
With a deep roar, the dormant blood-red magma suddenly surged. A wild and immense energy erupted from the depths of the magma, flipping the molten rock, sending a fiery wave of magma over ten meters high, crashing toward Su Qian.
This was not a new occurrence for Su Qian. He seemed to know the temperament of the Fallen Heart Flame well. Calmly raising his hand, he began to seal the energy, suppressing the Fallen Heart Flame.
"Boom~"
At the moment of impact, the terrifying energy caused the magma below to churn. A massive red serpent emerged from the magma, its diamond-shaped eyes glaring at Su Qian with brutal intent, filled with a desire to destroy everything in sight. There was no rationality, no calm—only pure destruction.
The Fallen Heart Flame's body had just appeared, and it roared furiously as it charged toward Su Qian with wild abandon, like a mad beast.
"Boom!"
However, this attack was futile. The Fallen Heart Flame slammed into the seal and was pushed back by a force far beyond its own, forcing it to fall back into the magma, splashing molten rock everywhere. In response, the Fallen Heart Flame grew even more violent, using the surrounding magma to bombard the seal, while it also unleashed intense invisible energy waves, continuously battering the seal.
This scene happened almost every month, forcing Su Qian to stay in the Inner Academy without rest. As the seal weakened, he could only keep reinforcing it to delay the Fallen Heart Flame's release. At the same time, he was preparing new seals, but all of this took time.
Ultimately, this was also related to the two elders who had been in seclusion for so long. This was supposed to be their responsibility. However, after the two elders broke through to the Nine-Star Dou Zong level, they barely paid attention to the matters of Canaan Academy.
Su Qian remained locked in a stalemate with the Fallen Heart Flame for two or three hours before the flame finally settled down, returning to the depths of the magma.
As the Fallen Heart Flame calmed, a trace of exhaustion flashed across Su Qian's eyes. Despite his Two-Star Dou Zong strength, he couldn't withstand the immense consumption of energy from the Fallen Heart Flame. It had an almost endless supply of power in its birthplace and didn't hesitate to expend it. Compared to that, Su Qian's reserves were limited.
"If this beast's power increases any further, it will become hard to handle…" Su Qian thought to himself.
Though he was reluctant to admit it, he knew well that once the Fallen Heart Flame reached Dou Zong strength, the seal here would become ineffective.
After a moment of contemplation, Su Qian shook his head, raised his hand, and used spatial power to repair the damaged seal. Once he finished these tasks, he dragged his exhausted body toward the exit. Even though he knew the Fallen Heart Flame would eventually break free, delaying it was the best he could do. Canaan Academy simply couldn't function without it.
Once a person becomes dependent, it's hard to break free.
Canaan Academy was built around the Fallen Heart Flame. Without it, without the Sky Burning Refining Tower, how could Canaan Academy continue to attract the world's top talents? Saying that the Fallen Heart Flame was the academy's pillar was not an exaggeration.
After leaving the Sky Burning Refining Tower, Su Qian returned to the secluded courtyard where Xiao Yi Xian was in seclusion. The spatial seals around the courtyard had not been removed, and Xiao Yi Xian was still in the process of advancing. However, the energy shell around her body no longer absorbed external spatial energy and was in a very peaceful state. The only thing Su Qian could sense was her vigorous life force. Compared to her previous "weak" state, she seemed to have replenished something, becoming a little more perfect.
"According to that kid, she should need one or two more months…" Su Qian muttered as he observed the shell formed around Xiao Yi Xian.
Thinking about that troublesome kid, Su Qian couldn't help but shake his head. He wondered what kind of storm that kid would stir up in the future.
Just then, a streak of light appeared in the sky. Moments later, Hu Qian's figure appeared in Su Qian's line of sight. He was hurriedly rushing towards the courtyard, a grave expression on his face.
"Something big has happened outside!" Hu Qian said as he entered the courtyard, his face full of concern.
"Even if it's a big deal, you don't have to be in such a rush~" Su Qian said, slightly amused. If he hadn't opened the spatial seal, Hu Qian might have crashed into the walls.
"I'm not in the mood to joke, Su Qian. Something really big has happened. The Alchemist King Han Feng has joined forces with Demon Flame Valley. They seem to be plotting something, and their target is very likely Canaan Academy!" Hu Qian said with a frown, his tone serious.
"Hmm?"
Su Qian's expression shifted to one of confusion. "How did Han Feng get involved with Demon Flame Valley?"
Demon Flame Valley was an old force in the Black-Corner Region, and it had a lot of grudges against Canaan Academy. The elders of the academy had once beaten the head of Demon Flame Valley, which had led to a terrible relationship. According to the elders, that old guy shouldn't dare provoke Canaan Academy again. Why was he involved now?
"It's not just Demon Flame Valley. At least three other factions have been persuaded by Han Feng. They're all conspiring, but we don't know exactly what. The only thing that seems to be worth their effort… is Canaan Academy!" Hu Qian continued, his voice tense.
He wasn't speaking without cause; the possibility was high.
"It doesn't make sense…" Su Qian muttered. If Han Feng hadn't gotten the Heavenly Flame, he might have worried. But Han Feng had recently refined the Heavenly Flame. Even if he knew about the Fallen Heart Flame, he shouldn't have targeted Canaan Academy. The Heavenly Flame should have been enough for him. Why risk bringing trouble to himself by targeting the academy?
"Maybe this is connected to Han Feng's master. I've heard that his master is a Seven-Star Alchemist. But we can't verify if this information is true," Hu Qian added, throwing out a bombshell. He wasn't entirely sure of this news.
"Master?!"
Su Qian's face turned pale as he processed the information. Han Feng's master had been a famous alchemist throughout the Central Plains, and his disciples would at least be high-level Dou Zongs. One of his seniors should be a Seven-Star Alchemist, and such an expert would never come to the Black-Corner Region. Was it possible they were investigating the death of Han Feng's master?
After all, Han Feng's master died due to a backlash while refining pills, which had caused quite a stir. And now Han Feng had quietly arrived in the Black-Corner Region. There had to be something more to it.
"Do you think his master is after the Fallen Heart Flame?" Hu Qian said suddenly.
"…"
Hu Qian's words made Su Qian fall silent. The possibility was indeed very high. The news of Canaan Academy's possession of heavenly flames wasn't a secret, and many people knew about it.
Over the past centuries, Canaan Academy had produced more than a million students. Many came from medium-sized factions in the Central Plains, and even top-tier factions. If these people hadn't spread rumors, it would have been strange.
The Sky Burning Refining Tower was an extremely rare cultivation artifact, even in the Central Plains.
Those with knowledge could easily deduce the significance of this information.
"Don't stay silent. Speak!" Hu Qian urged, seeing Su Qian's silence. He wanted the old man to make a decision.
"Wait and see. If it really involves his master… I'll ask the two elders to leave seclusion," Su Qian replied after a moment of thought.
After all, Dou Qi continent was still a world ruled by strength. With strength, you had the right to speak. The greatest strength of Canaan Academy was undoubtedly the two elders.
"Will they leave seclusion?"
Hu Qian asked uncertainly. Since he entered Canaan Academy, he rarely saw the two elders leave seclusion. They only appeared when new students were recruited, just to let others know they were still alive. Otherwise, they didn't appear, let alone deal with enemies.
"If I can, I'll try," Su Qian replied. He wasn't entirely confident. For those two, breaking through to Dou Zong was the most important thing. Everything else was secondary, including the Fallen Heart Flame in the Sky Burning Refining Tower. They had even mentioned that the Fallen Heart Flame would eventually break free. Keeping it sealed forever wasn't a good thing.
That statement was correct. Keeping the Fallen Heart Flame sealed was like having a ticking time bomb in Canaan Academy. But when these words came from those two, it felt a bit helpless because they were their own people.
"I'll try, but hopefully I'm just overthinking."
Hu Qian sighed helplessly, then his gaze shifted to the cocoon-like shell around Xiao Yi Xian. He seemed curious. "Is that Xiao Yi Xian?"
Although the shape had changed, the aura hadn't, making it easy to recognize.
Su Qian nodded.
"She's advancing? This is the first time I've seen a magical beast's advancement like this!" Hu Qian observed the shell carefully. He could even see some mysterious patterns on the surface of the egg, as if it contained the secrets of space, but they were too obscure to understand.
"She's probably a very powerful magical beast. Her advancement requires absorbing spatial energy. This talent is something I've never seen before," Su Qian said, unable to help but marvel.
"A real little monster… Just a little behind that kid, Yao Yan." Hu Qian clicked his tongue.
Yao Yan, as a Seven-Star Alchemist, was truly impressive.
Thinking of this, Hu Qian couldn't help but glance at Su Qian. His eyes lit up, and he spoke up. "Where is that kid? Since he's an alchemist, he should be familiar with Han Feng's master. Why don't we ask him about the truth?"
"He's gone." Su Qian said calmly.
"Gone?!"
Hu Qian was stunned, clearly not expecting Su Qian to let this talented freak go. It was a foolish move.
"To the Black-Corner Region…"
(END CHAPTER)
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