Black-Corner Region, Demon Flame Valley.
Lin Yuan flicked his fingertip, and a burst of incomparably sharp Dou Qi erupted, piercing straight through the throat of Demon Flame Valley's last Emperor Elder.
"From this day onward, Demon Flame Valley shall cease to exist. If you wish to live, leave this place. Otherwise die without mercy."
Casually storing the corpse in his Storage Ring, Lin Yuan's indifferent declaration echoed throughout the skies above Demon Flame Valley.
"Demon Flame Valley has been destroyed? How is that possible."
Having witnessed the Elders being slaughtered without the slightest ability to resist, the psychological defenses of Demon Flame Valley's disciples completely collapsed. Fear, panic, and despair spread like a plague before finally merging into a single overwhelming impulse.
Run.
Lin Yuan had no interest in what would become of these insignificant remnants of Demon Flame Valley.
Turning his head, he looked toward Zi Yan, who had closed her eyes, and asked, "Zi Yan, can you sense where the treasury is?"
Zi Yan slowly opened her violet eyes, which shimmered with a faint purple glow. A confident smile curved across her lips.
"Hehe, don't you know what I'm capable of? Of course I've found it. Follow me."
With that, she shot toward the depths of Demon Flame Valley, with Lin Yuan following closely behind.
Before long, after conducting what could only be described as a house-demolishing treasure hunt, the two arrived before Demon Flame Valley's hidden treasury.
Boom!
With a single punch, Zi Yan blasted apart the stone gate sealing the treasury. Dust instantly filled the air, and taking advantage of the confusion, a black shadow lunged out from within.
Unfortunately for it, the Magical Beast barely reached Zi Yan before she casually slapped it to death.
"With strength like yours, you thought you could ambush me? Hmph!"
Zi Yan proudly lifted her chin, her face filled with disdain.
"Let's go inside. There should be quite a few good treasures in here."
Lin Yuan waved his sleeve.
A whirlwind swept through the chamber, instantly clearing away the dust. Taking Zi Yan by the hand, he calmly stepped into the treasury.
"Demon Flame Valley certainly did a good job organizing their storage."
Looking at the neatly arranged treasures, all carefully categorized by grade, Lin Yuan couldn't help but smile.
The two collected treasures as they walked until they reached the very end of the treasury, where a bookshelf protected by a faint energy barrier came into view.
Lin Yuan's gaze landed upon five ancient wooden boxes resting upon the shelf, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Found them. Zi Yan, you're up."
"Hehe, leave it to me!"
Zi Yan grinned mischievously before shooting the barrier a contemptuous glance.
Without encountering the slightest resistance, her small hand passed directly through the barrier. She quickly retrieved all five wooden boxes and handed them over.
Lin Yuan accepted the boxes from the smug-looking Zi Yan and opened them one after another.
"Thunder Running Canon, Mid Earth Class Lightning-Attribute Qi Method."
"Awakening Thunder Art, Mid Earth Class Dou Technique, designed to complement the Thunder Running Canon."
"A complete Mid Earth Class Lightning-Attribute cultivation set. Not bad. This will make excellent trading material."
He opened the next box.
"A Seventh-Grade Fire-Attribute Monster Core. Judging by both its purity and energy content, it's of exceptional quality. Very nice."
The third box contained another scroll.
"A Soul Fusion Technique."
"It forcibly devours souls to temporarily increase one's strength. It's somewhat similar to the Soul Hall's methods. It should prove useful when researching the Divine Origin Transformation."
Watching Lin Yuan examine and comment on each treasure, Zi Yan let out a bored yawn.
"Out of all five boxes, there isn't even a single high-grade medicinal herb. You can keep looking. I'll go collect the herbs."
With several Storage Rings in hand, she happily walked toward the crystal cabinets storing medicinal ingredients.
Watching her leave, Lin Yuan chuckled before turning his attention to the remaining two boxes.
From one, he withdrew a crimson scroll.
"True Flame Manipulation Art."
He slowly unfolded it and carefully read its contents. After quite some time, he finally rolled it back up.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he sighed.
"Earth Demon Old gost was actually quite a rare research-oriented genius. To improve the Flame Manipulation Art to this extent, no ordinary feat."
"If he had been a Fire Attribute cultivator, his future would undoubtedly have been far brighter."
"What a pity..."
Shaking his head, Lin Yuan stored the scroll inside his Storage Ring before opening the final box.
Inside lay an ordinary-looking bamboo scroll.
"Heavenly Demon Puppet."
A trace of anticipation appeared in his eyes.
He carefully untied the cord binding the scroll before slowly unfolding it.
Rows of densely packed crimson characters carrying an unmistakable aura of bloodlust entered his sight.
Heavenly Demon Puppet.
This is neither a Qi Method nor a Dou Technique, but an ancient puppet-forging art passed down since antiquity. To refine a Heavenly Demon Puppet, three essential components are required:
A body. A soul. A Monster Core.
The body serves as the vessel.
The soul acts as the guide.
The Monster Core becomes its heart.
Combined with numerous supplementary materials, one may ultimately create a Demon Puppet.
Demon Puppets are divided into three grades: Heaven, Earth, and Human.
Their grade depends upon both the quality of the refining materials and the refining flame employed.
They possess limitless destructive power, know neither joy nor sorrow, feel neither pain nor injury, and are weapons created solely for slaughter.
As Lin Yuan's eyes slowly swept across the blood-red text, the satisfaction on his face grew stronger and stronger.
His Storage Ring already contained numerous Ancestor-class bodies, souls, and Seventh-Grade Monster Cores.
Now that he possessed the Heavenly Demon Puppet refining method, mass-producing Ancestor-class puppets would soon become possible.
Combined with his alchemy skills, allowing the puppets to undergo refinement through Pill Lightning.
Even mass-producing Dou Venerable puppets might not be impossible.
"The refinement of Heavenly Demon Puppets is closely related to the refining flame. It seems it's finally time to deal with the Fallen Heart Flame."
With that thought, Lin Yuan stored the bamboo scroll.
Turning around, he saw Zi Yan happily humming to herself as she stuffed medicinal herbs into several Storage Rings.
Smiling, Lin Yuan took out another batch of Storage Rings and packed away everything else that remained inside the treasury.
Looking at the now completely emptied treasury, Lin Yuan and Zi Yan exchanged a glance before breaking into cheerful smiles.
Moments later, the two turned and left the treasury.
Not long afterward, streaks of azure and purple light rose into the sky from Demon Flame Valley, flying at full speed toward the Inner Academy.
Inner Academy, Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower
Two days had passed since the earth-shattering battle.
However, the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, which had been sealed during the conflict, still had not reopened.
The Academy's official explanation was that the tower required one month of maintenance.
At the lowest level of the tower, Su Qian and Lin Yuan stood before the seal leading to the Sea of Magma, their cold gazes fixed upon the fiery world below.
Within the magma sea coiled an enormous Invisible Fire Python.
After only two days, nourished by the nearly limitless Fire Element energy of the magma sea, it had completely recovered from the weakened state it had been in immediately after being resealed.
Its triangular snake eyes burned with savage ferocity as they remained locked upon Lin Yuan and Su Qian.
Especially Lin Yuan.
Whenever it looked at him, unmistakable greed flashed within its eyes.
At that moment, an aged voice suddenly echoed throughout the underground space with a sigh of nostalgia.
"This place it's been a long time. It really brings back memories."
"Old Qian, wouldn't you agree?"
"Hehe..."
Another elderly voice laughed.
"Indeed. I haven't been here for well over ten years."
The moment the words fell, the figures of the Elders Qian and Bai mysteriously appeared beside Lin Yuan.
After briefly surveying their surroundings, Qian Mu withdrew his gaze before looking toward the Fallen Heart Flame within the magma sea.
With a smile, he greeted it.
"Yo, Fallen Heart Flame."
"It's been over ten years."
"Do you still remember this old man?"
Confusion flashed through the Fire Python's eyes as it looked at the group standing before the seal.
Then—
Screech—!
The Invisible Fire Python suddenly raised its enormous head.
A furious, piercing shriek erupted from its mouth as its triangular eyes, burning with invisible flames, locked firmly onto the figures standing at the entrance to the cavern.
It remembered everything.
These people before it were all its enemies. They had imprisoned it for nearly a hundred years.
Consumed by rage, the enormous Fire Python violently slammed its massive body against the magma. Instantly, its colossal body, nearly thirty meters long, shot upward through the cavern like an invisible bolt of lightning, carrying scorching heat and violent energy.
"It really brings back memories."
Elder Bai let out a cold laugh.
"Back then, dealing with you was no easy task. But now stopping you is effortless."
He raised his hand and suddenly clenched his palm toward the mouth of the cavern.
The empty space before the energy barrier abruptly distorted before rapidly condensing into an incomparably solid Space Wall.
Bang!
The gigantic Fire Python crashed into the solidified Space Wall with overwhelming force.
The unique rebounding power of the Space Wall immediately hurled it backward.
Its enormous body smashed heavily into the magma sea below, causing endless waves of molten lava to surge violently.
Not long afterward, the Fire Python emerged once more from the magma sea.
It continued glaring fiercely at the group, yet it no longer launched another assault.
On the other side, Bai Lie gazed at the Fire Python coiled above the sea of flames. Looking at its savage yet helpless expression, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"My wish has finally come true."
"Now this feels good!"
This was the scene he had dreamed of countless times while painstakingly guarding the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower all those years ago.
Lin Yuan glanced at the completely unshaken Space Wall. A trace of admiration flashed through his eyes.
A Space Wall created by a peak Ancestor truly is extraordinary. In terms of defensive power, it isn't inferior to the Green Lotus Bell I used before.
Standing beside him, Qian Mu stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes.
"As expected of a Heavenly Flame."
"Not only does it possess an almost limitless lifespan, but it also continues growing stronger. The Fallen Heart Flame is considerably more powerful now than when I guarded it years ago."
"It's indeed time to deal with it."
With that thought, Qian Mu exchanged a glance with Bai Lie before turning toward Lin Yuan.
"Lin Yuan, if you're ready, we'll begin."
Lin Yuan cupped his fists.
"I'll be troubling the two Seniors."
"It's only a small matter."
The two elders casually waved their hands before exchanging another glance.
Their aged hands slowly extended, forming a series of strange hand seals.
As they moved, intense spatial fluctuations spread around them.
The space at the bottom of the tower immediately became violently distorted, twisting into countless overlapping folds, making everything appear warped and distorted.
"Condense!"
The two ancient voices rang out simultaneously.
A ripple of space spread outward from the two elders, transforming the surrounding area into layer upon layer of overlapping spatial barriers.
The aura of the Fallen Heart Flame was completely sealed away.
Qian Mu looked toward Lin Yuan.
"Is this level of isolation sufficient?"
"Can it completely prevent the outside world from detecting what's happening?"
Lin Yuan carefully examined the surroundings before nodding.
"Thank you, Seniors."
"This is more than enough."
He then turned toward Su Qian.
"Great Elder, please give me the Fire Gathering Pot."
Su Qian nodded.
He retrieved a uniquely shaped crystal pot from his Storage Ring before handing it to Lin Yuan.
"Here. This is the Fire Gathering Pot."
Lin Yuan accepted it before releasing a strand of the Fallen Heart Flame's Seed Flame from within his body.
With a gentle motion, he guided it into the Fire Gathering Pot.
The moment the Seed Flame entered the pot, a gentle warmth slowly spread outward.
Lin Yuan could clearly sense an invisible fluctuation spreading through the air.
It was precisely the energy required to keep the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower functioning.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
"This feeling it might actually work."
"No matter what, it's worth trying."
With a thought, he stored the Fire Gathering Pot containing the Seed Flame inside his Storage Ring before immediately taking it back out.
A trace of delight appeared in his eyes.
"It actually works."
"Using the Fire Gathering Pot, it's really possible to store a Heavenly Flame inside a Storage Ring."
After letting out a sigh of relief, Lin Yuan handed the Fire Gathering Pot back to Su Qian.
"Great Elder, I'll leave the Seed Flame in your care."
"This way, even if something unexpected happens, it won't affect the operation of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower."
Originally, this strand of the Fallen Heart Flame's Seed Flame had been intended as a clever shortcut when subduing the Heavenly Flame.
But now it was no longer necessary.
During the year he had spent away from the Academy, his growth had exceeded even his own expectations.
His current strength was sufficient.
Accordingly, his strategy had become remarkably simple.
Overpower it by force.
As for this strand of Seed Flame it would also reassure everyone present.
Su Qian accepted the Fire Gathering Pot.
Looking at the quietly burning Seed Flame inside, a smile appeared on his aged face.
He sighed softly.
"Finally at long last my endless years of guarding the tower are about to come to an end."
"Lin Yuan be careful."
"I understand."
Lin Yuan nodded before suddenly saying,
"Great Elder, there's one more thing I'd like to ask of you."
"What is it? Go ahead."
"You once mentioned that the Fire Gathering Pot was created by one of the Academy's former Pavilion Guardians."
"I'd like to trouble you to help me find its manufacturing method."
"Oh?"
"You've actually taken an interest in that?"
Su Qian looked at Lin Yuan in surprise before stroking his beard with a smile.
"That's no problem."
"Leave it to me."
"If I remember correctly, before that old gentleman left to travel the world, he left behind quite a few blueprints for ingenious creations."
"I'll go search through them later."
"Thank you."
Lin Yuan cupped his fists in gratitude.
He then looked toward the Elders Qian and Bai.
"I'll be relying on the two Seniors this time."
"Kid, you're far too polite."
Bai Lie laughed as he patted Lin Yuan on the shoulder.
"We've already heard from Su Qian about the Beginning Venerable Pill. You actually intend to prepare such a precious pill for two old men like us."
"Our thanks."
"If we couldn't even help with something like this, I'd feel too embarrassed to take the Beginning Venerable Pill you've refined."
"Indeed."
Qian Mu nodded.
After a brief pause, he continued, "You are the hope for Jia Nan Academy to rise to even greater heights."
"Protecting you is precisely what old fellows like us should be doing."
Lin Yuan scratched his head awkwardly.
"You Seniors praise me too highly."
"Hehe."
Qian Mu waved his hand before speaking seriously,
"For someone not even twenty years old who was able to battle Earth Demon Old gost.."
"None of this is an exaggeration."
"Come."
"Let us help you subdue the Fallen Heart Flame."
With those words, the Elders Qian and Bai led Lin Yuan through the layers of spatial barriers as they descended toward the sea of magma below.
Soon afterward, the three figures landed before the gigantic Fire Python within the magma sea.
Looking at the enormous Fire Python before him, Lin Yuan stepped forward.
"Fallen Heart Flame let us continue the battle that began two years ago."
----
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