The thunderclouds that had filled the skies above the secluded pavilion slowly dispersed.
The violent aura of Pill Lightning gradually faded, and the surrounding Heaven and Earth returned to tranquility.
Inside the isolated space, however, no one spoke.
Every pair of eyes remained fixed upon the young man sitting cross-legged before the Dragon Phoenix Cauldron.
His complexion was pale.
His robes were drenched with sweat.
Even breathing had become difficult.
Yet before him floated a jade bottle that radiated an astonishing medicinal fragrance.
Inside...
Rested a genuine Seventh-Rank Medicinal Pill.
The first Seventh-Rank pill ever refined within Canaan Academy.
...
Fire Elder Huo stared at the jade bottle before suddenly letting out a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha!"
"Good!"
"Excellent!"
"As expected of my disciple!"
His laughter echoed throughout the pavilion.
Even after living for hundreds of years and witnessing countless geniuses, today was one of the happiest moments of his life.
Beside him, Dean Su Qian slowly shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Old Huo..."
"I've finally understood why those old monsters from the Central Plains always compete for disciples."
"If I had met this little monster before you..."
"I would have shamelessly snatched him away."
Fire Elder Huo immediately glared at him.
"You dare!"
"He is this old man's disciple."
"Don't even think about it."
Su Qian chuckled helplessly.
"I was only joking."
"But..."
His gaze landed on Xiao Feng.
"At only seventeen years old..."
"A genuine Seventh-Rank Alchemist."
"If news of today spreads to the Central Plains..."
"I'm afraid every great faction would fight to recruit him."
Guardian Elder Bai and Guardian Elder Qian silently nodded.
They had personally witnessed everything.
From the first failed attempt...
To the sudden enlightenment...
To successfully refining the Seventh-Rank pill...
To resisting the Pill Lightning...
To awakening the Heavenly Demon Puppet...
Everything that happened today was enough to shock the entire Dou Qi Continent.
No...
It was enough to rewrite its history.
...
Meanwhile...
Xiao Feng slowly opened his eyes.
Although exhaustion filled every part of his body...
His lips curved into a faint smile.
"I finally succeeded..."
His voice was extremely weak.
The refinement of a Seventh-Rank Medicinal Pill had nearly drained everything he possessed.
His Dou Qi...
His Soul Power...
Even his physical strength had almost reached its limit.
Had it not been for his Peak Mortal Realm Soul and the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, he would never have succeeded.
Fire Elder Huo walked over with an expression full of pride.
"You've done well."
"Far better than I ever imagined."
Xiao Feng smiled.
"I merely had a fortunate breakthrough during refinement."
Fire Elder Huo snorted.
"Fortune?"
"Without enough talent, even a thousand fortunes wouldn't allow someone to refine a Seventh-Rank Pill."
"You earned this through your own ability."
Hearing his master's praise, Xiao Feng only smiled without replying.
He slowly raised the jade bottle.
Inside rested a single violet-colored medicinal pill.
Fine lightning patterns naturally appeared across its surface.
It emitted a faint purple glow.
The medicinal fragrance alone made everyone feel their Dou Qi circulate faster.
This...
Was the Chaos Purple Breaking Pill.
A Seventh-Rank Mid-Level Medicinal Pill.
One capable of helping a Peak Dou Zong break through the bottleneck into the Dou Zun Realm.
Although the success rate was not absolute...
Its value was enough to make countless Peak Dou Zongs risk their lives.
Xiao Feng slowly stood up before respectfully walking toward Guardian Elder Bai Lie.
The old guardian was momentarily stunned.
"Little fellow..."
"What are you doing?"
Xiao Feng respectfully cupped his fists.
"Elder Bai Lie."
"This junior promised that if I successfully refined this pill..."
"It would belong to you."
With both hands...
He offered the jade bottle.
Guardian Elder Bai Lie froze.
His weathered hands trembled slightly.
He looked at the jade bottle.
Then looked back at Xiao Feng.
For a long time...
He couldn't utter a single word.
A Seventh-Rank Medicinal Pill.
A treasure he had dreamed of obtaining for decades.
Yet...
Today...
A seventeen-year-old junior was personally handing it to him.
His lips trembled.
"You..."
"You truly refined it..."
Xiao Feng nodded.
"It belongs to its rightful owner."
"You have protected Canaan Academy for countless years."
"This pill is more useful in your hands than mine."
Guardian Elder Bai Lie slowly accepted the jade bottle.
His aged eyes gradually reddened.
Throughout his life...
He had experienced countless life-and-death battles.
He had never feared death.
But...
Every cultivator longed to take one more step.
To reach a higher realm.
To glimpse greater heights.
For over thirty years...
He had been trapped at the Peak of the Dou Zong Realm.
No matter how hard he cultivated...
The bottleneck refused to loosen.
Today...
Hope had finally appeared.
Guardian Elder Bai Lie suddenly bowed deeply toward Xiao Feng.
"Little Friend Xiao Feng..."
"I..."
"Thank you."
Everyone present became silent.
A Peak Dou Zong...
One of the strongest experts in the Black-Corner Region...
Had lowered his head to a seventeen-year-old youth.
Not because of status.
Not because of strength.
But because Xiao Feng had given him the opportunity to continue walking the path of cultivation.
Xiao Feng hurriedly supported the old man.
"Elder."
"You mustn't."
"You are my senior."
Bai Lie smiled bitterly.
"No."
"Today..."
"You are my benefactor."
"If I successfully step into the Dou Zun Realm..."
"My life from this day onward belongs to Canaan Academy."
"And I shall forever remember your kindness."
Su Qian nodded with satisfaction.
"This pill..."
"Will completely change Canaan Academy's future."
Fire Elder Huo added proudly,
"Once Bai Lie successfully advances..."
"Canaan Academy will possess a genuine Dou Zun."
"Even the Gold Silver Brothers, Han Feng, and the Demon Flame Valley will have to think twice before provoking us."
Guardian Elder Qian also smiled.
"Indeed."
"A single Dou Zun is enough to alter the balance of the entire Black-Corner Region."
The atmosphere gradually became joyful.
However...
Xiao Feng suddenly spoke.
"Elder Bai."
"I suggest you leave immediately."
Everyone looked toward him.
"The Heavenly Phenomenon caused by a Dou Zun breakthrough is far greater than that of a Seventh-Rank Pill."
"If you break through within Canaan Academy..."
"The surrounding factions will immediately notice."
"Han Feng, the Demon Flame Valley, and even the Hall of Souls may investigate."
"I don't wish to expose Canaan Academy's strength just yet."
Su Qian immediately nodded.
"You're right."
"We must be cautious."
Guardian Elder Bai Lie also agreed.
"I've already prepared several secluded locations outside the Black-Corner Region."
Guardian Elder Qian smiled.
"I'll accompany him."
"If anyone dares interfere..."
"They'll have to step over my corpse first."
Fire Elder Huo laughed.
"Go."
"When you return..."
"I'll welcome you as Dou Zun Bai Lie."
Everyone smiled.
Guardian Elder Bai Lie carefully stored the jade bottle inside his Storage Ring as though it were the greatest treasure in the world.
He solemnly cupped his fists toward everyone.
Then...
Together with Guardian Elder Qian...
The two silently disappeared into the distance.
Their destination...
A hidden mountain range beyond the Black-Corner Region.
A place where Bai Lie would attempt the greatest breakthrough of his life.
After watching them leave...
The pavilion finally became quiet once more.
Xiao Feng let out a long breath.
Now that everything had settled...
He could finally recover.
He reached into his Storage Ring and took out several Sixth-Rank Qi Recovery Pills.
Just as he was about to place one into his mouth—
Crack...
A faint sound echoed from within his body.
Xiao Feng's expression suddenly froze.
His pupils contracted sharply.
"What..."
Another sound followed.
Crack... Crack...
This time...
It was unmistakable.
The bottleneck that had imprisoned him at the Peak Dou King Realm for months...
Was beginning to break.
The endless accumulation from months of cultivation...
The constant tempering inside the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower...
Repeated consumption and recovery of Dou Qi during countless alchemy sessions...
His Peak Mortal Realm Soul...
The enlightenment he had experienced while refining the Seventh-Rank Pill...
Even the heavenly pressure from resisting the Pill Lightning...
Everything...
Had accumulated until this very moment.
Like water finally overflowing after filling a reservoir for months.
A terrifying aura suddenly erupted from Xiao Feng's body.
The surrounding Heaven and Earth Energy instantly became restless.
Fire Elder Huo's smile disappeared.
Su Qian's expression changed.
Both elders simultaneously stood up.
"He..."
"He's breaking through!"
The moment Xiao Feng's cultivation bottleneck cracked...
The peaceful atmosphere within the isolated pavilion instantly changed.
Boom!
An invisible wave of Dou Qi erupted from Xiao Feng's body, sweeping across the entire secluded area.
His long black hair fluttered wildly despite the absence of any wind.
The Dragon Phoenix Cauldron beside him trembled softly, resonating with its master's rapidly rising aura.
Within only a few breaths, Heaven and Earth Energy from every direction began flowing toward him.
Countless strands of spiritual energy gathered into visible streams, rushing toward Xiao Feng like rivers flowing into the sea.
Fire Elder Huo's expression immediately turned solemn.
"He is breaking through..."
Su Qian carefully sensed the surroundings before his brows gradually furrowed.
"No..."
"Something isn't right."
Guardian Elder Bai, who had not yet completely departed, also noticed the abnormality.
Although Heaven and Earth Energy was indeed gathering...
Its speed was far too slow.
Compared to the terrifying amount of energy required for a Dou Huang breakthrough...
This amount was insignificant.
Not enough.
Not even close.
Inside his body...
Xiao Feng had already entered a mysterious meditative state.
His consciousness descended into his Qi Sea.
The crystal-clear Dou Crystal that had reached perfection slowly began to crack.
Tiny golden fissures spread across its surface.
Each crack released incomparably pure Dou Qi.
His cultivation naturally started advancing.
However...
As the Dou Crystal continued transforming...
The amount of Heaven and Earth Energy required increased severalfold.
His body instinctively absorbed every trace of spiritual energy nearby.
Yet...
It was still far from enough.
Outside...
Fire Elder Huo immediately took out several high-grade Qi Recovery Pills.
"Quick!"
"Feed him these!"
Su Qian shook his head.
"It won't help."
"Recovery Pills replenish one's own Dou Qi."
"But Xiao Feng doesn't lack Dou Qi."
"He lacks Heaven and Earth Energy."
"If this continues..."
"His breakthrough will stop midway."
Guardian Elder Bai's expression became extremely grave.
"If the breakthrough fails now..."
"His foundation may suffer irreversible damage."
Silence filled the pavilion.
Even Fire Elder Huo had no solution.
For the first time...
Everyone felt powerless.
Just then...
A tiny golden flame quietly emerged from Xiao Feng's chest.
The flame danced gently before transforming into a miniature golden dragon no larger than an arm.
It was none other than Xiao Feng's Fire Spirit—
Xiao Long.
The moment Xiao Long appeared...
The temperature inside the pavilion rose slightly.
The Ten Thousand Beast Flame within Xiao Feng's body also became much calmer.
Xiao Long glanced anxiously at his unconscious master before suddenly turning toward the Lightning Storage Formation resting nearby.
Its bright golden eyes immediately lit up.
"Eee!"
"Eee!"
The little dragon rapidly pointed toward the formation before patting its own chest.
Then...
It pointed back toward Xiao Feng.
Fire Elder Huo blinked.
"What is this little fellow trying to say?"
Guardian Elder Bai looked equally confused.
Only Su Qian suddenly froze.
His eyes widened.
"Wait..."
"He wants to absorb the Pill Lightning!"
Everyone stared at him in surprise.
Su Qian quickly continued.
"The Fire Spirit was born from the Ten Thousand Beast Flame."
"Ordinary Heavenly Flame Spirits can devour flames."
"But Xiao Long is different."
"The Ten Thousand Beast Flame possesses an extraordinary refining ability."
"The Pill Lightning has already been sealed inside Xiao Feng's formation."
"Its destructive force has been contained."
"If Xiao Long absorbs it..."
"He may be able to refine away the violent lightning essence and transform it into pure Heaven and Earth Energy!"
Fire Elder Huo's eyes instantly brightened.
"Brilliant!"
"As expected of Xiao Feng's Fire Spirit!"
Without wasting another second...
Su Qian waved his sleeve.
The Lightning Storage Formation slowly floated toward Xiao Long.
The tiny dragon happily circled around it before opening its mouth.
Whoosh!
The silver Pill Lightning sealed inside the formation instantly rushed toward Xiao Long like a roaring thunder dragon.
Countless arcs of heavenly lightning entered the tiny dragon's body.
For a brief moment...
Everyone held their breath.
Although Xiao Long possessed the Ten Thousand Beast Flame...
This was still genuine Seventh-Rank Pill Lightning.
Even Dou Zong experts feared such lightning.
The little dragon's body immediately became surrounded by dazzling silver thunder.
Its golden scales alternated between brilliant gold and dazzling silver.
Violent lightning continuously exploded around its body.
Even Xiao Long trembled slightly.
The terrifying heavenly lightning was clearly much stronger than anything it had absorbed before.
Fire Elder Huo instinctively took half a step forward.
"Can it withstand it?"
Su Qian remained silent.
His fists unknowingly tightened.
Everything now depended upon Xiao Long.
Several tense moments passed.
Then...
The violent silver lightning gradually became calmer.
The crackling thunder slowly disappeared.
The destructive aura that filled the pavilion rapidly weakened.
Instead...
A warm golden radiance gradually spread from Xiao Long's body.
The tiny dragon closed its eyes.
Its small belly slightly expanded.
Everyone watched in astonishment.
They could clearly sense that Xiao Long wasn't merely absorbing the lightning...
It was refining it.
The violent destructive power of Heaven's lightning was being separated from its purest energy.
Little by little...
The silver lightning transformed into gentle golden energy.
Finally...
Xiao Long slowly opened its mouth toward Xiao Feng.
Whoosh—
A magnificent stream of incomparably pure Heaven and Earth Energy flowed from Xiao Long like a golden river.
It poured directly into Xiao Feng's body.
Unlike ordinary Dou Qi...
This energy contained almost no impurities.
It was Heaven and Earth Energy refined directly from Heavenly Lightning itself.
The moment the golden stream entered Xiao Feng...
His previously unstable aura immediately stabilized.
Inside his body...
The cracked Dou Crystal once again began transforming rapidly.
His meridians greedily absorbed the refined energy.
His bones emitted crisp cracking sounds as they underwent another round of tempering.
His flesh, blood, organs, and every inch of his body continuously became stronger.
The Heaven and Earth Energy that had been insufficient moments ago now surged endlessly into him.
Fire Elder Huo couldn't help laughing loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"It worked!"
"It actually worked!"
Guardian Elder Bai stared blankly.
"A Fire Spirit..."
"It can actually refine Heavenly Lightning into Heaven and Earth Energy..."
"I've lived for hundreds of years..."
"This is the first time I've witnessed such a miracle."
Su Qian slowly nodded.
"No ordinary Fire Spirit could accomplish this."
"But Xiao Long..."
"Was born from the Ten Thousand Beast Flame."
"It possesses the ability to refine countless forms of energy."
"The Pill Lightning..."
"Has become Xiao Feng's greatest opportunity."
The tiny dragon looked proudly at everyone before once again opening its mouth.
Another stream of refined Heaven and Earth Energy poured into Xiao Feng.
It continuously refined every trace of remaining Pill Lightning before sending all of its purified essence toward its master.
The terrifying heavenly lightning that could destroy countless cultivators...
Had now become nourishment for Xiao Feng's breakthrough.
Inside Xiao Feng's consciousness...
He remained completely unaware of the outside world.
His mind had entered absolute tranquility.
Endless Heaven and Earth Energy continuously flowed through his meridians.
His Dou Crystal gradually transformed into an even more condensed and powerful core.
His Soul Power also became increasingly brighter.
The Peak Mortal Realm Soul continuously absorbed traces of spiritual energy during the breakthrough.
Everything advanced simultaneously.
His aura steadily climbed higher.
The breakthrough had finally entered its most crucial stage.
Seeing Xiao Feng's condition stabilize...
Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Fire Elder Huo sat cross-legged nearby, silently protecting his disciple.
Su Qian also closed his eyes, spreading his powerful Soul Power throughout the surroundings.
No one would be allowed to disturb Xiao Feng today.
Meanwhile...
Several thousand kilometers away...
Outside the Black-Corner Region...
Guardian Elder Bai Lie stood atop a secluded mountain peak.
Beside him stood Guardian Elder Qian.
The old guardian slowly removed the jade bottle containing the Chaos Purple Breaking Pill.
Looking at the pill one final time...
His old eyes became filled with determination.
"For decades..."
"I've waited for this day."
Without hesitation...
He swallowed the medicinal pill.
Boom!
The instant the pill entered his body...
A terrifying medicinal force erupted like a volcanic explosion.
His Peak Dou Zong aura instantly surged.
The bottleneck that had imprisoned him for more than thirty years violently trembled.
Guardian Elder Qian immediately retreated several kilometers.
His expression became incomparably solemn.
"It has begun."
The sky instantly darkened.
Massive black clouds gathered from every direction.
Thunder continuously flashed within them.
A terrifying Heavenly Might descended upon the surrounding mountains.
Every Magical Beast within hundreds of kilometers fled in panic.
Even Sixth-Tier Magical Beasts dared not remain nearby.
Bai Lie slowly rose into the sky.
His silver hair danced wildly.
His aura continuously climbed.
Peak Dou Zong...
Half-Step Dou Zun...
The barrier finally began cracking.
Far away...
Guardian Elder Qian silently stood guard.
His Soul Power covered the surrounding area.
Anyone approaching would immediately be intercepted.
At this very moment...
Two earth-shaking breakthroughs were unfolding simultaneously.
One...
Within the hidden pavilion of Canaan Academy...
A seventeen-year-old monster genius was advancing toward the Dou Huang Realm, nourished by Heaven's own lightning refined through his Fire Spirit.
The other...
Beyond the Black-Corner Region...
A guardian who had protected Canaan Academy for centuries was stepping toward the legendary Dou Zun Realm.
Neither of them knew...
That today's successive breakthroughs would completely alter the future balance of power across the Black-Corner Region.
=====================
Chapter: Successive Breakthroughs (Part III): A New Dou Huang and a New Dou Zong
Time quietly passed.
One day...
Two days...
Three days...
The secluded pavilion deep within Canaan Academy remained completely isolated from the outside world.
Under the combined protection of Fire Elder Huo, Su Qian, Guardian Elder Bai, and Guardian Elder Qian's formation, not even the slightest fluctuation escaped beyond the barrier.
Very few people in the academy even knew that their youngest Sixth-Rank—now Seventh-Rank—Alchemist had entered closed-door cultivation.
Inside the pavilion...
Xiao Feng remained seated motionlessly before the Dragon Phoenix Cauldron.
His breathing was calm and steady.
Around him, streams of golden Heaven and Earth Energy continuously flowed from Xiao Long's mouth into his body.
The tiny golden dragon hovered quietly above his head.
Its body was wrapped in silver lightning and golden flames.
Every strand of Pill Lightning stored inside the formation was gradually refined by Xiao Long.
The violent heavenly punishment had now become the purest nourishment for Xiao Feng's cultivation.
His aura steadily climbed with every passing hour.
...
Inside Xiao Feng's body...
The transformation had reached its final stage.
The Dou Crystal that had once represented a Dou King had completely disappeared.
In its place floated a far more condensed crystal core, radiating dazzling golden brilliance.
Every rotation released incomparably pure Dou Qi.
His meridians had widened by more than half.
Even his bones shimmered faintly with jade-like luster after being repeatedly tempered by both the Ten Thousand Beast Flame and the refined Heaven and Earth Energy.
His physical body alone was now far stronger than an ordinary Dou Huang.
Meanwhile...
His Soul Power also underwent another transformation.
Although it remained at the Peak Mortal Realm...
It had become far more condensed.
His spiritual perception expanded even further.
Even while meditating...
He could vaguely sense every movement within several kilometers.
This breakthrough wasn't merely an increase in cultivation.
It was an evolution of every aspect of his foundation.
...
Outside the pavilion...
Fire Elder Huo slowly opened his eyes.
A smile appeared on his old face.
"The boy's aura..."
"It's becoming increasingly stable."
Su Qian nodded.
"He isn't rushing."
"He's still compressing every strand of Dou Qi."
Fire Elder Huo laughed.
"That's Xiao Feng."
"Others are afraid their breakthroughs won't succeed."
"He worries that his foundation isn't solid enough."
"If every genius cultivated like him..."
"There would be far more Dou Zuns in this world."
Su Qian shook his head.
"No."
"There is only one Xiao Feng."
Everyone silently agreed.
...
Far beyond the Black-Corner Region...
Guardian Elder Bai Lie's breakthrough had also entered its final stage.
The terrifying Heavenly Phenomenon lasted for nearly two days.
Lightning continuously descended from the heavens.
Mountain peaks collapsed.
Forests were reduced to ashes.
Countless Magical Beasts fled thousands of kilometers away.
Standing proudly within the sea of lightning...
Bai Lie continuously circulated his Dou Qi.
The medicinal strength of the Chaos Purple Breaking Pill completely erupted.
The bottleneck that had imprisoned him for decades finally shattered.
Boom!
A pillar of brilliant Dou Qi shot straight into the sky.
The surrounding Heaven and Earth Energy instantly became calm.
The dark clouds slowly dispersed.
Sunlight once again illuminated the mountains.
Guardian Elder Qian looked toward the sky before revealing a relieved smile.
"It succeeded."
Bai Lie slowly descended from the sky.
His previously aged appearance seemed several years younger.
His aura had become deeper and more unfathomable.
Every casual movement contained a terrifying pressure.
He had finally stepped into the realm countless Dou Zongs dreamed of...
Dou Zun!
Bai Lie looked toward Canaan Academy's direction.
His old eyes became filled with gratitude.
"Little fellow..."
"You've given this old man another chance at life."
Without Xiao Feng...
He might never have crossed this barrier.
...
Five more days quietly passed.
Back within the academy...
The final trace of heavenly lightning inside the formation disappeared.
Xiao Long let out a satisfied burp before rubbing its tiny stomach.
The Lightning Storage Formation, once filled with terrifying silver thunder, had now become completely empty with over little Lightning left.
Every bit of its energy had been refined and transferred into Xiao Feng's body.
The little dragon looked toward its sleeping master.
"Eee..."
It happily nodded before transforming back into a golden flame and returning to Xiao Feng's body.
The pavilion became silent once again.
...
Suddenly...
A powerful heartbeat echoed throughout the room.
Boom...
Boom...
Boom...
The surrounding Heaven and Earth Energy instantly trembled.
Xiao Feng's closed eyes slowly opened.
Within them...
Golden flames quietly flickered.
An overwhelming aura erupted from his body.
Boom!
An invisible pressure swept across the entire pavilion.
The floor beneath him cracked.
The Dragon Phoenix Cauldron emitted a joyful humming sound.
His long black hair danced wildly.
Golden Dou Qi surrounded his body like flowing flames.
Fire Elder Huo immediately stood up.
"He succeeded!"
Su Qian's eyes widened.
"What a stable aura..."
"This doesn't resemble someone who has just broken through."
Instead...
It felt like someone who had already remained at the One-Star Dou Huang Realm for several months.
Xiao Feng slowly stood up.
He gently clenched his fist.
Crack...
The surrounding air exploded.
He could clearly feel the enormous increase in strength.
His Dou Qi reserves had increased several times over.
His physical body had become much stronger.
Even his control over the Ten Thousand Beast Flame reached an entirely new level.
A smile finally appeared on his usually calm face.
"One-Star Dou Huang..."
"I've finally reached it."
Fire Elder Huo burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Good!"
"Excellent!"
"My disciple truly didn't disappoint me!"
Su Qian also smiled warmly.
"Congratulations."
"From today onward..."
"Canaan Academy has gained its youngest Dou Huang."
"And its youngest Seventh-Rank Alchemist."
The elders all laughed together.
...
Several hours later...
Guardian Elder Bai Lie returned to the academy.
The moment everyone sensed his aura...
Even Fire Elder Huo became shocked.
"You succeeded?"
Bai Lie smiled and released his aura without hiding anything.
The pressure belonging to a genuine Dou Zun spread throughout the pavilion.
Su Qian laughed loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"Canaan Academy finally has another Dou Zun!"
Fire Elder Huo walked over and heavily patted Bai Lie's shoulder.
"Congratulations."
Bai Lie shook his head before looking toward Xiao Feng.
"The congratulations belong to him."
"If not for that Chaos Purple Breaking Pill..."
"I would still be trapped at Peak Dou Zong."
He cupped his fists respectfully toward Xiao Feng.
"This old man owes you a great favor."
Xiao Feng hurriedly returned the salute.
"Elder Bai."
"You've protected the academy for centuries."
"I merely fulfilled my responsibility as a member of Canaan Academy."
Bai Lie couldn't help laughing.
"No wonder everyone likes this boy."
"He's talented enough to shock the continent..."
"Yet remains so humble."
...
That evening...
The secluded pavilion became unusually lively.
Several elders prepared fine wine.
Spiritual fruits and medicinal delicacies filled the stone table.
Even Su Qian, who rarely drank alcohol, poured himself a cup.
Fire Elder Huo laughed continuously throughout the evening.
His disciple had become a Dou Huang before even reaching eighteen years old.
Such an achievement had never appeared in Canaan Academy's history.
Guardian Elder Bai Lie had also become a Dou Zun.
Today...
It was worth celebrating.
After several rounds of drinks...
Fire Elder Huo suddenly became quiet.
He looked toward Xiao Feng.
Then toward Su Qian.
Finally, he sighed softly.
"I've lived for hundreds of years."
"I've witnessed countless geniuses."
"But none..."
"Can compare to this little monster."
Su Qian smiled bitterly.
"I once believed Canaan Academy's greatest fortune was possessing the Fallen Heart Flame."
"But now..."
"I think our greatest fortune..."
"Was accepting Xiao Feng as our disciple."
Everyone nodded.
Without realizing it...
Xiao Feng had already begun changing Canaan Academy's destiny.
A Seventh-Rank Alchemist.
A seventeen-year-old Dou Huang.
The creator of artificial Heavenly Flames.
The refiner of the Chaos Purple Breaking Pill.
The genius who brought forth a new Dou Zun.
Every one of those achievements was enough to shake the Northwest Region.
Combined...
They were enough to change an era.