Outside the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, as the black gate slowly opened with a "rumble," the students standing outside went wild, swarming into the tower.
Members of the more renowned factions within the inner courtyard remained motionless. This was a long-standing rule among the students, tacitly agreeing that these stronger individuals would occupy better cultivation rooms, so there was no need for the students to rush to compete.
This was also the academy's tacit approval; Canaan Academy wasn't a place for raising infants. Unless serious deaths occurred, such as severed limbs, the academy wouldn't interfere. This was one of the reasons Canaan Academy was so highly regarded; even in the chaotic Black Corner Region, graduates weren't without the ability to survive.
At this moment, Lin Feng's lips twitched slightly, unsure how to respond.
Just as the twin-tailed student belonging to Yue Ling's faction opened her mouth, about to utter something shocking, an aged voice came to Lin Feng's rescue.
"Is it Elder Lin Feng in person?"
As the words fell, a figure emerged from the Heavenly Refining Qi Tower. With white hair and a youthful face, dressed in hemp clothing, he was different from the other elders.
"It is indeed me. And you are?"
"Hahaha, my surname is Liu. Elder Lin Feng, you can simply call me Elder Liu."
Before Lin Feng could reply, the figure tossed a card at him.
"Elder Lin Feng, this is the highest-level crystal card representing an elder's status. Besides the five hundred fire energy an elder receives monthly, there's also a five hundred fire energy gifted by the Grand Elder, totaling one thousand fire energy."
Lin Feng took the card and glanced at it. The crystal-clear card indeed displayed the number one thousand.
The academy was truly generous. Although fire energy was merely a virtual currency, as long as the Fallen Heart Flame existed, it would continuously generate value. However, this aligns with the original purpose of establishing the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, which is primarily for training students, although the Heart Flame's effect on Dou Wang level cultivators is no longer as significant.
"Thank you, Elder Liu. If you need any pills refined in the future, please don't hesitate to ask!"
Putting away the Fire Crystal Card, Lin Feng slightly cupped his hands towards Elder Liu, saying something that delighted him.
"Elder Lin Feng is indeed as generous as the Grand Elder said. I will certainly trouble you then."
After chatting for a while, Elder Liu took the lead and left, needing to guard the tower to prevent the mysterious object from causing trouble.
After Elder Liu left, Lin Feng also planned to experience whether the miraculous Heart Flame still had an effect on him at the Dou Wang level, so he strode towards the black giant gate.
Passing the woman with bright silver hair, he nodded slightly to express his gratitude.
After Lin Feng's figure disappeared around the corner, the many students still outside the tower erupted in a commotion, all expressing their shock.
If it were some shameless old men pretending to be young, they wouldn't care. But the vibrant energy emanating from Lin Feng was exactly like theirs, how could they not be shocked?
In Canaan Academy, there's a strict requirement to become an elder: one must reach the Dou Wang realm in Dou Qi cultivation. Unless, of course, your alchemy skills have reached the fifth rank matching a Dou Wang, but that's even more impossible.
A Dou Wang powerhouse of their age, or even slightly younger, who has never appeared in the inner courtyard before. Thinking of this, everyone gasped, marveling at how terrifying it was.
At this moment, the area where Yue Ling belonged was also extremely shocked. On the contrary, the usually lively girl with twin ponytails became unusually quiet, seemingly wondering if she had offended Lin Feng in any way.
Lin Feng, however, had no idea that everyone would have so many speculations because of him. Even if he knew, he would only smile slightly. He had gradually surpassed the pace of his peers, even in this northwest region.
Walking inside this black tower, which appears enormous from the outside, its sheer size is only truly apparent once you're inside. Even the smallest top floor is nearly one and a half football fields in size, and the size increases exponentially as you descend.
"I truly don't know how Dean Mang Tianchi managed to build this massive Heavenly Flame Refining Tower!"
Unbeknownst to him, the number of people around him dwindled until Lin Feng finally reached the bottom level. The area was incredibly hot; even the air seemed to be burning.
For an ordinary Dou Shi, the scorching air alone would be unbearable. Only a Great Dou Shi capable of transforming Dou Qi into armor could somewhat adapt, but even that continuous use of Dou Qi armor was difficult to sustain for long.
Therefore, only Dou Ling experts could truly thrive here. Of course, the upper training rooms were sufficient for Great Dou Shi's cultivation, and accessing the bottom level required converting into higher-grade crystal cards, a considerable expense—a result of the academy's balancing act.
Many thoughts flashed through Lin Feng's mind as he slowly walked to the center of the bottom level, gazing intently at the magma below.
After a long while, he withdrew his soul perception in disappointment. "It seems that without the strange fire, his Dou Wang-level physique is nothing more than a larger Karami in the eyes of that fire python. It won't attract its attention at all."
"Elder Lin Feng, you must be careful!"
While Lin Feng was thinking, Elder Liu's figure slowly appeared. In fact, he had noticed Lin Feng's actions earlier, but as a fellow Dou Wang-level elder, there was no need to stop him as long as Lin Feng didn't do anything dangerous. After all, anyone who comes to the bottom of this magical Heavenly Flame Refining Tower for the first time will inevitably want to explore it, and he was the same way.
"Oh, is there some danger down there?"
Seeing Lin Feng's doubts, Elder Liu thought for a moment and then told Lin Feng the truth.
"Since Elder Lin Feng is curious, I will tell you the truth. This is within the elder's right to know, but Elder Lin Feng must remember not to tell anyone else."
After a pause, seeing Lin Feng nod seriously, Elder Liu stroked his beard and said solemnly.
"So, the Dean's strange fire seal caused a disturbance during the construction of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower..."
After explaining everything clearly, Elder Liu still seemed a little worried and once again reminded Lin Feng to keep it a secret before disappearing again.
"I see!"
After hearing Elder Liu's explanation, Lin Feng finally understood the cause and effect. Compared to the few words in the original work, this was much clearer. However, Lin Feng's thoughts changed, and he looked into the depths of the lava.
"This Heavenly Flame Venerable is quite pitiful. It has been more than a hundred years since the construction of Canaan Academy. This old man is all alone in the lava land, which is quite tragic."
With a slight sigh, Lin Feng had no intention of rescuing him. Without reaching the Dou Huang or even Dou Zong realm, Lin Feng didn't want to take any risks. Although his fire control technique was exceptional, he hadn't fully mastered the inheritance he received from Yao Chen, so there was no need to rush.
With that thought, Lin Feng left the central area without looking back, randomly choosing an empty cultivation room to begin his seclusion and test the effects of the Heart Fire.
"Click!"
After inserting the crystal card into the slot, Lin Feng sat cross-legged on the stone bed, closing his eyes slightly.
"Hmph!"
In just a few moments, a strange flame instantly rose from Lin Feng's body. Even though he was prepared, he felt immense pain for a moment, letting out a muffled groan.
However, for Lin Feng, who had experienced the desert tempering and the soul grinding wheel pain, this was already commonplace, and he immediately adapted. He then adjusted his breathing, controlling the Dou Qi within his body to flow through the Heart Fire.
Seclusion began!
(End of Chapter)