"Pan's Gate, I'll leave it to you to take care of."
"Don't worry, we're all on the same side."
"Hehe! You really don't consider yourself an outsider!"
Xun'er gave Yun Tianming a meaningful look.
This guy! With Sister Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei on his side, the Xiao Family now has someone to rely on.
For the Xiao Family, where she had lived since childhood, Xun'er still had deep feelings. After arranging everything, Xun'er felt a sense of relief and leapt onto a black griffin.
"Goodbye, Xun'er."
Yun Tianming waved goodbye with a smile. Just from those two Earth Rank High-level Dou Techniques, he had made a friend!
"Yun Tianming, I look forward to our next duel," said Xun'er.
Xun'er reached out to catch a strand of hair blown up by the wind. Her graceful figure appeared particularly charming in the twilight of the sunset.
Watching Xun'er leave with the Black Submerged Army, Yun Tianming turned around and spoke into the empty space.
"The performance is over. Won't Grand Elder come out and say a few words?"
After a moment, a figure appeared out of thin air in midair, stepping through the void.
"Hehe~ Indeed worthy of Mentor Yun. Your Soul Perception is truly remarkable," said Su Qian, the Grand Elder of Jia Nan Academy. Faced with the Gu Clan's Black Submerged Army entering the inner courtyard, he had to keep an eye on things.
"Allowing them to enter to search for someone is already the greatest tolerance. If they want to act against our teachers and students in the inner courtyard, this old man won't agree. However, with Mentor Yun's strength, it seems I'm somewhat redundant."
Su Qian looked at Yun Tianming admiringly. Ling Quan, the deputy commander of the Gu Clan's Black Submerged Army, despite only half stepping into the Dou Ancestor realm, had cultivation methods and Dou Techniques that were formidable. Even for him, a 3-Star Dou Ancestor, defeating Ling Quan wouldn't be easy. It was beyond expectations that Yun Tianming, with only a nominal strength of 4-Star Dou King, could cross levels to defeat Ling Quan. This young man's hidden strength was more than Su Qian had imagined!
"Oh, with Grand Elder here, how could those juniors dare to act rashly?" Yun Tianming replied politely with empty words. He knew Su Qian had come today for something important to discuss with him, so he didn't rush to ask.
As they exchanged idle chatter, Su Qian suddenly shifted the topic to the point.
"By the way, Mentor Yun, have you sensed anything unusual at the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower these days?"
"What's unusual at the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower?" Yun Tianming asked knowingly.
"Ah, Mentor Yun, let's be frank here!" Seeing the other party being evasive, Su Qian had to clarify his stance: "With your powerful Soul Power, I believe you can sense it. At the bottom of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, there's a seal containing something."
"It's the Fallen Heart Flame, ranked fourteenth in the Heavenly Flame Ranking!"
"This Heavenly Flame was discovered by the Headmaster hundreds of years ago by chance. It's sealed here, and Jia Nan Academy was founded with it. The Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower was constructed to refine qi and the body, utilizing the Heart Fire of the Fallen Heart Flame to accelerate cultivation efficiency."
Su Qian briefly introduced the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame and the history of Jia Nan Academy.
"The Headmaster truly has a skillful hand in keeping the Heavenly Flame captive."
"However, playing with fire can lead to getting burned, especially when it's a Heavenly Flame."
Yun Tianming continued along with Su Qian's words.
"Mentor Yun is right," Su Qian agreed. "This Heavenly Flame is unruly and difficult to tame. After being sealed for hundreds of years, the Fallen Heart Flame has accumulated deep resentment towards Jia Nan Academy. Lately, the frequency of its assaults on the seal has been increasing. Conservatively estimated, within a few months, the Fallen Heart Flame will erupt completely!"
At this point, Su Qian's expression became particularly serious.
It's not hard to imagine that once the Fallen Heart Flame erupts, it will bring catastrophic disaster to Jia Nan Academy!
"Grand Elder, are you suggesting I assist in combating the Fallen Heart Flame? But I am merely a 4-Star Dou King. I fear my help won't be of much use," Yun Tianming said with a troubled expression.
"Merely a 4-Star Dou King? Your combat strength rivals that of a Dou Ancestor!"
Su Qian silently criticized inwardly, knowing Yun Tianming was negotiating terms.
"Mentor Yun, you underestimate yourself. Your strength is an indispensable force for Jia Nan Academy."
"Furthermore, I've heard rumors. Recently, the Black-Corner Region has been restless. It seems a powerful Alchemist has emerged there, rallying various strong forces. As an Alchemist, I believe Mentor Yun understands the allure of the Heavenly Flame."
"When the Fallen Heart Flame erupts, the forces of the Black-Corner Region will inevitably intervene. At that time, Jia Nan Academy may struggle to cope," Su Qian frowned.
Yun Tianming squinted his eyes, thinking to himself: Han Feng from the Black-Corner Region is gone, but now there's Xiao Yan. The situation has become even more complicated.
However, this might be advantageous. The more complex the situation, the greater the opportunity for Yun Tianming to maneuver in murky waters!
This Fallen Heart Flame, he was determined to conquer it!
—————
The departure of Xun'er, leader of Pan's Gate, caused quite a stir within the inner courtyard.
Facing the leaderless Pan's Gate, longstanding forces within the inner courtyard began to stir restlessly.
Yun Tianming arranged for Zi Yan to join Pan's Gate and casually refined some pills for Pan's Gate to sell, quickly solidifying Pan's Gate's position.
In gratitude, the two Xiao sisters from the Xiao Family voluntarily attended to Yun Tianming's daily needs, a role he gladly accepted.
Three months later, Yun Tianming's cultivation and alchemy skills saw simultaneous breakthroughs.
After assimilating the "experience packets" from battles with Xun'er and the Black Submerged Army, and further refining in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower using the Heart Fire, Yun Tianming smoothly advanced to become a 6-Star Dou King. Consuming an enhanced Dou Spirit Pill from the system, Yun Tianming skyrocketed to a 9-Star Dou King!
"Have you made a breakthrough?"
"Sometimes I really doubt the speed of your cultivation. Are you still a normal human?"
Sensing Yun Tianming's soaring aura, Cai Lin awakened and took human form.
"Cai Lin, you've awakened just in time."
"Guard for me. I'm going to refine a Sixth Grade Pill!"
A glint of determination flashed in Yun Tianming's eyes. With the continuous supply of materials from the inner courtyard's storage and Zi Yan's "treasure-hunting" ability, his alchemy skills had steadily improved over time. Now, he had reached the threshold of a Sixth Grade Alchemist!
"The Spirit Fusion Pill will hold you to your promise."
Cai Lin's cold gaze softened.
She had thought she would have to wait another year or two, underestimating the growth speed of the man before her. A Sixth Grade Alchemist! Even a Dou Ancestor would treat such a noble existence with respect!
"Although the little Heavenly Swallowing Python is quite cute."
"I still prefer the charming and beautiful Queen."
Yun Tianming gazed intensely at Cai Lin. No matter how many times he looked, she remained so captivating!
"Hmph."
This time, Cai Lin didn't rebuke in a cold voice. She raised her chin proudly, one hand resting on her slender waist, allowing him to admire her openly.
****
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