Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
******
When Elder Su Qian heard this, his expression immediately grew serious. He couldn't help but gasp, a surge of intense shock and unease flooding his heart.
"How... how is this possible?" The other elders, also stunned, stared at Xiao Yan in disbelief, unsure of how to react.
Xiao Xun'er, standing beside Xiao Yan, was equally at a loss. She hadn't anticipated that, by accompanying her brother, he would have such the audacity to subdue the Sealing Fire within the Skyfire Refining Tower, causing such a massive commotion.
"Could this kid really be that bold?" one of the elders muttered, astonished.
"This is the Sealing Fire! It's unimaginable how he managed to accomplish this," another elder remarked, amazed by Xiao Yan's abilities.
Su Qian's gaze swept over Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er. Suddenly, his expression turned cold and sharp, as if seeing right through them.
He sneered, his voice cutting like a blade: "No wonder I always felt something was off with you two. Turns out you've been pretending to be harmless just to steal the tiger's skin!"
Elder Su Qian's tone was icy, dripping with contempt and mockery. "You two young ones dare to covet the Sealing Fire in my Skyfire Refining Tower? You're completely audacious! You didn't come here to study, did you?"
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, not hiding his intentions at all. "That's right, we came for the异火."
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's blunt response, Su Qian's face twisted into a mocking grin. His voice grew colder. "Since that's the case, do you understand that this异火 is not something you can just take whenever you want?"
Xiao Yan looked up, his gaze unwavering. "strange fire is only for the fated to obtain. I already have the approval of the Skyfire Elder in the tower, so I'm naturally qualified to take it."
"Hmph, that doesn't count," Su Qian scoffed. "This strange fire is a treasure of the Jia Nan Academy. If you want it, you'll have to prove you're worthy."
"Worthy? Of course, I am!" Xiao Yan replied, as though he had anticipated such a response, his demeanor calm and unruffled.
After all, even though he hadn't expected to be caught so quickly, with his master's assistance, there was no need for him to be afraid.
Xiao Xun'er bit her lip lightly, fully aware of how dire the situation had become. Still, she believed Xiao Yan would manage it—she trusted him, and she supported his decision.
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's confession, Su Qian's brows furrowed slightly, and his anger and disappointment intensified.
"Your actions are completely reckless and suicidal!" His voice grew more shrill, as though his fury and dissatisfaction were about to explode.
The other academy officials, too, showed signs of anger and displeasure. They were outraged by Xiao Yan's actions, believing them to be a severe challenge to the academy's dignity and rules, and they felt that he must be severely punished.
Then, from Su Qian's body, the powerful Dou Qi of a Dou Zong stage expert began to gather, creating an overwhelming force that surged toward Xiao Yan like a landslide. The very air seemed to be drawn into the pressure, making it feel as though one was suffocating.
"Hand over the fire!" Su Qian's voice was cold and forceful, laced with a hint of cruelty. "Otherwise, I will make sure there's no place for your body to rest."
Xiao Yan could feel the immense pressure coming from Su Qian. His heart shuddered slightly, fully understanding that the Su Qian before him was no longer the easy-going elder he once knew, but a merciless Dou Zong powerhouse.
However, Xiao Yan didn't retreat. His gaze remained firm, carrying a hint of defiance.
"Elder Su Qian, I can understand your concerns, but the strange fire is of great significance to me. I won't give it up so easily."
Su Qian sneered, a glimmer of coldness flashing in his eyes.
"Then prepare to pay the price!"
Xiao Yan paused for a moment before speaking again. "I can help the academy refine pills, as compensation."
When Su Qian and the other senior members of Jia Nan Academy heard Xiao Yan's suggestion to compensate for the loss by refining pills, they couldn't help but burst into laughter, their expressions filled with disdain and mockery.
"Oh, is this a joke? A mere Dou Shi dares to refine pills to make up for the loss?" Su Qian mocked. "You probably aren't even a pill master!"
The other academy officials joined in the mockery, laughing derisively at Xiao Yan's proposal, their faces full of disdain.
Nevertheless, Xiao Yan stood firm, responding with unwavering confidence. "Though I'm just a Dou Shi, I'm confident I can refine some pills to make up for part of the loss."
Without hesitation, Xiao Yan took out several pills from his robe.
He retrieved a few crystal-clear pills, their surfaces shimmering with faint light, emanating a unique aura.
One of the pills was deep red, giving off a strong, bloody scent.
Another pill was a brilliant blue, carrying a chilling aura.
The third pill was golden yellow, radiating a warm glow.
At that moment, an elder of the Jia Nan Academy's alchemy division, upon seeing these pills, immediately paled. His eyes widened in shock as he gasped, naming the pills in disbelief.
"These... could they be the Heavenly Demon Blood Pill, the Ice Soul Frost Pill, and the Golden Sun Divine Flame Pill?!"
His voice trembled, filled with incredulity and astonishment. "These are incredibly rare, precious pills! To think they would be in your hands!"
"What? Is this... really true?" Someone asked in surprise.
"These pills certainly seem extraordinary," another person said, their eyes reflecting a hint of doubt.
Despite the shock and awe surrounding these remarkable pills, Su Qian remained composed. He shook his head, implying that no matter how impressive the pills were, they could not compensate for the loss caused by the stolen strange fire.
"No matter what pills you've refined, they cannot make up for the loss this academy has suffered because of your actions," Su Qian said, his tone still stern and unyielding.
Step by step, Su Qian advanced, his Dou Qi at the Dou Zong level radiating, creating an oppressive force that seemed to solidify the air around them.
His gaze was like a sharp blade, piercing through Xiao Yan, as though attempting to see directly into his heart.
Facing Su Qian's intimidation, Xiao Yan showed no signs of backing down. He stood firm, his posture straight, eyes resolute.
At the same time, Bo Hai Dong and Ling Ying appeared, stepping in front of Xiao Yan to form two solid shields.
Bo Hai Dong furrowed his brow, his eyes flashing with vigilance, while Ling Ying gritted her teeth, fists clenched, her entire body exuding a fierce aura.
However, despite the powerful presence the two displayed, they were still no match for Su Qian's razor-sharp Dou Zong energy.
Su Qian sneered, his gaze cutting like a knife, and he addressed the two bodyguards directly: "You two, as bodyguards, should hurry up and advise your master to hand over the strange fire."
"Otherwise, I won't show any mercy. And you two might not even be my match."
(End of Chapter)