Chapter 81: Su Qian and Zi Yan
A few days later, Xiao Tian finally received an invitation from Hu Qian. When Xiao Tian arrived at Hu Qian's residence, he noticed another old man in a black robe present. This elder had white hair and a wrinkled face, but the sense of danger he exuded was far greater than Hu Qian's. It was clear that this black-robed elder was Su Qian, the Grand Elder of the Inner Academy with Dou Zong strength.
Xiao Tian cupped his hands in respect and said, "Greetings, Dean Hu Qian, and Grand Elder Su Qian."
"So, you're the one plotting for our academy's Fallen Heart Flame?" Su Qian looked at Xiao Tian, releasing a massive pressure that bore down on Xiao Tian. Under this tremendous pressure, even the air seemed to solidify.
In response, Xiao Tian merely let his soul power surge, breaking through the pressure with ease.
"Oh?" Su Qian exclaimed softly, marveling internally, "What strong soul power!"
"Grand Elder Su Qian, the collaboration I propose is mutually beneficial for both the academy and yourself," Xiao Tian explained. "As I mentioned, once I refine the Fallen Heart Flame, the academy will no longer have to worry about the flame escaping. The sub-flame I provide can continuously supply the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower with Heart Flame."
After a pause, he continued, "Additionally, if the Grand Elder agrees to my terms, I will offer you a seventh-grade Qingming Pill, which can increase a Dou Zong's strength by one to two stars."
"You can provide a seventh-grade pill?" Su Qian asked.
"While I am not a seventh-grade alchemist yet," Xiao Tian said, "my master is a near-ninth-grade alchemy grandmaster."
"Oh?" Su Qian and Hu Qian both showed signs of caution and respect in their eyes. A near-ninth-grade alchemy grandmaster was someone even their Inner Academy's Dou Zun-level dean would want to befriend.
Suddenly, Su Qian remembered something and asked, "Not long ago, Yao Huang Han Feng was suddenly killed. Does this have anything to do with you?"
The timing of Xiao Tian's appearance and Han Feng's death was too close to be a coincidence. Moreover, Han Feng also had an earthly flame. Since Xiao Tian was aware of the academy's earthly flame, he likely knew about Han Feng's flame as well.
"Yes, Han Feng was killed by my master," Xiao Tian confirmed.
Su Qian asked, "Since you already obtained an earthly flame from him, why do you need our academy's flame?"
"We have many alchemists in our sect, so needing more earthly flames is normal," Xiao Tian casually replied, not revealing the secret of the Flame Mantra. Even though some people knew about the Flame Mantra, he preferred to keep it as secretive as possible.
After a moment of silence, Su Qian nodded. "Alright, I agree to your request. I hope you will honor your promise."
Given the current absence of the Inner Academy's dean, even with the presence of the two high-level Dou Zongs, they could not afford to offend an eighth-grade alchemist. Refusing could provoke a direct conflict, which Su Qian wanted to avoid. He also didn't dare gamble on whether Xiao Tian was bluffing.
"Rest assured," Xiao Tian smiled and then flipped his right hand, revealing a jade bottle. He tossed it to Hu Qian, saying, "Dean Hu Qian, this is your Breaking Emperor Pill."
Hu Qian accepted the pill and thanked him, "Thank you, Xiao Tian."
Then, Su Qian and Xiao Tian headed towards the Inner Academy. Between the Outer and Inner Academies lay vast forests and mountains. Normally, Outer Academy students needed to be escorted by Dou Wangs or Dou Huangs to enter, but with Xiao Tian and Su Qian both being above Dou Huang, this wasn't necessary.
After a while, Su Qian descended beside a deep chasm. "The Inner Academy is through here," Su Qian said, stepping across the chasm.
Once across, Su Qian spread his hands, revealing a seven-to-eight-meter-high silver gate ahead.
"Screech!" The gate opened, revealing a scene indistinguishable from the outside. However, Xiao Tian, with his strong soul perception, sensed that the entire Inner Academy was shrouded in a space barrier. Entering required passing through the gate or forcibly breaking the barrier.
"Let's go in," Su Qian said, stepping through the gate first. Xiao Tian followed, and once they entered, the gate disappeared again.
Inside the barrier.
"Grand Elder!" The guards at the gate saluted Su Qian upon his arrival.
"Mm," Su Qian nodded, leading Xiao Tian away. Along the way, he asked, "Xiao Tian, do you plan to refine the Fallen Heart Flame immediately?"
"I need to prepare a few things first," Xiao Tian replied. "I still need some medicinal ingredients, so I would like to visit your Inner Academy's herb storage. But don't worry, I won't take anything for free. I can exchange Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills, Three-Line Green Spirit Pills, Dou Ling Pills, as well as Imperial Extreme Pills and Breaking Emperor Pills."
"That can be arranged. Follow me," Su Qian agreed, seeing a profitable opportunity. He led Xiao Tian to the herb storage, which was heavily guarded by Dou Wang-level elders. Normally, access was restricted, but with Su Qian's guidance, they passed without issue.
"Grand Elder!" A steward elder greeted them upon their arrival.
"Elder Hao," Su Qian explained, "This is Xiao Tian, and he needs some herbs. He will exchange them for fourth to sixth-grade pills. Please assist him."
"Yes, Grand Elder," Elder Hao complied and began guiding Xiao Tian through the herb storage.
The storage was a room covered in faint fluorescent light, filled with white jade cabinets containing rare herbs. Xiao Tian picked what he needed, taking dozens of rare materials, which made Elder Hao wince.
After passing through a corridor and reaching another section, Xiao Tian spotted a little girl in white. She seemed about twelve or thirteen, with light purple hair cascading to her waist and a delicate, doll-like face. Her big, dark, sparkling eyes had an enchanting quality. At that moment, she was holding and munching on a herb.
Seeing the purple-haired girl, Xiao Tian immediately guessed her identity: Zi Yan, the daughter of the old Dragon Emperor from the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, a nine-star Dou Sheng.
Seeing Zi Yan, Elder Hao couldn't help but exclaim angrily, "You... you came again!"
(End of Chapter)