The matters of the Jia Ma Empire were finally settled.
Knowing that time waited for no one, Liu Xi brought Qing Lin and Zi Yan along, once again leaving the Jia Ma Empire and heading toward their next destination — Jia Nan Academy.
In the past, this journey would have taken a month or two. Now, it took merely a single day.
High above the vast blue sky, Zi Yan suddenly giggled. "Big Brother, when we go back this time, we'll definitely scare Old Man Su to death. I'm a Dou Zong now — he's probably not even as strong as me!"
When it came to Jia Nan Academy, Zi Yan's fondest feelings were for Liu Xi, followed by Elder Su Qian. Though she never said it aloud, she truly respected that old man who treated her like his own granddaughter.
Liu Xi thought of Elder Su Qian, Elder Liu, Elder Huo, and the other familiar faces from the academy. A faint smile curved his lips. "Not necessarily. The Jia Ma Empire might be closed off, but Jia Nan Academy has students spread across the continent. Even if they're far from the Central Plains, they probably know a fair bit about what's happening there."
Qing Lin's delicate face showed a trace of curiosity. She had never been to Jia Nan Academy before, but for the place that had nurtured Liu Xi, she already held a favorable impression.
In the distance, the academy's mountain range came into view — towering peaks, veiled by faint spatial fluctuations that were almost too easy for him to detect.
With Liu Xi's current strength, it took only a few minutes to reach the spatial barrier surrounding the Inner Academy. To his eyes, it was already riddled with flaws. Any skilled Dou Zong could easily slip through unnoticed.
Liu Xi shook his head slightly. "Before we leave again, let's reinforce this barrier. We can't have random people sneaking in and stirring up trouble. Zi Yan, I'll leave it to you."
"Got it! Watch me." Zi Yan grinned brightly.
The barrier naturally couldn't stop Liu Xi, but unlike Zi Yan, he couldn't just tear it apart so casually — that was her innate gift. Zi Yan stepped forward, her small hands twisting the air, and with a gentle tear, the empty void split open, revealing a rift through which the Inner Academy could be seen clearly.
"Let's go," Liu Xi said softly, stepping into the rift with a faint smile.
They emerged within the familiar landscape of the Inner Academy. Liu Xi deliberately released a wisp of aura, a polite way of announcing his arrival — better to avoid startling Elder Su Qian too badly.
"Who goes there!?"
A thunderous voice boomed across the academy the instant Liu Xi's aura appeared, followed by a burst of commotion. Elder Su Qian's stern, commanding tone echoed like thunder.
"Elder Su Qian, it's me, Liu Xi. My return was abrupt — my apologies for the disturbance."
Hearing that familiar voice, the tense atmosphere immediately loosened, though vigilance still lingered. Moments later, Elder Su Qian appeared in the air, stepping through the void.
When his gaze landed on Liu Xi, the tension in his face melted away, replaced by shock and delight. After briefly sensing Liu Xi's aura, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Such unfathomable power… you've truly reached the Dou Zun realm! I'd heard rumors from students returning from the Central Plains, but I didn't quite believe it. It's only been a few years…"
Liu Xi smiled gently. "The Central Plains are vast and filled with opportunities. I simply happened upon a few fortuitous encounters."
Even after such a breakthrough, he remained calm and modest — this made Su Qian's heart fill with admiration.
As the elder's gaze shifted, he noticed Zi Yan pouting playfully and the alluring Qing Lin standing beside Liu Xi. Surprise and confusion flickered in his eyes. "Zi Yan, you're back too — and already a Dou Zong? You've surpassed even me! … And this young lady is?"
Zi Yan giggled happily, pleased to be praised by the elder she respected. Seeing Liu Xi's respectful demeanor, Qing Lin stepped forward and said politely, "Qing Lin greets Elder Su Qian. I'm Young Master's attendant."
Su Qian froze for a moment. Someone this powerful — as an attendant? It was beyond belief.
Liu Xi chuckled. "Just an early investment that paid off," he said casually as they flew toward the Inner Academy together. "Elder Su Qian, let's talk inside. This time, I came back for two reasons — first, to visit the academy, and second, to borrow the magma pool beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower for a period of cultivation."
Su Qian, walking beside him, nodded without hesitation. "Of course. That tower's peaceful state is thanks to you anyway. The Fallen Heart Flame has grown much calmer. We've even removed the seal around the tower — you can go there anytime. Over these years, the Fallen Heart Flame's strength has reached the peak of Dou Wang, nearly Dou Huang level. Give it a little more time, and the academy will have its own guardian spirit of Dou Huang rank."
Liu Xi listened quietly, watching the elder's bright smile — like a proud parent speaking of his child's growth. Clearly, he had long regarded the Fallen Heart Flame as part of the academy.
With a single command from Su Qian, the Inner Academy's defensive alert was lifted. Soon after, many elders came to greet Liu Xi, eager to see this legendary student who had made a name for himself in the Central Plains.
A few years had passed. Among the Inner Academy students, there were no longer any familiar faces, but among the elders, Liu Xi still found some — Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and Vice Principal Hu Qian — familiar figures from long ago.
He spent half a day walking through both the Inner and Outer Academies, meeting with Elder Liu, Elder Huo, and others. Wherever he went, he handed out pills by the handful. As an 8th Tier Alchemist, he naturally had no shortage of them.
Elder Huo, who had reached the 6th Tier in alchemy, was given a tailored guide by Liu Xi — a step-by-step strategy for advancing to 7th Tier. Following it diligently, reaching that rank within his lifetime was well within reach.
After all, Elder Huo's talent wasn't lacking; he had simply been limited by the academy's incomplete alchemist heritage. The current dean, Mang Tianchi, wasn't an alchemist himself.
The next morning, Liu Xi brought Qing Lin and Zi Yan to the base of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. There, they met the now lively and cheerful Fallen Heart Flame.
It had been nurtured with great care, allowed occasional freedom within the Inner Academy, and had grown close to both teachers and students. Now, it diligently fueled the tower with its flames, keeping the tower's refining effect at its former peak.
Most importantly, there was no longer any risk of it running amok.
Finally, Liu Xi descended deeper — to the true destination of his return: the magma lake beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, where endless crimson magma rolled like a burning sea.
(End of Chapter)
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