On the Green Lotus Throne, the Fallen Heart Flame sub-flame burned and leaped with lively agility. Lin Yuan slowly extended his palm, and as if sensing his intent, that wisp of heart flame drifted down of its own accord from the lotus throne, lightly landing on Lin Yuan's fingertip.
At his fingertip, the sub-flame transformed into a tiny yet nimble fire python. Wisdom flickered within the fire python's eyes. Within its body, one could vaguely sense a trace of weak yet extremely condensed soul power. What was most peculiar was that this soul power emitted an aura extremely similar to Lin Yuan's own soul force, yet subtly different at the same time.
Lin Yuan carefully examined the flame, while the fire python also looked back at him. A look of satisfaction appeared simultaneously in both their eyes.
"Using the Heart Flame Pearl that sealed a split soul of the Fallen Heart Flame as the seed, the sub-flame of the Green Lotus Core Flame as the framework, and multiple Earthfire Lotus Seeds rich in Earthfire essence as nourishment, after months of careful nurturing, I've finally succeeded in giving birth to this Fallen Heart Flame sub-flame."
"Afterward, I used a soul secret art to wash away the spiritual intelligence of the sub-flame's split soul, then fused a portion of my own soul power with the cleansed split soul to jointly construct the flame spirit of this sub-flame. In this way, a Fallen Heart Flame sub-flame that contains my soul power and can be perfectly controlled by me has finally been born."
"The anchor point for a soul battle with the Fallen Heart Flame is now ready. Fallen Heart Flame… I'm rather looking forward to the day we face each other."
Lin Yuan smiled meaningfully as several hand seals formed in his hands.
Immediately afterward, the invisible fire python quietly burrowed into Lin Yuan's body, settling at a crucial node within his meridians where Dou Qi circulated, beginning to temper the Dou Qi flowing through that point.
At the same time, Lin Yuan began nourishing this sub-flame with his own Dou Qi. For someone cultivating the Heavenly Capital Flame Codex, Lin Yuan alone could fully bear the consumption required to feed the sub-flame. Continuously expending and recovering Dou Qi was itself an excellent method of cultivation.
As the sub-flame burned within his body, Lin Yuan initially felt some discomfort. However, his physical body soon began to gradually adapt to the power of the heart flame. Before long, he no longer needed to deliberately use Dou Qi or the Green Lotus Core Flame to resist the scorching heat of the heart flame.
"With the Fallen Heart Flame sub-flame within my body, even without cultivating in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, the speed of cultivation now surpasses that of the best cultivation rooms. At the same time, I can also use this sub-flame for targeted adaptation training against the Fallen Heart Flame, allowing my body to acclimate to its power in advance and prepare ahead of time for the eventual confrontation."
Lin Yuan withdrew his thoughts and began carefully reviewing the information transmitted by Qing Lin, signals that the Miter Clan had received from Yun Shan.
"There's still a little over half a year before Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran's three-year agreement. According to Yun Shan's message, Protector Wu seems to have plans to take action against the Xiao Clan. From the series of intelligence reports, it appears he's targeting the timing of the three-year agreement."
"Hmm? Protector Wu even told Yun Shan to be ready to assist him in dealing with someone at the time of the three-year agreement. For this, he's given Yun Shan quite a few benefits, allowing Yun Shan's cultivation to make significant progress—he's already stabilized at One-Star Dou Ancestor."
"Helping deal with someone during the three-year agreement?" Lin Yuan rubbed his temples, pondering for a moment before his gaze sharpened. "Has Yao Lao been exposed? Did something happen with Xiao Yan and Yao Lao, or did they do something that drew Protector Wu's attention to Yao Lao? It seems some unknown changes have occurred within the Jia Ma Empire."
"Qing'er left word that the Miter Clan also sent a large amount of additional intelligence, all placed in her room. I should go take a look, perhaps I can find some clues there."
"I've already completed everything that needed to be done here. It's time to leave. But before I go—"
Lin Yuan raised his head and looked into the air. With a slight movement, his figure appeared in midair, where he gazed with interest at a slightly distorted region of space not far away. "A spatial barrier, space lockdown that can only be used after becoming a Dou Ancestor? Such a rare opportunity. Let me test it."
Immediately, Lin Yuan circulated his vast Dou Qi and began conducting various experiments and precise calculations on the spatial barrier set up by Su Qian. This was Lin Yuan's style, even if he could not yet use certain methods himself, as long as there was an opportunity, he would thoroughly understand and test how to deal with them.
Two hours later, Lin Yuan finished what he intended to do.
"Mm. I've basically grasped the characteristics of a spatial barrier formed by space lockdown. It's time to leave."
He then condensed his powerful Dou Qi, and an ancient seal rapidly took shape in his hand.
"Mountain and River Seal!"
With a low shout, the cyan-and-crimson seal struck the weakest point of the spatial barrier. Energy erupted instantly, blasting open a hole in the barrier. The spatial barrier then cracked outward from that point like shattered glass, finally breaking apart and dissipating.
"Calculating the weak point of the spatial barrier this way really works. The required output was also estimated quite accurately."
Lin Yuan smiled in satisfaction, then spread his wings and flew toward Su Qian's residence.
Before long, Lin Yuan arrived at Su Qian's estate. After entering, he cupped his fists toward Su Qian and bowed in thanks. "Many thanks to the First Elder for your assistance during this breakthrough."
Su Qian smiled faintly and waved his hand. "We're family—no need for such formalities." He then beckoned Lin Yuan over. "Come, sit down and talk."
Lin Yuan sat as instructed. Su Qian picked up a teapot from the table—one he had personally brewed and poured Lin Yuan a cup. With a hint of anticipation in his voice, he said, "Try it. This is a new tea I've been researching—my proud creation. You're a professional alchemist; use your standards to judge it. How is it?"
A trace of curiosity flashed through Lin Yuan's eyes. He lifted the teacup and took a light sip. The moment it entered his mouth, an indescribable bitterness spread from the tip of his tongue straight to his heart.
Seeing the anticipation in Su Qian's eyes, Lin Yuan forcibly endured the bitterness, swallowed it calmly, and nodded in praise. "This tea is indeed unique, with a very distinctive flavor. I give it a high evaluation. I'm sure everyone who tastes it will praise it greatly."
"Heh heh, you've got a good eye!" Su Qian said smugly. He took a sip himself, closed his eyes, and revealed an intoxicated expression. "Indeed, excellent tea. My efforts weren't wasted."
Seeing this, Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and silently muttered to himself, "It seems the First Elder's taste is truly… unique. I should probably avoid drinking tea with him too often in the future."
After finishing the tea, Su Qian opened his eyes and looked at Lin Yuan with admiration, smiling as he said, "Lin Yuan, you're truly outstanding. Even accounting for the effects of the Life-Devouring Pill, breaking through from Dou King to Dou Emperor at such a young age, this level of talent is extremely rare across the entire continent. And moreover…"
He paused, his smile deepening. "Your achievements in alchemy are even more astonishing. Have you already broken through to a Seventh-Grade alchemist?"
Lin Yuan first nodded, then shook his head. Seeing the confusion in Su Qian's eyes, he explained, "My soul power has indeed reached the standard of a Seventh-Grade alchemist, but I can't yet be considered a true Seventh-Grade alchemist. According to the rules of the alchemy world, I still need to pass the Pill Tower's assessment or successfully refine a Seventh-Grade pill before I can truly be recognized as one."
"So there's such a rule," Su Qian said, nodding in realization. Then he smiled again. "But since your soul power has already reached that level, advancing your alchemist rank won't be difficult. Coupled with your talent in alchemy…"
Lin Yuan didn't refute this and simply nodded calmly. Excessive humility wasn't necessary either.
Straightening his expression, Lin Yuan spoke in a deep voice. "First Elder, with my current alchemy skills, I should be able to refine some Sovereign Emperor Pills and Mighty Emperor Pills for the academy. If the academy needs them and the materials are complete, I'm willing to help refine these pills."
Hearing this, Su Qian was overjoyed. "Good! Good! Then I'll trouble you with it. The academy certainly won't treat you unfairly—your compensation will definitely satisfy you."
Lin Yuan replied solemnly, "First Elder, you're too polite. I'm also a member of Jia Nan Academy. This is the list of medicinal ingredients required to refine these two pills."
As he spoke, he handed over a list filled with the names of medicinal ingredients.
Su Qian took the list and glanced through it, recognizing quite a few items that should be stored in Jia Nan Academy's high-grade medicinal treasury. He put the list away and said seriously, "I recognize most of these. I'll personally go to the medicinal treasury to check later."
"Right, how are Qing Lin and Zi Yan doing now?" Lin Yuan suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Su Qian couldn't help but sigh. "Those two little ones… they're truly remarkable. You must have left them quite a few pills, didn't you?"
"As for Qing Lin, that girl broke through to the Dou Spirit realm not long after you entered seclusion. Her cultivation speed didn't slow down afterward either—within just a few months, she cultivated all the way to Nine-Star Dou Spirit. She even participated in this year's Strong Ranking Competition. With Zi Yan not participating, Qing Lin swept through the entire competition and directly conquered the Strong Ranking. Now, the students of the Inner Academy respectfully call her the 'Qing Queen.'"
"Fortunately, she deliberately altered her appearance during the competition to make herself look a few years older. Otherwise, the Inner Academy students would really start doubting whether they themselves could even be considered geniuses as described by the outside world. If they knew that the one crushing them was a girl several years, or even over ten years, younger than them, who knows what they'd think."
At this point, even Su Qian couldn't help but laugh. Thinking back, the previous top-ranked student on the Strong Ranking, Zi Yan, had looked like a little girl. Now the top-ranked student was once again a young girl barely fifteen years old.
Hearing these amusing stories about Qing Lin that she hadn't transmitted to him through the Heavenly Network, Lin Yuan also smiled slightly. "So that's how it is? Interesting."
Su Qian continued, "After the Strong Ranking Competition, Qing Lin sensed a breakthrough opportunity while undergoing the 'Origin Heart Flame Body Tempering.' Just like you, she chose to enter seclusion and is now attempting to break through to the Dou King realm. That little girl truly has limitless potential. The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils really do live up to their reputation as the world's number one strange pupils."
Lin Yuan nodded, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he said softly, "Qing Lin is indeed a genius beyond description. What about Zi Yan? How has she been lately?"
Su Qian shook his head and said in a deep voice, "That little girl Zi Yan is a bit special. In the third month after you entered seclusion, she consumed too many heavenly treasures and the pills you refined. The energy accumulated in her body became far too massive, and she formed a cocoon. I moved her to a place with extremely abundant energy, which should help with her breakthrough. I think that when she emerges from the cocoon, it will be the moment she advances."
Hearing this, Lin Yuan nodded in understanding. He wasn't surprised by such an outcome. The medicinal ingredients and pills he prepared for Zi Yan were extremely rich and precious, there were even seventh-grade medicinal materials among them. A small half of the medicinal reserves accumulated over decades by the Mulan Valley, a hegemonic power within an empire, had been swallowed by her. If she could digest that unimaginably vast amount of energy, it would be more than enough to allow even a Ancient Void Dragon to advance to the Sixth-Grade with ease.
"Being able to digest such enormous medicinal power and energy, Zi Yan's talent is astonishing as well," Lin Yuan chuckled lightly. "I hope both of them progress smoothly."
Afterward, Lin Yuan discussed alchemy matters with Su Qian for a while before taking his leave.
Returning to his courtyard, Lin Yuan took out the intelligence that Qing Lin had stored before entering seclusion and began reading through it.
Looking at the sizable pile of intelligence before him, Lin Yuan couldn't help but praise Tengshan's meticulous handling of matters. "Tengshan really is a smart man. Someone valued by Hai Bodong truly has real capability. Not only does he send over the coded signals from Yun Shan every time, but he also consistently attaches noteworthy intelligence regarding the Jia Ma Empire. Very thorough."
Nodding in satisfaction, Lin Yuan began carefully searching through the intelligence, hoping to find clues explaining Protector Wu's abnormal behavior.
Before long, one particular report from two months ago caught his attention. He picked it out and read it carefully.
"This intelligence was delivered two months ago. The communication network set up by the Miter Clan takes two months to deliver messages. That means the events described here should have happened about four months ago."
"Four months ago, violent fluctuations of wind and fire elemental energy erupted in the northwestern region of the Tager Desert. According to intelligence agents stationed there by the Miter Clan, flame tornadoes hundreds of meters tall appeared in the desert."
"After that, a great battle broke out in the area. Based on what the Miter Clan managed to uncover, a powerful expert wielding a strange, White-colored flame seized some kind of object."
"Later, Hai Bodong personally went to inspect the site and discovered residual traces of extremely cold aura. According to him, only someone who has cultivated ice-attribute Dou Qi to an extremely high level could release such an aura."
Lin Yuan looked at the intelligence on the table and gently rubbed his temples, several conjectures forming in his mind.
"White-colored flames combined with residual extreme cold aura—without a doubt, that was Yao Lao taking action. And something that could make Yao Lao act so decisively could only be a Heavenly Flame."
"In the desert, flame tornadoes hundreds of meters tall… was it the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame?"
Wind and Thunder Fury Flame, ranked eighteenth on the Heavenly Flame List. It is born within the eye of flame tornadoes in ancient deserts. Unlike other Heavenly Flames, it has no fixed location, instead appearing randomly anywhere in the desert during the hottest days of the year, making it extremely rare. When it appears, it takes the form of a tornado, combining wind and fire. The flames soar hundreds of meters high, like a gigantic fire dragon roaring as it advances, possessing terrifying destructive power and turning everything in its path into a sea of fire.
This extremely familiar description flashed through Lin Yuan's mind. Information about Heavenly Flames was deeply engraved in his memory.
"So everything connects now. Four months ago, Xiao Yan should have already finished his training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and entered the Tager Desert. While cultivating in the desert with Yao Lao, they likely encountered the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame. Upon encountering a Heavenly Flame, Yao Lao would naturally go all out—and in doing so, he was exposed."
"If the Miter Clan could gather this information, it's not strange that Protector Wu learned of it as well. As someone from the Soul Hall, he naturally knows that Yao Lao did not truly die. Deducing that it was the soul-only Medicine Venerable from the White flame and extreme cold aura wouldn't be difficult for him."
"Having Yun Shan take action during the three-year agreement, does that mean he already knows that Yao Lao is with Xiao Yan? That makes sense. That master and disciple pair are hardly low-profile; wherever they go, things become lively. The Xiao Clan was originally his target anyway, and with Ling Ying, a Dou Emperor from the ancient clans, following behind, it was already a major target. If Protector Wu investigated deliberately, discovering the relationship between Xiao Yan and Yao Lao from the details wouldn't be surprising."
"As for why Protector Wu chose Yun Shan as a helper instead of reporting it directly—could it be that he wants to monopolize the credit? That makes sense too. If not for me as a variable, with careful preparation and striking when the enemy is unprepared, his chances of success would indeed be quite high."
"It seems competition within the Soul Hall is also quite intense. I wonder if he'd mind switching employers? Or perhaps working part-time, holding two jobs at once." Lin Yuan mused inwardly.
Lin Yuan's mind raced as he considered how to seek the greatest benefit during the event of the three-year agreement.
After a long while, he suddenly slapped his forehead heavily and laughed at himself. "Am I being blinded by greed? The ancient jade of the Xiao Clan is of critical importance. Compared to coveting extra benefits, avoiding risk and prioritizing the primary objective matters more. I should secure the ancient jade first—anything else is secondary. If it comes easily, fine; if not, there's no need to force it."
"Still, this three-year agreement is quite interesting. Both sides seem to have quite a few 'unexpected surprises.' That really does make it something to look forward to."
"There are still half a year before the three-year agreement. I still have time to handle matters here in the Black Corner Region. But before that—"
Lin Yuan took out several scrolls. "I should properly cultivate my Dou Techniques for a while. On one hand, to strengthen my control over Dou Qi, and on the other, to add a few more methods for dealing with enemies."
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