"At last I've finally seen the world outside the magma sea again. How nostalgic..."
Having successfully escaped the monotonous depths of the magma ocean, the Venerable Tian Huo was visibly delighted. His illusory soul drifted out of the white Storage Ring, floated around the surroundings several times, then sighed with excitement.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan smiled faintly before turning toward his shadow clone not far away.
This had been his contingency plan. If anything had happened to him beneath the magma sea, the clone would have immediately sought help from the Two Elders. Fortunately, there had been no need.
As Lin Yuan reabsorbed the shadow clone, the Venerable Tian Huo gradually calmed down from his initial excitement.
Floating beside Lin Yuan, he spoke solemnly.
"Little friend, my soul is now extremely weak and cannot remain outside for long. I'll have to entrust the matter of restoring my soul to you. I don't have much time left, so you'll need to act quickly."
"Don't worry, Senior Yao. As soon as we leave, I'll begin making preparations. If everything goes smoothly, it should be completed within five days."
He had previously refined Soul Nourishing Saliva, the spiritual medicine capable of repairing souls. However, most of his supply had been consumed while experimenting on the Hall of Souls Protectors.
The small amount remaining in his Storage Ring was nowhere near enough, so he simply intended to refine another batch.
Hearing Lin Yuan's assurance, the Venerable Tian Huo was overjoyed.
"Excellent. If you encounter any problems while cultivating the Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique, you may ask me at any time. Since you've helped this old man, I certainly won't be stingy."
With those words, his figure transformed into a streak of light before disappearing into the snow-white Storage Ring.
Lin Yuan then turned his gaze toward the mature Fallen Heart Flame.
The enormous Flame Python body it had previously condensed by gathering massive amounts of energy had already been destroyed by the Two Elders.
After a moment's thought, Lin Yuan released it back into the magma, allowing it to once again gather and refine Fire Attribute energy.
That energy might prove extremely useful when he attempted to break through to the Dou Ancestor realm.
Advancing into the Dou Ancestor realm required an enormous amount of energy. Without sufficient reserves, one could only slowly absorb the natural energy of heaven and earth over an extended period. Even if the breakthrough succeeded, it would take an exceptionally long time.
However, Lin Yuan had no intention of spending one or two years in secluded cultivation just to advance.
Rather than absorbing heaven and earth energy little by little during the breakthrough, it was far better to prepare an immense reserve of energy beforehand.
Since this place was the birthplace of the Fallen Heart Flame, it was naturally the perfect location to let it continuously absorb and purify Fire Attribute energy in advance.
Although he still possessed the Fire Pearl from before, one could never have too much energy.
"As expected its speed at absorbing energy is astonishing. The Fallen Heart Flame truly enjoys unparalleled advantages in this place."
Feeling the Fallen Heart Flame rapidly replenish its strength, Lin Yuan nodded in satisfaction before opening the storage compartment of the Demon Puppet and retrieving the infant Fallen Heart Flame within.
Looking at the tiny flame that had yet to develop intelligence, he smiled softly.
"A power that isn't completely under my own control can never truly put me at ease. Now that we've left the magma sea, it's time to deal with you properly."
Against Lin Yuan, this infant Heavenly Flame had absolutely no means of resisting.
It didn't take much effort before he completely subdued it.
Lin Yuan drew the infant Fallen Heart Flame into his Qi Sea, nourishing it with his own pure Azure Flame Dou Qi while simultaneously using it to temper his Dou Qi.
Although the infant flame was far weaker than the mature Fallen Heart Flame, its essence was still that of a Heavenly Flame.
The difference between the two lay primarily in the amount of power they could unleash, not in the quality of that power. Both were equally effective at tempering Dou Qi.
After finishing everything, Lin Yuan left a puppet behind to stand guard before leisurely making his way out of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
After leaving the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, Lin Yuan found the Great Elder Su Qian leisurely relaxing at his residence.
"What? A Dou Ancestor-level puppet?"
Completely ignoring the tea spilling from his cup, Su Qian stared at Lin Yuan in utter shock.
Smiling faintly, Lin Yuan handed him the bamboo scroll recording the Heaven Demon Puppet Art.
"This is the puppet-making technique I obtained from Demon Flame Valley. While cultivating beneath the tower this time, I gave it a try and fortunately succeeded in refining three puppets."
Taking a deep breath, Su Qian calmed himself before carefully reading through the bamboo scroll.
A while later, he closed it and returned it to Lin Yuan, his expression filled with emotion.
"I never expected Old Ghost Earth Demon to possess such a technique. No wonder an Ice Attribute cultivator like him was researching the Flame Manipulation Technique. It turns out he was trying to refine these Heaven Demon Puppets. That old bastard deserved to die."
At that moment, Su Qian couldn't help feeling fortunate.
With such a puppet refinement technique capable of mass-producing powerful combatants, Demon Flame Valley would have posed an even greater threat to Jia Nan Academy.
Fortunately, everything that had belonged to Old Ghost Earth Demon and Demon Flame Valley had now become Lin Yuan's and by extension, Jia Nan Academy's.
At this moment, only one word could describe Su Qian's feelings.
Satisfied.
After a brief pause, Lin Yuan said,"Of the three puppets, let's leave two with the academy. One can guard the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, while the other can serve as Zi Yan's toy for the time being."
"Zi Yan..."
The moment her name was mentioned, Su Qian rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"When you get back, make sure you discipline that girl. She's been unbelievably mischievous lately. She beat nearly everyone on the Strong Ranking, then declared that the winner takes everything, forcing everyone into gambling matches where the loser hands over all their possessions. With her strength, isn't that basically robbery? Wait a moment."
Su Qian suddenly looked at Lin Yuan with a meaningful gaze.
"I remember she wasn't like this before. Now then. who exactly taught her all these things?"
Faced with Su Qian's scrutinizing stare, even Lin Yuan felt somewhat uneasy.
He hurriedly waved his hands.
"It wasn't me. I didn't. I have no idea. Alright maybe, perhaps, she was influenced by me a tiny little bit. My style while traveling well it's rather kingly."
A style where everything under heaven belonged to the King.
Although he initially wanted to deny it, Su Qian's stern gaze eventually forced him to honestly admit it.
"So it really was you."
Helplessness flashed across Su Qian's eyes before he asked seriously,
"I've received reports that the hegemonic factions of the Luo Yan Empire, Luo Huang Empire, and Heaven Dou Empire in the Northwestern Region were all destroyed. That was your doing, wasn't it, Lin Yuan?"
No one understood better than Su Qian just how many medicinal ingredients Zi Yan required for her advancement.
Under normal circumstances, there was no way she could have advanced by nearly an entire realm in little more than a year simply through ordinary treasure hunting.
Combined with Zi Yan's increasingly domineering style, the high-grade materials needed to refine Heaven Demon Puppets, including Dou Ancestor corpses, seventh-tier Monster Cores, and Dou Ancestor souls as well as the destruction of the dominant factions of several empires, the truth was not difficult to deduce.
Having witnessed the interactions between Lin Yuan, the Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan firsthand, Su Qian also knew that Lin Yuan was the true decision-maker of their group.
Scratching his head awkwardly, Lin Yuan admitted frankly, "I'm sorry, Great Elder. I was indeed responsible."
Receiving confirmation, Su Qian sighed inwardly.
He had always believed Lin Yuan to be the most steady and reliable among the younger generation.
Now, however, it seemed his methods were far more aggressive than Su Qian had imagined.
"You used false identities, so the academy's reputation wasn't implicated. I'm not blaming you."
He waved his hand before speaking earnestly.
"I only wish to remind you that once you arrive in the Central Plains, you absolutely must not continue acting so freely."
"Here in the Northwestern Region, your group possesses nearly overwhelming strength, so many unspoken rules and tacit understandings can naturally be ignored."
"But the Central Plains are different. Experts are everywhere, and the relationships between factions are extremely intricate. Hierarchies of subordinate and affiliated forces exist throughout the region."
"Take the Eastern Region of the Central Plains, for example. Nearly every large and small faction there is affiliated with the Gu Clan."
"And major factions care deeply about their reputation. It's extremely common for the older generation to appear after the younger generation has been defeated."
"All of you possess extraordinary talent and are destined to become renowned experts across the continent. Don't be impatient, and don't lose sight of the greater picture over minor gains."
After hearing Su Qian's advice, Lin Yuan sincerely cupped his fists.
"I've been taught well, Great Elder."
Su Qian nodded before taking out a scroll from his Storage Ring and handing it over.
"Boy Lin, here. This contains the information you previously asked me to gather about the Fire Gathering Pot, including its method of construction."
"Thank you."
Lin Yuan accepted the scroll and briefly examined it.
After a moment, he arrived at a conclusion.
"The materials are rare, but I already have them all. The refinement process itself isn't particularly difficult."
Putting away the scroll, Lin Yuan became serious once more.
"Great Elder, how effective is the Fallen Heart Flame Seed? Is it sufficient to maintain the operation of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower?"
Su Qian nodded.
"It's more than sufficient. After testing it for some time, we've confirmed that the Seed Flame can completely maintain the tower's operation. Furthermore, because it can now be controlled, several methods the academy previously developed to improve the tower's efficiency can finally be put into use."
"That's excellent."
Lin Yuan nodded happily.
Since the Seed Flame was enough to support the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, the infant Fallen Heart Flame in his possession could finally be used for several experiments he had long wished to conduct.
After chatting with the Great Elder for a while longer, Lin Yuan took his leave.
Rather than returning directly to his courtyard, he headed toward the Alchemist Hall to refine another batch of Soul Nourishing Saliva along with several other medicinal pills.
Before long, azure flames rose from within the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron, marking the beginning of Lin Yuan's pill refinement.
Three days later.
Seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion before the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron, Lin Yuan slowly opened his tightly shut eyes.
With a wave of his hand, a mass of emerald-green Soul Nourishing Saliva flew out of the cauldron and floated before him.
Flicking his finger lightly, he sent a white Storage Ring flying from his hand. A gentle force guided it into the floating Soul Nourishing Saliva.
Moments later, the life-filled spiritual liquid gradually seeped into the white Storage Ring.
As the Soul Nourishing Saliva was absorbed, the white Storage Ring began to radiate a brilliant glow, and the slumbering soul within slowly awakened.
When the final drop of Soul Nourishing Saliva merged into the ring, the grateful voice of the Venerable Tian Huo echoed from within.
"This medicine is remarkably effective. Thank you, little friend Lin Yuan."
"You're too kind, Senior."
Stretching lazily, Lin Yuan stood up and stored the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron back into his Storage Ring.
"I naturally wouldn't go back on a promise I made. However, I do hope Senior can help me with one matter."
"Oh? What matter is that?"
While refining the medicinal effects of the Soul Nourishing Saliva, the Venerable Tian Huo asked curiously.
Smiling faintly, Lin Yuan turned toward the Medicinal Garden.
"I'd like to trouble Senior with teaching my beloved. Although her talent is exceptional, she has never had the guidance of a true master, so her foundation is somewhat lacking."
The person he was referring to was naturally the Little Fairy Doctor.
The Little Fairy Doctor had only been cultivating seriously for a relatively short time.
Although she possessed considerable natural talent in combat, her techniques still lacked refinement and a systematic foundation.
Since the Venerable Tian Huo had created the Heavenly Capital Fire Seal, it was clear that the friend he had mentioned had successfully cultivated the Woeful Poison Body to its peak. As such, he undoubtedly possessed considerable knowledge regarding the development of the Woeful Poison Body, along with techniques and combat methods best suited for it.
Furthermore, his attainments in both fire control and spatial techniques were exceptionally profound.
With the Venerable Tian Huo personally guiding her, the Little Fairy Doctor could rapidly improve, whether in controlling the Netherworld Poison Flame, mastering the Woeful Poison Body, or learning advanced applications of spatial power.
Only under the guidance of a true master could the terrifying potential she possessed be transformed into combat strength as quickly and completely as possible.
There was another reason as well.
Lin Yuan carried far too many secrets. It was not appropriate for the Venerable Tian Huo to learn them all, nor would it be convenient to keep him by his side at all times.
"Teach your beloved?"
The Venerable Tian Huo looked at Lin Yuan with an amused expression before replying calmly,
"No problem. This old man can certainly agree to that."
For the Venerable Tian Huo, building a good relationship with the people around Lin Yuan was hardly a bad choice.
At the very least, it would allow him to understand Lin Yuan more clearly.
At present, Lin Yuan was like an impenetrable fog in his eyes. Although he had yet to break through to the Dou Ancestor realm, the unfathomable aura surrounding him made it impossible to regard him as an ordinary junior.
"Then I have my thanks, Senior."
Smiling faintly, Lin Yuan stored away the snow-white Storage Ring before making his way toward his own courtyard.
Medicinal Garden
Within the tranquil courtyard, a faint floral fragrance lingered in the air.
The Little Fairy Doctor sat quietly on a bamboo chair, her delicate hands gently turning the pages of a medical text.
On the stone table before her, wisps of steam slowly rose from a cup of freshly brewed tea.
The sunlight fell gently upon her silky snow-white hair, giving her an ethereal beauty untouched by the mortal world.
At a certain moment, the Little Fairy Doctor closed her book and glanced toward the courtyard entrance.
A gentle smile slowly appeared on her lips.
About ten seconds later, Lin Yuan's figure appeared at the doorway.
The instant he stepped inside, he saw the Little Fairy Doctor quietly watching him with a warm smile.
His mood immediately became lighter.
"You're back."
Her voice resembled the clear waters of a mountain spring fresh, soothing, and carrying a trace of delight.
"Mm, I'm back."
Lin Yuan nodded before walking over and sitting beside her.
"You've advanced another star. Is your body, along with the seal you placed on yourself, still alright?"
Ever since the death of Old Ghost Earth Demon and the Little Fairy Doctor had entered secluded cultivation, the two of them had not seen each other for an entire month.
During that single month, her cultivation had risen from the late three-star Dou Ancestor level to the middle four-star Dou Ancestor level.
Setting down her medical text, the Little Fairy Doctor gently poured him a cup of tea as she replied warmly,
"It's fine. Everything has stabilized now. The next outbreak of the Woeful Poison Body should occur in about six months. I'll try to improve the seal I've placed on it and buy us as much additional time as possible."
"The Poison Body, the Woeful Poison Body? Are you talking about the Woeful Poison Body?"
An aged voice suddenly echoed throughout the courtyard.
"Who's there?"
The Little Fairy Doctor instantly stood up.
Her expression turned sharp as her vigilant eyes swept across every corner of the courtyard.
"Don't be nervous."
Lin Yuan gently patted her shoulder.
"He's going to be one of our companions from now on. I was just about to introduce him to you. Please come out, Senior Yao. This is the Little Fairy Doctor, the person I hope you'll personally guide."
Hearing Lin Yuan's explanation, although the Little Fairy Doctor was still somewhat puzzled, she immediately relaxed.
At the same moment, a powerful surge of Spiritual Strength flowed out of the snow-white Storage Ring.
The Venerable Tian Huo's soul body, now far more solid than before, gradually condensed before the two of them.
Standing between them, Lin Yuan introduced them.
"Allow me to make introductions."
"Little Fairy Doctor, this is Senior Venerable Tian Huo, a senior worthy of the highest respect."
"Senior Yao, this is the Little Fairy Doctor, my beloved and someone completely worthy of trust."
With Lin Yuan acting as the bridge between them, the two quickly established a foundation of mutual trust.
After becoming slightly more familiar with one another, the Venerable Tian Huo carefully observed the Little Fairy Doctor for quite some time before sighing.
"I truly never expected it. To encounter a second fully matured Woeful Poison Body in this lifetime..."
"This truly is a remarkable twist of fate."
"A second one?"
Surprise flashed across the Little Fairy Doctor's beautiful eyes.
"Senior Yao, have you encountered another Woeful Poison Body before?"
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