Xiao Tian heard this voice and felt the terrifying strength it carried, so he roughly guessed who it was. He flapped the wings behind him, transforming into a streak of light and quickly arriving at the location indicated by the voice.
It was the peak of a mountain, where an old man dressed in black stood.
"Grand Elder, may I ask what arrangements you have for me this late at night?"
Xiao Tian went directly before the old man, clasped his hands in a salute, and asked.
The one who had sent the message asking Xiao Tian to meet was none other than the Grand Elder of the Inner Academy, Su Qian. This was the first time Xiao Tian had seen Su Qian since entering Jia Nan Academy. He wore a simple-looking black robe, had a youthful face with white hair, and his gaunt features showed few traces of time. Overall, he appeared very amiable, but his body subtly exuded the prestige of a high-ranking individual as well as a powerful aura.
"Oh? I didn't expect my young friend to know me. It seems you are very familiar with our Inner Academy."
Su Qian heard Xiao Tian's words and looked at him in surprise. A meaningful smile played on his lips.
"Although my cultivation isn't too high, I can still vaguely sense yours. In the entire Inner Academy, only Grand Elder Su Qian possesses this level of strength."
"Haha, not bad," Su Qian laughed heartily. "My young friend is indeed a clever person. However, Xiao Tian, you should tell me — what is your true purpose in coming to the Academy? I sensed you broke through to Dou Huang, and you haven't been in our Academy for long. With your current strength, there's no need for you to continue studying here, is there?"
Su Qian's gaze was like a torch, fixed intently on Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian slightly cupped his hands and said calmly, "Grand Elder, you can rest assured. My coming to the Inner Academy this time is purely out of personal interest in some of the cultivation methods within the Academy. I harbor no ill intentions."
Su Qian heard Xiao Tian's words and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Personal interest? Your words make me curious. For you to reach this level of strength at such a young age, you must have had excellent opportunities. I really can't imagine what in our Academy could interest you."
Su Qian thought of Xiao Tian's identity as an Alchemist, and then recalled that Medicine Emperor Han Feng of the Black-Corner Region had also been investigating information about the Inner Academy's strange flames.
Xiao Tian knew that Su Qian had always been wary of the Black-Corner Region's forces due to the Heavenly Flame issue.
"Jia Nan Academy has been established for a long time. After years of accumulation, its foundation is profound. I believe it possesses many mysterious and unique aspects unknown to others, and these are all things I need to learn. Grand Elder should also know that I am from Pure Heaven Divine palace, and Jia Nan Academy has always been a neutral force in the Black-Corner Region. Although it appears glorious on the surface, due to its independence and certain matters, it faces numerous challenges. If it had an ally, it would have an extra source of help when facing external enemies."
Su Qian listened to Xiao Tian's words, his eyes slightly narrowed, a hint of scrutiny in his gaze. "My young friend's words are sincere, but how can I trust you all?"
"Since Grand Elder has investigated my connection to Pure Heaven Divine palace, then you must have also investigated everything about Pure Heaven Divine palace. Based on Pure Heaven Divine palace's current actions, you should be able to understand its original intentions. Grand Elder need not make a decision so early. We can first engage in some other short-term cooperation, which will allow us to understand each other before discussing anything else."
Su Qian's gaze sharpened, and he pondered silently, recalling everything he had investigated about Pure Heaven Divine palace. He believed half of it in his heart. More importantly, Xiao Tian's strength startled him. To be a Dou Huang at such a young age meant that as long as he didn't fall, becoming a Dou Zun was a certainty. A hint of surprise flashed in Su Qian's eyes, but his expression remained calm.
"It seems my young friend holds a very high position in Pure Heaven Divine palace. I have felt your sincerity, and I, Su Qian, am not an unreasonable person. I will arrange for this matter to be handled."
Xiao Tian's face showed a faint smile. "My identity will naturally become clear to Grand Elder in the future, but for now, I am merely a student of the Inner Academy. Since that is the case, I will await Grand Elder's news."
Xiao Tian respectfully bowed to him, then spread his wings and left.
Su Qian watched Xiao Tian's retreating figure and fell into deep thought. He knew that cooperating with Pure Heaven Divine palace might bring new opportunities to the Academy, but it could also bring other crises. For the sake of the Academy, he had to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
"Why do I feel that this little fellow's intentions aren't so simple?"
If Xiao Tian had heard Su Qian's words, he would definitely have said, "You're a good judge of character. I came here precisely so that Pure Heaven Divine palace would have fresh blood in the future."
…
"Xiao Tian flew all the way back to his room, then entered the Eternal Dream Realm (Now it is called Pure Heaven Divine Realm. As he broke through to Thought to Dou Huang and shared it with all the people of the realm, they changed the name to Pure Heaven Divine Realm, as planned). Entering Yun Yun's room, she was cultivating on the central jade platform, her figure graceful, her beautiful hair cascading like a waterfall, shimmering with a smooth luster. Her skin was as fair as snow, radiating a soft glow under the illumination of the world's energy. Xiao Tian chose not to disturb her and instead quietly admired her stunning beauty.
He went to her bathroom, poured the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid and medicinal powder into the bathtub, and the water turned green.
"What are you doing?"
A gentle and soft voice, carrying a hint of doubt, sounded behind Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian was naturally very familiar with this voice. "Yun'er, this is the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid I prepared for you."
Xiao Tian pulled Yun Yun over, briefly explained its effects, and then exaggeratedly described the hardships of acquiring it. This was the art of packaging. Even if you bought something from a discount store, you still had to present it as if you had personally worked hard to acquire it, giving it value.
Hearing Xiao Tian's words, and then looking at the green bathtub, Yun Yun, full of emotion, threw herself into Xiao Tian's arms and offered him a kiss. After the deep kiss ended, Yun Yun's eyes overflowed with deep affection, enough to make Xiao Tian feel as if he were melting.
"You should go and absorb this first."
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
Yun Yun nodded, then pulled her sash. Her long dress fell away, revealing her ivory-white skin. She walked with elegant and charming steps slowly into the bathtub. Xiao Tian watched, his eyes dry and his tongue parched. An unknown fire burned fiercely within him, which he forcibly suppressed.
As time passed, Yun Yun's aura continuously grew stronger. Xiao Tian also felt that her flesh and meridians were several times more powerful than before, and her skin became even firmer and more lustrous. Then, as the last wisp of the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid's energy was absorbed, Yun Yun stood up from the water and slowly opened her eyes.
The sight before him nearly blinded Xiao Tian.
Yun Yun's eyes met Xiao Tian's fervent gaze, and a fiery connection sparked between them. Xiao Tian's body trembled, and then he flashed over.
Late into the night, the water's surface continuously rippled with waves — sometimes large, sometimes small, rising and falling erratically.
…
"Yun'er, someone from Jia Nan Academy will be contacting our Pure Heaven Divine Palace soon. You can have Big Brother arrange the specific matters."
Xiao Tian embraced Yun Yun's soft and boneless, delicate body, speaking gently.
"Mm, I'll have Big Brother arrange it tomorrow."
Yun Yun said, her face flushed, nestled in Xiao Tian's arms.
"Mm, I'll also arrange for it to be handled properly. I know your plan — you want Jia Nan Academy to provide us with fresh blood."
"Yun'er truly understands me! I'm very relieved to leave the Pure Heaven Divine Palace to you all, haha."
Xiao Tian said with a laugh, stroking Yun Yun's hair.