Great Elder, it is at its weakest right now. You all form the formation. We shall handle the attack!" Xiao Tian shouted to the Great Elder.
The Great Elder's command rang out to the surrounding Elders. "Form the Thousand Layer Seal Array!"
At Su Qian's order, the Elders' hands blurred through a rapid sequence of seals. The Fire Python sensed the shift in energy immediately. It abandoned its frantic absorption of magma and lunged toward the still-forming seal.
But before it could reach its target, a water dragon slammed into it and sent it reeling back.
The beast whipped its head around, its serpentine eyes blazing with hatred at Wen Yan, who had interrupted it. That man had thwarted it again and again. The worst of its wounds had come from his hand.
As Su Qian and the Elders completed their final seals, a net of multicolored energy materialized above the Fallen Heart Flame. The net descended, draping over the creature, and began to constrict.
The Fallen Heart Flame had only just escaped the underground magma world that had imprisoned it for so long. It had no intention of being dragged back. It gathered every shred of its power and hurled itself against the shrinking net.
Medusa, Wen Yan, and Jin Mo struck without pause, their attacks hammering into the Fire Python, breaking its momentum, disrupting its desperate assault.
Xiao Tian was not idle either. He turned and shouted toward Xiao Yan, who stood waiting not far away. "Xiao Yan Zi, get ready! The rest is up to you!"
"No problem, Brother Tian! I'm ready!" Xiao Yan licked his dry lips. His eyes blazed with excitement and fervor.
"Three Thousand Burning Flame." A dark purple flame bloomed in Xiao Tian's hand. With a sweep of his arm, the flame twisted and swelled, shaping itself into a serpent that lunged straight for the Fire Python.
The Fire Python's serpentine pupils constricted at the sight of the oncoming dragon. An involuntary, primal fear rose from deep within it. But its desire for freedom swallowed that fear whole. It turned, its maw gaping, and loosed a thunderous roar at the dragon.
The dragon's jaws opened wide and clamped down on the Fire Python. Flames exploded outward from their clash. The three Dou Zongs never ceased their relentless attacks. The energy net continued to tighten, and the weakened Fire Python let out one final, earth-shaking roar. Its body was drawn, inch by inch, back toward the deep pit that led into the underground world.
"Xiao Yan Zi, now!" Xiao Tian shouted. Xiao Yan, already poised for this exact moment, plunged straight into the abyss.
Xiao Tian flicked his hand. Two streaks of light—one red, one white—shot after Xiao Yan's descending form, vanishing together into the pit. The white streak even seemed to emit soft, whimpering sounds.
"No! Why did Xiao Yan jump into the pit? Is he sacrificing himself to save the Academy?"
"He's so brave! Giving his life to protect the Academy—I'm going to cry myself to death!"
"What did Xiao Tian throw in at the end? Did that vaguely look like a person?"
The onlookers stared, utterly bewildered, trying to piece together Xiao Yan's and Xiao Tian's actions along with their earlier, fragmented conversation. Confusion and question marks filled every mind.
In the next moment, the mouth of the cave was sealed over by a layer of multicolored light. Xiao Tian swept his hand once more, layering a Heavenly Flame seal atop the barrier. His flame was clearly of a far higher grade. Even if the Fallen Heart Flame were at its peak, it would have found this seal difficult. In its current, half-crippled state, escape was impossible.
"Young friend Xiao Tian… this was your solution? Will Xiao Yan truly be alright down there?" Su Qian came to Xiao Tian's side, his brow furrowed. He hadn't expected the plan to unfold like this.
"Great Elder, have no fear. He will be fine. Rest assured, the Academy's hidden danger will be resolved very soon." Xiao Tian patted his chest, his voice brimming with unwavering confidence.
In the original story, Xiao Yan had dealt with the Fire Python when it was nearly at full strength—and he had come through without incident. Now the beast was weakened to the point of half-death. Moreover, Xiao Tian had made preparations for him that covered every possible contingency.
"Xiao Tian, numerous powerful auras are approaching swiftly from outside the Academy." Xiao Yi Xian's voice, hidden within the void all this time, suddenly transmitted into Xiao Tian's soul.
Xiao Tian gave an almost imperceptible nod and turned to the Great Elder. "Great Elder, what is the current state of the Elders?"
Su Qian was momentarily taken aback by the abrupt question. Then understanding dawned. "You mean… Han Feng, from the Black-Corner Region. He is coming?"
He swept his gaze over the Inner Academy Elders scattered around them. Most were panting heavily, their Dou Qi severely drained after forming the sealing array. "Right now, the only ones who can still fight are myself, Hu Gan, and the Outer Courtyard Elder who was called in to reinforce the Inner Academy."
Su Qian's eyes flicked toward Medusa and the other two. The three had also expended energy, but it was nothing significant. At this very moment, all three had completely concealed their auras. This was Xiao Tian's hidden strategy. If the forces waiting here appeared too strong, Han Feng might simply flee. And if he didn't come, tracking down those spectral parasites from the Hall of Souls would become far more difficult.
In the end, Su Qian's gaze settled on Xiao Tian. He patted Xiao Tian's shoulder and lowered his voice. "Then… it will all depend on you."
"No problem. Leave it to us. But don't forget what you promised." Xiao Tian raised an eyebrow, accepting the task without hesitation—and pointedly reminding Su Qian.
"Ahem. Do you not trust my character? I will not forget what I promised you." Su Qian straightened, his expression one of absolute righteousness and integrity.
"Zi Yan told me that Old Su's words are the least trustworthy. He's always tricking her into searching for medicinal ingredients and doing hard labor, and she never gets anything in return," Xiao Tian said, fixing Su Qian with a deeply meaningful look.
Su Qian's hand, which had been stroking his beard, froze mid-motion. An awkward expression crept across his face. Had his own little cotton-padded jacket—the one he had raised like a granddaughter—sprung a leak? The longer he looked at Xiao Tian, the more he felt his own hair must be yellow. And yet, this yellow-haired brat was somehow growing on him.
"That is simply not true. How could I ever do such a thing? She must have been talking nonsense to scam food from you. You mustn't believe a word of it. I will, of course, fulfill what I have promised." Su Qian stood ramrod straight, radiating an impenetrable aura of honor and fairness.
It was at that precise moment that a light, mocking laugh drifted through the air.
"Heh heh. I never imagined that Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy was hiding a Heavenly Flame. Great Elder Su Qian, you truly know how to keep a secret! Had I, Han, not been particularly sensitive to Heavenly Flames, you might have fooled me entirely."
As the voice faded, roughly ten figures materialized against the clear sky. At their head stood an exceedingly handsome man. Behind him were gathered several middle-aged men and elders, their auras thick with killing intent and the stench of blood.
In the grip of one of those men dangled a figure wearing the badge of a Jia Nan Academy Outer Courtyard Elder. At a silent signal from the leader, the man hurled the captured Elder toward Su Qian.
Su Qian lunged forward and caught him. He lifted his gaze to the leading figure in the Alchemist's robe, standing high above. His eyes narrowed. And a voice, cold as winter steel, slowly emerged from his lips.