Agreement and Seclusion

Fallen Heart Flame twisted and struggled unwillingly above Xiao Chen's palm. The transparent flames scorched the air with sizzling sounds, and the violent energy born of a natural treasure kept the entire Inner Academy plaza at a sweltering temperature. Every student felt parched, their minds unsettled.

Yet this terrifying flame, capable of destroying an entire region, was like a trapped beast in a cage beneath Xiao Chen's seemingly casual control. No matter how it roared, it could not break free of those invisible spatial shackles.

As Grand Elder Su Qian watched this scene, the last trace of hope in his heart completely vanished. He took a deep breath, seeming to age several years in an instant, but his eyes regained the clarity and decisiveness of the man at the helm of the Inner Academy.

He raised a hand to stop the elders behind him, who were still somewhat indignant, then cupped his hands toward Xiao Chen atop the tower. His voice was slightly hoarse, yet exceptionally clear. "Your Excellency Xiao Chen... your abilities are peerless. Su admires you. What you said... is indeed reasonable. Keeping Fallen Heart Flame sealed will ultimately remain a disaster. Since Your Younger Brother is fated to subdue it, can resolve our academy's crisis, and is even offering the 'Earth Core Flame Jade Marrow' to preserve our foundation... Jia Nan Academy agrees."

The moment those words fell, another low murmur swept through the crowd below. This time, however, there was far less questioning. Before absolute strength and a practical solution, all unwillingness could only turn into acceptance.

Xiao Chen nodded slightly, satisfied with Su Qian's good sense. With a flick of his finger, the Earth Core Flame Jade Marrow, radiating gentle yet vast energy, turned into a streak of light and flew toward Su Qian.

"Grand Elder Su Qian is a reasonable man. I leave this item to your academy. How it is arranged is for you all to decide."

Su Qian hurriedly received it with care. Feeling the incomparably pure fire-attributed energy within, the last of his misgivings mostly dissipated. With this item, the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower would not only endure—it might even rise to greater heights.

"As for Fallen Heart Flame," Xiao Chen said, shifting his gaze to the still-raging flame in his hand, "I will personally protect Brother Yan while he devours and fuses with it. There may be some disturbance during the process. I will need your academy to provide a secluded location and restrain the students from approaching."

"Of course!" Su Qian promptly agreed. "There is an abandoned Heaven Burning Qi Refining Platform in the back mountains of the Inner Academy. It was originally a place for attempting to guide Fallen Heart Flame's energy, and powerful barriers surround it. It could not be more suitable! This old man will personally lead people to seal off the area. No one will be allowed to disturb you!"

"Much appreciated." Xiao Chen nodded.

With the agreement reached, Xiao Chen did not linger. One hand held the struggling Fallen Heart Flame aloft, while the other gripped Xiao Yan's shoulder.

Spatial Fluctuations rippled out once more, and the two vanished from the top of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower in an instant. In the next moment, they appeared in a desolate valley deep within the Inner Academy. At the center of the valley stood a massive stone platform covered in ancient runes—the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Platform Su Qian had mentioned.

Xiao Chen placed Fallen Heart Flame above the stone platform. Forming seals with both hands, he sent streak after streak of Chaos-colored light into the surrounding void. At once, the space throughout the valley was completely sealed and reinforced. A visible transparent barrier descended, utterly isolating the inside from the outside. Even a Dou Zun would have to spend considerable effort to spy on or force their way in.

"Good. I have set up a spatial barrier here. No one can interfere." Xiao Chen looked toward Xiao Yan, whose solemn expression carried a hint of excitement. "Brother Yan, how is your preparation?"

Xiao Yan nodded heavily, his eyes incomparably resolute. "Brother, I'm ready!" He had waited far too long for this day. Now that his brother would personally protect him, he had no more worries.

"Sit cross-legged at the center of the Qi Refining Platform. Focus your mind, calm your breathing, and circulate the Fen Jue. I will gradually loosen my suppression over Fallen Heart Flame and guide its source flame into your body. The process will be extremely painful. Remember, guard your mind closely and guide the Heavenly Flame along the Fen Jue's circulation path. You must not let its violent consciousness devour you!" Xiao Chen warned solemnly.

"I understand!" Xiao Yan no longer hesitated. He leaped down onto the center of the stone platform and sat cross-legged, his eyes tightly shut. The Fen Jue within his body slowly began to circulate. The auras of Green Lotus Core Flame and Bone Spirit Cold Flame, borrowed through Yao Lao's power, faintly emerged as he prepared to welcome his new companion—or rather, prey.

Yao Lao's phantom also appeared, hovering above Xiao Yan's head. Soul Power spread outward as he prepared to deal with any mishap at any moment.

Seeing this, Xiao Chen hesitated no longer. He held two fingers together like a sword and lightly tapped Fallen Heart Flame, which was bound by the Power of Space.

Sizzle!

A tiny opening appeared in the Space Imprisonment.

Roar—!

Like a volcano that had been suppressed for countless years finally finding an outlet, Fallen Heart Flame released a roar woven from wild joy and fury. The transparent fire python's true body abruptly expanded, and towering flames swept toward the seated Xiao Yan like a tidal wave! The valley's temperature instantly rose to a terrifying level, and even space began to warp and melt!

The devouring and fusion had officially begun!

Xiao Chen stood in the air with his hands behind his back, his sharp gaze fixed tightly upon the figure swallowed by endless transparent flames. His Soul Power was like the most precise radar, monitoring every minute change within Xiao Yan's body, ready to intervene at any time.

He knew this was a trial Xiao Yan had to endure, as well as the crucial step in his transformation into a dragon.

Outside the valley, Su Qian personally stood guard with several elders. Feeling the terrifying energy fluctuations coming from within the barrier, still heart-palpitating despite being weakened, all of their expressions turned grave.

"I hope... everything goes smoothly." Su Qian murmured.

The attention of all Jia Nan Academy seemed to be focused on this sealed valley in the back mountains. Everyone knew that when Xiao Yan emerged again, his strength would undergo earth-shaking changes.

And at the very same time Xiao Yan was in seclusion, devouring the Heavenly Flame while Xiao Chen protected him with all his strength—

Wutan City, Xiao Sect.

A beautiful figure dressed in a seven-colored gown, with a bewitching beauty that could topple kingdoms and an incomparably graceful figure, yet exuding a frosty aura that kept strangers away, arrived outside the gates of Xiao Sect surrounded by a group of Snake People Race experts.

Queen Medusa had arrived as promised.

She lifted those soul-stealing purple eyes and looked at the plaque above the residence gates, whose bearing had already changed. Her red lips parted, and her cool voice carried an almost imperceptible tremor.

"Report this: Medusa of the Snake People Race has come as agreed."