The Deal Is Complete, Leaving Jia Nan Academy

For the first three days, although Two Elders Qian Bai and Grand Elder Su Qian were somewhat anxious, they were still able to wait patiently.

But by the seventh day, they could no longer hold back.

Just as Two Elders Qian Bai and Grand Elder Su Qian were hesitating over whether to enter the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower to investigate, Ao Qing emerged from the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower with Heavenly Flame Venerable.

Upon seeing Ao Qing, Two Elders Qian Bai finally relaxed.

It was not that they feared Ao Qing would break his word and flee after taking the Fallen Heart Flame. First, there was Zi Yan's connection, and second, there was simply no need—Ao Qing had the strength to seize it outright if he wished.

They merely found it unusual that Ao Qing had entered for seven days without coming out.

"Two Elders Qian Bai, Grand Elder Su Qian, it's only been a few days. Why are you still guarding this place? Don't tell me you were afraid that I, Ao Qing, would take the Heavenly Flame and run?"

Hearing Ao Qing's teasing, Two Elders Qian Bai and Grand Elder Su Qian were not angered. Instead, they found him rather approachable. Moreover, now that Ao Qing had finally emerged, their hearts settled.

"Saint Ao Qing, what are you saying? If you wanted the Fallen Heart Flame, all you had to do was tell us. You would not even need those terms of trade you mentioned. Even if Jia Nan Academy had ten times the courage, we would not dare refuse you, would we?"

Two Elders Qian Bai's words made Ao Qing feel that helping Jia Nan Academy produce a Dou Zun had been well worth it.

After all, Jia Nan Academy was where Zi Yan had spent several years. If possible, having a Dou Zun as its guardian would be quite good—at the very least, it was a good choice for Zi Yan, the princess of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan who shared his plight.

"I, Ao Qing, am not some villain. I would not stoop to forcibly taking Jia Nan Academy's Heavenly Flame. Besides, this is the place where Zi Yan has stayed for many years.

I will fulfill what I promised. I will make the originally violent Fallen Heart Flame as gentle as this one, and I will also give you a Dou Zun."

"Then Jia Nan Academy thanks Saint Ao Qing."

"Ao Qing-gege, why did you take so many days to come out? Could it be... hehehe."

Zi Yan also ran over to Ao Qing's side at this moment and asked mischievously.

Ao Qing rubbed Zi Yan's head with one hand, not answering her directly, while holding the infant Fallen Heart Flame in his other hand.

"Look, Zi Yan. This is why I took so many days to come out."

Zi Yan did not know much about Heavenly Flames. She only thought this one looked rather cute and delicate.

However, Two Elders Qian Bai and Grand Elder Su Qian beside her were utterly shocked.

At first, they had thought Ao Qing intended to absorb half the source essence of the previously violent Fallen Heart Flame, or erase its intelligence.

But now, if they were not mistaken, this was a complete Fallen Heart Flame. Though much weaker than the previous one, it possessed a certain degree of intelligence and had intact source essence.

In other words, this was an entirely new Heavenly Flame!

They did not think Ao Qing had known from the beginning that two Fallen Heart Flames existed deep within the underground magma. Ao Qing had never visited Jia Nan Academy before this.

Now, Two Elders Qian Bai and Grand Elder Su Qian could only sigh at Ao Qing's extraordinary luck.

"Two Elders Qian Bai, Grand Elder Su Qian, this is the first part of our trade: a gentle, controllable Fallen Heart Flame."

After speaking, Ao Qing handed the Heavenly Flame to Two Elders Qian Bai.

Upon receiving the Heavenly Flame from Ao Qing, Two Elders Qian Bai and the others grew even more excited, especially Grand Elder Su Qian. For all these years, whenever the Fallen Heart Flame within the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower erupted, Grand Elder Su Qian had needed to lead the academy's experts in suppressing it.

But now that they had this gentle Fallen Heart Flame, they would no longer have to work so painstakingly to suppress the Heavenly Flame as they had in the past.

Seeing Grand Elder Su Qian so happy, Zi Yan also felt a little puzzled. She did not know why, but if the Grand Elder was happy, then she was happy too.

Watching the scene before him, Ao Qing could not help feeling moved. Zi Yan truly was a child who put people at ease.

In truth, this time Ao Qing had not merely helped Jia Nan Academy resolve the issue of the Fallen Heart Flame's former violence.

There was also Han Feng, whom Ao Qing had killed earlier. Without Han Feng, there would be no later incident of him gathering Gold and Silver Elders and a host of other experts to besiege Jia Nan Academy.

That could also be considered an indirect help to Jia Nan Academy.

"Two Elders Qian Bai, Grand Elder Su Qian, don't get too excited yet. There's still the second thing I promised you!

A guardian at the Dou Zun level!"

Ao Qing's words once again ignited the hearts of Grand Elder Su Qian and the others, who were already overwhelmed with excitement.

It was like an ordinary person winning a car in a lottery, then immediately winning a house as well. How could they not be excited? If Ao Qing had not said it, had anyone else said such a thing, they would have thought that person was merely joking with them.

But the one saying this was Ao Qing! A supreme expert who was highly likely to possess the strength of a Dou Saint! They had no reason to doubt that it was true.

"We thought Saint Ao Qing had merely been joking with us at the time. We never expected..."

"You never expected that I would really give you a Dou Zun, right?"

Ao Qing's smile deepened. He had already forgotten when he had become so prone to smiling, even joking around with others.

Perhaps it had begun when he sensed the differences in this world. Perhaps it had begun when he met people who stirred warmth within him. Or perhaps...

Perhaps he had never truly been a cold person. It was simply the environment of his past that had shaped him that way.

Without thinking further, Ao Qing called out directly.

"Heavenly Flame Venerable, from now on, will you remain at Jia Nan Academy and guard it well for my younger sister Zi Yan?"

Although Ao Qing's words sounded like a discussion, Heavenly Flame Venerable was no fool. He understood what Ao Qing meant. From now on, he would have to remain at Jia Nan Academy.

That was fine. He had been trapped here for so many years and was familiar with this place. Besides, how many people still remembered the name Heavenly Flame Venerable now?

"Master, Heavenly Flame is willing to remain here and guard it."

Seeing this, Two Elders Qian Bai were also taken aback.

When Ao Qing had first appeared, they had noticed Heavenly Flame Venerable. But he had not said a word, merely standing quietly behind Ao Qing. Two Elders Qian Bai had assumed that Heavenly Flame Venerable was simply a puppet summoned by Ao Qing.

So they had paid him no attention. Even little Zi Yan had chosen to ignore him outright.

Well, it had to be said that Heavenly Flame Venerable truly had little presence.

They had never expected this man to be the Dou Zun guardian Ao Qing had promised.

"Two Elders Qian Bai, Grand Elder Su Qian, this is Zhai Tianhuo. You may call him Heavenly Flame Venerable. From now on, he will be guarding your Jia Nan Academy. If anything comes up, just seek him out. I trust Heavenly Flame Venerable will not refuse.

Isn't that right, Heavenly Flame Venerable?"

Hearing Ao Qing call him, Heavenly Flame Venerable finally came back to his senses.

"Ah? Right! From now on, I'll remain at your Jia Nan Academy. If there is anything you need me to handle, just speak up. So long as I, Zhai Tianhuo, am capable of it, I will certainly do my utmost."

Although Two Elders Qian Bai were delighted inside, they kept up appearances well enough.

"Then we will have to trouble Heavenly Flame Venerable from now on. On behalf of the entire Jia Nan Academy, we thank Heavenly Flame Venerable!"

"Enough, I won't say anything more. I only hope you can get along harmoniously.

Also, I'll be taking Zi Yan away today. Zi Yan, say goodbye to Grand Elder Su Qian."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan felt conflicted. She had been at Jia Nan Academy for so many years and had long grown accustomed to every blade of grass and tree here. As for Grand Elder Su Qian, she did not know what to do. She simply stared blankly at him.

Grand Elder Su Qian's joy from earlier had also turned into an inexplicable ache.

Seeing Zi Yan at a loss, Grand Elder Su Qian still opened his mouth to comfort her.

"Zi Yan, don't overthink it. From now on, just follow your Brother Ao Qing and cultivate properly. Don't be reluctant to leave this old man. I'll always be at Jia Nan Academy. If you miss the academy in the future, you can come back and visit.

And after you leave with your Brother Ao Qing, remember to listen to him, understand?"

Zi Yan's nose stung, and tears welled in her eyes, but she still held them back and did not cry.

"Don't worry, old man. I'll listen to Brother Ao Qing. You should remember not to keep yourself too busy all alone, either. Otherwise, you won't have time to cultivate properly. Hear me?"

"Ai! This old man understands, Zi Yan. Let's go!"

Seeing Zi Yan and Grand Elder Su Qian so reluctant to part, everyone present, including Ao Qing, was somewhat moved.

Still, Ao Qing held himself back and prepared to take Zi Yan away. They had to leave sooner or later anyway. Better a short pain than a long one—best to be direct about it.

I was traveling today, and school has started, so I didn't have time to update. Sorry, everyone.