Journey to the Inner Court

The sun hung high overhead, and a waterfall flowed endlessly through the lush forest.

Yet despite the blazing sunlight, a layer of white frost hung from the trees, and a sheet of ice had formed across the river's surface.

The source of it all was a burning flame. It was crimson-red, with an Azure Halo coiling around its exterior, giving the entire flame a dark and mysterious air.

The flame rested in a slender, jade-like hand. Liu Xi stared at the burning Crimson Flame in his palm with delight. Its power had completely exceeded his expectations!

This flame was the natal Beast Fire of the Fifth-order Magical Beast, the Crimson Flame Mad Lion. After returning from the Scripture Library, Liu Xi had spent one hundred thousand Gold Coin to purchase it through Elder Huo's connections.

A Fifth-order Magical Beast was already comparable to a human Dou Wang. Hunting a Magical Beast above the fifth order for its natal Beast Fire was no easy task.

Only an established alchemist like Elder Huo could accumulate enough connections to accomplish such a thing. Liu Xi did not yet have that kind of influence.

Thus, Liu Xi owed Elder Huo another great favor. He still remembered how, after obtaining the Crimson Flame Mad Lion's flame, he had gratefully thanked Elder Huo. Elder Huo had merely laughed it off, patted him on the shoulder, and reminded him to diligently study alchemy after entering the Inner Court and never grow complacent.

The Azure Halo winding around the flame came from the Earth Tier Cultivation Method he cultivated, the Nine Nether Spirit Flame Art.

Ever since Liu Xi had converted all the Dou Qi cultivated through his former Xuan Rank Cultivation Method, Heavenly Fire Refining, into the Dou Qi of the Earth Tier Nine Nether Spirit Flame Art, the quality of his Dou Qi had undergone a qualitative leap. Not only had he broken through to become a Five-Star Dou Grandmaster in one stroke, but an Azure Halo now also coiled around his diamond-shaped Dou Crystal.

Because of that Azure Halo, all heat in the area around Liu Xi was now plundered by his body and ultimately flowed into the Fire Attribute Dou Qi within his Dou Crystal, strengthening its power.

Since Liu Xi himself was the source of that plundering, he naturally felt warm all over. In contrast, the temperature around him was extremely low, revealing just how tyrannical an Earth Tier Cultivation Method could be.

After Liu Xi obtained the Crimson Flame Mad Lion's natal Beast Fire and used the Pill Fire Technique to completely subdue it, he activated the Crimson Flame Mad Lion's flame with the Dou Qi of the Nine Nether Spirit Flame Art. That was how this crimson-red flame, wreathed in an Azure Halo, appeared in his hand.

The power of Crimson Flame far exceeded Liu Xi's expectations. By his estimate, it now possessed the might of a Sixth-order Magical Beast's natal flame.

Crimson Flame first tyrannically plundered all the surrounding heat, then replenished itself with it, greatly increasing the flame's own power.

The result before Liu Xi's eyes was this scene: with the Crimson Flame in his hand as the source, the river's surface had frozen into a sheet of ice, while frost had spread from where he stood all the way to the nearby trees.

Feeling the temperature emitted by Crimson Flame in his palm rise continuously until it reached a limit, Liu Xi said with slight disappointment, "So there's still a limit!"

Liu Xi quickly recovered and said with a self-deprecating laugh, "I was being too optimistic. It's only a fifth-order Beast Fire. Having this much power is already enough."

He then used the Pill Fire Technique to transform the Crimson Flame in his hand into a lion—the Fifth-order Magical Beast, the Crimson Flame Mad Lion. In Liu Xi's perception, this form could bring Crimson Flame's power to its utmost limit.

Liu Xi tossed the palm-sized Crimson Flame Mad Lion toward the river. It swelled rapidly in the wind, its body instantly growing to five meters long. After a silent roar, its energy erupted.

Boom~

Terrifyingly scorching energy exploded outward in a ring. The ice covering the river shattered inch by inch, while the fearsome shockwave created by the blast sprayed in every direction.

Seeing this, Liu Xi hurriedly circulated his Dou Qi to protect himself. Only after the first wave of air had passed did he lower the arm shielding his eyes and look toward the center of the explosion.

The original ice sheet had completely shattered, while a massive crater had formed at the center of the explosion. Thick smoke billowed above it.

Liu Xi quickly stepped forward to the riverbank. Looking at the destruction caused by Crimson Flame, he said in delight, "Heh, this power is practically on par with an Earth Tier Dou Skill! Even without using Illusion Technique, I can now defeat Wang Shan and the others in a direct confrontation."

The Vice Principal said we'll be heading to the Inner Court tomorrow. With Fallen Heart Flame's help, my cultivation speed can improve greatly. In another two years, I should be able to consider making plans for Heavenly Flames. Fallen Heart Flame... forget it. If those Inner Court elders found out I dared to set my sights on Fallen Heart Flame, they'd probably tear me apart. It's more practical to look for the Green Lotus Core Flame beneath the Snake-people Desert instead, Liu Xi thought.

At that moment, accompanied by the sound of rushing water, the flow from upstream not only filled the blasted crater but also carried away the muddy water. The river became clear again, allowing Liu Xi to see his reflection on its surface.

A slender figure dressed in white stood by the river with his hands clasped behind his back. His glossy black hair drifted in the wind, and he had sword-like brows, starry eyes, red lips, and white teeth. His appearance had always been handsome, but after cultivating the Nine Nether Spirit Flame Art, he had gained an additional aloof and ethereal charm.

"So handsome. As expected of me!" Liu Xi looked at his reflection, nodded in satisfaction, then turned and drifted away.

The next day.

When Liu Xi arrived at Hu Gan's office, quite a few people were already gathered outside. Most stood with people they knew, forming several groups of varying sizes.

When Liu Xi approached, the vast majority cast respectful looks his way. Liu Xi had already been one of the rare fourth-grade alchemists in the Outer Court, and this time, he had even won the Inner Court Selection Tournament. Though he had not defeated every opponent head-on, his strange Illusion Technique inspired even greater awe.

Liu Xi had long grown accustomed to being watched by so many respectful eyes. He simply smiled and nodded to the others.

Some people had originally intended to step forward and chat after seeing Liu Xi smile and greet them, but upon sensing the chilly aura around him, they could not help stopping in their tracks, their expressions hesitant.

This allowed Liu Xi to smoothly pass through the crowd and reach the front of the open space. The other four of the top five in the Inner Court Selection Tournament stood there, and Liu Xi was the last to arrive.

"You all came pretty early!" Liu Xi greeted them.

Wang Shan and the other four stared blankly at Liu Xi, whose aura had changed drastically. Liu Xi's Dou Qi had originally been Fire Attribute, so he had naturally carried a scorching aura. Now, however, he had gone to the other extreme, radiating an icy chill.

"Master Liu Xi's aura has grown even stronger!" Shui Rou'er was the first to speak. Her beautiful eyes shone with fascination as she looked at Liu Xi. And he's become even better-looking, too. He has an indescribable charm now!

"Heh, just call me Liu Xi. Being called 'Master' sounds strange. I had a small breakthrough in my cultivation, nothing worth mentioning," Liu Xi said softly to the four of them.

Naturally, the four did not believe a single word Liu Xi said. His aura had changed so drastically, and he called it a small breakthrough? If they had not known one another, they would have thought Liu Xi cultivated Ice Dou Qi! He must have obtained something incredible in the Scripture Library, but they wisely chose not to ask.

Liu Xi and the others had only chatted for a few moments when Vice Principal Hu Gan emerged from the office with three elders. He swept his gaze over the crowd, nodded in satisfaction after seeing that everyone had arrived, and began speaking.

"Students! First, I must congratulate you. Your long years of effort have borne fruit, and today is the day you enter the Inner Court. You may find it difficult to adapt when you first arrive, but within the Inner Court, your potential will be developed to the fullest. After studying there for one or two years, you will definitely undergo Rebirth and Transformation," Hu Gan said to the students.

After hearing the Vice Principal's speech, everyone naturally looked excited. The fifty people who had successfully stood out from the Outer Court possessed both talent and diligence. Naturally, they all understood that power did not come for free.

"As the core of Jia Nan Academy, the Inner Court's exact location is unknown even to Outer Court students and some instructors. Therefore, we will personally escort you there." Seeing that everyone was mentally prepared, Hu Gan continued speaking. Then he raised his head toward the sky, as though waiting for something.

Before long, everyone understood. Ten enormous Griffins flew over and slowly descended into the open space ahead.

The tremendous gusts they stirred up nearly caused some of the weaker students to lose their footing. Once the Griffins had landed steadily, everyone saw that each one was controlled by two people and equipped with specially arranged seats.

"Students, form groups of five and board them," Hu Gan said with a smile after the Griffins landed.

At the Vice Principal's command, the students eagerly leaped onto the Griffins. However, quite a few weaker students struggled even to stand steadily, making it clear why special seats had been installed.

Liu Xi and the other top five contestants formed a group. After jumping onto a Griffin, they stood as firmly as though rooted to the ground, forming a sharp contrast with the other students.

"Sit tight. We're setting off!" Hu Gan said after seeing that all the students had boarded the Griffins. He then exchanged looks with the other three elders, and the four of them spread four pairs of enormous, dazzling Dou Qi Wings from behind their backs.

The four rose into the air alongside the Griffins. With Hu Gan, the strongest among them, leading the way, they formed a diamond formation to guard the Griffins from all four sides.

Liu Xi and the others atop the Griffins watched the four fly through the sky on their Dou Qi Wings, their faces filled with envy and anticipation.

After all, for humans, creatures bound to the earth, flight was one of the dreams they most wished to fulfill.