Commotion (Part 2)
Inside the Medicinal Cauldron, the murky yellow flames suddenly surged, instantly filling the entire Medicinal Cauldron. Amidst the murky yellow color, a bright spot of light became even more dazzling.
The bright spots of light shrank and expanded, and as they expanded, Energy Ripple spread even more rapidly. Looking down from mid-air, the energy halos created by those spreading Energy Ripple caused the space itself to tremble.
Fortunately, the Alchemy Room was protected by a barrier; otherwise, the entire Alchemy Department would probably have been shattered by this energy impact.
The energy fluctuations continued, and the resulting Energy Ripple spread rapidly through space, reaching even further into the distance.
The bright spot of light expanded and contracted more and more frequently within the flames, as if it were brewing something. After nearly an hour, the light spot suddenly shrank to its smallest size!
As the light spot shrank rapidly, Lin Ming's expression instantly became serious.
"Boom!"
After shrinking for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the light spot suddenly began to expand in an instant. Finally, the surging beam of light broke through the Alchemy Room and the Alchemy Department. At the same time, a thunderous explosion suddenly rang out, and a bright beam of light, nearly three zhang thick, shot straight out from the Medicinal Cauldron and illuminated the sky!
Gazing at the enormous pillar of energy shooting into the sky, even someone as knowledgeable as Elder Huo was momentarily stunned. Of course, amidst the shock, feelings of joy and relief also surged forth in that instant.
The towering pillar of energy shone continuously, and many people could sense its presence in the face of such a surging energy impact.
Deep within the Inner Academy, in a quiet pavilion by the window, stood two figures. Beside them sat a petite figure with purple hair, munching on something that resembled a pear.
His hair and beard were all white, and he wore a wide black robe. He stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the greenery outside. His aged face was as serene as an old monk, and he never showed the slightest emotional fluctuation.
After a long pause, the old man turned his head to look at the small, seated figure, a hint of relief appearing on his face. Then he said calmly, "Qin Xuan, is there still no movement from the Fallen Heart Flame?"
"Yes, Great Elder! The Fallen Heart Flame was quite turbulent a while ago, churning up almost every two weeks. If it weren't for the many elders working together to set up the Energy Barrier Mirror, there would have been a great number of casualties among the students cultivating in the tower. But recently, all these disturbances have completely disappeared. If it weren't for the fact that the students in the tower can still cultivate normally with their Heart Flame, we would all suspect that the Fallen Heart Flame has found somewhere to escape!" Afterwards, a somewhat hunched old man in yellow robes bowed respectfully and replied.
"No movement? Something's definitely amiss! Tell all the elders guarding the tower to be on high alert. Don't let this brief calm lull you into a false sense of security. If you detect any unusual activity from the Fallen Heart Flame, immediately join forces to seal it. We absolutely cannot allow it to erupt completely, otherwise, the consequences will make us all eternal sinners against the academy." Upon hearing Qin Xuan's report, even the usually calm Great Elder's face involuntarily furrowed as he spoke.
"Yes!"
Then, the Great Elder asked again, "In addition, have you communicated the contingency plan I asked you to prepare, which included expelling all students from the tower if the Fallen Heart Flame flares up, prohibiting anyone from entering, and informing the Outer Academy to be on standby at any time, and to arrive as soon as possible if the Fallen Heart Flame breaks out?"
"Don't worry, Great Elder! I've already informed them. If this situation really happens, we will absolutely not allow those people from the Black Corner Region to cause trouble at the academy." Qin Xuan replied immediately upon hearing the Great Elder's question.
"Well, that's good!" The Great Elder nodded in agreement upon hearing Qin Xuan's reply. Then, he suddenly asked, "By the way, how is Xiao Yan doing lately?"
"He's like the Fallen Heart Flame now. Ever since he went into seclusion in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower some time ago, there hasn't been any movement from him. If it weren't for the fact that he possesses Heavenly Flames that can resist the corrosive effects of Fire Poison, the elders would probably have forced him to come out of seclusion by now." In response to the Great Elder's question, Qin Xuan immediately replied.
"The Strong Ranking Tournament is just around the corner, so this kind of seclusion is normal. Alright, you can go out now. We can't let our guard down on the Fallen Heart Flame. If there's still no movement after a while, I'll have to go check inside the magma." The Great Elder waved his hand, about to dismiss Qin Xuan, but his expression suddenly changed. His usually calm face showed a hint of surprise, and his gaze pierced through the greenery outside the window, shooting straight towards the Outer Academy.
"Great Elder, what is this?" The powerful energy fluctuations were not only sensed by the Great Elder, but also by the others in the room, prompting Qin Xuan to ask immediately.
"Such a commotion, even among Tier 6 Medicinal Pill, only the top-tier pills could produce it!" The Great Elder said with a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Tier 6 Medicinal Pill?" Qin Xuan, standing nearby, was instantly shocked and exclaimed, "No one in the academy can refine Tier 6 Medicinal Pill! Could it be that Old Huo has broken through and is refining Tier 6 Medicinal Pill? But this is the kind of pills made from top- 6th Grade -grade pills. How could Old Huo break through to the Tier 6 Peak 6th Grade one go?"
As Qin Xuan finished speaking, filled with doubt, he saw the Great Elder's gaze turn towards the figure munching on the snow pear. Qin Xuan paused for a moment, then immediately blurted out, "It's Lin Ming!"
Zi Yan left with Lin Ming back then. Now that Zi Yan has returned, it means Lin Ming has also returned.
When Lin Ming left, he was already Tier 5 Alchemist. After these few years, it's not impossible for him to become Tier 6 Peak Alchemist. After all, Lin Ming was a genius, so it's acceptable for him to achieve such a feat.
Of course, this is also a process of elimination. Old Huo has been Tier 5 Alchemist for so many years. If he could advance to 6th Grade Alchemist, he would have done so long ago. Since he is still Tier 5 Alchemist, his chances of ever reaching the 6th Grade are extremely slim. Let alone breaking through to the 6th Grade Alchemist level and then reaching the Tier 6 Peak in such a short time.
Currently, Han Feng is the only person in the entire Black Corner Region who has reached the level of a Peak Sixth-Grade Alchemist. But why would Han Feng come to the Outer Academy? Of course, if he really came secretly, that would be understandable. But if he came without informing the academy and is now making such a fuss by Pill Refining so openly within the academy, then that would be a blatant provocation. Unless he has a death wish, such a thing wouldn't happen.
After ruling out Old Huo and Han Feng, the only possible candidate is Lin Ming.
"It can only be him," the Great Elder said with a smile. Then, the Great Elder waved his hand. "Alright, Qin Xuan, you may leave!"
"Let's go, Zi Yan, let's go take a look together." After Qin Xuan left, the Great Elder looked at Zi Yan and said kindly.
As soon as the Great Elder finished speaking, Zi Yan popped the pear into her mouth, clapped her hands together, and then went to the Great Elder's side. Then, the space surged, and the figures in the room vanished.
Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, a young man dressed in black sat cross-legged like an old monk in deep meditation, his mind immersed in cultivation. At this moment, a ring on his hand suddenly emitted a wisp of white smoke, and then a phantom figure appeared.
"This is the kind of noise only Tier 6 Peak pill can produce!" The illusory figure exclaimed in amazement at the energy fluctuations as soon as it appeared.
"Teacher, how did you get out?" The young man, who had been sitting cross-legged, sensed the appearance of the illusory figure and slowly awoke from his meditation to ask.
The one who shouted was none other than Xiao Yan, and the illusory figure was none other than Old Yao.
"Someone is refining a Tier 6 Peak pill," Old Yao said in response to Xiao Yan's question.
"Tier 6 Peak?!" Upon hearing Old Yao's words, Xiao Yan immediately exclaimed in surprise.
People capable of refining Tier 6 Medicinal Pill are extremely rare in the Northwest Continent, so it's astonishing that someone in the academy can actually refine a peak Xiao Yan -Tier 6 Peak pill.
"However, Elder Huo, the most skilled alchemist in the Jia Nan Academy, is only Tier 5 Alchemist! Even if he has made a breakthrough and entered the ranks of 6th Grade Alchemist, it's impossible for him to directly reach the Tier 6 Peak! Could it be that the person who made this alchemy is Han Feng?" After his initial surprise, Xiao Yan continued.
Xiao had no doubt that Han Feng could refine Tier 6 Peak pills. After all, the Tier 7 Medicinal Pill 'Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill' that he obtained when he arrived in the Black Corner Region was made by Han Feng, so it was entirely possible for him to refine Tier 6 Peak pills now.
"Although that wicked disciple is capable of refining it, he wouldn't dare to come to the Jia Nan Academy to do so. After all, the old guys at the Jia Nan Academy aren't pushovers, and none of them would tolerate such provocation," Old Yao said in response to Xiao Yan's speculation.
"If it's not Han Feng, there aren't many 6th Grade Alchemists in the Northwest Continent, so who would come to the Jia Nan Academy to refine pills?" After receiving Old Yao's reply, Xiao Yan asked with even greater doubt.
"Judging from this faint aura you sense, you know this person, Xiao Yan," Old Yao said after sensing for a while after Xiao Yan finished speaking.
"I know him? Could it be Lin Ming?" After receiving Old Yao's reply, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment and then exclaimed in surprise.
"It should be him! I could faintly sense a trace of the Mysterious Yellow Flame's aura." After Xiao Yan finished speaking, Old Yao nodded and said.
"Teacher, now that Lin Ming is here, let's find some time to ask him if he still has the Ice Fire Dragon Whisker Fruit! If he does, let's find a way to exchange it with him." Upon confirming that it really was Lin Ming, Xiao Yan immediately said with delight.
To subdue the Fallen Heart Flame, the protective Earth Spirit Pill is absolutely essential. And right now, the only ingredient missing from the Earth Spirit Pill Ice Fire Dragon Whisker Fruit.
In the Inner Academy, just like in the original story, Xiao Yan went Inner Academy to exchange medicinal herbs. Faced with Xiao Yan, Tier 5 Alchemist, the elder guarding the herbs was willing to trade. However, there was only one Ice Fire Dragon Whisker Fruit in the Inner Academy, and that one had already been taken by Lin Ming, so Xiao Yan still hadn't gathered all the materials for the Earth Spirit Pill.
Having already refined Heavenly Flames once and knowing its Heavenly Flames power, Xiao Yan knew that without the Earth Spirit Pill to protect him, it would be almost impossible to subdue the Fallen Heart Flame.
Of course, Xiao Yan was willing to take risks for the sake of strength, but Old Yao, who knew even better, understood that without the Earth Spirit Pill to protect him, Xiao Yan would surely die. Old Yao had long ago said that even if there was an opportunity, he should not absorb it before the Earth Spirit Pill was fully refined. That's why Lin Ming was so excited when he heard that Lin Ming had arrived.
Old Yao agreed with what Xiao Yan said. He nodded and said, "Go find Lin Ming after the competition!"
Upon receiving Old Yao's reply, Xiao Yan was overjoyed. However, he also knew that the most important thing now was to improve his strength and achieve a top-ten ranking in the Strong Ranking Tournament. Therefore, after only a moment, Xiao Yan composed himself and fell back into quiet cultivation.
At the same time, in a secluded pavilion in a chaotic region far away on the other side of the mountain range, a man in a blue robe with a Maple Leaf embroidered on the back also slightly raised his head. The place where his gaze was directed was also the place where energy was erupting.
The man in the blue robe was quite handsome, with long black hair hanging down to his shoulders. His body seemed to always carry a strange Medicinal Fragrance, making people feel an irresistible sense of closeness.
"Such fluctuations... must only occur when Tier 6 Medicinal Pill is fully formed." A low murmur escaped the man in the blue robe. After a moment, he frowned slightly and said, "The other side of the mountain range should be where Jia Nan Academy is located. Could it be that Old Huo is refining it? But with his alchemy skills, it seems that refining Tier 6 Medicinal Pill would be somewhat difficult for him, right? Could it be that his alchemy skills have improved considerably in recent years?"
"This fluctuation is within the Jia Nan Academy's territory, so it's not easy to investigate. Although I'm not afraid of them, if those old guys find out, there will be some trouble." Shaking his head, the man in the blue robe slowly turned around. On his chest was an ancient Medicinal Cauldron emblem. On the Medicinal Cauldron, six strange golden ripples rippled slightly, so bright they hurt the eyes.
Six Golden Patterns —in the Yao Realm, only 6th Grade Alchemist are qualified to wear them. Yet this man, who looks to be only around thirty, is able to carry them on his person. In the Black Corner Region, only Han Feng possesses such strength.