Departure

Dragging his nearly exhausted body, Lin Ming rushed out of the lava lake at the bottom of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and returned to the ground at the bottom of the tower.

With his chest heaving and panting heavily, feeling waves of emptiness and stinging pain within his body, his face wore a complex expression of relief mixed with excitement.

Although his life-or-death battle with the Dou Venerate Fire Lizard was fraught with danger, it also gave him a relatively clear understanding of the limits of his current strength—he was not without power to fight back against Early-Stage Dou Venerate!

Without lingering, Lin Ming stabilized his churning Qi and Blood and nearly depleted Dou Qi, immediately leaving the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and returning to his residence.

Seeing Lin Ming's battered and bruised appearance, Xiao Yi Xian immediately came over and helped Lin Ming into the house. After a brief Lin Ming, Lin Ming took some medicine and began to regulate his breathing.

A night passed, and it was the day before the departure date agreed upon with Ye Xin Lan. At this time, Lin Ming's injuries showed no signs of yesterday from the outside. His aura was no longer weak at all; in fact, it had become more refined and powerful due to the extreme pressure and life-or-death test, and his Three-Star Dou Ancestor realm was completely stable.

Knowing he would be leaving the next day, Lin Ming went to pay his respects to his teacher, Elder Huo, once again.

Within the Alchemy Department, the Medicinal Fragrance lingered. Elder Huo looked at his disciple, whose aura was restrained yet whose eyes had grown increasingly profound, his eyes filled with gratification and a hint of barely perceptible worry.

"Master, I will be setting off for the Middle Continent tomorrow." After a moment, Lin Ming got to the point.

Upon hearing this, Elder Huo remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "Middle Continent... that's where true powerhouses abound, with countless opportunities, but also countless dangers. With your temperament, you must be even more cautious there, thinking thrice before acting, and never be as overly sharp as you are here in the Black Corner Region."

Although Elder Huo had a fiery temper, he genuinely cared for his disciples. The waters of the Middle Continent were too deep for him to ignore.

"Your disciple will remember your teachings, Master." Lin Ming nodded emphatically.

Lin Ming then immediately took out several ancient-looking scrolls from his Storage Ring, which emanated powerful Soul Fluctuation. He presented them with both hands, saying, "Teacher, these are some pill formulas I have here. I didn't bring any gifts for you this time, but these pill formulas are the only ones that are decent. I'm giving them to you today in the hope that they will be of some help to your alchemy skills and also enrich the foundation of the Jia Nan Academy Alchemy Department."

Elder Huo took the scrolls with a puzzled look, casually opened one, and his eyes widened as he glanced at it. Suddenly, his body trembled, and his eyes flashed with disbelief! He hurriedly opened the other scrolls, his breathing becoming rapid.

"This... this is the formula for the Tier 7 High-Grade pill 'Plain Heart Blood-Melting Pill'?! And this...' Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill!' The unique pill of Venerable Yao Yao Chen! It has the miraculous effect of breaking through and rebuilding!" Elder Huo's voice trembled.

When he saw the last scroll, the one containing the "Bone-Regenerating Soul-Melding Pill," he was so excited that his beard trembled. "A 'Bone-Regenerating Soul-Melding Pill' formula that's at the peak of the Tier 7, and can even reach the Tier 8!"

Having devoted his life to alchemy, how could he not know the value of these pill formulas? Especially the Eighth Grade Pill Recipe, which would be enough to cause countless forces to fight over them even in the Middle Continent!

Seeing Elder Huo's excited expression, Lin Ming smiled and said, "Teacher, you have taught me and the academy has taken care of me. This is just a small token of my appreciation, and I hope you will not refuse."

Elder Huo looked at Lin Ming with a complex expression, finally letting out a long sigh as he tightly gripped the scroll, "Good! Good lad! This gift is too generous! On behalf of the academy and the Alchemy Department, I thank you!" With these, perhaps one day the Jia Nan Academy Alchemy Department will be able to shine, and even challenge for a seat on the Pill Tower Elder!

He knew that these prescriptions were not just a few pieces of paper, but keys to a higher level of alchemy, their significance far exceeding any single treasure.

After bidding farewell to their excited teachers, Lin Ming brought Xiao Yi Xian to the Inner Academy square the next day. Great Elder Su Qian, Zi Yan, and Ye Xin Lan were already waiting there.

Upon seeing Lin Ming and Xiao Yi Xian arrive, Great Elder Su Qian smiled gently. Ye Xin Lan's eyes held anticipation and a hint of nervousness. As for Zi Yan, this little girl was unusually quiet, not jumping around, but pouting and tugging at Great Elder Su Qian's sleeve, her large, amethyst-like eyes filled with reluctance.

"Old man... I'm leaving!" Zi Yan's voice had an unusual nasal tone. Although she was still calling him "old man," her dependence on him was evident.

After she accidentally ate the Form-Shifting Grass and transformed into this Little Girl, Su Qian discovered her and brought her back to the Jia Nan Academy. Over the years, although Su Qian was the Great Elder of the Inner Academy and was very busy with affairs, he always took good care of her, like a grandfather taking care of his granddaughter. This feeling had long been deeply rooted in Zi Yan's heart.

Su Qian affectionately ruffled Zi Yan's long purple hair and smiled, "You silly girl, you must listen to Lin Ming when you're out there, and don't be willful and cause trouble. Middle Continent is not like here; there are too many strong people there. When you've had your fun and want to come back, the academy's gates will always be open for you."

"I know, you nagging old man!" Zi Yan blinked hard, forcing back the moisture in her eyes, and said in a deliberately fierce tone, but she didn't let go of Su Qian's sleeve for a long time.

Lin Ming was also moved by this scene. He stepped forward and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting to Su Qian: "Great Elder, take care!"

Su Qian nodded, his gaze sweeping over Lin Ming, Xiao Yi Xian, and Zi Yan, and said in a deep voice, "Take care on your journey! The academy will always be your support."

Farewells are always brief. The group finally embarked on their journey.

Since Ye Xin Lan only had the cultivation level of Dou Ling and could not fly by Dou Qi Wings, they chose to ride the Griffon Beast trained by the Jia Nan Academy. These were large, relatively docile Flying Magical Beast. Although their speed was not as fast as that of Dou King Expert flying at full speed, they were stable and could travel long distances.

The enormous Griffon Beast spread its wings, carrying the four of them. Under the farewell gazes of many students and elders in the Inner Academy, it let out a loud cry and soared into the sky, flying towards the more vast world beyond the Black Corner Region.

On the Griffon Beast's back, Lin Ming and his companions concealed their auras, appearing as ordinary travelers. Xiao Yi Xian sat quietly beside Lin Ming, resting with her eyes closed. Ye Xin Lan, on the other hand, seemed both excited and apprehensive, occasionally introducing Lin Ming to some basic information about the Middle Continent and the forces they needed to be wary of. Zi Yan was initially a little sullen because of the separation, but she was quickly drawn to the mountains and rivers rushing past below, regaining her lively nature, clinging to the Griffon Beast's neck feathers, and shouting excitedly.

After flying for about two days, they had left the core area of Black Corner Region and entered the skies above a more desolate mountain range.

Just then, a sharp, piercing cry suddenly came from behind a towering mountain peak ahead! Immediately afterward, a huge black shadow swept out like a dark cloud, blocking the Griffon Beast's path!

It was a giant bird, no less large than Griffon Beast, with bluish-black feathers, a hooked beak that gleamed with a cold light, and sharp claws that looked like they were forged from High-Grade Steel, exuding a ferocious aura. The energy fluctuations emanating from its body had reached the Sixth Order, equivalent to Human Dou Emperor Expert! Clearly, this was its territory, and it regarded the Griffon Beast as an intruder.

The Tier 6 Magical Beast already possessed considerable intelligence. Its sharp gaze swept over the group on the Griffon Beast's back, sensing only Xin Lan 'Dou Ling. Instantly, it became ferocious, flapping its wings and creating a whirlwind as it pounced directly at the Griffon Beast, its sharp claws aimed straight for the Griffon Beast's head! It intended to tear these intruders and their mounts to shreds!

Under the oppressive aura of this Tier 6 Magical Beast, the Griffon Beast immediately showed signs of falling.

Seeing this, Lin Ming frowned slightly, and was about to summon the Earth Demon Puppet "Puppet One" to quickly deal with it so as not to delay their journey.

"Wow! A big bird! It looks so fierce!" Zi Yan exclaimed first. She was feeling a bit bored, but when she saw this Sixth Order flying bird that was taking the initiative to provoke her, she was not afraid at all. Instead, her eyes lit up and she showed an eager expression.

"Lin Ming, let me do it! Let me play with it!" Zi Yan excitedly waved her little fists. Before Lin Ming could answer, her petite body leaped off the Griffon Beast's back and took the initiative to face the ferocious Sixth Order giant bird!

Seeing that a tiny creature dared to charge at it, the Sixth Order flying bird's eyes flashed with anthropomorphic disdain. Its claws, instead of slowing down, became even more ferocious, as it wanted to crush this arrogant little thing.

However, just as its sharp claws were about to touch Zi Yan—

"Snort!"

Zi Yan let out a soft hum, and casually swung her seemingly delicate and small fist forward!

There was no dazzling Dou Qi aura, only a pure, domineering, and terrifying power that seemed to originate from the primordial era, erupting from that small fist like a volcano!

"Bang--!!!"

With a muffled thud, the Sixth Order flying bird felt as if its claws had struck an unshakeable mountain. An irresistible force surged through its entire body from its claws! Its massive body shuddered violently, letting out a mournful cry of pain and terror. Its charge came to an abrupt halt, and it was instead thrown backward, its attacking claw twisted into a bizarre angle, clearly indicating that its internal bones had shattered!

Its fierce gaze was instantly replaced by boundless fear! It couldn't understand how such a seemingly harmless Little Girl could possess such terrifying power—an absolute crushing force originating from Life Level!

Zi Yan hovered in mid-air, clapped her hands, and pouted, "So fragile, no fun at all."

Seeing this, Lin Ming abandoned his plan to summon the Puppet and said to Zi Yan, "Come back when you're done playing. Getting on with our journey is more important."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan made a face at the Sixth Order flying bird that was retreating in terror. "I'll let you off this time, but if you dare to block my way again, I'll pluck all your feathers, roast you, and eat you!"

The Sixth Order bird seemed to understand human speech. Terrified, its feathers stood on end. It dared not linger for a moment, letting out a mournful cry. Dragging its injured claws, it turned around in a sorry state and desperately fled back to the depths of its nest. It would probably not dare to show itself again for a long time to come.

This little incident didn't take up too much time. The Griffon Beast continued its steady flight. After several days of travel, the outline of a huge city finally appeared on the distant horizon.

The city walls stand tall, exuding an aura of both antiquity and prosperity even from afar. Above the city, strong Spatial Fluctuations faintly emanate, revealing the location of the crucial hub leading to the Middle Continent — the Space Wormhole!

Ye Xin Lan pointed to the city, a smile spreading across her face, and said to Lin Ming, "Big Brother Lin, we've arrived. This is Tianya City, which has Space Wormhole leading to the Middle Continent. It's one of the most important transportation hubs in this region."

Lin Ming gazed into the distance, watching the ever-approaching colossal city, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes. Tianya City, they had arrived. Through the Space Wormhole here, they would officially step onto the vast stage known as "Middle Continent"!