"Fallen Heart Flame? The Fallen Heart Flame known as the Cultivation Cheat Device?" Xiao Li was thrilled. He had indeed known that the Inner Academy possessed the Fallen Heart Flame.
Moreover, the Fallen Heart Flame was one of his targets. Not only was it known as a Cultivation Cheat Device, but it also possessed the trait of burning souls, making it especially effective against those skilled in the path of the soul!
It was particularly effective against those cackling freaks from Soul Hall.
"That's right. I presume you already know that Mang Tian Chi, the Headmaster of our Jia Nan Academy, is a Dou Zun Expert. Back when he traveled across the continent—
he discovered the Fallen Heart Flame in this place. Knowing its effects, he suppressed it and founded Jia Nan Academy. The reason the Inner Academy allows so many geniuses to soar—
is because of the Fallen Heart Flame. However, it has remained suppressed all this time, yet it developed intelligence. As a result, it bears great hostility toward Jia Nan Academy and has constantly been accumulating strength in an attempt to break through the seal.
To the academy, the current Fallen Heart Flame is a ticking time bomb. If you have the ability to subdue it, you would also be eliminating a Hidden Danger for the academy. Of course, that is assuming you actually have the ability to subdue it."
Qian Mu explained. Back when he had served as Great Elder, the Fallen Heart Flame would erupt every so often, keeping him so busy that he was overwhelmed. Fortunately, its intelligence had not been very high then, so suppressing it had been relatively easy.
After Bai Lie succeeded him as Great Elder, the Fallen Heart Flame's outbreaks became more outrageous each time. Although Headmaster Mang Tian Chi returned several times to reinforce the seal, there was a vast Magma Lake beneath the Fallen Heart Flame, providing it with an endless supply of energy.
Thus, under the Fallen Heart Flame's repeated impacts, the seal grew weaker and weaker. Sooner or later, the Fallen Heart Flame would break through the seal and wreak havoc across the Inner Academy.
Headmaster Mang Tian Chi's intention was simple: if any student had the ability to subdue the Fallen Heart Flame, then that student could take it. Leaving it there indefinitely was simply too unstable.
"I understand, Senior!" Xiao Li was secretly overjoyed. Since both Qian Bai Er Lao had agreed to let him absorb the Fallen Heart Flame, that was simply wonderful.
Xiao Li knew that the Fallen Heart Flame was Heavenly Fire Venerable's Heavenly Flame. Heavenly Fire Venerable was still down below, and near his remains was another Fallen Heart Flame in the Infant State—enough to solve the problem of the Heavenly Burning Refining Tower.
A win-win situation!
"Go. First, focus on improving your strength. I can tell that a great deal of Medicinal Power has accumulated within your body. Once you reach adulthood, that Medicinal Power will become a source of support for you.
Although this Medicinal Power will allow your cultivation to rise rapidly, advancing your realm too quickly is not a good thing either. The Fallen Heart Flame can solve that problem quite well."
After Qian Mu finished speaking, he and Bai Lie vanished. As expected of experts at Dou Ancestor Peak—their speed was truly fast.
Xiao Li returned along the same route. He moved quickly and soon caught up with Hu Gan's group, after which they all departed together.
"Alright, you have received your rewards. Next, take two days to rest. In two days, you will enter the Inner Academy. When that time comes, you will have plenty to complain about.
Let me remind you of something: if newcomers wish to avoid being bullied by the older students upon entering the Inner Academy, their fists must be harder than theirs. Of course, those who can enter the Inner Academy were generally outstanding figures in the Outer Academy, and their cultivation talent is far from weak.
Combined with the Inner Academy's unique training methods, it will likely be quite difficult for you newcomers to catch up to their progress.
In short, cooperate with one another. Otherwise, things will not be easy for you. Xiao Li, let me especially remind you: your strength is indeed formidable, but there are no shortage of Dou Ling-level students in the Inner Academy.
In particular, there are more than ten students at Peak Dou Ling. There are even several who have reached the Half-Step Dou King level, only half a step away from becoming Dou Wang."
As the Vice President of the Outer Academy, Hu Gan naturally had to remind them, especially Xiao Li. Xiao Li had achieved so much at such a young age, and he certainly had reason to be proud. However, he had not cultivated for long enough and still lacked much experience.
"Understood. I have already discussed it with Senior Brother Liu. Once we enter the Inner Academy, we will focus on cultivation. But if anyone comes looking for trouble, I will not show mercy." Xiao Li had no mood to play childish games with them now. He needed to cultivate diligently!
If he failed to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame, he could only turn Tagor Desert upside down in search of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, versus fourteenth—Xiao Li did not care about such rankings. After all, aside from the top three Heavenly Flames, which were unique, the others should not differ too greatly.
Strength still depended on the person. More importantly, the Fallen Heart Flame was simply too tempting as a Cultivation Cheat Device. One could level up even while lying down, perfectly matching Xiao Li's desire to take it easy.
"Inner Academy, here I come!"
Two years later,
Heavenly Burning Refining Tower, Advanced Training Room,
A man in green robes sat cross-legged there, emitting an impressive aura of Dou Qi.
The man wore a long green robe. His figure was well-proportioned, neither especially muscular nor frail. His features were not particularly handsome, yet he possessed an indescribable, distinctive temperament. His black hair draped over his shoulders.
Hoo—
"Hoo—Five Star Dou King. That Dou Spirit Pill was not wasted."
This man in green was Xiao Li. He had already spent two years in the Inner Academy.
Time had passed so quickly. When he had first entered the Inner Academy, there had indeed been many fools looking to cause trouble. Most were Two-Star or Three-Star Dou Lings who had come to collect protection fees, but Xiao Li had beaten them all away.
Later, finding it troublesome, Xiao Li joined the Liu Gang with Liu Tianjiao. Liu Tianjiao's cousin was the fourth-ranked expert on the Strong Ranking, Liu Tianlong.
It was worth mentioning that the two brothers both came from Tianhuang City in the Central Region of Central Continent. Tianhuang City was dominated by two great families: the Liu Family and the Cheng Family. The Liu brothers were direct descendants of the Liu Family.
A family like theirs was more formidable than an entire empire in the Northwest Continent. To dominate a city in the Central Region of Central Continent, their family certainly had Dou Ancestor Experts—perhaps more than one—and definitely quite a few Dou Emperor Experts.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Li could not help but sigh. Central Continent truly was the center of the Dou Qi Continent. Dou Ancestor Experts, who were rarely seen in the Northwest Continent, were truly everywhere in Central Continent.
A little over a year after entering the Inner Academy, Xiao Li had broken through to become a Dou Wang. Afterward, he claimed the position of Strong Ranking First through his strength.
Since entering the Inner Academy, Xiao Li had fought dozens of battles, large and small. Aside from one defeat and one draw, he had won every match.
Xiao Li's only defeat came when he underestimated a little girl in white. She punched him once. Fortunately, his injuries were light—only two broken ribs, and he had spent half a month in bed.
That draw had occurred when Xiao Li was a Four Star Dou Ling. He fought the person ranked second on the Strong Ranking because Xiao Li had beaten up his younger brother and he wanted to vent his anger. The two ended in a draw.
"Xiao Li! Xiao Li!"
A tender, clear, pleasant voice rang out. Then the door to the Advanced Training Room opened, and a little girl in white walked in.
The little girl appeared to be no more than twelve or thirteen. Her light purple hair fell straight to her waist, and her cheeks were fair and tender, as if carved from jade.
Strong Ranking Second, Zi Yan.
"I knew you were hiding in this unbearably hot place! Hurry! I've finished all my pills—make me another batch!" Zi Yan said with a grin.
"Finished them? There were over two hundred pills! You finished them in less than seven days? Are you kidding me?" Xiao Li's voice rose considerably.
Zi Yan lowered her head somewhat awkwardly. "Isn't it because I feel like I'm about to break through? It always feels like I'm still a little short on energy."
"Fine. Time to get busy again."
Before you continue