Jia Nan Academy

A faint glimmer of white appeared ahead. Zhang Nian seized the opportunity and casually swept his palm toward the light.

The light suddenly expanded, and the two of them flew out. Before them stretched an endless sky, where three white-haired elders with youthful faces awaited.

As it turned out, Zhang Nian had pinpointed their destination perfectly. They emerged from the spatial rift directly above the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy. Sensing the powerful spatial fluctuations, Qian and Bai Elders and Great Elder Su Qian had been forced to steel themselves and fly up to meet this sudden Dou Sheng Expert, all for the academy's safety.

The three bowed respectfully and said:

"Greetings, Saint. May we ask what brings you to Jia Nan Academy?"

The three looked up at Zhang Nian. When they saw Medusa behind him, they paused in surprise. Their astonishment only grew. A Snake-Person!

Was she his maid—or something else?

After looking the three over, Zhang Nian saw that Qian and Bai Elders were still Eight-Star Dou Zongs, while Su Qian appeared to have only recently broken through to Dou Zong. Zi Yan had probably been brought back by this point, he figured. Putting on a thick skin, he spoke:

"I seek one person and one thing."

His cryptic words made the three exchange puzzled looks. The thing was easy enough to understand, but what did he mean by one person?

"Please, Saint, enlighten us..."

"Ahem."

Covering his mouth, Zhang Nian cleared his throat and spoke loudly:

"I wish to take Zi Yan as my disciple. That's the first thing. Second, I want to take the Fallen Heart Flame, but I'll use spatial techniques to leave behind a Child Flame. It won't be as effective as the original, but you can come to me for a new Child Flame every year."

What?!

The Fallen Heart Flame was the very foundation of Jia Nan Academy. But...the person saying he would take it was a Dou Sheng Expert. And then there was the matter of taking Zi Yan as his disciple...

The three exchanged looks, at a loss. They knew nothing of Zi Yan's true form, but their long observation had led them to one conclusion: she was undoubtedly an immensely powerful magical beast. Now a Dou Sheng had arrived to take her away. What if her kin came looking for her later?

"Saint, we have no objection to you taking the Fallen Heart Flame. Such a heavenly treasure belongs to the capable, and you're even leaving us a Child Flame. We'll naturally comply. But Zi Yan is only staying at Jia Nan Academy. Her kin may come to take her back one day, so we can't make that decision for her."

At this, Zhang Nian smiled. It seemed they had agreed to let him take the Fallen Heart Flame. As for taking Zi Yan as his disciple, they were probably worried that her kin would show up and cause trouble at Jia Nan Academy. It was rather amusing. These three old men had no idea what Zi Yan really was, yet they came up with that excuse without missing a beat.

"Don't worry. I understand your concerns. I live in the Jia Ma Empire and go by the name Great Saint Qinglian. You can come find me there for a Child Flame."

Uh...

The three hesitated, troubled expressions on their faces. Perhaps spending too long in the Black-Corner Region had made them suspicious of human nature. Would a place he'd named offhand even exist? Who could say? Besides, they barely knew him...

"Hmm?!"

Watching the countdown in his mind, Zhang Nian's patience finally ran out. He pressed his hand down, and space shuddered. Cubic frames appeared around the three, trapping them firmly inside.

So this was the power of a Dou Sheng Expert...

Medusa's eyes widened. With one seemingly casual gesture, he had the three Dou Zongs completely at his mercy.

"Saint, I'll go bring Zi Yan out right away!"

Su Qian knew well that those who understood the times were wise. He had clearly tried the Saint's patience. If he angered him, Jia Nan Academy might cease to exist. Besides, the dean wasn't at the academy right now. The thought left him feeling a little aggrieved.

Every time the dean went out traveling, he was gone for decades... I have too much on my shoulders. (｡•ˇ‸ˇ•｡)

Su Qian left in a flash, seemingly to find Zi Yan. So as not to waste time, Zhang Nian released the restraints and turned calmly to Qian and Bai Elders.

"Since you've agreed, I'll take the Fallen Heart Flame now."

With that,

Zhang Nian instantly appeared before the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower. With Qian and Bai Elders beside him, the elders on guard naturally didn't dare say a word. At the ninth level, he looked at the Space Barrier Mirror below and smiled faintly.

Good. Judging by the method used, this must have been set up by a Peak Dou Zun Expert. It wouldn't be difficult for him to break it now. Judging by this, Mang Tianchi probably hadn't reached Half-Saint yet.

He pushed both palms forward. An invisible force blurred space, and the barrier below began to tremble violently. Cracks soon spread across it like a spiderweb.

"Crack!"

With a sharp snap, the barrier shattered. Scorching flames surged out like a flood bursting through a dam, forming a giant Fire Python.

"Hmph! You don't get to run wild!"

With a cold snort, he clenched his hand toward empty space. The Fire Python seemed caught in an invisible grip and couldn't move an inch.

Seeing this, Zhang Nian swept his right palm sideways. A gale whipped through the space, making even the air tremble. The Fire Python was instantly dispersed, leaving only that colorless flame drifting in the air. It darted left and right, but seemed to hit an invisible wall and couldn't move.

From breaking the seal to restraining the flame again had taken no more than a blink. The three behind him gaped in astonishment. Qian and Bai Elders were especially shaken. They knew how much effort the Inner Academy's many elders had put into containing this flame...

The thought brought a sense of relief, as if they'd narrowly escaped disaster. Thank goodness they'd agreed...

Zhang Nian separated off a Child Flame and used even more advanced spatial techniques to create a Space Barrier Mirror. He placed the Child Flame beneath the magma. Between the environment here and the immature seed beneath the magma, a new Fallen Heart Flame might be born in a few decades.

"All right. I've done what I promised. Let's go."

Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Zhang Nian naturally took Medusa's slender hand and led her upward.

Her cheeks reddened slightly. This was the first time a man had touched her, and it stirred a feeling she couldn't quite describe. She didn't seem to dislike it very much.

No, it must be because he's too strong! How dare he take this queen's delicate hand! I'll kill him!

Wait, he's a Dou Sheng Expert...

Then should I attack while he's asleep...

Do Dou Sheng Experts even need to sleep...

Emm, that's a profound question...

In a daze, the group emerged from the tower. Su Qian was there, holding the hand of a white-clad girl who only reached his waist. Her pale-purple hair fell to her waist, and her cheeks were as soft and delicate as a doll's. She looked at Zhang Nian with a pair of bright, dark eyes and blinked. At that moment, his heart went numb, as if struck by a jolt of electricity.

Su Qian pointed at Zhang Nian and said gently:

"Zi Yan, I've found you a master. Follow him, and maybe you'll grow up faster."

After carefully sensing her, Zhang Nian found that Zi Yan hadn't yet reached Dou Wang; she was barely at Dou Ling. Still, he was astonished by how quickly she was growing. He couldn't help thinking: As expected, the medicinal herb storehouse at Jia Nan Academy really does help you grow.