Soul Hall Protector? Shen Shihuang: Heh heh, hand over your soul to me!

"I never expected that your flame could truly purge the fire poison." Han Yue's beautiful eyes were filled with amazement as she watched Lin Yan return to his normal state, though Su Qian, standing to the side, merely gave a slight twitch of his lips.

The fire poison was a byproduct of the Fallen Heart Flame itself; since the flame in Shen Shihuang's hand was a Heavenly Flame, was it not perfectly normal for it to purge the poison?

Lin Yan waved his hand, his voice full of vigor as he said, "Brother Shen, if you ever need someone to run errands in the future, just say the word. This damn fire poison has been making me miserable for far too long."

Lin Xiuya and Han Yue also looked toward Shen Shihuang with anticipation.

They were well aware of the severity of the fire poison in Lin Yan's body—it was deeper than anyone else's—yet even so, it had been purged in such a short amount of time. If the same could be done for them...

Then.

The Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower would essentially have no restrictions for them. The only reason they could not cultivate in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower for long periods was precisely because of this fire poison.

At this moment, Su Qian spoke up.

"We can discuss other matters later. First, let's get Shihuang settled; we can't just leave him standing here, can we?"

Upon hearing the Great Elder Su Qian's words, Lin Xiuya and Han Yue nodded. "Great Elder, given Brother Shen's current strength, he surely can't stay in the student quarters like the rest of us, right?"

Su Qian shook his head.

"Shihuang, let's be clear from the start: your current strength far exceeds that of the students in the academy. It would be best if you remained an observer regarding student affairs and did not intervene."

If Shen Shihuang were to get involved, how would the other students in the academy even compete?

Lin Xiuya sighed. "I was actually planning on bringing Brother Shen into my Wolf Fang."

The others: "...!"

Jianan Academy allowed the formation of factions, but if Shen Shihuang were brought into Wolf Fang by Lin Xiuya, what chance would the other factions have?

"I understand," Shen Shihuang said with a nod.

His current strength.

It was indeed.

Not quite appropriate.

"If you have any questions in the future, you may consult the academy's teachers. Furthermore, the academy will not restrict your movements; just let me know whenever you wish to leave."

A hint of a smile appeared in Su Qian's eyes. "Of course, as a member of the academy, if any students are suffering from severe fire poison..."

Shen Shihuang understood instantly.

"Rest assured, Great Elder. If I have the time, I will certainly help everyone."

Su Qian nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. Now, I will take you to your new residence. There are plenty of places to stay in the academy, and given your strength, I will assign you a private pavilion. You and the academy will be mutually beneficial."

Shen Shihuang could purge the fire poison from the students, while the academy teachers would share their knowledge of cultivation without reservation, in addition to providing him with lodging.

A win-win cooperation.

Su Qian looked at Lin Xiuya and the others, saying, "Also, while Shihuang can help you purge the fire poison to prevent you from having to stay in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower indefinitely, he must absolutely not do so for free."

"Do you understand?"

Lin Xiuya and the others nodded.

If it were free, every student in the academy would come looking for Shen Shihuang, and he would likely never have a moment of rest for the rest of his days.

The next day.

Shen Shihuang did not cultivate, choosing instead to get a good night's sleep.

On the pavilion.

Shen Shihuang gazed at the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, the Sea Heart Flame appearing in his right hand while the black Taisui Flame emerged in his left.

"Origin flame energy."

If the Taisui Flame wanted to advance to the next stage, it had to obtain the origin flame energy of another Heavenly Flame. He possessed the Sea Heart Flame, but he could not subdue it; otherwise, the Taisui Flame would have already reached its second stage.

"What a pity!"

Looking at the Sea Heart Flame in his hand, he could only watch it, unable to truly possess it. This feeling was truly agonizing.

"Hey!"

Just then.

A small, white figure landed in front of Shen Shihuang. "You actually have two such terrifying flames?"

The little girl had purple hair and wore white clothes, appearing to be only eleven or twelve years old.

Upon seeing the little girl.

Shen Shihuang recognized her instantly.

Zi Yan!

The future Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon clan.

"My name is Zi Yan. What's yours?"

"I can tell your strength is greater than everyone else's. Why did that old man Su Qian have you stay here?"

Zi Yan didn't stand on ceremony at all, sitting directly beside Shen Shihuang. With a flip of her hand, a blood-red fruit appeared, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance.

Crunch!

Zi Yan opened her small mouth and took a bite of the blood-red fruit; it looked fresh, juicy, and incredibly delicious.

"Do you want some?"

Zi Yan held up the fruit, now missing a bite, and asked Shen Shihuang.

Shen Shihuang shook his head and put away the Heavenly Flame he had been holding.

"It seems you're injured?"

Hearing this, Zi Yan sprang to her feet, her cheeks puffing out as she said, "What did you say? Me, injured? What kind of joke is that!!"

As she spoke, her voice trailed off.

Zi Yan lowered her head and slowly nibbled on the fruit, which no longer seemed as sweet or tender as before.

"It was a guy in a black robe, very strange."

"I was just careless. If he dared to fight me head-on, I would definitely make him regret it." As she spoke, Zi Yan regained her spirit, waving her small fist with a whistling sound of wind.

"A guy in a black robe?"

"And strange?"

Shen Shihuang pondered for a moment, then asked, "Was he also carrying black chains?"

Zi Yan's eyes lit up. "You know that guy?"

People from the Soul Hall!!

Shen Shihuang asked again, "How was his strength?"

Zi Yan snorted. "About the same as the Great Elder. If I were a Dou Huang, I would definitely be able to beat him to death!"

Currently, Zi Yan was only at the Dou Wang level.

Shen Shihuang was certain now.

The Ten Thousand Year Technique finally had a chance to advance.

Since a member of the Soul Hall had appeared, well, killing one wouldn't be a problem, right?

Kill him secretly!

"How about I help you get revenge?"

Shen Shihuang asked.

Zi Yan's eyes brightened, and she looked at Shen Shihuang with her large eyes. "That's possible, but why would you want to help me?"

"My name is Shen Shihuang."

"From now on, shall we be good friends?"

Zi Yan immediately pulled out a few more fruits—green ones, red ones, all of them emitting an alluring fragrance. Clearly, these were all high-grade medicinal herbs.

"Deal!"

"I'll take you there. Let me tell you, he has some good stuff on him; otherwise, I wouldn't have fought him. I could smell it." Zi Yan said excitedly.

So that was it.

It seemed the other party had obtained some rare treasure, and Zi Yan had caught the scent.

"It's not far from the back of the academy."

A pair of light purple Dou Qi wings appeared on Zi Yan's back, and she took Shen Shihuang and flew toward the back mountain.

Shen Shihuang took a step forward, keeping pace beside Zi Yan.

"Right, his attacks are very strange, so be careful not to capsize the boat." Zi Yan reminded him from the side.

Shen Shihuang patted his chest.

"Don't worry!"

Jie jie!!

A protector of the Soul Hall!

I will accept your soul.

Furthermore.

Shen Shihuang knew that protectors like this, who operated outside, often held other soul bodies in their possession.

These.

Would all be his.