Battle Through the Heavens: The Rise Begins at Jia Nan Academy

"Now that's more like it."

Qin Chen nodded in satisfaction, then waved to her. "Alright, I'm going to refine pills again. You can sit beside me and watch."

With a swipe over his storage ring, several medicinal herbs flew out and were tossed into the cauldron one after another, beginning a new round of pill refinement.

During a break in the refinement process, Qin Chen continued building rapport with Zi Yan and asked with a smile, "Zi Yan, since you're a magical beast, why are you here? And if I remember correctly, don't magical beasts need to reach Tier Seven before they can transform?"

"I became like this because of that damned Transformation Grass..."

Two months later, Qin Chen's courtyard.

Qin Chen frowned tightly as he looked at Zi Yan in confusion. "Zi Yan, what happened to you? How did you end up like this?"

Zi Yan's aura was somewhat unstable, her smooth purple hair was a complete mess, and her usually clean, neat clothes had become filthy. She looked as though she had just gone through a fierce battle, though fortunately, she had not suffered any injuries.

Zi Yan did not care about her condition at all. Instead, she grabbed Qin Chen's hand and said excitedly, "Forget about that. I have some good news to tell you."

"Don't get excited yet. Take this pill first."

Qin Chen placed a fifth-tier healing pill into Zi Yan's little mouth. He could roughly guess what had happened. Over the past two months, he and Zi Yan had entered the deep mountains of the Inner Academy to search for quite a few medicinal herbs. Though he was only a Da Dou Shi, he had plenty of combat methods. Furthermore, those magical beasts possessed relatively low intelligence, so with the two of them working together, magical beasts below the Dou Emperor level had no ability to resist.

Judging from Zi Yan's current state, she had likely found some precious medicinal herb, but the magical beast guarding it was too powerful for her to defeat. That was why she had come back in such a bedraggled state to ask him for help.

"Tell me, what good news is it?" Once Zi Yan's aura gradually stabilized, Qin Chen helped smooth out her messy long hair as he asked.

Zi Yan chuckled, unable to suppress the excitement flashing in her eyes. "I found a treasure just now. Its smell was more tempting than all the medicinal herbs we found before combined, but the gorilla guarding it was too strong, so it beat me back."

"Hmph! It originally wasn't my match. It's all because of that hateful berserk bloodline—it boosted its strength by a huge amount."

As she spoke, Zi Yan fiercely swung her little fist. In an instant, a sharp sonic boom rang out.

"A gorilla?"

Qin Chen thought of something and hurriedly asked, "What did that gorilla look like?"

Zi Yan tilted her head and thought for a moment, gesturing with her little hands as she said, "It was really, really huge, covered in long white fur, with a pair of red eyes. It also had an ice attribute."

Upon hearing this, Qin Chen was basically certain that the gorilla Zi Yan spoke of was the Snow Demon Sky Ape from the original story. The Earth Core Tempering Milk it guarded not only possessed miraculous marrow-cleansing and bone-forging effects, but also contained extremely pure and immense energy. It could help cultivators break through their barriers and advance to higher realms.

A few days ago, Qin Chen had taken a Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill and successfully advanced to a nine-star Da Dou Shi. He had been worrying about how to quickly advance to the Dou Ling realm and had originally planned to ask Zi Yan about it. Unexpectedly, she had brought him a pleasant surprise today.

Thinking this, Qin Chen rubbed Zi Yan's silky purple hair with a smile. "Since there's treasure, we certainly can't let it slip away. But it's already late. Rest for the night, and we'll set off tomorrow."

Snow Demon Sky Ape

The next day, led by Zi Yan, the two quickly arrived at a hidden valley.

It was a small gourd-shaped valley, its entrance concealed by dense vegetation. Perhaps because of the Snow Demon Sky Ape, the temperature here was much lower than in the surrounding valleys. In some places, there was even ice and snow that had yet to melt.

Behind a large tree beside the valley, Zi Yan said quietly, "Qin Chen, the treasure is here."

Qin Chen nodded and popped a pill that concealed one's aura into his mouth. "Alright. Follow the plan."

"Got it." Zi Yan eagerly rubbed her little hands together. With a light flap of the purple wings on her back, she flew straight into the air above the valley.

"Hey, big idiot, get out here! This young lady is going to teach you a lesson today!"

Her crisp voice echoed continuously, shattering the valley's silence.

"Roar!"

The moment her words fell, a deafening roar came from within the valley. A gigantic snow-white ape shot out from the depths of the valley, its scarlet eyes locked tightly onto Zi Yan in the sky. A frigid aura swept through the entire valley. Clearly, it had been enraged by this sudden provocation.

"It's you again, you little runt! I let you go yesterday, and you actually dare come back today!"

The Snow Demon Sky Ape furiously pounded its chest, producing dull thuds. Then it stomped forward with heavy steps and charged fiercely toward Zi Yan.

"Pah! A dumb brute like you thinks you can bark in front of me? Watch me beat you flat!" Zi Yan showed no fear. Instead, she snorted coldly and raised her small but powerful fist to meet it.

The instant the two figures collided, a powerful burst of energy exploded. Violent shockwaves spread outward like tangible force, sending shattered stones flying everywhere. Although both figures were knocked back repeatedly, it was clear that Zi Yan had gained the upper hand.

After steadying itself, the Snow Demon Sky Ape let out an enraged roar. Its white fur suddenly stood on end, and it spewed a stream of white frost from its mouth. Wherever it passed, fine ice crystals condensed in the air.

Facing the incoming attack, Zi Yan did not dodge. A faint purple glow emerged over her pale little hand. Then she raised her fist and smashed it fiercely into the incoming white beam. The two collided violently, and the white beam was instantly blown apart.

Battles between magical beasts were unlike those of humans, who employed countless complicated battle techniques. They relied more on physical combat. Within the valley, the girl and the ape collided again and again, each clash accompanied by deafening thunderous booms.

"Roar!"

The Snow Demon Sky Ape had clearly been completely enraged by Zi Yan. With an earthshaking roar, it began to activate the berserk bloodline within its body. In an instant, thick blood-red mist continuously surged out of its body, while its fur gradually changed from snowy white to crimson.

The opportunity is here!

A sharp light flashed in Qin Chen's eyes as he emerged from the shadows. His body shot out like a ghost, turning into a blurry afterimage. The longsword in his hand, blazing with beast flame, pierced directly through the Snow Demon Sky Ape's back. Violent fire-attribute energy rampaged relentlessly through its body.

The Snow Demon Sky Ape's massive body suddenly trembled. Its rising aura was forcefully interrupted. It instinctively turned around to attack, but Qin Chen had already retreated into the distance.

Qin Chen's strike was not enough to kill it, but his objective had been achieved.

"Haha, big idiot, take my punch!"

Seeing this, Zi Yan flapped her wings. Her pale little hand clenched into a fist, and she smashed it fiercely into the Snow Demon Sky Ape's forehead.

With a muffled bang, the Snow Demon Sky Ape let out a pained howl. Its enormous body flew backward like a cannonball before crashing heavily onto the ground, kicking up clouds of dust. It struggled a few times, but ultimately failed to stand again and completely lost its life.

However, Qin Chen did not lower his guard because of that. He swiftly rushed forward and thrust his sword through its throat. Only then did he relax.

At that moment, Zi Yan flew over from nearby. The little girl stood with both hands in her pockets, her face full of a victor's smile. "Hahaha! You dared block this young lady's way. Now you know how amazing I am, right?"

Qin Chen could only shake his head helplessly. As he dealt with the Snow Demon Sky Ape's massive body, he complained, "You didn't even strengthen your defenses while transforming, and you still transformed so slowly."

Soon, Qin Chen dug out an ice-attribute magic core. After storing the corpse in his storage ring as well, he smiled at Zi Yan beside him. "Come on, Zi Yan. It's time to go inside and take the treasure you sensed."

"Hehe, then let's hurry!" Zi Yan had long been unable to wait. Hearing this, she grabbed Qin Chen's shoulder and flapped the battle qi wings on her back, flying toward the depths of the valley.

Quite a few magical beast bones were piled up within the valley, and some still carried traces of coldness. They had clearly been killed by the Snow Demon Sky Ape while fighting over the Earth Core Tempering Milk. With nothing blocking their way, the two quickly arrived at the end of the valley, where a pitch-black cave came into view.

After probing outside the cave and confirming that there was no danger, the two stepped inside. Qin Chen summoned the beast flame within his body, illuminating the cave. Its interior was extremely spacious, with jagged rocks scattered across the ground and Snow Demon Sky Ape fur strewn all around.

After walking for a while, the two reached the end of the cave. The ground there was sunken, covered in the Snow Demon Sky Ape's snowy white fur. It was clearly where it rested.

Looking at the mountain wall before them, Zi Yan frowned, confusion written across her pale little face. "Why is there no path? I clearly sensed that the treasure was here."

Knowing the reason, Qin Chen smiled faintly and pointed at the sunken area. "The good stuff is underneath. Clear away the things on top, and you'll see the entrance."

Zi Yan immediately perked up upon hearing that. With a wave of her little hand, several sharp streams of battle qi shot out, sweeping away all the white fur and broken stones. As the debris was cleared, an extremely spacious dark opening appeared before them, with faint energy fluctuations coming from within.

"Hehe, it really is inside. Let's go."

As she spoke, Zi Yan lightly tapped the ground with her feet and jumped in first. Qin Chen followed close behind.

After walking through the passage for nearly a quarter of an hour, the two finally saw a point of white light. As they drew closer, it gradually expanded until it became an underground world filled with stalactites.

The stalactites in this underground world were enormous and took on all manner of bizarre shapes. Some resembled swords hanging upside down, while others looked like jade pillars holding up the heavens. A faint white glow radiated from them, dispersing all the darkness underground and forming a naturally wondrous sight.

Without needing Qin Chen to say anything, Zi Yan grabbed his hand and pulled him deeper inside. The two continued weaving through the area until they finally stopped before the largest stalactite of all.

This stalactite was enormous, like a small mountain hanging upside down. Beneath it sat an incomparably massive green rock, more than half buried underground. At its top was a groove several inches deep, positioned directly beneath the pointed tip of the stalactite. Within the groove lay a pool of milky-white liquid, above which floated a faint white mist that lingered without dispersing.

Earth Core Tempering Milk

Qin Chen took out several jade bottles and slowly filled them with the milky-white liquid from the groove under Zi Yan's drooling gaze.

"Qin Chen, Qin Chen, let's hurry up and go." Seeing that the treasure had all been collected, Zi Yan excitedly rubbed her little hands together and said in a crisp voice.

Qin Chen chuckled and stored the jade bottles filled with liquid in his storage ring. Then he said mysteriously, "This isn't the real treasure in the cave."

Zi Yan's eyes instantly widened like two sparkling purple gemstones. "What? There's more good stuff?"

Seeing how adorable she looked, Qin Chen patted her little head and smiled. "The real treasure is right above us. Fly me up there."

Though full of doubts, Zi Yan trusted Qin Chen's words unconditionally. Her slender little hand grabbed his shoulder, and with a flap of her purple battle qi wings, the two flew upward.

Not long after, they reached the top of the underground world. At the point where the stalactite connected to the ceiling, Qin Chen sensed a faint trace of energy.

After motioning Zi Yan closer, Qin Chen took out a pure jade blade from his storage ring. He wrapped it in battle qi and carefully began to cut into the stalactite. When the final line was completed, a neatly shaped fragment fell from the stalactite, and he caught it steadily.

The cut opening emitted a dazzling light. Within it floated a mass of jade-green viscous liquid, which radiated pure and vast energy as it flowed.

"Wow! It smells so good." Zi Yan sniffed lightly, and her big eyes instantly widened.

"Zi Yan, be careful! Don't let me fall!" Feeling the strange movement at his shoulder, Qin Chen hurriedly warned her.

"Hehe." Zi Yan quickly steadied herself, then gave an embarrassed smile.

"Hmph!"

Qin Chen glared fiercely at this careless girl. Then he calmed his breathing, took out an exquisite jade spoon and several jade bottles, and carefully filled them with the liquid. Looking at the final bit remaining, Qin Chen thought for a moment before deciding to leave it behind.

After putting away the jade bottles filled with Earth Core Tempering Milk, Qin Chen pressed the stalactite fragment back into place. Once the intense light faded, the spot returned to its original appearance.

Qin Chen clapped his hands together and said to Zi Yan, "Alright, Zi Yan. Let's head back."

Zi Yan had long been eager to enjoy the delicious food. Upon hearing Qin Chen, she lightly flapped her wings and flew back the way they had come.

While flying, Zi Yan could not help looking back at the tranquil stalactite area. She asked softly, "Qin Chen, why would the good stuff appear inside that big rock?"

Qin Chen smiled faintly and explained in a low voice, "You have a talent for finding treasure, so naturally, spiritual treasures of heaven and earth have ways of protecting themselves. They will hide themselves as much as possible."

"Like that Earth Core Tempering Milk just now. Not only did it use the thick shell of the stalactite to avoid being noticed from outside, it also used a deception. It openly displayed diluted liquid to distract others, making them think that was the treasure and causing them to overlook the real good stuff. That way, it can protect itself well."

"I see. I didn't expect those mindless things to be so cunning." Zi Yan nodded as though she understood.

"That's why you must always be cautious. With your treasure-hunting talent, you would definitely have sensed the real Earth Core Tempering Milk. Your attention was simply distracted by the diluted liquid on the ground."

As they spoke, the two had already returned to the cave entrance. However, neither expected to run into magical beasts that had come over to investigate the commotion. Zi Yan dealt with them one punch at a time, earning Qin Chen quite a few magic cores.

After leaving the valley, the two explored the deep mountains some more before returning to the Inner Academy only after nightfall.

Qin Chen had cooked for Zi Yan many times already and had long become skilled at it. Using the day's harvest, he busied himself for a while before quickly preparing an entire table of medicinal dishes and desserts. Zi Yan, who had waited for a long time, immediately began stuffing herself, her little face full of satisfaction.

Early the next morning, as soon as the doors to the Heaven-Burning Qi Refining Tower opened, Qin Chen eagerly entered Zi Yan's exclusive cultivation room, preparing to use the Earth Core Tempering Milk to temper his body. To guard against the erosion of fire poison, he had taken a pill in advance.

Qin Chen was only a Da Dou Shi and had no chance of obtaining a high-grade cultivation room, so he could only reluctantly live off Zi Yan.

Fortunately, this little girl was a magical beast and deeply hated the scorching environment inside cultivation rooms. Usually, she would only enter one with a twisted expression when she truly could not find any medicinal herbs.

But with Qin Chen's help, Zi Yan had obtained far more medicinal herbs from the deep mountains. Coupled with the medicinal meals he prepared for her, Zi Yan had barely come here over the past three months. She had been busy digesting the medicinal power within her body, allowing Qin Chen to enter the cultivation room of the first place on the Strong Ranking once more beneath countless envious gazes.

After all, Jia Nan Academy had been founded by Mang Tianchi of the Thunder Clan, so its collection was extremely extensive. The method for using Earth Core Tempering Milk was recorded in great detail, not inferior even to some major powers in the Central Plains. It had merely suffered from appearing too early, which lowered its prestige.

Qin Chen seriously suspected that the current Jia Nan Academy had been weakened. The Jia Nan Academy during the final great battle was the real Jia Nan Academy. Only that could live up to the title of the foremost academy on the Battle Qi Continent. However, in the early stages, it had to serve the protagonist Xiao Yan, which was why quite a few elders were only at the Dou Wang realm.

That was getting off topic...

Qin Chen shook his head, dismissing the strange thoughts in his mind. With a swipe over his storage ring, a wooden basin filled with clear water and a wooden rack covered in medicinal herbs appeared on the ground.

Following the records on the scroll, Qin Chen first dripped the Earth Core Tempering Milk into the water. The moment it touched the surface, a faint mist drifted out, instantly filling the entire room and lingering without dispersing.