Battle Through the Heavens: The Rise Begins at Canaan Academy

Heh heh, besides the Snake-People Tribe's abundant medicinal herb collection, I also have Gu He and his brother to thank for their gifts!

"About two and a half months from now will be the date agreed upon with Xiao Yan and his master. To be safe, I should take the Emperor's Extreme Pill now."

Qin Chen took out a transparent jade bottle containing a plump, richly colored pill.

Over the past few months, he had refined quite a few Emperor's Extreme Pills. The one in this jade bottle was the finest among them.

I hope my luck won't be too bad.

Raising the jade bottle above his head, Qin Chen did not hesitate in the slightest. He tilted his head back and swallowed the pill.

The pill dissolved as soon as it entered his mouth, turning into a warm medicinal energy that slid down his throat and instantly surged toward every part of his body.

Wherever the warm current passed, the Dou Qi that had already reached saturation became like dry firewood set ablaze, boiling at once as it thundered through his meridians.

Qin Chen's body had been tempered by many heavenly treasures, so digesting this immense energy was no difficult task for him. With a thought, the Green Lotus Core Flame roared forth and wrapped around all the medicinal energy rushing about within him.

Immediately afterward, he circulated his cultivation technique with all his strength, guiding this violent yet pure energy as he began to charge toward the realm of a four-star Dou Emperor.

As the medicinal energy was continuously refined, an immense energy vortex once again appeared above the secret chamber where Qin Chen was cultivating.

Elsewhere, in the Chu Yun Empire, there was a cluster of buildings surrounded by a secluded pool.

Under the glow of pale green ghostfire, the great hall was suffused with an eerie dim light. The air was filled with a stench of decay mingled with bloodiness, making intruders' throats tighten.

At this moment, everyone in the hall gazed with reverence and fervor at the figure seated in the place of honor.

It was Xiao Yixian!

She wore a pale purple robe, its hem embroidered with delicate patterns that gently fluttered with her breathing.

Her once incomparably beautiful face now carried a chilling coldness, while her formerly black hair had turned as white as snow.

Looking at the subordinates below, all bowing their heads and bending at the waist, too frightened even to breathe loudly, Xiao Yixian appeared cold and merciless on the surface, but her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

In a daze, she seemed to see once more those two kind and gentle gazes in that small mountain village.

That had been the happiness she had never experienced in her entire life!

Yet those smiles from back then had long since been swallowed without a trace by the icy poisonous mist.

After a moment, Xiao Yixian suppressed the surging emotions in her heart. Her clear, stream-like eyes froze over once more, and her voice was as cold as a blade's edge.

"From this day onward, the Poison Sect is officially established!"

"Long live the Sect Master!"

Deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range, amid mountains stretching for tens of thousands of miles, stood a hidden cliff.

Boom!

A muffled blast rang out. In an instant, huge rocks flew everywhere, and dust filled the air.

When the smoke and dust dispersed, a young man clad in black martial attire slowly walked out of the cave entrance strewn with rubble.

"How did it go?"

Seeing that his disciple had emerged from seclusion, Yao Lao flashed to his side, a trace of anticipation in his illusory eyes.

"Ah..."

Xiao Yan shook his head and sighed helplessly. With a bitter smile, he said, "The high Huang rank seems to be the limit of beast flames."

Ever since discovering that the Green Lotus Core Flame had been taken first, Yao Lao had brought Xiao Yan back into the Magical Beast Mountain Range, intending to find beast flames to serve as a transition for Xiao Yan's cultivation technique.

Xiao Yan's seclusion this time had been for the purpose of refining several beast flames Yao Lao had recently found.

Beast flames could indeed promote the evolution of the Flame Mantra, but ever since it had reached the high Huang rank, no matter how many beast flames he devoured, the technique seemed unable to advance another inch.

At those words, Yao Lao's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but then relaxed again. He patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and consoled him, "Beast flames are far inferior to Heavenly Flames to begin with. Reaching the high Huang rank is already no easy feat. With its mysteries, it is enough to contend with Xuan-rank techniques, so there is no need to lose heart."

"Once you win the three-year agreement, we'll immediately head to Canaan Academy. You should be able to obtain a Heavenly Flame there."

"Mm!"

A glimmer of light rekindled in Xiao Yan's eyes. Clenching his fists, he said, "I definitely won't lose the three-year agreement!"

Tagore Desert, Snake-People Holy City.

In midair, the enormous energy vortex enveloping the secret chamber finally began to gradually dissipate after operating continuously for seven days.

"Whew..."

Inside the secret chamber, Qin Chen dispersed the hand seal he had formed for cultivation and slowly opened his long-lowered eyelids.

Buzz!

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as Qin Chen's aura suddenly surged. Like bamboo splitting under force, he broke through two bottlenecks in succession and stepped directly into the level of a five-star Dou Emperor.

Arrival at the Imperial Capital

Qin Chen stood up and stretched his body, causing a series of crackling sounds to ring out from within him.

"What an intoxicating feeling..."

Feeling the Dou Qi within him rushing like a mighty river, Qin Chen could not help but reveal an intoxicated expression.

Now, he finally understood why so many people liked taking the path of evil cultivation—people like Fan Lao of the Blood Sect and the Heavenly Nether Old Monster of the Heavenly Nether Sect...

The feeling of one's strength soaring in such a short time was truly addictive!

"The time is right. It's time to bring Medusa with me to the Jia Ma Empire!"

Qin Chen smiled softly, then vanished from the secret chamber in a flash.

Over this period, he had basically used up all the medicinal herbs of the Snake-People Tribe. There was nothing more for him to do by staying here.

Not long after, a streak of azure light shot out from Snake-People Holy City and sped directly toward the Jia Ma Empire.

High in the sky, Qin Chen's sleeves fluttered loudly in the scorching winds. Gazing at the endless yellow sands, he could not help recalling the reactions of the two elders earlier.

As for why there were only two elders, it was because the other two were in seclusion attempting to break through to the Dou Ancestor realm. After all, they were considered high-level combat power for the Snake-People Tribe, so it was impossible for all of them to enter seclusion at once.

Besides, even if the first two failed, they could at least share their experience and raise the chances of success for the latter two, couldn't they?

When Qin Chen said he intended to bring Medusa back to Canaan Academy with him, she had initially hesitated somewhat. Yet when the two elders heard about it, they immediately agreed with broad smiles, as though afraid he would change his mind.

Uh...

How should he put it? Those two old women seemed even more anxious than he was.

Qin Chen was certain that this had also been the intention of the other two elders. They must have discussed similar matters in secret.

By the way, with the pills Qin Chen had supplied during this time, Medusa had already broken through to become a four-star Dou Ancestor.

To avoid any unforeseen trouble, Qin Chen did not fly directly to the imperial capital. Instead, he returned to Stone Desert City and boarded a flying magical beast.

This time, he did not encounter any incidents in the air. The accompanying alchemists were fairly quiet as well, and no blind fool came looking for trouble.

After five dull days of flight, Qin Chen finally saw a majestic city beneath the clouds.

Jia Ma Holy City truly deserved to be the capital of a human empire. Whether in grandeur or sheer size, it surpassed Snake-People Holy City.

After getting off the flying magical beast, Qin Chen deliberately put on the robe of a first-rank alchemist to avoid unnecessary trouble.

After asking a few passersby for directions, he quickly learned where the Mittel Family resided in the imperial capital.

As one of the Jia Ma Empire's top powers, the Mittel Family's residence was naturally imposing. The large characters on the plaque above its vermilion gate gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight, while the guards at the entrance were all Dou Practitioner-level experts.

However, before Qin Chen could approach, a woman's scolding voice reached his ears. "Lei Le, I warn you, stop following me!"

The woman possessed a graceful figure and skin whiter than snow. Her luxurious, form-fitting brocade robe outlined her alluring curves. Though her charming face bore no deliberate affectation, it still exuded an innate seductive allure.

Standing before her was a man about the same age, faintly radiating the aura of a Dou Master. He was clearly the Lei Le she had mentioned.

However, although Lei Le was much stronger than the woman, his face was somewhat pale. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell at a glance that it was due to excessive indulgence.

Staring unblinkingly at the mature beauty before him, Lei Le wore undisguised greed on his face, his tone extremely frivolous. "Heh heh, Ya Fei, I was merely passing by. How can you call that following you?"

"Ya Fei?"

Qin Chen halted at the sound of that name.

He had quite an impression of this "Golden Queen" from the original story. He had not expected to meet her in such a manner.

Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but she also possessed astonishing business talent and shrewdness. Unfortunately, her talent for cultivation was too poor. Otherwise, Qin Chen would certainly have gone to meet her. But now...

"Heh heh..."

Shaking his head helplessly, Qin Chen continued walking forward.

This was not his business, and Ya Fei would not come to harm anytime soon. He should let Xiao Yan handle it when he arrived.

"Merely passing by? Lei Le, do you take me for a three-year-old child?"

Facing the utterly shameless man before her, Ya Fei naturally showed no pleasant expression. Her voice was as cold as ice. "I have matters to attend to. Please move aside!"

Having had his intentions exposed, the smile on Lei Le's face stiffened. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly noticed a young man slowly walking toward them.

The man wore the robe of a first-rank alchemist. He was handsome, and a "Dou Master"-level aura radiated from his body.

Lei Le frowned and impatiently barked, "Kid, this isn't a place you should be. Get lost while you know what's good for you, or I'll make you regret it!"

Ya Fei also noticed Qin Chen approaching them, and her delicate brows instantly knitted together.

Unlike a wealthy young master like Lei Le, Ya Fei was meticulous and cautious. Although she did not know the man before her, the fact that he dared approach while Lei Le was acting so arrogantly meant he was certainly no ordinary person.

Qin Chen stopped and casually swept his gaze across Lei Le. His eyes were calm and undisturbed, yet they made this young master feel an inexplicable chill in his heart.

"Is there a problem?" Qin Chen asked indifferently.

He had not wanted to stir up trouble, but some people simply insisted on pushing their luck.

Although Lei Le sensed that something was off, the thought that this was the Mittel Family's headquarters immediately emboldened him. "What nonsense? Didn't you hear me tell you to get lost? If you don't leave now, do you believe I'll break every bone in your body?"

Glancing at this clown, Qin Chen chuckled. "I'm an alchemist. I have a medicine that can treat the injuries on your body caused by fighting."

"Medicine?"

Lei Le froze for a moment before curling his lips and saying coldly, "I thought you were somebody important. Turns out you're just a lunatic!"