Lizardmen

"So you are Grandmaster Xiao's disciples. Please, all three of you, come in."

A hearty laugh came from the void. Then, in a flash of silver light, Mang Tianchi appeared out of thin air before Qian Mu and Bai Lie.

Qian Mu and Bai Lie exchanged a glance, each seeing a flicker of surprise in the other's eyes.

After guarding Jia Nan Academy for so many years, this was their first time seeing the headmaster treat a visitor with such courtesy. Not only had he come out personally to greet them, he had even extended an invitation before they could speak.

The two tactfully stepped aside, clearing the way.

Lin Yu gave a slight nod and led Han Shanshan and Du Ning into Jia Nan Academy's inner academy behind Mang Tianchi.

After passing through several winding stone paths, the four arrived at an antique reception hall. Mang Tianchi personally brewed tea for the three of them, his manner easygoing and warm.

"Since the three of you have come to my Jia Nan Academy, there is no need to stand on ceremony. If you need anything, just say the word." Mang Tianchi pushed the teacups before them and said with a smile.

With his discerning eye, he could naturally tell that all three were extraordinary. Lin Yu's aura was steady and unfathomable; Han Shanshan's Heavenly Flame aura was restrained yet formidable; even the purple-eyed girl who rarely spoke faintly exuded a palpitation-inducing poisonous aura.

There were only benefits and no drawbacks to befriending such outstanding young talents from the Pill Tower.

"Then many thanks, Headmaster." Lin Yu lifted his teacup and took a sip, wetting his throat before casually changing the subject. "I heard that your Heavenly Inferno Qi Refining Tower was built around the Fallen Heart Flame?"

At those words, Han Shanshan's hand paused slightly around her teacup, and an undisguised flicker of surprise crossed her beautiful eyes.

The Bone Spirit Cold Flame within her had already sensed something faintly the instant she entered Jia Nan Academy.

Now that Lin Yu had said it outright, she finally understood. What else could make the Bone Spirit Cold Flame react, other than another Heavenly Flame?

"That is correct." Mang Tianchi stroked his beard, appearing calm, though his heart stirred slightly. "But it seems both of you possess Heavenly Flames. You should have no use for this thing."

"I heard the Fallen Heart Flame is known as a cultivation cheat, so naturally I wanted to experience it for myself." Lin Yu set down his teacup with a faint smile, his tone as casual as ever.

Mang Tianchi gave Lin Yu a long look, then burst into hearty laughter and waved his hand generously. "Of course. The Heavenly Inferno Qi Refining Tower exists for cultivation. If others may use it, then naturally you may as well, young friend."

"Then the three of us will head to the Heavenly Inferno Qi Refining Tower first." Lin Yu rose to his feet.

"I'll lead the way." Mang Tianchi stood as well and personally guided the three toward the depths of the inner academy.

The students passing through the tower were all stunned to see the headmaster personally leading guests. They hurriedly moved to either side to clear a path, whispering among themselves as they guessed at the identities of the three.

Mang Tianchi led them through layer after layer of tower gates and all the way down to the lowest level.

This was already the deepest part of the Heavenly Inferno Qi Refining Tower. Beneath their feet, separated by a thick transparent crystal floor, they could clearly see the churning, boiling golden-red magma below. Bubbles rose with constant gurgles, and each burst sent a wisp of dark-red sparks flying.

At the deepest point of that magma, a faint Heavenly Flame aura pulsed slowly, like a heartbeat.

The Fallen Heart Flame's intelligence had clearly sensed the approach of two Heavenly Flames. One was bone-chillingly cold, while the other carried scorching heat beneath its grim chill. Both auras made it salivate with greed.

Wrapped in endless magma, a nearly transparent flame quivered slightly, and a humanlike greed flashed in its eyes.

If it could devour these two Heavenly Flames, it might break through its shackles in one stroke and evolve into a higher form of existence.

"Young friend, cultivate here for now. I'll head back up first." Mang Tianchi brought the three to the cultivation chamber on the lowest floor, swept his gaze over the magma depths, then flashed with silver light beneath his feet and vanished into thin air, leaving only his lingering voice echoing through the air.

Once Mang Tianchi had left, Lin Yu turned to Han Shanshan and Du Ning. "I'll go down and take a look. You two cultivate here."

"Be careful." Du Ning pressed her lips together and spoke softly.

After traveling together for so long, much of her wariness toward Lin Yu and Han Shanshan had already faded. Though she remained quiet, there was now genuine concern in her words.

The poison within her was temporarily kept from running wild by the Bone Spirit Cold Flame's suppression, but this blazing environment was not friendly to her. Forcing herself to follow would only burden Lin Yu.

"Don't worry, Sister Du Ning. Junior Brother is very strong. The Fallen Heart Flame is no match for him."

Han Shanshan smiled and patted Du Ning's hand. The Bone Spirit Cold Flame flickered in her palm, dispersing the scorching heat waves around her.

Lin Yu curled his lips into a smile as spatial power flowed faintly beneath his feet. Silvery-white radiance rippled outward like waves.

Then his figure flashed, and he silently slipped into the boiling magma like a silver fish. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the depths of that golden-red glow.

In the shadows, a pair of eyes took in the entire scene.

Mang Tianchi sighed, shook his head, and muttered to himself, "Fine, I'll give it to him. It's only a Fallen Heart Flame, and I have no use for it anyway. But did he really have to sneak around like this?"

He had only pretended to leave earlier. In truth, he had been secretly observing Lin Yu with his soul power, wanting to see what the boy was up to.

Now that he had seen Lin Yu dive into the magma depths, how could he not understand that he was after the Fallen Heart Flame?

Mang Tianchi gave a bitter smile, then withdrew his soul power and no longer paid attention.

After diving into the magma depths, Lin Yu did not immediately seek out the Fallen Heart Flame. Instead, he spread his Spirit-Realm Soul power to its fullest, searching through the magma like an invisible giant net.

The Bone Prison Beast Cold Flame within him pulsed faintly, guiding him like a compass.

Very soon, he caught a trace of weak yet equally pure Heavenly Flame aura.

As Lin Yu approached that Young Fallen Heart Flame, he passed through layer after layer of surging magma, while the temperature around him rose ever higher.

Just as he came within less than a hundred zhang of the Nascent Flame, the surrounding magma suddenly churned violently. Several dark-red shadows shot toward him from all directions like arrows loosed from a bow.

They were several Lizardmen, humanoid in shape but covered from head to toe in dark-red scales. Their limbs were long and powerful, sharp claws grew from their fingers, and their thick tails stirred up rolling heat waves as they swayed through the magma.

Their eyes gleamed crimson as hoarse, strange cries rang from their mouths.

Lin Yu did not even slow down. He merely waved a hand, and several Spatial Blades as thin as cicada wings flew from his fingertips, slicing soundlessly through the magma.