Han Feng's surprise, Zi Yan wrapped around his finger!

"Today, I break through to Dou Wang!"

Lin Chen shouted, instinctively circulating the Ninefold Phoenix Flame Art. His hands formed seals as he directed the newly refined Sea Heart Flame to envelop the Dou Crystal that had accompanied him for months.

Then he drove the Heavenly Flame to burn fiercely.

Hiss, hiss!

Under the Heavenly Flame's scorching heat, the pale-red Dou Crystal grew increasingly translucent. Tiny cracks spread across it until, with a sharp crack, it shattered!

Vast energy surged through his entire body. His meridians, flesh, tendons, bones, and skin all received rich nourishment, continuously transformed and strengthened by that energy as they underwent an unprecedented metamorphosis.

At that moment, Lin Chen swept his sleeve, and the protective energy barrier outside abruptly dispersed into specks of light.

Rumble!

The next instant, as his hands formed seals, a Dou Wang's instinctive ability to command the power of heaven and earth erupted. Dense worldly energy surged toward him, forming a funnel-shaped, deep-blue vortex in mere moments.

The vortex spun continuously, drawing an endless torrent of surrounding worldly energy toward it. Finally, it became a blue pillar of light dozens of yards wide, carrying dense fire-attribute energy as it descended from the sky and poured furiously into Lin Chen's body.

A look of longing appeared on Lin Chen's face. His hands formed seals, and his newly advanced body greedily absorbed the energy outside as his powerful aura continued to strengthen.

Dou Qi surged around him like the tide, radiating a faint, deep-blue glow and releasing waves of melodious surf!

The dazzling blue pillar grew ever more brilliant. Scorching heat rose from it, and vaguely, a sea of blue fire seemed to emerge high in the sky!

Several hours later,

The enormous pillar of energy slowly dissipated, and the scorching heat in the sky scattered as well.

Lin Chen's aura finally settled. A profound blue gleam flashed through his eyes as the Dou Qi within him instinctively circulated, eventually following a peculiar path to converge at his back.

Bang!

Deep-blue flaming wings suddenly sprang from his back, trailing gorgeous flames. Blue patterns rippled across them like water, making them resemble a phoenix's wings—resplendent and stunning!

These were none other than the Dou Qi wings mastered by Dou Wang experts!

Glancing sideways, Lin Chen's lips curved into a smile he could not suppress. He touched the flaming wings behind him, felt the Sea Heart Flame's docility, and finally could not help laughing aloud.

"Hahaha! I'm a man with a Heavenly Flame now!"

"Other alchemists don't use one—is it because they don't have one?"

"What's so hard about refining a Heavenly Flame? Anyone with hands can do it!"

Hearing the laughter inside, Zi Yan, who had been guarding outside the courtyard, brightened. She tossed away the fruit core in her hand, hurried to her feet, and charged over on her short little legs. She instantly pushed open the courtyard gate and shouted:

"Lin Chen, hurry up and refine medicine for me!"

"I'm starving!"

"These medicinal ingredients don't taste good at all! I don't want to eat them anymore!"

Meanwhile, far beyond Jia Nan Academy, in a lawless region.

Atop an elegant pavilion, a man wearing blue robes embroidered with a maple leaf on the chest raised his head slightly. His gaze rested in the direction of Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy.

"The aura of a Heavenly Flame?"

"So Jia Nan Academy really does have a Heavenly Flame. But why does this flame..."

The handsome man pondered briefly, surprise flashing through his eyes as he said in disbelief, "Why does it feel like my Sea Heart Flame?"

"There really is a second Sea Heart Flame in this world?"

"The conditions for a Heavenly Flame's birth are so demanding. Back then, even this one was that old bastard's..."

The blue-robed man, now respectfully addressed as the Medicine Emperor by countless experts of the Black-Corner Region, abruptly changed expression. His face darkened instantly, as though he had recalled some unpleasant memory. His tone turned chilling. "Never mind. It's still a Heavenly Flame, after all. But investigating it won't be easy with it inside Jia Nan Academy."

"I must find a suitable opportunity. Though I don't fear those old bastards at Jia Nan Academy, there'll still be plenty of trouble if they discover me."

"I'll send someone to make inquiries first."

"A pity that old bastard escaped back then. Otherwise, I wouldn't still be trapped at the Dou Emperor realm. If..."

The man paused. Killing intent and apprehension surfaced in his eyes, but in the end, he did not dare voice a certain conjecture.

Jia Nan Academy, Inner Academy.

Within a small courtyard planted with medicinal ingredients in the Alchemy Department.

Lin Chen held back Zi Yan as she lunged straight at him, his expression rather solemn. "Zi Yan, you've overstepped."

"A mere Dou Wang, refusing to kneel before the future Alchemy Saint—and you even dare reach out to demand a bribe! How will you answer for your crime?"

Zi Yan's eyes widened. She seemingly had not expected this fellow, who had previously addressed her as "my lady," to change his tune so quickly. In just a few days, he had merely advanced from Dou Ling to Dou Wang, yet he already dared call her by her name.

Her slender brows immediately shot up. Furious, she clawed at Lin Chen's face.

Seeing this, Lin Chen chuckled. He grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and lifted her up, extending his long arm so that she could not reach him no matter what she did. Then he reached out with his other hand and pinched her adorable face, as delicately sculpted as jade.

"Do you still want pills? If you do, behave yourself. Otherwise, you won't get any more of those delicious pills~"

Lin Chen pinched Zi Yan's smooth, tender cheek, reluctant to let go, and spoke in a coaxing tone.

"Put me down first!"

Zi Yan flailed her short little legs, kicking toward Lin Chen in an attempt to make him let go as she spoke fiercely.

Lin Chen set Zi Yan down, then brushed the Jade-Green Ring on his hand. He took out several pill bottles and opened them one by one, revealing a heap of multicolored pills that floated out.

Each gave off a different aroma: apple, strawberry, orange, mint, roasted meat... There was every variety imaginable, all gleaming enticingly and looking quite tempting.

Zi Yan had been looking rather unhappy, but as she gazed at the heap of pills, her delicate nose twitched. She unconsciously stepped forward, then caught herself and retreated several steps, watching Lin Chen warily.

"Don't think you can tempt me. I won't submit."

"I won't eat a single one of these pills!"

Crunch.

Lin Chen picked up a roasted-meat-flavored pill and ate it, an intoxicated expression appearing on his face. He teased, "If you won't eat them, I'll eat them all. What a shame—this hunger-suppressing pill made from magical beast meat is so deliciously spicy, but someone won't eat it. Ah..."

"Maybe I should share them with that girl Hu Jia instead. All bust and no brains—she could use some nourishment..."

At those words, Zi Yan, whose resolve had already begun to waver, immediately widened her eyes in disbelief. He was actually going to share such delicious pills with someone else?

Her little hand immediately grabbed Lin Chen's sleeve. A smile of surrender appeared on her face, just like when Lin Chen had tried to curry favor with her. Putting on a sweet demeanor, she spoke in a cloyingly sugary voice. "Brother Lin Chen~ I was wrong just now..."

"You're the best. I'll definitely listen to you from now on and won't get angry with you anymore. Could you give me a few...?"

Zi Yan tugged at the hem of Lin Chen's clothes with her little hands, looking up at him with her big, limpid eyes. They held a pitiful expression, brimming with anticipation for delicious food, like a little female dragon begging for treats.

The positions of attacker and defender had now reversed!

A mere Ancient Void Dragon hatchling—effortlessly wrapped around his finger!

Hearing this, Lin Chen waved his hand and handed all the pills to Zi Yan, saying generously, "Very good. Keep that attitude from now on, and I certainly won't treat you poorly. Once my alchemy reaches perfection, I'll grant you a Transformation Pill and fulfill your wish..."

Zi Yan's face immediately lit up, her purple eyes sparkling. She could not help hugging Lin Chen's arm as she asked sweetly, "Can a Transformation Pill make me grow up?"

"Ahem, about that..."

Lin Chen coughed lightly, considering how to hoodwink Zi Yan.

Just then, the surrounding space rippled.

An elderly figure stepped out of the space and said with a chuckle, "I wouldn't be so sure~"