Great Elder Su Qian, an honorary place at the academy

The newcomer wore black robes and had white hair and a white beard. Sharp glints flashed in his cloudy old eyes, and a kindly smile rested on his face. He gave off no aura whatsoever, looking like an ordinary old man, yet he walked eerily through the air, a sight that sent a shiver through anyone watching.

"This junior, Lin Chen, pays his respects to Great Elder Su Qian."

Seeing who had arrived, Lin Chen was startled. He hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

"Old man Su Qian, what brings you here?"

Beside him, Zi Yan was holding a huge pile of pills. She hurriedly stuffed them into her Storage Ring, then patted the cheeks Lin Chen had pinched, producing crisp slapping sounds as she asked curiously.

"You two made such a commotion. Naturally, I had to come and take a look."

Su Qian, the Inner Academy's Great Elder and currently the leading authority at Jia Nan Academy, replied with a chuckle. Then he glanced at Lin Chen, a flicker of appreciation crossing his eyes. "You're the lad Hu Gan mentioned?"

"Very good, very good. You just refined a heavenly flame? And broke through to Dou Wang as well?"

"What a tremendous stroke of fortune. Hu Gan has raised a fine successor..."

At those words, Lin Chen adopted a respectful expression and cupped his hands. "It was all because this junior worked too hard. Alas, even I never expected to casually pick up a heavenly flame while out gaining experience."

"I tried refining it, and somehow succeeded through sheer luck. Unfortunately, I accidentally disturbed you in the process. That was entirely my fault."

Su Qian's mouth twitched, and his smile slowly faded. His voice carried a hint of helplessness. "Hu Gan told me you had a mischievous streak. I didn't think much of it at first, but now it seems you're every bit Zi Yan's equal."

"A heavenly flame! That's a treasure countless alchemists yearn for but cannot obtain. They might never encounter one in their entire lives, yet you make it sound like a pebble lying by the roadside. And you refined it through sheer luck?"

"If even one alchemist were here today, I doubt they would let you off, brat."

Before Lin Chen could respond to those words, someone else spoke.

Zi Yan was displeased. She put down the pills in her hands and planted her hands on her hips, her big, jet-black eyes brimming with indignation. "Old man Su Qian, what are you talking about? Didn't I just eat a few of your old medicinal herbs? Was that really such a big deal? You're still holding on to it!"

"Didn't I compensate you afterward?"

Su Qian shook his head and sighed helplessly. His gaze swept over Zi Yan, then returned to Lin Chen. For some reason, his head began to ache, and a vague premonition stirred within him.

With these two youngsters at the academy, the entire Inner Academy would probably never know peace again.

They really were a pair of little demon kings, two troublemakers who would never let anyone rest easy.

At that thought, Su Qian composed himself and looked at Lin Chen. "Young friend, might you let this old man take a look at your heavenly flame?"

Lin Chen nodded without the slightest hesitation and opened his palm. A mass of deep-blue flame rose from it, sending scorching heat through the surrounding air.

Sooner or later, others would learn that he possessed a heavenly flame. He could not hide it during his everyday pill refining, so he might as well display it openly.

As far as he knew, Su Qian was a decent man. Having earned the support of the Inner Academy's elders and taken the position of Chief Grand Elder, his character needed no further proof.

Looking at the deep-blue flame in Lin Chen's palm, Su Qian's eyes flashed with surprise. "Deep blue in color, waterlike in substance, surging like waves in motion and resting like a tranquil lake when still... Is this the Sea Heart Flame, ranked fifteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking?"

"Isn't this heavenly flame born under the crushing pressure of the deep sea? How did you obtain it, lad? There's no sea anywhere near the Black-Corner Region..."

Lin Chen rubbed his nose and smiled awkwardly, but offered no explanation.

Great Elder Su Qian understood. "I overstepped. Obtaining a heavenly flame was your own good fortune, young friend. I should not pry. Since you have refined it and broken through to Dou Wang, you are technically qualified to graduate from Jia Nan Academy..."

"However, I wonder..."

Su Qian left his words unfinished, fixing an intent gaze on Lin Chen with a trace of anticipation in his eyes.

After all, as far as he knew, Hu Gan of the Outer Academy had personally trained this young man. Even his cultivation method had come from Hu Gan, so he ought to feel a strong sense of belonging to the academy.

Having broken through to Dou Wang at such a young age, it would be ideal if he could join the academy and bolster its strength.

Lin Chen understood why Su Qian had come. After a moment's thought, he cupped his hands and bowed solemnly. "Great Elder Su Qian, I am deeply grateful for the academy's years of instruction. Vice President Hu Gan's kindness to me weighs as heavily as a mountain. By all rights, I should join the academy, become an Inner Academy elder, and lead it toward greater size and strength..."

"Unfortunately..."

"Unfortunately what?"

Su Qian showed no displeasure as he listened, only a hint of curiosity. He seemed genuinely interested in Lin Chen's reason for refusing.

"Unfortunately, Jia Nan Academy occupies far too perilous a location and lacks resources. If I stay here forever, I won't be able to expand the academy. If we want Jia Nan Academy to dominate the Black-Corner Region and trounce the Northwest Continent's ten greatest sects, we must nurture several Dou Zun experts!"

"The academy is wonderful, but its resources aren't enough to nurture Dou Zun experts. Nor do I wish to stay here teaching students. Every field has its specialists, and I'm no good at teaching and nurturing others. I'm sure you've already noticed that, Great Elder. Why not make me an adjunct elder instead? I'll be the academy's pillar of support!"

"When Jia Nan Academy expands its endeavors and prepares to dominate the Black-Corner Region someday, just call for me. I'll gladly take a blade through each side for you. When it comes to the academy, I have just one word: loyalty!"

Lin Chen patted his chest and declared this with absolute conviction, his eyes shining with enthusiasm and overflowing with loyalty to the academy.

Su Qian's expression darkened. He felt he must have lost his mind to consider bringing this brat into the Inner Academy.

If he really made him an elder, who knew what he would turn those little brats in the Inner Academy into? Just listen to those ideas! When had he ever said Jia Nan Academy wanted to dominate the Black-Corner Region?

Su Qian calmed himself and gave a light cough. "In that case, if you are unwilling, let us leave it at that. I'll grant you the title of Honorary Elder."

"You'll hold a nominal position at Jia Nan Academy. Your benefits will be slightly lower than those of other elders, but you won't need to take part in administration or teaching. You need only lend a hand when the academy is in trouble."

With that, he took out a Red Fire Crystal Card and handed it to Lin Chen. Its face was distinctly different from other Fire Crystal Cards, bearing an image of a towering black pagoda that made it look particularly exquisite.

"This is a fourth-tier Fire Crystal Card. It grants access to the seventh and eighth floors of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, which are suitable for Dou Wang experts to cultivate in. Once you break through to Dou Emperor, I'll exchange it for a purple Fire Crystal Card."

Lin Chen reached out and accepted it. The Fire Crystal Card felt cold to the touch, and a cooling sensation seemed to seep into his body as he held it. It even appeared to have a slight calming effect on his mind.

He nodded in satisfaction. "Rest assured, Great Elder. I'll cultivate diligently. Today, I take pride in the academy. One day, the academy will take pride in me. As long as I live, Jia Nan Academy's name will resound throughout the Dou Qi Continent!"

Su Qian's mouth twitched. He waved a hand, seemingly unwilling to listen to any more of Lin Chen's grand promises, then turned and stepped away. His figure gradually blurred as ripples spread through the surrounding space.

He left behind only one sentence. "Go give Hu Gan the good news. Just yesterday, he came asking me for an Azure Nether Longevity Pill. From the looks of it, you won't need it anymore..."

With that, his aged figure vanished completely into space.

Lin Chen cupped his hands and bowed in the direction Great Elder Su Qian had departed, then turned to Zi Yan and beckoned her over.

"What is it?"

Zi Yan walked over curiously, only for Lin Chen to press a Blue Fire Crystal Card into her hands.

"Here, take this back. By the way, Zi Yan, considering how well I treat you, do you know of any places near Jia Nan Academy where natural treasures grow?"

"I'm going to visit my adoptive father. I can hardly show up empty-handed, can I?"

Lin Chen returned the Blue Fire Crystal Card to Zi Yan and spoke with a solemn expression.