Returning to the Black-Corner Region to Hunt Han Feng
Zi Yan stared at Sun Qi, her face full of curiosity.
Sun Qi now wore golden armor, with the Golden Cudgel slung over his shoulder and a red cloak fluttering behind him.
In just a few months, Sun Qi seemed to have grown considerably taller, and golden light streamed from his eyes.
He had once been only half a head taller than Zi Yan, but now she could barely reach his shoulder.
Sun Qi radiated a mighty, extraordinary presence, like a war god descended from heaven.
"Hehe, of course it's Old Sun!"
When Zi Yan first saw Sun Qi, his cultivation level wasn't what caught her attention.
She stepped forward and looked him over, then said with great displeasure, "Stinky Sun Qi, how did you suddenly get so much taller?!"
"And that armor looks so impressive too!"
Now Zi Yan had to look up to see Sun Qi!
Sun Qi shrugged, indicating that he didn't know either. "Maybe I just grow faster."
Just then, Su Qian suddenly appeared.
The moment he saw Su Qian, Sun Qi noticed that the First Elder was on the verge of a breakthrough.
"Hehe, Sun Qi, your talent is truly astonishing. I never thought you'd break through so quickly."
The elders around them were already too shocked to speak.
"I remember that when he came to the academy, he was only a Five-Star Dou Ling. How did he manage to break through so quickly?!"
None of them could understand it. It was as though Sun Qi had no bottlenecks in his breakthroughs at all.
But that was indeed the case. Having cultivated the Great Heavenly Immortal Art, Sun Qi found that all cultivation bottlenecks were nothing to him.
As long as he had enough cultivation resources, breakthroughs would follow as naturally as water flowing into a channel.
If he hadn't spent so much time learning other things at Starfall Pavilion, it wouldn't have taken him this long to break through.
"Outrageous! This boy's talent truly makes this old man green with envy!"
"Yes, he makes me look utterly useless!"
Only then did Zi Yan notice Sun Qi's cultivation level. She hadn't expected him to catch up to her so quickly!
He had broken through to Dou Wang so quickly. If he kept cultivating at this rate, he would surely surpass her in another two years!
"Hehe, Old Sun isn't like the rest of you. Not the same at all!"
"By the way, Elder Su, judging by your presence, you're about to break through to Dou Zong, aren't you?"
With the aid of his Fiery Golden Eyes, Sun Qi could see at a glance that the Qi Sea inside Su Qian had long since reached a critical point.
As long as he had enough Dou Qi, he could break through his shackles and become a Dou Zong expert.
Su Qian's gaze shifted slightly, but he kept a smile on his face.
"Haha, I didn't expect your eyesight to grow sharper along with your cultivation."
"That's right. It won't be long before I enter seclusion to make my breakthrough."
The elders around them all looked delighted at those words.
Jia Nan Academy already had three experts at or above the Dou Zong level: the academy head and Elders Qian and Bai. Now the First Elder was about to break through as well.
Jia Nan Academy would then have at least four experts at or above the Dou Zong level holding the fort. With such a magnificent lineup, even in the Central Plains, it could securely claim the top spot beneath the Four Pavilions.
"By the way, why does the Fallen Heart Flame's presence feel so much weaker today?"
If the First Elder's cultivation hadn't been so high, he would have been hard-pressed to detect the Fallen Heart Flame's presence at all.
Su Qian's words immediately caught everyone's attention.
"Hm? The Fallen Heart Flame...!"
Considering the Fallen Heart Flame's function and how quickly Sun Qi had broken through, how could they not understand?
The Fallen Heart Flame had been squeezed dry!
Who knew what Sun Qi had done to the Fallen Heart Flame at the bottom of the tower? Judging by its current condition, they would probably have to close the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower for a while.
"Never mind. It's not as though we can't cultivate without the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower."
"Spread the word. Close the tower for two months and give the Fallen Heart Flame some time to recover."
Though the elders wanted to say something, they ultimately went to close the tower.
Seeing that Sun Qi had broken through, Su Qian asked, "Young friend Sun, now that you've reached Dou Wang, what are your plans?"
"If you stay at Jia Nan Academy, you can serve as an elder. Jia Nan Academy certainly won't treat you poorly."
Seeing Su Qian extend another olive branch, Sun Qi scratched his head. "Well, Elder Su, I haven't made up my mind yet."
"How about I give you an answer after I return from the Black-Corner Region?"
Hearing that Sun Qi was going to the Black-Corner Region, Su Qian's expression immediately grew solemn.
The Black-Corner Region was extremely chaotic, and no one knew how many old monsters lurked beneath the surface. In years past, there had even been someone there who was as renowned as the academy head.
"You're going to the Black-Corner Region? That place is very chaotic. Shall I send two elders with you? That way, they can look after you."
Sun Qi shook his head and waved off the offer. "There's no need. Old Sun is going to the Black-Corner Region to deal with a traitor. This is Starfall Pavilion's business, so I won't trouble Jia Nan Academy."
Hearing that Sun Qi intended to deal with a traitor, Su Qian pressed him no further and nodded his agreement.
He then handed Sun Qi a jade token and said, "Take this jade pendant. I'll inform the vice academy head. He's in the Outer Academy, closer to the heart of the Black-Corner Region."
"If you run into danger you can't handle, crush this jade pendant, and Vice Academy Head Hu Gan will be able to come to your aid immediately."
Sun Qi knew that many experts were hidden in the Black-Corner Region, but Su Qian's gesture still moved him.
Since Yao Chen's fall, this was the first elder who had shown him such care.
Although he knew Su Qian might merely be making an investment, the help he had given him was real.
Sun Qi did not refuse. After accepting the jade pendant, he cupped his fists and said, "Old Sun will remember your kindness, Elder Su. If Jia Nan Academy ever faces trouble, Old Sun will come to its aid, even if I have to cross mountains of blades and seas of fire!"
Hearing this, Su Qian patted Sun Qi on the shoulder with a gratified expression.
"Child, there's no need to place such a heavy burden on yourself. Cultivate well. I hope you find Venerable Yao soon."
Just then, Zi Yan, who had been listening for some time and holding herself back, heard that Sun Qi was going to the Black-Corner Region to fight and immediately raised her hand.
"Are you going to the Black-Corner Region to fight?! I want to go too!"
Sun Qi was just about to tell Zi Yan to stay in the Inner Academy when Su Qian spoke.
"Let her go with you."
"This child has stayed in the Inner Academy for so long that she can hardly sit still anymore. With your combined strength, you may not be able to dominate the Black-Corner Region, but you can at least protect yourselves."
"Even if you do run into danger, Jia Nan Academy will be there to back you up."
Clearly, Su Qian had long since come to regard Zi Yan and Sun Qi as his own.
Since Su Qian had given his approval, Sun Qi did not object. "All right, we'll do as the First Elder says."
Hearing that she could finally go out and play again, Zi Yan happily clung to Sun Qi.
"Yay! Sun Qi, who are we going to fight next?!"