Over the past few weeks, Demon Flame Valley has unleashed a relentless campaign of slaughter, razing city after city near their domain and leaving no survivors—not even witnesses.
Though they sought to erase all traces of their carnage, their brutality could not remain concealed for long. News of their massacres quickly spread, revealing them as the culprits.
This turn of events shocked many, as Demon Flame Valley had maintained a low profile ever since the Old Ground Demon Ghost's demise. Yet, what astounded everyone even more was their newfound strength. Fang Yan, the First Elder of Demon Flame Valley, had broken through to the Dou Zong class, further solidifying their dominance.
However, what puzzled observers most was their relentless targeting of Jia Nan Academy students. The indiscriminate pursuit and slaughter of these young cultivators revealed a sinister fixation.
Naturally, this incited the fury of the academy's elders, who repeatedly attempted to capture and eliminate the culprits. However, Demon Flame Valley proved elusive, retreating the moment an elder drew near.
After considerable effort, the academy finally succeeded in apprehending one of Demon Flame Valley's elders. The interrogation began immediately, their objective clear: to uncover the truth behind the valley's obsession with slaughtering their students.
It was soon revealed they have found out that the last person to cross blades with the Old Ground Demon Ghost before his demise was someone from Jia Nan Academy.
Rumors spread that it was a student who delivered the fatal blow, but few were willing to believe such claims. Their skepticism was understandable—how could anyone who hadn't witnessed the battle fathom such an improbable outcome?
Even those who had seen the clash with their own eyes struggled to reconcile what they had witnessed. The notion that the Old Ground Demon Ghost, an ancient figure who had been in the same generation as the Headmaster of the Jia Nan Academy, could be defeated by a mere child who had yet to see their tenth year, bordered on the absurd.
What kind of existence was the Old Ground Demon Ghost, and what manner of monster was this so-called "child" who dared to defy him? The truth seemed stranger than any legend, leaving all who heard it in stunned disbelief.
Although those who witnessed the battle had reluctantly accepted the truth, Demon Flame Valley haven't.
The Old Ground Demon Ghost is the only high-ranking Dou Zong in the entire Black-Corner Region. To suggest that a mere student of Jia Nan Academy could injure—let alone kill—such a being was nothing short of absurd in their eyes.
Rumors had also reached their ears, claiming that the boy possessed a tier eight medicinal pill. Yet, they dismissed the notion that he had refined it himself. How could they not? Even Han Feng, hailed as the Medicine Emperor, had not reached tier seven, let alone tier eight. For a boy without a master to achieve such a feat was simply laughable to them.
They knew well that Jia Nan Academy lacked an alchemist of the seventh tier, much less an eighth tier. If the boy had truly refined the pill, it would mean Xiao Hua had attained the eighth tier entirely on his own—a claim they dismissed as drunken nonsense.
Instead, they deemed it far more plausible that the boy had stumbled upon the tier eight pill within an ancient ruin. Coincidentally, an ancient ruin had recently been unearthed near the region where the Old Ground Demon Ghost had met his end. This coincidence fueled their belief that the child had also acquired a treasure from the ruins, one powerful enough to kill their founder.
"I understand their thirst for vengeance, but... doesn't this continuous massacre seem strange, even for that?" Xiao Hua muttered, his brows furrowed deeply, a flicker of doubt glinting in his eyes.
"That's precisely it, Hua'er," Mei Ling chimed in, her tone serious. "Even now, they might be carrying out another massacre. It's highly unusual, and we're not the only ones who think so."
"The elders and students suspect the same," Xin Yu added, her expression grim. "It's as if they're using vengeance as a pretext. They must have learned about you long ago, yet they chose to remain unnervingly quiet until now."
"And there's more," Wei Jie interjected, his voice laced with unease. "The body of the captured elder... it suddenly swelled and exploded into countless fragments of flesh."
"Regardless of the reason, it doesn't change the fact that they've been targeting students of Jia Nan Academy—some of whom belong to our Chaos Gate faction," Li Mei said coldly. Her words carried a bone-chilling frost, and the suffocating weight of her killing intent pressed heavily on everyone present.
Xiao Hua involuntarily shivered, sensing the biting cold within her voice. His confusion deepened as he struggled to grasp the source of her overwhelming fury.
Beside him, Wei Jie subtly tapped Xiao Hua's knee, drawing his attention. When Wei Jie pointed downward, Xiao Hua followed his gaze but saw nothing at first.
Focusing his Spiritual Strength, Xiao Hua directed it from his brow to his eyes, forming a subtle yet intricate layer of invisible force around his pupils.
What appeared before him was a series of invisible words that was elegantly constructed through a refine technique the three of them—Xiao Hua, Mei Ling and Wei Jie—had developed together using Spiritual Strength, the Soul Writing.
The words carried the truth Li Mei could not bring herself to speak aloud:
"The Demon Flame Valley has mercilessly massacred the innocent. Men were slaughtered without hesitation, while the women... defiled before being brutally killed. Even the students of Jia Nan Academy were not spared.
Li Mei was close to one of the female students, someone she had personally invited to join Chaos Gate. That same student met the same horrific fate as the others..."
As Xiao Hua finished reading, a deep sorrow settled in his heart. Though he had never met the girl, he could feel the weight of her loss. He could merely only offered Li Mei a silent condolence.
He and his sworn siblings understood Li Mei's temperament better than anyone. For her, the annihilation of Demon Flame Valley was no longer a matter of vengeance—it was a deeply personal reckoning.
Much like Xin Yu, Li Mei exuded an aura of cold indifference, a distant demeanor that naturally pushed others away.
Yet beneath that frosty exterior lay a warmth she reserved only for those she held dear—her sworn brothers and sisters: Xiao Hua, Ming Cheng, Wei Jie, Xin Yu, Mei Ling, and Xun Er. Beyond them, there were only two others who had earned her rare affection: Lady Azure and Xue Yue.
To anyone outside this small circle, Li Mei was an enigma, her aloofness impenetrable. But for those fortunate enough to win her trust, she was a fiercely loyal and affectionate figure, willing to move mountains—or tear them apart—for their sake.
She would not hesitate to stand against the entire world if it meant protecting her family, and she would pursue the destruction of anyone who dared harm them with unrelenting determination.
"No wonder Sister Li Mei is so resolute in annihilating Demon Flame Valley... She won't stop until they're utterly destroyed," Xiao Hua murmured to himself, rubbing his temples with a sigh. The weight of her conviction bore down on him like an unyielding tide, leaving him both awed and burdened by her resolve.
Nevertheless, the movements of Demon Flame Valley were undeniably peculiar, leaving many unsettled. It was no wonder Xin Yu firmly restrained Ming Cheng, Wei Jie, and Li Mei from recklessly charging into battle against them.
'Why would they massacre an entire city?' Xiao Hua pondered, his brows knitting in thought. 'And as Sister Mei Ling mentioned, their attacks have been indiscriminate, striking whether Jia Nan Academy students were present or not...'
He couldn't fathom the reasoning behind their actions. Such rampant slaughter would only incite public outrage, potentially uniting factions across the region to retaliate against Demon Flame Valley. It seemed self-destructive.
'Let's consider this logically,' Xiao Hua mused silently. 'There's no gain in becoming a public enemy. If vengeance for the Old Ground Demon Ghost were their goal, why wait until now to act? It doesn't align with their previous behavior.'
The more he thought about it, the more unnatural their actions seemed. Their senseless massacres felt like a smokescreen, as if they were masking something far more insidious.
'Could it be...' Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed as a chilling thought surfaced in his mind. 'Could someone be orchestrating their actions from the shadows, using Demon Flame Valley as pawns to achieve a far more sinister purpose?'
As Xiao Hua delved deeper into his thoughts, a dreadful realization began to form.
A tactic like this—manipulating a powerful faction to commit widespread massacres, inciting public outrage and uniting forces against them, all while the orchestrator reaped the benefits from the ensuing chaos—felt eerily familiar.
'Don't tell me... it's the Hall of Souls?' Xiao Hua's heart sank, his expression darkening. 'Have they finally decided to move? I truly hope not... I'm still too weak to confront them.'
He sighed deeply, silently praying that his suspicion was wrong, that the shadow looming in his mind was nothing more than his imagination.
Unfortunately, the moment Mei Ling spoke her next words, they shattered his fragile hope, leaving his prayer unanswered and his fears confirmed.
"As you predicted, Demon Flame Valley's movements are indeed peculiar," Mei Ling suddenly spoke, her tone heavy with solemnity. "Naturally, we sent people to investigate."
Ming Cheng continued, his expression darkening as he recounted the report. "They observed a dense, black-colored smoke appearing out of nowhere. From within it, a dark-black chain shot forth, striking several individuals. The chains then recoiled, dragging something out of their bodies—something that was devoured by the smoke."
"Heh… is that so? What a peculiar technique," Xiao Hua murmured, his tone casual, almost dismissive, as a faint smile flickered across his lips. Yet, the smile didn't reach his eyes, and a subtle tension rippled beneath his facade.
Deep down, he already knew where this was leading, and the conclusion left a bitter taste in his mouth. 'The Hall of Souls…' he thought grimly.
'Curse my luck…' he groaned inwardly, lamenting the hand fate had dealt him. It seemed his path was destined to cross with this monstrous force sooner than he'd hoped.
While Xiao Hua's peculiar reaction raised a few eyebrows, no one pressed him further. There were more pressing matters to address.
"That black-colored smoke belongs to a mysterious and strange force from the Central Plains—the Hall of Souls," Xin Yu said, her expression darkening as a deep furrow formed between her brows.
"Sister, Hua'er doesn't know about them," Mei Ling interjected with a sigh. "We need to explain who they are first."
Unlike Xiao Hua, the others hailed from the Central Plains, only venturing to the North-West Region of the Dou Qi Continent before entering Jia Nan Academy. Their knowledge about the Hall of Souls far surpassed what could be expected of someone like Xiao Hua, who had spent most of his time in the North-West and Black-Corner Region.
Though tempted to reveal that he did, in fact, know more about the Hall of Souls than they likely imagined, Xiao Hua chose to remain silent. He hadn't encountered any of their members personally—not in the North-West, nor in the Black-Corner Region.
If not for the presence of the Xiao Clan—one of the Eight Ancient Clans whose glory had long since faded—residing in Wu Tan City within the North-West Region, the Hall of Souls likely would have had no reason to appear there. After all, the region was sparsely populated with individuals possessing strong souls, making it an unlikely hunting ground for them.
"Hall of Souls is..." Xin Yu began explaining, her tone grim. But Xiao Hua barely paid attention, as most of what she described was already within his understanding.
"This was confirmed after Mei Ling and Wei Jie examined the bodies of some Jia Nan Academy students," Xin Yu concluded, her gaze shifting toward the two mentioned.
Wei Jie nodded, his expression somber. "We examined the bodies and found them... hollow. They were like vessels stripped of their essence. Normally, when a soul is destroyed, there should still be traces of lingering Spiritual Strength. But in this case, we found none."
Mei Ling nodded in agreement. "What's more, the bodies we examined were fresh—too fresh for their Spiritual Strength to have dissipated naturally. The absence was unnatural, deliberate."
"Coupled with the scouts' reports of black smoke and chains, both we and the Elder Council have reached the same conclusion: the Hall of Souls is behind this." Xin Yu's tone was firm, carrying the weight of certainty.
A heavy silence fell over the garden, broken only by the gentle trickling of water in the background.
Xiao Hua leaned back on his chair with his arms crossed, his gaze distant as he contemplated their predicament. The deeper he delved into this matter, the more troublesome it appeared.
'I understand now why Sister Xin Yu forbids them from leaving the heart of the forest to attack Demon Flame Valley,' Xiao Hua thought, his frown deepening as the weight of the situation settled on his shoulders.
With traces of the Hall of Souls' involvement, Xin Yu was right to exercise such caution. Charging in recklessly would only lead to disastrous casualties.
'While I'm confident in my ability to defeat the Protectors,' Xiao Hua mused, his gaze darkening, 'what worries me is that insidious technique of theirs—the one that devours souls to forcefully elevate their strength…'
His frown deepened further as the ominous thought gnawed at him. The Hall of Souls' Protectors were infamous for their bizarre Secret Techniques, each one shrouded in mystery and danger. Xiao Hua couldn't help but feel unease at the possibility of encountering them without any preparation.
"If it's about that, there is a way to prevent it, child," a melodious and soothing voice suddenly resonated within Xiao Hua's mind.
"Really, Sister Azure?!" Xiao Hua's mental voice carried a mix of shock and hope as he responded.
"Come to your Spiritual Sea," Lady Azure replied, her tone calm yet filled with authority. "Sister Yue and I will provide you with what you need."
Without hesitation, Xiao Hua closed his eyes, his consciousness diving inward to enter his Spiritual Sea.
Seeing his abrupt withdrawal, Ming Cheng and the others fell silent, exchanging knowing glances. They understood that Xiao Hua had gone to consult with Lady Azure and Xue Yue, and so they waited patiently without interrupting.
Within the boundless sea of Xiao Hua's spiritual domain, his figure gradually emerged atop the endless azure waves. Before him stood two magnificent doors, their presence radiating an awe-inspiring aura.
One door shimmered with vibrant rainbow hues, an ethereal gateway that exuded life and vitality. The other was pristine white, emanating a serene purity like untouched snow.
In front of these doors stood two divine figures. One was a woman with cascading jade-green hair, her presence imbued with natural grace and enchanting beauty. The other, equally stunning, had flowing snow-white hair that gleamed under the ethereal light, her demeanor cold yet captivating.
Their beauty was nothing short of otherworldly. Were they to manifest in the outside world, they would undoubtedly draw countless gazes, captivating all who beheld them.
However, to Xiao Hua and his sworn siblings, their allure was secondary to the deep bonds they shared. Xiao Hua approached them with a faint smile, his steps steady as he moved closer to the two heavenly figures.
For Xiao Hua, the bond with Lady Azure and Xue Yue ran deep, a relationship rooted in unwavering trust and sibling-like affection. Ming Cheng and the others, on the other hand, regarded the two celestial figures with the utmost respect, seeing them as mentors rather than objects of desire. Their reverence was profound, unmarred by lust or impure thoughts.
"Sister Azure, Sister Xue Yue, what is this item that can prevent the Protectors of the Hall of Souls from devouring souls?" Xiao Hua asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.
Lady Azure didn't answer immediately. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Xue Yue, her jade-green eyes holding a silent conversation.
Noticing her shift, Xiao Hua followed her gaze. His expression brightened with anticipation as he looked toward Xue Yue, his eyes practically sparkling.
Seeing Xiao Hua's sparkling eyes filled with hope, Xue Yue could only smile helplessly. With a gentle wave of her hand, a small, radiant white light emerged, slowly drifting toward Xiao Hua's illusory form.
The light stopped just before him, hovering as if waiting for him to inspect it. Squinting his eyes, Xiao Hua leaned in closer, focusing on the glow. The moment he discerned its true form, a flicker of astonishment crossed his face.
The radiant light was, in fact, a seed—a pure-white flower seed radiating an icy mist so cold that it felt as though it could freeze the very essence of one's soul, irrespective of strength. As he watched, the mist condensed into delicate snowflakes that shimmered faintly before vanishing into the air.
On the seed's surface, countless intricate emerald runes coiled and spiraled, each rune emanating a faint, enigmatic glow that seemed to hold unfathomable secrets. Inside the translucent, glass-like seed, arcs of blue lightning danced chaotically, their wild movements exuding both power and danger.
Yet, it wasn't the seed's external beauty that perplexed Xiao Hua the most. The seed itself seemed to exist on the threshold of reality and illusion. It flickered faintly, as though it didn't wholly belong to this plane.
Moreover, an almost imperceptible hypnotic effect emanated from it. Xiao Hua could feel his soul being subtly lulled into a tranquil state, as if the seed whispered promises of eternal rest and peace. His brows furrowed slightly as he stabilized his Spiritual Strength, resisting the soothing yet dangerous pull of its allure.
"This is..."
Xiao Hua's gaze shifted repeatedly between the white flower seed and the serene faces of Lady Azure and Xue Yue. His eyes betrayed his confusion, and his thoughts churned with perplexity. He simply couldn't grasp what they were trying to achieve with such an enigmatic object.
"This is a Snow-White Fragment Seed," Xue Yue explained gently, her voice calm amidst his confusion. "It was personally created and formed by Sister Azure and me together."
"This little thing will aid you in your endeavor." Lady Azure's voice interjected, laced with confidence and accompanied by a smug grin.
Xiao Hua blinked, his shock evident. "You and Sister Azure... created this?" he murmured, his disbelief growing. He looked toward Lady Azure, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. "How exactly, Sister Azure, Sister Xue Yue?"
Lady Azure chuckled softly. "Do not underestimate us, child. Combining the essences of ice and lightning within your Spiritual Sea is not beyond our capability. It merely required some time, effort, and a touch of ingenuity."
Xue Yue, ever composed, resumed the explanation. "This seed has a very specific purpose. When you face that so-called 'Protector,' and he attempts to release and devour the imprisoned souls, all you need to do is throw this seed into the fray."
Xue Yue paused momentarily, her expression turning serious as she continued. "Once the Snow-White Fragment Seed is released, it will create a unique snowy realm. Within this realm, all spiritual entities within a hundred-meter radius will be temporarily frozen, rendering the soul-devouring technique ineffective."
"Frozen...?" Xiao Hua's brows knitted tightly, concern etched on his face. He truly hoped they didn't mean encasing the souls in an icy prison.
The overbearing coldness emanating from the seed was no joke—it could undoubtedly freeze Spiritual Bodies, and in doing so, might utterly destroy them. The thought made him uneasy.
"To be precise, it doesn't freeze them in that way," Lady Azure interjected with a soft chuckle, her melodious voice carrying a reassuring tone. "Rather, it traps their consciousness in an illusion, temporarily blanking out their soul and mind. It's a momentary pause, not destruction."
A glint of realization flashed in Xiao Hua's eyes as the explanation sank in. "I see... So, during that brief period, I'll need to act swiftly to free the imprisoned souls before they regain their senses."
Lady Azure and Xue Yue nodded in unison, their expressions affirming his understanding.
Xiao Hua's mind began piecing together the strategy. Most Protectors of the Hall of Souls existed as spiritual entities. With such group, the Snow-White Fragment Seed would indeed be a potent countermeasure.
A faint smile touched Xiao Hua's lips as he murmured softly, "It's certainly effective... but timing will be critical."
While Xiao Hua could use the blue-colored Lightning Beast and Heavenly Astral Lightning to battle the Protectors of the Hall of Souls, they were not suitable for saving the souls of the students and others.
He had yet to create a technique capable of rescuing souls from the Protectors' imprisonment using the Heavenly Astral Lightning. Moreover, the overwhelming spiritual aura of the blue-colored Lightning Beast would harm any spiritual body, whether ally or foe.
'I should focus on this once the this matter is over,' Xiao Hua thought to himself, concern flickering in his heart. 'Especially the Lightning Beasts... I can still control the destructiveness of the current four, but for the other five...'
He sighed, realizing just how much more powerful the Lightning Beasts could be. This was only their weakest form, with most of their original strength still locked outside the Dou Qi Continent.
He also acknowledged that he had neglected his Soul Skills. But given the current circumstances, it wasn't surprising. In most battles, spiritual strength wasn't as crucial as martial prowess.
Still, after this crisis was over, he promised himself that he would retreat to focus on refining these abilities. Perhaps, by then, he would have reached the Dou Zong class.
For now, his priority was clear: the Demon Flame Valley and the Protectors of the Hall of Souls. Once that was settled, he could turn his attention to other matters.
"Thank you, Sister Azure, Sister Xue Yue," Xiao Hua said with a deep sense of gratitude.
Xue Yue smiled and nodded. "There is no need to thank us, child. Since my sister has accepted you as a little brother, it is only natural that I do the same. Helping you is what an older sister should do."
"Just in case, we will create another Snow-White Fragment Seed if you encounter another Protector," Lady Azure added, her tone steady.
With that, Xiao Hua bid farewell to Lady Azure and Xue Yue, his mind leaving his Spiritual Sea and returning to his physical body.
Here's the refined version in the style of a Chinese cultivation novel:
Xiao Hua's closed eyes trembled slightly before he slowly opened them. Lifting his head, his calm gaze swept across the wooden pavilion, landing upon Ming Cheng and the other six figures seated silently before him. Their expressions were steady, yet an unspoken anticipation lingered in the air as they awaited his words.
Without hesitation, Xiao Hua recounted the details of his discussion with Lady Azure and Xue Yue, leaving nothing concealed.
As his voice faded, Li Mei and the others exchanged subtle glances before collectively letting out a sigh of relief. Their prior apprehension—that the Protector of the Hall of Souls might possess a fearsome Secret Technique—could be set aside. Thanks to the measures taken by Lady Azure and Xue Yue, this potential threat had been effectively neutralized.
"Still," Wei Jie muttered, leaning back and crossing his arms, his brows furrowing deeply, "if there's a second Protector, and if they're even stronger than the last one..." His voice trailed off, heavy with unspoken concerns.
Xin Yu's lips curved into a faint smile as she shook her head. "Brother Wei Jie, such worries might be unnecessary. Protectors rarely join forces unless they act under the direct command of their superiors."
"Sister Xin Yu's words are correct, Brother Wei Jie," Mei Ling chimed in, her tone calm yet firm as she supported Xin Yu's explanation.
"Each time a Protector is dispatched, they are given a specific target to achieve within a strict time frame. Only after fulfilling their mission can they return and deliver their results. For them to cooperate would mean dividing their spoils, which not only goes against their personal interests but could also lead to failure in meeting their assigned quotas."
Ming Cheng raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with curiosity as he asked, "Will the Protectors return to their headquarters once they fulfill their quotas?"
"I'm not sure..." Mei Ling shook her head, a hint of unease flickering in her eyes. "That force is shrouded in mystery, rarely exposing itself to the public. The Protectors wouldn't hesitate to use the most ruthless methods, leaving rivers of blood and corpses piling up like mountains in their wake, just to made their quotas."
"That is true." Wei Jie muttered, his gaze darkening. "It's eerily similar to the carnage caused by the Demon Flame Valley's massacres..."
"Regardless," Li Mei interjected with a calm yet resolute tone, "if we're concerned about the possibility of encountering multiple Protectors, we can seek assistance from the First Elder."
"Indeed," Xin Yu agreed with a slight nod.
The strength of Jia Nan Academy had reached unprecedented heights. Several Elders had advanced to 4-Star Dou Zongs, while the First Elder had already reached the peak of the Dou Zong realm. With the academy's growing power, even the mightiest factions dared not provoke them lightly.
"When the Headmaster returns, he will undoubtedly be astonished by the academy's sudden surge in strength," Xin Yu added. "With such power at our side, who would dare to pluck the tiger's whiskers?"
This remarkable achievement was undeniably due to the efforts of Xiao Hua, Mei Ling, and Wei Jie. Their contributions had elevated Jia Nan Academy's strength to rival that of the formidable factions in the Central Region.
To have three high-tier alchemists within the academy—one at the eighth tier and the other two at the seventh tier—was nothing short of a blessing. Their presence alone had become a cornerstone of the academy's newfound power.
"I doubt the First Elder and the Elder Council would allow the three of you to venture there unprotected," Xin Yu remarked, her tone thoughtful. "After all, if you continue to grow, Jia Nan Academy may one day have the backing of not one, but three ninth-tier alchemists. Such a future is worth safeguarding."
Mei Ling sighed softly, her expression tinged with both pride and exhaustion. "Even now, I've refined countless Zong Breaking Pills for the elders. Thankfully, most of them only needed one pill to break through, with only three requiring two. Otherwise, my efforts might have taken twice as long."
"If it weren't for that," Wei Jie chimed in with a rueful sigh, "my Storage Ring might've been overflowing by now. The elders are far too lucky."
Ming Cheng, steering the discussion back to the matter at hand, interjected firmly, "Nevertheless, I will bring this matter to the First Elder for a final decision."
He then turned to Xin Yu, his expression calm but probing. "Xin Yu, you have no objections, I presume?"
Xin Yu rolled her eyes in exasperation, a faint snort escaping her lips. "With Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue already lending their aid, it would be disrespectful of me to oppose the attack on Demon Flame Valley. Do as you see fit."
Ming Cheng nodded in satisfaction, a flicker of relief crossing his features. His gaze swept over the group as he declared, "We will launch the attack on Demon Flame Valley in two weeks. In the meantime, someone will be sent to scout the area and confirm if there is one or more Protectors present."
The group collectively nodded at his words. With the plan set, they rose from their seats, each retreating to make their preparations for the decisive battle ahead.
Before Ming Cheng and Li Mei departed, Xiao Hua extended his hand, and two sparks of orange-colored lightning appeared, crackling fiercely as if embodying the wrath of the heavens themselves. Their energy was wild, destructive, and filled with an oppressive majesty that made the air around them tremble.
"This is the spark of Heavenly Wrathful Lightning," Xiao Hua said with a faint smile. "Lady Azure managed to acquire it, and now it is yours to refine."
Ming Cheng and Li Mei nodded, their eyes filled with a mix of awe and gratitude as they carefully accepted the sparks. However, both knew the immense danger that came with such a gift.
"We will refine this later," Ming Cheng said solemnly. "Its violent and destructive nature demands proper preparation to ensure a successful absorption."
"Indeed," Li Mei added, her tone equally cautious. "Such power is a double-edged sword if handled recklessly."
Xiao Hua nodded in understanding, offering no further words as the two turned to leave.
Once they had gone, silence returned to the bamboo pavilion. Xiao Hua leaned back against the cool surface of the stone chair, allowing serenity to wash over him. His mind, however, remained sharp and calculating.
He turned his attention to the A-C System, which displayed his current ACP: 146,560ACP.
Without hesitation, he navigated to the upgrade menu and spent 60,000ACP to upgrade the ACP Rate. After confirmation, the System notified that he will gain 80ACP per hour.
However, this improvement came with a catch. His maximum storage capacity was now capped at 160,000ACP, and any excess beyond this limit would vanish into the void. This limitation was a significant concern, especially given the unpredictable nature of the Sign-In Function.
'The Sign-In Function is a double-edged sword,' Xiao Hua mused, his expression calm but thoughtful. 'It can grant immense rewards, but if I'm not careful, those points might slip away into nothingness. Such a loss would be unbearable…'
"It seems you're fully resolved to annihilate the Demon Flame Valley, Ming Cheng," the First Elder, Su Qian, remarked, his deep voice echoing faintly within the fiery chamber. His gaze was steady, yet there was a trace of somberness in his expression.
Ming Cheng's eyes were calm, but the determination within them burned brighter than the flames around them. "That is the only way to grant peace to our fallen seniors and juniors, First Elder," he replied, his tone resolute.
The two stood within the lowest level of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, a place where the fire energy was so pure and concentrated that even the atmosphere seemed to distort under the scorching heat. The oppressive temperature caused the very air to shimmer, creating a hazy illusion that blurred the massive space around them.
Simply breathing in this place felt like inhaling pure flames, the searing energy burning through one's meridians with each intake.
Su Qian, a veteran Dou Zong at the peak of his power, relied on his profound cultivation to endure the unbearable heat. Yet, even he could not entirely escape its oppressive effects.
In contrast, Ming Cheng stood unfazed, his body fortified by the refinement of three distinct Heavenly Lightnings. This body refinement have transformed his physical body, becoming even more domineering and able to slightly resist the extreme temperature.
The chamber itself was bathed in a faint, bright-red glow, emanating from the room's center. There, a deep, yawning hole—nearly a hundred feet in diameter—radiated with a fiery light, casting crimson beams that shot upwards like a pillar of radiance. The glow illuminated the cavernous chamber, driving back the encroaching shadows and revealing the overwhelming majesty of the place.
An energy barrier, visible to the naked eye, encircled the deep hole in the center of the room, forming a towering pillar that sealed off the area. The surface of the barrier shimmered with intricate, serpentine patterns, twisting and coiling like living snakes. These patterns etched the barrier with an almost ancient aura, their movements leaving behind faint, winding impressions that pulsed with a mysterious rhythm.
The energy barrier itself exuded a terrifying wildness. Threads of violent energy rippled outward in relentless waves, accompanied by a deep, resonating sound that echoed like the growl of a slumbering beast.
Each pulse of energy felt as if it could shatter weaker cultivators upon contact, underscoring the immense power it contained.
Su Qian let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head as he turned to face Ming Cheng. "It's clear now. No matter what I say, none of you will waver from your resolve," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of resignation and respect.
His gaze shifted back to the energy barrier, its fiery glow reflecting in his aged eyes. "Still, I must admit, thanks to Xiao Hua's presence, the flame has become far more obedient than it was before…"
Ming Cheng followed Su Qian's line of sight, his eyes narrowing slightly as they focused on the heart of the energy barrier. He immediately grasped the meaning behind the First Elder's words.
The "flame" being referred to was no ordinary fire—it was the renowned Heavenly Flame that had played a critical role in the rapid growth of the Inner Academy's students.
This flame, the Fallen Heart Flame, was a force to be reckoned with. Ranked 16th among the legendary Heavenly Flames, its power and utility were invaluable. Its mere presence in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower had accelerated the cultivation of countless students, providing them with an unparalleled opportunity to refine their Dou Qi under its pure and potent influence.
However, as Xiao Hua's sworn elder brother, Ming Cheng knew far more than Su Qian about the true nature of the situation.
Xiao Hua harbored within him two extraordinary presences—Lady Azure, one of the twenty-two incarnations of the Heavenly Genesis Flame, and Xue Yue, the embodiment of the Celestial Ancient Frost.
'I've seen it with my own eyes… but it's still absurd how Lady Azure subdued the invisible snake so effortlessly,' Ming Cheng thought, his lips curving into a faint, wry smile as the memory replayed in his mind. 'She just barged into the magma world and beat it into submission like disciplining a disobedient child.'
He shook his head, pitying the unfortunate snake—none other than the Fire Spirit of the Fallen Heart Flame—for encountering such unparalleled beings.
'To think this poor creature had to face four irregular existences at once…' Ming Cheng sighed inwardly, his thoughts tinged with amusement. 'Still, one of them happens to be my sworn younger brother… how absurdly fortunate and unfortunate at the same time.'
"Then, I shall accompany you," Su Qian said, cutting off Ming Cheng's train of thought. His tone was calm but carried a weight of resolve that could not be ignored.
Hearing this, Ming Cheng nodded without hesitation. This was, after all, one of the primary reasons he had come to seek the First Elder's assistance.
The thought of their slain students surfaced in Su Qian's mind, especially the heinous and disgraceful acts inflicted on the female disciples of Jia Nan Academy. His expression darkened at the memory.
Su Qian's eyes flickered with a cold glint, his usually composed demeanor cracking under the weight of his anger. A vague yet oppressive killing intent began to seep from his body, filling the room with a chilling aura that made even the raging heat around them seem subdued.
Sensing the sudden surge of killing intent, Ming Cheng sighed softly, shaking his head with a wry smile. 'The First Elder is known for his stoic composure, rarely revealing his emotions. Yet now...'
He glanced at Su Qian, whose expression had hardened with resolve. 'It seems it's not just the students who harbor indignation towards the Demon Flame Valley,' Ming Cheng muttered inwardly.
The sight of Su Qian's quiet yet intense wrath only reinforced his own determination to see their enemies brought to justice.
"Will the other elders join us as well?" Ming Cheng asked, his tone calm but expectant.
Su Qian rubbed his beard thoughtfully, his gaze distant. While his strength alone was formidable, he couldn't dismiss the possibility of the Hall of Souls would target the students instead of him. The thought unsettled him, though his expression betrayed none of it.
"Indeed. It would be prudent to call upon some elders to accompany us," he said with a decisive nod.
Ming Cheng clasped his hands respectfully. "Then we'll proceed with the preparations. We'll set off in two weeks, First Elder. In that time, you may gather everything you need to ensure we're ready to face the Demon Flame Valley."
Su Qian nodded, his gaze sharp with determination. "Very well. I'll ensure that everything is in place."
With their conversation concluded, Ming Cheng bowed and departed the blazing depths of the tower. Su Qian, meanwhile, lingered for a moment longer, his eyes scanning the crimson-lit chamber. The wild, violent energy of the Fallen Heart Flame hummed faintly in the air, showing not a single movement of trying to break free from the energy barrier.
Not wasting another moment, Su Qian ascended from the bottom level of the tower and began issuing orders to the elders. His voice was firm, resonating with the weight of his authority, as he mobilized the academy's might for the upcoming crusade against the Demon Flame Valley.
The air within Jia Nan Academy shifted, an unmistakable tension building as preparations for war began.