Chapter 8: Lizardmen
Jia Nan Academy was known as the number one academy on the Dou Qi Continent.
Although it might not fully live up to such a lofty reputation, it had indeed produced quite a few powerful individuals over the years.
Mang Tian Chi, the founder of Jia Nan Academy, was one of the Elders of the Lei Clan. His strength was respectable, but he was merely a Half-Saint.
In the eyes of the Four Demon Saints of the Hun Clan, he was nothing but trash—an ant that could be wiped out with a mere turn of the head. Although they had heard of Jia Nan Academy, they didn't take it seriously at all.
They didn't even respect the Lei Clan itself, so why would they care about an academy founded by one of its elders? It was impossible for them to regard it with any importance.
"See that tower?" An Bufan didn't answer Hun Tu's earlier question. Instead, he put his hands behind his back, looked at the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, and spoke slowly.
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing the Clan Head's words, the Four Demon Saints turned their gazes toward the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. They could sense that the tower was filled with powerful flames and likely housed a Heavenly Flame at its base.
With just one glance, the Four Demon Saints understood the tower's secrets.
"Clan Head, what is the connection between this tower and Ancient God Tuo She's Mansion?" Hun Tu couldn't help but ask cautiously.
They were not well-educated, so he hoped the Clan Head wasn't claiming this tower was the Ancient God's Mansion. Even if the Clan Head possessed great power, he couldn't simply distort facts.
"The Mansion is located at the bottom of the tower," An Bufan said slowly.
After saying that, he headed towards the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. He concealed his presence so perfectly that unless a strong person of the same rank was present, no one would be able to detect his existence.
As for the defensive formations of the tower, they posed absolutely no obstacle to An Bufan. With such immense power, they could truly do whatever they wanted.
They walked right past the guards at the base of the tower. No one could spot An Bufan or his group; the guards might as well have been blind. An Bufan used his stealth to effortlessly reach the bottom of the tower.
"Hun Tu, didn't the Clan Head just say that the Mansion is right below this tower?" Hun Yan asked weakly, looking horrified.
So this tower really was related to the Ancient God's Mansion! They had been so ignorant.
"Yes!" Hun Tu nodded blankly.
"Then what are we waiting for? The Clan Head has already headed to the bottom, what are we still doing here? Let's hurry up and leave!" Hun Jing said at this moment.
After saying that, he flashed towards the bottom of the tower, and the other three followed suit.
An Ancient God's Mansion! The Mansion of Ancient God Tuo She! It was right before their eyes; it would be a lie to say they weren't excited.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the underground magma world. An Bufan stood there with his hands behind his back, watching the giant invisible python controlled by the seal.
"This is Jia Nan Academy's greatest asset," An Bufan said slowly, looking at the giant python before him.
"Isn't this the Fallen Heart Flame?" Hun Tu remarked as he looked at the trapped python.
Heavenly Flames were extremely rare, with only twenty-three known to existence, yet they had encountered two in such a short time. This was truly unbelievable.
"Let's go. We will take this Fallen Heart Flame with us when we leave," An Bufan said.
He stepped forward and entered the seal. The giant python, which had been ferocious within the formation, became quiet the moment An Bufan entered, cowering silently to one side.
Heavenly Flames possessed spirituality and were sentient beings. The Fallen Heart Flame, incarnated as the invisible python, could sense a terrifying aura emanating from An Bufan.
Such power was something this young Heavenly Flame simply could not compare to. Therefore, if it wanted to survive, it had to become a little more cunning.
"If I act cowardly now, I can continue to be reckless in the future." This was the giant python's thought at that moment.
An Bufan stepped into the magma, and the Four Demon Saints followed suit without hesitation. The five people immediately felt an unparalleled heat wave rushing towards them.
It gave them a burning sensation, but that was all it was—a sensation. This heatwave meant nothing to them. With great strength came such arrogance.
Dou Qi surged from their bodies, condensing into barriers around them. The barriers seemed incredibly thin, fragile enough to shatter at a touch, yet they effectively kept the intense heat at bay.
"Let's go!"
An Bufan spoke again, and then plunged headlong into the sea of magma.
The Four Demon Saints followed without hesitation, and the five of them headed deeper into the molten depths.
It was impossible to tell how long they had been descending, but the Dou Qi barriers surrounding them gradually thickened to resist the increasing pressure and heat.
Suddenly, An Bufan stopped and hovered in the magma.
"Clan Head, what's wrong?" The Four Demon Saints also stopped, and Hun Sha asked curiously.
An Bufan didn't speak. With a flick of his wrist across his storage ring, a piece of ancient jade appeared in his hand. This token was none other than the Tuo She Ancient God Jade belonging to the Hun Clan.
At this moment, the jade was radiating light, as if something below was summoning it. The jade had been in the Hun Clan's hands for years, yet this was the first time they had witnessed such a reaction.
"So the Mansion really is inside!" An Bufan looked at the glowing jade in his palm, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Hun Sha, Hun Jing, Hun Tu, and Hun Yan were all extremely excited to see this. It turned out the Clan Head wasn't lying after all! The legendary Ancient God's Mansion really was here!
"Let's go!"
After putting away the jade, An Bufan once again headed deeper into the lava.
The Four Demon Saints did not hesitate and followed suit. Their faces were filled with excitement, their hearts overflowing with emotion.
As the group ventured deeper, they finally arrived at a region where many strange creatures were stationed.
Lizardmen.
The arrival of An Bufan and his group was quickly discovered by these creatures. Without hesitation, the Lizardmen, each wielding a spear, charged towards An Bufan and his four companions.
Their eyes were hollow, devoid of any light. These Lizardmen were all puppets, yet every single one of them possessed strength at the Dou Venerate realm.