"Around mid-Chenshi last night," the elder reported, his brow furrowed in concentration, "there were continuous sounds of magma churning and flowing from within. Powerful aura fluctuations also emanated."
A pause.
"After approximately two or three minutes, it quieted. It has remained calm ever since."
Xiao Jietian listened.
Fluctuations. Churning magma.
Xiao Yan encountering the Fallen Heart Flame.
Then—silence.
The battle has concluded.
And the victor?
Most likely Xiao Yan.
He possesses Yao Lao as his trump card. He also carries the sub-flame I separated from my Pure Lotus Devouring Life-Spirit Holy Flame.
That sub-flame alone can suppress a significant portion of the Fallen Heart Flame's power—and the Flame was already grievously weakened.
Still…
The underground magma world is its territory. It can draw continuous energy from its surroundings.
I wonder if Yao Lao intervened. I wonder if everything proceeded smoothly.
I cannot always assist him. Success depends on his own perseverance.
I have done everything within my power—even prepared contingencies for his after-effects.
"Lord Xiao Jietian."
The other elder spoke hastily, as if afraid Xiao Jietian might vanish at any moment.
"Great Elder Su Qian left an oral command: should you appear in the academy, he requests you proceed to his office. He has matters to discuss with you."
This young man's comings and goings are utterly unpredictable. If he disappears before I can deliver this message…
If the Great Elder blames me…
What if he deducts my salary?!
Xiao Jietian raised an eyebrow.
"The Great Elder is looking for me?"
A pause.
"Very well. I shall go."
Normally, Su Qian prefers not to see me.
What does he want this time?
He exited the sealed area and made his way toward Su Qian's pavilion.
Along the way, he encountered Pan Gate members. He learned that the Qi Refining Tower had been relocated—the academy had prepared backup storage facilities.
(In the original work, even after Xiao Yan began refining the Fallen Heart Flame, it could still manifest projections. A minor inconsistency. Here, it is established as a pre-prepared backup storage container.)
He arrived at Su Qian's pavilion.
The door was half-open, half-closed.
He walked straight in.
"Great Elder." His tone was casual, almost cheerful. "You were looking for me?"
Su Qian raised his head from behind the desk.
"Young friend Xiao Jietian. You've finally appeared."
A pause. His smile was thin.
"I have two matters to discuss."
"Speak."
Xiao Jietian also had matters to discuss with him.
But his can wait.
"First." Su Qian's gaze was steady. "How long will Xiao Yan require? To subdue the Heavenly Flame."
Xiao Jietian calculated silently.
In the original timeline, Xiao Yan took nearly two years.
One year confronting the Fallen Heart Flame. Another year refining it.
With my assistance—the sub-flame, the preparatory measures—and Yao Lao's guidance…
Returning it to its origin should take less than a month.
Refining it will also be significantly accelerated.
"Roughly… perhaps… maybe…"
Su Qian's eye twitched.
"…over a year. Definitely no more than two years at the latest."
A pause.
"Rest assured."
Su Qian's face stiffened.
Two years.
At the latest.
So that's why he asked me to prepare that container. So that's why he so kindly helped us seal the Fallen Heart Flame within it.
He calculated this from the very beginning.
He knew the container would last approximately two years.
And I—
I was grateful.
His voice was flat.
"You had this planned all along."
Xiao Jietian chuckled awkwardly.
"…Perhaps."
"If you deceive me…" Su Qian's tone was ominous. "I can only send you into the sealed cave to capture Heart Flame energy. To replenish it yourself."
Xiao Jietian's chuckle became more pronounced.
"Yes, yes, yes. I will certainly resolve this issue for you. Do not worry."
Casual. Dismissive. Utterly unrepentant.
Su Qian inhaled deeply.
Second matter.
Get through this. Then expel him from my office.
"The academy has unanimously agreed to appoint you as an Honorary Elder of the Inner Academy."
Xiao Jietian's expression shifted—genuine surprise.
"This position has never existed before. It was created specifically for you."
Su Qian's voice was measured.
"You will receive the treatment of an Inner Academy elder—without performing the duties of one. In fact, the Honorary Elder ranks above the other elders. You even possess the authority to mobilize certain Inner Academy elders."
A pause.
"The sole condition: you assist the academy when it faces danger."
Xiao Jietian lowered his head in contemplation.
The treatment itself is unremarkable.
But this identity…
Extremely useful.
When I poach talent from the Inner Academy in the future, it will be completely legitimate.
He raised his head.
"Can I command even you?"
His tone was hopeful. Earnest.
Like a child asking if he can pet a particularly grumpy cat.
Su Qian's forehead bulged.
He asked that on purpose.
This is no different from a scoundrel presenting an ultrasound image.
"…Just kidding." Xiao Jietian's expression shifted to solemnity. "I accept this position."
Su Qian exhaled.
"Those are the two matters. If you have nothing else—"
A pause.
"Get out."
Another pause.
"Also, Zi Yan is looking for you. She seemed quite anxious."
Probably ran out of pills again.
Good. Let him deal with her.
Xiao Jietian grinned.
"Hehe. Then I shall—smoothly—roll out."
He scurried toward the door.
Su Qian stared at his retreating figure.
This kid. Thick-skinned. Cunning. Manipulative.
And yet…
I find myself willing to be manipulated by him.
The benefits he brings are too substantial. The pie is still baking—but I can already smell it, almost touch it.
I simply cannot eat it yet.
Xiao Jietian reached the door.
Then paused.
His head reappeared through the crack.
"One more thing."
Su Qian's forehead acquired additional black lines.
"What mischief now?"
"Nothing, nothing." Xiao Jietian's expression was innocent. "I simply wished to inform the Great Elder of one additional matter."
The matter I originally intended to discuss.
An elder's identity. For convenience.
But since the academy has already offered me an even better position…
This is merely supplementary.
Su Qian stared at him.
Whatever this kid is about to say—
It is definitely not good news.