Chapter 250: Chapter 250: A Visit from the First Elder

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    Word Count: 2,109 Words

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    Meow! Mao Wu suddenly leaped from the void and perched on Xiao Yan''s shoulder.

    Usually, Mao Wu did not need to appear during alchemy sessions; it only needed to devour beast souls when extracting them from Monster Cores.

    However, Xiao Yan was pushing his limits this time. Mao Wu was a Fire Spirit, the spirit of a Heavenly Flame. It could help him control the flames more precisely, penetrate into the depths of the medicinal cauldron, and, through Spiritual Strength, inform him of the most subtle changes in both the medicinal ingredients and the flames.

    This would further enhance the success rate of alchemy.

    It could be said that Xiao Yan was truly giving his all. After all, he was not entirely confident about refining the Ground Spirit Pill and had only one set of ingredients; if he failed, he would probably have to visit the Soul Sacrifice Old Shop to exchange for more.

    He wasn''t even sure if he had enough soul points to make the exchange.

    An exceptionally unique flame appeared in Xiao Yan''s palm with a whoosh. It was neither the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, nor the Green Lotus Core Flame, nor the Yin-Yang Twin Flame; this was the merged Heavenly Flame that Xiao Yan had produced by merging four kinds of Heavenly Flames using the Flame Mantra.

    Its power and temperature were so terrifying that even he found it frightening. He didn''t dare to use it in normal battles, for fear that he might accidentally vaporize someone.

    But this time, he was refining a high-grade tier 6 medicinal pill. Whether he was extracting the medicinal ingredients or processing the Rank 6 Monster Core, both tasks were extremely difficult.

    Being only a 7-star Dou Spirit, he would have found it absolutely impossible to refine a tier 6 pill without the merged Heavenly Flame, as even extracting the medicinal ingredients would have been challenging.

    Xiao Yan held a tier 5 Mighty Qi Pill in his mouth. Similar to the Qi Returning Pill, it was used to restore Dou Qi. He was worried that he might run out of Dou Qi during the alchemy.

    "Let''s begin."

    Once all preparations were complete, he waved his hand, and the merged Heavenly Flame instantly surged into the medicinal cauldron. In an instant, raging flames erupted from within!

    At the same time, Mao Wu traversed through the void into the medicinal cauldron and merged with the Heavenly Flame, transforming into the Fire Spirit and enhancing Xiao Yan''s control over the flame.

    Refining a high-grade tier 6 pill was arguably the most pressure Xiao Yan had ever faced in alchemy.

    The first medicinal ingredient entered the cauldron, where the merged Heavenly Flame pounced on it like a ravenous wolf, devouring it entirely. In a flash, the ingredient began to wither rapidly.

    Xiao Yan fixed his gaze intently inside the cauldron. Although the flames burned fiercely, he controlled the temperature precisely, keeping it just below the critical point. The medicinal ingredient gradually withered, and tiny droplets of liquid seeped from its surface.

    Xiao Yan meticulously completed the extraction of the first main ingredient in about thirty minutes.

    Subsequently, the second and third stalks of medicinal ingredients gradually transformed into medicinal liquids and powders under his extremely careful and focused refinement.

    Meow! Mao Wu suddenly called out from within the medicinal cauldron.

    "I understand."

    Prompted by Mao Wu''s reminder, Xiao Yan manipulated the flame to form a small knife and made an incision in the Green Wood Celestial Vine, revealing a worm hole inside.

    During the burning process, Mao Wu had noticed something amiss with the Green Wood Celestial Vine and hurriedly alerted Xiao Yan.

    The quality of the medicinal ingredients greatly affected the quality of the medicinal pill. Sometimes, issues like insect infestations could even cause the pill fusion to fail. Needless to say, refining a high-grade tier 6 medicinal pill was an extremely meticulous and exhausting task. Just extracting the medicinal ingredients consumed nearly an entire day. Fortunately, Xiao Yan was a patient person. Even after refining nonstop for a whole day, he showed no signs of fatigue; his eyes remained clear, and his Spiritual Strength was still incomparably strong.

    Early the next morning, as the sun rose, the Rank 6 Monster Core was completely refined by Xiao Yan into a pile of azure powder. The beast soul within the Monster Core had even started to resemble a spiritual entity, as it was capable of launching tangible attacks.

    Fortunately, with Mao Wu present as the Fire Spirit, it autonomously battled the beast soul within the Monster Core without hindering Xiao Yan''s alchemy.@@@@

    After another half a day, the embryonic form of the medicinal pill finally appeared under Xiao Yan''s control!

    At the moment the pill''s embryonic form took shape, Xiao Yan clearly felt the surrounding natural energy fluctuate violently, as if a massive stone had been thrown into a calm lake, causing huge waves to surge.

    The pale blue embryonic pill, initially slightly irregular, gradually became more rounded over time, with brilliant light emanating from within that made it resemble a blue gemstone.

    Elder."

    "Do you know that there''s a Heavenly Flame sealed within the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower?" the First Elder asked solemnly while standing before Xiao Yan.

    Xiao Yan nodded; he couldn''t possibly say he didn''t know, for denying it would only arouse

    suspicion.

    The First Elder sighed and murmured, "Alas, the Heart Flame within the Blazing Sky Qi

    Refining Tower originates from the Heavenly Flame known as the Fallen Heart Flame. Now,

    the Fallen Heart Flame is growing increasingly powerful and violent, constantly impacting

    the seal."

    "It now surges almost every month. If not for the collective efforts of the elders in maintaining energy barriers, I''m afraid the students cultivating within the tower would suffer

    great casualties."

    As a possessor of a Heavenly Flame himself, Xiao Yan naturally sensed the increasingly evident eruptions of the Fallen Heart Flame, especially during the times when he was cultivating in the No. 1 cultivation room, where he could clearly feel it.

    The First Elder let out a soft sigh, "Back when the Headmaster discovered the Fallen Heart Flame here, he established the Inner Academy. At that time, he said that suppression and

    sealing could only be temporary; in fact, the stronger the seal, the more terrifying the eventual eruption would be. Judging from the traces of this Heavenly Flame''s recent outbreaks, it is indeed very powerful. If we''re even slightly careless, I''m afraid the entire Inner Academy could be destroyed."

    Xiao Yan frowned deeply; he hadn''t expected the Fallen Heart Flame to be even stronger than

    he had imagined!

    If it could potentially destroy the entire Inner Academy, its strength must be at least that of a

    high-star Dou Ancestor!

    If the Fallen Heart Flame had already reached such a level of power, then he definitely couldn''t handle this tough bone alone.

    "First Elder''s meaning is..." Xiao Yan''s brows slightly furrowed as he asked.

    The First Elder appeared somewhat embarrassed as he said, "Xiao Yan, since you can refine high-grade tier 6 pills, your Spiritual Strength and fire control should be quite formidable,

    right?"

    Xiao Yan nodded.

    "If one day the Fallen Heart Flame erupts, I hope you can assist us in suppressing it and safeguarding the Inner Academy."

    A glint flashed in Xiao Yan''s eyes, but he didn''t let it show. Instead, he pondered for a

    moment before saying, "I understand First Elder''s meaning, but regarding this matter... please allow this student to think it through carefully before giving an answer." "Very well. I understand this matter is very dangerous. Take your time to rest; this area

    remains within the academy''s grounds, so no one will disturb you." With that, the First Elder departed from the mountain peak.

    Xiao Yan revealed a contemplative expression as he watched the First Elder disappear into the

    horizon.

    Meow!!

    "I know. The First Elder''s strength is even slightly above that of Queen Medusa, and the Inner

    Academy has numerous elders at the Dou King and Dou Emperor realms. If I can secure their assistance, it''s indeed possible to refine the Fallen Heart Flame."

    "But the Inner Academy would never allow me to absorb the Fallen Heart Flame for myself. This matter requires careful planning. At the very least, I need to find a suitable excuse."