Chapter 263: The Ancient Clan Sends Someone

In the endless world of magma, the dark red lava suddenly churned violently, a wildly chaotic energy spreading throughout.

As the lava roiled, it seemed as if something was about to burst forth from within; after a long while, the churning magma suddenly grew still, yet Su Qian's gaze did not relax—he clearly felt that the chaotic energy was drawing closer to the lava's surface.

With a boom, a massive fire serpent, its full body invisible and nearly transparent, its head measuring over ten feet wide and covered in invisible flames, pierced through the magma, unleashing a torrent of energy that shook the very space, appearing before Su Qian's grim gaze.

The serpent's triangular pupils, glowing with invisible flames, locked fixedly onto Su Qian at the mouth of the deep pit!

"Damn it, this beast is about to break the sealing!" Su Qian's face changed; he tapped his toe against the edge and shot backward like lightning, exiting the energy barrier. In his hands, he rapidly formed seals—suddenly, energy surged violently from the pit's mouth, forming a colorful energy barrier that sealed the opening completely!

Sensing Su Qian had reinforced the barrier to prevent his escape, the Falling Heart Flame let out a furious cry and slammed its head hard against the seal.

Thud! Just one impact—the seal cracked. Thin tendrils of invisible Heart Fire seeped through the barrier.

This is uncultivated Falling Heart Fire! This isn't for cultivation—it's meant for killing!

This Heart Fire has no form or shape, floating in the air, undetectable even by Soul Perception; it slips directly into a person's body and begins burning from within!

"Damn!"

Sensing tendrils of Falling Heart Fire seeping through the barrier's cracks, the Grand Elder felt a terrible premonition.

Even a single speck of Heart Fire could instantly kill a Dou Spirit cultivator—and it was impossible to defend against; even Dou Qi defenses couldn't block the strange Falling Heart Fire.

In the instant he formed his hand seals, a thunderous roar erupted from Su Qian's mouth, echoing massively across the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta and the entire Inner Court sky.

"All Elders, report to the tower immediately! All students, evacuate at least one hundred meters away from the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta!"

Hearing the thunderous roar echoing through the sky, the entire Inner Court fell utterly silent.

The Grand Elder whispered into Xun Er's ear, his voice grave: "Xun Er, take Xiao Yan away immediately—he's too close to the Falling Heart Fire; he'll become its target!"

Xun Er looked up at Xiao Yan, teeth clenched, frantically gathering something; she knew he was just one step away—the most critical moment. If she pulled him away now, it would be a waste of effort, but worse—if he suffered backlash, it would be disastrous.

Xun Er's gaze hardened with resolve; the next second, golden light shimmered across her body, her eyes glowing with golden flames.

As if something had broken free from chains, Xun Er raised her jade hand—and a brilliant, golden flame appeared in her palm; faintly, colorful light pulsed within her.

After summoning the golden flame, Xun Er's face instantly turned pale—clearly, even she struggled to control it.

"Go!" Xun Er flung her hand as if scattering beans to summon soldiers—countless golden flames shot out, instantly transforming into a sea of golden fire that covered the entire ninth level.

The invisible Falling Heart Fire that touched Xun Er's golden flames vanished like water droplets hitting fire—upon contact, they were instantly incinerated!

Even the jade platforms on the ninth level could not withstand the golden flames—they melted into pools; the precious material of the ninth level's floor showed signs of melting.

Controlling these golden flames was clearly difficult; within just one minute, beads of sweat formed on Xun Er's forehead.

At this moment, Xiao Yan also sensed Xun Er's support—he suddenly opened his eyes, and a staggering torrent of Soul Power exploded from within him.

"Go!"

Xiao Yan had no time to explain; behind him, wings of Dou Qi flame erupted—he grabbed Xun Er's hand and flew out of the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta.

With Xiao Yan's speed, he was clear of the tower in less than three breaths, landing on an open patch of ground.

The instant he sensed Xiao Yan and Xun Er had left, the Grand Elder roared, unleashing his Dou Zong power to forcibly suppress the Falling Heart Fire.

When the other Elders arrived, the entire Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta was sealed off.

Looking at the sealed Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta, Xiao Yan's eyes held thoughts he did not reveal.

"Brother Xiao Yan, did you break through to Dou Wang?!" Xun Er's beautiful eyes sparkled with delight; she couldn't help but rejoice at how swiftly he had advanced.

Xiao Yan smiled, gently stroking Xun Er's hair, and said softly: "Thanks to you, Xun Er—you bought me some time."

In truth, Xiao Yan had already broken through to Dou Wang long ago, aided by the Bai Wang Pill; what he had just been doing was not cultivating his cultivation realm—he had been using the Soul Gathering Technique to gather Spiritual Essence.

That Spiritual Essence was the scattered Spirit Flame essence of the Falling Heart Fire in this space; Xiao Yan had aimed to break through all the way to the peak of the Common Realm—the Soul Force of a Seventh-Rank Alchemist!

But unfortunately, due to the Falling Heart Fire's eruption, Xiao Yan had only enough time to reach half-step Seventh-Rank, unable to fully enter the peak of the Common Realm.

Still, Xiao Yan was immensely satisfied with the result: not only had he refined his Dou Qi using the Heart Fire's origin, solidifying his foundation, and leapt from Star Eight Dou Spirit straight to Dou Wang—but he'd also raised his Soul Force to half-step Seventh-Rank.

The outcome made Xiao Yan want to grin from ear to ear.

"Hey, Xiao Yan, you know what happened inside the tower?" Lin Yan, having seen Xiao Yan fly out, walked up from afar and grinned as he leaned in.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan paused, then smiled and shook his head.

Seeing Xiao Yan shake his head, Lin Yan was about to boast—when Zi Yan, who had flown over sensing the Flame's eruption, scoffed and cut him off.

Zi Yan pouted, her childish voice saying: "It's just the flame at the bottom stirring again—this isn't even the first time it's happened in the past few years."

Hearing Zi Yan's words, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with surprise—she knew the flame was sealed at the bottom?

Lin Yan chuckled awkwardly, then frowned at Xiao Yan: "But this time seems different. In past years, energy surges happened, but never have we seen the Grand Elder look so serious."

"Forget it—this isn't our business. With the Grand Elder and the other Elders' strength, nothing will go wrong," Xiao Yan chuckled lightly.

Whether Xiao Yan truly believed that, no one knew.

The struggle between Jia Nan Academy and the Falling Heart Fire wouldn't be resolved in an instant; Xiao Yan and Xun Er returned to Xiao Palace.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan had broken through to Dou Wang, the entire Xiao Palace erupted in celebration, shouting "Ten thousand years!" and "Invincible!"

After a day of rest, Xiao Yan, feeling the terrifying power within him, sighed: "Below Dou Wang, all are ants—this saying is no lie!"

Xiao Yan felt fortunate for the Dou Wangs he had defeated before—thankfully, they were all weak. If he'd faced a Dou Emperor Family Dou Wang, it would've been trouble.

At dusk, on a slightly sloping patch of grass, lush green blades spread like a green carpet to the horizon; not far beneath lay a wide, deep ravine, faint mist curling within, appearing like a fairyland.

Xiao Yan and Xun Er lay quietly side by side on the grass, holding hands as they watched the sunset's glow.

Slightly turning her head, Xun Er's gem-like eyes gazed at the black-robed youth beside her, eyes closed, face serene; her lips slowly curved into a faint smile. After a moment, as if remembering something, her gaze dimmed slightly, and she whispered: "Brother Xiao Yan, you must study the Scroll I gave you very carefully."

Hearing Xun Er's voice, Xiao Yan opened his eyes, turned to look, and smiled: "Of course—this is the Dou Technique you gave me. I won't rest until I've perfected it."

Hearing this, Xun Er smiled sweetly, her laughter clear and melodious like a mountain stream striking stones.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to ask why Xun Er had suddenly given him a Dou Technique, his half-step Seventh-Rank Soul Force suddenly sensed a large number of powerful energies speeding toward them—targeting the two of them!

Seeing Xiao Yan's eyes sharpen, Xun Er sensed it too; she sprang to her feet, staring toward the horizon.

Xun Er's eyes filled with urgency; she shoved Xiao Yan behind a large tree and said: "Brother Xiao Yan, wrap yourself in Soul Force—don't come out under any circumstances!"

"What's going on? Are these people coming for you?" Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with coldness—Xun Er was the most important person in his heart.

"No—but I don't have time to explain now. Brother Xiao Yan, hide!" Seeing Xun Er's panic, Xiao Yan nodded and wrapped himself in Soul Force to avoid detection.

Soon after Xiao Yan masked himself, a dozen black dots suddenly appeared on the horizon, clearly targeting the spot where Xun Er was.

Only when they drew near did he realize these black dots were people, clad in black armor, riding armored one-horned flying horses, their bearing imposing.

Especially their leader—his strength had reached Dou Huang, and his Spiritual Pressure was no ordinary Dou Huang's; even Hai Lao or Jia Lao might not be his match!

"I am Ling Quan, newly appointed Deputy Commander of the Black Smoke Army, sent by Clan Lord Zong to escort the young lady back!" The man calling himself Ling Quan, mounted atop the Four-Winged Unicorn Beast, bowed respectfully to Xun Er and spoke with solemnity.

Hearing Ling Quan's words, Xiao Yan's heart sank, his gaze sharpening—he finally understood Xun Er's recent strangeness, and why she had given him the Emperor Seal Technique.

"I said I would return. Why did you come all this way?" The arrival of Ling Quan and the others made Xun Er's expression grow cold, her voice tinged with chill.

"We can only obey the Elders' orders," Ling Quan smiled faintly, but just as he was about to speak, his gaze suddenly hardened—he saw Xiao Yan stepping out from behind the tree.

"Who are you?"

Xiao Yan ignored Ling Quan, walking step by step up the hill, his face utterly grim, a suppressed voice emerging from his throat: "Xun Er, are you returning of your own free will?"

With a few sharp whistles, nine other Black Smoke Army soldiers in black armor instantly surrounded Xiao Yan, excluding Ling Quan.

"All of you, stop!" Xun Er coldly ordered.

Xiao Yan halted his steps and asked again: "Xun Er, are you returning of your own free will?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's piercing expression, Xun Er's heart ached sharply—she had no desire to return, yet she bore the clan's mission, and she did not know when she might leave the clan again.

Seeing Xun Er's heart wrung with pain, Ling Ying emerged from the shadows and sighed: "The young lady bears the clan's mission. The clan demands her return—she has no choice."

Hearing Ling Ying's words, Xiao Yan exhaled in relief—luckily, it was not Xun Er's own wish to leave.

With a whoosh, a heavy black ruler appeared in Xiao Yan's hand, his gaze like a spear of fury, fixed on Ling Quan.

Xiao Yan did not roar or scream—he was eerily calm, yet his eyes sent chills down the spine.

"I am here today. Let's see who dares take her away!"

(End of Chapter)