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**
Xiao Li had settled down in Qingshan City.
Xiao Yan wasn't in a hurry to return to the Inner Academy either. Instead, he stayed for a few days.
With skilled alchemists like Yao Lao, Wei Yang, Xian'er, and Xiao Yan around, Xiao Li's injuries really weren't much of an issue.
Thanks to the treatment with one rare medicinal pill after another, Xiao Li's injuries rapidly healed, and his strength improved significantly.
Once his body fully recovered, Xiao Li reached the peak of the Dou Shi level, just one step away from piercing that thin barrier and advancing to Da Dou Shi.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan added a drop of Core Quenching Body Milk into a pill and handed it to Xiao Li.
With the support of that powerful energy, Xiao Li successfully broke through the barrier and officially stepped into the Da Dou Shi realm.
However, though his injuries had healed and his strength advanced considerably, the traumatic experience had profoundly changed Xiao Li's temperament. He had become far more ruthless. While he still treated Xiao Yan, Wei Yang, and the others decently, when facing outsiders—like Sha Qi and his men—his sharp, hawk-like gaze made it hard for anyone to feel close to him.
There was nothing Wei Yang and the others could do about it.
This change stemmed from Xiao Li's own inner transformation after such a drastic life upheaval. No outsider could interfere with that.
Afterward, Xiao Yan left Xiao Li some resources and then departed.
Before he left, Xiao Yan brought Yao Lao to find Wei Yang. The three held a private discussion for a while before Xiao Yan returned to the Inner Academy.
As for Xiao Li, he temporarily stayed in the Qingshan City region, working with Sha Qi and the others.
Wei Yang observed from the shadows for a few days. Once he confirmed that Xiao Li was adapting well and integrating quickly into the Black-Corner Region's environment, he stopped paying close attention.
After all, Xiao Li was an adult now. He knew what he should and shouldn't do and could make his own decisions.
All Wei Yang needed to ensure was that Xiao Li remained mentally stable and adaptable. He wouldn't interfere beyond that.
At most, he simply instructed Sha Qi to keep an eye on Xiao Li from time to time.
Time passed slowly.
In the blink of an eye, nearly two months had gone by.
During this time, aside from his usual cultivation, Wei Yang lived a peaceful and leisurely life.
He often took Xian'er and Qing Lin into the deep mountains. Sometimes they searched for medicinal herbs, other times they simply strolled through the woods—or lay on the lush green grass, nestled together, basking in the warm sunlight.
These peaceful days were quiet, fulfilling, and filled with happiness.
But Wei Yang knew such days wouldn't last forever.
Their current low-profile lifestyle was merely a transitional phase during their growth.
When they reached a certain level of strength—enough to at least protect themselves—they would leave and soar into a broader world: Central Plains!
That day wasn't far off.
One day.
Just like any other.
The grass stretched like a green carpet over the land, spreading all the way to the horizon.
In the distant woods, birds chirped on the branches, hopping about and singing.
Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow, carrying the fragrant scent of flowers and grass—refreshing and uplifting to the soul.
The sunlight beamed down warmly, making it easy to slip into a relaxed, sleepy mood.
Not far away, a narrow mountain ravine stretched into the earth. It was deep, with a clear stream flowing slowly along its base. Wisps of light mist hovered above it, making the entire place resemble a celestial paradise.
Wei Yang lay in the grass at the top of the slope, arms wrapped around Xian'er and Qing Lin, all three of them resting quietly, eyes closed, breathing in the natural scents of the wilderness.
The gentle sunlight shone on his body, subtly absorbed into his frame and quietly transformed into his own power.
Xian'er turned her head slightly. Her long lashes fluttered, and her gemstone-like eyes opened, gazing at Wei Yang's calm, sun-drenched face.
A faint smile curved her delicate lips. She reached out a slender hand, gently brushing the messy strands of hair on Wei Yang's face, tidying them softly as the breeze continued to pass by.
A Moment Later
Xian'er's delicate fingertips, carrying a faint fragrance, gently traced downward and tapped playfully on Wei Yang's lips. In a soft whisper, she asked, "Brother Yang, these past few days… it feels like you've been waiting for something?"
Hearing her tender voice by his ear, Wei Yang slowly opened his eyes, smiled, and reached out to gently pat her head. His gaze turned toward a faraway direction.
That was the direction of the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy.
However, due to the spatial formation that concealed it, its exact location was nearly impossible for ordinary people to find.
Even if someone did manage to locate it, without sufficient strength, they would find themselves helpless in front of the spatial barrier—unable to break through, let alone enter.
Wei Yang gently stroked Xian'er's head and nodded, "Mm, Yao Lao told me earlier that the Fallen Heart Flame under the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower in the Inner Academy is about to go berserk. He asked me to stay alert. If there's a chance, he wants me to help them subdue the Fallen Heart Flame."
"Fallen Heart Flame?" Xian'er's eyes immediately lit up.
She had long known that the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy housed a Fallen Heart Flame.
And as an alchemist, hearing anything about Heavenly Flames naturally stirred excitement.
It had nothing to do with whether she needed it or wanted it—it was simply an instinctive response tied to her profession.
This was an innate reverence, value, and obsession that alchemists held toward Heavenly Flames. A deep emotional bond.
Qing Lin, who had been half-asleep just moments ago, suddenly jolted awake. Her eyes blinked open, full of curiosity as she turned her head to look at Wei Yang.
This girl was different.
Her curiosity was pure—she was simply listening like someone enjoying a good story. Nothing more.
Qing Lin had already reached the peak of Dou Wang, and she was also a Tier 3 alchemist. However, she wasn't particularly passionate or obsessed with alchemy. For her, it was more of a casual interest.
She had only picked it up because Wei Yang and Xian'er were both alchemists, and she wanted to learn alongside them. That was all.
So strictly speaking, Qing Lin wasn't a "pure" alchemist.
Moreover, when it came to Heavenly Flames, she honestly didn't have much interest.
Perhaps in her heart, apart from Wei Yang, nothing else truly mattered.
Her emotions were simple—possibly even purer than Xian'er's in some ways.
Not to mention she already possessed the Azure Nether Flame, which, after merging with the Nine Nether Cold Qi, had power roughly comparable to a Heavenly Flame of the same tier. Even if she hadn't possessed it, her attitude toward Heavenly Flames would still have been indifferent. She had no strong desire for them.
Wei Yang raised his hand and pointed toward the distance.
"Look over there—that's where the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy is."
"So that's where it is," the two girls nodded.
"Brother Yang, if the Fallen Heart Flame really goes berserk… are we going to force our way into Jia Nan Academy?" Xian'er asked.
"Ahem, no, we just happened to pass by, got curious, and went in to take a look. It's not breaking in," Wei Yang corrected with a smirk.
"Heehee." The two girls giggled, covering their mouths, their eyes squinting in amusement.
"Young Master, what did Senior Yao Lao offer this time to ask for your help?" the little money-grubber Qing Lin asked.
"Well, this time, it wasn't exactly a trade. You could say we're helping each other," Wei Yang replied. "If the Fallen Heart Flame erupts, that Medicine Emperor Han Feng will definitely sense the presence of the Heavenly Flame and bring people to snatch it."
"Our real target is him. Hmph, Medicine Emperor? What a grand title," Wei Yang snorted coldly.
Both girls nodded.
They knew that Wei Yang had been eyeing Han Feng's Sky Cauldron for a long time now.
"But we need to keep things low-key. We'll move through the chaos and take advantage of the situation. If we can avoid being exposed, we should—especially to avoid attracting the attention of Hall of Souls,"
Wei Yang warned. "Our only concern is keeping a close eye on Han Feng. Ignore everything else."
"Then… you're not going to help Yao Lao subdue the Fallen Heart Flame?" Xian'er asked.
"We'll see when the time comes. With Yao Lao and Xiao Yan working together, I don't think that Flame will be a huge problem for them." Wei Yang rubbed his chin. "Our top priority is to focus on our own objective."
"Besides, that Xiao Yan… he hasn't even finished refining Wind and Thunder Fury Flame and he's already rushing toward the Fallen Heart Flame?"
"Tsk, greedy."
Just then—
Buzz—
A sudden, subtle and peculiar fluctuation of energy rippled out from the direction of the Inner Academy, spreading rapidly.
To ordinary people, this unique wave was undetectable. But to anyone who possessed a Heavenly Flame, it was like a blazing beacon—vivid and unmistakable.
"This fluctuation…!" Wei Yang abruptly stood up.
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