"Xiao Yan, that's the Fallen Heart Fla!"
Inside Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy, at the Skyburning Qi Refining Tower, Yao Lao's voice carried a mix of excitent and urgency.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's face lit up with joy.
"Teacher, are you sure? Is this really the Fallen Heart Fla?"
"No doubt about it!" Yao Lao confird, his tone brimming with certainty. **"The Fallen Heart Fla is unique colorless, transparent, born from one's heart, refining Qi and tempering bones. It's known as the 'cultivation cheat code,' capable of accelerating one's training speed imnsely.
"Xiao Yan, if you can successfully refine the Fallen Heart Fla, it will create a perpetual Heart Fla within you.
"This fla doesn't need manual control. Day and night, every second, it will refine your Dou Qi, constantly improving its purity.
"Not only that, but the effects of your cultivation will be enhanced, as if you were always in an optimal training state.
"With this, your cultivation speed will soar, surpassing all expectations. Xiao Yan, this is a rare chance! We must subdue the Fallen Heart Fla!"**
A Strange Encounter
Hearing Yao Lao's explanation, Xiao Yan's heart surged with hope. With a flap of his Purple Cloud Wings, he ascended into the air, passing through the tower's seal.
To his surprise, as soon as he crossed the barrier, it automatically repaired itself, as if nothing had ever broken through.
What's more, the Tou She Ancient Emperor's jade pendant around his neck, which had pulled him into the area, ceased glowing and fell silent.
"Teacher, what's going on? Why did the jade pendant drag here? And how did the seal fix itself after I entered?" Xiao Yan asked, bewildered.
Yao Lao's soul form floated out of the ring, his expression equally puzzled.
"I don't know, Xiao Yan. This phenonon is beyond my understanding. Still, we've stumbled upon an incredible opportunity. The materials we gathered in Black Corner Region are ready. Right now, our priority is to subdue the Fallen Heart Fla!"
Facing the Fire Python
Xiao Yan's joy quickly turned to apprehension as he looked up. The massive, 100 ter long flaming python, a manifestation of the Fallen Heart Fla, rose to eye level. Its fiery aura radiated imnse pressure, leaving him uneasy.
"Teacher, this python feels even stronger than Yun Shan! And this is its ho turf. Can we really subdue it?" Xiao Yan asked nervously.
His doubts weren't baseless. The fire python's overwhelming presence was suffocating, and even from a distance, the searing heat left him feeling like his body was being scorched from within.
Suddenly, Yao Lao's voice rang out. "Xiao Yan, look closely at the python's forehead! Doesn't that mark resemble the pattern on your jade pendant?"
Startled, Xiao Yan looked closer. Sure enough, the glowing mark on the python's forehead was identical to the design on his Tou She Ancient Emperor jade.
"Teacher, could this be related to the mysterious expert who gave the pendant?" Xiao Yan asked.
Yao Lao's soul form trembled slightly as he observed the scene more closely. To his astonishnt, the jade pendant was subtly absorbing the python's core fla, its essence.
An Unexpected Attack
The fire python suddenly roared, its massive head shooting a blast of searing flas toward Xiao Yan.
"Move!" Yao Lao shouted.
Xiao Yan flapped his wings desperately, narrowly dodging the attack. As the python lunged toward him, Xiao Yan's voice was filled with panic.
"Teacher, I can't handle this alone! Do you have any other ideas? At this rate, I'm done for!"
Yao Lao, deep in thought, ignored Xiao Yan's pleas, instead focusing on observing the python's behavior and energy flow.
The longer the python attacked, the more its core fla essence was siphoned into Xiao Yan's jade pendant.
"Interesting... could this be part of soone's grand design?" Yao Lao muttered to himself, a hint of suspicion crossing his mind.
A Dangerous Strategy
Xiao Yan's shout brought Yao Lao back to the mont.
"Teacher! If you don't help , I'm finished!"
Yao Lao chuckled lightly. "Calm down, Xiao Yan. I've figured it out. The pendant is absorbing the python's core fla. The more it attacks, the faster its essence is drained. Once enough of its core fla is absorbed, the python will weaken significantly. That will be our chance to subdue it."
"And what am I supposed to do in the anti? Just keep dodging?!" Xiao Yan retorted, exasperated.
"Exactly! Just hold on a little longer. If you truly can't manage, I'll step in."
Yao Lao's lighthearted tone did little to reassure Xiao Yan. The python's relentless attacks left him exhausted, his Dou Qi rapidly depleting as he dodged fla after fla.
Yet, despite his complaints, Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and persisted.
Outside the Tower
anwhile, outside the Skyburning Qi Refining Tower, Su Qian and the inner academy elders arrived in a hurry.
To their surprise, the tower's seal was completely intact, with no visible signs of damage.
"Elder Su, I swear the seal was breached earlier!" the elder in charge of the tower stamred.
Su Qian frowned. The elder didn't seem to be lying, but the undamaged seal suggested otherwise.
"Very well," Su Qian said. "Check on the students imdiately. Ensure no one is injured or missing."
Suddenly, the elder's face turned pale as he rembered sothing.
"Elder Su, there's a problem! I saw a student get pulled into the seal earlier. The mont he entered, the seal repaired itself!"
Inside the Tower
Unaware of the commotion outside, Xiao Yan continued to evade the fire python's attacks, his energy reserves dwindling.
"Teacher, I can't keep this up much longer!" Xiao Yan shouted.
"Hang in there!" Yao Lao urged. "The jade pendant has already absorbed a significant portion of the core fla. The python is weakening!"
As if to confirm Yao Lao's observation, the fire python's movents beca slightly sluggish, its massive body swaying with fatigue.
Yao Lao's voice carried a note of triumph. "Xiao Yan, the ti is near! Prepare yourself victory is within reach!"
"What? What's the na of that student?" Su Qian asked urgently.
While it wasn't unusual for Jia Nan Academy to lose students every year, such a mysterious incident couldn't be overlooked. The lack of understanding about what had just happened made him worry about future occurrences.
"I think his na is Xiao... Xiao Yan! Yes, that's it Xiao Yan!"
Upon hearing this, Su Qian's face darkened. If it were any other student, it might not be as alarming. But Xiao Yan? That was a different matter altogether.
From the earlier events at the rear mountain, it was clear the girl from the Gu Clan had a deep affection for Xiao Yan. Moreover, Xiao Yan had entered the Inner Academy as this year's top ranking student.
Not only that, but Su Qian had also heard that before joining Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan had been targeted by Han Feng, the dicine Emperor of Black Corner Region. It was only with the intervention of a strong ally from the Eight Gates that Han Feng was dealt with, and Xiao Yan had even acquired Han Feng's Sea Heart Fla.
Now, with Xiao Yan possibly confronting the Fallen Heart Fla, a perilous situation was unfolding.
The Danger of the Fallen Heart Fla
**"A ford Fallen Heart Fla is intelligent, almost like a human, and can grow stronger by devouring other flas. Given Xiao Yan's current strength, he has no chance of escaping from the Fallen Heart Fla.
"If the Fallen Heart Fla swallows him, it will grow exponentially stronger. At that point, even the seal might not be able to contain it!"**
Realizing this, Su Qian's expression grew more severe. He imdiately gave the order:
"Evacuate all students imdiately. All elders, follow !"
"Yes, First Elder!"
Everyone quickly sprang into action. Su Qian led the elders into the Skyburning Qi Refining Tower, rushing toward its lowest level.
When they arrived at the bottom, they found the seal intact, but it prevented them from seeing what was happening inside.
"What in the world is going on?" Su Qian muttered in confusion.
The Sealed Battle
Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from below.
"ROAR!"
The massive head of the Fallen Heart Fla's fire python smashed against the seal.
"BANG!"
The seal shimred violently under the impact and nearly shattered.
Seeing this, Su Qian's brows furrowed deeply.
**"It seems Xiao Yan is already in grave danger. If this beast has devoured the flas on him, its power will grow uncontrollably.
"Elders, listen up! We must strengthen the seal at all costs. If this creature escapes, it will destroy the Inner Academy in an instant. We cannot allow such a catastrophe to occur!"**
"Yes, First Elder!" the elders responded, pooling their Dou Qi to reinforce the seal.
Above, Su Qian and the elders focused on keeping the seal intact. Below, Xiao Yan continued to dodge the Fallen Heart Fla's relentless attacks, guided by Yao Lao.
Neither side knew how close the situation was to escalating further.
Shifting Focus: The Stone Tribe's Territory
anwhile, in the Stone Tribe's domain in Central Plains, Xiao Tianzuo had just arrived with the group from the Gu Clan.
Several Dou Sheng experts of the Xiao Clan rushed forward to greet him.
"Clan Leader!"
After saluting, one of the Dou Shengs reported: "Everything is prepared. Our people disguised as mbers of the Stone and Spirit Tribes have attacked several Dou Zun level experts from the Gu and Yan Clans, intentionally leaving two survivors to spread the news. If all goes according to plan, the Gu and Yan Clans should have already received the ssage by now."
Hearing this, Xiao Tianzuo nodded with satisfaction.
"Good work. But this isn't enough. I want you to take these individuals and infiltrate the Stone Tribe's territory. Be sure to let the spies from the Gu and Yan Clans catch sight of you. Once you're discovered, retreat imdiately. Understood?"
"Yes, Clan Leader. We will carry out your orders without fail."
Setting the Trap
As the Xiao Clan Dou Shengs prepared to leave, Xiao Tianzuo stopped them briefly. He reached out and plucked a jade pendant from Gu Xun'er's belongings.
This pendant was a token of Gu Xun'er's identity as a mber of the Gu Clan and contained traces of Gu Yuan's Dou Qi.
With intricate hand seals, Xiao Tianzuo created a miniature spirit array around the pendant. Once complete, it emitted a beam of light, pointing toward the distance.
"Perfect."
He handed the pendant to one of the Dou Shengs.
"Rember, let the Gu or Yan Clans' people see you and this pendant. Then retreat imdiately. If any of you lose your lives, don't expect to save you."
"Understood, Clan Leader. We won't fail you."
After the Dou Shengs departed with the others from the Gu Clan, Xiao Tianzuo turned to Gu Xun'er.
"Little girl, what do you think of all this?"
Gu Xun'er frowned slightly, her beautiful face tinged with confusion.
"Uncle Tianzuo, with the Xiao Clan's strength, wiping out the Stone and Spirit Tribes should be effortless. Why go to such lengths to manipulate the Gu and Yan Clans into doing it for you?"
Xiao Tianzuo smiled.
"There's always a reason behind every action. Isn't it better to let them fight like dogs and weaken each other's strength?"
The Bigger Picture
Gu Xun'er's brows furrowed as she struggled to understand. She had access to significant information as a Gu Clan mber but couldn't see the full picture.
The Xiao Clan's overwhelming strength made it seem unnecessary to borrow anyone else's blade. And even if the Gu and Yan Clans attacked the Stone and Spirit Tribes, the resulting losses would be negligible.
Was there another, hidden purpose behind this?
Seeing her confusion, Xiao Tianzuo didn't offer further explanation. Instead, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder, conjured a space vortex, and vanished with her.
Back at Tianji Pavilion
At the Tianji Pavilion headquarters, Xiao Qing paced back and forth anxiously.
"Lord Tian Luo, it's been days without word from Uncle Tianzuo. Do you think the plan succeeded?"
Tian Luo's expression remained calm.
**"No news is good news. With your uncle's ticulous planning, his actions are rarely less than 90% certain to succeed.
"Judging by the tiline, he should be returning soon. When he does, we'll likely hear news from the Stone and Spirit Tribes as well."**
Xiao Qing nodded thoughtfully.
**"You're probably right. Still, I don't understand why the Stone and Spirit Tribes would make such a foolish move. Even if the Gu and Yan Clans ford an alliance, they couldn't hope to match our Xiao Clan.
"To betray us at this critical mont if nothing else, they're both foolish and... oddly brave."**
(Chapter End)
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