The sun hung high at its zenith, pouring golden light across the lush forest. Beneath the verdant canopy, a waterfall thundered endlessly, its spray sparkling like jewels.
Yet despite the blazing sunlight, a strange chill pervaded the surroundings. Frost clung to the tree branches, a thin sheet of ice glazed the river's surface, and even the air itself seed to waver with biting cold.
The cause of this eerie contrast rested in a single fla.
A crimson fire burned steadily, but around its edges shimred a faint blue aura, cold and ghostly. Together, crimson and azure rged into a mysterious, almost sinister radiance.
The fla hovered above a pale, jade-like palm—Liu Xi's palm. His handso features glowed with excitent as he gazed at the flickering blaze.
This was no ordinary fire.
It was the life fla of a Rank 5 Magical Beast—the Scarlet Fla Lion. Liu Xi had obtained it through Elder Huo's connections after returning from the Book Collection Hall, spending one hundred thousand gold coins. Without Elder Huo's prestige as a seasoned alchemist, acquiring such a beast fire would have been nearly impossible.
'Another great debt owed to Elder Huo…' Liu Xi recalled the elder's hearty laughter when he had tried to thank him. The old man had rely patted his shoulder and urged him to pursue alchemy diligently in the Inner Academy.
The azure aura enveloping the beast fla was the true marvel. It ca from his newly cultivated Nine Nether Ghost Fla Technique, a Mid Di Class Qi thod. Ever since Liu Xi had converted all of his forr Heavenly Fla Refinent Qi into this new technique, his Dou Qi had leapt in quality, pushing him directly into the realm of a 5-Star Da Dou Shi. Even his Dou Crystal now shimred with a cold blue radiance.
The technique's power was tyrannical. His body instinctively plundered heat from the environnt, funneling it into his fla attribute Dou Qi. Thus, while his surroundings chilled to freezing, Liu Xi himself felt only comfortable warmth.
When he rged this ghostly Qi with the Scarlet Fla Lion's beast fire, the result was the fla now dancing in his palm: crimson fire wrapped in a spectral azure halo. Its strength far exceeded his expectations—Liu Xi estimated it rivaled the innate fire of a Rank 6 Magical Beast.
He narrowed his eyes at the frozen river and frost-bitten forest. "So, this is the power of beast fire fused with the Nine Nether Ghost Fla Technique…"
The fla pulsed hotter and hotter until reaching a limit, forcing him to cut off the flow. A faint sigh escaped his lips. "So, it still has a ceiling after all."
But a smile soon replaced his sigh. "No matter. For a Rank 5 beast fire, this is already more than enough."
He shaped the fla with his Pill Fla Technique, molding it into a lion's form—the very image of the Scarlet Fla Lion itself. Tossing it into the river, the tiny lion erupted, swelling to five ters in length.
The fiery beast gave a soundless roar, releasing a devastating shockwave.
Boom!
The river ice shattered into fragnts, exploding outward with searing heat. Frost on nearby trees lted instantly, vapor billowing into a thick mist.
Liu Xi shielded himself with Dou Qi as waves of scalding air swept past. When the smoke cleared, he lowered his arm, staring at the devastation: the riverbed torn into a gaping crater, the surroundings charred and steaming.
A satisfied laugh broke from his throat. "This power… it's already comparable to a Di Class Dou Technique. Even without illusionary tricks, I can now defeat Wang Shan in a head-on fight."
His gaze grew contemplative. 'Tomorrow we leave for the Inner Academy. With the Fallen Heart Fla there, my cultivation speed will soar. Another two years, and I may be ready to pursue an actual Heavenly Fla…'
His lips quirked in a sly smile. 'Still, I'd best not let the Inner Academy elders know I'm eyeing their Fallen Heart Fla. They'd tear apart. Safer to head for the Serpent Tribe's desert and search for the Green Lotus Core Fla when the ti cos.'
As the river slowly refilled and cleared, Liu Xi caught his reflection: a tall youth in white robes, long black hair flowing with the wind, features sharp as sculpted jade. The faintly chilling aura of his Nine Nether Ghost Fla Technique lent him an ethereal, aloof air.
He tilted his chin, grinned, and muttered, "Handso. Truly worthy of ." With that, he turned and departed lightly, his figure vanishing into the trees.
---
The Next Day
When Liu Xi arrived outside Vice Dean Hu Qian's office, dozens of students were already gathered. The fifty who had passed the selection clustered in small groups, chatting animatedly.
As he walked past, countless eyes turned toward him—most filled with respect. Liu Xi was not only a 4th Tier Alchemist but also the champion of the Inner Academy Selection. His strange illusionary technique had left a deep impression on all.
He returned their gazes with a calm smile and polite nods, but his icy aura made many hesitate to approach. Thus, he passed through the crowd unimpeded, joining the four other finalists—Wang Shan, Liu Lingfeng, Lin Chen, and Shui Rou'er—at the front.
"You all arrived quickly," he greeted lightly.
The four stared at him in surprise. His aura had completely changed. Once, his fiery presence blazed with heat. Now, it radiated an eerie chill.
Shui Rou'er's eyes softened with admiration. "Master Liu Xi's aura… it's grown even stronger. And he looks… even more striking now."
Liu Xi chuckled. "Just call Liu Xi. 'Master' sounds strange. My cultivation has had a little breakthrough, that's all."
None of them believed him. A "little breakthrough" couldn't possibly alter one's aura so drastically. Clearly, he had obtained sothing remarkable in the Book Collection Hall. Still, they were tactful enough not to ask.
Monts later, Hu Qian erged with three elders. His gaze swept over the group before he spoke, voice loud and solemn.
"Students! Congratulations. Your efforts have borne fruit. Today, you will enter the Inner Academy. Though you may feel out of place at first, know this—within those walls, your potential will be honed to its fullest. After one or two years, each of you will erge utterly transford."
Excitent rippled across the crowd. To be chosen among thousands ant they were true geniuses. Every one of them knew that strength was never given freely.
Hu Qian's expression hardened slightly. "Rember— the Inner Academy's location is unknown to outsiders. Even most Outer Academy tutors have never seen it. Therefore, we will personally escort you there."
He looked to the skies.
A shadow passed over the sun. Ten massive gryphons descended, their wings beating like thunder. Wind gusts scattered the weaker students to their knees before the beasts landed with heavy thuds. Each gryphon bore saddles and two handlers.
"Five to each gryphon," Hu Qian ordered with a smile.
The students hurried forward, scrambling onto the backs of the great beasts. Many wobbled nervously, grateful for the sturdy saddles.
Liu Xi and the other four champions leapt gracefully onto one gryphon, standing steady as mountains. Their poise earned admiring looks from below.
"Sit tight!" Hu Qian called. He and the three elders spread their magnificent Dou Qi wings, glowing with dazzling brilliance. Taking the lead, they rose into the sky, surrounding the gryphons in a protective formation.
The gryphons roared and took flight, soaring higher and higher.
Seated atop the beast's broad back, Liu Xi gazed at the elders flying with only their Dou Qi wings, a yearning stirring deep in his chest.
'To fly with one's own wings… this is every cultivator's dream.'
The Inner Academy awaited.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has more than 400 Chapters on Patreon already, Go Check It Out.
Support if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.
User Comments
0 comments from readers