Even someone as experienced as Su Qian couldn't help but breathe more heavily as he gazed at the jade bottles that nearly filled the entire room. Though he had seen much in his life, this was the first time he had ever witnessed such an immense quantity of high-grade pills. If it weren't for Xiao Yan's formidable strength and the need to maintain appearances, even Su Qian himself might have entertained thoughts of killing to take the treasure—let alone the others present.
The surrounding Elders looked at each other in shock. They had long known that alchemists were absurdly wealthy, but this… this was beyond belief. With such a collection, one could easily purchase multiple Earth-rank Dou Techniques or Dou Skills. And yet this guy only came to exchange it for medicinal ingredients?
"Ahem. Elder Su Qian, I wonder if you're satisfied with this deal of mine?" Xiao Yan cleared his throat lightly, snapping Su Qian out of his shock. "If these pills meet your expectations, then I'd trouble you to have those herbs I requested packed up."
Su Qian quickly nodded and ordered the disciples to start sorting the herbs Xiao Yan had asked for. Given the sheer volume of ingredients he had requested, the sorting process took some time. Xiao Yan simply pulled over a chair and sat by the entrance to the storeroom, watching the busy figures with a slight smile on his lips.
'Of course, gathering these herbs isn't just for pill refinement… I've got other plans too.'
Finally, when Su Qian and the others finished packing the herbs into jade boxes, Xiao Yan rose from his seat. Just as he was about to receive the goods, his expression shifted slightly. He raised his head slowly, gazing eastward into the sky.
Everyone around him found the action strange—except Su Qian, whose face turned grim. He could also feel it: an overwhelming presence was rapidly approaching.
"Elder Su Qian, it seems your Academy is about to face some trouble," Xiao Yan said lightly as he waved his hand, collecting the massive stack of jade boxes into his ring. Though his face showed no emotion, inwardly he sighed in relief.
'That old freak finally showed up. Now… the real show begins.'
From the skies, a wave of murderous aura suddenly surged, casting a shadow over the Inner Academy. A dozen or so powerful figures appeared above them. Judging by their auras, all of them were at least at the Dou Huang level—and not weak ones, either. The blood-haired old man leading them possessed an aura that far surpassed that of ordinary Dou Zong experts!
"What's that?" Zi Yan asked, frowning as she felt the immense pressure.
"Probably people from Demon Flame Valley," Xiao Yan answered calmly. Under his presence, the oppressive force in the air didn't affect Qing Lin or Zi Yan in the slightest.
"Young Master is right," Qing Lin chimed in. Having handled Xiao Sect's affairs for some time, she had developed a decent understanding of the power structure in the Black-Corner Region. "That old man leading them is likely the founder of Demon Flame Valley—Earth Demon Old Ghost."
"He's a figure from the same era as Jia Nan Academy's Headmaster. His strength is unfathomable. Behind him are Demon Flame Valley's Four Great Elders—all five-star Dou Huangs and up. The Grand Elder Fang Yan has already set foot into the Dou Zong level. If they attack together, they could certainly challenge a Dou Zong expert."
"Earth Demon Old Ghost…" Su Qian clenched his fists and shot into the sky. Simultaneously, all the hidden experts of the Inner Academy emerged and followed him. On paper, Jia Nan Academy's strength could sweep through most of the Black-Corner Region's top factions. But in the face of this lineup, they were clearly outmatched.
Xiao Yan also knew the Academy had some reclusive guardians who were very powerful. But those individuals were always in seclusion and wouldn't appear unless the situation was life-threatening. That meant—for this battle—Jia Nan Academy was at a complete disadvantage.
"So it's you, Su Qian…" Earth Demon Old Ghost looked at him lazily. "Last time I saw you, you were just a little Dou Huang. And now you've reached the Dou Zong level and become the Grand Elder of Jia Nan Academy. Life is indeed full of surprises."
"Earth Demon Old Ghost, our Demon Flame Valley and Jia Nan Academy have never interfered with each other. Why are you here today?" Su Qian's expression darkened as he stared at the blood-haired elder.
"You needn't be so tense. I'm not here for your Academy… I'm only here for one thing," Earth Demon Old Ghost replied calmly. "I've heard for some time now that your Academy has a Heavenly Flame. Hand it over, and I'll leave peacefully. No harm will come to your people. How about it?"
Su Qian's expression turned cold. The Heavenly Flame was a core treasure of Jia Nan Academy—how could he possibly hand it over so casually? He snorted. "You think our Academy is some soft target you can just squeeze dry? If you want the Heavenly Flame, dream on!"
"In that case, don't blame me for ignoring old friendships. Attack!" Earth Demon Old Ghost stepped into the air, and the Four Great Elders behind him followed closely.
"Inner Academy Elders, to arms!" Su Qian roared, sweeping his palm forward. The Elders rushed out and clashed with the Demon Flame Valley intruders.
But it was obvious to any observer: Jia Nan Academy was completely outclassed. In the very first exchange, Su Qian was struck hard by Earth Demon Old Ghost and vomited blood as he retreated. After all, he was only a two-star Dou Zong, while his opponent was a full seven-star Dou Zong.
The other Inner Academy Elders were also beaten back one after another by the Four Great Elders. Not only were they stronger individually, but they also wielded a kind of pseudo-Heavenly Flame that gave them an even greater edge. Against such fire, the Inner Academy had no effective counter.
"Earth Demon Old Ghost! Are you really declaring war on Jia Nan Academy?!" Su Qian wiped the blood from his mouth, shouting in fury.
"I already told you—I'm only here for the Heavenly Flame. If you keep resisting, don't blame me for disrespecting Mang Tianchi's name," Earth Demon Old Ghost sneered coldly.
"If our Headmaster were here, would you still dare to make such a scene? You'd probably be running for your life by now," Su Qian shot back, a smirk on his face. He knew Earth Demon Old Ghost harbored grudges with their Headmaster. If that man were truly present, the old ghost would've fled without hesitation.
"I do fear him," Earth Demon Old Ghost admitted. "But he's not here right now! And as for you—you're not qualified to talk to me like this! A mere two-star Dou Zong? Don't think I can't kill you."
'That's right… fight, keep fighting…' Xiao Yan watched the escalating clash above with narrowed eyes. 'The more chaos there is, the better my chances of success.'
(End of Chapter)
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