"No, I can do it myself," Liu Yu replied calmly. Opening the spatial cage would undoubtedly attract the Fallen Heart Flame's attention, and he was aiming for the element of surprise.
Without further ado, six blood-red wings suddenly materialized behind him. With a subtle spatial fluctuation, Liu Yu vanished from Tian Ziyan and Su Qian's sight.
Spatial power? Is this Master Liu a Dou Zong? Those three pairs of wings were strange, too. They resembled flying fighting techniques, yet felt different. Truly a mysterious individual... Su Qian pondered silently.
He wasn't surprised by Liu Yu's easy entry into the spatial cage. While it was difficult to exit, it wasn't difficult to enter. He could have used spatial power to enter directly, but the Fallen Heart Flame was suppressed within. Only a fool would have rushed in so directly...
Within the spatial cage, at the lowest level of the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower, where the Fallen Heart Flame was sealed,
a massive, invisible fire python slumbered within, emanating a ferocious aura and blazing waves of flame.
At this moment, with a subtle spatial fluctuation, a six-winged figure silently appeared above the fire python. "
Resting?" Liu Yu's lips curled slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a terrifying icy-blue flame instantly erupted, transforming into a massive icy-blue fire dragon that occupied most of the underground space.
The invisible fire python, sensing the unfamiliar presence of its kind, instantly awakened. The moment its triangular serpent eyes opened, the icy-blue fire dragon bit down on its massive head.
"Roar, roar, roar!"
Amidst a roar of fury and pain, the enormous fire python struggled violently in the underground space. The icy-blue fire dragon had completely encircled it, biting off half of its head in a single bite.
The two behemoths engaged in a frenzied battle, their massive bodies periodically colliding with the spatial barrier, causing the very space to vibrate. Clearly, the Xuanlian Ice Flame, with its initial advantage and its innate essence suppressing it, had completely suppressed the Fallen Heart Flame.
Tearing, gnawing... these primitive attacks left the Invisible Fire Python's massive body riddled with wounds. Invisible flames continuously surged, repairing its head and body. But the Ice-Blue Fire Dragon's onslaught was too ferocious. As soon as the Fire Python recovered, it was struck again.
"Roar!"
The Invisible Fire Python's furious roar echoed through the underground space. The giant triangular snake's eyes were filled with brutality and humiliation. Its maw suddenly opened, releasing a terrifying wave of energy. An invisible pillar of fire, scorching hot, surged towards the Ice-Blue Fire Dragon.
Seeing the incoming pillar of fire, the Ice-Blue Fire Dragon opened its maw and spat out a mouthful of thick phlegm... The two mighty pillars of ice-blue fire collided, a thunderous explosion resounding, distorting even the air as flames scattered.
Following the collision of the fire pillars, the Fire Dragon's fierce claws slammed into the Fire Python's maw.
"Woo!"
The Fire Python's head tilted, and a muffled cry of pain escaped.
In a short moment, the invisible fire python's aura weakened. The Ice-Blue Fire Dragon wasn't just beating the fire python; it was also plundering the essence of the Fallen Heart Flame.
The fire python, sensing the drain of its essence, was helpless. Its struggles seemed much quieter, but the fierce glint in its triangular serpent eyes grew stronger, as if it were making a final stand!
Liu Yu, standing in the void, observed the entire situation silently. He suddenly withdrew the Mysterious Lotus Ice Flame. With the essence in hand, the Fallen Heart Flame's vitality was severely damaged. There was no need to continue, lest the fire python, desperate enough, self-destruct.
While he could easily escape through space jumps, the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower and even the inner courtyard wouldn't be able to withstand the Fallen Heart Flame's detonation, likely reducing them to ruin.
After the Ice-Blue Fire Dragon vanished, the fire python regained its vitality, erupting with terrifying invisible flames that distorted the void. Wherever the flames swept, the air evaporated, leaving a visible trail across the void.
After venting its anger at being inexplicably beaten, the already weakened yet powerful Invisible Fire Python collapsed into the underground space.
Liu Yu, hidden in the void, ignored the Fire Python and turned to look in the other direction of the underground world. Endless magma was constantly bubbling out of it. Within that, shockingly, was the underground magma world!
Within that magma world lay the Dou Qi Continent's greatest secret—the opportunity to become an emperor!
Liu Yu silently observed it for a few moments before disappearing. It was too early to explore the magma world now. Not to mention the Semi-Emperor-level Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun, who was trapped within the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Palace. He also knew that this magma world contained bizarre creatures like the Flame Lizardmen. These Flame Lizardmen were the cave's first line of defense, and among them were even Semi-Saint-level Super Lizardmen.
As for the opportunities beyond the magma world, the soul of a Dou Zun master and a juvenile Fallen Heart Flame weren't of much use to Liu Yu. Primarily, he disliked having a soul besides the Queen accompanying him. Putting aside his secrets, the thought of an old man secretly observing his daily activities made him feel a bit uneasy...
...
The first floor of the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower.
"Old Su, why hasn't the boss come out yet? Why don't we go down and take a look?" Zi Yan couldn't help but ask Su Qian, a hint of worry on her delicate face.
"It's only been a short while. Extracting the essence from the strange fire is no easy task. Besides, your boss is incredibly powerful; the Fallen Heart Flame won't be able to harm him," Su Qian explained. He knew Zi Yan was just being overly concerned.
But the movement below was indeed strange. At first, he could sense two destructive auras raging, but soon, they vanished, and the turbulence in the space subsided.
Could it be that Master Liu had succeeded? But that shouldn't be the case. The Fallen Heart Flame was extremely violent. How could it easily allow others to obtain its essence? He acknowledged Master Liu's strength, but the Fallen Heart Flame's power was comparable to that of a high-level Dou Zong. Even he wouldn't dare challenge its edge. Most of their Inner Court elders usually guarded the Skyburn Refining Qi Tower to prevent the Fallen Heart Flame from erupting.
Just as Su Qian pondered this, a six-winged figure materialized from space and appeared before them.
"Boss, you're back! I almost thought I'd see you again." (Liu Yu: ...)
The moment she saw Liu Yu, Zi Yan's face lit up with a smile, and she flew directly into Liu Yu's arms.
Upon hearing Zi Yan's last words, Liu Yu's hand, which had been rubbing Zi Yan's head, froze. He then proceeded to rub her face, rather annoyed. "Can't you hope for something good? Don't you know how powerful your boss is? A little strange fire, all it takes is a hand!"
"Woo woo... Boss, I'm just worried about you!" Zi Yan's fair face twisted as she explained, her voice slurred.
While Liu Yu and Zi Yan were playing, Su Qian's eyelids twitched. He was still there, could you guys just hold back a little?
With a light cough, Su Qian asked, "Master Liu, you should have obtained some of the essence of the Fallen Heart Flame, right?"
"Yes, the Fallen Heart Flame is now severely damaged and will not riot for a while." Liu Yu paused his movements. It felt really good. He would find another opportunity to continue...
"Thank you, Master Liu. I'll go check the situation below first. The collision of the strange fire just now caused the spatial cage to shake violently." Su Qian said, and with a wave of spatial fluctuations, several figures disappeared from the spot.
Uh, what about the basic trust between people? Liu Yu knew that Su Qian was not checking the spatial cage, but whether the Fallen Heart Flame was still there. After all, this Fallen Heart Flame was too important to the inner courtyard and could not be lost.
However, Liu Yu didn't care. Instead, he looked at Zi Yan in his arms and said, "I might have to leave."
"Ah! Boss, were you hurt by the strange fire? Boss, are you okay? Boss, I can't live without you..." Zi Yan was touching Liu Yu all over, pinching and touching him. Her hands were very strong. She looked like she was really worried about Liu Yu.
Liu Yu was very upset. Was this still the Zi Yan in his mind? How could she become like this? Liu Yu felt that he needed to "educate" Zi Yan. How could a child have so many bad thoughts!
"Yes, I will never see Zi Yan again!" Liu Yu's slender hands pinched Zi Yan's cheeks again, but this time he was not so gentle, and the strength was slightly increased.
Feeling the pain on her little face, Zi Yan hurriedly stopped her movements and grabbed Liu Yu's wrist with her small hands, trying to pry it open. It was too painful!
Even Zi Yan, known as the "King of Brute Force," couldn't shake Liu Yu's strength. Her fair, tender face was visibly crimson from being pinched.
Seeing her own cute little face unable to escape the ravages of those large hands, Zi Yan, unable to bear even a little loss, endured the pain and launched her own attack, picking her nose, pulling her face, and yanking her head with ease.
"Zi Yan, touching the boss is not something a little brother should do!"
Liu Yu, his beautiful silver hair tangled in disarray, his handsome face covered in red and white, giving him the look of a clown. Fighting the urge to "brutally destroy a flower," Liu Yu warned Zi Yan.
Zi Yan's tiny hands tightly grasped Liu Yu's silver hair, her face doubly pained, causing her to grimace. "Boss, bullying a little brother like this, how can you still be a boss?"
"Let's both take a step back. You let go first!" Liu Yu spoke first. Zi Yan was now tugging at his hair. If she didn't know how to handle it properly and ripped it off, he'd burst into tears!
"No! Boss, you go first!"
Just as Liu Yu and Zi Yan were at a stalemate, a figure suddenly appeared beside them.
After investigating the lower levels of the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower and finding that the Fallen Heart Flame was still there and, as Master Liu had said, severely damaged, Su Qian returned directly to the first floor, only to witness this incredible scene.
Su Qian remained silent, a faint sense of absurdity building within him. A distinguished seventh-grade alchemist was "fighting" like a shrew with a little girl?! Was he old, out of touch with the times? Did all seventh-grade alchemists these days have this habit? (Seventh-rank alchemist:…)
Liu Yu at this moment has already given up everything. He has already lost all his face, so why not be shameless! He just doesn't believe that he, who has lived two lives, can't beat a little brat!
"Zi Yan, what are you doing? Let go first, let's talk it out!" Su Qian saw that the situation was getting more and more intense, and hurried forward to act as a peacemaker.
"Old man Su, the boss is bullying me, why don't you come and help me!"
Zi Yan felt that her little face was completely numb, as if it was no longer her own. The boss really showed no mercy! Seeing Su Qian who suddenly appeared, Zi Yan also hurriedly asked for help.
Su Qian was a little helpless. What was going on? He had traveled around the continent and wasted most of his life. He claimed that he had rich experience and had seen everything, but the scene now completely overturned his cognition!
As for helping Zi Yan, Su Qian said he was powerless. He couldn't afford to offend a seventh-grade alchemist...
"Zi Yan, do you still want me to make you pills?" Liu Yu threatened directly. He refused to believe he couldn't cure her.
Zi Yan froze at the mention of pills, and finally, quite reluctantly, she released her grip on Liu Yu's hair and rose from his embrace. She couldn't live without the pills! The boss was so mean!
Seeing Zi Yan's release, Liu Yu also stopped and began to smooth his messy hair.
Su Qian, watching this, breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time, gained a new appreciation for Master Liu...
"Elder Su, I have things to do. I'll be leaving now." Liu Yu retied his hair and looked at Su Qian.
"Boss, I'll go with you!" Zi Yan hurriedly said, rubbing her face. Playful or noisy, she was still the boss's "loyal" little brother.
At the same time, Zi Yan's gaze turned to Su Qian. "Old Su, I'm leaving with the boss. Don't miss me."
"Master Liu, I'm leaving Zi Yan in your care. She can be a bit naive at times, so please forgive her!" Su Qian ignored Zi Yan and addressed Liu Yu.
He had never seen Zi Yan like this since he brought her back to the inner courtyard. Perhaps following Liu Yu was the best thing for her. Furthermore, it was the first time he had seen a seventh-grade alchemist playfully with Zi Yan like this. It was clear that he and Zi Yan had a close relationship, and he felt safe with her following Liu Yu.
"Old Su, what do you mean? How am I naive, boss? Isn't that right?" Zi Yan muttered, deeply dissatisfied. She had lived alone since she was a child, and after being picked up by Old Su, she had lived alone in the inner courtyard as well. She had never troubled anyone, so how could she be naive?
Liu Yu ignored Zi Yan and said solemnly to Su Qian, "Don't worry, Elder Su, Zi Yan is very naughty, but I will take good care of her."
Liu Yu's words made Zi Yan roll her eyes wildly. You are really my good boss!
Then, Liu Yu directly lifted the collar of Zi Yan's neck, and the six wings behind him flapped. Amidst Zi Yan's exclamation, he instantly disappeared into the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower. He could sense that there were many people outside. In this state, he couldn't bear to go out through the main gate...