The inner courtyard of Canaan Academy remained unchanged despite Yao Yan's return. Many were even unaware of his existence. Compared to the relatively unknown Yao Yan, Zi Yan's reputation as the "King of Brute Strength" was far more resounding. Since Su Qian brought Zi Yan back to the inner courtyard, she had caused quite a stir, beating many students—mostly with a single punch.
Her brute force, utterly unreasonable and domineering, had subdued many students, including Xiong Zhuang, the inner courtyard's tyrant.
Xiong Zhuang was quite impressed with Zi Yan,
having been beaten before.
At this moment, Xiong Zhuang stood beside Zi Yan with a憨厚 (honest and simple) expression. Due to their size differences, there was a peculiar, endearing contrast. Of course, this "endearing" referred to Zi Yan. Born only a few years ago, Zi Yan possessed the adorable appearance of a porcelain doll, with flowing purple hair and purple eyes that held a 'coldness' that didn't match her appearance.
Perhaps due to her long association with magical beasts, she hadn't yet integrated into the human world, giving her a somewhat aloof and unambitious nature.
Su Qian and Yao Yan stood not far away, chatting idly.
"I didn't expect you to run into Zi Yan on your trip to the back mountain. It seems you two get along quite well, which is quite rare. Her personality is a bit unruly, causing quite a few headaches for the elders in the inner courtyard. If you can handle her well, it will be a big relief for Canaan Academy."
Su Qian stroked his white beard, a smile playing on his lips, and said softly.
Zi Yan was someone he had brought back. As the Grand Elder of the Inner Court of Canaan Academy, he naturally had to be responsible for her and couldn't simply bring her back and then ignore her. However, how to teach her was a major problem. Many elders in the inner courtyard were at a loss with her, yet he never expected that Yao Yan would get along so well with her, even allowing him to hold her.
This kind of treatment was something even Su Qian hadn't received.
Brute force aside.
Yao Yan smiled upon hearing this and said softly, "She just has a big appetite. Once you fill her stomach, she's quite easy to talk to."
Su Qian's lips twitched slightly, and he was speechless for a moment.
Filling Zi Yan's stomach was no easy task, especially ensuring she was well-fed at every meal. After all, what Zi Yan needed to eat wasn't ordinary meat or vegetables; what she truly needed were rare and precious herbs brimming with the energy of heaven and earth. Canaan Academy couldn't possibly supply such things exclusively to Zi Yan.
He pondered for a moment, his gaze shifting slightly, and suddenly asked, "Since you're from the Yao Clan, you should be able to discern what Zi Yan's true form is, right?"
"I have some guesses, but I can't be certain. After all, if she were truly from that clan, Zi Yan shouldn't be in the Black Corner Region."
Upon hearing this, Yao Yan's smile faded, and he feigned seriousness, speaking in a low, enigmatic voice.
"That clan?!"
Su Qian was slightly taken aback by Yao Yan's solemn expression. For Yao Yan to show such an expression, it was clear that Zi Yan's original beast clan was quite extraordinary.
Yao Yan shook his head and slowly said, "It's impossible to be sure for now. After all, that clan is extremely mysterious. I've only read about them in books and haven't had any contact with them. Whether Zi Yan is from that clan is still debatable, but her talent is indeed terrifying... What she lacks now is cultivation resources."
Seeing that Yao Yan was unwilling to say more, Su Qian hesitated for a moment and didn't ask any further. He could sense that Yao Yan had no ill intentions towards Zi Yan, and that was enough.
As for whether the other party was pretending... he could continue to keep an eye on her; there was still plenty of time.
"Canaan Academy can provide her with some resources... but not too many, since Canaan Academy also has to be responsible for the other students," Su Qian said slowly.
"I will take good care of her. Actually, I lied to Elder Hu Qian before. I'm not a fifth-grade alchemist, but a seventh-grade alchemist,"
Yao Yan suddenly blurted out, revealing his identity.
"?!"
Su Qian paused in stroking his beard, almost pulling off the white hair on his chin. His eyes widened, staring intently at Yao Yan, filled with disbelief.
An eighteen-year-old seventh-grade alchemist—what kind of concept is that?!
That's even more terrifying than an eighteen-year-old Dou Zong!
When did becoming an alchemist become so easy? Han Feng, the renowned Medicine King of the Black Corner Region, is almost fifty years old, while this person is only a sixth-grade alchemist. And Han Feng's master is the Medicine Venerable, famous throughout the Central State, a former champion of the Pill Gathering, known as the number one alchemist in the Central State.
Yao Yan's expression was calm, as if he were recounting an ordinary matter, without any arrogance. His composed demeanor seemed to be answering Su Qian that he wasn't joking.
"...Are you serious?"
Su Qian was stunned for a moment, then swallowed hard, unable to resist asking.
"The Imperial Extreme Pill and Breakthrough Pill auctioned in Black Seal City not long ago were made by me. This matter caused quite a stir at the time; I'm sure Canaan Academy has heard about it." Yao Yan continued to reveal his secrets, a hint of helplessness on his face: "When I first came to the Black Corner Region, I just wanted to gather some cultivation resources, but I never expected the scene to become so big."
Yao Yan was a professional performer.
Su Qian's head was buzzing, and he didn't know what to say for a moment. He hadn't expected that the chaos in the Black Corner Region was caused by this kid in front of him. Thinking of the Imperial Extreme Pill and the Breakthrough Pill, he couldn't help but feel confused. Could it be that he had been in the Black Corner Region for too long and had fallen behind the outside world? Was the Central Continent really this crazy now?
A young man under eighteen years old could become a seventh-grade alchemist. Such a monstrous talent could still be expelled from the family. Did that family have that many geniuses?!
He finally couldn't help but ask, "How could the Medicine Clan bear to expel you?"
"The Grand Elder doesn't understand the Medicine Clan. For the Medicine Clan, the inheritance of bloodline is more important, and talent can only be second... However, for the Medicine Clan, bloodline concentration is also a symbol of talent. I guess the Grand Elder doesn't understand these things." Yao Yan softly stated an extremely cruel fact.
The major imperial clans are all similar: bloodline concentration is paramount, talent only comes second. Even with exceptional talent and ability, without sufficient bloodline concentration, no one will recognize it. The latter requires time to grow and prove itself, while the former is undeniably real. Even if someone has a less desirable temperament, their value as a "stud" far surpasses that of the latter. After all
, bloodline is related to the title of "Emperor"!
"Bloodline inheritance?"
Su Qian clearly didn't know much about the Dou Di families. He knew those families were formidable, but he didn't know that some families were related to Dou Di, or even possessed Dou Di bloodline inheritance within themselves.
After all, with his past strength, he was never qualified to even approach that level.
Even in the powerful Central Continent, to reach this level, one's strength must be at least at the Dou Zun level, and even then, there's no guarantee of access; one would need a guide.
Yao Yan didn't want to dwell on this topic and went straight to the point: "Actually, my entry into Canaan Academy was partly for refuge. Those people in the Black Corner Region are too crazy. I don't like crowds, and I especially dislike fame. I hope the Grand Elder can understand."
Hearing Yao Yan's 'sincere' words, Su Qian pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "...With your talent, coming to the Black Corner Region is a bit of a waste. Even Canaan Academy won't offer you much help."
Because the talented disciples of Canaan Academy, after reaching the Dou Wang level, would choose to train in the Central Continent rather than remain in the Black Corner Region. The Central Continent is the core area of the Dou Qi Continent, where both the energy of heaven and earth and the strength of its experts far surpass those of other regions.
With Yao Yan's talent, if he were in the Central Continent, he would undoubtedly grow very quickly. In less than ten years, he might even hear of the other's name.
"A place I've been interested in since childhood, I finally have to come and see it~"
Yao Yan smiled and spoke the truth. He was indeed very interested in Canaan Academy. His interest wasn't just in the Fallen Heart Flame, but also in the people of Canaan Academy, such as Zi Yan and Elder Su Qian, who were rare normal people in the original story.
Su Qian smiled and said, "That's truly a blessing for Canaan Academy... Since you've said so, then please settle down. With the reputation of Canaan Academy, no one in the Black Corner Region will be foolish enough to cause trouble."
"Then thank you very much, Elder!"
Yao Yan said, cupping his hands.
Su Qian took the opportunity to make a request: "However, I hope you will take good care of Zi Yan."
Even if a seventh-grade alchemist spilled some food between his fingers, it would be enough to feed the young Zi Yan. In this way, he would have fulfilled his responsibility in taking in Zi Yan. Su Qian still felt a little guilty for abandoning her in the back mountain before, but he had to consider the entire Canaan Academy and couldn't just think about Zi Yan alone.
"I will."
Yao Yan nodded, glancing at Zi Yan not far away.
Su Qian, hearing this, stopped talking. Yao Yan's honesty had earned him some trust. Besides, the fact that a seventh-grade alchemist under eighteen was so shocking left him speechless. He still felt a bit bewildered and doubtful; it was simply unbelievable, completely beyond his comprehension.
At this moment, Su Qian was no different from Hai Bodong and the others, all stunned. Yao Yan
had already walked to Zi Yan's side, reaching out to ruffle the 'strong girl's' hair, and said with a smile, "Let's go, I'll take you to get something good to eat."
"Okay!"
Zi Yan's eyes lit up, looking at Yao Yan expectantly, then she reached out her chubby little hand and grabbed the hem of Yao Yan's clothes.
Yao Yan tossed Xiong Zhuang a bottle of third-grade cultivation-aid pills as a reward for looking after Zi Yan. He then led Zi Yan towards his small hut, intending to find a quiet place to refine some pills, and also to refine the Ice Heart Pill, the auxiliary pill needed to devour the Fallen Heart Flame.
...
Su Qian didn't disturb Yao Yan's pill refining, even offering his own courtyard, perhaps wanting to see Yao Yan's true skill level.
"Duang~"
As a pitch-black medicine cauldron flew out, a heavy rumble resounded from the ground.
"Whoosh~"
Yao Yan raised his hand and summoned the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, igniting the cauldron. He then took out a bottle containing Earth Core Tempering Milk, extracted three drops with his soul power, and threw them into the Black Demon Cauldron. Next, he took out a number of medicinal herbs from his storage ring to nourish his body and threw them all into the fire.
As he formed hand seals, battle qi and soul power surged into the Black Demon Cauldron, instantly intensifying the burning Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame to its peak. The terrifying temperature even caused the patterns on the cauldron's surface to glow red.
Zi Yan watched all this curiously, remaining quiet and undisturbed.
In this respect, she was quite similar to Ling'er, knowing that Yao Yan wouldn't fool around when he was doing something serious.
As the temperature rose, the hundreds of medicinal herbs within simultaneously began to wither, extracting their essence and energy, transforming them into drops of crystal-clear medicinal liquid that merged into the three drops of Earth Core Tempering Emulsion. Under the baking of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, the three drops of Earth Core Tempering Emulsion gradually shimmered with a turquoise glow, as if gaining some vitality and no longer being so cold.
Earth Core Tempering Milk, a rare and precious natural treasure, requires no refining. It is an extremely pure treasure of heaven and earth, requiring only the addition of other medicinal herbs to fully unleash its medicinal properties, making it the best Foundation Establishment Elixir, effective for both humans and magical beasts.
This type of elixir has no grade, but in terms of value, it would likely fall short of even a Royal Supreme Pill.
However, as a seventh-grade alchemist, Yao Yan's appreciation of elixirs cannot be measured by ordinary standards. Compared to the future benefits Zi Yan could bring him, a small amount of Earth Core Tempering Milk is insignificant. He doesn't deny that he has other motives for contacting Zi Yan, but one thing he is certain of is that he harbors no ill will towards her.
Rather than letting her grow up at Canaan Academy, it's better to take her with him, and even help her unify the Ancient Void Dragon Clan in the future—something the Soul Clan would likely be very interested in.
After all, among the magical beast families, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan was undoubtedly the most powerful. If Zhu Kun hadn't been imprisoned in the Dou Di Cave, its power would have been enough to rival the Soul Ancient Clan. Although it was now divided, even a weakened camel is bigger than a horse; a single island was enough to crush all the magical beast families on the Dou Qi Continent.
While pondering, the three drops of Earth Core Tempering Milk in the Black Demon Cauldron had completely transformed into a vibrant medicinal liquid, emanating a rich medicinal fragrance. Just a light sniff brought a feeling of complete comfort.
Zi Yan, standing nearby, kept swallowing, the physical urge making her want to pounce on it.
"Wait a minute, this isn't for eating."
Yao Yan chuckled, looking at the impatient Zi Yan. He reached into his Bone Flame Ring and took out a bathtub, then gently tossed Zi Yan into it, along with the freshly concocted medicinal liquid. "Soak your whole body in."
Actually, without Yao Yan saying anything more, Zi Yan had already submerged her head in the water, gulping it down like a starving ghost.