The Inner Academy
Underground Magma World, Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Without the Invisible Flame Python wreaking havoc anymore, the magma world now seemed vast and eerily quiet. The infant Fallen Heart Flame had also been relocated—Elder Su Qian had arranged for it to be nurtured on the seventh floor of the tower by the fire-attribute Elders in rotation.
This environment, saturated with fiery energy, was perfect for cultivation. Thus, upon returning from the back mountain, Liu Xi immediately requested to train here—something Su Qian readily approved.
Upon descending into the magma world, the Fallen Heart Flame pulsed vividly within Liu Xi's chest, stirring in excitement. Its activity greatly accelerated the refinement of Dou Qi circulating through his body.
He carved out a small alcove in the rock wall and summoned his Green Lotus Platform from the ring. Five Earth Flame Lotus Seeds remained—treasures he intended to use for an extended period of secluded cultivation.
Floating nearby, Yao Tianhuo chuckled as he gazed at the lotus platform and seeds.
"Little friend, your luck is truly remarkable. Treasures most men may never see in their lifetime—you seem to have them lying about like ordinary goods."
Liu Xi removed his shoes, climbed onto the lotus, and sat cross-legged with a calm smile. "I'll be cultivating in peace for some time, Elder Yao. I'll have to trouble you to keep me company down here."
"Haha, it's fine. After all, my revival will still depend on your help in the future…"
Liu Xi nodded, swallowed one Earth Flame Lotus Seed, and formed the cultivation seals. As his eyes closed, the Fallen Heart Flame began refining the incoming energy, steadily enhancing his Dou Qi. Though the progress was slow, each moment brought a satisfying rise in strength.
Seeing him enter deep meditation, Yao Tianhuo grew bored. Shaking his head, he turned into a streak of light and slipped back into the ring.
---
Time Passed Without Sound or Measure.
When his inner Dou Qi began to slow, Liu Xi awakened, consumed another lotus seed, and immediately resumed cultivation.
Still, he wasn't training endlessly. Every month, he allowed himself four days of rest—to handle Inner Academy alchemy duties, prepare Zi Yan's monthly medicinal pills, and spend some quiet time with Xiao Yixian.
When all five Earth Flame Lotus Seeds were exhausted, he switched to the Fire Beads obtained from the Lizardmen. Their energy was violent, but under the tempering of the Fallen Heart Flame, Liu Xi easily refined them into pure Dou Qi.
Just like that, seven months slipped away.
---
Within the ever-churning magma, Liu Xi opened his eyes. Waves of power burst forth from his body, shaking the air itself.
He had reached the pinnacle of Dou Wang. His Dou Qi, meridians, flesh, and bones had all been repeatedly tempered by the Fallen Heart Flame, leaving his aura completely solid—no hint of instability.
His gaze was deep, his breath steady. Exhaling a long stream of impure air, Liu Xi murmured to himself, slightly vexed:
"Unfortunately, the Earth Flame Lotus Seeds are gone… and so are the Fire Beads. To break through to Dou Huang, I'll need an immense amount of energy. But where am I supposed to find it?"
As he pondered, Yao Tianhuo emerged from the ring, his tone patient and instructive. "To advance across a major realm, the energy required is no small matter. Don't rush it, little friend. When your Dou Qi reaches its absolute limit, the breakthrough will come naturally—like water overflowing a full vessel. That is the proper path."
Liu Xi knew that was true, but still sighed inwardly. If he cultivated the slow, steady way, this bottleneck could easily trap him for a year or more. If only he could directly absorb the Fallen Heart Flame's core power… but that was far too dangerous.
He stood, stretching lazily. "Don't worry, Elder Yao. I won't act recklessly."
With a flick of his wrist, the lotus platform dissolved into a streak of green light and returned to the ring. Unfurling the azure wings behind him, Liu Xi rose into the air.
"I'm heading out, Elder Yao."
He flew upward toward the blackened breach above the magma world. The former spatial seal, destroyed during the Flame Python's rampage, had never been re-established. With the threat gone, the Academy saw no reason to waste the resources.
---
Liu Xi landed at his residence and pushed open the door to the main hall. "I'm back!"
Hearing his voice, Zi Yan bounded down from the second floor, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Big Brother, you have to go see Sister Xian'er! She said she was going to secluded cultivation yesterday, but after returning she locked herself in her room all day and hasn't come out since!"
Liu Xi's face changed. His brows knit tightly—he knew Xiao Yixian had already reached 9-Star Dou Ling seven months ago. Her next breakthrough would be to Dou Wang. If something went wrong during that process…
"I'm going to her now."
He vanished from sight in a blur, appearing upstairs within moments. Reaching Xiao Yixian's door, he could sense her aura still inside.
"Xian'er!"
He pushed the door open and stepped in.
"Young Master… you're back…"
Her trembling voice came from the bed.
Liu Xi turned toward the sound—and saw the blanket trembling slightly. Clearly, she was underneath it.
Her aura had stabilized at Dou Wang, and nothing else seemed amiss. He walked closer, speaking softly, "Xian'er, what happened? You can tell me—I'll help you."
"Young Master… I… I'm not pretty anymore…"
A tearful note wavered in her tone.
Liu Xi blinked, utterly confused. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he reached to lift the blanket. "Even if your face were ruined, I'm a 6th Rank Alchemist—I could still make you whole again."
The blanket fell away—and a cascade of snow-white hair spilled out like silk. Xiao Yixian lifted her head, revealing a delicate, tear-streaked face that was heartbreakingly beautiful.
Liu Xi froze for a moment, then murmured, "You're not ruined at all… you're still as beautiful as ever."
Her cheeks flushed red. She shyly twirled a strand of her pale hair between her fingers. "I wanted to surprise you after breaking through to Dou Wang… but when I did, all my hair turned white. It won't change back…"
"You don't feel any loss of control over your Dou Qi, right?" he asked, taking her hand.
Thankfully, there was no sign of poisonous leakage.
"No… but I guess this means the Woeful Poison Body really does turn people into monsters," she said bitterly.
Liu Xi held her soft hand firmly and smiled gently. "How could that be? You're beautiful—exactly as you are now."
"Really…?" she whispered, doubt still lingering.
In the next instant, Liu Xi leaned forward and sealed her lips with his.
When they finally parted, his voice was low and teasing.
"Believe me now?"
"Mhm…"
Seeing the blush spread across her pale cheeks, Liu Xi's pulse quickened. He hesitated only briefly before whispering apologetically through a spiritual link, "Elder Yao…"
"I know, I know," came Yao Tianhuo's mischievous reply from the ring. "Youngsters—always full of energy… and it's not even dark ye—"
He didn't get to finish.
Liu Xi immediately layered five seals over the ring—one Dou Qi seal, one spiritual seal, and three layers of Heavenly Flame seals.
Once the final seal was in place, he lowered his gaze to Xiao Yixian—her eyes hazy, her lips trembling—and kissed her again.
Outside, Zi Yan tilted her head in confusion. Earlier, she had received Liu Xi's transmission:
"Zi Yan, go play for a while. I'm just comforting Xian'er—she'll be fine soon!"
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(End of Chapter)
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