Mu Chen had previously gifted Xiao Yu a golden pearl crafted from the remains of the ancient demon emperor, Donghuang Taiyi, from the White Snake: Origin world. Ruo Lin and Xue Ni, being Xiao Yu's mentor and close friend respectively, were also generously given a golden pearl by Mu Chen. With this pearl, their cultivation would advance rapidly in a short period.
For now, Mu Chen had no lingering concerns about Xiao Yu, Ruo Lin, and Xue Ni.
Holding Zi Yan in his arms, Mu Chen swiftly moved forward. His hand, resting on Zi Yan's slender waist, subtly began to slide downward.
Perhaps it was because they were moving at such a high speed through space, with the wind howling around them, or maybe Zi Yan was too shocked by Mu Chen's incredible speed to notice his subtle movement.
Mu Chen soon arrived at the entrance of a narrow gorge, where the steep cliffs were strikingly evident.
"What a sin!"
Mu Chen's heart tightened, and he silently cursed himself. He had just committed an indecent act towards a girl of thirteen or fourteen.
Regaining his composure, Mu Chen's guilty hand returned to its proper place.
Not long after, Zi Yan, riding along with Mu Chen, quickly reached the center of the low basin area.
The low basin was vast, and from a high vantage point, it appeared as if it had been formed by the impact of a massive object falling from the sky. Numerous structures were built in this area, with a square at the very center. The square was unique, featuring an ancient tower that had collapsed, leaving only its base exposed.
The Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.
Mu Chen knew this tower was the cornerstone of Jia Nan Academy's inner court, a cheat-like tool for cultivation—the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.
At this moment, countless people, as small as ants, were pouring out of the tower. A fiery red light shot up from the tower, illuminating the area for dozens of miles. Over a dozen elderly men, scattered around, released formidable waves of Dou Qi, forming an energy barrier to contain the flames within a limited space.
"Who's there?"
A black-robed elder with white hair and beard, his eyes as cold as blades, sensed Mu Chen and Zi Yan's arrival and immediately focused on them.
"Zi Yan?" the elder exclaimed in surprise. Then, his gaze shifted to Mu Chen, and his expression was filled with astonishment.
Not just this elder, but all the elders present were equally shocked, their eyes fixed on Mu Chen.
Treading on air?
How old was Mu Chen? His youthful and resolute appearance suggested he was no more than forty. Yet, he was able to tread on air just like these seasoned elders?
It was known that treading on air was an ability of Dou Zong-level experts. In other words, this young man who had suddenly appeared before them had already reached the Dou Zong realm?
Every elder present looked at Mu Chen with an expression of existential doubt.
"Elder, has it gone out of control again?" Zi Yan asked with a slight frown.
"Elder?" Mu Chen's gaze fell on the black-robed elder, realizing that this man was Su Qian, the de facto spokesperson of the inner court.
"Zi Yan, quickly, follow all the teachers and students and leave the inner court for at least ten miles," Su Qian urged with a grave tone.
"Leave the inner court? Elder Su, is that really necessary?" Zi Yan asked with a hint of disdain in her voice.
"Zi Yan, listen to me. The commotion it caused this time is more intense than ever before. It seems to want to break out of the pagoda," Su Qian said gravely.
"Let me handle it," Mu Chen stepped forward.
"You?" Su Qian looked at Mu Chen with a questioning tone.
"What, do you underestimate the young?" Mu Chen asked indifferently.
"Young man, you misunderstand. You might not know how formidable it is. If you're willing to lend us a hand, I, Su Qian, will surely remember your kindness," Su Qian replied, hoping Mu Chen would join them in maintaining the energy barrier that restrained the Fallen Heart Flame. With Mu Chen's Dou Zong cultivation, his assistance would undoubtedly increase their chances of successfully sealing the Fallen Heart Flame again.
"No need. A mere Fallen Heart Flame is no match for me alone," Mu Chen said dismissively.
"Young man, don't be reckless," Su Qian advised earnestly.
"Zi Yan," Mu Chen ignored Su Qian's underestimation and turned to Zi Yan, asking, "Do you want to obtain it?"
"You mean... for me to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame?" Zi Yan asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"Yes," Mu Chen nodded.
"Why?" Zi Yan asked, puzzled.
"Since I've called you little sister, I naturally consider you a friend. So, do you want to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame?" Mu Chen asked again.
Zi Yan looked at Mu Chen, then at the flickering flame before her, and nodded slightly.
Who wouldn't want to obtain a Strange Fire? Zi Yan wasn't a fool; obtaining it might allow her to grow up.
"If you want it, then come with me," Mu Chen extended his hand to Zi Yan. Without hesitation, Zi Yan, who feared nothing, placed her hand in Mu Chen's. Led by Mu Chen, they walked towards the energy barrier.
"Young man, no! Zi Yan, don't go!"
Su Qian was frantic. As Zi Yan's adoptive father, if he weren't busy maintaining the energy barrier, he would have intervened immediately. Watching Mu Chen and Zi Yan ignore him, Su Qian shouted angrily, "I won't open the energy barrier for you two to go to your deaths. Give up on this idea."
Mu Chen completely ignored Su Qian's words. When they reached the edge of the energy barrier, he pointed at it. The barrier parted like a water curtain, revealing a gap wide enough for two people to pass through simultaneously.
"This..."
Su Qian was dumbfounded, staring in shock at what had just happened. A young man, much younger than him, had... had effortlessly bypassed the barrier that the older generation had painstakingly erected.
Not just Su Qian, but all the elders maintaining the barrier were equally stunned, their eyes fixed on the young man who had already disappeared into the flames.
Mu Chen and Zi Yan entered the energy barrier. Mu Chen was enveloped by a 18-centimeter-thick Qi Aura, which pushed the scorching energy away from his body by the same distance. As for Zi Yan, whose true form was the Void Ancient Dragon, the intense flames still couldn't harm her. Under the astonished gazes of Su Qian and the others, the two advanced toward the bottom of the Heavenly Flame Training Tower like fish swimming into the ocean.
Not long after, the flames vanished, leaving Su Qian and the others in stunned silence.
"Grand Elder,"
After a while, an elder from the inner courtyard finally regained his composure, questioning what he had just witnessed as he turned to Su Qian, "Did I just see a young man and Zi Yan break through our energy barrier and enter the magma world below?"
(End of Chapter)