Support me at patreon for 530+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk
**
Wei Yang was dressed in a black brocade robe embroidered with golden patterns. His figure was tall and straight, and his face was strikingly handsome.
He wore cloud-patterned boots, his hair bound by a jade crown, with a black jade hairpin piercing through it horizontally. From both sides of the pin, silk tassels hung and swayed gently.
His eyebrows were sharp like blades, his nose high and straight, and at the center of his forehead, a black sun-shaped mark was engraved. His dark eyes were deep and profound, carrying a faint heat within, as though two blazing black suns were suspended in them.
Though he stood there without leaking even a trace of aura, he still exuded a strange, domineering presence, along with an indescribable sense of pressure. His appearance could only be described as extraordinary.
That temperament alone made it clear—this was no ordinary person, but someone from a powerful force. Su Qian's expression grew a little more solemn as he silently guessed which major faction from Central Plains this visitor might belong to.
Zi Yan's eyes rolled mischievously.
She leaned close to Su Qian's ear, whispering a few sentences before covering her mouth and snickering, sneaking a quick glance at Wei Yang. That look of hers was exactly like a little fox that had just stolen a chicken.
Su Qian's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Wei Yang and said, "You're one of the three black-robed men who infiltrated the Inner Academy back when the Fallen Heart Flame went out of control?"
Hearing that, Wei Yang gave Zi Yan a helpless look.
This girl… could she not introduce him in a better way? Why bring up that incident of all things?
He could only nod slightly, apologizing, "Yes, that was me. I'm sorry about what happened back then."
Su Qian's expression gradually softened. Seeing that, he waved his hand and said, "That matter is already in the past. You've already made amends for the Academy, there's no need to apologize further."
As he spoke, Su Qian sat down and gestured politely, "Please, Little Friend Wei, have a seat."
Wei Yang nodded and stepped forward, taking a seat in front of the desk. He then reached out and lifted Zi Yan off the desk, setting her down in the chair beside him. Zi Yan wanted to protest, but when Wei Yang shot her a single look, she instantly quieted down and obediently sat still.
This scene left Su Qian both astonished and amused. He knew Zi Yan's temperament all too well—this girl feared neither heaven nor earth. She was a little troublemaker who had caused the Academy countless headaches in the past.
Yet this young man named Wei Yang had subdued her with nothing more than a single glance. Su Qian couldn't help but stroke his beard, his eyes gleaming with a hint of amusement as he cast a sidelong look at Zi Yan.
Zi Yan bared her teeth at the old man and made a funny face in retaliation.
Su Qian laughed heartily, the wrinkles on his face spreading like blooming chrysanthemums. With a kindly smile, he said, "Little girl, tell me—why did you suddenly return from Central Plains? And what have you been through these past years? Tell me everything."
At that, Zi Yan immediately perked up, her eyes sparkling as she began talking animatedly.
However, Zi Yan was clearly not the best storyteller. Her mind jumped all over the place, her words flying in every direction.
One moment she talked about the Jia Ma Empire, the next she mentioned the Black-Corner Region, then the Pill Tower, and then the Beast Region—it was a complete mess of stories.
Wei Yang felt a headache coming on just listening to her.
But the girl was oblivious, her little mouth rattling on excitedly. The more she spoke, the prouder she became, even standing on the chair as she gestured dramatically. Fortunately, she still had some sense and knew what could be said and what should be skipped.
Su Qian listened seriously, nodding from time to time, and even poured tea for the two of them while she spoke. Despite the chaos, he managed to piece together about eighty to ninety percent of her story.
As he glanced toward Wei Yang, there was now a trace of surprise and respect in his gaze. When Zi Yan finally shifted the focus to her experiences in Central Plains, Su Qian's expression became increasingly astonished.
The Pill Gathering, the Death Soul Mountain Range, the Ancient Dou Sheng Ruins, the battle against the Hall of Souls, and so on… Su Qian almost pulled out a few strands of his beard in shock.
Every one of those events was enough to be called a legendary grand event. Even Dou Zun-level experts were like stray dogs in such incidents—dying left and right without anyone even blinking. Yet, this little girl had lived through all of them in just a few short years.
After a while.
Phew~
Zi Yan finally let out a long breath, looking quite satisfied as she put an end to her story. She picked up the cup of tea before her, gulped it down in one go, patted her small chest, and grinned. "Old man Su, I'm done! So, what do you think? Pretty amazing, right?"
"Amazing." Su Qian nodded slowly.
Zi Yan instantly became even prouder, tilting her head back smugly as she sat down with great satisfaction.
Su Qian refilled her cup before turning his gaze toward Wei Yang.
His expression grew solemn as he clasped his hands and said respectfully, "So it turns out that Mister Wei is the disciple of the Medicine Saint, the champion of the Pill Gathering, and the Young Pavilion Master of Falling Star Pavilion. I've been disrespectful earlier."
"Elder Su, you flatter me." Wei Yang smiled faintly.
Though Su Qian appeared calm on the surface, inside his heart was already surging with waves of shock. The young man before him, who didn't seem very old, was actually a Dou Zun!
Not just any Dou Zun—but a fearsome one who killed others of the same rank as easily as slaughtering chickens.
Just from Zi Yan's account, it seemed that the number of Dou Zun experts who had perished at this young man's hands was no less than ten! If it hadn't come directly from Zi Yan's mouth, Su Qian would never have believed it. Those were Dou Zun!
Yet even though Zi Yan was mischievous and unreliable at times, Su Qian knew she wouldn't lie about something of this scale. After a moment of contemplation, Su Qian finally steadied his mind.
He looked at Wei Yang and asked, "I wonder, Mister Wei, what brings you personally from Central Plains to our Jia Nan Academy?"
From Zi Yan's story, Su Qian had learned that Wei Yang and Xiao Yan were both disciples of the Saint Yao—fellow disciples, in fact.
Moreover, Wei Yang and Zi Yan seemed to share a very close relationship. So, Su Qian wasn't too worried that Wei Yang would do anything harmful to the Academy.
"Hmm, it's like this," Wei Yang said after some thought. "I'd like to borrow the magma world beneath your Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower for a while."
"Oh? Borrow the magma world?" Su Qian was startled—he hadn't expected such a request.
"Yes. I'll need it for about two to three years," Wei Yang nodded. "But Elder Su, you can rest assured—I won't disturb your students. I'll merely enter the magma to cultivate."
"Hmm." Su Qian's expression turned pensive. He naturally didn't fully believe the explanation of cultivating beneath the magma.
After all, magma existed everywhere. Why would someone travel all the way from Central Plains to the Black-Corner Region just for that?
Still, Su Qian wasn't foolish enough to pry too deeply. Matters involving someone of this level were not things he wanted to meddle in.
The reason for his hesitation was simple—the bottom of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower contained one of the Inner Academy's greatest treasures: the Little Fallen Heart Flame.
This was the Academy's cherished treasure—an evolved flame that had developed its own consciousness, completely different from the original Fallen Heart Flame. But soon, Su Qian dismissed the concern and laughed at himself inwardly.
With Wei Yang's strength and status, there was no way he would covet such a minor Heavenly Flame. If he truly wanted it, he could have just taken it by force—the Academy would never be able to stop him.
Moreover, given their relationship and Wei Yang's background, it was impossible for him to do something so low. So, after only a moment's hesitation, Su Qian nodded and smiled. "Since Mister Wei has need of it, Jia Nan Academy naturally will not refuse."
"Thank you, Elder Su," Wei Yang smiled. "After my seclusion ends, I'll make sure to offer some compensation to the Academy."
"Hahaha, Mister Wei, you're too polite!" Su Qian laughed heartily, though he certainly didn't refuse.
After all, this man was a legendary eight-tier alchemist and champion of the Pill Gathering. If such a figure offered something, why would Su Qian ever turn it down?
Even a random thing that slipped through his fingers would be priceless for the Academy.
"When do you plan to go down, Mister Wei?" Su Qian asked warmly, clearly in a good mood.
"I've been traveling a long way and could use a night's rest," Wei Yang said with a smile.
"Besides, you and Zi Yan haven't seen each other in a while—you two should catch up properly. I'll head down tomorrow morning."
"Alright," Su Qian nodded with a smile. "I'll arrange your lodging and take you down first thing in the morning."
"Appreciate it."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Support me at patreon for 530+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk