Kapitel 41: Chapter 41: The Return of the Holy Sky!
"If possible, I would like to borrow the academy's fifth and sixth-grade pill recipes!"
Since Su Qian had brought it up, Jiang Yun didn't hold back. His request went straight to the technological treasures of the Dou Qi Continent. For pill recipes below the fifth grade, you could borrow them as long as you had sufficient fire energy. However, once it came to fifth-grade recipes, merely having enough fire energy wasn't enough. They also required special conditions. Fifth-grade pill recipes were the foundation of a faction. Creating a pill recipe wasn't easy; it demanded painstaking effort from high-level alchemists using their soul power. Each reading caused some wear and tear, making them truly strategic resources.
Upon hearing Jiang Yun's request, Elder Huo sternly rebuked before Su Qian could respond: "Jiang Yun, in alchemy, you must not aim too high too soon. You need to proceed gradually. You've just become an alchemist and should keep your feet on the ground, unaffected by external distractions. Only then can you live up to your talent."
Elder Huo's sudden seriousness stunned Jiang Yun momentarily. Knowing it was for his own good, Jiang Yun felt a warmth in his heart. He was immensely grateful for ending up near Jia Nan Academy and being brought back by Su Qian. This place was indeed special, with a remarkable group of elders.
"Thank you for the guidance, Elder Huo. I will remember it," Jiang Yun apologized respectfully to Elder Huo.
"Hmm!" Elder Huo was deeply gratified by Jiang Yun's attitude. Admitting one's mistakes and correcting them was crucial. If Jiang Yun were to be obstinate, Elder Huo would have been regretful.
"Very well then, Jiang Yun, I will grant you borrowing rights for fifth and sixth-grade pill recipes. However, you must obtain Elder Huo's approval before you can borrow and view them," Su Qian voiced his decision. He was still worried that Jiang Yun might fall to temptation and added a condition.
"Alright!"
Having reached an agreement, Jiang Yun took out a scroll—an array diagram for the first and second-level Spirit Gathering Array he had created. Taking the scroll, Su Qian, though inwardly grumbling, didn't give it away and scrutinized the array diagram. After examining it for a while, he sighed, "I never thought there would be such an ingenious way to set up an array!"
Turning the topic, he asked, "Is the Spirit Gathering Stone absolutely necessary?"
"For long-term use, the Spirit Gathering Stone is indispensable. For short-term use, it's not needed, as with the setup I created for Zi Yan."
"I will do my best to find it!" Su Qian pondered for a moment and nodded.
"I actually have another idea. I wonder if the Grand Elder will agree," Jiang Yun spoke with a bright, determined glint in his eyes.
Su Qian's heart skipped a beat. In a deep voice, he said, "Speak!"
"If I am not mistaken, there is a Heavenly Flame sealed beneath the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, right?" Jiang Yun asked with a mysterious smile and confident tone.
"How did you know?" Su Qian instinctively responded, then realized and understood, "Oh, right, you possess a Heavenly Flame. Heavenly Flames can sense each other; it's not easy to keep such a thing from you."
Since Su Qian misunderstood, Jiang Yun did not correct him and continued, "I visited the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, and its effects reminded me of the Fourteenth Ranked Heavenly Flame, the Fallen Heart Flame."
"The Fallen Heart Flame has the effect of refining Dou Qi and accelerating cultivation. If used as the core of the Spirit Gathering Array, it would be much more effective!"
To be honest, Su Qian was intrigued. If this succeeded, it would not only benefit the academy but also greatly help them.
"I need to discuss this with the other elders," Su Qian left this remark and left with Elder Huo and Elder Qing, who both gave Jiang Yun a kind smile as they departed.
Watching them leave, Jiang Yun's deep gaze fixed on the direction of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, and a murmur carried by the wind, "I hope it works."
Time flew by, and a year passed in the blink of an eye. After handing over the Spirit Gathering Array to Su Qian and proposing the idea of using the Fallen Heart Flame as the core, Su Qian initially sent people to search for the Spirit Gathering Stone. Unfortunately, due to the differences between the worlds, it seemed that the Spirit Gathering Stone might not even be called by that name in this world, leading Jia Nan Academy to find nothing.
Three months ago, Su Qian informed Jiang Yun that they had agreed to try Jiang Yun's plan, but the academy needed to make some preparations to prevent the Fallen Heart Flame from going berserk. Jiang Yun wasn't in a hurry. Over the past year, since becoming part of the Alchemy Department, he focused on mastering alchemy, strengthening his fundamentals.
In this year, Jiang Yun consistently shattered the preconceptions of the Alchemy Department. After one month, he passed the first-grade alchemist assessment, two months later the second-grade, four months later the third-grade, and seven months later the fourth-grade. Just half a month ago, Jiang Yun successfully became a fifth-grade alchemist.
Such an astonishing speed had completely shattered everyone's understanding. He even earned the title of 'Little Alchemy Saint.' With his advancement to the fourth-grade alchemist, those who had opposed him previously now treated him with utmost respect, saying it was merely a misunderstanding and hoping Master Jiang wouldn't take it to heart.
Now, Jiang Yun was the most untouchable figure among the inner academy students, not just because of his alchemy skills but also because he had reached the pinnacle of the Dou Ling stage. A month ago, the second-ranked Feng Wuhen challenged Jiang Yun and was defeated within three moves, solidifying Jiang Yun's top position on the strength leaderboard.
Before him was a purple cocoon, emitting a strong aura. Jiang Yun hadn't anticipated Zi Yan's advancement would take so long. Was it because of her previous bloodline awakening? Approaching the cocoon, Jiang Yun muttered to himself, "I didn't expect you to be in seclusion for a year, Zi Yan. I'll be entering seclusion myself soon. Who knows when we'll meet again next? I've made enough pills for you to last a long time."
The cocoon flickered faintly, as if responding to Jiang Yun's words. Jiang Yun chuckled softly, his eyes filled with warmth, "Don't worry, I'll be fine!"
"Time to go!"
As the door gradually closed, a determined figure headed towards the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.
Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.
"Creak."
Slowly pushing open the heavy iron door, a burst of scorching energy instantly swept out like it was being released after being confined for countless years.
"Clack, clack, clack—"
The usually uninhabited lowest level now welcomed a youthful figure. Jiang Yun slowly approached a deep hole about ten feet wide at its center, where a crimson beam of light extended, driving away all the darkness.
As he neared the center of the hole, the surrounding air grew hotter, and the contained fire attribute energy became increasingly pure. Observing the silent, invisible fire python at the hole's edge, Jiang Yun remained silent, his eyes flickering.
Dozens of spiritual seals merged into the air, forming faint light points. As Jiang Yun concentrated, those light points extended into beams of light, eventually intertwining.
In just an hour, a Spirit Gathering Array encapsulating the entire Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower was complete.
"Buzz—"
At the moment the array formed, the surrounding energy began converging towards the tower, naturally attracting the attention of Su Qian and the others outside.
"It worked!" Su Qian and the other elders exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with joy.
"Alright, the Spirit Gathering Array is complete. Notify the students to prepare and start the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower in three days! They should make good use of the time and not miss the opportunity!" Su Qian quickly regained his composure and instructed Elder Liu.
"Yes!" Elder Liu responded, then curiously asked, "Grand Elder, why hasn't Jiang Yun come out?"
Elder Liu was the one who had shown kindness to Jiang Yun during his first visit to the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower. Now, he greatly admired his own foresight, thrilled by Jiang Yun's remarkable achievements over just one year. Recently, Jiang Yun had helped refine a fifth-grade Dragon Power Pill for him. He viewed Jiang Yun increasingly favorably, treating him almost like his own grandson.
Seeing Jiang Yun's absence, Elder Liu voiced his concern.
"Jiang Yun has made a significant contribution to the academy. I have granted him permission to cultivate at the tower's base for a while," Su Qian explained with a smile, stroking his white beard. He could not resist a jest, "Elder Liu, by the time Jiang Yun exits seclusion, he might be a Dou Wang!"
"Tsk, tsk—at eleven or twelve? Jiang Yun's future is indeed limitless!"
"Haha—Great! Jiang Yun is one of Jia Nan Academy's own. The better he performs, the happier I am."
"Let's also prepare to try out the new Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, see if we can make further progress. Otherwise, we might soon find ourselves surpassed by Jiang Yun!"
Meanwhile, at the tower's base, Jiang Yun could clearly feel the surrounding energy becoming denser, his cultivation speed increasing by about thirty percent. A significant improvement indeed! After completing the setup, Jiang Yun took a deep breath and approached the central hole again.
"Hiss—"
Unlike earlier, an enormous fire python now spiraled at the hole, its massive head aimed at Jiang Yun, its eyes—formed from invisible flames—staring unblinkingly. Someone faint-hearted would have been terrified!
However, Jiang Yun seemed prepared, showing no surprise at the appearance of the Fallen Heart Flame. He gazed calmly at it and spoke slowly, "Now, it's our turn!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Yun leapt up, unfolding black and white wings on his back, gently flapping as he descended into the deep hole.
Having reached the peak of Dou Ling, Jiang Yun could temporarily summon Dou Qi wings, which he could fully utilize with his pure Dou Qi.
"Roar—" The fire python let out a roar, turning its head and twisting its body as it quickly chased Jiang Yun. The scorching wind whistled past his ears, and Jiang Yun's form slid continuously down the hole. As he drew nearer to the underground magma world, the air around him grew increasingly hot.
After what felt like an endless descent, Jiang Yun's view finally expanded. Now before him lay a vast sea of magma, endless to the eye. Massive bubbles emerged and burst, releasing intense heat and wisps of smoke.
Jiang Yun's wings beat, stabilizing his body above the lava world.
"Roar—"
The following fire python roared, its eyes gleaming with greed.
"Come on, success or failure depends on this!" Jiang Yun had been prepared, spreading his arms as if in a hug, letting out a clear laugh and staring calmly at the Fallen Heart Flame.
"Roar—" In his dark pupils, invisible flames surged forward, and a sea of fire swept over Jiang Yun, enveloping him in the sky above the magma. With the Fallen Heart Flame disappearing, the space resumed its ancient silence.
Hot, unbearably hot! Not only did it burn on the outside, but the inside began to heat up. The Fallen Heart Flame, an invisible fire, could arouse human emotions and serve as a fuel for internal combustion; it could even attack one's soul directly.
Around him, the magma was as red as blood, within about a ten-foot radius, an invisible flame burned fiercely, attempting to refine him. Yet, a faint green light shielded Jiang Yun, preventing immediate incineration.
Jiang Yun felt a deep, bone-penetrating pain, making him grimace. He spoke hoarsely, "It really hurts!!!"
"Is this the first time I've been so wretched?"
"Xiao Yun, you were reckless this time!" The figure of Qing Ming appeared beside him, its illusory face full of blame.
"Elder Qing Ming, it was a forced choice!" Jiang Yun's expression calmed, a rare resolve setting on his delicate features.
"But..." Qing Ming hesitated, looking at the invisible flame around them with some confusion. "Can this flame really deal with 'It'?"
Jiang Yun laughed, spreading his hands with a shrug, "I don't know!"
"You reckless child!" Qing Ming was so angry that its form nearly dissipated. If not for Jiang Yun's dire situation, it might have acted already.
"Hoho, it's too late now, just trust me. I will succeed!" Jiang Yun's face regained a smile, calming Qing Ming once more.
"Sigh—"
"If you fail, I will do my best to preserve your soul," Qing Ming finally conceded, speaking with a soft heart despite its stern demeanor.
"Thank you!" Jiang Yun felt a warmth within. For their sake, he wouldn't fail!
"'Holy Sky Lord', are you not coming out to see an old friend?"
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
Geriatric_Vibes
Geriatric_Vibes TL Note - Read up to 50+ chapters ahead for some really good novels (according to my taste) and other perks on my Patreon - patreon .com/geriatricvibes. Thanks a lot for the support
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein