Chapter 182 Return to the Inner Courtyard
At this time, the voice of Skyfire Venerable sounded again, and his voice seemed a little weaker than before.
"Xiao Ling, my soul power is already very fragile and cannot maintain its physical form for too long. The task of helping me repair my soul is now left to you. Please remember that my current soul state is not stable and time is running out. You must act as soon as possible."
His gaze slowly fell on Xiao Ling, and there was a hint of expectation in his tone.
After listening to the narration of the Skyfire Venerable, Xiao Ling nodded seriously and responded:
"Senior Tianhuo, don't worry. Once we arrive at Canaan College and take care of the necessary matters, I will immediately start preparing the materials needed to repair the soul."
"I still have a lot of methods to restore soul power."
Having inherited Yao Chen's secret book and the rich pill recipes of Canaan Academy, Xiao Ling has mastered many pill formulas, including some precious formulas that can repair the soul.
Therefore, for Xiao Ling, helping Lord Tianhuo's soul recover was just a piece of cake.
Upon hearing this, Venerable Skyfire showed a relaxed smile on his face and said softly,
"Thank you very much. If you encounter any difficulties in practicing the 'Five-wheel Fire Method', you can always ask me for advice. Since you are willing to help me, I will naturally not be stingy with my knowledge and experience."
Xiao Ling nodded and said with a smile: "Then I would like to thank you first."
"Five-Wheel Fire Method", Xiao Ling has great interest in this fighting skill.
It is not only an advanced earth-level fighting skill, but also contains unfathomable potential.
If one could use the strange fire contained in the body as a medium to perform this fighting skill, its power would be earth-shattering, even enough to rival heavenly-level fighting skills.
It is no exaggeration to say that the Five-Wheel Fire Separation Method is undoubtedly the best choice for a cultivator like Xiao Ling who is able to integrate the power of multiple different fires.
As time passed, the soul of Lord Skyfire seemed to become more transparent. He nodded slightly, indicating that he was about to return to the ring.
Seeing that Venerable Skyfire had returned to the storage ring, Xiao Ling did not waste too much time. He turned his head to look at the deep cave leading to the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower and rushed in without hesitation.
……
After a while, Xiao Ling stepped out from the deep cave entrance of the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower. His figure was like a blue meteor in the night sky, lightly landing on the platform at the bottom of the tower.
Her long hair fluttered gently behind her, and the blue-gold hair shone with a soft light under the illumination of the moonstone, which was particularly eye-catching.
At this time, the two elders who were practicing felt the space fluctuations in the tower.
Their attention was instantly drawn here, and their sharp gazes pierced through the surrounding darkness and looked towards the direction of the cave entrance.
All I saw was a blue-haired boy, his figure seemed to be unrestrained by gravity, and he could float steadily in the air without any assistance.
When they saw the blue-haired boy's face clearly, they couldn't help but exclaimed: "Xiao Ling?"
Xiao Ling smiled and nodded to them. He glanced at the two elders and recognized them.
He landed lightly on the ground, bowed and said, "Elder Liu, Elder Zhao, I see you are here. I just came back from practicing downstairs. Please forgive me for disturbing your practice."
Elder Liu, with a sturdy build and a resolute face, is a famous practical instructor in the academy; Elder Zhao, with a gentle and elegant manner, is an alchemist. Both of them are senior elders of Canaan Academy and have helped Xiao Ling when he was young.
Elder Liu and Elder Zhao looked at each other and saw the surprise and relief in each other's eyes.
Elder Liu was the first to come back to his senses and responded with a smile: "Xiao Ling, you don't have to apologize to us. We are here to protect and observe. You were able to return from practicing under the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower, which shows that your cultivation has improved. It is really gratifying."
Elder Zhao asked hesitantly, "Xiao Ling, what are you doing?" He was obviously very surprised that Xiao Ling could walk in the air without any external force.
Xiao Ling smiled slightly and explained, "I devoured most of the essence of the Fallen Heart Flame in the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower, and my cultivation level has improved. Now I have reached the Dou Zong realm."
Hearing Xiao Ling's confirmation, the two elders couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Although they had already had a premonition in their hearts that Xiao Ling's strength would be greatly improved after his retreat, and he might even be expected to reach the realm of Dou Zong.
However, when Xiao Ling actually stood in front of them and confirmed his breakthrough, the premonition in their hearts seemed to become insignificant.
Xiao Ling's achievements were shocking, especially his youthful appearance - at only a teenager, he had already reached the Dou Zong realm that many people dreamed of.
This talent and strength are really unbelievable, but we have to admire them.
Seeing the shock on the faces of the two elders, Xiao Ling simply raised the corners of his mouth and revealed a faint smile.
He did not dwell on the matter for long, but lightly passed over the topic, as if all this was just an inevitable result for him.
Afterwards, Xiao Ling smiled slightly and took out an ancient pot-shaped container from his arms, which was the Fire Gathering Pot containing the Fallen Heart Flame.
"Elder Liu, Elder Zhao, the fire pot contains the Fallen Heart Flame. I have already devoured most of its essence, so I have to hand it over to the academy for care."
There was a hint of relief in Xiao Ling's voice as he handed the fire-gathering pot to the two elders.
"Most of the essence of the Fallen Heart Flame has been absorbed by me. Although its power is not as strong as before, its intelligence has been affected and has become as innocent as a child." Xiao Ling continued to explain in a calm and firm voice.
"As long as the academy can carefully cultivate it and establish a deep emotional bond with it, it will provide enough Heart Flame power for the students of the academy and accelerate their cultivation process. As time goes by, the Fallen Heart Flame will not only be able to restore its former strength, but it is also likely to grow into the guardian spirit fire of Canaan Academy, adding a layer of protection to the academy when the academy faces difficulties."
Upon hearing this, the smiles on Elder Liu and Elder Zhao's faces became even more intense.
They have been training in the Tianfen Qi Training Tower for many years, shouldering the important task of protecting the Fallen Heart Flame, and have long developed a deep affection for this strange fire.
"Xiao Ling, your words really make us feel extremely relieved." Elder Liu said with deep emotion, "In the past, the Fallen Heart Flame had a violent temperament and it was difficult for us to get along harmoniously. Now that we have such an opportunity to reestablish emotional connection, we must cherish it."
Elder Zhao also agreed and said, "That's right. We have spent many years with the Fallen Heart Flame and have developed a special bond with it. Now that it has become so docile, it is a good time for us to deepen our relationship with it."
As they spoke, the two elders carefully opened the fire pot, and a faint flame floated out of it. Although the power was not as strong as before, it still emitted a unique light and temperature. The Fallen Heart Flame slowly floated out, and its shape became extremely small, like a small flame that had just been lit, flickering with a soft and faint light.
It swayed gently in the air, seeming both curious and a little shy about its sudden freedom.
The Fallen Heart Flame was like a child who had never seen the world. Being stared at by the two elders with eyes full of expectation and love, its movements seemed a little hesitant and uncomfortable.
It danced gently in the air, as if greeting the two of them.
Elder Liu and Elder Zhao looked at this strange fire that was once extremely powerful but now became so small and fragile, and they couldn't help but reveal deep pity in their eyes.
At this time, the two elders began to joke with each other.
Elder Liu held Xiao Xinyan in his palm and looked at Elder Zhao with a smile.
"I have taken care of the Fallen Heart Flame for fifteen years. I know it much better than you do. I should be the one to teach it."
Elder Zhao was not willing to be outdone and retorted: "I have taken care of it for twenty years and I know its temperament very well. I am more qualified to train it."
After saying that, he stretched out his arm, trying to snatch the Fallen Heart Flame from Elder Liu.
The two elders argued endlessly, but the smiles on their faces never faded.
Xiao Ling stood aside, watching the interaction between the two elders, a faint smile appearing on his face.
At this moment, the voice of Skyfire Venerable rang in Xiao Ling's mind: "Entrust the Fallen Heart Flame to these people. I believe it will receive the most careful care. This is indeed an ideal arrangement for it."
There was a sense of relief in his tone, as if he was genuinely happy that the Fallen Heart Flame had found an environment that could give it care and protection.
Xiao Ling nodded slightly, and responded silently in his heart: "Please rest assured, senior. Canaan Academy will treasure the Fallen Heart Flame like a treasure. If you miss it in the future, you are welcome to visit at any time after you have rebuilt your body."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Ling said no more. He nodded gently to the two elders, then walked out of the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower.
Along the way, as they passed by the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower, a training place, many students' attention was attracted by Xiao Ling.
When they saw Xiao Ling, they stopped their practice, saluted him and greeted him warmly.
"Elder Xiao Ling, long time no see. It seems that you have become stronger." A male student couldn't help but exclaimed, his eyes full of admiration.
"Yes, Elder Xiao Ling, your demeanor is becoming more and more extraordinary!" Another student echoed, with a hint of envy in his tone.
At this time, the voice of a female student was particularly loud: "I haven't seen you for more than half a year, Elder Xiao Ling, you seem to have become more handsome again!" There was a hint of shyness in her words, but she could not hide the infatuation in her heart.
Xiao Ling smiled slightly, nodded to them, and responded: "Thank you all for your concern. I am also very happy to see your progress. The road of cultivation is long and arduous. I hope you can persevere and constantly break through yourself."
At Canaan College, Xiao Ling always treats the students in a kind manner.
Whenever he was in the Alchemy Department and students came to ask for advice, Xiao Ling would patiently answer their questions as long as time permitted.
It is Xiao Ling's humble and approachable character that has earned him the respect of many students at Canaan College.
His words were warm and inspiring, and all the students present felt an infusion of strength.
Xiao Ling's figure gradually disappeared from their sight, but his words and encouragement were like seeds, taking root and sprouting in their hearts.
As these students spread the news by word of mouth, the news of Xiao Ling's coming out of seclusion quickly spread in the inner courtyard and became the focus of everyone's heated discussion.
Everyone was speculating, after nearly a year of seclusion, what level of strength Xiao Ling would reach now.
……
Canaan College Inner Courtyard
As a subtle spatial fluctuation gently spread out, Xiao Ling's figure appeared silently in the courtyard of Elder Su Qian.
In the courtyard, Great Elder Su Qian was buried in a mountain of official business. Suddenly, he sensed an unusual movement in the courtyard, and his eyes, as fast as lightning, cast an investigative glance towards the source of the movement.
Seeing Xiao Ling, Great Elder Su Qian showed a look of surprise on his face. He put down the pen in his hand, stood up, and laughed loudly: "Haha, Xiao Ling, you are out of retreat? Judging from the aura emanating from your body, you must have broken through to the Dou Zong realm, right?"
Xiao Ling nodded slightly, smiling, and responded: "That's right, thank you to the academy and Elder Su Qian for your trust, which allowed me to devour the origin power of the Fallen Heart Flame, and now I have successfully broken through to the Dou Zong level."
Elder Su Qian laughed heartily, his voice full of relief: "Good, good! I'm glad you're okay. You are the pride of our academy. This matter will be of great benefit to you and the academy. Naturally, I fully support it."
Xiao Ling smiled faintly, "Without the cultivation of the academy, there would be no Xiao Ling today."
Suddenly, Elder Su Qian seemed to remember something, a gleam of teasing flashed in his eyes, and he chuckled and said,
"By the way, Xiao Ling, those girls are very concerned about you. Recently, they often come to me and ask about your retreat. They are quite worried about you."
Hearing this, Xiao Ling couldn't help but let out an awkward smile. He coughed lightly and cleverly changed the subject: "Great Elder Su Qian, I need to report to you in detail about the latest situation of the Fallen Heart Flame."
Afterwards, Xiao Ling told Elder Su Qian the details of the Fallen Heart Flame.
Elder Su Qian listened with a hint of eagerness in his eyes, and he was obviously very interested in the current situation of the Fallen Heart Flame.
He was a little impatient and wanted to see with his own eyes what the Fallen Heart Flame was like now.
The two chatted in the courtyard, and the topic ranged from the cultivation of the Fallen Heart Flame to the future of the academy.
The gentle glow of the setting sun gradually filled the courtyard. Elder Su Qian slowly stood up and prepared to leave. He said to Xiao Ling, "Xiao Ling, I need to check the condition of the Fallen Heart Flame, so I won't talk to you for long."
Xiao Ling did not stay here for long. He watched the figure of Elder Su Qian gradually walked away. Then he turned around and set out on the journey back to his own courtyard.
(End of this chapter)