Chapter 22: Fallen Heart Flame

Yao Lao sighed softly, then said slowly, "You have seen my current state—merely a remnant soul lingering within this storage ring."

Xiao Yan gazed at Yao Lao’s ethereal figure, a sense of bitterness welling up in his heart. He knew that Yao Lao must have once possessed a glorious past, only to fall into such a plight.

Yao Lao continued, "In my condition, recovering my former strength, or even reshaping a physical body, is no easy task. However, this 'Mantra of Burning Flame' has given me a glimmer of hope."

A flicker of confusion crossed Xiao Yan’s eyes. "Teacher, can this mantra really help you recover?"

Yao Lao nodded. "Under normal circumstances, it certainly could not restore me to what I once was. However, according to the records within the mantra, if one succeeds in cultivating it, it seems—or perhaps, it should be possible—to use several types of 'Heavenly Flames' to forge a formidable body. In doing so, my soul state would effectively be reborn."

Hearing this, a look of joyful surprise filled Xiao Yan’s eyes. "Teacher, does such a miraculous cultivation technique exist in this world? If that is truly possible, then that would be wonderful!"

Yao Lao stood up instantly. "This Mantra of Burning Flame is no ordinary technique. Its mysteries and power are far beyond what you or I can imagine right now. Yet, gathering those various Heavenly Flames is no simple feat; each one is a treasure of the world, coveted by countless powerful figures."

At this point, Yao Lao’s tone turned somewhat sorrowful. He said slowly, "I have stayed in this ring for so many years, watching you fall from a talented youth into obscurity, and then watching you pull yourself back up. I once thought about just silently protecting you until you grew up, but now that there is this sliver of hope, how could I not be moved?"

Hearing Yao Lao’s words, Xiao Yan felt a pang of sorrow in his heart and said earnestly, "Teacher, that makes me even more determined to choose this Mantra of Burning Flame. Even if you hadn't said anything, I would have tried everything to save you. You are the mentor who set me back on the path of cultivation; without your guidance, I would not be who I am today. No matter how many hardships and obstacles lie ahead, I will attempt them and strive, for my own sake and to see you restored to your former brilliance."

Looking into Xiao Yan’s resolute eyes, a warmth flooded Yao Lao’s heart. He nodded slightly and smiled. "Good. With those words from you, it is worth it for this old man to wait a few more years. However, do not put too much pressure on yourself; everything must be done step by step. Your primary task now is to focus on your cultivation and improve your strength, laying a solid foundation for gathering the Heavenly Flames in the future."

Xiao Yan nodded heavily and smiled. "Don't worry, Teacher, I will work hard."

***

One day, in an open space behind the mountain, he was fully focused on practicing the combat techniques that Ning Jiuyou had refined for him, meticulously studying every detail to achieve perfection.

After some time, Xiao Yan finally stopped his movements and sat on a nearby rock to rest. At this moment, the image of Ning Jiuyou surfaced in his mind. He wondered where she was now and if she was doing well.

"Teacher, do you know where Jiuyou has gone?" Xiao Yan called out to Yao Lao in his mind.

Yao Lao emerged from the storage ring and gave Xiao Yan a sharp smack on the head. "Do you think I’m omnipotent? How would I know where she went? That girl Jiuyou is mysterious; for all I know, she could be in any corner of the continent right now."

Xiao Yan rubbed his head, smiling helplessly.

Watching Xiao Yan, Yao Lao added, "However, I do have a piece of news: the enrollment period for Canaan Academy is in one month. Given your current strength and potential, I believe you should sign up."

"Canaan Academy? Why go there?" Xiao Yan asked with confusion. "Besides, Jiuyou doesn't necessarily know I'm going there. What would be the point?"

Yao Lao rolled his eyes at Xiao Yan. "You brat..."

"Since you have decided to cultivate the Mantra of Burning Flame, gathering Heavenly Flames has become your top priority. Within Canaan Academy, there exists a Heavenly Flame known as the 'Fallen Heart Flame'."

Xiao Yan’s eyes lit up instantly. He quickly asked, "Teacher, what is its ranking on the 'Heavenly Flame Rankings'? And what kind of power does it possess?"

Yao Lao narrowed his eyes slightly and said slowly, "The Fallen Heart Flame ranks fourteenth on the 'Heavenly Flame Rankings.' This flame is transparent and colorless, like glass, and is extremely eerie. Not only is its temperature exceptionally high, but it also possesses a unique ability to incite the fire of the earth's core. Once entangled by it, even high-level practitioners struggle to break free. If you can obtain this flame, the 'Mantra of Burning Flame' will be able to evolve..."

Yao Lao glanced at Xiao Yan and added, "Perhaps you might even run into that girl Jiuyou at Canaan Academy..."

Xiao Yan looked up at Yao Lao, only to see him wearing a gossipy, teasing expression.

***

"Yao Lao, we are talking about Heavenly Flames; why are you being so inappropriate, talking about... why bring up Jiuyou!"

When Yao Lao had shifted the topic from Canaan Academy and Heavenly Flames to teasing him about his feelings for Ning Jiuyou, Xiao Yan was caught off guard.

Yao Lao watched Xiao Yan’s flustered attempt to clarify himself and was left speechless. He looked at the boy trying to turn things around and retorted, "Little Yanzi, you’ve become quite good at shifting the blame lately. It’s clearly your heart that is thinking of that girl—are you not even going to let me mention her?"

Stung by Yao Lao’s words, Xiao Yan’s face turned even redder. He awkwardly turned away, pretending to focus on practicing his combat techniques.

Yao Lao watched him, his lips curling into a smile as he muttered to himself, "Little brat, you’re still too green to compete with me."

With that, he watched Xiao Yan practice, occasionally offering a few words of guidance. When night fell, he dove back into the world of alchemy.

Day after day, Xiao Yan immersed himself in cultivation and alchemy, his strength steadily improving until he reached the level of a four-star practitioner.

One day, Xiao Yan learned from Xiao Zhan that the Jialie clan had hired a pharmacist from somewhere, seemingly prepared to compete with the Xiao clan in the medicinal pill business.

"In their market, a healing medicine called 'Spring Return Powder' has appeared. It is cheap and produced in high quantities, making it very popular among the mercenaries near Wutan City, so..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan’s eyes turned cold. The Jialie clan had never seen eye-to-eye with the Xiao clan. Over the years, they had caused no small amount of trouble. Now that they had hired a pharmacist, it was clear they intended to suppress the Xiao clan through their pill business.

As Xiao Yan returned to his room, Yao Lao emerged...