Inside the Inner Academy, within an elegant courtyard.
"Mmm, excellent tea."
Su Qian took a satisfied sip from his teacup before turning to Lin Yuan.
"Lin Yuan, I can see that your cultivation has already reached the peak of the Dou Emperor realm, and your aura is extremely well tempered. When do you plan to enter seclusion and attempt a breakthrough to the Dou Ancestor realm?"
Hearing this, Lin Yuan pondered for a moment as his finger lightly traced the rim of the jade teacup.
"There is no rush. I'll enter seclusion after I've finished dealing with the matters currently at hand."
"The matters at hand?"
Su Qian's expression became more serious.
"Are you referring to Earth Demon Ghost?"
Lin Yuan nodded before shaking his head calmly.
"Demon Flame Valley and Earth Demon Ghost are only part of it. More importantly, I intend to deal with the Fallen Heart Flame. I hope the First Elder will permit it."
"The Fallen Heart Flame. What do you mean by that?"
Su Qian looked at Lin Yuan in confusion.
"Hehe."
Lin Yuan smiled faintly.
"Before I explain, First Elder, why don't you take a look at this first?"
As he spoke, he extended a finger.
A colorless flame emerged from his body and danced nimbly upon his fingertip, emitting an extraordinary aura.
"The Fallen Heart Flame?"
Su Qian was startled.
"When did you take it out?"
As the person responsible for suppressing the Fallen Heart Flame, however, he immediately realized something was wrong.
"No this isn't it. Although its essence is the same, this flame is far weaker than the one sealed beneath the tower."
Lin Yuan nodded.
"The First Elder has sharp eyes. This is indeed not the Fallen Heart Flame itself, but a Fallen Heart Flame Seed Flame that I personally created."
He then recounted to Su Qian the entire process by which he had created the Fallen Heart Flame Seed Flame.
"So that's how it is!"
Su Qian drew in a cold breath and looked at Lin Yuan in astonishment.
"Grafting one Heavenly Flame onto another, using a soul secret technique to create intelligence, then shaping it with energy. Not only did you come up with such an incredible method, you actually succeeded. You truly never cease to amaze this old man."
After calming himself, Su Qian asked,
"So, when you say you want to 'deal with the Fallen Heart Flame,' what exactly do you mean?"
Lin Yuan withdrew the Seed Flame back into his body before answering seriously,
"I believe the Fallen Heart Flame is, in the end, still a violent Heavenly Flame. Keeping its mature form under captivity is simply too dangerous. First Elder, you know this as well. It has been accumulating strength all this time, waiting for the day it erupts."
Su Qian nodded thoughtfully.
"So your plan is..."
Lin Yuan straightened his posture.
"I intend to refine the Fallen Heart Flame itself and then use the Fallen Heart Flame Seed Flame to keep the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower operating."
"In this way, the tower can continue functioning while completely eliminating the threat of another Fallen Heart Flame eruption."
After a brief pause, he continued.
"Furthermore, as far as I know, word has already spread outside the Academy that we possess a Heavenly Flame."
"However, if the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower is powered by a Heavenly Flame Seed Flame instead, then even if the truth is eventually exposed, it will attract far less attention. Under normal circumstances, a Seed Flame is far less valuable than the Heavenly Flame itself."
Su Qian contemplated the proposal for quite some time.
A trace of interest gradually appeared in his eyes.
"I see this plan truly does have considerable advantages."
No one cared more about the Fallen Heart Flame than he did.
Jia Nan Academy had poured an enormous amount of manpower and resources into suppressing it.
If they could continue operating the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower while permanently resolving the threat posed by the Fallen Heart Flame.
"Lin Yuan."
Su Qian took a deep breath.
"To be honest, your proposal is very tempting. However, this matter is too important for either of us to decide alone. It requires a council meeting."
"Come with me immediately. We're going to meet the Guardians."
Lin Yuan nodded.
After informing the Little Fairy Doctor, who was tidying up the room, he followed Su Qian as they flew into the distance.
One Hour Later.
The Library Pavilion.
Three years later, Lin Yuan once again followed Su Qian into the most mysterious place within Jia Nan Academy.
By the time they arrived, Hu Qian was already waiting.
After exchanging a few brief greetings, Hu Qian asked curiously,
"First Elder, why have you urgently summoned us for a council meeting? Has something major happened?"
"Yes."
Su Qian nodded before looking toward the plaque hanging above the Library Pavilion.
"Two Elders, stop hiding. Everyone here is one of our own. There's no need to keep putting on airs."
"Hehe, Su Qian. You've become increasingly impolite."
The moment his words fell, a vigorous laugh echoed through the air.
Space rippled gently.
Two gray robed elders mysteriously appeared before the three of them.
"If we really stood on ceremony every time we talked, wouldn't that be exhausting?"
Su Qian rolled his eyes before gesturing toward Lin Yuan.
"This is Lin Yuan, the person I've chosen to become the next First Elder. You two don't have any objections, do you?"
He then turned to Lin Yuan.
"These two are Elder Bai and Elder Qian. They were once the First Elders of Jia Nan Academy. They've long since retired and are now enjoying their peaceful lives."
Lin Yuan stepped forward and respectfully cupped his fists.
"This student, Lin Yuan, greets the two Seniors."
The two elders waved their hands, indicating there was no need for such formalities.
Looking at Lin Yuan, surprise flashed across Elder Bai's eyes.
"You're that youngster who took the Life Devouring Pill three years ago? You've already reached the peak of the Dou Emperor realm? And judging from your aura, you're not far from breaking through to the Dou Ancestor realm. Incredible truly incredible."
He turned toward Elder Qian.
"I think this young fellow is perfectly qualified to become the next First Elder. What do you think, Old Qian?"
Elder Qian nodded solemnly.
"I agree."
He then looked toward Su Qian.
"However, Su Qian, I doubt you gathered everyone here today just for this matter."
Su Qian nodded.
"Confirming that matter was merely incidental."
"The real reason concerns the Fallen Heart Flame."
He looked toward Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan immediately understood.
With a wave of his hand, the Fallen Heart Flame Seed Flame emerged from his body and floated before everyone.
The two elders narrowed their eyes simultaneously before turning toward Su Qian.
"The Fallen Heart Flame?"
"How did you bring it out?"
"...No."
"This isn't it."
"It's much weaker than that fellow."
"Su Qian, what's going on?"
Catching the astonishment in their eyes, Su Qian smiled faintly.
"This is the Fallen Heart Flame Seed Flame. Here's what happened..."
The two of them then explained everything in detail, including the origin of the Seed Flame and Lin Yuan's proposal to replace the original Fallen Heart Flame with the Seed Flame to power the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
When they finished, silence filled the area.
After a long while, Elder Bai looked from the Seed Flame to Lin Yuan.
"How effective is this Seed Flame at assisting cultivation? Can it truly replace the Fallen Heart Flame?"
"It is more than sufficient to maintain the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower."
Lin Yuan answered confidently.
"Although the original Fallen Heart Flame possesses tremendous power, it isn't under our control, meaning we cannot utilize it to its fullest extent."
"My Seed Flame, however, can be considered an intelligent flame seed under complete control. It is fully capable of replacing it."
"An intelligent flame seed?"
Everyone looked at Lin Yuan curiously.
Lin Yuan nodded.
"An intelligent flame seed can continuously generate and replenish flames when supplied with external energy."
"For example..."
As he spoke, he infused the Seed Flame with Dou Qi.
With Lin Yuan's support, the tiny flame instantly expanded.
"Simply put, my Fallen Heart Flame Seed Flame acts as an energy converter."
"It converts Fire Attribute Dou Qi and Fire Attribute energy into Heart Flame."
"So long as it continues receiving Fire Attribute Dou Qi or Fire Attribute energy, it can endlessly produce Heart Flame."
"Moreover, throughout this conversion process, the Seed Flame itself is constantly nourished, allowing both its essence and strength to continue growing."
"So that's how it works."
Elder Bai stroked his beard thoughtfully before nodding.
"If everything is truly as you've described, then I agree."
"The Fire Gathering Pot will finally have a proper use as well."
He turned toward Elder Qian.
"What about you, Old Qian?"
Elder Qian nodded as he looked meaningfully at Lin Yuan.
"If everything Lin Yuan says is true, then there's no harm in trying."
"We can't continue allowing the Fallen Heart Flame to accumulate strength while repeatedly assaulting the seal day after day. That's hardly a long term solution."
"Since we now have another option, it's time to resolve this matter once and for all."
After a brief pause, he continued,
"However, Lin Yuan, you mentioned that you intend to refine the Fallen Heart Flame."
"But don't you already possess one Heavenly Flame?"
"Why do you need another?"
His question immediately drew everyone's attention toward Lin Yuan.
"Because of this."
Lin Yuan opened his robe, revealing the pitch black Poison Devil Spot covered in mysterious runes across his chest.
"I only have two years left."
"To refine this Poison Spot and remove the threat to my life, I must refine another Heavenly Flame."
Everyone's gaze immediately fell upon the sinister black mark.
A grave expression appeared in Elder Qian's eyes.
He exchanged a glance with Elder Bai before the two simultaneously extended a finger.
Dense Dou Qi surged from their fingertips before condensing into half inch long crystalline energy needles.
After probing the Poison Devil Spot for a while, Elder Qian dispersed the crystal needle.
"What terrifying poison..."
He slowly withdrew his finger, visibly moved.
"This poisonous energy was most likely condensed from the lifetime Dou Qi of a six star Dou Ancestor."
"Only a Dou Venerate could remove it..."
The moment he heard this, Su Qian's face darkened.
"Lin Yuan."
"Who did this to you?"
"There is no need for anger, First Elder."
Lin Yuan closed his robe calmly.
"I've already settled the matter."
"Aside from asking a Dou Venerate to expend a great amount of Dou Qi to remove this Dou Ancestor level Poison Devil Spot, the only remaining option is for me to refine another Heavenly Flame and dissolve it myself."
"Dou Venerates are difficult enough to find, and finding one willing to expend their own Dou Qi to remove my poison is even more difficult. After all, the Headmaster hasn't returned for many years."
The moment Mang Tianchi was mentioned, everyone fell silent.
"That old fellow is always like this. Whenever it matters most, he's nowhere to be found."
Elder Bai sighed before speaking seriously.
"Using a Heavenly Flame to refine the Poison Devil Spot is indeed a viable method. If you can successfully refine it, your strength will increase tremendously as well."
"However..."
"Leaving aside the difficulty of controlling two Heavenly Flames, even if you possessed two Heavenly Flames, according to my perception, it still wouldn't be enough to refine this Poison Devil Spot unless..."
"Hehe."
Lin Yuan smiled faintly as he finished the sentence for him.
"Unless there is yet another Heavenly Flame, right?"
"Gentlemen, please take a look at this."
As his words fell, immense Spiritual Strength intertwined with azure blue flames surged out from his Soul Ring, condensing into a solid figure wrapped in blazing fire that stood shoulder to shoulder with Lin Yuan.
An aura that was simultaneously scorching and refreshingly cool instantly spread throughout the area.
Looking at the figure's face, which was identical to Lin Yuan's, and sensing its immense aura, everyone present was astonished.
Su Qian's gaze shifted repeatedly between Lin Yuan and the Blood Soul.
"Another Heavenly Flame? And another four star Dou Ancestor powerhouse? This..."
Lin Yuan gently patted the Blood Soul beside him and explained.
"Don't worry, First Elder. This is a special soul clone that I created, the Blood Soul Clone. It is completely controlled by my consciousness."
"As for this flame, it is the fifteenth Heavenly Flame on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, the Sea Heart Flame."
"The Sea Heart Flame..."
Su Qian stroked his beard thoughtfully before smiling.
"The Heavenly Flame that Han Feng refined."
"So Han Feng's disappearance over a year ago really was connected to you."
"The First Elder guessed it?"
Lin Yuan looked at Su Qian in surprise before admitting it openly.
"I was the one who did it."
"He attempted to seize my Heavenly Flame, so I set a trap and killed him instead."
"Thanks to him, I was able to realize my idea of controlling multiple Heavenly Flames."
As though proving his words, the Blood Soul suddenly spoke.
"For example, as soon as his voice fell, the Blood Soul transformed into pure Soul Power and flowed into Lin Yuan's body.
An azure blue flame mark appeared on Lin Yuan's forehead.
His aura instantly surged to that of a four star Dou Ancestor.
He slowly raised both hands.
The Sea Heart Flame and the Green Lotus Core Flame simultaneously rose from his palms.
"In this way, I can control multiple Heavenly Flames at the same time."
Hu Qian looked at Lin Yuan with admiration.
"No wonder you said earlier that you were confident in dealing with Earth Demon Ghost."
"With a technique like this, it truly is possible."
Lin Yuan smiled modestly.
The immense Soul Power and the Sea Heart Flame returned to the Soul Ring as he said.
"It's merely a small trick. Nothing worth mentioning."
The two elders exchanged glances before nodding simultaneously.
Elder Bai spoke first.
"In that case, the two of us approve today's proposal to replace the Fallen Heart Flame with the Seed Flame."
"When the time comes, if you require our assistance, simply let us know."
"I agree as well," Hu Qian said.
"If this can resolve the Inner Academy's long standing problem, then naturally I approve too."
Su Qian let out a long breath before speaking solemnly.
The four of them then looked toward Lin Yuan together.
"Although Elder Huo, the Head of the Alchemy Department, is absent, four people have already agreed."
"This proposal is hereby approved."
"Lin Yuan, prepare a detailed plan for me afterward."
"If the plan succeeds and the results are truly as you've described, then the Fallen Heart Flame itself shall be awarded to you as the reward for this operation."
A trace of joy flashed across Lin Yuan's eyes.
He cupped his fists respectfully.
"Thank you, First Elder."
Su Qian waved his hand and sighed.
"If you truly manage to resolve the problem of the Fallen Heart Flame repeatedly attacking its seal while maintaining the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower's effectiveness, then not only I, but everyone who has spent years guarding the seal, should be thanking you."
As he spoke, it seemed he recalled countless unpleasant memories.
He shot an indignant glare toward the two retired elders.
"The moment I became the First Elder, the two of you immediately became hands off managers."
"One after another, you retired into peaceful cultivation while enjoying your comfortable lives."
"As for me, I haven't even dared to enter seclusion for any significant length of time."
"I've constantly feared that while I was cultivating, the Fallen Heart Flame would break through the seal and destroy the Inner Academy."
"I've also had to worry about news of the Fallen Heart Flame leaking out, attracting greedy individuals who would come to seize it."
"Because of all this, I've barely had any time to cultivate over the years. My progress has been absolutely miserable."
By the end of his speech, Su Qian's resentment was impossible to hide.
Hearing his complaints, even the two elders felt somewhat embarrassed.
After all, ever since they stopped managing Academy affairs, they really had lived quite comfortably.
Elder Qian coughed awkwardly.
"Isn't that how every First Elder gets through it?"
"You'll have to work hard for now."
"Once you step down, you'll be able to relax too. Besides, hasn't the turning point already arrived?"
"If this plan succeeds, your burden will become much lighter in the future."
Su Qian waved his hand helplessly.
"I certainly hope so."
"Guarding the Fallen Heart Flame truly wears a person down."
Watching everyone finally reach a unanimous agreement, a smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
At the same time, he let out a long sigh of relief inwardly.
With everyone's support secured, every obstacle standing in the way of refining the Fallen Heart Flame had finally been removed.
'My objective has been perfectly achieved. I've obtained the opportunity to refine the Fallen Heart Flame. It wasn't in vain that I spent so long preparing for today.'
He had been planning for this conversation for a very long time.
The Fallen Heart Flame was the very foundation of the Inner Academy's cultivation system.
Without sufficient justification and preparation, even as the designated successor to the position of First Elder, he had no right to claim it for himself.
In fact, merely proposing such an idea was already an extremely difficult matter.
After all, Jia Nan Academy was a place Lin Yuan considered home.
He couldn't resort to underhanded methods here without restraint.
Nor could he reveal the existence of the Fallen Heart Flame's infant form, because there was simply no way to explain how he knew about it.
Instead, he had carefully created every condition and every reason to persuade everyone to give him the opportunity to deal with the Fallen Heart Flame himself.
The Heavenly Flame Seed Flame.
The Poison Pill Method.
The life threatening Poison Devil Spot.
His method of controlling multiple Heavenly Flames.
Every one of them had been an essential part of convincing everyone.
After so much preparation, everything had gone remarkably smoothly, and he had successfully obtained everyone's support.
Now, as long as he could deal with the Fallen Heart Flame itself, he would be able to enter the Magma Sea in search of Tian Huo Venerate and the infant Fallen Heart Flame hidden within it.
Afterward, everyone continued discussing the details for some time, thoroughly finalizing every aspect of the proposal.
The entire operation was officially named the Substitute Flame Plan.
----
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