"Glug glug~"
Zi Yan was completely immersed in the medicinal liquid, bubbles constantly rising to the surface. Her large eyes were wide open, filled with joy as she swam in the bathtub, swallowing the medicinal liquid in large gulps. This medicinal liquid was extremely unique; it didn't seem to interfere with her breathing. The life force it contained continuously flowed into her body, nourishing her long-parched body, giving her a faint purple glow.
Yao Yan wasn't surprised to see this. He had previously examined Zi Yan's body and found it had always been in a state of 'thirst'. The rare and precious herbs she had consumed in the past could only satisfy her basic growth, failing to fully unleash the power within her bloodline. This life-giving liquid was meant to compensate for this.
Yao Yan didn't know how Zi Yan was born, but her childhood must have been extremely miserable. If she hadn't met Su Qian, it was quite possible that she would have died at someone's hands one day.
The people of the Black Corner Region wouldn't care what Zi Yan's true form was, nor would they have the slightest mercy. They only pursued profit. The value of a magical beast cub with spatial talent was beyond monetary terms, enough to make the entire Black Corner Region fight over it, even planting a 'slave mark' on it.
"Whoosh~"
Zi Yan poked her head out of the medicinal liquid, looking curiously at the purple light constantly emanating from her body. She felt very warm all over, as if she had returned to the time before she was born, soaking in egg liquid. That feeling was extremely wonderful, as if her whole body was being nourished, and the hunger she used to feel was also rapidly subsiding.
Yao Yan used his soul power to examine Zi Yan and discovered that the power within her body was constantly reviving. The power that had been dormant in her bloodline was being continuously stimulated by the medicinal liquid. He couldn't help but say to Zi Yan, "Sit down cross-legged and try to absorb the essence of the medicinal liquid. It should be able to help you establish your foundation and raise your strength to a higher level." Zi Yan
obediently nodded and sat cross-legged, her petite body completely immersed in the medicinal liquid, beginning to absorb its essence. As expected of a princess of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, her talent was extremely high, requiring no guidance. Her instincts, derived from her bloodline, allowed her to quickly absorb all the energy around her.
As she entered the state, the purple light emanating from her body became increasingly intense, even attracting the surrounding天地能量 (heaven and earth energy) to converge, and a gale arose.
"Whoosh!"
With a ripple of spatial energy, Su Qian, sensing the movement, rushed over. He looked in surprise at Zi Yan, who was immersed in the medicinal liquid, feeling the increasingly strong aura and vitality within her body. After a moment, he turned to Yao Yan and asked, "What happened to Zi Yan?"
"Her original form is extremely special, and her bloodline power is exceptionally strong. If she were in her family, the elders would definitely help her establish her foundation, allowing her bloodline power to be initially activated. Unfortunately, we don't have that capability here. I can only use what I have to help her with the initial foundation-building, making up for the previous deficiencies. In this way, she won't need to search for food like a starving ghost before,"
Yao Yan explained to Su Qian while observing Zi Yan's changes
.
He pondered for a moment, then continued, "Elder, please use your spatial power to shield Zi Yan's surroundings and prevent her aura from leaking out."
Yao Yan spoke these words with great seriousness, for he suddenly thought of the situation of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan and its mortal enemy, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix. If the people of these two clans were to sense Zi Yan's aura, it would likely be extremely detrimental to her, and not only him, but the entire Black Corner Region would be affected.
Both the Heavenly Demon Phoenix and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan were overlords among magical beasts, with extremely domineering styles. They followed only one rule: the survival of the fittest.
Su Qian frowned slightly upon seeing Yao Yan's expression, then raised his hand and used his spatial power to cover the entire courtyard, shielding Zi Yan from the outside world. At the same time, he looked at Yao Yan and asked in a deep voice, "You seem to be worried about something."
"Just in case." Yao Yan didn't say anything more, because it would be useless to say anything; with Su Qian's strength, he couldn't change anything.
After all, these matters involve powerful figures at the Dou Sheng level. Let alone Su Qian, there aren't many people in the world capable of intervening. Saying more would only add to the trouble and serve no purpose; it's better to know nothing.
Yao Yan harbored no ill will towards Canaan Academy or Su Qian, so naturally he wouldn't do anything unnecessary.
The status quo regarding Su Qian and Canaan Academy should be maintained.
In fact,
Yao Yan would even proactively resolve some troublesome matters for them, ensuring Canaan Academy became the absolute hegemon, while the Eight Gates of Black Seal City would draw attention from the outside. This way, Canaan Academy's greatest secret could be preserved; he didn't want anyone accidentally discovering the world deep within the magma.
Thinking of this, a name suddenly surfaced in his mind: Venerable Heavenly Fire!
Su Qian sensed Yao Yan's reluctance to speak further and fell silent. Although he hadn't interacted much with Yao Yan, he sensed that this young man was hiding many things.
He remained silent for a while.
He slowly said, "Don't shoulder everything alone; it'll make life too tiring."
Yao Yan glanced at Su Qian with some surprise. He hadn't expected Su Qian to say this to him, but he clearly felt the goodwill in Su Qian's words. A smile involuntarily appeared on his lips as he said, "Has the Grand Elder considered completely changing the landscape of the Black Corner Region? Don't you think the Black Corner Region is currently too chaotic?"
"Canaan Academy will not participate in external conflicts. This is an agreement reached between the Dean of Canaan Academy and many forces, and it's also the reason why Canaan Academy has been able to exist until now."
Upon hearing this, Su Qian's expression remained unchanged as he calmly explained the rules of Canaan Academy.
Canaan Academy does not participate in any conflicts between forces; this is an ironclad rule, unless someone breaks it first, forcing Canaan Academy to take action.
"Just kill everyone who knows that Canaan Academy is taking action, then there won't be any problems, right?"
Yao Yan said softly.
However, this sentence startled Su Qian, who looked at Yao Yan in astonishment. Although Yao Yan was wearing a mask, his eyes were extremely calm, as if he were talking about something commonplace. Clearly, this young man was a ruthless character. But that was normal; if he weren't, how could he have done those things within his family?
Avenging his parents… It's easy to say, but how many people in the world can truly do it?
Su Qian's expression turned solemn as he asked, "What do you want to do?"
"Reshuffle the Black Corner Region… After entering the Black Corner Region, I discovered how chaotic this place is. Various forces gather here, and burning, killing, and looting are commonplace. Even an auction has turned into a farce. Does the Grand Elder really think Canaan Academy can remain uninvolved forever?"
Yao Yan turned to look at Su Qian and asked in return.
"...Canaan Academy will not actively intervene in any power struggles," Su Qian said calmly, without any change in expression.
Upon hearing this, Yao Yan also fell silent. He understood Su Qian's meaning, and that was enough. After all, this was his previous plan; to get Canaan Academy involved, he had to start with Han Feng. He didn't believe that the greedy Han Feng could resist his craving for the Fallen Heart Flame.
Han Feng, who had just devoured the Sea Heart Flame, should have a cultivation level similar to Yao Yan's. A Xuan-rank cultivation technique was somewhat insufficient for a Dou Huang powerhouse.
Moreover, Han Feng was still cultivating an incomplete Burning Technique, and he had squandered his own talent. Now, if he wanted to quickly improve his strength, he could only rely on external aids.
How could he resist a strange fire like the Fallen Heart Flame, which could increase cultivation speed?
The two remained silent for a moment.
Su Qian suddenly spoke up, "Your heart isn't in Canaan Academy."
"I've been here, fulfilled my childhood wish, and that's enough... If necessary, I'll create a force in the Black Corner Region. Therefore, I need some assistance. In the Black Corner Region, no force is more suitable than Canaan Academy," Yao Yan said frankly. For someone like Su Qian, a truthful lie was more believable.
"That's your real purpose!" Su Qian's tone suddenly hardened. After a moment, he asked with some confusion, "With your status as a seventh-grade alchemist, building a force shouldn't be difficult." "
Those people in the Black Corner Region can cooperate, but they can't be trusted. If I really build a force, they won't be able to,"
Yao Yan said softly.
"So, you've set your sights on the students of Canaan Academy?!" Su Qian's eyes flashed slightly as he said in a deep voice.
"That depends on their own wishes, whether they're willing to create a force with me, a super force that can one day reach the Central Continent. I'm young, so my companions naturally need to be young too, and their talent can't be lacking. I can't think of anyone more suitable than Canaan Academy." Yao Yan looked at Su Qian's cold gaze, his expression still calm, speaking with utmost sincerity.
This purpose was also one of his goals for coming to Canaan Academy, though not as important, but it sounded quite credible.
Su Qian wanted to say that Yao Yan's tone was a bit too arrogant, but considering Yao Yan's talent, he couldn't bring himself to say it. The other party had the right to be arrogant, even the capital to look down on anyone. An eighteen-year-old five-star Dou Wang and a seventh-grade alchemist—either one would be enough to shut everyone up, let alone the combination of both in one person.
Even Su Qian had to consider the feasibility of what the other party said.
Su Qian closed his eyes and pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "Canaan Academy will not interfere with the choices of its graduates. If you wish to recruit them, I will not stop you. However, I hope you will not contact those students who are still studying. This is Canaan Academy's bottom line, and it is also my warning to you!"
If Yao Yan could truly reach that point, he wouldn't mind providing some assistance. The main reason was that an eighteen-year-old seventh-grade alchemist was simply too terrifying. If the outstanding graduates of the academy were willing to follow him, perhaps they could truly create miracles in the future.
"Of course," Yao Yan chuckled and replied.
"You little brat, you planned
this all along, didn't you!" Su Qian couldn't help but laugh and scold. Now that he thought about it, it seemed that the other party had been testing the bottom line of Canaan Academy step by step, from contacting Hu Qian, to meeting him later, and then to Zi Yan's side. His vigilance seemed to be gradually eroded until the current foundation for cooperation was established.
During this period, the other party did not offer anything of value or any conditions, only 'honesty,' which was precisely what Su Qian appreciated.
He was willing to provide some help within his power to outstanding young people.
"Buzz~"
In the short time the two were chatting, the essence of the medicinal liquid in the bathtub had been completely absorbed by Zi Yan. At this moment, her body was enveloped by a tangible purple energy, transforming into an egg-shaped object that continuously absorbed and released the surrounding energy of heaven and earth, even showing some reaction to spatial power.
The spatial power that only a Dou Zong could control was now flowing into Zi Yan's body like the energy of heaven and earth, as if her body could naturally integrate these powers.
"?!"
This scene undoubtedly shocked Su Qian. He even forgot to chat with Yao Yan about the previous topic, staring intently at the changes around Zi Yan. After confirming that Zi Yan could really absorb spatial power, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "What kind of magical beast is Zi Yan? How can she be so compatible with spatial power!"
He could only borrow spatial power at present, but could not integrate it into his body, but Zi Yan could absorb spatial power so freely, as if she were a child of space.
Even a Dou Zun expert might not be able to do this.
"We'll have to trouble the Grand Elder to sever the connection between these spatial forces and the outside world. It's best not to let even the slightest trace leak out, otherwise, it could very well cause serious trouble," Yao Yan warned. Although the Black Corner Region is extremely far from the Central Continent, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan has always lived amidst spatial turbulence and is extremely sensitive to spatial forces, especially an Ancient Void Dragon like Zi Yan with royal blood; the spatial fluctuations she generates are definitely unique.
However, Yao Yan couldn't determine this for the time being and could only speculate, as he hadn't yet reached that level.
Perhaps because Yao Yan spoke so earnestly, Su Qian also used all his strength, even merging his body into the space, severing the surrounding space from the outside world, including its connection with the spatial turbulence. After completing all this, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he said in a low voice, "Fortunately, the spatial fluctuations caused by Zi Yan weren't strong, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to conceal them."
"Elder, you've worked hard."
Yao Yan chuckled, then stared at Zi Yan, who had entered an advanced state. After this awakening, her strength should be able to rise to the fifth level. At this level, Zi Yan could barely be considered a 'young girl,' and her body should have grown considerably taller.
"How much longer will Zi Yan need?" Su Qian asked, still quite concerned about Zi Yan.
"Three months, I guess."
Yao Yan roughly calculated and gave his reply.
This time would be enough for him to complete some things.