Chapter 17: Saving Zi Yan

After obtaining the larval form of the Fallen Heart Flame, the next target was the mature Fallen Heart Flame. After staying here for two days, Jiang Xing and Lin Shan had become familiar with the location of the strange fire.

When the fire python, transformed from the mature Fallen Heart Flame, saw the two humans, Jiang Xing and Lin Shan, again, it instinctively tried to escape. Unfortunately, the gap in strength was too great. Lin Shan quickly caught up with it, striking it with a palm that knocked it back to its original form, transforming it into a colorless flame.

Jiang Xing first placed the Fallen Heart Flame into a special container, then threw the larval Fallen Heart Flame into the magma before having Lin Shan take him away.

In the original novel, Canaan Academy struggled to control the Fallen Heart Flame, and Han Feng took advantage of its riot to steal the Strange Fire. Xiao Yan eventually absorbed the Strange Fire, which saved the students of Canaan Academy and gained him favor with Elder Su Qian, who didn't blame him much.

However, with the mature Fallen Heart Flame replaced by the more controllable juvenile version, Canaan Academy would likely be able to control it. Jiang Xing was curious about what Xiao Yan would do. Would he rob the academy that had trained him, or would he give up?

The thought made Jiang Xing suddenly feel that he was becoming more and more like a villain.

…

Not long after Jiang Xing took the Fallen Heart Flame away, the elder guarding the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower sensed something was wrong.

At first, they noticed that the tower's accelerated training effect had suddenly weakened. They assumed it was due to the unstable energy of the Fallen Heart Flame and expected it to stabilize after a while.

However, after waiting for some time without improvement, they grew concerned.

One of the elders hurriedly called for Chief Elder Su Qian. Upon arrival, Su Qian sensed something amiss.

"Why has the energy of this strange fire weakened so much?"

The Tianfen Refining Qi Tower was the foundation of Canaan Academy and could not be lost, so Su Qian, along with several elders, descended to the bottom of the tower.

As soon as they reached the bottom, they saw the juvenile Fallen Heart Flame, and exchanged surprised glances.

"Where is my huge fire python?" Su Qian exclaimed.

…

After acquiring the mature Fallen Heart Flame, Jiang Xing initially planned to return directly to the Serpent People, but he suddenly remembered that there was an opportunity for Xiao Yan in the mountains near Canaan Academy—the Earth Core Tempering Milk.

The Heart Tempering Body Milk was known as a spiritual object of the earth. It was condensed over centuries, with the Earth's Core Mist forming in a hundred years, which had miraculous solidifying effects. After a thousand years, it condensed into Earth's Core Liquid, capable of cleansing the marrow and strengthening bones. The Earth's Core Tempering Body Milk, the best of these liquids, could also help people break through barriers, comparable in effect to top-grade elixirs. The Snow Demon Sky Ape, possessing it, could even speak human language upon reaching the fifth level.

This object had provided significant help to Xiao Yan in the early stages. With the Earth Core Tempering Milk, Xiao Yan broke through from an eight-star Great Dou Shi to a Dou Ling.

Although with Jiang Xing's current strength, the Earth Core Tempering Milk was no longer useful to him, he figured it could be saved for Qinglin when she broke through to the Dou Ling level.

Thus, Jiang Xing flew in that direction.

Jiang Xing didn't remember the exact location of the mountain range, but it didn't matter. Sixth-level monsters could already speak, so Jiang Xing and Lin Shan found a bear-like monster and threatened it into leading the way.

With the beast guiding them, Jiang Xing and the others headed toward the residence of the Snow Demon Ape.

When they were almost there, Jiang Xing suddenly sensed energy fluctuations from the direction of the Snow Demon Ape.

When he arrived near the Snow Demon Ape's residence, Jiang Xing saw a little girl fighting with the Snow Demon Ape.

The little girl had purple hair, was wearing a purple dress, and had a delicate appearance.

"Zi Yan?" Jiang Xing thought.

The little girl was very strong. Her fists were small but packed with tremendous energy. When she collided with the Snow Demon Ape's huge fist, she only took a step back, while the Snow Demon Ape was knocked back three steps.

"How could I forget about her!" Jiang Xing realized.

Seeing the little girl with such terrifying brute force, Jiang Xing confirmed that she was indeed Zi Yan.

In the original novel, Zi Yan's father, the Taixu Ancient Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun, was trapped in a trap designed by Tuoshe Ancient Emperor due to his greed for the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion, causing Zi Yan to be lost. After accidentally consuming the transformation grass, she took on a human form and was taken back to the inner courtyard by the Grand Elder of Canaan Academy. With Xiao Yan's help, she eventually returned to Dragon Island for training. After absorbing the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, her cultivation reached the early four-star Dou Sheng.

Zi Yan was practically a cheat character. If Jiang Xing could win her over and help the Ancient Dragon Island unify, he could not only gain the support of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan but also have Zhu Kun's assistance when opening the Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion.

"Tsk tsk tsk, how could I have forgotten about her in the first place?"

After being repelled by Zi Yan again, the Snow Demon Ape roared, pounded its chest, and began to awaken its violent bloodline, causing its momentum to surge.

The Snow Demon Sky Ape was a magical beast that guarded the Earth Core Tempering Milk. Its strength was comparable to that of a Dou Wang. In its violent state, its power could reach the level of a five-star Dou Wang. However, like any method of instant power increase, the Snow Demon Sky Ape's violent bloodline had its drawbacks, leaving it weakened at night.

The fact that the Snow Demon Ape was forced to activate its violent bloodline showed how enraged it was.

At this moment, with its violent bloodline awakened, the Snow Demon Ape had reached the level of a five-star Dou Wang. It roared and charged at Zi Yan.

Zi Yan was taken aback by the sudden surge in the Snow Demon Ape's strength. Her expression changed drastically as she spread her fighting spirit wings, preparing to flee.

However, the Snow Demon Ape, now much faster in its berserk state, quickly closed the distance between them and swung its massive fist at Zi Yan.

The Snow Demon Ape was too fast. By the time Zi Yan realized it, the fist was nearly upon her. Knowing she couldn't dodge in time, Zi Yan hastily swung her fist to block it.

Their fists collided, but Zi Yan's hurried strike couldn't fully counter the Snow Demon Ape's power. The beast's fist landed heavily on her, sending her flying dozens of meters.

As Zi Yan was thrown back, the Snow Demon Ape wasn't ready to let her go. Roaring excitedly, it charged toward Zi Yan again, leaping up to deliver another powerful blow aimed at her head.

Lying on the ground, Zi Yan felt the force behind the approaching punch. Her face paled in fear, and she closed her eyes, bracing for impact.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, a figure flashed over, appearing in front of Zi Yan. The figure also swung a fist, intercepting the blow that was intended for her.

Hearing the sound of fists colliding, Zi Yan slowly opened her tightly shut eyes.