Chapter 40: Zi Yan Levels Up Again!

"What treasure haven't I seen before!"

With a light chuckle, Elder Huo casually walked over, unperturbed. Although his strength wasn't on par with Su Qian's and he was merely a Dou Huang, as a veteran fifth-grade alchemist and a newly promoted sixth-grade one, he dared to assert his confidence.

Su Qian might not necessarily be richer than him!

What treasure hadn't he seen? The Grand Elder might be making a big deal out of nothing!

"This thing, you really might not have seen before!" Su Qian ignored Elder Huo's nonchalance and wore a mysterious smile.

At Su Qian's indication, Jiang Yun took a step forward and cupped his hands in a respectful salute. "Student Jiang Yun, greets Elder Huo!"

No matter what, Elder Huo had taught him before, so the necessary courtesies had to be observed.

"So, you are Jiang Yun!" Elder Huo scrutinized Jiang Yun with interest. The name Jiang Yun rang loud and clear within the Inner Academy.

As a freshman, he had first broken through the Fire Energy Capture Competition, and then, as a Dou Shi, defeated an eighth-star Dou Ling senior. He was recognized as a prodigious figure in the academy.

Moreover, there were rumors in the Inner Academy that he had some undisclosed relations with the Grand Elder.

As an old partner, Su Qian having any relative without his knowledge was impossible. Jiang Yun clearly didn't fall into that category. Glancing at Su Qian, it seemed those rumors might not be unfounded after all!

"Don't overthink it. Remember the two kids I brought back from the Magic Beast Forest a few years ago?" Seeing the gleam in Elder Huo's eyes, Su Qian explained.

"He's one of those two?"

At this moment, Elder Huo was even more astonished. He had heard about the two kids Su Qian had brought back from the Magic Beast Forest but had never seen them.

Now that he had...

"Truly gifted, indeed a 'treasure'."

Looking at the boy of about eleven or twelve years old, and sensing the vast Dou Qi emanating from him, Elder Huo realized what it meant to be a prodigy.

Misinterpreting Elder Huo's intentions, Su Qian continued, "Jiang Yun encountered a stroke of luck a few days ago and acquired an unknown Heavenly Flame. Thus, he has the potential to become an alchemist, as his soul power is naturally strong, so..."

"What—"

"A Heavenly Flame—"

Elder Huo interrupted Su Qian, excitedly stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Yun's hands, and exclaimed with burning eyes, "Quick, let me see your Heavenly Flame!"

Although the Inner Academy's Skyburn Qi Refining Tower housed a Heavenly Flame, it didn't lessen the allure of a Heavenly Flame to an alchemist.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun extended his right hand, and with a "boom," the white Undying Holy Flame appeared in his palm.

The moment the flame appeared, Elder Huo gazed at the dancing spirit in a daze, feeling the tremor of the seventh-level beast flame within him. This only confirmed the identity of the flame before him.

"Heavenly Flames command all other fires!" After a while, Elder Huo reluctantly withdrew his gaze and sighed.

"This Heavenly Flame seems to be appearing for the first time; it isn't listed on the Heavenly Flame ranking. However, in my estimation, it could rank within the top twenty!"

Calming down, Elder Huo pondered and then spoke cautiously.

"By the way, the Grand Elder mentioned you have a talent for alchemy?" As if recalled just now, Elder Huo pointed at Su Qian and mockingly accused, "I see, the Grand Elder is here to recruit workers!"

"Hehe!" Instead of refuting, Su Qian readily admitted, "You are the Chief Elder of the Alchemy Department. Isn't it your job to teach disciples?"

"Don't be fooled by the fact that Jiang Yun has just started learning alchemy. His talent isn't inferior to his cultivation talent. Look, this first-grade pill is what he refined!"

Saying so, Su Qian handed over a first-grade pill to Elder Huo, which was the Revitalizing Pill Jiang Yun had given him earlier.

Elder Huo curiously took it and poured out a pill. Upon inspecting it closely, his eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Jiang Yun. "You refined this?"

"Indeed!"

Receiving an affirmative, Elder Huo felt slighted and shook his head. Although Su Qian couldn't discern the intricacies, Elder Huo did.

This bottle of revitalizing pills exhibited perfect quality, something beyond many third-grade alchemists.

This meant Jiang Yun either had a high talent for alchemy or had already reached the third-grade level in alchemy.

Either scenario was disheartening for Elder Huo.

"Grand Elder, I can't take on this student!"

"Why? Jiang Yun has immense talent for alchemy. He can perfectly replicate a first-grade pill just by watching the Outer Academy's instructors demonstrate. You aren't tempted by such a good prospect?" Seeing Elder Huo's refusal, Su Qian became anxious.

"Ugh—" Elder Huo clutched his chest, feeling bitter. Why had such a prodigy appeared, seemingly intent on shaming 'talentless' like them?

It wasn't that he didn't want to teach; he doubted he could.

"How about this? Grant Jiang Yun the status of an Alchemy Department disciple. He can borrow any alchemy recipes below the fourth grade in exchange for fire energy. All materials will be open for his use, and any doubts can be addressed by the elders at any time!"

In the end, Elder Huo proposed a solution, giving Jiang Yun a high degree of freedom.

Ultimately, the Grand Elder left with Jiang Yun, satisfied, while Elder Huo remained behind, deeply pained.

"Indeed, new talent emerges continually, each leading the charge for a hundred years!"

With Jiang Yun's matter settled, Su Qian also prepared to leave. As the Grand Elder, he was quite busy.

He advised Jiang Yun to train well before stepping onto thin air and leaving. Jiang Yun watched the Dou Zong-specific 'skill,' eyes gleaming with interest.

Was it the utilization of spatial power?

With a fleeting thought, Jiang Yun moved, invisible spatial power gathering at his feet. With a single step, he spanned a thousand meters instantly.

Then, nearly teleporting, a figure quickly headed towards the dormitory.

"Whoosh—"

Silently, Jiang Yun returned to his dormitory. Standing at the door, he muttered thoughtfully, "By crudely enhancing spatial power, I can achieve short-distance teleportation. The speed isn't inferior to high-grade Xuan class agility techniques. It's still a bit lacking to reach my ideal effect. Let's call it Cloud Step for now!"

Having created a Dou Technique, Jiang Yun remained calm. Over the years, he had lived like this, discovering that compared to his cultivation talent, his comprehension was terrifyingly higher.

He'd learn anything upon first attempt; cultivating Dou Techniques was as easy as eating and drinking.

Over the years, he also created several Dou Techniques, but they were all regular methods. The pinnacle of his techniques remained his Four Symbols Seal!

Suddenly, Jiang Yun sensed the surrounding natural energy converging in his direction.

"Zi Yan!"

Jiang Yun rushed into the room briskly, seeing Zi Yan asleep, beside her lay remnants of a few Life and Death Fruits.

Zi Yan's face radiated purple light; her entire body was as hot as a furnace. Such a scenario was familiar to Jiang Yun, as it also happened when she advanced to Dou Wang previously.

Unable to resist, Zi Yan had eaten several Life and Death Fruits before Jiang Yun returned, seemingly having met the criteria for advancement again.

Like before, more concentrated purple light gushed from her body, forming a massive purple cocoon over ten feet wide, enveloping her entirely.

The surface of the cocoon glowed alternately, rhythmically like a heartbeat.

Whenever the cocoon burst into light, energy from the surrounding air would be absorbed into it, making its glow even brighter.

"Let me give you a hand!"

Looking at the purple cocoon formed by Zi Yan, Jiang Yun's eyes softened, and he whispered gently.

As if responding to Jiang Yun's words, the purple cocoon brightened considerably.

Seeing this, Jiang Yun chuckled, opened his palm, and black-and-white Dou Qi flickered before forming luminescent spiritual seals.

Precisely controlled, these spiritual seals gradually merged into the air, blending in like raindrops into the sea, emanating only faint distinctive ripples.

Jiang Yun was now preparing to set up a commonly used spirit array from the Great Thousand World.

Three-level Gathering Spirit Array!

Unlike common arrays, the Gathering Spirit Array lacked offensive capabilities but was essential for many factions, symbolizing their strength and foundation.

Encountering this illustrious array while in the Evil Spirit Clan, Jiang Yun couldn't have ignored it.

Lacking materials for setting up a permanent Gathering Spirit Array, Jiang Yun had to make a temporary one with spiritual seals. It wouldn't last long, but it would suffice for Zi Yan's needs!

As hundreds of spiritual seals fused into the air, forming imperceptible points of light, Jiang Yun willed them to extend into lines, intersecting and connecting.

Despite its relative simplicity, a mysterious diagram soon emerged.

Instantly, a powerful wave burst from the air, bathing the cocoon in resplendent light, drawing the Inner Academy's energy towards the dormitory area.

"Seems like I might've made a bit too much commotion!"

Finished, Jiang Yun awkwardly observed the scene above.

Meanwhile, the stir Jiang Yun caused attracted numerous figures outside, engaging in a flurry of discussions.

"What's going on?"

"Energy is rapidly converging towards the dormitory area?"

"Could there be a treasure there?"

"Look, even the elders are heading that way!"

Jiang Yun exited the room to find the Grand Elder Su Qian, Elder Huo, and the familiar Elder Qing standing in the courtyard, staring at him.

"Zi Yan started her advancement?" the Grand Elder inquired about Zi Yan's condition first.

"Yes, she's already formed a cocoon, resting inside," Jiang Yun nodded, softly replying, "Grand Elder, do you want to go in and see?"

"No need, as long as she's advancing," Su Qian reassured, stroking his beard contentedly.

"I remember Zi Yan was at the peak of fifth rank. She might become a sixth-rank magical beast emperor this time!" Elder Qing sighed, face full of emotion.

Complexity was written on his face. The little girl who had just entered the Inner Academy was now about to catch up to him, while his opportunity to break through to Dou Zong seemed elusive.

Glancing at Elder Huo, Elder Qing subtly shook his head. Elder Huo had just become a sixth-grade alchemist, far from being able to make a peak sixth-grade medicinal pill, the Breaking Seal Pill.

Trusting him was dubious. Elder Qing would rather pin his hopes on the seemingly miraculous Jiang Yun.

Despite Elder Qing's discreet actions, his intent was clear to the more observant insiders, given his soul power second only to Jiang Yun's. An indignant Elder Huo inwardly vowed to bolster his alchemy skills so that Elder Qing would seek his help in the future.

"Is this an array?" the Grand Elder speculated while looking at the Gathering Spirit Array but spoke with certainty.

"Indeed, this is a Gathering Spirit Array. It assembles energy from the heavens and the earth to accelerate cultivation for those within it," Jiang Yun nodded, choosing not to withhold the information.

Jia Nan Academy had treated him and Zi Yan generously, with no complaints from the Grand Elder despite their lavish use of herbs. Leaving a few Gathering Spirit Arrays for the academy could repay some of the "training loans."

"You can set up arrays too?"

"This array was something I found in some ruins. I just wanted to test it; it seems..."

"Quite effective!"

Su Qian fell silent. Jiang Yun consistently redefined his perception of genius. Knowing Jiang Yun's mysterious origins, Su Qian never probed, trusting what he saw.

Gathering Spirit Arrays were profoundly valuable, much like alchemists' recipes, rarely shared.

Jiang Yun, as a student, posed a dilemma for Su Qian, who now found it hard to broach the subject.

"Although the academy has the Skyburn Qi Refining Tower, we could still benefit from a few Gathering Spirit Arrays around the grounds. What do you think, Grand Elder?" Jiang Yun quipped, sensing Su Qian's dilemma.

Before Su Qian could respond, Elder Huo burst into laughter, "Exactly, our Alchemy Department prodigy is indeed open. Jiang Yun, whatever pills you need, just ask!"

"Hold on, since when was Jiang Yun part of your Alchemy Department?" Elder Qing retorted disdainfully.

"Since today!" Elder Huo grinned slyly, making Elder Qing want to punch him.

Finally snapping out of it, Su Qian looked at Jiang Yun complexly but with satisfaction, stating, "You're a good kid. The academy can't just take advantage of you. Tell me, what do you want?"

Without hesitation, Jiang Yun nonchalantly offered, "I noticed the academy has been kind to me and Zi Yan. If I can leave behind a few Gathering Spirit Arrays, it's worthwhile. Consider it a repayment for the academy's generosity!"

Hearing this, the gathered elders were deeply moved, and Su Qian stated earnestly, "We'll forever be grateful, Jiang Yun. The academy shall reciprocate your kindness!"

Therefore, arrangements were made. The Grand Elder left with Jiang Yun, satisfied, while Elder Huo stayed behind, pondering this extraordinary student's entry into the Alchemy Department.

And so, Jiang Yun once again astonished everyone, demonstrating the kind of prodigy capable of shaking conventions and benefiting the whole academy with his unparalleled talents.