Even if Mang Tian Chi Was Here, So What?

Ever since Su Qian received Hu Gan's message from the Outer Academy, his expression had remained extremely serious. He had speculated about Gu Fei's identity, but with his knowledge, how could he recognize the number one genius of the Gu Clan, Gu Fei? 

At this moment, he was rushing towards Jia Nan City with several elders, without stopping, after departing from the Inner Academy.

"If that person didn't use force, it's likely out of consideration for the old headmaster, which means there's still room for negotiation..." Su Qian silently calculated in his mind.

Because if the person who came to claim the Heavenly Flame was truly as strong as Hu Gan's message suggested, even if they rushed over, they could only argue based on reason. Resistance would be of little use, after all, they were dealing with someone at least at the peak of the Dou Ancestor level! Su Qian was now only a two-star Dou Ancestor; how could he possibly be a match?

...

The next morning, Gu Fei, along with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, walked to the entrance of the Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy, intending to enter once more.

At this time, a group of people dressed in the elders' robes of Jia Nan Academy approached from the opposite direction. The leading middle-aged man had a serious face with a polite smile, but there was a hint of worry hidden in his eyes.

Su Qian has developed feelings of hesitation, Emotional Value +50

He lightly furrowed his brow, then quickly relaxed it, pausing his steps momentarily. The reason was simple- Gu Fei looked too young, completely different from the formidable individual described in Hu Gan's message who was likely at the Dou Venerate level.

Gu Fei, upon hearing the system's prompt, subtly lifted his gaze, meeting Su Qian's eyes directly.

Caught off guard by those deep, calm black eyes, Su Qian's heart suddenly skipped a beat. His keen senses told him that the seemingly ordinary young man before him was extremely dangerous.

A faint voice came from behind him: "Great Elder, this is the senior I mentioned."

Hearing Hu Gan's words, Su Qian subtly nodded and retracted his gaze, no longer harboring any doubts. He then quickly walked over and respectfully towards Gu Fei, greeting him.

Gu Fei raised an eyebrow. This Great Elder of the Inner Academy had a decent demeanor, not doubting the message from Hu Gan just because of his young age.

Cautiously looking directly at Gu Fei, Su Qian asked, "Senior, have you truly come for the Heavenly Flame?"

Gu Fei casually glanced at him, his fingertips slightly twitching, then nodded with an air of dominance, his eyes full of determination, as if it was already his.

"Indeed."

"Senior, you must be aware of how crucial that flame is to our Inner Academy!" Su Qian frowned, hesitated for a moment, then spoke tactfully.

The Fallen Heart Flame could release Heart Flame, assisting in refining Dou Qi, essentially a cheat for cultivation. It was suppressed beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, continuously providing support for Jia Nan Academy, serving as the foundation of the Inner Academy.

Su Qian, as the Great Elder of the Inner Academy, was naturally most aware that without the Fallen Heart Flame, the Inner Academy would not be able to nurture talents as it currently did and would gradually decline.

If the Inner Academy were to decline, and the outside world learned of this, it was uncertain whether Jia Nan Academy could remain in the Black-Corner Region.

Because of this, Su Qian had been unwilling to compromise.

"I am fully aware of the importance of the Fallen Heart Flame to your academy, but as I've said before, after taking the Heavenly Flame, I will provide compensation so that your Inner Academy won't suffer any loss!" Gu Fei nodded again, speaking frankly.

The compensation he could offer would certainly not be inferior to the Fallen Heart Flame.

"Senior, although the Fallen Heart Flame can accelerate cultivation, it may not be of much use to someone like you, and refining a Heavenly Flame is fraught with danger!" Su Qian's tone remained polite, still trying to keep the Fallen Heart Flame within the academy.

Indeed, for Gu Fei, who was at the peak of Dou Ancestor and on the verge of entering Dou Venerate, the enhancement to cultivation speed provided by the Fallen Heart Flame would be of little benefit- at most, a minor boost.

However, the danger of refining the Heavenly Flame, which Su Qian mentioned, was nothing to Gu Fei.

"You need not worry about that; a mere Fallen Heart Flame is within my ability to handle!" Gu Fei raised his eyebrows, confidently stating his position, refusing to yield.

Su Qian has developed feelings of difficulty, Emotional Value +20

Su Qian sighed, then decided to take a step back to advance.

"Senior, since you are so confident, we can't say much more. However, that Heavenly Flame was left by our old headmaster; we do not have the authority to handle it!"

He paused his words.

Su Qian knew that their old headmaster, Mang Tian Chi, was an absolute Dou Venerate expert. Although he left the Fallen Heart Flame and then departed, rarely managing Jia Nan Academy's affairs, preferring to travel the world, his name still held sway over the entire Black-Corner Region.

"If the Heavenly Flame is lost, we won't be able to explain it to the old headmaster!"

Su Qian continued, bringing up the old headmaster to try and cause Gu Fei some hesitation.

But how could Gu Fei be afraid?

With his status, even if Mang Tian Chi were here, he would still dare to claim the Heavenly Flame. After all, the Fallen Heart Flame is not highly ranked on the Heavenly Flames list, and at the level of Half-Saint and above, such a Heavenly Flame would be of little use.

(TL/n: I call bs here, any Heavenly Flame is op.)

"Senior Mang Tian Chi left the Heavenly Flame in the Inner Academy to create a distinctive school. Since I said I won't let the Inner Academy suffer, I mean it!"

Gu Fei directly mentioned the old headmaster's name, with no sign of fear in his voice.

"Lead the way!"

Su Qian opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but was interrupted by Gu Fei's next words. He frowned but said nothing further.

Gu Fei's fingers twitched, and his Dou Qi surged. Immediately, a familiar massive figure flew over from not far away.

The vast shadow cast by it caused many in Jia Nan City to exclaim in surprise.

Gu Fei gave an order, and the massive Amethyst Winged Lion King flew directly over Jia Nan City.

Gu Fei held Xiao Yi Xian's slender waist, took Qing Lin along, and in front of the Inner Academy elders and Su Qian, stepped into the air.

His figure shifted, stepping directly into the void and landing on the lion's back without any assistance.

Initially, the elders behind Su Qian were still discussing intensely, with many doubting whether Gu Fei was truly as terrifyingly strong as Hu Gan had described, possibly even far surpassing Su Qian.

But Gu Fei's ability to walk in the air silenced all the elders, eliminating any doubts about his strength.

On the ground, Su Qian and Hu Gan exchanged a glance, both sighing helplessly.

Judging by Gu Fei's forceful demeanor, it seemed that no matter how they tried to negotiate, Gu Fei was determined to take the Fallen Heart Flame.

Since Gu Fei was still polite enough to inform them, they couldn't afford to risk offending such a peak Dou Ancestor expert by refusing him.

After a moment of hesitation, Su Qian, Hu Gan, and the others had no choice but to agree and then began leading the way ahead of Gu Fei.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King followed behind the large group, flying out of the city.