Chapter 118: Zi Yan

Lin An gazed at the Fallen Heart Flame before him, as if it were already within his grasp.

*Hum~*

As the Fallen Heart Flame soared into mid-air, Lin An stopped holding back. He summoned three types of Heavenly Flames, and accompanied by a powerful surge of energy, they instantly transformed into a sea of fire, engulfing both him and the Fallen Heart Flame.

Elder Su Qian frowned, unable to comprehend Lin An's actions. Why would he suddenly use three Heavenly Flames to shroud the Fallen Heart Flame? Even if the combined power of three Heavenly Flames was peerless, the Fallen Heart Flame’s own power was not to be underestimated; breaking out of such an encirclement would be effortless.

"Now, I can declare that you belong to me!"

No sooner had he spoken than a black hole appeared near the Fallen Heart Flame, swallowing it whole.

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Heavenly Flame: Fallen Heart Flame!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining +25,000 Soul Points!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining information regarding the Ancient Emperor Tuo She!]

....

The system notifications chimed in his ears. Lin An had long grown accustomed to this; to him, the Heavenly Flames of the Dou Qi Continent were no different from gifts. Especially as his cultivation level climbed higher, collecting these flames became increasingly simple.

To avoid arousing suspicion from Su Qian and the others, Lin An waited inside the fiery enclosure for a while before withdrawing all the flames.

The Fallen Heart Flame was known as a "cultivation cheat," and it certainly lived up to the name. Even without entering a state of meditation, Lin An could feel himself improving every moment. Though the effect was subtle, he was more than satisfied with the result.

"I have fulfilled my mission," Lin An said, landing before Su Qian.

"Truly, heroes emerge from the young. I never expected someone as young as you to possess such terrifying strength. I suspect there isn't a second person on the entire Dou Qi Continent who could compare to you."

Su Qian was filled with emotion. He had assumed that even if Lin An possessed the means to subdue the Fallen Heart Flame, it would surely take time to truly tame it. He never imagined that in such a short period, Lin An would not only escape unscathed but also successfully tame the flame. This heaven-defying ability left even him in awe.

"It is a pity, however. Without the Fallen Heart Flame, the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower will no longer serve much purpose," Su Qian remarked with regret.

The Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower could be considered the foundation of Canaan Academy; its loss would undoubtedly affect the future cultivation of the students.

"Elder Su Qian need not worry. The Fallen Heart Flame left behind a seed beneath the tower. With a little guidance, the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower can be restored to use. For at least a few thousand years, there will be no fear of it rioting. In fact, if managed properly, the current Fallen Heart Flame could eventually be fully controlled," Lin An explained.

Elder Su Qian was pleasantly surprised. He quickly descended into the sea of magma that had previously trapped the Fallen Heart Flame and soon discovered the nascent flame Lin An had mentioned. His heart soared with joy.

"I imagine you must be hungry after working for so long. I shall have food prepared for you. You must stay at Canaan Academy for a few more days!" Su Qian said, his mood greatly improved.

Lin An and his companions nodded. Leaving now was fine, but staying at Canaan Academy for a few days was an attractive prospect. Most importantly, Lin An wanted to recruit Zi Yan. Especially at this stage, in the original story, Xiao Yan had tricked her with merely a few medicinal pills. Lin An, however, possessed an inexhaustible supply of superior elixirs.

"Why do I feel like there’s something familiar about you?"

Just then, a young girl walked up to Lin An and asked with a puzzled expression.

"Zi Yan, don't be rude! Brother Lin An is visiting Canaan Academy for the first time, and he is a human. Do you not know your own identity? How could you possibly sense a familiar aura from him?" Elder Su Qian scolded. Though he spoke thus, he was secretly bewildered. He knew Zi Yan’s heart was pure and she was incapable of lying. Could it really be, as she suggested, that there was some connection between Lin An and Zi Yan?

Lin An was not surprised. Within his body flowed the bloodline of a True Dragon, and Zi Yan’s clan was a branch of the Dragon tribe. It was only natural that she would sense a familiar bloodline aura from him.

"Elder Su Qian, pay it no mind. I, too, can sense that there seems to be a connection between myself and Zi Yan!" Lin An said with a smile.

"Oh? That is the first I have heard of such a thing!"

"However, this is not the place for conversation. Let us find a place to settle down and talk properly!"

Elder Su Qian was curious, but seeing the crowd, he led Lin An away. As for the aftermath, he no longer needed to worry; others would handle the details.

Along the way, Zi Yan grew very close to Lin An, following right behind him as if she had finally found family. Su Qian watched this and felt a sense of helplessness. Once Lin An mentioned the dragon bloodline within him, combined with Zi Yan's heritage, Elder Su Qian understood exactly why she felt such an affinity for him.

"Actually, I have a request, if Elder Su Qian would be so kind as to grant it," Lin An said.

"Speak freely!" Elder Su Qian already had an inkling of what was coming.

"I feel a deep bond with Zi Yan, and since she receives little support here at Canaan Academy, I would like to take her with me. What do you think?"

"Really? Can I go with you?" Zi Yan cried out in joy upon hearing that Lin An was willing to take her along.

After learning of Zi Yan’s origins, even Nalan Yanran felt a pang of pity for the optimistic and lively girl. Taking her along seemed like a decent choice. At the same time, Nalan Yanran felt a flicker of confusion. Counting the Little Fairy Doctor, Qing Lin, and now Zi Yan, Lin An had already gathered three gifted geniuses by his side, as if he had known their identities and fates all along.

"Naturally. Following your big brother means there will always be meat to eat!"

With that, Lin An took several bottles of tier-five medicinal pills from his storage ring and tossed them to Zi Yan. She happily popped them into her mouth, devouring them in seconds.

Elder Su Qian watched with a twitching eyelid. It was a complete waste of precious resources; pills that ordinary people would pay a fortune for were being casually tossed to Zi Yan like snacks. It was truly outrageous. Yet, seeing this, Su Qian had nothing to say.

That evening, Lin An called Zi Yan to his room and brought her into the Yama Palace.

"Zi Yan, do you want to know who you really are?" Lin An asked, looking at the girl who was currently inspecting her surroundings with the curiosity of a child.

"Does it matter? I’m happy as I am, and now that I have you as a big brother, I’m more than satisfied!" Zi Yan said with a laugh. However, from her tone, Lin An could tell that she was actually quite eager to know her true identity.

Even if she wasn't, she would be.