Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

"From this day forward, our teacher-student relationship is severed!"

The Bone Spirit Cold Flame rose from his palm; the eerie white flame was icy cold, yet it carried the terrifying power to burn away the soul.

"No—Master! Spare me! Spare me—"

Han Feng's screams quickly faded in the flames, and his soul dissipated inch by inch under the scorching heat of the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, eventually turning into specks of starlight and disappearing completely into the night.

The Bone Spirit Cold Flame was withdrawn, and a ball of sea-blue flame hung in the air, returning the courtyard to silence.

Yao Chen stood still for a long time. The night wind blew his gray hair, and the moonlight cast a long shadow of him.

He looked down at his empty palm, where the last warmth of his soul before it dissipated seemed to linger.

"Sigh..." Another soft sigh escaped, this time as light as a feather falling to the ground.

When it all began, he was an orphan picked up from the street, and he was the master who taught him everything he knew.

When their bond was severed, he was the treacherous disciple who plotted to kill his master, and he was the old friend who cleansed the sect.

Chapter 175 The Ownership of the Fallen Heart Flame!

Boom boom boom!

A crisp knock broke the morning's tranquility, and Qinglin's gentle voice came from outside:

"Young Master, are you there? The Grand Elder and several other elders have come looking for you!"

Inside the room, Su Baichen sat facing an elderly man with white hair, steam rising from the teacups before them. Hearing the sound, Su Baichen looked up towards the doorway and calmly replied:

"Yes, I'm here. Let them come in first!"

After speaking, he turned back and looked at the distinguished old man opposite him—Yao Chen—with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

"So, your disappearance a few days ago was to go find Han Feng?"

Yao Chen picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and nodded. His silvery-white hair shimmered softly in the morning light.

“That’s right. When we first arrived in Black Seal City, I caught a glimpse of a ‘Soul Separation Pill’ at an auction.”

He put down his teacup, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, and continued, "I sensed an extremely familiar aura on that pill—that unique soul imprint. No one else in the world could refine such a unique pill except him. So I followed the clues and inquired around, and soon found his hiding place."

Upon hearing this, Su Baichen raised an eyebrow and looked at Yao Chen with a strange expression.

"So, is he still alive?"

This is not because they distrust Yao Chen's strength, but because Han Feng is cunning and resourceful, with a variety of ways to protect himself.

Given Yao Chen's sometimes overly upright nature, if he were to be even slightly careless, Han Feng would have at least a 90% chance of escaping.

Upon hearing this, Yao Chen gave a wry smile and shook his head.

Am I really that worthless in your eyes?

"Hehe, what do you think?" Su Baichen rolled his eyes without any politeness, his tone clearly teasing.

Yao Chen was taken aback by these words and touched the bridge of his nose with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"The first two times were accidents; as the saying goes, things don't happen more than three times."

He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes: "Besides, after spending so much time with you, I've learned a bit of your caution. Before meeting him, I quietly laid down a net with my soul power, sealing off the entire space within a ten-mile radius, preventing even the slightest fluctuation of battle qi from escaping."

Su Baichen nodded in satisfaction, picked up the teacup and took a sip, the warm tea flowing down his throat.

"Hmm, you've finally learned to use your brain. My son has not let his father down!"

"Get lost!" Yao Chen glared at him upon hearing this, his dignified and otherworldly demeanor instantly crumbling, revealing a familiar and casual air between old friends.

Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Su Qian led the three inner court elders in one by one.

As soon as they stepped into the house, they keenly sensed Yao Chen's presence—even though the old man was just sitting there quietly, the faint aura of a powerful figure around him was still impossible to ignore.

Su Qian's gaze lingered on Yao Chen for a moment, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes, before he politely inquired:

"Who is this...?"

Yao Chen smiled slightly, rose, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, his demeanor composed.

"My name is Yao Chen, and I am a friend of Bai Chen."

Medicine dust!

Master Medicine!

Eighth-rank high-level alchemist!

The moment the name "Yao Chen" entered Su Qian's ears, all the information about this legendary figure surged into his mind—the Pavilion Master of Xingyun Pavilion, the number one alchemist in Zhongzhou, and a Dou Zun powerhouse who had been famous throughout the continent for decades!

Even after the Starfall Pavilion went into seclusion, the name of the Medicine Venerable still circulated among the powerful.

[My goodness, our new guest elder has truly impressive connections! He's managed to be acquainted with such a person!]

Su Qian was inwardly alarmed, but remained outwardly calm, bowing respectfully.

"I am Su Qian, the Grand Elder of the Inner Court of Canaan Academy, and I greet Venerable Medicine!"

This salute was not only out of respect for the strong, but also to remind the elders behind him that the person in front of them was no ordinary person.

Upon hearing the words "Venerable One," the three elders who had accompanied Su Qian were all shaken.

A Dou Zun expert is a terrifying existence standing at the pinnacle of the continent; there isn't a single one like them in the entire Black Corner Region! They dared not be negligent and immediately bowed in unison:

"We have met Venerable Medicine!"

"Greetings, Venerable Medicine Master!"

Respectful voices echoed in the room, perfectly embodying the principle of the Dou Qi Continent that the strong are respected.

Yao Chen gently waved his hand, and a gentle force lifted everyone up, his voice calm:

"There's no need for such formalities, those are all names of the past. Now I'm just an old man traveling around."

He looked at Su Qian and said sincerely, "I wonder if your esteemed institution could take me in and allow me to stay here for a while?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qian was overjoyed. Having such a powerful Dou Zun willing to stay at the academy was truly a godsend!

If the academy faces a crisis in the future, this powerful figure might lend a helping hand. He nodded quickly, his tone filled with barely suppressed joy:

"Yes! Of course! Venerable Medicine can stay as long as he wishes, and the entire Canaan Academy will treat him with the utmost respect!"

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

A deliberate cough broke the harmonious atmosphere. Su Baichen leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

"Hey, have you forgotten there's someone here?"

He looked at Su Qian with a half-smile, then flipped his hand, and an invisible, colorless flame appeared out of thin air in his palm.

The flame appeared weak, yet it emitted a chillingly high temperature, causing the surrounding space to distort slightly—it was the Fallen Heart Flame of the juvenile form!

"Elder, do you still want this Fallen Heart Flame?"

Su Qian's attention was instantly drawn to it, and her eyes blazed with intense light as she stared at the leaping strange fire.

This newly formed Fallen Heart Flame is of paramount importance to Canaan Academy—the core of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower can be preserved, and the foundation of the academy will be even more solid!

"Yes! Of course I want it!" Su Qian replied repeatedly, taking a cautious step forward, but not daring to reach out rashly.

Su Baichen smiled slightly, and with a flick of his wrist, the invisible flame slowly drifted toward Su Qian.

The air hisses slightly as the flame passes through, yet the temperature is precisely controlled, without damaging any objects.

"Take it carefully. Although this little fellow is young, it is a rare treasure of heaven and earth with boundless potential. You must nurture it well, as it will become one of the greatest assets of Canaan Academy in the future."

Su Qian nodded solemnly, forming a complex hand seal with both hands, and carefully put away the ball of Fallen Heart Flame in a special container.

He could sense the vibrant life force within the flames. Unlike the previous, violent, mature flame, this young flame was more docile and had greater potential.

"Elder Bai Chen, rest assured, the academy will spare no effort to provide it with the best growth environment. We will take care of this strange flame as carefully as we would our most outstanding students."

Su Baichen nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at Yao Chen, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes:

"By the way, since Elder Yao is going to stay here for a long time, why not lend a hand to the academy? With your level eight alchemist cultivation, giving guidance to the academy's alchemy department shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Upon hearing this, Yao Chen was taken aback at first, then chuckled and shook his head:

"You really are unwilling to suffer even the slightest loss. Very well, since I'm taking refuge in your esteemed academy, I should naturally offer something in return. I agree to provide guidance on alchemy."

Upon hearing this, Su Qian was overjoyed. If the news that the Medicine Venerable was personally instructing the alchemy department got out, alchemists throughout the Black Corner Region would probably be scrambling to get into Canaan Academy!

"Thank you, Venerable Medicine! This is a great fortune for the academy and a blessing for its students!"

"But don't spread my information," Yao Chen immediately instructed.

"Understood!" Su Qian nodded in agreement.

Su Baichen looked at the scene before him, a satisfied smile curving his lips. By handing over the Fallen Heart Flame to Canaan Academy, he not only settled a matter on his mind but also found a suitable place for Yao Chen to settle down, achieving two goals at once.

The infant's heart flame has been safely handed over, and a Dou Zun powerhouse will become an honored guest of the academy. Su Baichen himself can continue his leisurely life as a guest.

"Alright, now that we've finished discussing business, you can all go about your business." Su Baichen waved his hand and picked up his teacup again. "Old Yao and I still have something to talk about."

Su Qian understood and respectfully bowed.

"Then we will not disturb you two any longer. Venerable Medicine, I will personally arrange accommodations for you later."

After speaking, he led the three elders out of the room and gently closed the door. Silence returned to the room, leaving only the lingering aroma of tea and the figures of his two old friends sitting opposite each other.

Yao Chen looked at Su Baichen and suddenly laughed:

"You little rascal, you never forget to find a moment of peace wherever you go."

Su Baichen shrugged, looking completely matter-of-fact:

"Life is short, so seize the moment while you can. But what about you? What are your plans for the future? You're not really planning to retire at Canaan Academy, are you?"

Yao Chen gazed out the window, his eyes fixed on the distance.

"Although Han Feng's problem has been resolved, the shadow of the Soul Palace still looms large. I need time to recover my peak strength, and I also need a quiet place to study some things..."

He didn't continue, but Su Baichen understood that his old friend still had many unfinished business in his heart.

"Then settle down here." Su Baichen poured Yao Chen a full teacup. "With me here, Canaan Academy won't be in chaos."

Yao Chen picked up his teacup and gently clinked it against Su Baichen's:

"Then, thank you very much."