The Protagonists' Chat Group: Beyond the Boundaries

Deep within the inner courtyard of Jia Nan Academy, by the window of a secluded pavilion, two figures stood.

One wore a large black robe, his hair and beard white, and his ancient face resembled an old monk. He gazed out the window at the green expanse.

He spoke softly, "Qin Xuan, how have things been recently in the Heavenly Flame Refining Pagoda?"

"Grand Elder, the Fallen Heart Flame is becoming increasingly restless." A slightly hunched old man in yellow robes bowed respectfully in response. "It churns once every half month."

"If not for the combined efforts of many Elders in setting up a barrier, there would likely be significant casualties among the students Cultivating in the pagoda!"

"Getting faster and faster, eh?" The old man, referred to as Grand Elder, sighed.

"When the Dean first discovered the Fallen Heart Flame in this place, he then established the inner courtyard." The Grand Elder explained. "At that time, he said that suppression and Sealing could only achieve temporary effects."

"The more fiercely it was Sealed, the more terrifying its future eruption would be!" The Grand Elder's tone revealed worry. "If we're not careful in the future, I fear the entire inner courtyard will be destroyed!"

"Then what should we do? Should we call the Dean back…?" The yellow-robed old man's face was filled with worry.

"The Dean travels outside like a Dragon, appearing and disappearing at will." The Grand Elder shook his head. "How can we notify him?"

"Notify the Elders of both the outer and inner courtyards to make preparations." The Grand Elder instructed. "The Fallen Heart Flame is already a big problem; once it erupts, the entire inner courtyard will be overwhelmed."

"Those people in the Black Corner Region will certainly not miss this opportunity! Especially that Medicine Emperor Han Feng… he has long suspected that there is a strange flame within my Jia Nan Academy!"

The Grand Elder felt the pressure on his shoulders increase a few points. Jia Nan Academy was beset by both internal and external troubles.

Internally, the Fallen Heart Flame posed a constant risk of eruption. Externally, Medicine Emperor Han Feng was stirring.

If this Medicine Emperor Han Feng were merely a Dou Huang, it wouldn't be so bad. But he was also an Alchemist, and a highly skilled one at that.

Even Dou Zong forces sought to befriend him. Moreover, he also controlled a strange flame. He was very troublesome.

And yet, the Dean was nowhere to be found. Both the inner and outer courtyards of Jia Nan Academy rested on his shoulders. It was heavy.

If only someone could help him resolve the troubles of the strange flame and Medicine Emperor Han Feng. As he thought, the Grand Elder sighed again.

How could that be possible? Unless the Half-Saint Realm Dean returned. Otherwise, how could someone suddenly appear to help him solve these two problems? The pressure was too great; he was just fantasizing.

"Be prepared at all times." The Grand Elder continued. "It's best to have two plans. During the Fallen Heart Flame's eruption, remove all students from the pagoda…"

The Grand Elder was about to give other instructions, but his expression suddenly changed. "A Dou Zong expert has invaded the outer courtyard!!!"

With that, his figure vanished from his original spot. The yellow-robed old man's face showed a worried expression upon hearing this.

"May I ask which fellow Daoist has come to visit my Jia Nan Academy?" Even after Xiao Yan had just accepted Hu Gan's invitation, the Grand Elder finally arrived at the scene.

He had rushed all the way here, not concealing his Aura, but rather releasing it in an attempt to intimidate the enemy. He stood majestically in the Void Realm, his Aura fully unleashed.

"Hu Gan, where is that Dou Zong-level expert? Is he friend or foe?" Upon arriving and not seeing the Dou Zong expert, the Grand Elder was somewhat bewildered. He quickly questioned Hu Gan, who was beside him.

Hu Gan's expression became strange as he looked at Xiao Yan after hearing the Grand Elder's words.

Then he said, "Grand Elder, this is the Dou Zong expert. He is not an enemy, but a student who has come to report to our Jia Nan Academy!"

The Grand Elder followed his gaze and looked at Xiao Yan. Then his CPU burned out.

He was silent for a moment: "You mean a student coming to report to my Jia Nan Academy has a Dou Zong Cultivation? Since when did our Jia Nan Academy's admission standards become so high?"

The Grand Elder looked at Hu Gan with a hint of anger in his eyes. That look seemed to ask, 'Do I look stupid?'

Hu Gan was a bit helpless: "Grand Elder, that is indeed the truth. Xiao Yan joined Jia Nan Academy two years ago. At that time, he was a Dou Zhe."

"He took a two-year leave of absence for personal reasons! He's only now coming to report to the school!"

The Grand Elder fell silent again. He really wanted to point at Hu Gan and curse. It was getting more and more outrageous.

Two years ago, he was a Dou Zhe, took a two-year leave, and became a Dou Zong. This was even more outrageous than a seventeen or eighteen-year-old Dou Zong.

Would he directly become a Dou Emperor after Cultivating for another two years? The Grand Elder felt that Hu Gan was making fun of him.

This Xiao Yan looked at most eighteen years old. Even if he was a Genius, he would only be a Dou Wang. How could he… Hmm, why can't I see through him?

The Grand Elder's gaze towards Xiao Yan changed. He found that he couldn't see through this young man's Cultivation.

Feeling the Grand Elder's gaze, Xiao Yan smiled faintly, then revealed his Cultivation. "Dean Hu Gan is right. This junior is indeed a Dou Zong Cultivation."

Hiss… Feeling the terrifying Aura emanating from Xiao Yan, the Grand Elder's eyes changed. He really was a Dou Zong.

Moreover, the profoundness of this Dou Qi seemed even higher than his own? The Grand Elder closed his eyes, unable to believe this was true.

What was happening to this world? A young man actually possessed the terrifying Cultivation of a Dou Zong!

He even suspected that he was under too much pressure and was fantasizing that Jia Nan Academy had produced a super invincible peerless Genius to turn the tide.

He opened his eyes. The scene before him remained the same. He really was a Dou Zong! The Grand Elder was bewildered.

Hu Gan secretly transmitted a message, informing the Grand Elder of the whole story. The Grand Elder gasped upon hearing it.

Two years ago, he joined Jia Nan Academy with Dou Zhe Cultivation, took two years off, and became a Dou Zong. Now, his leave was over, and he had come to report to the school.

The Grand Elder truly didn't know how to evaluate this matter. Two years to go from Dou Zhe to Dou Zong? Even the Geniuses of the Central Plains wouldn't dare to boast like that.

Although Hu Gan had already confirmed Xiao Yan's identity, the Grand Elder still felt that Xiao Yan had a problem.

"So that's how it is." The Grand Elder spoke in a deep voice. "Then, Elder Xiao, you can be an Elder in the inner courtyard. It would be a bit of an injustice for you to be a mentor with your Dou Zong Cultivation!"

An Elder's treatment was higher than a mentor's. He decided to first stabilize Xiao Yan, and then slowly probe his intentions.

"Thank you for the Grand Elder's kindness. This junior will shamelessly accept the position of Elder!" Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't refuse. Being an Elder or a mentor didn't affect his ability to take disciples.

After settling the arrangements, the atmosphere among them immediately eased a lot. The Grand Elder looked at the many students around.

He then spoke, "Elder Xiao, please come with me. I will introduce you to the duties of an Elder of Jia Nan Academy…" He extended an invitation to Xiao Yan, and even changed his address.

"Of course!" Xiao Yan nodded in agreement, then looked gently at Xiao Xun'er. "Xun'er, wait for me a moment. I'll come find you later!"

Xiao Xun'er nodded, a blush on her face: "Brother Xiao Yan, I'll wait for you!"

Then the two Dou Zong experts left one after another. Only then did the people on the scene breathe a sigh of relief, still feeling lingering fear.

"This Xiao Yan is actually a Dou Zong expert, that's too terrifying." a student muttered. "I originally thought he wouldn't be worthy of Junior Sister Xun'er, but I never expected…"

"By the way, Junior Sister Xiao Mei, you seem to be of the same clan as Xiao Yan." Another student asked. "You should know him very well. Can you tell us what kind of person he is…?"

A group of people began discussing eagerly. A young girl had not yet recovered from the shock of Xiao Yan being a Dou Zong.

Suddenly hearing the question from the person next to her, she looked at the departing back, biting her red lips tightly with her pearly teeth. Her eyes were filled with dimness and regret.

Some mistakes, once made, could never be remedied. Before Xiao Yan had completely become a cripple, the relationship between Xiao Mei and Xiao Yan could be said to rival that of Xiao Xun'er at the time.

Unfortunately, after the Genius fell, she chose a path completely different from Xiao Xun'er. Xiao Xun'er remained loyal, but Xiao Mei drew a deeply hurtful line between the two of them.

Now, that Genius had risen again, becoming a terrifyingly powerful Dou Zong expert. But they no longer had any relationship.

"Xiao Yan, he…" Xiao Mei spoke bitterly.

"Elder Xiao, may I ask what areas you specialize in?" The Grand Elder tentatively asked Xiao Yan after occupying Hu Gan's principal's office. "So I can make specific arrangements for you! Cultivation? Dou Techniques? Combat? Or Alchemy?"

"Specialize?" Xiao Yan pondered for a moment. In these aspects, he actually knew a little bit, just a tiny bit.

After thinking for a moment, he replied: "Alchemy, I can refine Seventh-Grade Medicinal Pills. Although I haven't taken the Seventh-Grade Alchemist assessment yet, I do have that level of skill!"

The Grand Elder's hand trembled upon hearing this. His heart immediately became excited. "Seventh-Grade Alchemist? Are you truly a Seventh-Grade Alchemist?"

He couldn't help but exclaim excitedly. The reason was simple: Seventh-Grade Alchemists were simply too precious.

Why was he so wary of that Medicine Emperor Han Feng? Wasn't it precisely because Medicine Emperor Han Feng was a Sixth-Grade Alchemist?

As a Sixth-Grade Alchemist, even Dou Zong experts treated Han Feng with respect. And Xiao Yan was actually Seventh-Grade? Moreover, he was also a Dou Zong.

Double yolk!!! If such a person genuinely joined Jia Nan Academy, wouldn't Jia Nan Academy explode with excitement?

Xiao Yan chuckled upon hearing his question, and snapped his fingers. A wisp of white flame appeared on his fingertip.

"Bone Chilling Flame? What is your relationship with the Medicine Venerable?" The Grand Elder's excited expression immediately turned wary.

He knew Han Feng's background. Han Feng was the Medicine Venerable's disciple. And the Medicine Venerable was precisely the one who refined the Bone Chilling Flame.

Now, this Xiao Yan was not only an Alchemist but also controlled the Bone Chilling Flame. The Grand Elder couldn't believe it if he said he had no relationship with the Medicine Venerable. He might even be in league with Han Feng.

"Grand Elder has good insight. The Medicine Venerable is indeed my Master!" Xiao Yan didn't intend to hide it. He said directly, "I actually came to Jia Nan Academy with a purpose."

"Firstly, it's for the strange flame within Jia Nan Academy! Secondly, it's to clean up my Master's sect!" Xiao Yan directly stated his purpose.

The Grand Elder was stunned by his directness. I had thought you had ill intentions, but I didn't expect you to have such ill intentions. You're not even hiding it anymore, are you?

His face turned ashen, and he said, "Your Excellency, what is the meaning of this? Are you looking down on my academy?"

Xiao Yan waved his hand, "Grand Elder, you've misunderstood. I don't mean that. The reason I'm being frank with you is that I want to make a trade with you!"

"A trade?" The Grand Elder frowned.

"That's right." Xiao Yan confirmed. "As far as I know, the Fallen Heart Flame within the academy has been acting up more frequently recently, hasn't it? I imagine you're about to lose control of it!"

"To be honest, Grand Elder, I need this Fallen Heart Flame." Xiao Yan stated his request. " I can help you suppress the restless Fallen Heart Flame. I only need a portion of it."

"I will leave a part of it in Jia Nan Academy, which will not affect the Cultivation of the academy's students!"

"Besides that, I will also stay in the academy for a period of time. During this time, if the academy has any Alchemy needs, you can come to me!"

The Grand Elder's expression changed constantly after hearing this. The Alchemy promise of a Seventh-Grade Alchemist could be said to be full of sincerity.

This trade would only benefit Jia Nan Academy, with no drawbacks. However, what made him wary was how Xiao Yan knew about the academy's situation.

And that he knew the academy's students used the Fallen Heart Flame to Cultivate? One must know that even Medicine Emperor Han Feng only suspected that there was a Heavenly Flame within Jia Nan Academy. But he didn't know the situation of the Heavenly Flame.

Xiao Yan, however, seemed to know everything. The Grand Elder weighed the pros and cons and did not speak for a moment.

Xiao Yan looked at his expression and decided to give him a push. "Grand Elder, I absolutely have no ill intentions towards Jia Nan Academy..."

"Otherwise, with the dean not here, you and those other two Dou Zong would not be able to stop me!" Xiao Yan looked at the Grand Elder indifferently.

His Aura poured out like a flood. The terrifying Aura caused the Dou Zong Realm Grand Elder to pause.

An unprecedented sense of death crisis enveloped the Grand Elder. Move a muscle... And he would die! The Grand Elder's instincts kept warning him.

Fortunately, this Aura came and went quickly. The Grand Elder regained control of his body, looking at Xiao Yan opposite him with extreme shock.

Breaking through from a Dou Disciple to the Dou Zong Realm in two years was one thing. But what was with this strength?

As a fellow Dou Zong, he couldn't even muster the thought of resisting in front of him?

"Alas..." "Alas..." "Alas..." The Grand Elder ignored Xiao Yan, sighing with every breath.

He had lived for hundreds of years, living like a dog. What's the point of living? He was self-isolating.

Xiao Yan was confused. Did his sigh mean yes or no? He had a good impression of Jia Nan Academy.

Whether it was the Vice-Dean or Grand Elder Su Qian. They had helped him a lot in the original plot. In the original plot, he would form a deep friendship with the Grand Elder and others.

But now it was their first meeting. There was no friendship yet. Therefore, while showing sincerity, Xiao Yan also displayed his strength.

As a result, after he displayed his strength, the Grand Elder suddenly seemed to be possessed.

"Don't be discouraged, Grand Elder." Xiao Yan quickly spoke to comfort him, seeing that the Grand Elder seemed to be disheartened. " I killed a Soul Palace Protector two days ago. It's normal for you not to be my opponent!"

"Alas..." The Grand Elder sighed even more deeply upon hearing this.

After a long while, the Grand Elder finally came back to his senses. After much consideration, he finally decided to accept Xiao Yan's trade.

"As you said, I can give you the opportunity to subdue the Fallen Heart Flame, but you must leave a wisp of the Fallen Heart Flame for the Heavenly Blazing Qi Refining Tower." He said with a slight threat.

"This is the Foundation of my Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy! If you violate the agreement, my Jia Nan Academy will be irreconcilable with you."

"I am not your opponent, but the dean is a Half-Saint-Grade powerhouse!"

His biggest concern was this. It was difficult for ordinary people to subdue Heavenly Flames, let alone separate them!

If Han Feng also had the means to separate Heavenly Flames, why would Jia Nan Academy guard against him like a thief? Wouldn't win-win cooperation be better?

Xiao Yan displayed terrifying strength and controlled Heavenly Flames, so the Grand Elder believed he indeed had the ability to separate Heavenly Flames.

"This junior thanks the Grand Elder!" Xiao Yan bowed respectfully to him.

"During this time, if the academy needs any Sixth-Grade or Seventh-Grade Medicinal Pills refined, you can come to me." Xiao Yan added. " As long as the medicinal ingredients are complete, I can refine them!"

Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on the Grand Elder's face. Jia Nan Academy also had an Alchemist, Elder Huo.

Elder Huo struggled to refine Sixth-Grade Medicinal Pills. Now that Xiao Yan was here, the spring of Jia Nan Academy had arrived.

"Is that true? Can you really refine Seventh-Grade Medicinal Pills?" "Absolutely true..."

The smile on the Grand Elder's face grew even brighter. He felt that it was time for his Realm to advance further.

Some things are either zero times or countless times. Once he accepted Xiao Yan, the Grand Elder suddenly relaxed a lot.

His gaze towards Xiao Yan instantly became much warmer.

"I think Elder Huo is also getting senile." The Grand Elder made arrangements for Xiao Yan. " From now on, I'll let you be the chief Elder of Alchemy Peak!"

"How can I accept this?" Xiao Yan was modest. A world where only Elder Huo was injured had been achieved.

After asking Xiao Yan some more questions, the Grand Elder quickly rushed back to the Inner Academy. Opportunities for a Seventh-Grade Alchemist to act were rare. He had to seize this opportunity.

He quickly gathered some medicinal ingredients. The Grand Elder hummed a song as he went back.

So, people still need to have some dreams. This morning he was still thinking it would be great if someone could help him solve the problem of the Heavenly Flame and Han Feng. As a result, Xiao Yan really appeared.

"I hope I can become a Dou Emperor..." The Grand Elder made a new dream.

Xiao Yan did not directly leave with him. The Fallen Heart Flame was already in his grasp; there was no need to rush.

Being strong was temporary. But being happy was for a lifetime.

So, after separating from the Grand Elder, he immediately went to see Xiao Xun'er.

Late at night, faint moonlight streamed down from the sky. The elegant pavilion was exceptionally quiet under the moonlight.

Two pairs of eyes met in the darkness, sparking. "Xun'er!" Xiao Yan held Xiao Xun'er's slender hand.

He then pulled her to sit by the window and look up at the bright stars in the sky together. The two looked at each other, their eyes shining.

"Do you want to know how I've been doing these past two years?" Xiao Yan chuckled as he spoke to her.

Xiao Xun'er nodded gently, then held Xiao Yan's hand between hers, feeling the faint warmth.

Xiao Yan slowly stroked Xiao Xun'er's soft, waist-length green hair with one hand. He then recounted, in a slightly hoarse voice, everything that had happened since he left Wu Tan City, one by one.

Except for the chat group and Old Yao's matters, which he kept hidden, he told Xiao Xun'er almost everything else. The chat group was hard to explain. He couldn't talk about Old Yao's matters without Old Yao's permission.

Regarding his Realm advancement, his explanation was that he could directly devour Heavenly Flames to increase his Realm. This was also the truth.

Faint moonlight spilled down, shining on the young man and woman, covering them with a thin silver veil. Xiao Xun'er leaned her head gently on Xiao Yan's shoulder, quietly listening to him recount his experiences over the years.

Ling Ying hadn't returned yet, so she really didn't know what had happened on Xiao Yan's side. Heaven knew how surprised she was when she saw Xiao Yan Break Through to Dou Zong.

He was indeed the man she had chosen.

After saying everything, Xiao Yan solemnly held Xiao Xun'er's hand. "Xun'er, I know you are not from the Xiao family, and your background is extremely powerful."

"When I was at the Misty Cloud Sect, there was a hidden Dou Huang powerhouse in the dark, that must have been sent by you, right?"

"Yes, that was a powerhouse by my side." Xiao Xun'er said shyly. " I originally wanted him to protect you, but I didn't expect Brother Xiao Yan's Realm to have already Broken through to Dou Zong!"

Xiao Yan stretched out his arm and embraced Xiao Xun'er's delicate, boneless body.

"Xun'er, don't worry, in at most three more years, I will be able to Break Through to Emperor Realm!" Xiao Yan's words were not just arrogant.

"At that time, how about I marry you?" For millions of years on the Dou Qi Continent, no one had Broken through to the Emperor Realm for a very long time.

Xiao Yan now claimed he could Break Through, and within three years at that. Anyone else hearing this would curse him for being overconfident. However, Xiao Xun'er believed him.

Her pretty face was flushed, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzzing: "I'll wait for Brother Xiao Yan..."

After a long while, the two finally parted. Xiao Xun'er returned to her room.

In the corner of the room, a dark shadow twisted into a black figure and appeared before her. This person was none other than Ling Ying.

"Elder Ling, you must have returned long ago, right?" Xiao Xun'er's voice held a tone of certainty.

"I can't hide it from Young Miss!" The black figure let out a bitter laugh.

"The reason I didn't report the information to Young Miss immediately was that the truth was too incredible, and I wanted Young Master Xiao Yan to give Young Miss a surprise personally!"

Ling Ying had arrived only a day or two before Xiao Yan. His speed was slower than Xiao Yan's, but Xiao Yan had delayed for a few days returning to Wu Tan City. But he didn't immediately come to tell Xiao Xun'er what had happened.

"You're thoughtful..." Xiao Xun'er spoke, her voice filled with joy.

Xiao Yan's Break Through to the Dou Zong Realm was indeed a big surprise. At least the resistance from within the clan to her being with him would be much smaller.

If Xiao Yan could truly Break Through to the Emperor Realm within three years as he said, then their matter would be even easier.

As she thought about it, Xiao Xun'er's face turned red.