Chapter 334: Return to the Inner Academy, Seeking Yao Lao's Guidance
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**
Jia Nan Academy
As Mo Yu and the others entered the study room where Su Qian often spent his days, they were greeted by the sight of a calm, steadfast young man in black robes. His handsome face bore a determined expression, and his deep, dark eyes seemed as unfathomable as a tranquil pool.
"Third Brother!"
Staring at the somewhat familiar figure before him, Xiao Li—who had remained unflinching even in the face of death—now showed an uncharacteristic expression of sheer joy.
Although they had already learned from Mo Yu that Xiao Yan was safe, seeing him alive and well in person filled Xiao Li with an indescribable happiness.
Sensing Xiao Yan's unmistakably powerful aura, Mo Yu's silver eyes revealed a trace of confirmation before he smiled. "Xiao Yan, congratulations. It seems you've reaped great rewards this time."
Behind Mo Yu, Lin Yan, Liu Qing, and the other Jia Nan Academy students looked at Xiao Yan with a mix of amazement and curiosity.
Although Mo Yu's brilliance had somewhat overshadowed Xiao Yan's reputation in the academy, Xiao Yan's extraordinary talent had still left a lasting impression on them. Especially after the battle where Xiao Yan and the Fallen Heart Flame were sealed beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, many had lamented his apparent demise.
Now, seeing Xiao Yan return after a year and a half—not only breaking through the seal but also radiating an aura that was hard to fathom—everyone couldn't help but wonder what had happened to him during this time.
"Hehe, Second Brother, Mo Yu, it seems you're not surprised by my return," Xiao Yan said with a soft chuckle, scratching his head as he noticed their expressions of joy rather than astonishment.
"Indeed. When you encountered trouble, Xiao Yu and the rest of the clan were deeply worried and even thought you might have perished. But Mo Yu insisted you were still alive, so we kept waiting for your return," Xiao Li said, patting Xiao Yan's head with relief.
"Oh, so Mo Yu believed I was still alive," Xiao Yan murmured, stunned. He had faced countless near-death situations beneath the tower and had even thought he might not make it out. Yet, Mo Yu had unwaveringly believed in him.
This realization warmed Xiao Yan's heart. Despite their childhood sparring and bickering, he felt that Mo Yu sometimes understood him better than he understood himself.
Smiling, Xiao Yan nodded. "Thank you, Mo Yu, for your faith. And thank you for taking care of the Xiao Clan."
Mo Yu patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and said with a chuckle, "No need to thank me. I'm practically half a Xiao Clan myself. Besides, I knew you wouldn't die so easily. Let me guess—you've subdued the Fallen Heart Flame, haven't you?"
Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly before nodding.
The revelation stunned Su Qian, Lin Yan, and the others. The Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, whose core strength relied on the Fallen Heart Flame, would now lose its effectiveness. This loss would significantly weaken the academy's ability to cultivate strong fighters, potentially leading to long-term consequences.
As the room grew silent and Su Qian's expression became somber, Xiao Yan felt awkward. Noticing the tension, Mo Yu stepped forward and suggested a solution from the original story: creating a container to preserve a portion of the Fallen Heart Flame's energy for three years.
Hearing this, Su Qian was taken aback. Although Jia Nan Academy had similar containers, their effectiveness lasted only a year or two. Mo Yu's skills as a weapon refiner clearly surpassed the academy's capabilities.
Mo Yu did, however, attach a condition: access to the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower for outstanding members of Yuan Manor.
Su Qian hesitated briefly but eventually nodded.
His decision wasn't solely based on the alliance or Mo Yu's craftsmanship. Su Qian also valued Mo Yu's identity, especially given his apparent ties to the Lei Clan—a connection hinted at during the battle on the Northern Desert Plains.
"Thank you, Grand Elder," Mo Yu said with a smile, noticing Su Qian's swift agreement.
Relieved by the resolution, Su Qian's expression softened. He smiled and added, "You never fail to surprise me, Mo Yu. I've heard that in just half a year, you not only broke through to the Dou Huang level but even defeated Mo Ya of the Black Emperor Sect—a six-star Dou Huang. That's an extraordinary achievement."
Xiao Yan, who had been unaware of recent events in the Black-Corner Region, was taken aback. Learning that Mo Yu had reached Dou Huang and defeated a six-star Dou Huang left him both shocked and impressed.
"Truly remarkable, Mo Yu," Xiao Yan thought, his respect for his cousin deepening.
Mo Yu simply smiled modestly, taking a seat in Su Qian's study. "Grand Elder, I'm only at the early stages of Dou Huang. Compared to you, it's nothing."
Su Qian chuckled and shook his head. "A twenty-year-old Dou Huang is incredibly rare on the continent. At your age, I was only a Dou Ling."
Mo Yu smiled but didn't press the point.
"What are your plans now?" Su Qian asked after a pause.
"I plan to return to the Jia Ma Empire in a few days," Mo Yu replied, his tone serious.
Su Qian frowned slightly. "So soon? Why the rush?"
Xiao Yan's expression also darkened upon hearing this, as if recalling something important. Xiao Li leaned closer to Xiao Yan and quietly explained Yuan Manor's developments and their plans in the Jia Ma Empire.
Meanwhile, Mo Yu sighed softly and said, "It's been two or three years since I left. Some grievances must be resolved."
Su Qian sighed, his tone somber. "The Yun Lan Sect is deeply rooted in the Jia Ma Empire, and Yun Shan is a genuine Dou Zong. Though Yuan Manor and your strength are considerable, a single mistake could be disastrous."
"Thank you for your advice, Grand Elder. I'll remember it," Mo Yu replied, bowing respectfully.
This exchange brought a smile to Su Qian's face, and the tension in the room eased.
Over the past few years, Mo Yu had advanced his strength at Jia Nan Academy while expanding the influence of Yuan Manor. These achievements were inextricably linked to the Academy's and Su Qian's unwavering support. The weight of this gratitude was not something Mo Yu could take lightly.
"Hehe, why say such formal words? You're a student of our Inner Academy; supporting you is my duty," Su Qian responded with a light chuckle, waving his hand dismissively. His gaze lingered on Mo Yu's youthful, handsome face before he added with a smile, "Now that you're leaving, is there anything I can help with?"
Mo Yu nodded slightly and replied with a soft chuckle, "Not much, really. I just hope that after I leave, the Grand Elder can help keep an eye on Yuan Manor. This region is an excellent place for development. Once I resolve matters in the Jia Ma Empire, I'll fully take control of the Black-Corner Region.
"However, until then, I may need the Grand Elder's assistance in maintaining order. Although few dare to provoke Yuan Manor nowadays, we had a minor conflict with Demon Flame Valley recently. I'm concerned that the Old Ground Demon Ghost might emerge early and pose a threat to Mo City."
"You're quite something, asking me, a member of the Inner Academy, to help oversee the forces of the Black-Corner Region," Su Qian said with a wry smile. After a moment of thought, he nodded and spoke seriously, "This isn't too troublesome. With Yuan Manor and our Jia Nan Academy allied, few forces in the Black-Corner Region would dare to cause trouble.
"As for the Old Ground Demon Ghost, though his strength is formidable, he's a relic of a bygone era. I probably wouldn't last more than a few moves against him. That said, given his style, he likely wouldn't take advantage of your absence to act against you."
"Thank you, Grand Elder!" Mo Yu cupped his fists gratefully.
Su Qian smiled but quickly grew serious. "I heard you've arranged a faction battle with Demon Flame Valley. Although Yuan Manor defeated the Black Alliance and outmatched the Black Emperor Sect, Demon Flame Valley is not as simple as it appears.
"The Old Ground Demon Ghost hasn't surfaced in years, and his strength is unknown. If not for our Academy's hidden experts, he'd likely be considered the strongest in the Black-Corner Region.
"To defeat Demon Flame Valley, you'll first need to overcome him. He's much more challenging than Elder Ying Shan. When the time comes—"
"Grand Elder, rest assured. I'm not a reckless person. I have my plans," Mo Yu said with a confident smile. He was well aware of the Old Ground Demon Ghost's true strength—a terrifying Seven-Star Dou Zong.
Even so, with the Black Thunder Talisman left to him by Lei Ying and the aid of his 'Thunder Spirit' Xiao Jin, defeating the Old Ground Demon Ghost wasn't impossible.
Seeing the bright, confident smile on Mo Yu's face, Su Qian nodded with a smile of his own. Thoughts of Mo Yu's connection with the Lei Clan crossed his mind, and he felt certain that Mo Yu had no shortage of trump cards.
After some further conversation, Mo Yu returned to Mo City with the members of Yuan Manor and Xiao Yan.
Mo City, Yuan Manor
As Xiao Yan looked at the grand city and bustling streets, even with Xiao Li's earlier descriptions, he couldn't help but reveal a trace of shock.
In his eyes, Mo City was now on par with the capital of the Jia Ma Empire, and Yuan Manor had become a force even more formidable than the Yun Lan Sect.
This realization made Mo Yu's image in Xiao Yan's heart even greater.
Upon arriving at the Yuan Manor hall, Xiao Yan found a moment of privacy and approached Mo Yu with a request.
"Oh? Cousin Xiao Yan, you need these medicinal ingredients?" Mo Yu asked curiously as he glanced at the list Xiao Yan handed over.
Xiao Yan scratched his head sheepishly and replied with a smile, "Yes. Yao Lao has fallen into a deep slumber, and I need to refine a restorative elixir to wake him. However, I can't gather the ingredients quickly enough on my own, so I'll have to trouble you, Cousin Mo Yu."
"No problem. Leave it to me. Yuan Manor will have them ready in two days," Mo Yu assured him with a nod.
"Thank you, Cousin Mo Yu!" Xiao Yan's face lit up with joy, and he gained a deeper appreciation for Yuan Manor's influence.
The ingredients he needed for the restorative elixir were incredibly rare, yet Yuan Manor could gather them in just two days—a testament to its terrifying power.
"By the way, Cousin Xiao Yan, once Yao Lao wakes up, could I have a private meeting with him?" Mo Yu asked thoughtfully.
Xiao Yan was briefly taken aback but quickly nodded without hesitation, despite not knowing why Mo Yu wanted to meet Yao Lao.
Five Days Later
In the secret chamber of Yuan Manor, Mo Yu gazed at the hovering, ethereal figure of an elderly man and felt a trace of surprise at Xiao Yan's efficiency.
After Yuan Manor collected the ingredients in two days, Xiao Yan had eagerly begun refining the restorative elixir, successfully completing it in three days and awakening Yao Lao.
Following a brief, joyful conversation with Yao Lao, Xiao Yan mentioned Mo Yu's request and quietly left the chamber.
Once Xiao Yan had departed, Yao Lao turned his attention to Mo Yu. Feeling the latter's aura, a flicker of astonishment appeared in the old man's cloudy eyes. Stroking his translucent beard, Yao Lao remarked, "To think you've broken through to Dou Huang in just a few years. Truly exceptional talent.
"Xiao Yan mentioned you wanted to speak with me privately. Now that it's just us, go ahead."
Hearing this, Mo Yu nodded solemnly and cupped his hands respectfully. "I apologize for interrupting your reunion with my cousin, Yao Lao, but I have an important matter to consult with you about.
"Do you have any information regarding the Nine-Winged Purple-Gold Serpent?"
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