74: Negotiate the terms!

Su Qian's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Elders beside him.

The protection of the Jiang Sect could allow the academy to avoid the strife of the Black-Corner Region, and the resources and guidance on how to Cultivate would further elevate the strength of the students; this condition was indeed enticing.

However, the Fallen Heart Flame was the academy's treasure; if anything went wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Sect Master Jiang, it is not that I am unwilling to agree," Su Qian said, setting down his teacup with a grave tone.

"The Fallen Heart Flame has a violent temperament and has been under the academy's Seal for decades, barely suppressed. Once it stirs, only a Dou Zun Expert can suppress it."

"Moreover, it is connected to the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower. If there is the slightest carelessness, the entire Qi Refining tower could collapse, and that is the Foundation for the Disciples of the academy to Cultivate."

"Grand Elder, rest assured." A wisp of Scarlet Dou Qi flickered at Jiang Luo's fingertips, and the scorching aura of the Sea Heart Flame quietly permeated the air.

"I have already refined the Sea Heart Flame, and my control over Heavenly Flames far exceeds that of ordinary people. Furthermore, with my Three-Star Dou Zun strength, I will certainly be able to subdue it safely without damaging the Qi Refining tower in the slightest."

Su Qian was silent for a moment, then conferred in low voices with the Elders for quite a while.

The strength of the Jiang Sect was right before them; if they refused Jiang Luo, it was hard to guarantee that it would not trigger a conflict.

And by accepting the terms, the academy could obtain tangible benefits.

Finally, he raised his eyes to look at Jiang Luo and nodded slowly: "Very well! I represent Jia Nan Academy and agree to Sect Master Jiang's conditions. However, we must establish a blood pact as proof. If you damage the Qi Refining tower or misuse the Fallen Heart Flame, the alliance will be voided immediately!"

Jiang Luo nodded: "Agreed."

After both parties established the blood pact with their essence blood, Su Qian stood up and said: "Sect Master Jiang, follow me. The Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower is in the Inner Academy, and the Fallen Heart Flame is sealed at the bottom of the tower."

After speaking, he waved his hand to summon a silver gate. Runes flowed over the doors, exuding an ancient aura. "This gate leads to the Inner Academy; after entering, you can go directly to the Qi Refining tower."

"Many thanks, Grand Elder." Jiang Luo signaled for Qing Lin and the Dou Huang expert to wait outside, then followed Su Qian alone through the silver gate.

Unlike the bustle of the Outer Academy, the Inner Academy was lush with vegetation and rich in Spiritual Qi, looking more like a Secret Realm.

The Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower stood in the center of the Inner Academy. The tower body was entirely crimson, and the surging fire elements inside could be vaguely seen.

Su Qian stopped and said in a deep voice: "There are still quite a few students Cultivating inside the tower. I have already ordered the Elders on each level to clear them all out. The Fallen Heart Flame has deep hostility toward humans; you must be careful after you go down."

Jiang Luo nodded, watching as the students walked out of the tower one after another.

Some were full of astonishment, while others clutched their Fire Crystal Cards with unwillingness, but they gradually dispersed under the comforting of the Elders.

After the last student left, Su Qian flew to the top of the tower. He condensed a golden Seal in his palm and struck it into the tower tip: "This Seal can isolate the energy inside the tower; even if the Fallen Heart Flame riots, it will not affect the Inner Academy."

With everything ready, Jiang Luo stepped into the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.

The fire elements inside the tower became increasingly dense. The further down he went, the higher the temperature became. By the time he reached the bottom level, the air seemed to be ignited, and an ordinary Dou Huang expert would be unable to withstand it.

However, majestic Dou Qi circulated around Jiang Luo's body, and the aura of the Sea Heart Flame merged with the surrounding fire elements. Not only was he unaffected by the high temperature, but he even felt a faint sense of resonance.

In the center of the tower floor, there was a bottomless magma pit, and the scorching aura was overflowing from it.

Just as Jiang Luo was about to bend down and enter the pit, the magma below suddenly rolled violently. A transparent fire python, twenty to thirty zhang long, suddenly raised its head, its triangular pupils gleaming with invisible flames, staring fixedly at him.

This was the guardian beast derived from the Fallen Heart Flame, with strength comparable to a Peak Dou Zong.

"It is merely a beast spirit derived from a Heavenly Flame, yet you dare to block my path?" Jiang Luo's expression was indifferent as he raised his hand and struck out with a palm.

The majestic Dou Qi condensed into a huge palm print, carrying the might to burn the heavens and destroy the earth, slamming directly into the fire python.

The fire python was completely enraged. Its massive body slapped against the magma, emitting a sharp sound wave attack, while simultaneously carrying violent fire energy and rushing up along the pit.

However, its attack was vulnerable before the strength of a Dou Zun. The Scarlet Dou Qi palm print instantly broke through the sound waves and landed heavily on the fire python.

"Chi——"

The fire python let out a shrill hiss, its body gradually dissipating under the crushing pressure of the Dou Qi.

A suction force appeared at Jiang Luo's fingertips, absorbing all the residual fire energy of the fire python, after which he leaped into the magma pit.

At the bottom of the pit was a vast magma pool. In the center of the pool, a colorless and transparent flame was suspended. The space around the flame was slightly distorted; it was the Fallen Heart Flame.

It seemed to have sensed Jiang Luo's aura; the flame suddenly surged, emitting a terrifying high temperature as if it wanted to swallow everything.