Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

A few days later, outside Peace Town at Canaan Academy.

Two figures in black robes stood on a small hillside, looking into the distance. The visitors were Zi Yan and Jiang Yun, who had just exited the secret realm. After leaving the realm, they were transported to an unfamiliar location, and it took a lot of effort to find their way back.

In the distance, between two towering mountains, there was a faintly visible small town. Seeing that town, both Jiang Yun and Zi Yan felt a sense of relief. In the past few days, they had encountered many desperados in the Black-Corner Domain. Many who hadn't entered the secret realm were waiting outside, targeting those who came out. Even though they were transported to a remote location, they still went through several battles, even encountering a Dou Wang-level ambush.

They showed no mercy to these robbers and sent them all to the afterlife. A Dou Wang was also beaten to death by Zi Yan's dragon fists! After collecting several valuable storage rings, Jiang Yun and Zi Yan finally made a fortune, aligning with Jiang Yun's status as an alchemist.

"Remember, if anyone asks, stick to our story!" Jiang Yun reminded uneasily as they approached Peace Town.

"Got it, got it. If Elder Su Qian asks, we'll say we found an unknown strange fire in the secret realm, and you absorbed it, gaining the talent to refine medicine by accident!" Looking at Jiang Yun, Zi Yan repeated their agreed story impatiently.

Jiang Yun nodded and patted Zi Yan's head. "Sneaking around is inconvenient. With a legitimate reason, I can use my alchemy skills to gather herbs extensively, helping you grow faster."

Revealing his alchemical talent was something Jiang Yun had already planned. The identity of an alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent could bring him significant assistance and save a lot of trouble. Besides, he indeed needed systematic alchemy training, and this was a good opportunity. Whether Su Qian and the others believed it was beyond Jiang Yun's control, but the fact remained that Jiang Yun was an alchemical genius. If there were any questions, just blame the strange fire!

"Hmph, otherwise, I wouldn't help you cover it up!" Zi Yan said proudly, raising her little head.

"Hehe," Jiang Yun chuckled, watching Zi Yan. Such a childish nature!

After revealing their identity as inner academy students and because the commotion Jiang Yun caused hadn't subsided, they easily entered Peace Town. Surrounded by looks of awe, respect, and admiration from the students, Zi Yan extended her Dou Qi wings and took Jiang Yun flying towards the inner academy.

"Is that the legendary Jiang Yun who crushed the Fire Energy Capture Competition?"

"If you're that envious, work hard and perhaps one day you'll have a chance too!"

"Who's envious? I know my limits. I envy him for having a Dou Wang childhood friend more!"

"Damn, me too!!!"

Soon, Zi Yan and Jiang Yun returned to their dormitory. The continuous battles had exhausted both of them mentally. Once back, they each retreated to their rooms for a good night's rest.

The next day.

Jiang Yun woke up, feeling the abundant Dou Qi within him. Satisfied, he nodded. The secret realm turned out to be an unexpected gain. Originally, he intended to get some Earth Core Quenching Body Milk to breakthrough to Dou Ling, but now he had reached Four-Star Dou Ling. More importantly, he discovered another way to use the Heavenly Sage Flame. The Heavenly Sage Flame was composed of black and white flames, with white representing life and black representing death. It reminded him of the Yin-Yang Twin Flames ranked 21st on the Strange Flame List.

The two were quite similar!

"Hmm?" At that moment, Jiang Yun sensed something and walked outside. As expected, Elder Su Qian was sitting on a chair in the living room.

"Elder!"

"You're a Dou Ling now?" Su Qian looked at Jiang Yun in surprise as soon as he appeared.

"By luck!"

"Good, good!" Satisfied with Jiang Yun's humility, Su Qian smiled appreciatively.

"What are you all making noise about? Can't a person get any sleep?" At that moment, a crisp, angry voice sounded. Zi Yan came down the stairs, looking displeased, with a sleepy expression.

Su Qian and Jiang Yun exchanged a helpless look.

"Oh! It's you, Old Su!" Drowsy, Zi Yan finally recognized Su Qian, showing some awareness.

"Zi Yan has been exhausted these past few days. Please don't mind, Elder!" Jiang Yun walked over, seating Zi Yan and handing her a pill.

"..." Su Qian looked at Jiang Yun in disbelief, then at Zi Yan, with a complex expression.

"?" Seeing Su Qian's pained expression, Jiang Yun felt misunderstood and hastily explained, "Elder, do you know about the Dou Zun relic that appeared in the Black-Corner Domain a few days ago?"

"Hmm?" Su Qian's thoughts were pulled back. Looking at Jiang Yun and then at Zi Yan, he seemed to understand. "You went there!"

Seeing Jiang Yun smiling without denying, Su Qian couldn't help but remark, "You are quite bold. I heard all the Dou Huang and Dou Zong in the Black-Corner Domain were drawn there. Yet, you two, a Dou Wang and a Dou Ling, dared to join the fun?"

"Truly getting old!"

"Old Su, those weren't much trouble. We got some good stuff this time!" Zi Yan said, swallowing the pill and curling her lip.

"What good stuff?" Su Qian was curious. Treasures from a Dou Zun relic had to be extraordinary. For something to be considered good by Zi Yan, it must be remarkable. Su Qian was intrigued by what they had snatched from Dou Huang and Dou Zong hands.

"Elder, we were lucky to obtain a strange fire!" Jiang Yun said, flipping his hand to reveal a white flame that exuded a life-imbued aura.

"A strange fire!!!"

Su Qian's eyes widened at the flame emitting intense heat and burgeoning life force, feeling a hint of threat. He revealed a rare look of surprise.

"Indeed, a strange fire!" Jiang Yun said with timely delight.

"You are indeed fortunate!" Su Qian marveled at the flame. Strange fires, these heavenly treasures, always drew countless strong fighters, but few actually obtained them.

"However, your strange fire doesn't seem to match any on the Strange Fire List!"

Calming himself, Su Qian said doubtfully, observing Jiang Yun's white flame. According to Su Qian, only the Bone Chilling Flame, ranked 11th, was white. Among those with life force, only the Wailing Dew Flame, ranked 5th, fit, but neither matched Jiang Yun's flame exactly!

"The Dou Qi Continent is vast; we can't predict whether new strange fires might emerge somewhere." Jiang Yun retracted the flame with a faint smile.

"That's true!" Su Qian nodded in agreement. "Do you want to name your strange fire? Maybe one day, it could become the 24th flame on the list."

"Let's call it the Undying Sacred Flame!"

"Sounds good. I hope to hear of the Undying Sacred Flame spreading your fame across the continent," Su Qian nodded approvingly, stroking his beard.

"Old Su, after refining the strange fire, it seems Xiao Yun can make medicine now!" Zi Yan reported excitedly.

"Wh-What?" Su Qian jerked, pulling out a tuft of his white beard in shock. "Is that true? You can refine medicine?"

Jiang Yun nodded. "What I lacked was a trace of wood energy. Now I substitute it with the life force in the flame. Here's a Grade 1 Revitalizing Pill for you to see."

Handing over a prepared pill, Su Qian examined it closely, recognizing it as a Grade 1 pill with fine patterns, showing its high quality.

"Hahaha—good, good!" Su Qian laughed heartily, looking at Jiang Yun as if he were a rare treasure. Jiang Yun's impressive soul talent had already earned Su Qian's attention. Initially, the lack of wood energy was regrettable, but now that was resolved, Su Qian was elated, seeing a rising alchemist master in Jiang Yun.

"By the way, how did you learn the method to make the Revitalizing Pill?" Su Qian asked curiously.

"What's so difficult? My Xiao Yun is a genius!" Zi Yan proudly interjected.

Jiang Yun detailed how he learned alchemy, impressing Su Qian. "Ah, if you couldn't refine medicine, it would be a great injustice!" Su Qian exclaimed, astonished by Jiang Yun's ability to recreate alchemy methods just by watching others.

"Elder, I wish to join the alchemy faction!" Jiang Yun requested.

"Of course. Old Huo will be delighted!" Su Qian agreed with a smile, joking about his old friend.

"No time like the present. Let's go now!" Su Qian, ever decisive, led Jiang Yun towards the alchemy faction.

The inner academy's alchemy faction differed slightly from the outer academy. The building resembled an alchemy cauldron, with flame openings as windows and a large cauldron lid atop the roof. A signboard above read "Inner Academy Alchemy Faction" with additional words beside: "Alchemist Association".

"What is this?" Jiang Yun asked, puzzled.

"Haha, our Canaan Academy's inner academy alchemy faction is also the only Alchemist Association in the Black-Corner Domain. Certifications here are recognized continent-wide," Su Qian explained proudly.

Jiang Yun understood. Every city had an Alchemist Association for certification acknowledged by the central Dan Tower. Canaan Academy's feature wasn't surprising but essential for graduates. Entering the building, they were welcomed by a pleasant medicinal fragrance, soothing to the senses.

Inside, it wasn't crowded, with a few people quietly busy. A middle-aged man approached respectfully. "Elder!"

"Is old Huo here?"

"He's in the backyard!"

"I'll head back myself," Su Qian said, leading Jiang Yun.

Other instructors exchanged curious glances, pondering Jiang Yun's identity.

As the alchemy faction's head, Elder Huo had his own small courtyard, modestly built with green bamboo.

At the serene courtyard's entrance, Su Qian knocked and called, "Old Huo, I brought you a treasure."

"Elder?" replied a puzzled voice from within. Elder Huo emerged.

"What brings you here, Elder?"

]=="