Battle Through the Heavens: Marry Cao Ying, Reward is Devouring Ancestral Symbol

discussDeep within the Inner Academy of the Jia Nan Academy, in an isolated courtyard.

Shen Wen sat cross-legged within the Quiet Room, his aura calm and concentrated.

Over the past month, he had not been in a rush to urge Elder Su, but instead took the opportunity to carefully sort through all the gains from his various encounters.

The power of the devouring ancestral talisman could now be circulated more harmoniously, and its integration with his Chaos Dou Qi had become increasingly tight.

His use of the space ancestral talisman was no longer limited to simple imprisonment or displacement; he had begun to attempt more precise control.

The Flame Ancestral Symbol had merged with the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame; its power was restrained, yet it added an extra layer of ease, as if it were an extension of his own arm.

Various Dou Techniques, especially the newly acquired True Phoenix Treasure Technique, were cross-referenced with the previously mastered True Dragon Precious Art and Kun Peng Treasure Technique. Although he had not practiced them deeply, he had initially clarified their pathways and directions.

In terms of Alchemy, he reviewed all his insights from low-grade to seventh-grade, integrating what Old Monster Lin had passed on with his own realizations, making his System clearer and more complete.

Outside of his daily Cultivate, he also often spent time with Cao Ying, Cai Lin, Xiao Yi Xian, Dan Chen, and Qing Lin.

Whether it was discussing difficulties in their cultivation, guiding them in Alchemy or poison arts, or occasionally just sipping tea and chatting, laughter could often be heard from the courtyard.

Between him and Cai Lin, that initial contractual bond had long since settled into a deeper understanding and affection through their days spent together.

Just a few days ago, the System notified him that his favorability with Cai Lin had reached fifty percent.

The reward that followed was none other than the True Phoenix Treasure Technique, one of the Ten Fiend Treasure Techniques.

This treasure technique cross-referenced with the Phoenix Wing Divine Ability he had previously realized by refining the Heavenly Demon Phoenix magic core, giving him new insights into the path of transformation between fire and life.

Shen Wen’s days at the Jia Nan Academy naturally attracted the attention of everyone in the Inner Academy.

Their group’s appearance and temperament were already outstanding, and with Shen Wen as the new head of the Alchemy Department, his Alchemy became the focus.

Especially the fourth-grade Medicinal Pill, the qingling pill, which he had improved and developed by combining the characteristics of the Fire Poison in the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.

This pill could instantly remove all accumulated Fire Poison from the body and, for a period after consumption, allow people to enter the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower to Cultivate without being disturbed by Fire Poison.

Once the news spread, it caused quite a sensation in the Inner Academy.

Although the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower allowed for fast cultivation, the suffering of accumulated Fire Poison plagued too many students. While cases as severe as Lin Yan’s were rare, almost everyone had mild Fire Poison.

The effect of the qingling pill was truly miraculous.

However, it was a fourth-grade Medicinal Pill after all, requiring several rare medicinal ingredients or items of equivalent value, which was certainly not something ordinary students could easily afford.

Even so, people coming to the Alchemy Department to seek the pill or make inquiries were endless.

As for the accumulated Fire Poison in Lin Yan’s body, it was not so simple; it indeed required a sixth-grade qingling pill to be completely resolved.

Of course, that was in terms of Medicinal Pill.

Using other methods, Shen Wen could resolve it easily.

Both the devouring ancestral talisman and the Flame Ancestral Symbol could do it.

However, Lin Yan was not anyone to him, unless he could pay the price.

Shen Wen did not do it himself; he simply handed the Pill Formula and key points for refining to Fire Elder, leaving the Alchemy Department responsible for handling the refining.

This qingling pill, along with the profound knowledge he displayed during his lectures and the brilliance of his casual guidance, caused the name of Elder Shen to spread throughout the entire Inner Academy in just one month.

On this day, Shen Wen had just finished his morning Cultivate and was reading an ancient book at the stone table in the courtyard.

Cao Ying was brewing tea nearby, Xiao Yi Xian and Dan Chen were whispering about a detail in a poison Pill Formula, and Qing Lin was practicing controlling her newly acquired bone wings not far away. Trails of cyan wind swirls surrounded her; although slightly awkward, they were already beginning to take shape.

Cai Lin sat under the veranda, her hand gently stroking her lower abdomen, a soft expression on her cold, beautiful face as she quietly watched the scene in the courtyard.

Suddenly, steady footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, followed by a gentle knock.

Shen Wen raised his eyes and put down the book in his hand.

Cao Ying also stopped her movements, her beautiful eyes looking toward the courtyard gate.

Xiao Yi Xian and Dan Chen stopped talking, and Qing Lin retracted the wind swirls around her, standing obediently beside Xiao Yi Xian.

Cai Lin’s gaze also turned over.

The courtyard gate was pushed open, and the figure of Su Qian appeared at the entrance. Behind him followed a purple-haired little girl, peeking and poking her head—it was Zi Yan.

Su Qian was wearing a deep blue Elder robe today, and his expression appeared a bit more serious than usual.

Zi Yan had a curious yet somewhat reluctant look on her face.

Her amethyst-like big eyes rolled around, stopping on Shen Wen’s face for a moment before being attracted by the few plates of exquisite snacks Cao Ying had just placed on the stone table.

Su Qian walked into the courtyard, cupped his hands at Shen Wen, and squeezed a smile onto his face.

”Young Friend Shen, apologies for the intrusion.”

Shen Wen stood up and returned the greeting.

”Elder Su, you are too polite. Please, sit.”

Su Qian sat down on the other side of the stone table, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the courtyard.

Without needing an invitation, Zi Yan approached the table herself, her eyes fixed on the snacks, while secretly glancing at Shen Wen.

Shen Wen nodded slightly to Cao Ying. Cao Ying understood, took a plate of snacks, handed it to Zi Yan, and smiled.

”Miss Zi Yan, try this.”

Zi Yan’s eyes lit up. She took the plate and, without being polite, picked up a piece and stuffed it into her mouth. Her cheeks immediately bulged, and she mumbled.

”Delicious!”

Su Qian looked at her helplessly, shook his head, and then turned to Shen Wen, took a deep breath, and spoke slowly.

”Young Friend Shen, over this past month, I have thought long and hard. Regarding Zi Yan’s origin, and... the matter of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, I have finally reached a decision.”

As Su Qian’s voice fell, the courtyard went silent for a moment.

Zi Yan had just stuffed the second piece of snack into her mouth. Upon hearing this, her chewing slowly stopped. With bulging cheeks, a thick sense of confusion rose in her amethyst-like eyes.

She looked at Su Qian’s serious profile, then turned to look at Shen Wen, and asked vaguely, ”What about my rights? Old man, what are you talking about?”

Su Qian did not answer Zi Yan immediately, only looking at Shen Wen. In his gaze, there was the calmness of having made up his mind, but also a trace of imperceptible tension.

Shen Wen met his gaze and nodded, indicating he understood.

”As for the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower,” Su Qian continued, his voice lowering a bit, ”I would like to invite Young Friend Shen to accompany me deep into the bottom of the tower one of these days to take a look.”

”Although I check the specific situation of the Seal regularly, I am ultimately not as... knowledgeable as you, Young Friend.”

”If the situation is truly as you said, and extremely critical, then I am afraid... I am afraid I will have to shamelessly ask for your help.”

By the end, his tone was heavy, carrying a clear sense of entreaty.

Shen Wen’s expression was calm; he did not refuse.

”Since I have already pointed this out, I will naturally not stand idly by. Once I have made some preparations, I will go down and take a look with Elder Su.”

Hearing this, Su Qian’s tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and gratitude appeared in his eyes.

After Shen Wen finished speaking, his gaze turned to Zi Yan, who was still in a daze.

”Zi Yan.”

Zi Yan subconsciously replied, ”Huh?”

Shen Wen looked at her and asked directly, ”The rights Elder Su just mentioned are about your origin. I am asking you now: do you want to know what your true identity is?”