The reason Gu Fei was spending time in Jia Nan City instead of directly taking the Fallen Heart Flame, as he had with the Sea Heart Flame, was because he wasn't entirely sure of the exact location of the Inner Academy. Additionally, Jia Nan City had some unique features that made it worthwhile to explore with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin to experience the local culture.
Of course, if he really wanted to find the Inner Academy, he could have, but that would have been a waste of time. Having someone from the Inner Academy personally guide him was much more convenient.
The Inner Academy was located deep in the vast mountains behind Jia Nan City, a place unknown to ordinary people. The dense forest was filled with various magical beasts. Even from high in the sky, they could see many strange and bizarre creatures below. If an ordinary person were to venture in, they would have to fight their way through just to reach the Inner Academy. However, under the intimidating presence of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, few beasts dared to challenge them.
After flying for about half an hour, Su Qian and Hu Gan stopped. Su Qian glanced back at Gu Fei. Sensing something, Gu Fei commanded the Lion King to halt abruptly.
"Are we there?" Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin looked ahead, scanning their surroundings carefully. However, all they saw was an endless stretch of greenery and a deep, bottomless ravine below. There was no sign of the Inner Academy, not even a single person in sight. They both turned to Gu Fei in confusion.
Xiao Yi Xian feels puzzled, emotional value +100
Qing Lin feels puzzled, emotional value +70
"There's a spatial seal up ahead," Gu Fei explained with a smile.
Shortly after Gu Fei finished speaking, Su Qian descended slightly and walked forward a dozen steps in mid-air. Then, he paused, waved his hand, and an energy beam shot out, striking what appeared to be empty space in front of him. Immediately, a strange sight unfolded as ripples, like those on the surface of water, spread out. These ripples quickly coalesced, and a large, 26m tall, silver door materialized out of thin air!
Seeing the door suddenly appear, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin were both startled, their eyes filled with amazement.
"Brother Gu Fei, is that the spatial seal?" Qing Lin asked excitedly. The seal was indeed mysterious, and Qing Lin, unable to contain her curiosity, moved closer to get a better look.
For a door to suddenly appear in an empty space was something even Xiao Yi Xian found remarkable. Clearly, neither of them had expected such a secret to be hidden in such an ordinary place.
With a light wave of his hand, Su Qian opened the silver door, which creaked as it revealed the scene beyond. The area behind the door appeared to be just as densely forested as the one in front of it, almost indistinguishable.
It was truly incredible-what you saw with your eyes might not always be real.
Gu Fei had noticed the peculiarity of this place from the start. Xiao Yi Xian's face remained calm, but her eyes burned with determination. Qing Lin's eyes were filled with anticipation. Both women, inspired by what they had witnessed, were more motivated than ever to improve their own strength. Xiao Yi Xian, who wasn't particularly skilled in cultivation, now found herself longing for greater power, wanting to become stronger so she wouldn't hold Gu Fei back.
After the spatial door opened wide, Su Qian called out, "Senior, please follow me!"
The Inner Academy members sped up, flying through the door. Gu Fei, without hesitation, ordered the Lion King to follow Su Qian through the spatial gate.
Even if Su Qian had any tricks up his sleeve, Gu Fei wasn't worried. Unless the academy's old headmaster, Mang Tian Chi, took action himself, there was no one in Jia Nan Academy who could stop Gu Fei.
They continued flying for some time. After crossing a high ridge, a massive sunken basin came into view below them.
Seeing the shape of the basin, Xiao Yi Xian was once again struck with awe. The basin didn't look like it had formed naturally from geological activity. Instead, it resembled a giant crater formed by a meteor crashing to the earth...
From a distance, the basin was filled with towering buildings. Looking down from above, one could barely make out tiny figures flitting around the structures like fleas.
As she continued to look ahead, Xiao Yi Xian noticed that the basin was extraordinarily large. Her vision reached its limit, but all she could see were more tall buildings and lush greenery.
It was almost impossible to imagine that such a hidden wonder existed deep in the mountains behind Jia Nan Academy!
"I can sense the aura of the Fallen Heart Flame!"
Upon reaching this point, Gu Fei could clearly detect the aura of the Fallen Heart Flame. He lifted his chin, signaling the Lion King to fly toward the northern part of the Inner Academy.
Before Su Qian could give directions, he noticed the Lion King heading in the right direction. He shook his head, sighed, and followed once more.
A massive flying magical beast soared over the Inner Academy. Gu Fei didn't bother concealing their presence, allowing the Lion King to fly boldly toward their destination.
The commotion naturally caught the attention of many people. Within the Inner Academy, numerous students looked up in shock, their gazes fixed on the Amethyst Winged Lion King with astonishment.
Gu Fei suppressed his aura and enveloped Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin in a protective shield, concealing their presence. As a result, the students couldn't detect the three figures riding on the Lion King. They simply assumed it was a high-level magical beast with intelligence.
Though the Lion King's oppressive aura was frightening, and its fierce approach was intimidating, many students instinctively prepared to fight. However, they noticed that Elder Su Qian had entered the Inner Academy first, followed closely by the beast. It was clear that Su Qian was guiding it.
The students didn't think the Amethyst Winged Lion King was there to attack. They gathered in groups, curiously watching the beast's retreating figure, wondering who it belonged to and why Elder Su Qian was personally guiding it.
Following Gu Fei's instructions, the Lion King landed in an open space in front of a black tower.
In their view was an enormous, peculiar black tower, buried deep underground, with only the tip and a dark entrance visible above ground.
"A tower buried underground? How strange!" Xiao Yi Xian's face was filled with even more astonishment at the sight.
(TL/n: I've decided to update twice per day when I've saved up 5 or more chapters. Otherwise, I'll only update once a day. Enjoy!)