Chapter Thirty-Nine: Hidden Worries of the Family

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The Blueflame family, dormant for over twenty years, finally had a descendant awaken once more, regaining the power of the “Blueflame.” Xu Wen had already learned of this from his master.

He also understood clearly that on the road to Azure Cloud Academy, “Blueflame Lie” would be his greatest obstacle. If he could not overcome it, the spot would likely fall into the hands of the Sixth Alchemy Peak.

Xu Wen had also learned some details about the mysterious power of the Blueflame family from his master. This kind of mysterious power, inherited through the bloodline, was not uncommon on the Soul Continent, and was highly sought after and protected by many medium-sized families.

Typically, the strength of an awakened bearer of such power would fluctuate—the stronger the person, the greater the boost from the mysterious force; the weaker, the less pronounced the effect.

A seven-star high-ranked Magus from the Blueflame family had once used the “Blueflame” to temporarily raise his strength to the level of an eight-star Grand Magus—a leap of five whole ranks. However, with Blueflame Lie's meager two-star, seven-tier fire magic and his still-fresh control after awakening, at best he could briefly reach the destructive power of a three-star, first-tier spell. Moreover, his proficiency was surely not high.

Yet even this modest leap of three tiers was enough to decide the outcome of a duel between low-ranked fire mages...

A three-star fire spell was not something that could be rivaled by the “Devil’s Eye,” which purely enhanced mental power and did not truly increase destructive force. In contrast, the Blueflame did just the opposite: it did not raise mental strength but perfectly amplified destructive power, far beyond what two-star fire defense magic could withstand!

The inner sect disciple tournament was fought in teams of five, and with the other four shielding him, a three-star fire spell became an extremely deadly threat!

No wonder Xie Zhan and Jin Yu, who knew Blueflame Lie’s situation well, wore such grave expressions.

Among the younger inner sect disciples, a team with a three-star fire mage could sweep all other teams aside...

It was for this reason that Mi Xue was stirred, realizing just how formidable the obstacle before Xu Wen and his companions was!

Now, facing a fire mage chosen by fate, and possessing both alchemy and fire magic talent, could Xu Wen successfully lead the Seventh Alchemy Peak’s inner sect disciples to shine at Azure Cloud Academy?

“The elders are entering, Sister Mi Xue!”

Xu Wen’s voice snapped Mi Xue out of her reverie. She quickly swept her gaze over the distant dais and the dense crowd of inner sect disciples below, noticing that the elders on the dais had begun announcing the tournament’s rules. The group hurried over.

On the way, Xu Wen was inevitably questioned by Xiang Nan and the other three girls about his whereabouts over the past half-month.

They were quite curious: had their master been giving him special lessons during this time...?

“I was discussing the formula for the ‘Fixed Fire Pill’ with Master. Here, take this; if your opponent is Blueflame Lie, crush it and apply it here before you enter the arena.”

Naturally, Xu Wen would not reveal what he had been doing these past days. Instead, he handed each of the four a pill, successfully diverting their attention.

“This thing again?”

Xie Zhan recognized it at once—it was the pill Xu Wen had given him during his first trip to the Blackwater Mountains. At the time, he hadn’t explained its use, and thinking back now, there were many questions.

The three girls eyed the dull gray pill in their hands with curiosity and asked Xie Zhan, “What’s it for?”

“It’s a low-level elixir, has a strong invigorating effect, and is also a precaution against unexpected situations...” Seeing the four’s eager faces, Xu Wen said vaguely that he’d explain after the battle. He had no intention of revealing the existence of “Drunken Breeze” in front of others—such a thing would seem unsporting to outsiders. Besides, he was confident he wouldn’t lose to Blueflame Lie and the rest. If something truly unexpected happened, then he’d reconsider...

The quota for Azure Cloud Academy was a major matter for the Huo Dunkelin family. This year’s tournament was personally overseen by the patriarch, Mu Yuanshan!

After a short, rousing speech, the elders explained the tournament rules.

As before!

Each peak assembled its own team—five per group—to participate.

For those under fifteen, things were straightforward: with thirty-seven peaks, all thirty-seven teams signed up to compete for the spots.

They weren’t just fighting for entry to Azure Cloud Academy’s prestigious ranks, but also to prove themselves before the elders and patriarch of the family!

Each team sent a “captain” to draw lots. Teams with consecutive numbers became opponents. The tournament was single elimination, five-on-five free-for-alls—one round, loser eliminated, winner advancing.

Xu Wen did not wish to stand out too much in the Huo Dunkelin family, so he entrusted the lot-drawing to Xie Zhan...

The boy’s luck was poor.

Number thirteen!

Fortunately, Xu Wen didn’t find this number particularly meaningful. He kept his head down among the Seventh Alchemy Peak’s inner sect disciples, recalling his master’s instructions before departure.

The situation in the Huo Dunkelin family was more complex than he’d imagined! Besides the questions Wan’er had brought him, now there was the Blueflame family as well...

When the patriarch entrusted him with an earth-emperor grade alchemy formula, he also asked his master to give him an additional task—defeat Blueflame Lie and keep him in the Huo Dunkelin family!

As a descendant of the honored lineage that had gradually faded from the family’s memory over the past twenty years, the Blueflame family, now far from the centers of power, had accumulated too much resentment. In their impatience for results, they had filled Blueflame Lie’s head with things that were detrimental to his growth as a youth!

Under such circumstances, the newly awakened Blueflame Lie was not suited to leave the family.

For the sake of both the Huo Dunkelin family and Blueflame Lie himself, he could not be allowed to head to Azure Cloud Academy just yet.

Xu Wen’s goal was the same as Mu Yuanshan’s—and as a member of the younger generation, only he was qualified to pose a threat to Blueflame Lie and help accomplish this aim.

As for the other internal struggles of the Huo Dunkelin family, Xu Wen had no interest in them, nor the energy to spare. Once today’s quota was decided, they would set off for the imperial capital thousands of miles away at dawn, not returning for at least three years. The intrigues of the small family no longer concerned him.

While he pondered, teams had already begun entering the five dueling arenas...

Xu Wen glanced over and quickly lost interest.

The quality of new inner sect disciples from the other Alchemy Peaks was noticeably lower than that of the Seventh Alchemy Peak—most were between two-star, second-tier and two-star, third-tier in strength, and those with mid-level two-star power were rare indeed.

Additionally, many teams lacked any sort of tacit understanding—it was truly a “free-for-all,” with the occasional farcical moment of someone accidentally injuring a teammate with a fireball, much to the amusement of the elders on the dais, though the elder who’d trained the unfortunate disciple wished he could crawl into a hole.

At that moment—

A massive super fireball suddenly erupted from one of the arenas to the left!

Amidst thunderous cheers, five low-level fire mages, caught off guard, shrieked and were forced from the stage in disarray.

“That’s Blueflame Lie’s group!” Xie Zhan reminded them grimly.

Xu Wen glanced over and nodded nonchalantly. “He’s already formed an elemental vortex; his spellcasting speed far surpasses that of a beginner two-star fire mage. Nothing surprising. But...” In fact, he rather appreciated Blueflame Lie’s decisive action, driving an entire group from the stage with one grand fireball.

Clean and efficient, without any unnecessary fuss.

Though for those five opponents, it must have been a heavy blow...

“Hmph! That brat from the Blueflame family is getting too cocky! None of the other four in his team even acted... Are they throwing down a gauntlet at us?”

“Brother Xu, why don’t you use the same move later and steal his thunder?” Xiang Nan called out indignantly from the crowd, her clear voice catching the attention of many inner sect disciples nearby.

“After that display, who’s going to fall for the same trick again?” Shiya rolled her eyes at her.

On reflection, Xiang Nan sighed, “Then what do we do? Just let them bask in the spotlight?” Her tomboyish nature was clearly ruffled at being outshone by the Sixth Alchemy Peak.

“Let them be. Wherever he climbs, we’ll knock him down from there.”

At these words, the gazes of the inner sect disciples nearby turned, astonished, to the calm youth who had spoken so boldly, visibly shaken.

“Exactly!” Jin Yu and the other two girls’ eyes sparkled, their last trace of worry vanishing completely.