Fire Mountain.

Ever since Jiang Chen first entered the Secret Realm, the density of the Power of the Great Dao at the five places of opportunity has weakened significantly, and Fire Mountain is no exception.

Yet today, the culprit Jiang Chen has come to Fire Mountain.

"Jiang Chen, the three-tier division of Fire Mountain is different from other places. The first tier is within a hundred-meter radius of the crater, the second tier consists of fifty stone platforms inside the crater, and the third tier is composed of ten fire道台 on the surface of the volcanic magma."

Sang Zhenye chuckled as he explained to Jiang Chen, "Those ten fire道台 were constructed by the first headmaster and the academy's four Great Elders together. Cultivating there deepens your understanding of the Fire Path by more than tenfold. However, not everyone can cultivate there; if your comprehension of the Fire Path is insufficient, you won't be able to withstand the intense temperatures."

"Thank you, teacher!"

Jiang Chen nodded lightly, expressed his gratitude, and his figure flashed as he leaped to the summit of Fire Mountain.

Sang Zhenye did not remain at the summit; instead, he rose into the sky, gazing down at Jiang Chen below.

"Brother Jiang."

Just as Jiang Chen landed on Fire Mountain, a voice called out, and the students cultivating at the crater turned their heads to look.

"Is that Brother Jiang?"

"It should be. I haven't seen any core students at the Divine Infant Realm Early Stage except him!"

"Brother Jiang is quite handsome, isn't he?"

"Hehe, what's this? Getting infatuated? Even our senior sister at the Fire-Spirit Academy gets infatuated?"

"You, silly girl!"

As the voice spread, the students whispered among themselves, and several seductive women in skirts and sleeveless tops joked about Jiang Chen.

"Senior Brother Zhang Qian."

Jiang Chen scanned the crowd, paused briefly on the women, then cupped his hand towards the one who called him.

"Brother Jiang, are you planning to cultivate in the crater?"

Zhang Qian chuckled, clearly aware of Jiang Chen's talent—he knew Jiang Chen wouldn't just cultivate outside the crater.

"Yes, here to do some cultivation."

Jiang Chen smiled slightly, then glanced at Zhang Qian, sensing the subtle aura of the Fire Path within him, "I didn't expect Senior Brother Zhang Qian to comprehend three paths, that's rare indeed!"

"Compared to Brother Jiang, what am I, really?"

Zhang Qian chuckled softly, a hint of gratitude in his eyes, "Thank you, Brother Jiang, for the reward from our last mission; it stirred a bit of Bloodline Power within me, allowing me insight into the Fire Path."

"Bloodline Power?"

Jiang Chen's eyes lit up, looking at Zhang Qian with surprise.

"Brother Jiang, don't think too much; my Bloodline Power differs greatly from Bo Liancheng's bloodline."

Zhang Qian seemed to understand Jiang Chen's thoughts, chuckled and shook his head, "Bloodline Power has grades and density; my bloodline is of low grade and rather thin, it's nothing much!"

"Brother Zhang Qian is as modest as always!"

A somewhat mocking voice sounded as a man in a fiery red robe approached.

"Brother Zhang Qian, Bloodline Power is the legacy of families once having top-tier experts, those being Integration Realm Peak and above."

He cast a glance at Jiang Chen, then stared intently at Zhang Qian, "As far as I know, your ancestor was once a Semi-Saint, right? If your bloodline awakens over time, maybe you'll reach the Semi Saint Realm too!"

Jiang Chen was stunned, surprised at Zhang Qian's formidable ancestry.

However...

Turning to glance at the man, Jiang Chen frowned slightly. Why did it seem like he wasn't complimenting Zhang Qian, but rather causing trouble?

Zhang Qian's face shifted slightly, and he cupped his hand towards the man, "Senior Brother Chen, you've overpraised me; it's been several hundred thousand years since my ancestor existed, the bloodline has thinned significantly."

"You know it, don't you? Yet you still used it to claim my spot?"

The red-robed man's face darkened abruptly, glaring fiercely at Zhang Qian.

"Spot?"

Jiang Chen was slightly confused, looking towards Zhang Qian.

"Fire Mountain is quite unique, the Fire Path within the crater harbors extreme heat; even Late Divine Infant Realm cultivators struggle to last long on the stone platforms above the magma."

Zhang Qian's face subtly changed, he explained quietly, "Thus, the academy's headmaster crafted ten fire道符 to reward those with contributions or notable talent, helping resist the heat. Due to my bloodline awakening, the headmaster favored me and gave me one."

"That was mine!"

The red-robed man spoke with a suppressed tone, "Zhang Qian, be sensible and return the talisman to me, or at the tournament in six months you'll be sorry!"

"Tournament in six months?"

Jiang Chen was slightly startled, once again glancing at Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian's expression turned gloomy as he looked at the red-robed man, then ignored him, turning to Jiang Chen and softly explaining, "Every year the academy hosts a student tournament, but core students and elite students don't need to participate, only ordinary students must, to monitor their cultivation."

"I'm talking to you!"

Zhang Qian's repeated disregard incited the red-robed man's anger, he swung forcefully at Zhang Qian.

Though Zhang Qian ignored him due to talking with Jiang Chen, the red-robed man dared not redirect his fury at Jiang Chen—a battle days ago garnered respect for Jiang Chen among the academy's elders, staff, and students, leaving the man to target Zhang Qian instead.

Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, the aura from the red-robed man indicated his strength had reached the Mid Divine Infant Realm, his Great Dao comprehension strong. If Zhang Qian still possessed the same strength since their joint mission, he likely wouldn't stand a chance.

As he moved to assist Zhang Qian,

"I'll handle it!"

Detecting Jiang Chen's intent, Zhang Qian spoke softly, raised his fist, and struck the red-robed man's palm.

Boom!

A deep rumbling sounded, surrounding students stepped back a few paces, yet Jiang Chen remained still.

Thump, thump, thump!

Both Zhang Qian and the red-robed man were forced back three steps by the impact.

"Damn it! You dare fight me?"

The red-robed man shouted in rage, moving to attack Zhang Qian anew.

"Enough!"

A firm voice rang out, a seductive figure appeared before Zhang Qian, glaring coldly at the red-robed man.

"Senior Sister, the fire道符 should rightfully be mine!"

The red-robed man halted, speaking with resentment.

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