BTTH: DISCIPLE CASHBACK SYSTEM

Chapter 254: Aftermath! The Return!

Inside the Jia Nan Academy's inner courtyard.

Zi Yan, with her small hand clutching a purple ponytail, stood somewhat dazedly next to the huge crater created by the black-robed person's attack.

"Teacher, where did you go?" Zi Yan murmured sadly, gazing at the ruins around her.

Just a moment ago, she had returned to the inner courtyard after receiving a signal, but after asking seven or eight elders in the academy, not a single one had seen Gu He.

As she pondered, Zi Yan's gem-like eyes suddenly dimmed, and then she burst into tears, "Wuu... Where are you, master? Who will give me spiritual medicine and pills to eat if you're gone..."

Just then, a figure in white robes not far behind Zi Yan heard her crying and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"I've only been gone for a short while, and this little one is already wailing?"

Hearing the noise from behind, Zi Yan quickly turned her head and, upon seeing Gu He, her face instantly brightened, revealing a row of white teeth.

"Hehe, it's so good to see you're okay, teacher. I thought you..."

"Thought your teacher was dead?" Gu He glanced at Zi Yan, saying somewhat irritably.

Seeing Gu He's expression, Zi Yan suddenly lowered her head, fiddling with her purple ponytail, too scared to speak.

At this moment, an elder from the academy passed by and, noticing Gu He, excitedly said, "Elder Gu He, it's so good to see you. The Grand Elder and others are looking for you in the council hall to discuss something."

Hearing this, Gu He nodded slightly, "I understand. I'll come with you."

Zi Yan, seeing Gu He being called away by the Grand Elder, stuck out her tongue and smiled mischievously.

...

Inside the council hall of the Jia Nan Academy's inner courtyard.

Su Qian, along with the two guardians, Elder Bai and Elder Qian, stood at the center, surrounded by a dozen Dou Huang realm elders.

"Elder Qian, Elder Bai, the Falling Heart Flame has escaped from the tower and is now untraceable!" Su Qian sighed, "Our inner courtyard's Sky-Burning Qi Refining Tower has lost its original purpose."

"Yes, the Sky-Burning Qi Refining Tower is crucial to the foundation of Jia Nan Academy. Now, all we can do is hope for the dean to return soon," Bai Lie and Qian Mu nodded in agreement.

"Grand Elder, Elder Qian, Elder Bai, since the Sky-Burning Qi Refining Tower is no longer functional, does that mean we have to cancel the top ten ranking competition in the inner courtyard as well?" suddenly, one of the Dou Huang realm elders suggested.

"This... The top ten ranking competition certainly cannot be canceled, as it would greatly reduce the students' motivation to cultivate," Su Qian pondered for a moment before continuing, "As for the rewards, instead of fire energy, heart flame tempering, we could offer spells, fighting techniques, medicinal pills, pill recipes, etc. What do you all think?"

"I agree, Grand Elder. I think it's a very good idea."

"I also agree!"

"However, we need to carefully consider the rewards corresponding to the rankings."

As Su Qian proposed changing the rewards for the competition, the elders in the room immediately engaged in a lively discussion.

Just then, Gu He arrived and was about to quietly stand behind the group of elders when Su Qian called him out.

"Elder Gu He, you've arrived at the perfect time!" Su Qian said with a smile, waving Gu He over.

Gu He had intended to keep a low profile and simply listen to the meeting, but upon his arrival, Su Qian's call turned him into the focus of everyone present.

Seeing this, Gu He had no choice but to walk up to Su Qian reluctantly.

"Elder Gu He, these two are the guardians of our Jia Nan Academy, Elder Qian and Elder Bai."

"Elder Qian, Elder Bai, this is Elder Gu He, a sixth-grade alchemist. You two must have seen him just now!" Su Qian quickly introduced.

"Many thanks to Elder Qian and Elder Bai for the rescue!" After the introduction, Gu He bowed in thanks to the two guardians.

"Ah! Not bad!"

When Elder Qian and Elder Bai saw Gu He coming, a hint of admiration also appeared in their usually calm and waveless eyes.

"To have reached the rank of a sixth-grade alchemist at such a young age, your future is bound to be limitless!"

Hearing their praise, Gu He modestly responded, "Elders, you flatter me."

"There's no need for modesty. Nowadays, in the Black Corner Region, you won't be able to find a second sixth-grade alchemist," Elder Qian said with a smile, squinting his eyes.

Hearing this, Gu He pondered for a moment, then spoke with some anger, "I've also heard about the murder of the Alchemy Emperor Han Feng of Feng City... Does the Soul Hall really act so recklessly?"

Seeing Gu He's angry expression, Su Qian's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he hurriedly replied, "The Soul Hall is indeed a bit too audacious, but... with Elder Qian and Elder Bai here, even if the Soul Hall were to wipe out all the forces in the Black Corner Region, they wouldn't dare to mess with Jia Nan Academy. Nothing will happen here in the Inner Academy."

Hearing Su Qian's words, Qian Mu and Bai Lie also nodded in agreement, "Even if the two of us are not a match, with the dean's extraordinary methods, I believe no one would dare to cause trouble."

At this moment, Gu He also understood some of the reasons why Su Qian had sought him out.

What Su Qian had in mind was that with so many incidents happening in the Inner Academy today, including the terrifying attack by the man in the black robe and the huge invisible fire python rampaging within, it would make someone who had just joined the Inner Academy not long ago feel insecure.

Therefore, at this moment, Su Qian and the others were very calm and confident in the meeting hall, aiming to stabilize everyone's morale.

Understanding their intentions but choosing not to voice them, Gu He did not worry about these matters.

"Indeed, Jia Nan Academy is currently very safe in this Black Corner Region!" Gu He said, going along with their conversation.

...

After the meeting among the leaders of the Inner Academy ended, Gu He slowly returned to his courtyard.

"Master, you're back! What did the elders say?" Zi Yan, who had been waiting for a long time, asked curiously in the yard.

"They didn't say much, mainly about some reconstruction issues of the Inner Academy and changes to the rewards for the future strength rankings," Gu He replied indifferently.

In the yard, upon hearing Gu He's words, Zi Yan's bright and black eyes showed a thoughtful look.

The reward for the strength rankings—Fire Energy, had long been useless to her. Now that it was changed to something else, it naturally attracted her interest.

"Manage it yourself. If you can't win the first place, you won't have spiritual medicine pills to eat in the future!"

Leaving Zi Yan with these words, Gu He then entered the room and quickly set up a seal. At his heart, suddenly, a group of invisible flames emitted a strong light.

This invisible flame was the essence of the Fallen Heart Flame, but now, it had completely lost the violence it had when it first escaped its confinement. At this moment, it quietly stayed in Gu He's heart, constantly refining his body.

(End of Chapter)

Unlock the World of Stories with Early Access on Patreon!

Hello, beloved readers and supporters!

I am thrilled to offer you an exclusive opportunity to dive deeper into our captivating stories before anyone else. By joining the Patreon community, you'll unlock a treasure trove of benefits, including:

Early Access to 20 Chapters: Be the first to explore new chapters, experiencing the twists and turns of our tales well ahead of regular readers. Your journey through our stories doesn't have to wait!

Connect with the Community: Join a vibrant, like-minded group of readers who share your passion. Engage in exciting discussions, share theories, and make new friends who love the stories as much as you do.

Support the Creator: Your patronage directly contributes to the ongoing creation and improvement of the content you love. Be a vital part of the creative journey!