Chapter 163: Breaking the Seal

As soon as Su Qian and the other elders entered the Heavenly Burning Qi-Refining Tower, they were met with the sight of a massive, invisible fire python relentlessly ramming itself against the energy barrier surrounding the deep pit's entrance.

Though the energy barrier appeared to be casually conjured, the force contained within was immense and overwhelming. This formidable barrier was a seal set by the Inner Academy long ago, designed to be activated by any elder in times of crisis, precisely to guard against the sudden rampage of the Fallen Heart Flame.

Yet, despite its strength, the surface of the barrier was already rippling under the python’s assault.

“Hurry, stop it! Reinforce the seal!” Su Qian’s expression changed drastically at the sight. He shouted urgently.

The invisible fire python clearly recognized Su Qian and the others. Seeing those who had sealed it away for so many years attempt to do so again, it would not submit. With a furious roar, a surge of blood-red magma exploded from the endless depths below, surging forth with the force of mountains and seas to crash into the dazzling energy barrier.

A muffled boom echoed throughout the tower’s lowest level. At the very instant the sound rang out, fine cracks began to spread across the barrier under the elders’ anxious gazes. Finally, with a crisp snap, the barrier shattered!

After so many years of pressure, this outburst of the Fallen Heart Flame was more violent than ever before. The previously unbreakable barrier now withstood only moments before collapsing completely under the initial clash.

With the shattering of the barrier, a pillar of blood-red magma, dozens of meters wide, erupted from the depths like a volcanic explosion!

The magma surged along the surrounding energy walls. Under the horrified eyes of all present, the blazing flood crashed through the final seal and slammed into the tower’s pinnacle.

A deafening boom, like an angry thunderclap, exploded in everyone’s ears. In that collision, reminiscent of meteors colliding, Xiao Xie and the others who had just arrived could clearly feel the entire Heavenly Burning Qi-Refining Tower tremble violently.

Pale-faced, the group stared at the searing magma spewing from the depths. Even separated by the energy barrier, they could still feel the oppressive heat radiating from it.

The pillar of blood-red magma struck the tower’s pinnacle fiercely, yet did not shatter it despite its wild momentum. At the moment of impact, a thin, dark-hued energy shield suddenly appeared atop the pitch-black spire. Though it seemed no thicker than a finger, this frail-looking layer of darkness withstood the savage assault of the magma!

Thwarted, countless shards of stone shot forth from the magma, splattering against the surrounding energy barrier and instantly reduced to dust by its raging power.

Even so, the pillar of magma did not disperse after its failed attempt. It merely dropped by a few dozen meters, its surface churning with waves of blistering heat. Soon, the fiery waves surged violently, and from within them emerged the massive, transparent head of the fire python—a sight so shocking it left everyone dumbstruck.

“At last, it’s out—the Fallen Heart Flame!” Xiao Xie suppressed his inner excitement, keeping a calm expression as he gazed at the enormous invisible fire python.

“All students, evacuate the Heavenly Burning Qi-Refining Tower at once!” Su Qian, leading the elders, flew out from within the tower. Seeing the students gathered outside, he urgently ordered them to retreat.

“This is bad. The seal on the tower is about to break. Whatever method it used, the Fallen Heart Flame’s power has surged to a terrifying degree.” Watching the python about to break free of the seal, even Su Qian’s composure faltered, his voice sharpening with fear.

“Grand Elder, what should we do now?” one elder asked anxiously. They all knew the dire consequences if the Fallen Heart Flame escaped.

Su Qian’s face shifted between hope and despair. After a moment, he abruptly waved his hand and ordered sternly, “All elders, follow me! The tower’s seal cannot hold much longer. We must use the formation left by the headmaster and see if we can seal it once more!”

Upon hearing Su Qian’s words, the students hastily withdrew, gathering at a safe distance to watch from afar.

Xiao Xie glanced up and saw more than twenty elders, led by Su Qian, hovering in the sky, their Dou Qi wings shimmering in various hues.

The gathering of figures appeared loosely arranged, yet a careful eye would notice the subtle patterns in their positions, with the center unmistakably focused on the Heavenly Burning Qi-Refining Tower.

A faint aura of energy enveloped nearly twenty figures, with barely perceptible threads of power weaving silently between them.

As the formation in the sky took shape, the strange fire within Xiao Xie resonated. A thunderous explosion shook the heavens, and the indestructible pinnacle of the tower burst apart. A searing column of magma erupted into the sky, drawing horrified gazes from afar.

The blazing magma surged upward like a fiery pillar, shooting straight from the tower’s summit. In that instant, the energy of the entire Inner Academy seemed to convulse and rage.

Breaking free of the seal, a shrill cry of excitement rang out from within the magma, reverberating like thunder. Magma rained down in all directions, igniting raging fires wherever it fell, transforming the area around the tower into a sea of flames within moments.

From the falling magma, the colossal invisible fire python—spanning dozens of meters—suddenly shot forth. Savoring its long-lost freedom, its massive triangular eyes glimmered with almost human-like ecstasy.

Atop treetops and rooftops a hundred meters from the tower, countless students stared in terror at the monstrous beast unleashed from their familiar place of cultivation. None had ever imagined such a fearsome entity lay hidden there.

In the sky above the tower, Su Qian’s face darkened as he watched the python break free so swiftly, but he quickly barked, “All elders, form the Thousand-Layered Sealing Array!”

With his command, ten elders hovering in the air responded in unison. Ten streams of powerful Dou Qi shot out, intertwining like lightning. In an instant, countless fine energy beams refracted and intertwined, weaving a dense web in the sky.

These multicolored energies layered atop one another, forming a defense as impregnable as a thousand stacked shields.

Gazing solemnly at the intricate formation, Su Qian’s hands flew through a series of seals before he pointed sharply at the array’s center. A surge of immense power poured forth, infusing the formation!

Empowered by this energy, Su Qian stretched his hands, and from the formation’s edge, a vibrant shield of energy descended, draping downwards. With its completion, a formidable defense once again blocked the Fallen Heart Flame’s path to the sky.

Having expended much of its strength breaking free, the fire python’s flames appeared briefly dim. Only after the Thousand-Layered Sealing Array in the sky was fully formed did its body once more blaze with fierce fire.

As the flames reignited, the python’s wild energy seemed to recover. It slowly raised its massive head, eyes glinting with savagery at the array overhead. Having tasted freedom, it would not willingly return to a world of magma and toxic fire.