While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Just like when they received the Ice Spirit Cold Spring in advance, perhaps because someone around them noticed, the Heavenly Jade Fruit, although already in their hands, did not immediately turn to ashes.

After storing it in his storage ring, Chen Xiao took out his Azure Fire Crystal Card.

After more than half a year of continuous expenditure without any return, the fire energy obtained from the fire energy hunting competition has now dwindled to just 200 points, no more, no less.

When he returned to the inner courtyard last time, he had a little extra, and Chen Xiao even went to the first floor to use it up, making the current number look incredibly pleasing.

"There's one more thing I'd like to trouble the Elder with. I'd like to upgrade my Azure Fire Crystal Card to a Crimson Fire Crystal Card. I'll make up for the missing one hundred Fire Energy within three days."

In the inner academy, it is not easy for ordinary students to earn fire energy, but it is incredibly easy for powerful students. They only need to go into the arena to earn enough fire energy for their cultivation.

As for why the Fire Crystal Card was upgraded, it was related to the Heavenly Cold Qi that Chen Xiao was preparing to use in advance.

Refining the Heavenly Frost Qi requires an extremely hot environment for a higher success rate, and the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower is undoubtedly the most suitable place.

Although the Fire Crystal Cards are divided into five grades—black, blue, cyan, red, and purple—corresponding to the first and second, third and fourth, and so on up to the tenth grade of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, the highest grade, the Purple Fire Crystal Card, is practically useless.

Because from the ninth floor onwards, that area is a forbidden zone of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower. Only by undergoing major events like the Heart Flame Body Tempering today can one go there.

Upon hearing Chen Xiao's request, Su Qianduo glanced at him.

Everyone knew that the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower was of little use to Chen Xiao, yet Chen Xiao proposed to exchange for a higher-level Fire Crystal Card and wanted to go to a lower level, which clearly meant that something was up.

Su Qian could guess these things, but she didn't ask any further questions.

"No need for that trouble. You probably forgot that after entering the top ranks, the inner academy will distribute a certain amount of fire energy as a benefit every month. You are now ranked in the top ten, and the amount of fire energy you can get each month is already a considerable amount. Considering your expenses in the inner academy, you definitely won't be able to use it all. I will give you some in advance, and then deduct it from the distributed fire energy later."

Chen Xiao was slightly taken aback. Having stayed in the Black Corner Region for so long, he had really forgotten about this matter.

However, this is even better, and he immediately nodded in agreement.

"Alright, you can go back now if there's nothing else. I don't have the Blue Flame Crystal Card with me right now, but I'll have someone bring it to you later."

Chen Xiao and Zi Yan nodded and left the study together.

Before she could go far, Zi Yan changed her obedient demeanor in front of Su Qian and reverted to her true nature.

"Chen Xiao, when are we setting off? I heard there's a Medicine King in the Black Corner Region. Have you met him? How about we go straight to his territory for some fun?"

Do you want to go out and have fun?

I don't even want to expose you!

Zi Yan looked like a bold child about to travel far from home for the first time, without any trepidation, only boundless anticipation.

"Make your preparations first, get a loose black robe, and we'll go in three to five days."

Chen Xiao knew the people of the Black Corner Region all too well.

There are quite a few people who like Zi Yan's style.

If she were allowed to go there openly and honestly, the chances of her getting into trouble would increase exponentially.

Therefore, it is still necessary to have Ziyan cover up a little.

After all, while their combination is not weak, it is not strong enough to be able to run rampant.

"Okay!"

Surprisingly, Zi Yan didn't urge him too much, which probably meant that Chen Xiao had something else on his mind.

...

After parting ways with Zi Yan, Chen Xiao returned to the attic.

Because the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower was closed today, Cao Hui and the others didn't go out. They all sat on the grass next to the pavilion, chatting and passing the time.

"Hehe, big guy, your advantages will be completely gone in front of me from now on. When I become a four-star Grand Battle Master, we'll have another match."

Cao Hui held an open letter in his hand and spoke with great enthusiasm, clearly in a very good mood.

"What's making you so happy?"

Chen Xiao sat down like the others and casually asked.

"I obtained a pill formula there half a year ago. I sent the news back to my family, and after reporting it, the family took it very seriously. They sent an elder from the main branch to personally hand it over. He is already waiting in Canaan City. I can take leave tomorrow to hand it over. With this merit, my reward this time will definitely not be worse than what everyone else got there." Cao Hui put away the letter and explained with a smile.

He came from a collateral branch of a family of alchemists, a fact known to everyone present.

Therefore, Cao Hui made no attempt to hide anything.

It is only right and proper to make contributions and receive rewards.

"That's certainly a good thing. By the way, I've also heard some things about Zhongzhou. Your surname is Cao, and you come from a family of alchemists. Could you be the Cao family from the Pill Domain?"

Chen Xiao was 90% certain that his guess was correct, but he had never actually confirmed it before.

While waiting for the Grand Elder to deliver the Blue Flame Crystal Card, I had a chance to chat with a few people.

Danyu, the Cao family…

Mu Boshan and Fu Tong looked bewildered, having no idea what was going on.

Cao Hui seemed slightly surprised, then moved closer to Chen Xiao, lowered his voice and nodded.

"Was it the girl who came to see you a while ago who told you this? I saw the Grand Elder personally bringing them here that day. I felt that your girlfriend's identity was not simple. She was probably much more powerful than a member of a collateral branch of my small family. Do you know her identity? If you don't, you can tell me. Maybe I can help you guess her background. In the future, when you come to Zhongzhou, you can pay her a visit directly."

I appreciate the good intentions, but there's really no need for that.

Chen Xiao shook his head slightly, "There's no need for that."

Cao Hui was slightly disappointed at not hearing the gossip he wanted. His mood lasted for a moment, and then he suddenly slapped his forehead.

"I almost forgot something. One of the letters sent from the outer courtyard was for you. You weren't here at the time, so I put it away for you."

As he spoke, he took out an untouched letter from his storage ring and handed it over.

Chen Xiao took the envelope and recognized the delicate handwriting on it as Xiao Yixian's. It was very distinctive among people he knew.

"Thanks, I'll go upstairs to change my clothes, you guys chat first."

After giving a greeting, Chen Xiao went upstairs first.

Back in his room, he opened the letter.

As he expected, it was indeed a letter from Little Fairy Doctor, and the content was very simple, summed up in one sentence.

Little Fairy Doctor's cultivation has made some progress. She left the small valley in the Monster Mountain Range and prepared to head to the Cloud Empire.

"Once we arrived in the Izumo Empire, the cultivation speed of the Calamity Poison Body became even faster."

With a soft sigh, Chen Xiao felt a slight pressure.

After all, Little Fairy Doctor started cultivating ahead of schedule under his intervention. Whether it was for the agreement made at the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall or for personal reasons, Chen Xiao had to take it seriously.

Fortunately, Chen Xiao's own improvement speed is not slow either. It will also take a long time for the Calamity Poison Body to fully mature, so there is no need to be too anxious.

So, there is pressure, but not a lot.

"Let's get our hands on the cold air first."

After putting away the letter, Chen Xiao took out the Heavenly Jade Fruit that the Grand Elder had given him.

Just as he had imagined, the moment the wooden box was taken out, it, along with the Heavenly Jade Fruit that Chen Xiao hadn't even opened, turned into dust.

"An advance payment, it's getting cold!"