Revealing Zi Yan's identity

"You all..." He rubbed his brow, feeling the need to clarify, "My target is indeed Zi Yan, but not in the way you think."

“She is a Demonic Beast, not just some little girl."

Cai Lin's purple eyes stared quietly at him, her cold voice rising: "She is a Dou Wang level expert. As far as I know, Demonic Beasts must reach the seventh tier, equivalent to the Dou Zong level among humans, to fully transform. If she truly is a Demonic Beast, this form makes no sense."

"She is indeed a Demonic Beast."

"Moreover, her Bloodline is extraordinary. She did not rely on her own power to transform; instead, she mistakenly consumed a Transformation Herb."

"Transformation Herb?"

Cao Ying and Dan Chen were also Alchemists, so they naturally knew the function of the Transformation Herb.

He paused, then continued to explain: "The Transformation Herb is the main Materials for the Transformation Pill.

It allows a Demonic Beast to obtain a human form prematurely, but the cost is often being fixed in the state they were in when they consumed it."

"When Zi Yan ate the Transformation Herb, her intellect had probably just begun to develop, and her form was thus fixed in the appearance of a little girl."

"Furthermore, due to the incomplete transforming power of the Transformation Herb, she likely cannot revert to her original Demonic Beast form, and her physical growth has nearly stagnated."

Hearing this, the faces of the women showed realization, and those initial strange suspicions dissipated considerably.

"So that's how it is..." Xiao Yi Xian said softly.

Cao Ying, however, rolled her eyes and curled her lips into that familiar, teasing smile: "So Husband has taken a fancy to her rare Demonic Beast Bloodline? But even so, her current appearance..."

Before she finished speaking, Shen Wen reached out and tapped her smooth forehead, neither lightly nor heavily.

"What are you thinking?" Shen Wen gave her an exasperated look. "Am I really that much of a beast?"

He withdrew his hand, his tone returning to calm: "The issues surrounding Zi Yan need to be resolved. The fixing effect of the Transformation Herb, the complete Awakening of her Bloodline, and even her true growth... these are all troubles."

"However, if these can be handled properly, her potential and future value are far beyond what is currently seen."

He looked out the window; the outlines of the mountains far beyond the Inner Academy gradually blurred in the twilight.

"At the very least, we must first sort out the problems she has before anything else."

...Seven days later, Shen Wen's first public major lecture in the Jia Nan Academy Alchemy Department was held as scheduled.

The lecture hall, capable of holding hundreds of people, was packed, and even the aisles and windowsills were filled with instructors and students who had come upon hearing the news. Shen Wen did not speak of overly profound theories, focusing only on the most basic Medicinal Materials processing, heat control, and Soul Micro-Manipulation, yet he always hit upon the crucial points, offering sudden enlightenment. After the class, many Alchemist students who had been stuck at a Bottleneck for a long time looked excited, feeling they had benefited greatly.

After the class, just as Shen Wen walked out of the lecture hall, several figures blocked his path. They were Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and Lin Yan, with Zi Yan also squeezed beside them, looking like she was enjoying the spectacle.

Lin Yan looked at Shen Wen's excessively young face, his eyes still showing incredulity, and was the first to speak: "Elder Shen... Elder Shen, your lecture was truly brilliant. I just never expected you to be so young."

Shen Wen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the three before finally resting on Lin Yan: "Is something the matter?"

Zi Yan rushed to speak, pointing sequentially at Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing: "It's them! The three of them Cultivated in the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower for too long and accumulated Fire Poison in their bodies, so they want to ask if you have a solution!"

Hearing this, Shen Wen's gaze swept over Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing again, and he said lightly: "For the two of you, the Fire Poison is only on the shallow surface of your Meridians. Even without taking Medicinal Pills, the natural circulation of Dou Qi will gradually resolve it over time; it's nothing serious."

His tone shifted, and he looked at Lin Yan: "Your Fire Poison has already invaded your heart Meridians."

Lin Yan's expression tightened.

"To completely eradicate it without damaging your Foundation," Shen Wen's tone was steady, "you need to continuously take several specific Grade Six Medicinal Pills, guided by a Heavenly Flame or Extreme Yang Power, to slowly dissolve it."

"Several Grade Six Medicinal Pills..." Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing exchanged glances, both seeing the solemnity in the other's eyes. The cost was considerable for them.

Lin Yan suddenly looked up, hope burning in his eyes: "Elder Shen means... there is a way to resolve it?"

"Naturally." Shen Wen nodded. "It is not difficult."

Lin Yan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and solemnly cupped his fists: "I earnestly request Elder Shen to act and refine the necessary Medicinal Pills for me! Regardless of the reward required, or what you need me to do, Lin Yan will absolutely not refuse!"

Shen Wen looked at him, a faint smile appearing on his face: "Everything will proceed according to the Academy's rules. If you gather the necessary Medicinal Materials, you can submit an application to the Alchemy Department, and arrangements will be made after assessment."

Having finished speaking, he said no more, gave the group a slight nod, and departed, leaving the three of them standing there, digesting his words with varied expressions... Elsewhere, in the quiet office of the Grand Elder deep within the Academy.

Shen Wen and Su Qian sat facing each other.

Zi Yan was uncharacteristically not running around; she sat obediently on a chair nearby, though her purple eyes occasionally darted toward Shen Wen.

These past few days, she had constantly found excuses to run over to Shen Wen, and each time she managed to get some high-quality Medicinal Pills. Although she looked quiet now, her thoughts had long drifted away.

"I am already aware of the Fire Poison issue." Shen Wen picked up his teacup, his tone casual. "It seems the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower indeed has some secrets."

Su Qian's expression immediately tightened, and his fingers unconsciously rubbed the back of the chair.

The Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower was the Foundation of the Jia Nan Academy, and one of its greatest secrets.

"Young friend Shen, have you also heard of the Qi Refining Tower?" Su Qian probed. "It was indeed left by the Academy Head many years ago, used to help students Temper Dou Qi and solidify their Foundation, and it is the basis upon which our Jia Nan Academy stands."

Shen Wen put down the teacup and looked at Su Qian: "May I and those accompanying me enter the tower to Cultivate?"

Su Qian pondered briefly, then nodded: "Since young friend is an Elder of our Inner Academy, you naturally have the right to use the Qi Refining Tower. You only need to abide by the tower's rules and be mindful of safety."

"That is good then." Shen Wen nodded, then turned his gaze to Zi Yan, who seemed to be spacing out nearby. "Zi Yan, I have some matters I need to discuss privately with Elder Su. You should go out first."

Zi Yan immediately snapped back to attention and grumbled discontentedly: "What matter can't I hear? I want to listen too!"

Su Qian's face hardened, and he glared at her: "If I tell you to go out, then go out! Where did all this talk come from? Hurry up!"

This little rascal is truly causing an uproar.

She even wants to listen to the Elders' conversation.

Zi Yan pouted, looked at Shen Wen, then looked at Su Qian, who clearly wouldn't back down, and finally gave a reluctant "Oh," jumped off the chair, and slowly shuffled out of the room with a puffed-out mouth, closing the door with a slight bang.

Once only the two of them remained in the room, Shen Wen looked back at Su Qian, his tone calm but aimed directly at the core issue:

"Elder Su, Zi Yan is a Demonic Beast in form. You should know this, right?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qian was stunned for a moment and said, "Young friend Shen? How is Zi Yan a Demonic Beast in form?"

Shen Wen countered: "So Elder Su didn't know..."