Gong Jian: "Aren't you being a bit too blatant now?"
Elder Cheng put on a stern face and said, "If there's no fire, how can your kitchen staff cook for so many teachers and students in the academy? If anyone dares to object, I'll be the first one to deal with them!" With that, he eagerly grabbed the insulated container from Gong Jian, opened the lid, and began to devour the food!
Chen Nan finally understood!
Elder Cheng must have been getting a lot of benefits from the kitchen!
Otherwise, he wouldn't have this physique!
Of course!
If he didn't give Elder Cheng benefits, the kitchen wouldn't be able to casually demand all sorts of ores!
This was a case of inside and outside cooperation!
A moment later!
The insulated container of spirit rice porridge was gone, all into Elder Cheng's belly. He licked his lips, clearly still unsatisfied, then looked at Chen Nan: "You're the new one, right? Not bad, you're more handsome than those five guys!"
Gong Jian grinned and said, "It won't be long before this guy also turns into a fatty!"
"Alright, Elder Cheng, hurry up and take us to choose our flames!"
Elder Cheng grunted in agreement.
He led Chen Nan and Gong Jian to the front of a cave!
He formed a hand seal and opened the stone door!
The next moment!
A scorching wave of heat washed over them!
It felt as if even the air had ignited!
Entering the cave, the three followed the winding stone steps to the interior of the mountain.
What met Chen Nan's eyes were clusters of fist-sized flames!
Red!
Yellow!
Blue!
Black!
They were of all colors, dazzling and overwhelming!
Elder Cheng said, "There are countless kinds of flames in the world, and these are the fire seeds collected by the Sword Forging Academy from outside!"
"These fire seeds are merely mortal flames from the immortal realm!"
"While they cannot be used to forge immortal artifacts, they are more than sufficient for forging spirit artifacts!"
"If you can forge a top-grade spirit artifact, then it will be time to search for divine flames!"
Gong Jian spoke up, "Chen Nan, choose the green flame! That flame is called Lanyan Lihuo, one of the most powerful mortal flames!"
"It ranks first on the mortal flame list!"
"Nonsense!" Elder Cheng snorted coldly, "Although Lanyan Lihuo is a mortal flame, its power is terrifying, and it's not something a junior at the Earth Immortal realm can control!"
"Even a slight mistake could lead to self-immolation!"
"Elder Cheng, you mustn't underestimate my brother. Although his realm is not high, his strength is formidable!" Gong Jian grinned. Chen Nan had the strength to break Zheng Cong's leg, making Zheng Cong greet him proactively whenever they met!
It could be seen that this fellow possessed the strength of a Profound Immortal realm!
Elder Cheng looked at Chen Nan: "Lanyan Lihuo is incredibly powerful, you must choose carefully!"
"If you truly want it!"
"You can directly release your soul power to envelop it!"
"Remember, if Lanyan Lihuo rejects you, you must give up immediately!"
"Otherwise, your soul will be scattered!"
Chen Nan nodded solemnly!
Then his soul power surged out!
Like a tidal wave, it engulfed Lanyan Lihuo!
Although mortal flames were only for temporary use!
He still wanted the highest quality, top-ranked fire seed among mortal flames!
"Are you a devil?" Elder Cheng and Gong Jian stared in disbelief!
A colossal wave surged in their hearts!
It took them a long time to calm down!
Chen Nan's soul power was almost tangible!
This made them feel incredulous!
Let alone cultivators at the Earth Immortal realm!
Even the soul power of a Golden Immortal realm expert wasn't this terrifying, was it?
Chen Nan looked embarrassed!
I only used one-third of my soul power...
The next second!
Chen Nan's soul power covered that ball of Lanyan Lihuo!
At first, Lanyan Lihuo still resisted Chen Nan's soul power!
But the next moment, it simply caved!
It merged with Chen Nan's soul power!
This was the sign of Lanyan Lihuo recognizing its master!
"This is too fast!" Elder Cheng was filled with disbelief!
Recognizing a fire seed was a very lengthy process!
Some people had stayed here for three years before gaining recognition from a fire seed!
Even the fastest individuals had taken half a month!
And Chen Nan...
Did it take him even a minute?
Taking a deep breath, Elder Cheng tried to calm his emotions and couldn't help but sigh, "I can't understand, with your talent, why would you be assigned to the kitchen?"
"Elder Cheng, what do you mean? Are you looking down on us?" Gong Jian was displeased, "What's wrong with our kitchen? Aren't we all exceptional individuals?"
"If it weren't for us, could you even eat your fill?"
Elder Cheng chuckled wryly, "My expression was inappropriate!"
"What I mean is!"
"With Chen Nan's talent!"
"He could completely become a disciple of some prominent figures within the academy!"
"His presence in your kitchen is indeed unexpected!"
Hearing this, Gong Jian felt a bit better and said, "Elder Cheng, please don't spread the word about Chen Nan obtaining Lanyan Lihuo!"
"I don't want anyone to disturb his cultivation!"
Elder Cheng nodded slightly!
He knew that!
Once others knew Chen Nan had gained recognition from Lanyan Lihuo in mere minutes!
It would undoubtedly cause a huge stir!
Even high-ranking officials in the academy might extend an invitation to Chen Nan!
While it seemed glorious!
It was far more comfortable than being in the kitchen!
Gong Jian was in high spirits, patting Chen Nan's shoulder, "Let's go, pick some ores, and then go back to forge weapons... oh, forge pots!"
Chen Nan nodded!
They arrived at the Hall of Merit and began their shopping spree!
Only at this moment!
Did Chen Nan realize that there were so many kinds of ores in the world!
There were thousands of them in the Hall of Merit alone!
It was a dazzling sight!
The disciples of the academy chose ores very cautiously!
Because these items were all very expensive!
But Chen Nan and Gong Jian were different!
They took whatever they saw!
It didn't cost them a single cent anyway!
After selecting some ores for forging spirit artifacts!
Chen Nan and Gong Jian left the Hall of Merit, returning to the back mountain laden with goods!
Meanwhile!
Cai Jian, accompanied by a young man, arrived in front of the Hall of Merit. Seeing Chen Nan's receding figure, he couldn't help but frown, seemingly surprised to encounter him here!
He then led the young man into the Hall of Merit and directly found Elder Cheng: "Old Cheng, I've taken on a new disciple, and he's here to find a fire seed. Do you have any recommendations?"
He and Elder Cheng were old acquaintances, so their conversation was relaxed!
Elder Cheng smiled and said, "Finding a fire seed depends on one's own destiny and ability!"
Cai Jian: "I remember there was Lanyan Lihuo, right?"
"It's gone!" Elder Cheng replied, "Lanyan Lihuo was taken by another disciple!"
Cai Jian paused for a moment, then said, "Then let's choose other fire seeds!"
"Oh, right!"
"Do you know why Chen Nan came here?"
"The fellow who was with Gong Jian earlier?"
Elder Cheng couldn't help but ask, "You know Chen Nan?"
Cai Jian said nonchalantly, "He is the successor of an old friend of mine!"
"He came to the academy with my token, wanting to become my disciple!"
"But I found his talent to be mediocre, so I arranged for him to work in the kitchen!"
Elder Cheng almost spat out a mouthful of blood!
Which eye of yours saw Chen Nan as having mediocre talent?