Elder Zhen, who had been somewhat impatient, suddenly stood up with a whoosh, his face full of disbelief.

Elder Huo also looked at Xiao Cangshan with incredulity.

Seeing the two lose their composure, Xiao Cangshan gave a wry smile. "Elder Zhen, the reason Tang Yan hasn't been seen these past three days is because he's still in the Nine Nether Fire Sea. It's truly... inconceivable. With only Black Rank strength, he's stayed in there for over two days."

"Three days?" Elder Zhen exclaimed in shock. "How is that possible? That kid didn't die in there, did he?"

Xiao Cangshan was somewhat speechless and quickly corrected him, "How could that be? I just went into the Nine Nether Fire Sea specifically to check. That kid is cultivating inside."

"Still cultivating? I'm going to take a look!" Elder Zhen would not be dissuaded. His figure flickered as he headed straight toward the Nine Nether Fire Sea.

"This old fellow, not even waiting for me," Elder Huo cursed angrily, quickly following along.

At this moment, many people's attention had fallen upon the Nine Nether Fire Sea.

A new student, relying solely on Black Rank strength, had stayed in the Nine Nether Fire Sea for two whole days! As soon as this news spread, it immediately drew everyone's attention.

When they learned that person was Tang Yan, the hearts of many new students trembled.

Previously, many had mocked him, questioning what gave him the right to be the number one of the East Zone with only Black Rank seventh-grade strength. But Tang Yan's recent display of monstrous talent forced everyone to take him seriously.

While some were shocked, others began to worry.

For example, the number one new students of the North, West, and South Zones.

Having heard that Tang Yan had been cultivating on the third layer for over two days, they also tried entering the third layer. Without exception, none lasted more than an hour before they could no longer endure the heat and left.

Three days, four days, five days, a week... After ten days had passed, almost everyone in the Azure Dragon Academy knew of Tang Yan.

Naturally, this matter also alarmed all the high-ranking members of the Azure Dragon Academy.

Elders and instructors continuously visited the third layer to observe whether this guy had finally left.

"How can this kid stay so long? Could he be in danger?" In a distant corner, Xiao Cangshan frowned.

"It must be related to the cultivation technique he practices. There shouldn't be any danger. The kid's breathing is long and steady right now; he is very stable," Elder Huo analyzed.

Tang Yan was completely unaware of the uproar outside. By his calculations, he had been in the Nine Nether Fire Sea for half a month.

Suddenly, Tang Yan's body trembled. The Spiritual Qi in his Dantian was surging violently, clearly reaching a critical point!

"It's time to break through!" Tang Yan's mind stirred, and he awakened from his deep immersion in cultivation.

The surging Spiritual Qi, like a wild horse slipping its reins or floodwaters bursting a dam, roared as it erupted from his Dantian and flowed rapidly along his meridians.

Boom!

Like when water flows, a channel forms, that layer of barrier was instantly shattered. A feeling of pure exhilaration washed through his entire body.

After breaking through, Tang Yan was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, he carefully examined the condition of his body.

After half a month of tempering, the Heaven and Earth Creation Flame within him seemed much more condensed. His meridians, having been baptized by the Heaven and Earth Creation Flame and the fire-spirit energy, had become exceptionally tough.

"Black Rank ninth-grade! Having power truly feels wonderful!" Tang Yan smiled and stood up, walking toward the exit. Having just broken through, it was not suitable to continue bitter cultivation.

As Tang Yan stood up, the brows of all the onlookers twitched. Damn it, this guy is finally leaving!

With his extremely strong Mental Power, Tang Yan quickly sensed the astonished gazes of the people around him. Wondering why this crowd was staring at him, he muttered to himself as he walked out.

"Look, Tang Yan is out!" It was still daytime, and a large crowd had gathered outside the Nine Nether Fire Sea. As soon as Tang Yan stepped out the door, he heard a shout from the crowd.

Feeling gazes piercing him from all directions, Tang Yan was startled. He had just finished cultivating; why were these people reacting so strongly?

Quickly weaving through the crowd, he finally found a quiet spot and let out a long breath.

Just as he was considering where to go next, Tang Yan's eyes swept across the surroundings and landed on a notice posted on a wall:

"Although a Ninth-rank pill is powerful, there are still standards to evaluate it. How can a true divine pill be defined by mere grade?

Have you ever seen legendary pills? They are here!

Do you want to preserve eternal youth, freeze time, and maintain your glorious appearance?

Do you want to cleanse your marrow, shed your mortal body, exchange your bones, and improve your aptitude?

Do you want to raise your strength by a whole rank overnight and widen the gap between yourself and others?

Do you want to survive even after suffering severe injuries in battle?

Welcome to the auction hosted by Apex-Seeking. We guarantee there will be a Peerless divine pill that moves your heart!"

Tang Yan stared wide-eyed at this promotional notice before his gaze dropped to the signature.

It was signed by Apex-Seeking. This had to be Du Shu's handiwork, and the auction date was set for today.

Just from looking at this notice, Tang Yan gained a new level of respect for Du Shu's marketing tactics. Peerless divine pills, eternal youth... He really dared to say anything!

But that was just the nature of advertising-exaggerating the effects to catch the eye.

Moreover, since these pills were refined by his own hands, calling them Peerless divine pills... could barely be accepted.

At that moment, someone happened to pass by. Tang Yan immediately stopped him.

"Brother, what is this?" Tang Yan asked, pointing at the notice on the wall.

"You don't even know about this?" The thick-browed youth Tang Yan had grabbed looked somewhat shocked.

"I just got back from outside and only just saw it."

"I heard a new student faction called 'Apex-Seeking' is holding a pill auction. They really know how to blow their own horns. Peerless divine pills? If anyone had pills like that, why would they still be studying at the Azure Dragon Academy?

Sigh, what's wrong with the new students these days? Their strength is nothing special, but they brag loud enough to shake the heavens!" The youth curled his lips in deep disdain.

"Mm, what you say makes sense, brother. Where is this auction being held? Since I have nothing else to do, I think I'll go try my luck."

"Just follow me. I was planning to go check it out anyway. It's over by the Rookie Zone."

Hearing the thick-browed youth's words, Tang Yan couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Didn't you just say their pills were pure hot air? Why are you still going to look?"

"Pfft! Even if it's hot air, quite a few people have been fooled into going. I'm just going to join the fun..."

Tang Yan was speechless.

...

"That kid Tang Yan is truly remarkable. He's been in there for over ten days. I wonder what kind of cultivation technique he practices. This old man's horizons have truly been broadened." Inside the Array Pavilion, Elder Huo and Elder Zhen were playing chess.

Hearing this, Elder Zhen chuckled lightly. "Everyone has their own secrets. I haven't asked him for the details."

"Cultivating in the Nine Nether Fire Sea for so long, his talent in Mental Power has probably already far surpassed mine. If he were willing to learn alchemy from me, he could achieve great things!" Elder Huo said sourly, his tone thick with the intent to poach a disciple.

Elder Zhen's eyes widened in displeasure. "Old Huo, Tang Yan has already become my disciple. Why would he study alchemy under you? Give up on those thoughts."

"How many days has he been learning Array-Martial Arts? He might not even adapt to it. If one day he suddenly wants to learn alchemy, I can give him a chance." Elder Huo smiled shamelessly, completely contradicting his immortal-like appearance.

Elder Zhen suddenly changed the subject. "By the way, there's a new student faction called 'Apex-Seeking.' Rumor has it they're auctioning Peerless divine pills today.

Things like the Youth-Preserving Pill for eternal youth, the Soul-Tempering Pill for shedding one's mortal body, the Blast Pill for invincibility... they claim to have everything.

Although I've never heard of any of these, their effects are being hyped to miraculous levels.

Have you heard anything about it?"