Ice Academy Chief!

"My original goal was to Copy Xu Qing, the genius from the Earth Court who was known as the best in defense, to compensate for my Earth Attribute Spell Talent in defensive methods."

Su Bai sat cross-legged in his cave, silently sorting through his recent observations.

He was deeply impressed by Li Xuan's exquisite Earth Attribute defensive Law Technique, which was incredibly resilient.

"But after this period of covert observation and comparison, although this Senior Brother Xu Qing possesses profound defensive skills and is extremely steady in actual combat,...

"The sense of oppression and potential threat he posed seemed weaker compared to Zhao Hanshuang from the Ice Court."

Su Bai recalled the sparring matches he had witnessed in the Underground Training Ground.

Xu Qing's use of earthen walls, stone shields, and Earth Spike Technique was masterful, creating an impenetrable defense and a well-organized counterattack. However, his style always felt "heavy on the heavy, but lacking in agility," and his pace was rather slow.

"And Zhao Hanshuang's Ice Attribute Spell..." Su Bai recalled the amazing sparring match he had witnessed at the training ground.

His Law Technique is not only incredibly powerful, but also possesses exceptional offensive and defensive capabilities.

Ice can solidify into a strong shield, transform into a sharp blade, pave a prison, or erupt instantly.

From the perspective of overall effectiveness and tactical value, Ice Attribute Spell are clearly more advantageous than pure Earth Attribute defenses.

"Moreover, the chill emanating from Zhao Hanshuang, perceived through [Clear Heart Sword Intent], was far more impactful than Xu Qing's heavy and steady demeanor."

"His Ice Attribute Spell Talent is probably a level higher than Xu Qing's Earth Attribute Talent," Su Bai concluded.

For the past month or so, in addition to his cultivation, he devoted almost all his free time to observing the talented Disciple of the Inner Sect Academies.

He discreetly mingled in Underground Training Ground, various Training Ground, and even near the mission hall, using the extraordinary perception and intuition granted by [Clear Heart Sword Intent] to assess the "quality" of each potential target.

Besides Zhao Hanshuang and Xu Qing, several other geniuses also caught his attention.

Qin Lin from the Wood Court also put considerable pressure on Su Bai.

Yang Guang from the Lightning Court can also be considered one.

"All things considered, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the top three in this year's Inner Sect Grand Competition will most likely be among myself, Zhao Hanshuang, and Qin Lin."

"Yang Guang has the ability to challenge for the top three, but he might be slightly inferior."

Su Bai had a general idea in mind.

Of course, the Inner Sect sect is full of hidden talents, and there may be some dark horses lurking in the shadows, but the strongest people on the surface should be these few.

"Then, the target is Zhao Hanshuang!" A decisive glint flashed in Su Bai.

"It's time to go to the Ice Court."

The next morning, Su Bai finished his cultivation, tidied himself up briefly, and then flew away from Qingyun Cliff on his Sword Flight, heading straight for the Inner Sect Academies courtyards.

The architecture of the Ice Court is quite distinctive among the Inner Sect Academies. From a distance, it appears crystal clear, reflecting seven colors under the sunlight, like a crystal palace.

To prevent these palaces and pavilions built of millennia-old Xuan Bing from melting, a powerful Ice Magic array has been shrouding the Ice Court area for a long time, keeping the temperature below freezing year-round and making it bitterly cold.

As Su Bai landed on his Sword Flight in front of the Ice Court, in a wide Heavenly Dao paved with ice bricks, a biting cold wind immediately swept over him. Even with his Spiritual Power protecting him, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

Around the Training Ground stand numerous lifelike ice sculptures, including cranes, deer, and lotus flowers. The exquisite carvings and chilling atmosphere add to the Clear and Cold and solitary ambiance.

Who has trespassed into the Ice Court?

Su Bai looked in the direction of the sound, and his heart stirred.

What a coincidence! The newcomer's eyes were sharp as Ice Cone, and he exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay. He was none other than his target, Zhao Hanshuang, the Chief Disciple of the Ice Court!

Su Bai immediately composed himself, his face displaying a perfectly measured expression of longing. He cupped his hands in a respectful greeting. "Su Bai, inner disciple, has long admired the profound and unparalleled power of the Ice Court's Law Technique, and yearns to master it."

"I have come here today specifically to apply to join the Ice Court for cultivation. I hope you will grant my request."

The Inner Sect Academies are more like the various elective courses in a university in my previous life.

However, the requirements for students are even higher.

Basically, it's considered quite good if a student can achieve some success in the Law Technique of a subject.

Of course, the Inner Sect Academies do not exclude inner disciple from joining multiple Law Technique academies, provided that you can afford the academy fees.

The annual academy fee of several dozen Contribution Points is a considerable expense for ordinary inner disciple.

Zhao Hanshuang's gaze swept over Su Bai. Seeing that Su Bai was composed, had pure Spiritual Power, and had come on his own initiative, her cold expression softened slightly.

He nodded slightly, his voice still Clear and Cold: "I am Zhao Hanshuang, the Chief Disciple of the Ice Court. By order of the Academy Master, I have the authority to assist inner disciple in their admission procedures."

Su Bai's face immediately lit up with "surprise," and his tone became even more enthusiastic. "So it's Chief Zhao! My apologies for not recognizing you! In that case, I'll trouble Chief Zhao to introduce my junior brother to you!"

Seeing his sincere attitude and the fact that he had volunteered, Zhao Hanshuang became more patient with him.

He didn't directly ask for hospital fees, but instead started by reminding people of the charges.

"Ice Attribute Spell, unlike common basic Law Technique of the Five Elements, have an extremely high learning threshold and demand very high Talent requirements."

"Without a certain affinity for and Talent in controlling Ice Attribute Spiritual Power, forced cultivation often yields twice the result with half the effort, and may even take several years without making any progress, wasting time and resources in vain."

He paused, then looked at Su Bai: "Our academy has very few Disciple, only about twenty so far, all because Talent is hard to find."

"Are you... truly certain that you possess Ice Attribute Spell Talent? If you've only come here because of its reputation, or if you intend to learn multiple arts simultaneously, I advise you to think twice, lest you hinder your own cultivation."

Su Bai secretly praised this young man for his cold exterior but warm heart, and for being responsible.

His expression hardened further, and he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "Chief Zhao's reminder is correct."

"This Disciple did not act on impulse. I had previously tried to sense Ice Attribute Spiritual Power in private and felt a certain affinity with it. That is why I dared to come and bother you. I hope Chief Zhao will grant my request."

Seeing Su Bai's confident demeanor and seemingly genuine expression, Zhao Hanshuang nodded slightly. "In that case, joining the Ice Court requires paying sixty Contribution Points annually as a fee to maintain the academy's Magic Array, purchase public resources, and cover part of the Academy Master's expenses. Are you willing to accept this?"

"Of course!" Su Bai replied without hesitation, stepping forward and respectfully presenting his Inner Sect Jade Token to Zhao Hanshuang with both hands.

He deliberately avoided using the convenient Object Manipulation Technique, instead opting for this more respectful method of "handing it over in person."

Zhao Hanshuang had no suspicions. Seeing Su Bai's respectful attitude, she naturally reached out to take the Jade Token.

Inevitably, their fingers made extremely brief and subtle contact at the moment the Jade Token was exchanged.

A cool sensation came from my fingertips.

Now!

Su Bai silently shouted in his heart, his already prepared mind activating his Talent [Immortal Talent Reflection] without hesitation!

Instead of using "Survey" first (even though the count had been refreshed), he directly started "Copy"!

This is because he had enough confidence in his previous observations and judgments. Zhao Hanshuang's Ice Attribute Talent was publicly known and recognized as powerful, with high information transparency and an extremely low probability of error.

More importantly, he now possesses Two Spirit Root and Yellow Tier Sword Dao Talent, giving him the capital to experiment and make mistakes.

If the Copy talent isn't Top Grade Ice Attribute Talent, or the effect isn't ideal, you can simply wait another year for a refresh opportunity.

He chose to trust his own judgment!

[Target selected for Copy: Zhao Hanshuang... Target detected to possess special Spell Talent... Target's Spell Talent attribute locked...]

[Select target Ice Attribute Spell Talent to Copy...]

[Copy successful. Copy Spell Talent: Third-tier Ice Attribute Spell Talent.]

It's done! And it's at the Third Tier!

Su Bai felt a surge of joy in his heart, almost unable to suppress his laughter, but he immediately suppressed it, maintaining a slightly expectant expression as he watched Zhao Hanshuang manipulate his Jade Token.

The rank of Spell Talent is usually divided into Third Tier, and the even rarer Fourth Tier, Heaven Earth Black Yellow.

Tier 3 Spell Talent is an extremely rare existence in the Cultivation World, enough to give the possessor a starting point and upper limit far exceeding that of ordinary people in the cultivation of Law Technique of the same attribute!

Su Bai quickly focused his mind to perceive the specific characteristics of this newly acquired Third-tier Ice Attribute Spell Talent:

Ice Third-tier Ice Attribute Spell Talent: (Speed of learning Ice Attribute Spell Divine Ability 500%, Spiritual Power affinity with Ice Attribute, power of Ice Attribute Spell Divine Ability Power Increase by 30%).

"Such incredible Talent!"

Su Bai secretly praised it. Although the amplification rate was not as exaggerated as that of the Yellow Tier [Clear Heart Sword Intent].

But a 500% increase in cultivation speed and a 30% increase in power are already considered heaven-defying!

This means he will learn Ice-Type Law Technique incredibly quickly, and at the same cultivation level, the power of his Ice-Type Law Technique will crush the vast majority of Cultivator of the same level!

"Okay, Contribution Points have been deducted, one-year term."

Zhao Hanshuang's Clear and Cold voice pulled Su Bai back from his joy.

He handed the Jade Token pendant back to Su Bai, and at the same time, he handed over a Jade Pendant that was dark blue and cool to the touch.

"This is Identity Jade Pendant Disciple of the Ice Court. With this, you may freely enter most areas of the academy and access its collection of books. Please keep it safe."

"Thank you, Chief Zhao!"

Su Bai accepted the Ice Court Jade Pendant with both hands and solemnly hung it in a conspicuous position on his chest.

To avoid arousing suspicion, he had already put the Jade Pendant from the Sword Academy into his Storage Bag.

Wearing the Ice Academy Jade Pendant at this moment is perfectly reasonable.

Seeing that he had put on the jade Jade Pendant, Zhao Hanshuang continued to perform her duties as the Chief: "Now that you are admitted, I will explain the rules of this academy to you."

"The Ice Court's predecessors have accumulated and created many unique Ice Attribute Spell Divine Ability. Except for a few core secrets that require special contributions or the Academy Master's approval, the rest are open to Disciple of the academy for free study."

He changed the subject abruptly, his tone serious. "However, one thing is clear from the academy rules: Disciple must cultivate the Ice-Type Law Technique Divine Ability they have chosen to learn to the ' Minor Accomplishment ' level."

"Only after passing the examination and approval of the Academy Master or the Chief Disciple are they eligible to apply to study the next subject."

"Don't bite off more than you can chew. Our academy aims to cultivate specialists, not jacks and masters. Do you understand?"

"Disciple understands! I will proceed step by step and lay a solid foundation," Su Bai quickly replied.

"Hmm." Zhao Hanshuang nodded in satisfaction, then waved her hand. A flash of spiritual light appeared in front of her, and sixteen Jade Slip appeared out of thin air, automatically splitting into three piles and floating in mid-air.

"These are the Jade Slip Ice Attribute Spell Divine Ability that Late Qi Refining Disciple can choose from, and which are collected by this academy."

Zhao Hanshuang pointed to the largest pile on the left (eight pieces).

"These eight methods are relatively easy to learn and master, making them a good choice for building a foundation and familiarizing oneself with the characteristics of Ice Attribute Spiritual Power."

He then pointed to the five Jade Slip in the middle. "These five techniques are of medium difficulty, but their power, versatility, and control are all at a higher level, making them suitable for those with a certain foundation to delve deeper into."

Finally, his gaze fell on the only three Jade Slip on the far right, and a hint of solemnity appeared in his eyes. "As for these three sects... the cultivation difficulty is extremely high, with demanding requirements on Talent, comprehension, control of Spiritual Power, and even temperament."

"But once mastered, its power far surpasses the former two, often having a miraculous effect that changes the course of battle. Even among the Disciple of this academy, very few choose to cultivate it, and those who succeed are extremely rare."

He looked at Su Bai: "The choice is yours. From left to right, the difficulty increases. I suggest you proceed according to your ability and start with the left side."