At Last, Jia Nan Academy

Lu Yunxiao ate quickly. Before long, he had finished his meal, wiped his mouth, set the tray aside, and turned his gaze to Mentor Ruolin across from him.

"Mentor Ruolin, how were the casualties among the students this time?"

Lu Yunxiao could not help asking. This ambush had caught them completely off guard, and Jia Nan Academy had likely suffered severe losses.

At the mention of this, Mentor Ruolin's smile faded slightly, and her expression grew somewhat dim. She sighed and said, "More than twenty academy mentors and senior students were killed, while dozens of guards died in battle. The freshmen suffered especially badly, with nearly a quarter of them lost. The losses were extremely heavy."

"Five freshmen from Mo City also died. I was the one who recruited them, yet they died just like that. It's because I, as their mentor, was useless and failed to protect them."

Mentor Ruolin looked downcast, her eyes sorrowful, her self-reproach plain to see.

She was a kind and gentle person with a strong sense of responsibility. The deaths of her students truly grieved her deeply. She felt that she had failed to fulfill her duties as a mentor, leaving her in low spirits.

Seeing Mentor Ruolin's guilt-ridden face, Lu Yunxiao sighed and comforted her. "Mentor Ruolin, you already did everything you could. You even nearly lost your life because of it. No one could have anticipated this ambush, so you cannot be blamed."

"By the way, do you know which faction was behind the ambush?"

Seeing how heavy the atmosphere had become, Lu Yunxiao shifted the topic.

He had wanted to know the answer all along. After all, he himself had been severely injured this time. Given his temperament, he would sooner or later repay the debt for that arrow.

"It was Fiery Demon Valley. Fiery Demon Valley has always been hostile toward our Jia Nan Academy, and this ambush was their doing."

Mentor Ruolin spoke softly, her voice carrying a trace of hatred. After this battle, she hated Fiery Demon Valley to the bone. Unfortunately, she was still too weak, so she could only bury that hatred deep in her heart.

"Fiery Demon Valley... I'll remember that." Lu Yunxiao's eyes flickered. Sure enough, he should have thought of it earlier. There were not many factions in the Black Corner Region bold enough to openly ambush Jia Nan Academy, and Fiery Demon Valley was undoubtedly the most prominent among them.

"Fiery Demon Valley, Old Ghost of the Earth Demon, a seven-star Dou Zong!"

Lu Yunxiao softly murmured. A seven-star Dou Zong was already considered a high-level Dou Zong, possessing extraordinary strength far beyond what he could currently handle. However, he believed that with his rate of growth, it would take only a few years before he could kill Old Ghost of the Earth Demon head-on.

A gentleman's revenge could wait ten years. He would remember this grudge for now and repay it someday.

"Yunxiao, Fiery Demon Valley is powerful. Don't let anger cloud your judgment. You are still weak right now, so your own safety must come first."

Seeing Lu Yunxiao lower his head in silence, Mentor Ruolin worried that he might be unable to restrain the hatred in his heart and do something as foolish as striking a stone with an egg, so she could not help reminding him.

Lu Yunxiao smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, Mentor Ruolin. I know my limits."

"That's good." Mentor Ruolin sighed in relief, then seemed to remember something. She said gently, "There's one more thing. Everyone's injuries have basically healed, so we've decided to set off for Jia Nan Academy tomorrow morning. Get ready. You may need to rise early tomorrow."

"Understood." Lu Yunxiao smiled lightly.

"Mm, that's all for now. We've discussed everything that needed discussing, so I'll be leaving first. Get some good rest."

After gathering the tray, bowl, and chopsticks, Mentor Ruolin stood to take her leave.

"Take care, Mentor Ruolin," Lu Yunxiao said warmly as he rose to his feet.

"Alright." Mentor Ruolin replied, picked up the tray, and headed outside.

Just as she was about to reach the door, Mentor Ruolin suddenly stopped, turned around, and smiled. "Oh, I remember now. We should arrive at the academy tomorrow afternoon. When we get there, I'll introduce you to the great beauty among my students."

"Mentor Ruolin, there's really no need." Lu Yunxiao smiled wryly. Mentor Ruolin still remembered that matter.

"There is, there is." Mentor Ruolin said before walking straight out the room door.

Watching Mentor Ruolin's retreating figure, the corner of Lu Yunxiao's mouth twitched. He shook his head helplessly.

The next day, afternoon!

Lu Yunxiao and the others stood atop the Gryphon Beast.

They had been flying since morning, for more than half a day now, and Jia Nan Academy was finally within sight.

Peace Town was only the outermost edge of Jia Nan Academy. To reach Jia Nan Academy itself, they still had to cross a vast primeval forest surrounding it.

The primeval forest covered a broad expanse, but fortunately, they had already passed through it.

Looking at the enormous, majestic city in the distance, Lu Yunxiao felt a surge of emotion. After all the hardships they had endured, they had finally arrived.

The Gryphon Beast flew into the city and slowly descended at a flight station.

Lu Yunxiao and the others climbed down from the Gryphon Beast, formed a line, and waited for instructions.

"Yunxiao, all of you students from Mo City, come with me."

Mentor Ruolin stood before the group and spoke gently.

Lu Yunxiao nodded slightly and followed behind Mentor Ruolin.

The streets of Jia Nan City were exceptionally broad, their entire surfaces paved with Bluestone Slabs, making them look particularly neat and clean.

All manner of shops lined both sides of the streets, while cries of vendors and bustling noise rang out without end, creating a lively scene.

Young men and women in uniforms occasionally passed before Lu Yunxiao. Golden star emblems representing their strength adorned their chests, making it obvious that they were all students of Jia Nan Academy.

Lu Yunxiao swept his gaze over them one by one without slowing his steps, continuing forward.

After walking for roughly half an hour, an enormous academy came into view.

Rows of tall, immaculate school buildings filled his sight. Towering magic stone monuments stood in the square, luxuriant trees lined both sides of the paths, and above the entrance, the four grandly inscribed characters of Jia Nan Academy were carved upon a massive plaque.

Mentor Ruolin stepped into the academy, with Lu Yunxiao and the others following close behind. The instant Lu Yunxiao crossed through the gates, the system's voice rang out in his mind.

"Ding, Jia Nan Academy reached. Check-in begins. Check-in duration: two hours."

Lu Yunxiao paused, the corners of his lips curving upward. Then, without stopping, he strode straight into Jia Nan Academy.

After following Mentor Ruolin to register at the administration office, the academy began assigning classes and accommodations to Lu Yunxiao and the others.

Arranging the classes was simple enough. Mentor Ruolin managed two classes, Yellow Class Two and Yellow Class Four. Lu Yunxiao and the others were assigned to Yellow Class Two.

With their class assignments settled, it was naturally time to arrange their accommodations.