Imperial Capital

In the blink of an eye, several days passed. Xiao Shuang packed everything away in his storage rings.

Xun'er took several scrolls of Dou Techniques for herself and apologized for her previous scheming, which greatly improved Xiao Shuang's impression of her.

Xiao Shuang looked at the three storage rings in his hand. All his luggage was stored inside them, making him seem far more relaxed than the other new students.

Well, more than half of the new students from Wutan City carried huge bundles on their backs. After all, they did not possess rare items like storage rings.

The flying convoy consisted of several enormous flying beasts. Judging by their aura, each one was no weaker than a Dou Ling expert. Jia Nan Academy truly lived up to its reputation.

According to the rules, the new students were all assigned to one flying beast. Xiao Shuang, however, was different. Under the envious gazes of the other new students, he followed Instructor Ruolin onto an imposing flying beast.

This flying beast was much larger than normal, so its comfort level was presumably much higher as well.

When Instructor Ruolin saw Xiao Shuang, her face was full of resentment. She gently rubbed her forehead, though her voice remained as soft as ever.

"Xiao Shuang, you have one hour to stop in the Imperial Capital. If you fail to return within the allotted time, I'm afraid you'll have to walk to Jia Nan Academy yourself."

"I understand. I'll definitely return on time," Xiao Shuang vowed.

"Hehe, then come aboard. This Griffon Beast isn't something ordinary new students get to ride." Instructor Ruolin smiled lightly. Only a few female students accompanied her, and all of them were quite strong.

"Thank you, Instructor Ruolin." Xiao Shuang did not decline. After bowing, he leaped directly onto the Griffon Beast.

Seeing Xiao Shuang's actions, Instructor Ruolin raised a brow and watched with great interest.

Getting onto the Griffon Beast's back was not so easy. The wind attribute contained there made one's footing somewhat "slippery." Without preparation, one could easily make a fool of oneself.

The moment Xiao Shuang landed on the Griffon Beast's back, he discovered the problem. Wind attribute energy gathered beneath his feet, causing him to slide uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Xiao Shuang smiled helplessly. It seemed taking this backdoor was not so easy after all.

With a tap of his toes, Dou Qi wrapped around his feet and immediately stabilized his body. Then, a thin layer of ice spread beneath his feet. As he walked forward, the ice gradually shattered and dispersed into the air as Dou Qi.

"Tsk, tsk. What an unexpected little fellow. That move wasn't simple at all." Instructor Ruolin smiled as she gently clapped in praise.

"You flatter me, Instructor Ruolin. If I made a fool of myself here, I'm afraid I wouldn't be qualified to ride the same Griffon Beast as you." Xiao Shuang shrugged. He had noticed the finely constructed little house behind Instructor Ruolin. Compared to those on the other Griffon Beasts, this was far more comfortable.

After all, the small wooden houses on the other Griffon Beasts were extremely crude, and their interiors only had chair-like seats...

Still, such houses were probably built on the Griffon Beasts' backs because these new students were too weak to endure such prolonged flights.

Though the houses were simple, they could shelter their occupants from wind and rain, making them quite reliable for long journeys.

The difference was that the Griffon Beast on Instructor Ruolin's side had separate rooms inside its house, each furnished with a bed.

"That room over there is yours. Go inside first. We'll be setting off soon." Instructor Ruolin pointed at the room on the right with a smile.

Xiao Shuang nodded and entered the room. Though it was not large, having a bed and a table made the journey much more comfortable.

As he lay on the bed, the Griffon Beast flapped its wings and took off. Wind attribute energy gathered around its wings, carrying it steadily into the sky.

It had to be said that this flight was very stable, without the slightest sensation of dizziness.

After lying there for a while, Xiao Shuang began to feel bored and sat up cross-legged.

Looking at the storage rings in his hand, Xiao Shuang chuckled. He had not asked Xiao Yan and the others to see him off. Parting was an unpleasant feeling, and it was not as though they would never meet again.

He began circulating his cultivation technique. Even in the sky, he could cultivate, though the cultivation speed was much slower because the energy in the air was not easy to absorb.

He only wanted to take a look around the Imperial Capital. As for Yaoye, there was no need to meet her before he became a Dou Wang. One hour was enough.

Time passed quickly. Xiao Shuang had not cultivated for long before he felt the Griffon Beast descending noticeably. At the same time, Instructor Ruolin knocked on his door.

"We've arrived at the Imperial Capital of the Jia Ma Empire. You only have one hour, so don't get too carried away."

Xiao Shuang opened the door, glanced at the Imperial Capital below, and nodded.

"I understand, Instructor Ruolin."

Standing on the Griffon Beast's back and looking down at the magnificent city beneath the clouds and mist, Xiao Shuang's heart stirred slightly.

This was where the Royal Family lived, the seat of the Jia Ma Empire's rulers...

To the north of the Imperial Capital, a vast mountain range lay like a giant dragon. That must be the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Hehe, the future ruler of the Jia Ma Empire can only be me. This is merely a small step toward conquering the Northwestern Continent."

Xiao Shuang narrowed his eyes. As the Extreme Cold Physique fully awakened, many of his thoughts had changed...

He can be replaced.

The world where strength reigned supreme was simple. Xiao Shuang liked it.

Jia Nan Academy naturally had a recruitment team in the Imperial Capital as well. This hour counted as a rest period, so everyone could get down to stretch their legs and buy some snacks.

Of course, Instructor Ruolin had only secured this rest period because of Xiao Shuang.

None of these new students from Wutan City had ever visited the Imperial Capital. They wandered around curiously, then returned to the Griffon Beasts early. They did not want to be left behind because of their curiosity.

Within the Imperial Capital, every street was prosperous, and the crowds were no fewer than those in the Xiao Family's large Marketplace.

Along the way, because too many students had been recruited in the Imperial Capital, the Griffon Beasts became somewhat crowded. After some discussion, quite a few new students from the Imperial Capital were reassigned to the Griffon Beasts belonging to the Wutan City recruitment team.

Xiao Shuang looked around, calculated the time, and returned to the Griffon Beasts.

He would still follow the rules to a certain extent. At the very least, he would not make things difficult for Instructor Ruolin.

Just as he was about to climb onto the Griffon Beast's back, an arrogant-looking youth called out to him.

"Hey, don't you know this is for the instructors?"

The youth appeared to possess the strength of a Three Star Dou Zhe and was around sixteen or seventeen years old.

At that age, he indeed had the right to be arrogant—provided he was not standing before Xiao Shuang.