Arrival at the Academy

The journey to Jia Nan Academy was as boring as the Simulator had described.

Xiao Ming, having gained Alchemist Talent, did nothing unusual and simply cultivated as normal.

Along the way, the instructors also introduced the academy to the new students. Jia Nan Academy was located within the Black Corner Region.

The place was a chaotic mix of all sorts, with no restraints. Many wanted criminals, as well as money and treasures of unknown origin, filled the area.

Throughout the Black Corner Region, desperadoes who killed for wealth and treasure were everywhere.

Instructor Ge Hu also warned the students that if they ever considered venturing into the Black Corner Region for experience, they should remember two things. First, disguise themselves and avoid revealing wealth or treasures that might draw attention. Second, never underestimate anyone in the Black Corner Region, especially the elderly, women, and children. Anyone capable of surviving there was no pushover.

Jia Nan Academy had carved out a sanctuary within it, maintaining order across the surrounding region.

Members of the Enforcement Team constantly patrolled the area around the academy. The Enforcement Team was made up of instructors and students alike. They eliminated those from the Black Corner Region who harbored ill intentions toward the academy, while also giving students a chance to witness the world's dangers.

Through Ge Hu's explanations, Xiao Ming also gained a clearer understanding of the Black Corner Region.

As the days passed, Xiao Ming used the Life Simulator for two Life Simulations and obtained a bottle of Grade Four Medicinal Pill Qi Gathering Powder and a treasured sword embedded with a Tier Five Fire Attribute Magical Core. It was quite a haul.

"So this is Jia Nan City."

As dawn broke, a ray of morning light shone from the horizon, driving away all the darkness between heaven and earth.

Knowing that they would arrive at the academy today, Xiao Ming had been sitting with his eyes closed in meditation. Yet, as though he had suddenly sensed something, he opened his tightly shut eyes. His gaze passed through the window toward the distance, where the outline of a vast city, large enough to leave one speechless, slowly emerged from the mist.

Even from high in the air, he still could not take in the entire city at a glance. This showed just how enormous it was.

"Get up and prepare your luggage. We've arrived!"

It was Instructor Ge Hu's voice. Not every student was diligent in cultivation, nor did every student wake up this early.

To prevent everyone from scrambling when they landed the flying Magical Beast at the Flying Beast Station in the city, Instructor Ge Hu could only personally make sure everyone was prepared beforehand.

Listening to the surrounding clamor, Xiao Ming had nothing to prepare. All his belongings were inside his Na Ring, so he walked out of his room and looked down at Jia Nan City from the outer corridor.

At that moment, the flying Magical Beast beneath them let out a low roar, beat its wings, and dove toward the enormous city.

At the Flying Beast Station in Jia Nan City, Xiao Ming looked up at the flying Magical Beast as it took to the skies once more and let out a soft breath before turning to follow the majority out of the open grounds.

The moment they left the Flying Beast Station, a wide street paved with bluestone appeared before them. The surging crowds on the street secretly astonished Xiao Ming.

Such liveliness was impossible to see in Wu Tan City. He had only witnessed scenes like this in his previous life, when he was still on Earth.

As expected of the birthplace of the continent's oldest academy. That title alone was enough to draw countless people here.

After wandering through the city for nearly half an hour, the teachers and students finally arrived at Jia Nan Academy's true location.

The first thing they saw was a towering academy gate, solemn and imposing.

The steps before the gate and the enormous plaza extending from within were all paved with Fine Steel Rock.

The academy gate itself was made entirely from high-quality jade. In particular, the four golden characters reading Jia Nan Academy on the plaque gleamed brilliantly and were clearly worth a fortune.

Jia Nan Academy's deep foundation intimidated this group of new students with its gate alone. Even Xiao Ming could not help marveling at how rich Jia Nan Academy truly was.

After entering the academy, the senior students who had come to assist with recruitment all left after receiving the Contribution Points for completing their tasks.

All the new students followed their respective instructors to the plaza, where they were assigned to instructors according to their evaluation grades. The instructors would then assign the students their accommodations.

Generally speaking, whichever instructor recruited a student was responsible for that student.

Thus, Xiao Ming was unsurprised to be assigned to Instructor Ge Hu.

After everyone else had dispersed, Ge Hu walked over to Xiao Ming.

Looking at Xiao Ming with a smile, he said, "Xiao Ming, with your S-rank Talent, you could have chosen any instructor in the Outer Academy. You needn't be disappointed about being assigned to me. I'm already a Profound Rank Instructor and teach a Profound Rank Class, so I can secure more resources for you."

Xiao Ming had no objections. Ge Hu had recruited him in the first place and had taken very good care of him over the past few days. Joining his class was no big deal, and he would not be at a disadvantage.

Seeing Xiao Ming nod, Ge Hu happily said, "All right, go unpack your luggage first... Uh, it seems you don't have any luggage. You can go outside and buy some daily necessities, then tidy up your dormitory. Rest well today; the Opening Ceremony is tomorrow. Oh, and if you have any problems in the future, you can come find me. I'll do my best to help you."

Xiao Ming actually had a question to ask him right then, so he called out to Ge Hu, who had already started to leave.

"Instructor Ge Hu, I'd like to ask how I can join the Alchemy Department."

Ge Hu stopped in surprise. "You brat, you know how to refine medicine?"

Xiao Ming shook his head. "I don't. I'm just asking because I want to go in and learn."

"You want to become an alchemist? Do you understand the requirements for becoming one? First, your own attribute must be fire. Second, besides a Fire Body, you must also possess a trace of Wood Qi. Finally, you need powerful Soul Perception. I know you have a Fire Body, but that trace of Wood Qi..."

Ge Hu did not finish his sentence.

Xiao Ming understood what he meant. Without that trace of Wood Qi, he could not become an alchemist.

Xiao Ming was not angered by Ge Hu's words. He definitely had not possessed it in the past, but now he certainly did.

So he nodded confidently. "Don't worry. I tested my own attributes long ago."

Seeing Xiao Ming so confident, Ge Hu gave it no further thought.

If Xiao Ming wanted to try, then he could try. It would not hurt anything, and every year, quite a few people successfully applied to the Alchemy Department.

From his observations over the past dozen days, he had also found that Xiao Ming was not someone who made empty boasts.

"The academy's Alchemy Department is like the Enforcement Team; it doesn't conflict with our teaching classes. If you want to join, you can apply directly after tomorrow's Opening Ceremony. Anyone who meets the requirements will be admitted."

"After joining the Alchemy Department, specialized instructors will teach you alchemy techniques, and medicinal ingredients will be specially provided for students to accumulate experience. However, the Alchemy Department does not distinguish between new student ranks. Your S-rank status won't apply there. If you want more resources, you'll have to earn them through your own efforts."

After understanding, Xiao Ming smiled at Ge Hu. "I understand. Thank you for clearing that up, Instructor."