Tou She Ancient God Jade

"Xiao Chen, when did you learn alchemy?"

Xiao Zhan looked warmly at Xiao Chen before him and asked.

Xiao Chen was not surprised by Xiao Zhan's question, because only a few people—Xun'er, Xian Meng, Meng Er, Ya Fei, and the like—knew that he could refine pills.

Xiao Chen usually refined pills in the Small World within his Cosmos Ring. Now that he had suddenly claimed to be an Alchemist, it was no wonder Xiao Zhan had his doubts.

Fortunately, Xiao Chen had already prepared an explanation when he decided to reveal his identity as an Alchemist.

"Father, a powerful senior took a liking to my cultivation talent and aptitude as an Alchemist, so he accepted me as his disciple."

Xiao Chen kept a straight face as he spouted utter nonsense.

Xiao Zhan nodded at that, though doubts still lingered in his heart. Xiao Chen has grown up. He has some secrets of his own.

After putting away the jade pendant, Xiao Chen exchanged a few more pleasantries with Xiao Zhan before leaving the hall.

Xiao Chen had no intention of telling Xiao Zhan what the jade pendant truly represented. After all, the current Xiao Family was no longer the ancient Xiao Clan. The strongest person in the Xiao Family, at least openly, was Xiao Zhan, a Da Dou Shi. It was better for Xiao Zhan not to know.

The clash among Wutan City's three great families in the Market spread throughout the entire city as quickly as the wind. As the victors, the Xiao Family began rapidly expanding their territory and influence in Wutan City.

Time slowly passed, and Xiao Chen returned to a peaceful life. Still, he set aside three hours every day for cultivation.

For the rest of his time, he either went to see Xiao Xun'er and Ya Fei or refined pills.

Most of the pills Xiao Chen refined were given to Ya Fei, though he kept some for himself. As for whether Ya Fei paid him or not, Xiao Chen did not care.

In Xiao Chen's eyes, Ya Fei would be his sooner or later. What he invested now would be repaid in the future.

Besides, no matter how many Gold Coins one had, they could generally only be used to buy relatively low-grade cultivation methods or Dou Techniques. Pills were much the same.

Most importantly, Xiao Chen was more than willing to spend a few million Gold Coins to raise Ya Fei's favorability toward him.

After all, how could courting girls not cost money? He was not Xiao Bai Piao.

A month later, the Xiao Family had completely taken over the former assets of the Gale Family and the Oba Family, continuously increasing the Xiao Family's overall strength. They received a huge income of Gold Coins every day, many times greater than the Xiao Family's previous earnings.

As time passed, news that Jia Nan Academy would be coming to Wutan City to recruit students quickly drew immense attention throughout the city.

As one of the renowned advanced academies on the Dou Qi Continent, Jia Nan Academy was practically a holy land in the hearts of all young people. As long as one could graduate after further study there, one's future would be almost completely smooth. Not only could one return home in glory, but one would also become a prized talent fought over by every major force.

In Xiao Chen's eyes, Jia Nan Academy was like Tsinghua in his previous life.

Being admitted was simply a matter of bringing honor to one's ancestors, and after graduation, the academy's teachers would even arrange jobs for the students.

Jia Nan Academy was located at the border where the Jia Ma Empire met two nearby great empires, in a region beyond any of their control.

Jia Nan Academy had practically become a small nation. Logically speaking, the three great empires would not have ignored a neutral force situated between them like this. After all, there was no telling when that force might be won over by an opponent, posing a serious threat to the empire's border defenses.

Of course, that was only under the premise that the force between them was weak. Once its strength had risen enough to contend with the three great empires, the empires instead quietly abandoned all such thoughts. In the end, they could only allow Jia Nan Academy to crouch at the empire's edges like a giant dragon, with no one daring to provoke it lightly.

After many years of development, Jia Nan Academy had not only become a renowned advanced academy on the Dou Qi Continent, but its obscure cooperation with the royal families of the three great empires had also made its reputation and prestige among their people increasingly formidable.

The three great empires, which were normally as incompatible as fire and water, had been able to maintain peace for nearly a century largely because of Jia Nan Academy's secret restraint and mediation.

All these factors further strengthened Jia Nan Academy's prestige within the three great empires. Every year, Jia Nan Academy dispatched a large number of instructors to recruit students with outstanding cultivation talent from within the three empires.

The royal families of the three great empires unanimously approved of Jia Nan Academy's actions. After all, an academy was not a sect and did not impose overly strict restraints.

After graduation, most accomplished students chose to return to their own countries. As long as their brains had not been caught in a door, the royal families of the three great empires naturally would not reject a measure that indirectly strengthened their nations.

Jia Nan Academy's minimum recruitment requirement was to reach Eight-Segment Dou Qi before the age of eighteen.

Jia Nan Academy valued cultivation talent rather than identity or status. If one's talent was insufficient, one would never be able to step through that door symbolizing a smooth future.

Of course, nothing was absolute. If some enormous force stood behind you, Jia Nan Academy would not mind having one more wealthy patron who contributed a large amount of tuition every year.

As Jia Nan Academy's recruitment date approached, Wutan City grew even livelier.

Xiao Chen, Xiao Xun'er, and the Xiao Clan Members arrived together at the designated recruitment square for Jia Nan Academy. Waves of noise shot into the sky over the enormous square as countless young people desperately squeezed toward its center.

"There are actually so many people!"

Xiao Chen could not help exclaiming as he looked at the crowd ahead of him.

Xiao Chen also knew that most of them were merely here to watch the excitement. As for those who had reached Eight-Segment Dou Qi before the age of eighteen, there were not actually many.

"Hmph, no idea what to do now, huh?"

Hearing Xiao Chen's words, Xiao Yu at his side immediately gave a smug little snort.

Seeing Xiao Yu's smug expression, Xiao Chen truly wanted to press her beneath him and teach her a harsh lesson.

"Cousin Xiao Yu, do you have a way?"

Seeing that Xiao Chen and Xiao Yu seemed unable to stand each other, Xiao Mei hurriedly smiled and changed the subject.

"The person in charge of recruitment in Wutan City this time is my instructor. As her prized student, of course I have a way. Follow me." Xiao Yu raised her pretty nose, waved her hand, and said with a smile.

Xiao Yu then led the Xiao Clan Members toward the other side of the square.

Watching everyone leave, with only Xun'er by his side, Xiao Chen thought, A good man does not fight with women.

However, he secretly decided that he would definitely make Xiao Yu pay for it someday.

A short while later, Xiao Chen led Xiao Xun'er after them as well.

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