Arrival at the Academy

Arrival at the Academy

With a thought, Xiao Ling took Sky Rift Seat's Elf Egg out of his storage space. He weighed it in his hands. It was quite heavy, and its shell was patterned with black and yellow stripes, giving it a mysterious appearance. Pressing his ear against the shell, he could even hear faint heartbeats, making him look forward to its hatching all the more.

After putting away the Pokémon Egg, Xiao Ling took out the Blue Silver Emperor Torso Bone. When he held the soul bone, no violent energy spread from it. Instead, it gave off a gentle feeling that dispelled all the fatigue in his body. Blue light flickered around it, lending it an elegant aura.

Without further thought, Xiao Ling picked up the soul bone and pressed it against his abdomen. The crystalline soul bone in his hand blazed with light the next second, transforming into streams of warm current carrying a cool breath as they poured into his spine. In the blink of an eye, the soul bone had vanished, while blue-gold radiance spread across Xiao Ling's entire torso.

Cool, comfortable, without any obstruction or discomfort.

Feeling the abundant energy within him, Xiao Ling began circulating his Dou Qi to refine it. Unlike Dou Qi, this energy was not violent at all. Instead, it was exceptionally gentle, nourishing everything in silence. It coursed through his bones and muscles, strengthening his physique.

Time passed bit by bit. The moon set and the sun rose, and in the blink of an eye, it was the morning of the third day. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell upon Xiao Ling.

Gradually, Xiao Ling's body underwent subtle changes. His long black hair turned blue, his body grew a little taller, and his skin became fairer. His somewhat childish face also gained a few sharper contours. Without testing his bone age, most people would have thought he was a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old youth.

Xiao Ling only felt a cool sensation wash through his mind. His thoughts became clearer, and his Soul Power improved as well.

After sensing the changes in his body, Xiao Ling could not help marveling, "As expected of the Blue Silver Emperor with its top-tier life attribute. This is practically a complete rebirth."

He slowly opened his eyes, joy filling his blue-gold pupils.

His cultivation had reached Dou Zhe Five Stars, and his foundation was exceptionally solid. He was also very satisfied with the two newly acquired skills: "Wildfires Cannot Burn It All, Spring Winds Blow and It Grows Again," and "Disguise."

The former was an immensely powerful recovery skill capable of regenerating severed limbs. The latter was more of a utility skill that could conceal his aura. Before Dou Zong, it ignored differences in level. After reaching Dou Zong, anyone no more than one major realm above him would be unable to see through it.

He cut a wound across his palm, letting several drops of bright red blood flow out. Activating the soul bone skill "Wildfires Cannot Burn It All, Spring Winds Blow and It Grows Again," the wound on his palm immediately disappeared. The effect was excellent, and Xiao Ling was very satisfied.

Xiao Ling stood up and realized that his clothes had become a little tight. He had grown taller as well. Walking over to the mirror in the room, he looked at the person reflected within and froze.

"I never expected absorbing a soul bone to have this effect. The Blue Silver Makeover Technique I heard about online in my previous life really is powerful. But this appearance will be a little difficult to explain." Xiao Ling shook his head and stopped dwelling on it.

"We are still several days away from Jia Nan Academy. Now that I have mastered a Healing Skill, even if devouring Beast Fire brings backlash, I am confident I can handle it. There is no need to worry."

Time slowly passed. Other than necessary resupply stops, they spent all their remaining time flying onward. After more than ten days, they were nearly at Jia Nan Academy.

Along the way, Instructor Ruo Lin also introduced the freshmen to the forces around Jia Nan Academy and the general situation in the Black Corner Region.

Jia Nan Academy was located within the Black Corner Region. It was a place where all sorts mingled without restraint. Many wanted criminals, along with money and treasures of unknown origin, filled the area.

As a result, desperadoes who killed for wealth and treasure were everywhere in the Black Corner Region. She especially reminded them that if they ever wished to train there, they had to remember two things. First, disguise themselves and avoid revealing wealth or treasures that would invite greed. Second, never underestimate anyone in the Black Corner Region—especially the elderly, women, and children. No one who could survive there was harmless.

Jia Nan Academy, meanwhile, had carved out a sanctuary within it and maintained order throughout the surrounding region. Members of the Law Enforcement Team patrolled around the academy at all times. The Law Enforcement Team was made up of both instructors and students. Killing those from the Black Corner Region who harbored ill intentions toward the academy also allowed students to witness the dangers of the world.

As a result, Xiao Ling gained a deeper understanding of Jia Nan Academy and the Black Corner Region. They were no longer merely impressions drawn from books.

To avoid attracting unnecessary attention, Xiao Ling activated the "Disguise" skill and concealed his strength back to its original level. At the same time, his hair returned to its former black color. He planned to stop using such disguises once he had established himself at Jia Nan Academy.

After absorbing and devouring five Beast Fires, Xiao Ling's cultivation had risen to Dou Zhe Nine Stars Peak, while the Fen Jue had advanced to Profound Grade Low-Level. He intended to settle his cultivation for the next few days. Breaking through too quickly would make it difficult to control his own strength and could also leave his Dou Qi unstable.

With a thought, Xiao Ling opened the system panel. [Ding, automatically opening host's personal panel]

Host: Xiao Ling

Gender: Male

Cultivation: Dou Zhe Nine Stars

Dou Qi Attribute: Fire (mixed with a trace of Wood Attribute)

Cultivation Method: Fen Jue (Profound Grade Low-Level), Tai Yi Soul Sever

Dou Skills: Absorption Palm (Profound Grade Low-Level), Paw Crush Strike (Yellow Grade Mid-Level), Mountain Splitting Palm (Yellow Grade Mid-Level), Stone Crushing Palm (Yellow Grade Mid-Level)

Flame: Fused Beast Fire

Items: Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night, Sky Rift Seat's Elf Egg, Infinite Cola Bottle, Dou Zun Ruins Map

Draws Remaining: 8

Looking at the eight remaining draw chances, Xiao Ling still did not use them. He planned to wait until he reached the academy.

He took out Sky Rift Seat's Elf Egg again and used the Blue Silver Emperor Torso Bone to inject a trace of life energy into it. Seeing the egg shake slightly, Xiao Ling could not help smiling. It should hatch before long. He packed the Pokémon Egg into his backpack and carried it on his back. Before the little one hatched, he did not intend to place it in the system storage.

The next morning.

The sky was only beginning to brighten. Knowing that they would arrive at the academy today, Xiao Ling ended his cultivation early and left his room.

Standing on the back of the Flying Magical Beast and looking down, he saw the outline of a city so vast that it was astonishing.

Even from high in the sky, when he looked down, he could only see the tip of Jia Nan City's iceberg. From this small glimpse, one could see just how immense the city truly was.

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

It was Instructor Ruo Lin's voice. Not every student was exceptionally diligent in cultivation, nor did every student wake up so early.

Listening to the noisy sounds around him, Xiao Ling had nothing to prepare. Aside from the Pokémon Egg on his back, all his belongings had been stored in his belt.

Before long, the Flying Magical Beast beneath their feet let out a low roar, beat its wings, and dove toward the enormous city.

Upon arriving at Jia Nan Academy, the first thing they saw was a solemn and imposing academy gate.

The steps before the gate and the enormous square extending inward were all paved with Fine Steel Rock.

The gate itself was made entirely of high-quality jade, especially the four words "Jia Nan Academy" on the plaque. They gleamed with golden light and were clearly worth a fortune.

Jia Nan Academy's deep foundations intimidated this batch of freshmen from the moment they saw its gates. Even Xiao Ling could not help sighing at how rich Jia Nan Academy truly was.

After entering the academy, the Senior Students who had come to assist with recruitment left one after another after receiving the contribution points for completing their task.

All the freshmen followed Instructor Ruo Lin to the square, where they were assigned instructors according to their evaluation grades. The instructors would then arrange the students' residences.

After everyone else had dispersed, Instructor Ruo Lin walked over to Xiao Ling. Looking at him expectantly, she said, "Xiao Ling, with your talent, you can choose any instructor in the Outer Academy. Every instructor hopes to have a genius as a student."

"But I still hope you can join my class. What I can promise is that in my class, I will definitely apply for the highest level of benefits and cultivation resources for you."

Rubbing his chin, Xiao Ling said, "Instructor Ruo Lin, I actually have fire and wood attributes, and I plan to study alchemy. No one in Wutan City could teach me, so I came to Jia Nan Academy to learn. If attending your class will not affect my alchemy studies or cultivation, then I can agree."

Ruo Lin understood what he meant. He wanted to be left to his own devices. But that was fine. There was not much she could teach a genius like him anyway. Once he graduated in the future, there would at least be some teacher-student affection between them. Perhaps after he became powerful, he might remember her, and even a little something slipping through his fingers would be enough for her.

She therefore said, "That will not be a problem. The academy's Alchemy Department is like the Law Enforcement Team; it does not conflict with our teaching classes."

"Our teaching classes mainly assist students with cultivation. The students in every teaching class choose to join either the Alchemy Department or the Law Enforcement Team according to their talents and interests."

"Those who join the Alchemy Department will have dedicated instructors responsible for teaching alchemy techniques, and medicinal ingredients will be specially provided for students to gain experience. Those who join the Law Enforcement Team will likewise have instructors teach them practical combat techniques, leading them through actual battles to build combat experience." Ruo Lin carefully explained the matter to Xiao Ling.

After understanding, Xiao Ling smiled at Ruo Lin and said, "I understand. Thank you, Instructor, for clearing up my confusion. I am willing to join your class."

Hearing Xiao Ling's clear response, Instructor Ruo Lin revealed a charming smile. "Rest assured, my class will definitely not disappoint you."

"There is one more thing. I nearly forgot just now. Hu Gan, the principal of the Outer Academy, wants to meet you. I'll take you there. Although the principal is a Dou Huang Peak expert, he treats students quite well." With that, Ruo Lin led Xiao Ling toward the principal's office.

Walking behind her, Xiao Ling rubbed his chin and wondered, Why did he summon me alone? Could he be planning to take me as his disciple?

He shook his head and stopped thinking about it. Since he was already here, he would adapt to the situation and see what it was about first.