A Conversation with Su Qian

A Conversation with Su Qian

Following Zi Yan, Xiao Ling soon arrived before a secluded pavilion.

Before the two could step forward and knock, a vigorous voice rang out from within. "What do you two little fellows want? You actually came all the way to this old man's place. Come in and tell me."

Before their eyes, the pavilion's courtyard gates opened on their own, revealing an elderly man dressed in black robes, with white hair and beard. Though he looked somewhat aged on the surface, the aura that occasionally seeped from his body and the faint ripples in the space around him both showed that he was far from ordinary—a genuine expert.

Xiao Ling stepped forward and bowed to Great Elder Su Qian. Zi Yan merely glanced at him before finding a chair nearby and sitting down. She took out a bottle of pills from her Storage Ring and began munching away. "Chomp, chomp..."

Seeing this, the corner of Great Elder Su Qian's mouth twitched. After everything I've provided for you—food, lodging, everything—you can't even leave this old man a little dignity in front of outsiders.

Pretending not to notice, Xiao Ling spoke calmly. "Great Elder Su Qian, I came to discuss my plans to leave for training."

Hearing this, Great Elder Su Qian put aside his other thoughts and asked seriously, "You are still young. Although your strength is sufficient, you have studied at Jia Nan Academy since childhood and lack experience. Moreover, this is the prime of your cultivation. Why not continue cultivating at Jia Nan Academy until you reach a higher realm before going out to train?"

Xiao Ling did not conceal his thoughts and replied evenly, "At this point, I can no longer rapidly improve my cultivation at Jia Nan Academy, and my alchemy has also reached a bottleneck. Rather than cultivate blandly within the academy, I would rather take this chance to venture out. I have been exceptionally lucky since childhood. Perhaps I might encounter an opportunity that could greatly benefit me."

Great Elder Su Qian nodded at those words. He too had once been young and reckless, so he could understand such thoughts. Still, he remained uneasy. "You are now a Dou King Three-star. With your outstanding Soul Power and physical strength far beyond those of your peers, dealing with ordinary Dou Wangs should not be a problem. But against a Dou Huang, that is difficult to say. A Dou Wang can resonate their Dou Qi with energy of the same attribute between heaven and earth, drawing upon natural energy for their own use. A Dou Huang, however, can control the power of heaven and earth and mobilize massive amounts of external energy of the same attribute. Their combat strength cannot be compared. Your reputation has already spread throughout the Black Corner Region. Though Jia Nan Academy's name carries weight, there is always the risk that others may harbor ill intentions. There are countless Dou Huang experts in the Black Corner Region on the surface, while several Dou Zong experts secretly sit behind the scenes and control its situation. If you intend to train in the Black Corner Region, that would truly be unwise."

After hearing Su Qian's explanation, Xiao Ling nodded seriously. However, he had no intention of training in the Black Corner Region right now. He would wait until he was strong enough before returning to claim the opportunities within. Xiao Ling knew that this place contained not only a fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame's map, but also the low Xuan-tier movement Dou Skill, Three Thousand Lightning Movement, which only core members of the Wind Thunder Pavilion could cultivate. It was the prerequisite movement Dou Skill for the high Xuan-tier movement Dou Skill, Three Thousand Lightning Illusory Body, and Xiao Ling had coveted it for a long time. More importantly, there was the Black Emperor Sect's Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva. It could treat Xiao Yi Xian's Calamity Poison Body and was also a crucial factor in finding the Bodhi Ancient Tree and obtaining the opportunity to become a Saint. There were countless other treasures as well: a Sky Demon Phoenix corpse, the method for refining Sky Demon Puppets, True Flame Manipulation Art, and more... If major factions with Dou Zuns overseeing them learned that all these things were in the Black Corner Region, they might personally come to fight over them.

No longer dwelling on such matters, Xiao Ling replied to Su Qian, "I know my current strength well. Below Dou Huang, I am invincible. Above Dou Huang, I can at least take one down with me. Even against some low-star Dou Huangs without Xuan-tier Techniques and Dou Skills, I have the strength to contend with them. Such strength may not guarantee my safety in the Black Corner Region, but I can travel freely through the Jia Ma Empire. I plan to return to my clan first, then train in the Jia Ma Empire and the Tagor Desert while searching for opportunities. My magical beast, Rayquaza, has already advanced to a sixth-tier magical beast. With its speed far surpassing those of the same rank, even a Dou Zong may not be able to catch me if they try to harm me."

After hearing Xiao Ling's answer, Su Qian nodded, his expression no longer as stern as before. Smiling, he said, "Since you are going to the Jia Ma Empire, I have little reason to stop you. From what I know, Yun Shan, the old sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect, remains in seclusion, and his strength is unknown. On the surface, the strongest person in the Jia Ma Empire is Jia Xing Tian, the imperial family's guardian, whose cultivation has reached Dou Huang Peak. In the Tagor Desert, the strongest is undoubtedly the notorious Queen Medusa. Though she is also at Dou Huang Peak, she cannot be mentioned in the same breath as Jia Xing Tian. Relying on her magical beast body, she can contend with a Dou Zong for a short time. If you happen to come into contact with her, it is best to be careful. As long as you are not careless, nothing should go wrong."

Having obtained the Great Elder's permission, Xiao Ling inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. If the Great Elder had truly refused, Xiao Ling would have had no good solution. After all, Jia Nan Academy was where he had been raised, and the Great Elder was practically half a guardian to him. If his plans had been disrupted, things would have become difficult.

Xiao Ling bowed deeply once more to the Great Elder and said earnestly, "Thank you, Great Elder, for granting this request. I will certainly be cautious outside."

Seeing this, Great Elder Su Qian stroked his beard, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He had watched this child grow up. His cultivation talent was extraordinary, his talent in alchemy practically monstrous, and his temperament was mature. He was neither arrogant nor impatient, respected his elders, and treated others kindly. How wonderful would it be if this boy were my son?

"Now that you have broken through to Dou Wang and have spent nearly five years in the Inner Academy, since you wish to go out and train, graduate early and become an elder of the academy. Do not forget Jia Nan Academy when you are outside. This place will always be your home," Su Qian said solemnly.

Xiao Ling nodded and replied seriously, "Rest assured, Great Elder. Jia Nan Academy raised me. Even if you had not said this, I would remember this kindness in my heart. I have long regarded myself as part of Jia Nan Academy."

Hearing this, Su Qian nodded in satisfaction. He walked over to Xiao Ling, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Then I will inform the academy's elders shortly. From now on, you will be an elder of the Inner Academy. We will no longer be teacher and student—we will be colleagues."

Xiao Ling shook his head. "No matter what heights I reach in the future, you will still be my elder."

Watching the two exchange courtesies, Zi Yan's face filled with confusion. She felt like an unnecessary third wheel.

In a flash, she rushed between them and pushed them apart. Stomping her foot, she said to Great Elder Su Qian, "Old Man Su, why do you keep talking to Xiao Ling? Can't you see I'm still standing here?"

Only when Zi Yan suddenly appeared did Su Qian remember that Xiao Ling was not the only one who had come to see him—Zi Yan was also there.

He asked in puzzlement, "Zi Yan, did you come to this old man because you have something to discuss? If it is about the academy's medicinal herbs, then I cannot help you solve that problem."

Zi Yan shook her head. "I want to go out training with Xiao Ling too. If Xiao Ling leaves to train, I won't have any delicious pills to eat."

Hearing this, Su Qian turned his gaze toward Xiao Ling. "Boy Xiao Ling, have you two already discussed this?"

Xiao Ling nodded and told Great Elder Su Qian about his earlier conversation with Zi Yan.

Su Qian nodded and looked at Zi Yan. In a serious tone, he said, "Training outside is not like staying in the academy. You must listen carefully to Xiao Ling's arrangements."

Zi Yan patted her chest and answered with a solemn expression, "Don't worry, Old Man Su Qian. I'll behave myself." Xiao Ling was the one who fed and clothed her. She absolutely could not offend him.

"Then I will leave Zi Yan in your care. Be careful outside. I will go inform the Inner Academy's elders now and tell them that you are becoming an elder." After saying this, Su Qian stepped into the air and headed out of the pavilion.

Once Great Elder Su Qian had left, Zi Yan wrapped her arms around Xiao Ling's arm and asked, "Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling, when are we leaving? When we get outside, we can go snatch medicinal herbs to eat together."

Xiao Ling stroked Zi Yan's smooth purple hair and smiled. "We'll set off tomorrow morning after tonight. You're only ever this enthusiastic when it comes to medicinal herbs."

Feeling the warmth of Xiao Ling's hand atop her head, Zi Yan did not resist. She said helplessly, "Only by eating more medicinal herbs can I reach Dou Zong faster. Then I'll be able to learn what kind of magical beast my true body is."

Xiao Ling said seriously, "Don't worry, Zi Yan. Once I gather the ingredients for the Form Transformation Pill and my alchemy reaches the peak of the seventh tier, I will refine a Form Transformation Pill for you immediately."

Although Xiao Ling knew that Zi Yan's true body was an Ancient Void Dragon, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan's situation was unusual at present. It was better for her to remain by his side and improve her cultivation.

"You can't lie to me. You have to keep your word." Hearing this, Zi Yan hugged Xiao Ling's arm even tighter.

"Don't worry. I won't lie to you."

"Pinky promise. No changing your mind for a hundred years..."

The two chatted and laughed as they walked slowly toward the academy dormitories. The lingering glow of the setting sun made the scene especially warm.