Inner Court Selection Tournament

After resting for the night, all the fatigue from the journey had vanished. Liu Xi climbed out of bed and stretched lazily, looking utterly refreshed.

"Feeling great!"

After washing up and changing into his academy uniform, Liu Xi headed out. Since he had returned to the academy, he still needed to report to his mentor.

He could also sort through the gains from his recent training.

"Through constant battles, the Dou Qi I recovered after expending it has grown increasingly solid. Although I haven't cultivated deliberately during this time, I've still steadily advanced into a Three-Star Dou Grandmaster."

"The Blazing Flame Swordplay Teacher gave me is excellent even among Mysterious Tier Fighting Skills. I can now use it skillfully in battle, and my combat strength has improved greatly compared to three months ago."

"Besides, I never expected to encounter such a fortunate opportunity on this trip. The Illusory Heart Technique is at least an Earth Tier, perhaps even a Heaven Tier or higher soul skill. Such a domineering and realistic illusion can serve as my strongest trump card. In future battles, I can directly drag my opponent into an illusion, then cut him down with a single strike."

"To resist or even break free from an illusion, one can only rely on Spiritual Power. For an ordinary person to strengthen their soul, they must at least reach the Dou Zong realm. As long as I don't provoke such experts, I finally have enough ability to protect myself!"

Having thought this through, Liu Xi finally felt a faint sense of security on the Dou Qi Continent.

On the Dou Qi Continent, countless races stood side by side, and powerful experts were beyond number. Although Liu Xi possessed decent cultivation talent and alchemy talent thanks to the unusually resilient soul he had gained through transmigration—

He still felt a sense of urgency. In this world, he had no one to rely on. He feared death and feared being struck by unforeseen disaster. But now, he was no longer so afraid. With the Illusory Heart Technique in hand, even if he encountered a Dou Emperor who was not skilled in Spiritual Power, he would still be capable of escaping.

Liu Xi made his way to Mentor Zhang Yan's office and knocked on the door.

"It's still early. I wonder whether Mentor Zhang Yan has arrived yet?" Liu Xi thought as he knocked.

"Come in." Zhang Yan's voice came from inside.

"Good morning, Mentor! I'm back from training." Hearing his voice, Liu Xi naturally pushed open the door and entered.

When Zhang Yan heard Liu Xi's voice, he looked over with delight. During the time Liu Xi had taken leave to train, quite a few pill-refinement orders had piled up on his side!

As Zhang Yan watched Liu Xi enter through the door, he noticed that compared to before, Liu Xi's aura was now deep and steady. Though the smile on his face remained gentle, his gaze had grown much sharper. Zhang Yan secretly marveled to himself. This kid looked even stronger than he was.

His feelings toward Liu Xi, this student who had brought him one surprise after another, were rather complicated.

Ever since he had recruited this student, before he had even begun teaching him, this genius had already surpassed him in every possible way.

"You've finally returned. While you were away training, quite a few people came looking for you to refine pills!" Zhang Yan said with a smile.

"Oh? Then have the pill formulas and medicinal ingredients sent to my alchemy room later. I'll refine them when I have time," Liu Xi said casually, not even asking about the pill grades.

"You've grown tremendously compared to three months ago! With your talent, I'm afraid you'll soon be able to compete alongside those upperclassmen in the Inner Court Selection Tournament." Hearing the confidence in Liu Xi's words, Zhang Yan could not help but sigh.

"The Inner Court Selection Tournament? When does it begin?" Liu Xi's primary purpose in coming to Jia Nan Academy was the Inner Court, so he was naturally somewhat excited upon hearing this.

"Hahaha, there's no need to be so excited. With your talent, entering the Inner Court is only a matter of time. The next Inner Court Selection Tournament won't be held until this year's graduating students graduate. They are the main participants in the tournament—the outstanding ones enter the Inner Court for further study, while the rest graduate directly from the Outer Court," Zhang Yan explained with a laugh as he watched the somewhat excited Liu Xi.

Zhang Yan could understand why a genius like Liu Xi would be excited about entering the Inner Court. Jia Nan Academy enjoyed considerable prestige throughout the continent, and the most important reason was precisely Jia Nan Academy's Inner Court.

In Jia Nan Academy's Inner Court, the minimum graduation requirement was reaching the Dou Ling realm. Those with exceptional talent could even reach the Dou Wang realm. So long as they did not die, graduates would all grow into renowned powerhouses. The reputations these experts earned throughout the Dou Qi Continent would in turn benefit Jia Nan Academy, causing the academy's fame to rise ever higher.

As a mentor of Jia Nan Academy, Zhang Yan held the academy's Inner Court in great respect.

"Alright. I'll sign up for the next selection tournament." Liu Xi smiled confidently.

"With your current strength, entering the Inner Court is practically guaranteed. Successfully entering the Inner Court after only one year at the academy—your talent will definitely make plenty of jaws drop." Zhang Yan looked at the confident Liu Xi with a smile. Once Liu Xi entered the Inner Court successfully, he could use that achievement to advance to a Mysterious Tier mentor as well!

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mentor. I'll be leaving first—I still need to visit Elder Huo later," Liu Xi said with a smile before departing.

After leaving Zhang Yan's office, Liu Xi headed toward the Alchemy Department compound. Elder Huo was generally stationed there.

Over the past half year or so, Elder Huo had taken great care of Liu Xi, even though the two had no master-disciple bond.

Elder Huo had not taught him everything he knew, but whenever Liu Xi came to consult him with questions, he would answer each one carefully.

Thus, Liu Xi held this Elder Huo in high regard. Since he had returned, he naturally had to pay him a visit!

When he arrived at the alchemists' compound, someone came forward to greet him before he could even speak.

The man looked at Liu Xi with worship in his eyes and said, "Master Liu Xi has arrived. Elder Huo has already instructed us that once you come, we are to take you directly to see him."

"Is that so? Then I'll trouble you to lead the way." Liu Xi replied with a gentle smile.

Ever since Liu Xi had become a Third-grade Alchemist under Elder Huo's test immediately after entering the academy, he had become an object of worship for the vast majority of Outer Court students.

At first, many people had refused to believe it, though none dared question Elder Huo's judgment. There were still some who sourly claimed that Liu Xi had merely been lucky enough to refine Third-grade Pills.

After all, everyone who could enter Jia Nan Academy had been a genius in their original home regions. But as more and more Third-grade Pills refined by Liu Xi appeared within the academy, fewer and fewer people questioned him, while more and more supported him.

As Liu Xi walked along, he naturally saw pair after pair of admiring eyes. Wherever he passed, people would deliberately make way for him.

Looking at those who admired him, Liu Xi smiled and nodded in return, feeling a touch of pride in his heart.

"Master Liu Xi, Elder Huo is already waiting inside. You may enter on your own. I'll be taking my leave first."

"Understood. Thank you for your trouble!" Liu Xi replied politely after being led outside a room.

Liu Xi pushed open the door and entered with a faint smile on his lips. Before he could say anything, he heard—

"Hahaha, you've finally returned! When you said you wanted to go to the Black Corner Region for training, you gave me quite a fright!" Seeing that it was Liu Xi, Elder Huo laughed loudly with delight.

"I'd taken too many pills before, so my Dou Qi had become terribly unstable. Going out to train was good for me," Liu Xi replied, warmth rising in his heart at Elder Huo's words.

"Your aura is steady now, your gaze is sharp, and you seem more confident than before. I imagine you gained quite a lot from the trip!" Elder Huo nodded in agreement.

"I gained a little," Liu Xi said modestly.

"You left for training so suddenly this time that you requested leave without even telling me beforehand. If you had told me earlier, I could have taught you another means of self-protection." As he spoke, Elder Huo shot Liu Xi a slightly reproachful look, as though blaming him for failing to discuss it with him.

"I only went out to train after breaking through to the Da Dou Shi realm because I felt my Dou Qi was unstable and wanted to solidify it. Next time, I'll definitely inform you, Elder." Hearing Elder Huo's concern, Liu Xi smiled as if trying to please him.

"See? I came straight here as soon as I got back," Liu Xi continued.

"Smooth talker. Since you've returned, I should teach you the attack method unique to us alchemists—the Pill Fire Technique," Elder Huo said with a smiling scold.

"We alchemists have always dealt with flames, and this Pill Fire Technique is a means of controlling fire to attack."

"Moreover, its power can be enhanced with certain special flames, such as the Life Flames of powerful magical beasts."

"Actually, for us alchemists, nothing would be better than Heavenly Flames. But such divine treasures can only be encountered by chance, not sought after." By the end, Elder Huo could not help showing a wistful expression.

"Never mind. Heavenly Flames cannot be forced. If I hear any news about Beast Fire, I'll keep an eye out for you. The Beast Fire of certain powerful magical beasts can not only increase the power of the Pill Fire Technique, but also greatly benefit our pill refinement."

"Thank you, Elder!" Liu Xi said gratefully after hearing this. In Elder Huo, Liu Xi seemed to see a trace of his own teacher, Xuan Hao. Xuan Hao had protected him just as meticulously.