Journey to the Academy

Three days later

Everyone who had passed the test gathered once more, ready to head to Jia Nan Academy.

By now, Mentor Zhang Yan had grown increasingly close to Liu Xi.

Although Zhang Yan had come out this time to recruit students, bringing a genius like Liu Xi back to the academy was already enough for him to earn a reward.

But once they returned, if Liu Xi could join a class under his name, it would greatly help with his future promotion. Once Liu Xi became famous, Zhang Yan, as his mentor, would naturally share in the glory.

Thus, over the past few days, Zhang Yan had specifically gone to stay at Liu Mansion.

Liu Ming and his wife also hoped that Liu Xi would have a mentor to look after him at Jia Nan Academy in the future. Naturally, they warmly welcomed Zhang Yan's arrival. Both sides deliberately sought to build a relationship, and for a time, host and guest were thoroughly pleased.

Seeing that the new students had more or less all gathered, Zhang Yan stepped forward with his hands behind his back and addressed them. "First, congratulations on standing out and becoming students of Jia Nan Academy. However, there are hundreds, even thousands, of students in the academy with talent equal to yours. You have no right to be proud yet." His tone grew increasingly stern toward the end.

"Alright, follow me!" Zhang Yan said, waving a hand as he turned and led the way.

The group followed Zhang Yan and the Senior Students to a forest outside the city, where an enormous Giant Bird Magical Beast came whistling out of the woods.

The powerful gusts it stirred up sent dust flying everywhere, forcing people to cover their faces with their hands. Liu Xi did the same, but discreetly released Dou Qi at the same time, forming a thin veil of Dou Qi around himself that kept all the dust out.

The Giant Bird Magical Beast finally landed before them, its enormous birdlike face staring fixedly at the crowd. This sight filled every new student except Liu Xi with terror, and some had even begun backing away.

The Senior Students nearby looked at the new students' reactions with varying degrees of disdain.

The moment Liu Xi saw the Magical Beast, he released his Soul Perception. Though this giant bird looked massive, its aura was only around the second order. It lacked any vicious presence, so it was likely a mount raised specifically by the academy.

As expected of Jia Nan Academy. Its foundation truly runs deep. They directly use a Second-order Magical Beast even for recruitment. I want to raise a Flying Mount like this too. Otherwise, if I want to fly on my own, I'll have to cultivate to the Dou Wang realm. Liu Xi stared at the Giant Bird with a hint of excitement.

"Ahem, there's no need to be afraid. This Magical Beast is a mount raised by the academy. We'll be riding it back to the academy." As Zhang Yan explained, he turned to observe everyone's reactions. When his gaze reached Liu Xi, he saw only excitement on Liu Xi's face, without the slightest trace of fear. Compared to the others, Zhang Yan was even more satisfied.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Yan circulated his Dou Qi and leaped onto the Giant Bird. He spoke again, "Get on. We're leaving."

The Senior Students were the first to leap onto the Giant Bird. Then Liu Xi activated the Soaring Swan Steps and jumped onto its back as well, using Dou Qi to steady himself and landing firmly on his feet.

Only then did the remaining new students cautiously climb aboard one by one.

Once everyone was on, the Giant Bird Magical Beast spread its wings and soared into the sky.

Watching the ground grow farther and farther away and listening to the wind howl past his ears, Liu Xi narrowed his eyes. A smile curved his lips as he found himself somewhat captivated by this feeling of freedom.

Thus, aside from necessary resupply stops, they spent all their time flying. More than ten days later, they finally reached the academy. After several rounds of inspection by the Enforcement Team, the group, led by Zhang Yan, finally saw the academy gates engraved with the four large crimson-gold characters: Jia Nan Academy.

Along the way, the mentor had also introduced the academy. It was located within the Black Corner Region, a place where all sorts of people mingled without restraint. Wanted criminals and wealth of unknown origin filled the area.

Therefore, in the Black Corner Region, desperate outlaws who killed for money and treasures were everywhere. If any of you later decide to enter the Black Corner Region for training, remember two things. First, disguise yourselves and try not to reveal wealth or treasures that might attract attention. Second, never underestimate anyone in the Black Corner Region, especially the elderly, women, and children. No one who could survive in the Black Corner Region was harmless.

And within it, Jia Nan Academy upheld a patch of pure ground, maintaining order across the surrounding area. Members of the Enforcement Team constantly patrolled around the academy. The Enforcement Team was made up of both mentors and students. Killing people from the Black Corner Region who harbored ill intentions toward the academy also gave the students more experience of the world's dangers.

Just as Liu Xi arrived at Jia Nan Academy, in the Xiao Family of Wutan City within the Jia Ma Empire, the nine-year-old Destined Protagonist, Xiao Yan, had already cultivated to the Eight Stages of Dou Qi. At this moment, he was treated like the center of attention within the Xiao Family. His Dou Qi had not yet been absorbed by the Pocket Grandpa, and he was still in his brightest period.

One's position shaped one's perspective. Liu Xi naturally held no favorable feelings toward Xiao Yan, the person who had killed him in the Original Work. He had considered getting rid of him in advance, but abandoned the idea after thinking it over. There were simply too many uncertainties.

Liu Xi had yet to grasp power sufficient to kill in a single blow, and he did not know whether Xun Er had already fallen stubbornly in love with Xiao Yan. He could not risk being taken out in one wave by Xun Er's Dou Emperor Guard. In short, there were far too many uncertainties.

Therefore, Liu Xi had no plans to provoke Xiao Yan proactively. If a conflict erupted in the future, it could only be over cultivation opportunities. According to Liu Xi's plan, he would develop as quickly as possible in the early stage, seize opportunities in the middle stage, and take Xiao Yan out in one wave in the later stage.