Zhao Yun the Venerate! Jia Nan Academy Recruitment! (Please Keep Reading)

Three days passed in Gu Long's steady routine of cultivation and sign-ins.

On this day, just after he finished another round of cultivating the Soul Condensing Art, Zhao Yun's message arrived in his mind right on schedule.

"Lord."

"Zi Long, what is it?" Gu Long focused his mind on the connection established by the system.

"Reporting to Lord, I successfully broke through to One Star Dou Venerate yesterday."

Zhao Yun's voice remained steady, yet the faint sharp brilliance within it was like the Dragon Gallant Silver Spear drawn from its sheath, palpable even across endless space.

A glint suddenly flashed in Gu Long's eyes!

Zhao Yun had broken through to One Star Dou Venerate!

This was the true threshold into the ranks of the continent's experts!

Compared to Dou Zong, it was a qualitative leap.

Zhao Yun had already been at the Peak Nine-Star Dou Ancestor, with a deep foundation and the support of Dragon Domain resources. His breakthrough had been expected, but seeing it truly happen was still exhilarating.

This meant that Dragon Domain's strongest combat power had completed a crucial transformation. It was now enough to gain a true foothold in the outer regions of the Central Continent and begin to possess a certain degree of influence.

"Congratulations, Zi Long! This is a great blessing for Dragon Domain!" Gu Long praised sincerely.

The improvement of his foremost general's strength delighted him even more than an advance in his own cultivation.

"It is all thanks to Lord's accumulated foundation. Yun would not dare claim credit." Zhao Yun spoke humbly before reporting another matter.

"Additionally, according to the Dark Division's investigation, Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy has recently dispatched several recruitment teams to various parts of the continent, including the Jia Ma Empire and surrounding regions, to select promising students. They are expected to arrive near Wutan City soon."

Jia Nan Academy recruitment?

Gu Long's heart stirred. This was indeed an important turning point.

According to his "memories," Xiao Yan had only truly begun to soar after joining Jia Nan Academy, obtaining the Falling Heart Flame in the Inner Academy and experiencing a massive surge in strength.

Although Xiao Yan had now been led astray by Gu Long's schemes, Jia Nan Academy itself—especially the Inner Academy's Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and Falling Heart Flame—remained an important part of his plans.

"I understand." After pondering for a moment, Gu Long gave his orders.

Dragon Domain will continue maintaining its hidden development. Gong Jin and you will coordinate everything.

Continue monitoring Jia Nan Academy, especially the Inner Academy's Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower. Record any energy disturbances in detail.

Remember, unless absolutely necessary, do not come into conflict with them.

"Understood!" Zhao Yun accepted the order, and the communication ended.

Gu Long slowly opened his eyes, his fingertips lightly tapping the stone table unconsciously.

Zhao Yun's breakthrough to Dou Venerate had made Dragon Domain's foundation even more secure. That was good news.

Jia Nan Academy's recruitment, meanwhile, was both a variable and an opportunity.

He did not need to enter the academy and study step by step like Xiao Yan, but he could use this opportunity to infiltrate it more deeply.

He was determined to obtain the Falling Heart Flame, but the timing and method of acquiring it required careful planning.

"Brother Gu Long, did something happen?" Xun Er's gentle voice sounded beside him.

She had just finished cultivating. Her aura had become increasingly condensed, and she was only one opportunity away from breaking through to Dou Ling.

Gu Long looked at her and did not hide it, saying simply, "General Zhao Yun has broken through to the Dou Venerate level. Also, Jia Nan Academy is coming to recruit students."

"Dou Venerate?" Xun Er's small mouth parted slightly, surprise flashing through her eyes.

As the Ancient Clan's young lady, she naturally knew what Dou Venerate represented.

She had never expected Brother Gu Long to already have an expert of such a level beneath him!

He was far more formidable than she had imagined.

As for Jia Nan Academy's recruitment, she did not feel much about it.

The Ancient Clan's foundation was far beyond what a mere academy could compare to.

"Brother Gu Long, are you interested in Jia Nan Academy?" Xun Er tilted her head and asked.

"There is something there that will be useful for my future cultivation." Gu Long did not elaborate on the Heavenly Flames. "However, we do not need to enter as students."

He had already made up his mind. With the strength and resources he secretly controlled, he could involve himself through another method.

For example, Dragon Domain could cooperate with Jia Nan Academy under the name of some reclusive family.

He could send a small number of absolutely loyal core members with clean backgrounds to infiltrate as ordinary students and serve as insiders.

Just as he was considering this, Ling Ying's figure silently appeared.

"Young Master Gu Long, Miss." After saluting, Ling Ying reported directly.

"This subordinate received a message from the clan. The Clan Leader asks whether Miss and Young Master Gu Long, having trained in Wutan City for several years, need to return to the Ancient World, or whether there are other arrangements?"

Gu Yuan and Gu Lie had clearly been keeping watch over the developments here.

Wutan City's purpose as Gu Xun Er's training ground had gradually lost its meaning after the Xiao Family's rise and events such as Xiao Yan's "return" came to an end.

Furthermore, Gu Xun Er's age and cultivation indeed required higher-level guidance and a better environment.

Gu Long looked toward Xun Er and saw a trace of reluctance in her eyes, though even more apparent was her obedient willingness to follow the arrangements.

He pondered Gu Yuan and Gu Lie's concern.

Return to the Ancient World now? The timing was not fully ripe yet.

Although he had obtained the Tou She Ancient God Jade, Dragon Domain was still developing and expanding, while his own strength had yet to reach his ideal level.

Moreover, Jia Nan Academy's opportunity was right before him.

Yet remaining in Wutan City forever would indeed be a waste of time.

The resources and environment here could no longer offer much improvement to him or Xun Er.

It seemed it was time to change locations.

"Elder Ling, reply to the Clan Leader." Gu Long made his decision. "The matters in Wutan City are settled. Xun Er and I plan to head to Jia Nan Academy."

"As students?" Ling Ying confirmed.

"No." Gu Long shook his head. "We will simply stay nearby as travelers. Jia Nan Academy has a rich collection of books and extensive exchanges. It is a good place to broaden our horizons. As for cultivation, I have my own arrangements."

He did not need the academy's systematic instruction, but as a renowned institution on the continent, Jia Nan Academy's library, Trade Zone, and intricate network of connections were all excellent channels for obtaining information and resources.

Approaching it as travelers would give them greater freedom of movement, making it easier for him to make secret arrangements and observe.

Ling Ying did not ask further questions and nodded. "Yes, this subordinate will reply to the Clan Leader at once."

When Xun Er heard that they would not immediately return to the Ancient World but would instead head somewhere new, light returned to her eyes as she held Gu Long's arm.

"Brother Gu Long, are we going to Jia Nan Academy? I heard it's very lively there!"

"Yes, I'll take you to have a look." Gu Long smiled faintly.

Keeping Xun Er by his side would allow him to protect her, and it was also an emotional need of his own.

Several days later, Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team indeed appeared in a town near Wutan City, causing quite a stir.

Countless young Dou Zhes rushed over, longing to enter this academy renowned throughout the continent.

With Jia Nan Academy coming to recruit students, the Xiao Family naturally received the news as well.

Within the council hall, several Elders were quite tempted. They believed this was a good path for the family's younger generation and suggested selecting a few people to try out.

Xiao Yan stood among the crowd, listening to their discussion as his eyes flickered.

Naturally, he had heard of Jia Nan Academy. It was a force even larger than the Misty Cloud Sect.

If he could enter it and obtain better resources and Cultivation Methods, it would certainly greatly benefit the three-year agreement.

Han Feng's cold voice sounded from within the ring.

"Jia Nan Academy? Hmph, it is indeed a decent place. There are quite a few good things inside.

"If you can enter, it will be an opportunity. However, with your apparent strength as a 'One-Star Dou Practitioner,' I'm afraid leaving for training will be somewhat difficult."

Xiao Yan's heart tightened, and he hurriedly asked in his mind, "Teacher, what should I do, then?"

"No matter. When the time comes, this old man will naturally have a way to help you pass the training assessment. But remember, your goal is to grow stronger—to take revenge!

"You need not care too much about the academy's rules and restrictions. Seeking every opportunity to increase your strength is the proper path!"

Han Feng cautioned him, a barely perceptible note of guidance in his voice.

He hoped Xiao Yan would retain that unscrupulous style of doing things even within the academy.

"This disciple understands!" Xiao Yan clenched his fists, and an intense desire for Jia Nan Academy arose in his heart.

While the young people of Wutan City and the surrounding areas grew restless over the recruitment, Gu Long and Xun Er quietly packed their belongings under Ling Ying's protection.

They did not alert anyone. Riding in an ordinary-looking carriage, they left the small courtyard where they had lived for three years.

Their departure did not draw the Xiao Family's attention in the slightest.

Everyone's attention was focused on the "major matter" of Jia Nan Academy's recruitment.

The carriage wheels rolled over Wutan City's bluestone streets, carrying them farther and farther away.

Gu Long turned back for one final look at the city as it shrank into the distance, his gaze calm.

This place was the starting point of his plans, where he had left behind his first few chess pieces.

Ahead lay a broader stage, stronger opponents, and opportunities he had long since claimed for himself.

A new journey had begun.