Vice Dean Hu Gan

Jia Nan Academy was divided into the Outer Academy and the Inner Academy. The new students recruited from all over the continent would all train in the Outer Academy.

Once their strength reached a certain level, they could participate in the annual Inner Academy Selection Tournament. As long as they ranked among the top fifty, they would qualify to enter the Inner Academy.

The Inner Academy differed from the Outer Academy. Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy was merely a place to test new students; the true core of Jia Nan Academy lay within the Inner Academy.

Meanwhile, Hu Gan, the Vice Dean of the Outer Academy, had already been waiting for quite some time. Upon learning of this matter, he had become deeply curious. Someone who called himself the Confucian Sage and possessed a token left behind by the Dean naturally inspired profound reverence in him.

Beside him stood the Outer Academy Elders, each of whom possessed strength between that of a Dou Wang and a Dou Emperor.

"Vice Dean, has this Senior come to Jia Nan Academy for some important matter?" One of the Dou Wangs clicked his tongue. "The Dean has been traveling the continent for years, and the First Elder is not at the academy either... With our status..."

Hu Gan's expression was grave, and he attached great importance to this matter. He said in a low voice, "Notify the Elders of the Inner Academy and have them come here to welcome Mister Confucian Sage as well."

"Alright, I'll go at once."

The Dou Wang nodded, turned around, and flew at top speed toward the Inner Academy. If the First Elder were still at the academy, this matter would not have become so troublesome.

The appearance of that token was enough to alarm the entire Jia Nan Academy. In the whole academy, only the First Elder possessed one. Even the Thousand Hundred Elders could not obtain one due to insufficient contributions.

From this alone, it was clear just how noble the visitor's status was.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, Jia Nan Academy's War Boat slowly appeared before everyone. Vice Dean Hu Gan led the Elders of Jia Nan Academy in gathering together, and they all cupped their hands in salute. "Greetings, Mister Confucian Sage."

Jiang Cheng nodded and said softly, "There is no need for such courtesy, everyone. I am the Academy Confucian Sage, Jiang Cheng."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. Sure enough, the Expert before them was a Dou Saint. Although some people did overstate their rank, every word Mister Confucian Sage spoke carried an aura that left people suffocated.

Back then, Fan Lao, the Sect Master of the Blood Sect, was merely a Dou Emperor yet usually called himself a Dou Zong. Mister Confucian Sage, on the other hand, was amiable and approachable, so he naturally would not exaggerate his status.

"Su Qian isn't here?"

Jiang Cheng swept his gaze around. When he failed to find anyone at the Dou Zong realm, he could not help but ask.

"Reporting to Mister, the First Elder left the academy because of some matters in the Black Corner Region. I have already arranged for people to find him. He should return before long."

Vice Dean Hu Gan chuckled, then made a gesture of invitation. "Mister, this is not a suitable place to talk. Shall we move to the Inner Academy?"

"Thank you for the trouble."

Jiang Cheng turned to the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King beside him. "Let's go."

"Yes, Master."

Vice Dean Hu Gan glanced at the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King in human form, but he could not discern his identity for the moment. Unless the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King released his Dou Qi, this group of Dou Wangs and Dou Emperors was not qualified to probe him.

The disciples of Jia Nan Academy also cast curious looks their way, all wondering who these people were and why they commanded such respect from the Vice Dean.

However, when they saw that the man had not formed Dou Qi Wings and was instead walking through the air, they could not help but gasp, their eyes flashing with complicated emotions.

Walking through the air—a Dou Ancestor Expert!

"It's him."

Within the crowd, a young girl's pupils contracted. Her clear, innocent eyes reflected the man who had once filled her with terror.

Jiang Cheng's gaze swept past her, and he noticed the girl among the crowd. She wore a purple dress and possessed a cool, indifferent temperament, like a blue lotus blooming in the mortal world.

Their eyes met, and she fearfully turned her head away, a grave feeling rising in her heart. Why had he come to Jia Nan Academy... Could it be for...

Under Vice Dean Hu Gan's guidance, they arrived at a secluded Guest Courtyard within the Inner Academy. This was the residence of First Elder Su Qian and also the quietest place there.

Normally, without First Elder Su Qian's permission, no one was allowed to enter without authorization. However, since Mister Confucian Sage had suddenly arrived at Jia Nan Academy, they naturally could not concern themselves with such rules.

"Please."

"Mm." Jiang Cheng responded before saying softly, "Little Fire, stay here."

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King nodded, then turned and stood at the entrance. With his hands behind his back, he looked like a top-tier bodyguard.

Vice Dean Hu Gan took out the Tea Leaves treasured by the First Elder from a cabinet and personally poured Jiang Cheng a cup.

"Please have some tea, Mister." Hu Gan offered it with both hands.

Jiang Cheng accepted the teacup, took a light sip, and said, "Thank you."

"You are too courteous, Mister. I have not introduced myself yet. This Junior is Hu Gan, Vice Dean of Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy."

As a loyal fan of Battle Through the Heavens, Jiang Cheng naturally knew Hu Gan, the Vice Dean of Jia Nan Academy. He was an upright man who cherished talent, and he could be considered a respectable Dou Emperor.

There were not many people who could preserve their original intentions while living in the Black Corner Region.

"Since First Elder Su Qian is absent, could Vice Dean Hu Gan help me with something?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Gan hurriedly replied, "Please speak, Mister. This Junior will spare no effort."

Without standing on ceremony, Jiang Cheng took a list of medicinal materials from his Storage Ring and handed it over. "If you have them, the price does not matter."

Hu Gan accepted the list of medicinal materials. When he saw the items listed on it, he could not help but gasp. Every one of them was extremely valuable, and few could be found throughout the entire Black Corner Region.

Seeing Hu Gan's troubled expression, Jiang Cheng knew that the items on the list were indeed difficult to find. He could only shake his head helplessly and say,

"If you do not have them, then we will leave."

Seeing that Mister Confucian Sage intended to leave, Hu Gan hurriedly said, "Mister, please do not rush. I will arrange for people to search immediately. The academy has some of the items on the list in storage, but as for whether we can obtain the rest... this Junior does not dare make any guarantees."

Jiang Cheng also knew how precious these items were. The list even required two Seventh-grade Magical Beast Cores. That requirement alone was enough to make most people back away.

Hu Gan also understood the value of these items. Any one of them could fetch an astronomical price at auction in the Black Corner Region. Obtaining them would naturally require an enormous expenditure of manpower, resources, and money.

However, since Mister Confucian Sage wanted them, they would naturally do everything in their power.

When the Dean had left back then, he had told them that if anyone came bearing the Academy Token in the future, they were to satisfy all of that person's requests as much as possible, regardless of his strength or identity.

Hu Gan and the others greatly respected the Dean's decision. No matter what the other party needed, with Jia Nan Academy's strength and background, gathering everything was only a matter of time.