Battle Through the Heavens: Obtaining the Extraction System at the Start — Section 15

Xiao Ling showed no fear whatsoever. With a beckoning gesture, a long spear fell into his hand. He swept the shaft horizontally and met the sword qi head-on.

Although he had not used a Dou Technique, the terrifying force Xiao Ling generated with his spear caused even the air to ripple faintly. The piercing sonic booms rumbled like muffled thunder, making the weight behind this attack abundantly clear.

Bang!

The two attacks collided, and an enormous boom erupted from the arena. The hard stone slabs beneath their point of contact shattered into powder with a thunderous crash, while cracks spread outward like a spiderweb.

The air exploded as both men retreated. Xiao Ling casually performed a backflip and landed steadily, while Chen Anping was already drenched in sweat, his Dou Qi clearly exhausted.

He cupped his fists toward Xiao Ling and said, "Junior Brother Xiao Ling, my skills are inferior. I concede."

Xiao Ling returned the gesture, and the two left the fighting platform.

Seeing this, the referee announced loudly, "Xiao Ling of Profound Grade Class 1 versus Chen Anping of Profound Grade Class 4. Xiao Ling wins!"

The spectators in the stands burst into applause and cheers.

Hu Gan on the viewing platform could not help sighing. "He can contend against a Dou Technique with his physical body alone. Though his opponent's cultivation was not particularly high, that is still truly astonishing."

Elder Huo agreed. "This boy's spiritual perception and physical body are both exceptional. His talent is truly blessed by the heavens—something others can only envy."

After the match, Xiao Ling returned to his class's area.

Sitting beside Xiao Xun'er, the two chatted casually for a few moments before continuing to watch the matches.

Besides Xiao Ling's companions, there were two other Da Dou Shi in this competition. One was Han Xian, while the other was someone never mentioned in the original work, named Chu He.

After everyone's matches concluded smoothly, they returned to their dormitories and began cultivating.

Over the following days, the Inner Academy Selection Tournament continued as usual. With the cultivation of a Three-Star Dou Grandmaster and Soul Perception far exceeding those of others at his level,

Xiao Ling fought his way through every opponent and claimed the championship of the Inner Academy Selection Tournament. Lin Xiuyai came second, Liu Qing third, Lin Yan fourth, and Han Yue fifth. Xiao Xun'er was eliminated within the top fifty, but by entering the Inner Academy at the age of nine, she broke Jia Nan Academy's record for the youngest Outer Academy student to enter the Inner Academy. This made everyone see her in a new light, and some students even began wondering what kind of family the Xiao Family of Wutan City was, to produce two peerless geniuses at once.

If Xiao Ling knew what they were thinking, he would only reply blandly, "Do you understand the heritage of the Eight Ancient Clans?"

After all the matches ended, the top five stepped onto the fighting platform.

Hu Gan, Vice Dean of the Outer Academy, first gave the crowd a lengthy speech. It reminded Xiao Ling of his school days, when the old principal would speak onstage as though he had completely lost all sense of time.

After finishing, Hu Gan swept his gaze around the plaza and loudly announced, "The Inner Academy Selection Tournament has now come to an end. After fierce battles, the top five have been decided. They are Xiao Ling, Lin Xiuyai, Liu Qing, Lin Yan, and Han Yue. Let us give them a round of applause."

As soon as his voice fell, overwhelming cheers suddenly erupted across the plaza. Amid the flood-like waves of sound, the entire plaza trembled. Countless people stood from the stands and looked at the five onstage, their eyes filled with envy, admiration, and longing.

The five waved to the crowd around them, then left the fighting platform together.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, they slowly walked out of the deafeningly noisy plaza.

The annual Jia Nan Academy Inner Academy Selection Tournament came to an end with their final departure.

After the Inner Academy Selection Tournament ended, Xiao Ling rarely appeared around the academy. He was no longer seen in the Alchemy Department or the combat area, places he had once frequented.

It was now the third day after the Inner Academy Selection Tournament. After several days of cultivation, coupled with the tempering he had received in the fighting arena, Xiao Ling's cultivation had broken through to Four-Star Dou Master. Once he reached Seven-star Dou Grandmaster, taking one Three-patterned Green Spirit Pill and two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills would allow his cultivation to directly reach the peak of the Da Dou Shi realm. Feeling the surging Dou Qi within his body, Xiao Ling was quite satisfied.

According to academy rules, within seven days after the selection tournament ended, the top fifty students had to begin preparing to enter the Inner Academy. As for Xiao Ling and the other top five, they could choose a time during those seven days to enter the academy's Library Pavilion. As a reward, they were qualified to rely on their luck and select something that would belong to them.

Xiao Ling had already decided what reward he would choose in the Library Pavilion.

During the Inner Academy Selection Tournament, Han Xian had not used the Illusion Gold Fire from the Seventh-Rank Illusory Fire Scorpion Dragon Beast mentioned in the original work. Xiao Ling guessed that the Beast Fire had most likely been a reward Han Xian obtained in the Library Pavilion. After absorbing this Seventh-Rank Beast Fire, even if the Fen Jue could not advance to Profound Grade Intermediate, its cultivation speed should at least increase somewhat.

At this moment, Xiao Ling was in the courtyard discussing with his companions how they would counter-rob the Inner Academy's older students during the Fire Energy Hunt Competition.

The group sat around a pavilion in the courtyard. Xiao Xun'er was on Xiao Ling's left, while Han Yue was on his right. Breathing in their fragrances, Xiao Ling found his mind wandering.

As they spoke, Xiao Ling's right hand beneath the tablecloth casually rested on Han Yue's long leg. The soft, springy feel of her flesh and the silky touch of her black stockings only intensified his longing for her. I should find out what it feels like to rest my head on her lap someday. After what had happened half a year ago, their relationship had developed further, and they occasionally engaged in intimate gestures.

Feeling the mischievous hand on her leg, Han Yue's expression remained calm, but inwardly she was already terribly shy. Without drawing attention, she glanced at Xiao Ling beside her and reached out to push his hand away, only for him to seize her hand in return and interlace their fingers. She tried to pull free but could not.

Seeing Xiao Ling's unconcerned expression, Han Yue could only obediently let him hold her hand. Junior Brother wants to hold hands—what else can I do but let him?

Han Yue's slender jade-like hand was fair and delicate, like a freshly peeled eggshell. The young man gently rubbed it, feeling the soft beauty in his palm, boneless and exquisite. It felt as cool as white jade, while the black stockings beneath his other hand added an extra touch of silky smoothness.

Xiao Xun'er beside them seemed to sense something and glanced in Xiao Ling's direction. Seeing that his expression was perfectly normal, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, she suspiciously looked at Han Yue before shaking her head. Brother Xiao Ling and I grew up together. How could he possibly like someone else? We're the ones meant for each other.

In the end, they decided to lie in wait not far from the exit. They would let the older students rob the new students first, then rob the older students afterward.

After the discussion ended, everyone returned to their own courtyards. Xiao Ling also entered his room and began cultivating in earnest, adjusting his condition in preparation for entering the Library Pavilion tomorrow to obtain a treasure.

Early the next morning.

Xiao Ling was practicing the Mysterious Grade High-tier Dou Technique, Swallow Return Strike, which Xiao Xun'er had given him the day before.

He had to admit that the Dou Technique from that little rich girl was truly useful. Its whole principle was "returning the other's methods back upon them."

Just as Xiao Ling was immersed in practicing the Dou Technique, a bell rang from inside the house.

He stopped his practice, walked to the courtyard gate, and opened it. As expected, it was Senior Sister Han Yue, here to call him to the Library Pavilion.

After glancing around and seeing no one paying attention, Xiao Ling grabbed Han Yue's slender hand and pulled her into the small courtyard.

Han Yue helplessly rolled her eyes at Xiao Ling and said softly, "It's almost time for us to head to the Library Pavilion. Don't keep the others waiting too long." Though she said so, her hand offered little resistance as Xiao Ling held it tightly.

Xiao Ling had always been shamelessly thick-skinned. Grinning, he said, "A little delay won't matter. We can ride Void Dragon there later—perhaps we'll even arrive before them."

Xiao Ling appeared perfectly open and at ease, but Han Yue felt uncomfortable all over, her cheeks burning.

Just then, Xiao Ling reached out and wrapped an arm around Han Yue's slim, soft waist from behind, pulling her into his embrace.

Han Yue could not help casting Xiao Ling a faintly reproachful glance. Yet held in his arms, she inexplicably felt at peace, and the turmoil in her heart quickly settled.

After half a year, Xiao Ling had grown to be the same height as Han Yue. Their gazes met, and an ambiguous atmosphere lingered in the air.

Xiao Ling looked at Han Yue with a smile, then froze slightly. Her face was right before him, yet his gaze became somewhat dazed as his heart stirred.

Han Yue did not notice anything unusual. She instinctively parted her red lips and asked softly, "What is it?"

Looking at the lovely face and alluring red lips so close to him, Xiao Ling said without thinking, "Han Yue, you're so beautiful. I like you so much."

Han Yue's long lashes trembled lightly. For some reason, she felt as though a kitten were scratching at her heart.

Their faces, already so close, drew nearer once more, and their hearts intertwined in that instant.

Soft, warm, moist, and carrying a faint fragrance, with a subtle sweetness in his mouth—this was what Xiao Ling felt at that moment.

The instant their faces intimately touched, every thought in his mind went blank. Within his clear blue-gold eyes, there was only Han Yue's exquisite face and graceful figure.

Han Yue was the same. Her gaze grew hazy, and Xiao Ling's figure was all that remained in her eyes.

No one knew how long that moment lasted. Only when their lips parted did they both come back to their senses.

Seeing the silvery thread between their lips, Han Yue hurriedly pulled away, flustered and at a loss. Xiao Ling merely touched his lips, savoring the sensation from before.

For a while, neither spoke, and the atmosphere became subtle.

Fortunately, Void Dragon, who had been sleeping inside, seemed to have been awakened by their commotion. It turned into a streak of black light and appeared before them, licking Xiao Ling's face before nudging Han Yue's back. Only then was the delicate atmosphere broken.

Xiao Ling stopped thinking about it. With a leap, he landed on Void Dragon's back and extended a hand toward Han Yue.

Seeing this, Han Yue came back to herself. She gave Xiao Ling a charming roll of her eyes, placed her hand in his, and with a slight exertion of force, sat behind him.

Inside the spacious, brightly lit room, bookshelves crisscrossed one another, filled with all kinds of ancient books and lending the place a rich scholarly atmosphere.

Five figures stood before a broad desk. They were the top five of this Inner Academy Selection Tournament: Xiao Ling, Lin Xiuyai, Liu Qing, Han Yue, and Lin Yan.

"Not bad. You are all the most talented students of our Outer Academy, but remember that the Inner Academy is not like the Outer Academy. Everyone who enters the Inner Academy is a genius like you. Furthermore, strength is respected in the Inner Academy. Whoever has the harder fist can obtain the best cultivation conditions. That is why students entering the Inner Academy generally form groups. If you do not, the outcome will not be very pleasant!" Hu Gan said solemnly as he looked at the five before him.

"Don't worry, Vice Dean Hu Gan. We have already planned to establish a faction in the Inner Academy. No one will be able to bully us then," Lin Xiuyai said at the right moment.

Hearing this, Hu Gan nodded and said kindly, "You are all rare talents of Jia Nan Academy. After entering the Inner Academy, you will certainly be able to take care of yourselves. Before long, your faction will surely become the number one faction in the Inner Academy."

No longer dwelling on the topic, Hu Gan rose to his feet and said, "Come with me. I'll take you to the Library Pavilion to select your treasures."

Hu Gan then walked to a black wall and waved his hand, releasing an invisible ripple. The wall opened, revealing a pitch-black passageway.

Hu Gan stepped inside first, and Xiao Ling's group followed in turn.

After entering the passageway, they discovered that large luminous pearls were embedded along the walls. Their faint glow was somewhat hazy, but it was more than enough light for the group.

After walking through the passageway for about half an hour, a point of light finally appeared at its end. At the sight of it, everyone quickened their pace. Soon, they reached the end of the passageway and stepped out.

Blinding sunlight poured down from the sky, forcing them to narrow their eyes. After a while, they slowly opened them and stared at the scene before them with stunned expressions.

Before them was clearly a valley basin. Steep mountain walls rose upward until they vanished beyond the limits of sight. Between the three sheer cliffs was an exceptionally broad open area, and upon it stood a vast, heavy, ancient pavilion so enormous that it was almost unbelievable.

Their eyes slowly swept over the massive ancient pavilion before finally settling on an extremely old plaque outside it. Three characters, worn blurry by the passage of time, faintly emerged upon its surface.

"Library Pavilion!"

Though the ancient characters had weathered the ravages of time, Xiao Ling and the others were still shocked by the archaic aura contained within them. As expected of the mysterious Library Pavilion of Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy—this plaque alone proclaimed its identity.

Hu Gan led everyone slowly toward the Library Pavilion. When they were about twenty meters away, he suddenly stopped, cupped his fists in the pavilion's direction, and said, "The top five of this year's Inner Academy Selection Tournament have been decided. According to the rules, I have brought them here. I ask the two elders to open the doors!"

Hu Gan's voice, carried by Dou Qi, echoed endlessly through the small valley and lingered for a long time.

Not long after Hu Gan finished speaking, Xiao Ling narrowed his eyes and looked at the two gray-robed figures who had suddenly appeared sitting cross-legged before the entrance.