Battle Through the Heavens: Obtaining the Extraction System at the Start

Cultivation: Four-Star Da Dou Shi

Soul Power: Mortal Realm Middle Stage

Dou Qi Attribute: Fire (mixed with a trace of Wood Attribute)

Cultivation Method: Fen Jue (Mysterious Grade Low-tier), Taiyi Soul Art

Dou Techniques: Mysterious Grade High-tier Dou Technique Swallow Return Strike, Mysterious Grade High-tier Movement Technique Wind Chasing Steps, Mysterious Grade High-tier Dou Technique Heaven Burning Palm, Mysterious Grade High-tier Dou Technique Crimson Flame Fist, Earth Grade Low-tier Dou Technique Blazing Meteor...

Flames: Fused Beast Fire

Items: Seventh-grade Phantom Gold Fire, Myriad Soul Banner, Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night, Dou Venerate Relic Map, Infinite Coke Bottle, Imperial Pill, Sect Breaking Pill, Worry-forgetting Pill x15, Youth Retention Pill x14...

Extraction Attempts: 11

Seeing that he still had eleven extraction attempts, Xiao Ling willed it and immediately went for a ten-pull.

"System, use ten extraction attempts!"

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained one pair of Air Jordan 1s (Chicago colorway).]

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the Infinite Cigarette Box.]

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained 300,000 Gold Coins.]

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained 400,000 Gold Coins.]

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained 500,000 Gold Coins.]

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained one pair of overalls.]

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained one Pure Heart Pill.]

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained one Life-returning Pill.]

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the Sovereign Grade Pill Recipe.]

[Ding, system extraction in progress... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained one Life-devouring Pill.]

Xiao Ling had no interest in the strange odds and ends, so he tossed them straight into the System Space. There were quite a lot of Gold Coins, though, so he took them out and placed them in his Ring. Money was still useful when traveling. He took out the pill recipe and several pills, then examined them one by one.

[Pure Heart Pill: A seventh-grade middle-tier pill. Taking it while refining pills helps stabilize the mind, thereby increasing the success rate of pill refinement.]

[Life-returning Pill: A Seventh-grade High-level Pill. As long as one has not had their head directly severed or their heart directly shattered, this pill can save their life.]

[Life-devouring Pill: Allows someone at the Da Dou Shi level to reach the level of a Dou Wang in an extremely short time, but leaves the user with only three years of life.]

Looking at the pills before him, Xiao Ling found them useless for now. He would save the Life-returning Pill for emergencies. The Pure Heart Pill could be taken in advance when he refined high-level pills in the future. Although the Life-devouring Pill could directly raise him to the Dou Wang level, and he was confident he could reach Dou Huang within three years, this pill drained potential and vitality. For the sake of a smooth path toward becoming an Emperor, it was better not to take it.

[Sovereign Grade Pill Recipe: Records the refining method and required medicinal ingredients for the Seventh-grade High-level Pill Sovereign Grade Pill. After taking it, a Dou Zong can increase by one to two stars. It may only be taken once in a lifetime.]

After reading through the recipe, Xiao Ling was very satisfied. Although it was useless at present, refining it in the future could save him a great deal of cultivation time. He could also use it to trade for other items.

After putting everything back into his Storage Space, Xiao Ling began absorbing the Seventh-grade Beast Fire. His Dou Qi rose slightly, but the grade of Fen Jue remained at Mysterious Grade Low-tier. He could not help sighing. "Before breaking through to the Mysterious Grade, Beast Fire could still help a little. After reaching the Mysterious Grade, it seems that without Heavenly Flames, it will be difficult for Fen Jue to rise in grade."

Shaking his head, he stopped dwelling on it. After absorbing the Beast Fire, Xiao Ling's days returned to cultivation, pill refining, riding Void Dragon, and chatting and laughing with his cousin and Senior Sisters. In the blink of an eye, two days passed in this leisurely five-point routine.

Two days later, Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er arrived together outside Vice Dean Hu Gan's study.

Dozens of people had already gathered there. They stood scattered around the square, and when Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er arrived, quite a few acquaintances sent them friendly looks. Xiao Ling responded with nods.

Lin Xiuyai and Lin Yan, who had arrived at the square earlier, came forward to chat when they saw the two. The four of them gathered together.

Not long after, Han Yue and Liu Qing also arrived at the square. However, Liu Qing had a beautiful, slender woman following behind him. Her identity was obvious—she was his cousin, Liu Fei.

Liu Fei was indeed quite pretty. It was just that, in the original story, her cousin Liu Qing had spoiled her rotten, and she had offended that cheat Xiao Yan, only to receive a thorough lesson.

Since they were acquainted, Xiao Ling went over to greet her. Seeing her face flush red left him speechless. Why the hell were you blushing?

Outside the open area, many other students had gathered as well. In the eyes of all Outer Academy students, being able to enter the Inner Academy to cultivate was an honor that made countless people envious. From the moment they entered Jia Nan Academy, innumerable students worked toward that goal. Thus, every year when those who had passed the selection competition entered the Inner Academy, many people came to see them off and watch.

More than ten minutes after Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er arrived, the tightly shut study doors finally opened. Vice Dean Hu Gan and several old men slowly walked out. At the sight of them, the murmuring across the open area gradually quieted, and moments later, complete silence fell.

Hu Gan's gaze slowly swept across the fifty students in the open area. Seeing that no one was absent, he nodded in satisfaction, stepped forward, and said loudly, "Students, today is the day you enter the Inner Academy. First, I must congratulate you. Your long years of effort have finally borne fruit. I believe that after entering the Inner Academy, you may find its cultivation methods difficult to adapt to. However, there is one thing I can guarantee: there, you will be able to unleash your potential to the greatest extent possible. Hehe, I am not boasting. As long as you remain in the Inner Academy for a year, you will undergo changes as though you have been reborn... Some of you may know students from the Inner Academy, since they occasionally leave during holidays. Therefore, you should understand just how immense the difference is between students who emerge from there and those who first enter it."

At Hu Gan's words, a small number of students nodded slightly. Clearly, they had interacted with students who had come out of the Inner Academy before. More people, however, wore eager and excited expressions. What Hu Gan described was precisely what they sought. Had they not entered the Inner Academy in pursuit of greater strength? They believed that no matter how strange or harsh the Inner Academy's cultivation methods might be, they would persevere!

Being able to stand out from Jia Nan Academy proved both their talent and effort. None of those standing here were the sort to believe that strength could be gained for nothing.

"The Inner Academy is the core of Jia Nan Academy. Due to its secrecy, most Outer Academy students, including instructors, do not know its exact location. Therefore, we will send you to a certain place." Hu Gan smiled and raised his head toward the distant azure sky. Ten black shadows were flying over, and moments later, they grew larger. They were ten enormous Griffon Beasts.

Hu Gan waved at the Griffon Beasts in the sky. Their shadows immediately pressed down over the ground, and amid howling winds, the ten Griffon Beasts landed not far from the open area. Everyone looked over and discovered that each beast had two people riding it.

"Alright, it is time. Students, get on. Five to a group." Seeing the Griffon Beasts descend, Hu Gan pointed and spoke to the students.

Hearing Hu Gan's words, the students in the open area immediately turned around and rushed over in a swarm. With swishing sounds, these impatient people scrambled onto the broad backs of the Griffon Beasts like fleas. However, the moment their feet landed on the beasts' backs, the somewhat slick feathers made them suffer. Some who could not steady themselves slipped and rolled right off. The sounds of bodies slamming onto the stone slabs rang out one after another.

"Haha, boys, do not overestimate yourselves. There are seats installed on the Griffon Beasts. Do not dream of standing on their backs—that is something only Da Dou Shi can do." Hu Gan laughed, then turned toward Xiao Ling and the others. "The top five, you five are in the same group. Get on."

Xiao Ling curled his lips and did not comply. These Griffon Beasts were nowhere near as cool as his own Void Dragon. He patted Xiao Xun'er's wrist. Void Dragon, which had been wrapped around it, shook its just-awakened head and shot toward Xiao Ling in a flash. It threw back its head and let out a roar, its body instantly returning to a length of seven meters.

His eyes shifting, Xiao Ling willed it and looked at Void Dragon. Void Dragon, linked to him in mind, also turned its gaze toward him. An invisible connection seemed to form between them.

Suddenly, Void Dragon's body radiated dazzling white light, making it slightly difficult for those around it to keep their eyes open. When the white light faded, the black skin covering Void Dragon's body had become as dazzling as gemstones, and its body structure had changed as well. Four golden ribbon-like streamers extended from its lower jaw and dragon horns. Its body became more slender, while two golden sections at its tail fluttered in the wind. It could only be described in three words: cool as hell. This was Void Dragon's mega form, an ability it had gained after breaking through to the fourth rank and learning Dragon Ascent on its own. This was Xiao Ling's first time displaying it before others.

Feeling the changes in its body, Void Dragon flew into the sky and roared. It circled once through the clouds before descending in front of Xiao Ling.

The surrounding students, instructors, and elders were all dumbfounded. Void Dragon had already been incredibly handsome before, but after mega evolving, it was simply cool beyond measure. Moreover, no one had ever seen—or even heard of—a Magical Beast that could change forms so freely. It was truly an eye-opening sight.

Xiao Ling silently showed off, his face calm and his bearing composed, though inwardly he was delighted beyond measure. With a flip, he jumped onto Void Dragon's back, then tilted his head toward the still-stunned Lin Yan and the others, signaling for them to climb aboard.

When had the boys ever ridden such a cool mount? They immediately climbed on and began chattering away, asking endless questions. In short, they wanted to raise one too and wanted to know where they could catch one.

The two girls had been seated in front of Xiao Ling for quite some time, yet their minds were still replaying the sight of Xiao Ling riding Void Dragon alone just moments ago. His blue hair fluttered in the wind, and he looked dashing and extraordinary. Inwardly, they screamed, My husband is so handsome!

Once everyone was ready, Xiao Ling spoke to Vice Dean Hu Gan. "Vice Dean, it is fine if I ride my own Void Dragon, right?"

Hu Gan could not help twitching his mouth. "Of course. As long as you do not cause trouble."

He had originally intended to display his Dou Qi Wings before these students, but this kid had stolen all the limelight. Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about such nonsense.

Hu Gan and the few old men beside him swept their gazes around the open area. Only after seeing that everyone had boarded the Griffon Beasts did they exchange looks and nod slightly. Hu Gan waved his hand, and he and three old men moved, flashing into midair. Their shoulders trembled, and four pairs of brilliant Dou Qi Wings extended from their backs. With a slight flutter of their wings, they hovered motionlessly in the air amid countless envious gazes below.

Being able to condense Dou Qi Wings and fly freely had always been the dream of many cultivators.

"We will personally escort you along this journey." Looking down at the open area below, Hu Gan smiled and waved his hand. The people controlling the Griffon Beasts below let out sharp whistles. At once, the Griffon Beasts violently flapped their wings, their massive bodies slowly rising into the air as the shadows they left on the ground grew smaller and smaller.

Xiao Ling patted Void Dragon's back. The beast gave a roar, then followed behind the group.

As they flew higher and higher, the figures below grew smaller and smaller. In the end, they were almost like ants. Looking down upon the entirety of Jia Nan Academy from such heights, one could practically take in every corner of it at a glance.

Beneath the azure sky, ten enormous Griffon Beasts flapped their wings and shot toward the academy's Back Mountain, which stretched on as though without end. Outside the Griffon Beasts, Hu Gan and the three old men formed a square formation around the entire group. Thick Dou Qi surfaced around their bodies. No matter how wildly the winds raged, they could not move them in the slightest. Behind them, a majestic Void Dragon followed closely, its body agile as it soared through the clouds like the ruler of the skies.

The vast forest sea was filled with all kinds of Magical Beasts. Every so often, Magical Beasts radiating savage auras would burst from the forest and roar at the Griffon Beast formation in the sky. Occasionally, some flying Magical Beasts would pursue them. Yet whenever these beasts came within a hundred meters of the formation, the powerful aura erupting from Hu Gan and the other three would frighten them into retreat.

Of course, that was not always the case. The endless mountains were packed extremely densely with Magical Beasts, and naturally, there were some terrifyingly powerful ones among them. Thus, half an hour after the flying formation entered Jia Nan Academy's Back Mountain, powerful Magical Beasts began to disregard the pressure from Hu Gan and the others, forcibly charging at the Griffon Beast formation. At that point, Hu Gan and the three old men began displaying their shocking strength. With every wave of their hands, powerful streaks of energy tore through the sky like lightning. Then, with only a muffled boom, those massive Magical Beasts exploded into showers of blood that rained down from above.

All along the journey, all kinds of savage Magical Beasts rushed forward in wave after wave, yet not a single one could break through the blockade of Hu Gan and the others.

Xiao Ling also wanted to build up Void Dragon's combat experience. He had it fire several Energy Blasts, turning some low-tier Magical Beasts directly into powder.

Spreading out his Soul Perception, Xiao Ling could clearly sense the auras of fifth-rank Magical Beasts below, beasts equivalent to Dou Wangs, within the dense forest. However, Magical Beasts at that level already possessed intelligence not inferior to humans. Naturally, they could see Hu Gan and the others' strength, so unlike the weaker Magical Beasts, they did not recklessly attack the Griffon Beast formation at the cost of their lives. It was precisely because these high-tier Magical Beasts understood caution that, even with Hu Gan and three Dou Huang experts escorting them, the Griffon Beast formation could reach its destination without suffering any damage.

Flying all the way amid accompanying blood mist, Hu Gan and the other three were like sharp awls, forcibly tearing a path through the endless horde of Magical Beasts. The strength of Dou Huang experts was terrifying indeed.

After this nearly barbaric charge continued for over an hour, Hu Gan led everyone down onto an endless grassland. While the others were still wondering why, Xiao Ling had already guessed that the spatial gate would soon open, allowing them to enter the Inner Academy.

Hu Gan first had everyone descend to the ground. Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, he slowly walked a dozen or so steps forward before stopping. With a wave of his hand, an energy beam shot from his palm toward the space in front of him. Then, a strange scene unfolded. As that energy beam passed through an apparently empty patch of space, it created ripples like those on water. The ripples rapidly fluctuated, and finally, a pale silver gate seven or eight zhang tall appeared out of thin air!

Looking at the strangely appearing silver gate, everyone was startled. Clearly, they had never expected such a seemingly ordinary place to conceal such mystery.

Before everyone's eyes, the silver gate slowly opened with a crisp sound. Beyond it lay another dense forest, seemingly no different from the woodland before them.

"Follow me." Waving his hand, Hu Gan was the first to walk through the silver gate. Behind him, dozens of students followed eagerly, their faces full of curiosity.

Those who entered the silver gate seemed to step into another space, vanishing into thin air.

After cancelling Void Dragon's mega evolution and returning it to his sleeve, Xiao Ling also walked toward the silver gate. Upon entering, he felt as though he had arrived in a new world. The sensation was rather marvelous.

Only after everyone, including the ten Griffon Beasts, had entered the silver gate did it slowly close. Finally, a ring of silver energy ripples spread out, and the gate gradually faded until it vanished completely. At that moment, the area had once more turned into a completely ordinary forest entrance.

Sweeping his gaze forward, Xiao Ling found that the scene before him still looked the same as the forest from before.

However, two old men and several middle-aged men had appeared at the forest entrance at some point. Behind them stood nearly forty young people. Xiao Ling's gaze swept over them, and he saw that each wore a badge on their chest engraved with a tower-like pattern.

One of the old men spoke. "Old Hu, you are always this punctual. How are this year's new students?"

Pointing toward Xiao Ling's group, Hu Gan stroked his beard and said with great satisfaction, "This year's group has the highest talent of any I have ever led. Not to mention several high-tier Da Dou Shi, this kid Xiao Ling is already a Four-Star Da Dou Shi. His cousin is only nine years old and already a Five-Star Dou Zhe. Compared to Xiao Ling's talent at that age, she is no less gifted."

Hearing this, the two elders swept their somewhat astonished gazes over the group before nodding slightly and sighing. "We never expected so many geniuses besides Xiao Ling this year. The Inner Academy is about to become interesting."

Seeing the two elders looking in their direction, Xiao Ling stepped forward, bowed, and greeted them. "Elder Su, Elder Qing, please take good care of this junior once I enter the Inner Academy!"

At this sight, both elders stroked their beards and smiled kindly, but neither responded. They would certainly look after a genius the academy was focused on nurturing, but they could not say such things openly. Even if everyone could see it, openly stating it would change its nature.

Xiao Ling was tactful enough not to pursue the subject. He returned to Xiao Xun'er and the others, then spoke quietly. "Get yourselves into peak condition. Those old students ahead are our targets later. They are not that strong—we can handle them easily."

Everyone nodded in agreement and sat cross-legged to adjust their condition.