Elder Huo's visit

Upon hearing Xiao Yu's calm yet undeniably domineering words, even proud individuals like Wu Hao and Hu Jia could only submit and say, "We submit!"

After hearing that the two had been persuaded, Xiao Yu released them. Hu Gan looked at Hu Jia, who was coughing incessantly from being choked, a hint of heartache flashing in his cloudy eyes, but he could only think to himself, "Child, I hope you understand, there are always people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding!"

The middle-aged referee noticed Xiao Yu's gaze and quickly announced, "The Inner Academy Selection Tournament has officially concluded. The top five are: Xiao Yu, Xiao Xun Er, Xiao Yan, Xiao Yu, and Wu Hao!"

The top four out of the top five in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament were all from the Xiao Clan, which was truly both laughable and lamentable. Apart from Xiao Yu, whose ranking was somewhat inflated, the others were all of the rightful place. However, Xiao Yu believed that with the blessing of the Xiao Clan bloodline, it was only a matter of time before Xiao Yu's cultivation surpassed that of Hu Jia and Wu Hao.

Xun'er and the others also gathered around at this moment. Xiao Yu patted Xiao Yu on the shoulder and said, "Not bad. From now on, when we go to the Inner Academy, I'll be counting on you to protect me!"

"Strength is the basic ability to protect yourself; relying on others is useless," Xiao Yu said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu's eyes widened immediately, and she retorted, "What? You're starting to lecture me now? You think I don't know how to work hard? Just wait, I'll surpass you!"

Xun'er looked at Xiao Yu and chuckled, "I didn't expect Brother Xiao Yu to be so strong now. Xun'er must work hard!"

Xiao Yu ruffled Xun'er's hair and said, "It's all to protect you!"

Xun'er blushed instantly upon hearing Xiao Yu's words. Ruolin and the other girls from Yellow Class Two who had rushed over were immediately bombarded with a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection). "Tsk tsk, already showing off their love?"

Hearing Ruolin's teasing, Xun'er blushed, stuck out her tongue, and hid behind Xiao Yu.

Seeing the shy Xun'er, Ruolin didn't tease her too much, but looked at Xiao Yu and said, "Thank you for the glory you brought to Yellow Class Two!"

Xiao Yu chuckled, "Instructor Ruo Lin, there's no need to be so polite. Consider this compensation for my absence from the academy these past two years."

"You're such a smooth talker, but this time the teacher really got the better deal," Ruolin said, rolling her eyes at Xiao Yu.

The crowd burst into laughter, then left the noisy square and returned to the attic.

Not long after returning here, Lu Mu's voice rang out again from outside the door. Xiao Yu opened the door with a headache, and just as she was about to speak, she saw that not only Lu Mu was standing outside, but also an old man standing next to Lu Mu. Judging from Lu Mu's respectful appearance, it seemed that the old man was of very high status. In any case, Xiao Yu had never seen Lu Mu so obedient.

"Who are you?" Xiao Yu asked after thinking for a moment.

The old man smiled slightly and said, "I am Elder Huo from the Alchemy Department. I wish to meet Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan."

The Alchemy Department? Xiao Yu was extremely surprised. Lu Mu was also a student in the Alchemy Department, and this old man was actually an elder of the Alchemy Department. His alchemy skills must be very powerful. Now Xiao Yu didn't dare to ask anything. He simply stepped aside and welcomed Elder Huo in, but he also secretly glared at Lu Mu. Lu Mu shrugged to show his innocence.

Upon seeing Elder Huo walk in from outside, Instructor Ruo Lin immediately recognized him, not only because Elder Huo was an elder of the academy, but also because of Elder Huo's strength Fifth-grade Alchemist!

"Elder Huo," Ruolin said respectfully, bowing.

Elder Huo chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "No need for formalities. I just came to see Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan exchanged a surprised glance. Elder Huo continued, "I am an elder of the Alchemy Department. I'm sure you can guess why I'm here. Would you be willing to join the Alchemy Department?"

Xiao Yan's eyes twitched when he heard Elder Huo's words, but he quickly concealed his emotions, and no one present noticed it.

Xiao Yu chuckled and said, "We're about to head to the Inner Academy. Can we still join the Alchemy Department in the Outer Academy?"

Elder Huo glared, "Why not? My Alchemy Department is a special department at the Jia Nan Academy. Whether you're from the Inner Academy or Outer Academy, we treat everyone equally!"

"Speaking of which, I'd like to ask Xiao Yan something." Elder Huo said, then turned to Xiao Yan and said, "You little rascal, you've been at the Jia Nan Academy for almost two years, how come I didn't know you were an alchemist? You really hid it well! If you hadn't participated in the Alchemist Tournament in the Jia Ma Empire, I wouldn't have known that our academy had such a genius alchemist as you!"

"What? Are you looking down on our Alchemy Department?" Elder Huo Huo's temper was truly like fire; he could ignite anything he said.

Xiao Yan chuckled sheepishly, "I just felt that my alchemy skills weren't up to par yet, so I didn't want to embarrass myself in the Alchemy Department!"

"Bah! So you mean the alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire aren't good enough?" Elder Huo sneered.

Xiao Yan fell silent. This old fox, every word he uttered was a trap!

Elder Huo snorted coldly and said, "Alright, join our Alchemy Department. First, we can Alchemy Department medicinal herbs at prices lower than outside. Second, you'll have priority in purchasing herbs from within the department. Third, the Alchemy Department will have opportunities to exchange alchemy techniques, which will be of great benefit to your learning."

As he spoke, Elder Huo tossed a medal to Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan, a medal unique to the Alchemy Department, to prove their identities. After tossing down the medals, Elder Huo said, "Remember not to disgrace the Alchemy Department in the Inner Academy!"

Immediately, Elder Huo pulled Lu Mu away from the pavilion.

After Elder Huo left, Ruolin and the others asked curiously, "Right, Xiao Yan, why didn't you mention your identity as an alchemist before?"

Xiao Yan scratched his head and said, "I just had some unspeakable reasons, but now that I've joined, haven't I?"

Seeing that Xiao Yan didn't explain, the others didn't ask any further questions. Afterwards, they all returned to their rooms, leaving only Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan in the living room.

Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Yan and smiled faintly, "Third Brother didn't join the Alchemy Department, is it because of the Child Flame of that Fallen Heart Flame?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan gave a wry smile and said, "You're quite quick-witted. That's right. The reason I concealed my identity as an alchemist was because of the Child Flame of the Fallen Heart Flame. After all, this thing is closely related to the original flame of the Fallen Heart Flame in the Inner Academy. I was afraid of being discovered by the Alchemy Department elders, so I didn't join the Alchemy Department."

"Actually, I discovered the Child Flame of this Fallen Heart Flame by accident. But it's a long story, I'll explain it to you when we go to the Inner Academy!"

Xiao Yu nodded slightly, got up and left the living room, went directly to Xun'er's room, and locked the door from the inside.

Don't overthink it. Xiao Yu is just in the room on official business, not personal matters.

When Xun'er saw Xiao Yu walk in, she clapped her hands lightly. From the shadows of the room, an old figure slowly emerged—it was Ling Ying, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.

"Miss, Young Master Xiao Yu!" Ling Ying cupped her hands in greeting and said respectfully.