Entering Jia Nan Academy

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian had been placed under a restriction by Yao Chen, and their cultivation had both dropped to the Three-Star Dou Ling level. They then arrived near the entrance to Jia Nan Academy.

Yao Chen immediately unleashed his full aura without holding back. The outer elders and disciples of Jia Nan Academy were thrown into a panic.

At the same time, Great Elder Su Qian, who was in the Inner Academy, sensed the aura and hurried over to where Yao Chen was.

When Su Qian arrived and saw the three people before him, he felt relieved. It looked as though they weren't here to attack the academy. He spoke up.

"Senior, what brings you to Jia Nan Academy?"

Seeing Su Qian arrive, Yao Chen immediately withdrew his aura and smiled at him.

"Is this Jia Nan Academy? May I ask if you are Elder Su Qian?"

Su Qian looked surprised. He hadn't expected the person before him to know who he was, so he answered,

"Senior, that's right. This is Jia Nan Academy, and I am Su Qian."

After Su Qian confirmed it, Yao Chen pointed to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

"Elder Su Qian, this old man is Chen Yao, from a reclusive family in the Jia Ma Empire. These two are prodigies of my clan. I heard Jia Nan Academy is one of the foremost schools on the Dou Qi Continent, so I've brought them here to study."

Su Qian looked at Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan, then asked Yao Chen,

"Senior Chen Yao, what are the cultivation levels of these two members of your clan?"

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian immediately saluted Su Qian and answered,

"Elder Su Qian, we're both Three-Star Dou Lings, and we're about twelve years old."

Hearing them say they had reached the Three-Star Dou Ling level at twelve, Su Qian was so shocked he could barely speak. Ordinary children from common families couldn't even dream of becoming Dou Lings at twelve. Reaching the Three-Star Dou Zhe level would already make them geniuses.

Seeing Su Qian's stunned expression, Yao Chen continued,

"Elder Su Qian, can these two members of my clan enter Jia Nan Academy?"

Yao Chen's words snapped Su Qian out of his shock, and he regained his composure.

"Senior Chen Yao, do these two really want to study at Jia Nan Academy?"

"Of course!"

"Then I'll agree on behalf of our dean. With their strength, they can definitely enter our Inner Academy to cultivate."

Seeing that Su Qian had agreed, Yao Chen turned to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

"You two stay here and listen to Elder Su Qian. This old man will be leaving first."

Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan bowed to Yao Chen in farewell.

"All right. Goodbye, Third Grandpa."

Before coming, Xiao Yan and the others had agreed they couldn't call him teacher. They had to call him Third Grandpa.

Su Qian also bowed to Yao Chen in farewell.

"Senior Chen Yao, don't worry. Jia Nan Academy will do everything in its power to guide these two members of your clan."

Yao Chen cupped his fists toward the three of them. In an instant, he vanished from the spot.

Su Qian gazed at the empty space where Yao Chen had disappeared and couldn't help exclaiming,

"Senior Chen Yao is remarkably skilled. He must have already mastered the power of space. He's a Dou Zun expert."

He then turned to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian and asked,

"What are your names, you two little ones?"

Xiao Yan was the first to salute Su Qian and answer.

"Elder Su Qian, my name is Chen Yan, and this is my younger sister, Chen Yi."

Looking at the two little ones, Su Qian smiled so broadly he nearly burst out laughing.

"Good children, come with me. Your strength isn't suited to cultivating in the Outer Academy. Come with me to the Inner Academy."

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian both nodded, then followed Su Qian toward the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian followed closely behind Elder Su Qian as they headed for the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy.

Elder Su Qian strode steadily along the way, his robes fluttering in the breeze.

Xiao Yan's eyes were full of anticipation, and every now and then he exchanged a few quiet words with Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Yi Xian looked a little nervous, but she was even more curious about the new surroundings.

They followed a winding mountain path. Trees lined the roadside, their leaves rustling as a breeze passed through.

Elder Su Qian glanced back from time to time, reminding the two to keep up.

When they reached a valley, mist filled the air, and the only sound was the babbling of a stream.

Elder Su Qian swept out both hands, stirring his Dou Qi to clear away some of the mist, then led them onward.

After they crossed the valley, a majestic stone gate appeared before them.

Elder Su Qian stopped and turned to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

"Beyond this stone gate is the Inner Academy."

He stepped through first. Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian followed close behind, entering the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy with hearts full of hope.

The Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy was like a world unto itself, brimming with mystery and vitality.

As soon as they entered, a vast dueling arena came into view.

Many students were fighting in the arena, while cries from the spectators rose and fell around them and Dou Qi flashed brightly.

Beyond a path paved with blue-gray stone lay a tranquil lake.

The water was clear as a mirror, reflecting the willows along the shore and the pavilions and towers.

The breeze stirred ripples across the lake. Now and then, a fish leapt from the water, sending a string of sparkling droplets into the air.

Farther in was the students' dormitory area.

Neat rows of small, exquisite wooden houses stood among the green trees. Flowers of every color bloomed around each house, filling the air with fragrance.

The most striking sight of all was the cultivation heart of the Inner Academy—the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.

The tower soared into the clouds. Its body was built from mysterious black stone and radiated an ancient, powerful aura.

The Dou Qi around the tower surged intensely, as if countless forces were stirring within it.

As they approached the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, a wave of scorching air rushed toward them.

The tower's doors were shut, but the light spilling through the cracks made it clear that it held endless mysteries.

Cultivating inside the tower could greatly accelerate one's progress, but it also came with enormous risks.

The Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower was both the sacred cultivation ground the Inner Academy's students yearned for and the key to improving their strength.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian stopped there. Seeing this, Su Qian began explaining.

"To enter the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, you need Fire Energy. You can earn Fire Energy by trading or dueling with Inner Academy students. Since you've only just arrived, I'll have another elder bring you Fire Energy Cards, then explain the tower's function in more detail."

With that, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian went on with Su Qian.

After showing them around the Inner Academy, Su Qian took Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan to the dormitory area, arranged rooms for them, and gave them a few instructions before leaving.

"Junior Sister, that Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower we just saw must be where the teacher said the Fallen Heart Flame is. We have to keep an eye on it at all times."

Xiao Yan watched Su Qian's departing figure and spoke to Xiao Yi Xian with a serious expression.

"All right, Senior Brother Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded in agreement.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian settled in peacefully at the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy.

After Yao Chen had left them, the Soul Imprint he had left far away in the desert suddenly sent him a message.

"Senior, our Snake-People Tribe is facing a grave danger. Please come quickly and save us from the calamity of annihilation!"