Behind Xiao Yan Stood a Crowd of Women

"Yao Ling?"

Upon hearing this name, Xiao Yan immediately turned his gaze towards it.

Then he saw a beautiful young woman with a cold, aloof expression, gazing at him with deep affection.

Holy crap, what's going on now?

Xiao Yan's heart tightened.

He and this girl must not know each other well at all!

Speaking of which, this Yao Ling has a special constitution; if one were to capture it, it could be refined in an instant...

Cough cough, that's something only the Soul Clan would do. I'm a respectable person!

Suddenly, the crowd outside the forest stirred for some unknown reason. Then, a tall and slender girl in a green dress parted the crowd and walked in.

"Oh my god, it's junior Ling Yanfei! She's here too!"

"Junior, I want to be your spirit pet!"

"Damn, you're a total freak!"

"Junior, hehe, junior..."

Hearing the unpleasant sounds from the crowd, Xiao Yan felt he must have come to the wrong place.

Could this be Jia Nan Academy?

This is clearly a simplified Chinese internet connection!

But...

Xiao Yan stared blankly at the girl in the green dress.

This woman had a perfectly beautiful face that was flawless, with her hair piled high like clouds, her eyebrows delicately arched, her eyes bright and expressive, her lips red and her teeth white and gleaming.

Her figure moved with the grace of a startled swan, truly breathtaking.

Judging from her age, she should be at most fifteen or sixteen years old, yet she is already so stunning. If she were to grow up in another two or three years, the only way to describe her beauty would be as a celestial being descended to earth.

Considering that appearance is also related to the Dou Emperor Bloodline, this woman named Ling Yanfei probably also has a divine-grade bloodline!

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan felt a chill run down his spine.

The Ling Clan was wiped out from the very beginning. According to the normal timeline, the Ling Clan should have been exterminated before the Gu Clan Coming-of-Age Ceremony even began.

Even though Xiao Yan has started five years ahead of schedule, he still can't say that he will be able to cultivate to the point where he can protect the Ling Clan by then.

Unless...

He was able to delay or even stop the Soul Clan's plans.

However, this matter is not easy to handle and requires careful consideration...

But why are the Ling Clan members here? And what about the Shi Clan members who haven't shown themselves yet?

Logically speaking, they shouldn't have been able to know that they would eventually advance to the Dou Emperor level, right?

Unless... like Hun Li Li, they are also transmigrators?

Xiao Yan was lost in thought, unaware that his gaze remained fixed on Ling Yanfei.

Then...

"Brother Xiao Yan, what are you looking at so intently?"

Xun'er's laughter rang in my ears, but it carried a hint of danger!

Xiao Yan snapped out of his daze, his brows still furrowed, and casually said:

"It's nothing, I just feel like things are going to get even harder from now on..."

This wasn't meant to show off that he was being targeted by many pretty girls. Rather, Xiao Yan understood that, given his personality, if these girls acted like spoiled princesses, he might slap them to bring them to their senses. But if they all pitifully begged him to save them, he genuinely wanted to give it his all...

However, Xiao Yan is not even confident that he can protect his own people, so how can he possibly save them?

This is not a glamorous thing; on the contrary, it's a huge problem.

But Xiao Yan may never have had a choice.

Since these women from the Eight Clans have gathered around him, the news will inevitably spread sooner or later.

Given the capabilities of the Soul Clan, it's impossible that they truly know nothing and do nothing.

It's just a matter of time...

The joy of entering the Inner Academy was dispelled by the gloom of the future. Xiao Yan shook his head, no longer thinking about those things, and followed Elder Su, parting the crowd, to an area specially designated for new students in the Inner Academy this year.

Neither Yao Ling nor Ling Yanfei followed.

"Creak."

A wooden door was slowly pushed open, and a ray of sunlight seeped in through the crack, eventually forming a thin beam of light on the ground.

As the wooden door was fully pushed open, the light rapidly expanded, and several figures, their lengths stretched by the sunlight, entered. An elderly man, leading the way, glanced across the spacious attic and chuckled:

"Xiao Yan, this will be your residence from now on."

Five people?

Upon hearing this, Hun Li Li, who was following behind, was taken aback, and then asked in astonishment, "Elder Su, are you saying that the four of us girls are going to live with Xiao Yan?"

Although she often makes flirtatious remarks, she actually wouldn't dare to live with Xiao Yan in person.

However, Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian did not join her in protesting; they really wanted to live with Xiao Yan!

Han Yue also felt there was something wrong with it, but... it wasn't entirely unacceptable!?

With Xun'er around, I should be quite safe!

Moreover, although Xiao Yan has won the hearts of many women, judging from their interactions, Xiao Yan is an upright person!

"Hehe, you silly girl, this attic is so big, and there are plenty of rooms. You could each have your own room, what's the rush?" Elder Su shook his head with a smile, then changed the subject and said jokingly, "Besides, if you're not willing, someone else is. If it really doesn't work out, I'll find you another place to stay!"

"Well..."

Upon hearing this, Hun Li Li was stunned. She turned around and looked at Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, who were already holding Xiao Yan's arms on either side, as well as Han Yue, who was standing to the side with her head down, looking like she was following the elder's instructions. Her face immediately fell.

"Snort!"

After huffing angrily, Hun Li Li headed alone towards the relatively safer second floor.

How awful! The stench of romance!

Elder Su smiled upon seeing this, then shifted his gaze to Xiao Yan and the other three, and continued:

"By the way, let me remind you, in this Inner Academy, unless you are extremely powerful, it won't be easy to get by on your own."

Because of the environment, the senior students in the Inner Academy have also divided up their own territories. You will probably encounter these things soon. The reason for having you live together is that you can look out for each other.

"Hehe, Elder, don't worry, Xiao Yan knows what he's doing. If those senior students are kind, we'll all be fine. But if they want to bully the newcomers, they've picked the wrong people."

Xiao Yan smiled, his face full of confidence.

He wanted to see who in the Inner Academy was so blind as to want to take his Fire Lotus attack.

"Hehe, that's excellent!" Seeing that all five of them were alright, Elder Su smiled and nodded, waving his hand. "Alright, it's getting late. Tidy up your rooms and get some rest for the night. Starting tomorrow, you can freely explore the Inner Academy. I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

"There are no cultivation courses?"

Upon hearing this, Han Yue quickly asked.

"The Inner Academy doesn't need that kind of thing. As long as you have enough Fire Energy, you can enter the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower and cultivate there. It's more effective than any course. Oh, right, I almost forgot, the academy organizes students to enter the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower once a week. If we're talking about courses, then this should count..."

Elder Su chuckled.

"In addition, there are places like the Battle Skill Pavilion and the Cultivation Method Pavilion in the Inner Academy. If you want to obtain cultivation techniques or Dou Technique, you can go there to take a look. Of course, this is on the premise of having enough Fire Energy to exchange for them. Compared with the Outer Academy, the Inner Academy is actually more free."

If you feel you don't have enough Fire Energy and are itching to play, you can go to the Arena to earn Fire Energy. Of course, the prerequisite is that you must have enough strength, otherwise you will only lose everything.

Xiao Yan and the other three nodded slightly, indicating that they understood.

"If there are no problems, you can rest now. If you need anything, you can come and find me."

Elder Su waved to the four of them, then turned and walked towards the door, eventually disappearing from Xiao Yan and the others' sight.

"The Arena... we'll talk about that later."

Thinking about the hundred-plus Fire Energy in his card, Xiao Yan chuckled, then grabbed the two pretty girls on either side of him and began choosing a room and tidying up a bit.

Considering Hun Li Li on the second floor, Xiao Yan directly chose three adjacent rooms on the first floor. He would stay in the middle, while Xiao Yi Xian and Xun'er would stay on either side, which could be seen as the two women asserting their ownership over Xiao Yan...

As for Han Yue, surprisingly, she also chose the first floor, diagonally opposite Xun'er's room. Perhaps it was because she didn't dare to live on the same floor as Hun Li Li. After all, no matter what, Hun Lili was indeed a witch-like figure to Han Yue, and she was really difficult to get along with.

After tidying up and making arrangements, as dusk approached, Xiao Yan, who was new to the place, decided to take a stroll in the Inner Academy.

This piqued the interest of Xun'er, Xiao Yi Xian, Hun Li Li, and Han Yue, and so...

Xiao Yan has gone out again, this time alone with four girls!

The Inner Academy is situated in a basin within a mountain range. Apart from the newly arrived students, the rest of the students coming and going are all at least Da Dou Shi level, and one can occasionally see some agile figures flashing across the rooftops.

Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the air in the Inner Academy is extremely fresh. In some places, even the fragrance of herbs can be heard, which must be some students from the Alchemy Department of the Inner Academy refining pills.

As for the Battle Skill Pavilion and Cultivation Method Pavilion mentioned by Elder Su, the two of them also took a look at them. However, what attracted more attention was the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, whose main body was buried underground!

The Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower is located to the north of the academy. When the two arrived there, the moonlight was growing stronger.

"It seems this is the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower. While there's still plenty of Fire Energy, I plan to cultivate here tomorrow."

Xiao Yan gazed at the dark spire, a solemn look flashing in his eyes.

With the help of the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, his cultivation speed was able to reach its limit, but even so, it seems that there is still not enough time.

The Inner Academy is usually five years long, but Xiao Yan cannot stay here for five years.

He will return to the Jia Ma Empire in four years at most.

One is to attend the family's coming-of-age ceremony.

Secondly, by eliminating the two potential threats from Yun Shan and Wu Protector, and integrating the Jia Ma Empire, the next step should be to check on the situation at the Heavenly Snake Mansion.

The Soul Hall's influence has already spread throughout the Central Plains, so if possible, Xiao Yan plans to avoid causing trouble Central Plains as much as possible.

Of course, considering the improvement that the Three Thousand Lightning Movement would bring to him, Xiao Yan felt it was still necessary to make a trip to the Central Plains, at least to plunder the North Wind Lightning Pavilion.

Then, we'll take a stroll through the Beast Domain. The growth of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire will require the help of the animal friends in the Beast Domain.

We'll deal with the rest as we go.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you don't need to work so hard..."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words that he had no intention of resting and was about to continue his frantic cultivation, Xun'er frowned slightly, feeling a little sorry for her Brother Xiao Yan.

"That's how cultivation is; if you don't fight with all your might, it'll be too late for regrets."

Xiao Yan shook his head upon hearing this, but he wasn't prepared to talk to Xun'er about the future too much.

Xun'er and he grew up together since childhood, childhood sweethearts, inseparable. In a few years, she will have to return to her clan and bear the pressure from the Ancient Clan alone. Xiao Yan doesn't want her to carry any more burdens.

He'll solve all the problems!

"Brother Xiao Yan..."

Seeing Xiao Yan's resolute expression, Xun'er's lips moved, but she couldn't say anything.

She understands Xiao Yan.

Since he said that, he must have already decided to do it, and no amount of persuasion will change that.

This is also why she wasn't disappointed that Xiao Yan was surrounded by Xiao Yi Xian and even many other women.

Therefore, she understood that Xiao Yan had always been working hard to cultivate, and that Brother Xiao Yan was the best, the most outstanding, and very attractive.

However, due to the fact that her bloodline was not yet fully stable, she was destined to never be able to truly be with Xiao Yan before becoming Dou Sheng.

During this time, many women will naturally throw themselves at Xiao Yan. Any one of them could have done better than him, been more like a partner, or even a real wife.

Rather than causing Brother Xiao Yan unnecessary trouble over something like this, it's better to be more open-minded. As long as they won't harm Brother Xiao Yan, let them be.

But that woman from the Soul Clan doesn't count.

Xun'er couldn't understand Hun Li Li, so naturally she couldn't easily trust her.

But Xiao Yi Xian is different.

Xun'er could tell that Xiao Yi Xian's love for Xiao Yan was no less than her own.

Even more...

She didn't understand why, but she knew that if faced with a life-or-death crisis, Xiao Yi Xian would do the same as her, choosing to exchange her own life for Xiao Yan's.

In this respect, they are the same.

"To be able to cultivate to the Da Dou Shi at the age of twelve—that would make some of those naturally gifted individuals ashamed to death!"

Hun Li Li chimed in from the side.

"Not enough."

Xiao Yan looked at the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower and shook his head.

"Yes, it's not enough..."

Upon hearing this, Hun Li Li grinned, then fell silent.

She would never forget the aura that Hun Tian Di revealed when he extracted her bloodline.

That's terrifying!

She knew very well that even a mid-stage Nine-Star Dou Saint might not be enough to deal with a powerhouse of that level!

Because that was the foundation accumulated by the Hun Tian Di and even the entire Soul Clan over tens of thousands of years.

Even Xiao Yan, who is capable of fighting beyond his level, would need to be at least on the same level as Hun Tian Di to defeat him.

However, Xiao Yan is currently only Four-Star Da Dou Shi.

There is still a very long way to go before reaching the Peak Nine-Star Dou Saint.

Our current strength is really not enough!

"Keep it up..."

Xiao Yi Xian knew about Xiao Yan's troubles, but before the Woe Poison Body was completely under control, she didn't want to distract Xiao Yan because of herself.

Therefore, she is now extremely restrained in her cultivation of the Woe Poison Body.

Han Yue remained silent.

I used to think that Xiao Yan was as dazzling as the sun in the sky, and that being around him made me feel warm. But now I realize that even the sun gets tired and has worries after it sets.

But what could possibly be causing someone as talented as him such distress?

She didn't know.

But she knew that it would be even more difficult and harder to handle than the Hong Family's affairs that she was worried about!

"Alright, let's go back."

Xiao Yan let out a long breath, then turned and returned to his residence. The four women followed closely behind, attracting the attention of many people even as darkness fell.

After all, Xun'er and the other three were all beautiful women with their own unique charm, so it was quite surprising that they were following behind one person.

After returning to the attic, Xiao Yan began to arrange work.

"I plan to enter the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower to cultivate tomorrow, and there are some things I need you to do for me."

Xiao Yi Xian, help me sell these pills in exchange for Fire Energy. I've already figured out the pricing, and it's all in this Storage Ring.

Xun'er and Han Yue, you two help me gather the new students and build a force called the Student Union. I plan to unify the Inner Academy in the future, thereby absorbing a group of core members and building a force in the Black Corner Region. In the future, we will dominate the Black Sect Domain and help the academy.

As for Junior Sister Yun Li, your strength should have recovered almost completely by now. If any senior students come looking for trouble, we'll need your help to hold them off."

Upon hearing this, all four women nodded seriously, clearly agreeing.

Needless to say, Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian would never refuse Xiao Yan's request.

Han Yue, having gained over a hundred units of Fire Energy, was also pondering how to repay Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan's arrangement had perfectly addressed her needs.

If things really go as Xiao Yan predicted, then she is completely willing to help Xiao Yan manage the forces in the Black Corner Region.

As the manager of this force, her power, even if it doesn't make the Wind Lightning Pavilion wary, is enough to protect the Han Family.

Moreover, she believed that Xiao Yan time, the Wind Lightning Pavilion was nothing to worry about!

As for Hun Li Li, her life depends on Xiao Yan. The stronger Xiao Yan is, the safer she will be. So there's no need for her to act silly or engage in unnecessary romantic flirting with Xiao Yan at this time.

Jokes should be made at the right time and in the right place.

"In that case, I'll have to rely on you for a while. If there are any problems you can't solve, come to me. I don't have time to play games with the senior students in the Inner Academy courtyard. If they cause trouble, I don't mind merging them into the Student Union ahead of schedule."

Seeing the four girls' earnest expressions, Xiao Yan felt much better. Although he was struggling and cultivating frantically, at least these understanding girls allowed him to cultivate without any worries, which was already very good.