Why Would Brother Xiao Yan Need to Avoid Your Edge?

Several enormous Griffin, flapping powerful air currents, slowly descended onto the private Flight Plaza within the Inner Academy Jia Nan Academy.

Xun'er and Ling Yanfei jumped down first, followed by Gu Qingyang, Gu Yao, Huo Zhi, and several other young disciples of the Ancient Clan.

Their arrival instantly attracted the attention of many students near the square.

Although Jia Nan Academy is a place where geniuses gather, the temperament of these people is completely different.

Although their clothing was not luxurious, their innate air of nobility and the subtle aura of power they exuded created an invisible but powerful sense of oppression, causing the surrounding trainees to subconsciously hold their breath, glance sideways, and whisper among themselves.

"Hmm? A new face? What a powerful aura!"

"That guy in the middle with the cold face, he's handsome, but his eyes are terrifying..."

"That woman in red with a veil has a great figure, but I can't see her face clearly. I wonder if she can compare to the Three Beauties of the Inner Academy..."

"Each of them exudes a sense of pressure that is no less than that of the top ten on the Strong Ranking List!"

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Some senior students who had reached the high-level Dou Ling level became serious and their eyes were filled with apprehension after slightly sensing the aura that this group of people unintentionally released.

It was a sense of oppression stemming from a disparity in strength that made them instinctively feel uncomfortable and threatened.

Even the geniuses of the Inner Academy seemed somewhat overshadowed in the face of this group.

In contrast, Gu Qingyang and his group reacted calmly to the curious and awe-inspiring gazes around them, or rather, they completely ignored them.

Even among the Ancient Clan, they frequently encountered such scenarios. After all, although the Ancient Clans were powerful, the majority of their population still consisted of ordinary descendants who, under normal circumstances, were not much different from people outside the race.

At this moment, their gazes were more focused on the iconic black tower in the distance, the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, where only its spire and top floor were visible.

Even from this distance, they could faintly feel the invisible heat emanating from it.

"That's the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower? It truly lives up to its name; even from this distance, it exudes such a scorching aura!"

A hint of curiosity flashed in Gu Qingyang's eyes. Although the outside world was unlikely to have as many rare and precious materials and resources as the Ancient Clan, to be honest, the Ancient Clan didn't have many Heavenly Flames.

"Yes, there is some skill involved."

The Gu Yao spoke up, though his tone remained cold and hard, but his gaze was fixed on the giant tower. In his view, of all the Jia Nan Academy, only that tower was worthy of his slightest emotional reaction.

Huo Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly, his ruby-like pupils seemingly piercing through space, sensing the violent and pure flame energy within the tower.

It really is the aura of Heavenly Flames! Xiao Yan definitely won't miss this Heavenly Flames!

Gu Zhen and the others also looked around at this renowned cultivation holy land, each with their own plans.

Xun'er and Ling Yanfei led the group across the square toward the Student Union headquarters.

The feeling of being watched and talked about grew stronger along the way, but the group remained completely oblivious, as if they were walking in a deserted place.

When the sizable cluster of buildings, which had been converted from the original freshman dormitory area, came into view, Gu Qingyang and the others nodded slightly. Along the way, they had seen the outposts of some forces in the distance, but none of them were as impressive as the Student Union's headquarters.

The fact that this Student Union council president was able to cultivate a new force into one of the top five in the Inner Academy within just a few months and possess such an impressive base speaks volumes about his abilities and influence.

Gu Yao didn't seem to care much about this. The ability to manage one's strength and one's cultivation level weren't necessarily related. He'd heard that Xiao Yan was Fifth-Grade Alchemist? Presumably, it was because he was an alchemist that he had so much money to develop his strength.

At the entrance of the camp, a graceful figure in purple was already standing quietly waiting.

Xiao Yi Xian wore a gentle and graceful smile, her temperament as serene as water, forming a stark contrast with Xun'er's ethereal beauty and Ling Yanfei's radiant charm.

"Xun'er, Senior Ling, you must be tired from your journey." Xiao Yi Xian stepped forward, her voice gentle, "Welcome, distinguished guests, to the Student Union."

"Xiao Yi Xian Sister." Xun'er quickly stepped forward and naturally took Xiao Yi Xian's arm in a friendly manner. "These are my brothers and Sister Huo Zhi from another family with whom I have a good relationship."

"Brother Qing Yang, Sister Huo Zhi, this is Xiao Yi Xian, my good friend."

Xun'er turned to look at Gu Qingyang and introduced him to everyone.

Seeing how intimate Xun'er was with Xiao Yi Xian, the members of the Ancient Clan dared not be negligent and quickly bowed in greeting.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian bowed slightly. After all, these people were Xun'er's family. Although the Ancient Clans was very large, there were cases where people who shared the same ancestor and surname were not all cousins. Apart from Gu Qingyang, who was a cousin who was closer to Xun'er by blood, the others could only be considered cousins, or even not even that.

In fact, this situation often occurs in many large families and clans, and the Xiao Family is no exception.

"Since you are all brothers and friends of Xun'er's family, why don't you stay at our Student Union for the time being? However, the Student Union has only been established for a short time, and the place may be a bit simple. I hope you won't mind."

After politely explaining something to everyone, Xiao Yi Xian turned her gaze to Xun'er and said softly:

"Xun'er, there's something I need to tell you. Xiao Yan returned from his cultivation this morning, but unfortunately you weren't here. The Strong Ranking Tournament is about to begin, and as you know, he's a bit obsessed with cultivation. So after giving some instructions, he went straight into the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower for seclusion. He probably won't emerge until the Strong Ranking Tournament."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Ancient Clan members varied.

Gu Qingyang's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, then returned to normal, and he said with a hint of regret:

"Oh? What a coincidence! Junior Brother Xiao Yan is in seclusion? Xun'er said he's quite good; we'd all like to meet him!"

Upon hearing this, a clear sense of disappointment flashed deep in Huo Zhi's eyes. She had traveled a long way just for Xiao Yan, only to find that he had gone into seclusion.

Damn it, why didn't I see him being this enthusiastic about cultivation before?

But she certainly couldn't reveal her familiarity with Xiao Yan in front of the Ancient Clan, so she could only sigh softly.

"It's a bit of a shame. It seems we'll just have to wait until he comes out of seclusion."

However, an untimely sneer rang out from within the ranks.

"Heh, seclusion?" The Gu Yao's voice carried undisguised arrogance. His gaze swept over the direction of the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, then coldly settled on Xiao Yi Xian. "He probably heard we were coming and went straight into the tower to avoid the storm, didn't he? It seems he's not as outstanding as Miss Xun'er described!"

"Gu Yao!"

Gu Qingyang rebuked in a deep voice. If Gu Yao had said these words in front of them, it would have been fine, but to be so presumptuous in front of so many outsiders would only make Xun'er lose face. After all, Xun'er had just introduced them as her elder brothers!

"You!"

Xun'er's gentle expression vanished instantly, her clear eyes suddenly turned icy, with a faint golden light shimmering within them. An invisible pressure spread out, making the surrounding air seem to scorch.

She stared at the Gu Yao, speaking each word with a chilling, piercing voice:

"Brother Xiao Yan needs to avoid your sharp edge? Gu Yao, you overestimate yourself. I've made myself clear: if you genuinely want to befriend Brother Xiao Yan, I welcome it; but if you all act like this, I'll immediately ask Father to take you back!"

The smile on Xiao Yi Xian's face faded. She stepped forward and stood beside Xun'er, her voice suddenly turning cold and hard:

"You're not worthy of making Xiao Yan avoid your attacks! Xiao Yan has been cultivating day and night all these years. Whether you come or not won't affect how Xiao Yan cultivates. Don't overestimate yourself. Even if you possess that so-called Dou Emperor Bloodline and have cultivated for a few more years, you're still not even a fraction as good as Xiao Yan!"

After being scolded by Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, Gu Yao's face instantly darkened. However, he dared not disrespect Xun'er, so his sharp, sword-like gaze pierced Xiao Yi Xian as if it were a physical object, and his aura fluctuated slightly.

Gu Qingyang's expression also turned serious. He hadn't expected that Xun'er's seemingly gentle and kind friend would become so sharp-tongued after Gu Yao uttered words that offended Xiao Yan.

Huo Zhi's beautiful eyes swept between the group, and the corners of her mouth, hidden behind her veil, twitched slightly in a helpless manner.

Sure enough, these two younger sisters continued to protect Xiao Yan as always; this man is really popular with women!

"The Ancient Clan is supposed to be one of the best among the Eight Clans, but I never expected to find such arrogant and conceited members. It's truly disappointing."

Ling Yanfei was counting on Xiao Yan to save the Ling Clan, so she naturally had to make her stance clear at this moment.

It's also very necessary to build good relationships with Xiao Yan's women beforehand.

"Really."

Huo Zhi chimed in with a similar comment.

The remaining members of the Ancient Clan were somewhat taken aback when they saw Gu Yao belittle Xiao Yan, and react as if they had stirred up a woman's den.

Although I haven't had much interaction with Xiao Yan yet, judging from the current scene, just how handsome must Xiao Yan be?

When Xun'er gets angry, the consequences are severe.

"Since you all look down on Brother Xiao Yan so much, you don't need to stay in the Student Union that Brother Xiao Yan established. Find a place to stay on your own."

After Xun'er finished speaking, she pulled Xiao Yi Xian along and said to Ling Yanfei and Huo Zhi:

"Senior Yan Fei, could you please arrange accommodations for Sister Huo Zhi? I'm a little tired and would like to rest for a bit."

"Okay, go ahead, I'll take care of the arrangements."

Ling Yanfei nodded slightly upon hearing this, then ignored the Ancient Clan members and stepped forward to pull Huo Zhi, whom she had already chatted with, towards the pavilion.

"We're all sisters from Ancient Clans, why don't you live with us?"

Ling Yanfei said as she walked.

Where does Xiao Yan live?

Huo Zhi asked.

"Downstairs from us."

Ling Yanfei had already extracted a lot of information, so she naturally understood the meaning behind Huo Zhi's question.

"Okay, let's live together then. You just said 'we'?"

Huo Zhi suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Yes, Yao Ling and Shi Xuanxuan live on the same floor as me."

Ling Yanfei said with a smile.

"Huh? The Yao Clan and the Shi Clan have also sent people?"

Upon hearing this, a bitter expression appeared on the face hidden beneath the veil of the Huo Zhi.

I originally thought that by starting to plan for the Jia Nan Academy five or six years ahead of the normal timeline, I was already far ahead.

I never expected someone to act even faster than her?

Even this much faster?

Aaaaaaah!!!

Huo Zhi felt she had lost out big time.

But I'm also somewhat relieved.

Thankfully, things aren't actually that bad...

Xiao Yan is still young; I should have plenty of time!

"Not only that, there's another one downstairs. Although she's using the alias Yun Li, my investigation suggests she's a member of the Soul Clan."

Ling Yanfei said this intentionally to stir up Huo Zhi's emotions and cause him to lose his guard.

This is how one can perceive more information through Spirit Communion.

The Soul Clan? How is that possible!?

Huo Zhi's expression changed upon hearing this. She couldn't recall any woman of high status or exceptional talent from the Soul Clan!

She wasn't very familiar with the Ling Clan and the Shi Clan, but neither of them posed a significant threat.

But the Soul Clan is different!

"The Soul Clan is here too? That clan is extremely mysterious. How did Sister Yan Fei find out?"

Although Huo Zhi had some understanding of the Ling Clan's talents, his knowledge was not deep, and he could not imagine what Ling Yanfei, who possessed God-Grade Bloodline, could achieve through her Spirit Communion abilities.

"That's not important, but you don't need to worry. She hates the Soul Clan to death. I'm not entirely sure what happened, but she has a good relationship with Xiao Yan and won't harm him."

Ling Yanfei's words actually revealed that she already knew that Huo Zhi's feelings for Xiao Yan were not simply curiosity.

But both of them are smart. At this point, exchanging information would have been enough. It would have been foolish to get hung up on things the other wouldn't tell.

"Okay, then I'll have to trouble Sister Yan Fei to introduce me to the other two sisters later."

Huo Zhi nodded slightly and followed Ling Yanfei deeper into the Student Union compound.

"Tsk, you've got a sharp tongue, now even the young lady has to bring up the Clan Chief!"

Gu Hua, whose robes had several silver patterns on them, curled his lip and said with schadenfreude.

Of course, he also had some dissatisfaction with Xiao Yan, but Gu Yao was cold and straightforward, so he became the one to stick his neck out.

"Big brother?"

The burly Gu Xing scratched his head, offering no opinion, and simply looked at Gu Qingyang.

Gu Zhen, who had an ordinary appearance, was also surprised by Xun'er's reaction just now. However, he felt that since Xiao Yan had become Fifth-Grade Alchemist at a younger age than them, they should at least give Xiao Yan some respect.

The Gu Yao's aggressive demeanor just now was really unnecessary.

Gu Qingyang sighed upon hearing this and said:

"Sigh, I never expected Xun'er to value Xiao Yan so much. Those two from the Ling Clan and the Yan Clan, as well as Xiao Yi Xian, are also so protective of Xiao Yan. To be honest, I really want to meet him and see what kind of magic he possesses?"