The Chance to Enter the Library Pavilion!

In the end, Xiao Ze didn't break his promise. He dutifully cooperated with Instructor Ruolin and completed the new students' enrollment procedures.

There were still three days before the formal cultivation courses began, giving the new students some time to adjust to the academy.

Early that morning, Xiao Ze followed Instructor Ruolin to a pavilion.

"This is the place. Once you go in, make sure you do your best. The dean isn't at the academy right now, so the Vice Dean makes most of the decisions concerning the Outer Academy."

Ruolin said earnestly, "Whether you can secure the highest level of support depends on whether you can satisfy the Vice Dean this time."

"I understand, Instructor Ruolin."

Xiao Ze nodded and walked forward alone. Before he could knock, the door to the pavilion swung open by itself.

An aged voice came from inside.

"Xiao Ze, is it? Come in."

Xiao Ze turned around and looked at Instructor Ruolin.

She smiled and nodded.

Watching Xiao Ze's back, she gave him an encouraging gesture.

Only after the door closed did Ruolin turn and leave to take care of matters concerning the new students.

Xiao Ze entered the pavilion. Contrary to what he'd imagined, it wasn't dark inside; bright sources of light could be seen everywhere.

The place was filled with books, but no open flames were used for lighting. Instead, enormous luminous pearls served as the light sources.

Following the directions, Xiao Ze arrived at a spacious, brightly lit room.

An old man with white hair and beard sat at a desk, reading through a document.

"Student Xiao Ze pays his respects to the Vice Dean."

Xiao Ze stepped forward to greet him, but the Vice Dean didn't react.

Xiao Ze remained composed, holding his greeting posture.

The Vice Dean continued reading for over ten minutes before slowly closing the document.

He looked up at Xiao Ze, who was still holding his greeting posture, and a hint of approval showed in his eyes.

Calm and collected, humble and courteous!

He was nothing like the twelve-year-old boy described in the records!

"All right, young man. Holding that pose must be tiring. I'm Hu Gan, Vice Dean of Jia Nan Academy."

The old man's voice held a smile.

Only then did Xiao Ze straighten up, his gaze calm as he looked at the Vice Dean.

"Do you know how much of a commotion your file caused among the academy's senior staff? How to cultivate you became a topic these old fellows argued over endlessly."

The Vice Dean showed him the document in his hand—the very one he had been reading.

Every senior member of the Outer Academy had already seen the file in the Vice Dean's hand.

They had argued fiercely over it, all to determine how Xiao Ze should be cultivated.

The dean had been away from Jia Nan Academy for more than a decade, and the academy's protectors wouldn't act unless the academy faced a life-or-death crisis.

That meant the academy needed to cultivate another top-tier powerhouse to deter outside forces!

Xiao Ze was an ideal prospect to invest in!

The academy had only finalized its cultivation plan for Xiao Ze yesterday.

Today, the Vice Dean had arranged to meet him in a hurry.

But old people always liked to test others.

The past ten minutes had been a test of Xiao Ze's temperament, and so far, he had done quite well.

"Please tell me about it, Vice Dean."

Xiao Ze spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"This is a cultivation plan tailored for you. Of course, it isn't a selfless gift."

"Once you become a top-tier powerhouse, you must come to the academy's aid if it ever faces a crisis!"

"You'll also need to remain at the academy for three years!"

The Vice Dean handed him a document.

Xiao Ze accepted it with both hands and took a look.

"One opportunity to enter the Library Pavilion; one hundred points' worth of pills each month; one-on-one instruction from a senior instructor..."

Xiao Ze's eyes went wide when he saw the generous cultivation plan.

Just the opportunity to enter the Library Pavilion was worth a great deal!

After all, only the top five contestants in each Inner Academy Selection Tournament had a chance to enter the Library Pavilion.

A student had to stand out among the many talented students in the Outer Academy and become one of the five best to gain entry.

Now Xiao Ze could enter directly!

The pill allowance could be used to exchange for pills at the Alchemist Department.

Or he could spend the points to have an Alchemist refine the pills he needed!

One-on-one instruction from a senior instructor was also a precious opportunity.

There were many other benefits listed below, too.

And all Xiao Ze had to give in return was to come to the academy's aid if it ever faced a crisis after he became powerful.

He also had to serve at the academy for three years.

For Xiao Ze, it was a bargain with no downside!

Still, he didn't need many of the benefits included in the plan.

Xiao Ze thought it over, then bowed respectfully and said,

"Vice Dean, I'm willing to accept, but I'd like to make a suggestion about the cultivation plan."

"Oh? You haven't even enjoyed any of these benefits yet, and you already want to change the plan? We old fellows came up with it ourselves."

"Ahem, that's not what I mean. Some of it just doesn't suit my temperament or circumstances."

"Fine, go ahead." The Vice Dean sighed.

They had spent a long time discussing and designing the plan, and now Xiao Ze wanted to change it.

"I'd like to add one more opportunity to enter the Library Pavilion. In exchange, I'm willing to give up the other parts of the cultivation plan."

"Haha, you're a clever one. You know perfectly well that the most precious thing in this cultivation plan is the opportunity to enter the Library Pavilion!"

Hearing Xiao Ze's words, the Vice Dean couldn't help laughing aloud.

Xiao Ze's cleverness pleased him even more.

Only by knowing how to secure benefits for himself could he grow faster.

"I'll approve your proposal, but the other benefits will be cut back substantially—or even eliminated altogether!"

"After all, if you're lucky, you might obtain an Earth Tier Cultivation Method or Dou Technique in the Library Pavilion. Out in the world, those are priceless treasures!"

"This student understands."

Xiao Ze bowed as he spoke.

He had proposed the condition precisely because he knew how precious the Library Pavilion was.

"All right. Since you insist, I'll talk it over with those old fellows again and try to preserve a few more benefits for you."

The Vice Dean stroked his beard. In the brief time they had spent together, Xiao Ze had shown qualities that pleased him in every respect.

He even found himself wondering whether Xiao Ze might become a match for his unruly granddaughter.

But he didn't want to interfere too much in young people's affairs. He'd let things take their course.

His job was to protect the young people as they found their footing and help them grow strong!

"Thank you, Vice Dean!"

"Go back for now. At the earliest, I'll send someone to notify you at this time tomorrow. Come here then to claim your two opportunities."

Xiao Ze bowed and took his leave.

Watching Xiao Ze leave, the Vice Dean looked at the cultivation plan in his hand.

"I'll have to argue with those old fellows at the academy again..."

After leaving the pavilion, Xiao Ze returned to the small attic Instructor Ruolin had arranged for the three of them.

He had insisted on adding another opportunity to enter the Library Pavilion not only to find cultivation methods for his own future advancement,

but also to secure a high-grade poison-attributed cultivation method for Xiao Yi Xian.

The cultivation method Xiao Yi Xian was using now was still the one Xiao Xun'er had given her.

Otherwise, she would still be stuck at Dou Zhe, unable to advance a single step.

Aside from cultivation methods, Xiao Ze himself didn't need much else.

He had the Dou Techniques Xiao Xun'er had shared with him.

At least at this stage, Xiao Ze had more than enough Dou Techniques.

Xiao Ze returned to the attic and told the other two about what had happened. The news left them marveling, their eyes full of envy.