Recruitment

In the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

"Brother Xiao Li, save me!"

"Lightning Flash Strike!"

A purple bolt of lightning flashed, and the ferocious magical beast collapsed before Little Fairy Doctor. A youth stood with his back to her, then turned his head to look.

"Are you alright?"

"Brother Xiao Li..."

Little Fairy Doctor sniffled pitifully, and the next moment, unable to hold back any longer, she threw herself into Xiao Li's arms and sobbed, her hands clutching tightly around his waist.

A moment later, her crying stopped abruptly. She looked down at her hands in horror, finding them covered in blood.

"Brother Xiao Li, you, you're bleeding so much."

Xiao Li turned around calmly, revealing a deep, bone-reaching wound on his chest.

"As long as you're safe, it's fine."

The memory cut off abruptly. Little Fairy Doctor woke from her dream with a start. Touching her forehead, she realized she was drenched in cold sweat, her clothes sticking to her back.

Three days later.

Little Fairy Doctor lowered her head, reluctant to part, fearing that one more look at Xiao Li would make her cry. After spending a year together in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, she hadn't expected to be separated so soon.

The perceptive Xiao Li noticed her change in mood. He excused himself from the clansmen he had been chatting with and walked to her side.

"What, can't bear to see me go?"

Little Fairy Doctor froze. Seeing the tips of his boots before her, she looked up blankly.

"Brother Xiao Li..."

"Your snot is about to run out."

"Ah, sniff! No, it isn't!"

Little Fairy Doctor hugged her chest in shy indignation and glared at him. This guy was truly impossible; couldn't he see she was sad?

Watching the little girl stomp her feet in embarrassment, Xiao Li chuckled and instinctively patted her head. "If you're ever wronged in the Xiao Clan, go find Xiao Yanzi. He'll help you."

Enjoying his touch, Little Fairy Doctor pouted.

"Oh..." She held back a breath in her heart. It was good that he still remembered her, this little wallflower, but his words somehow made her feel quite annoyed.

"If that doesn't work, come to Canaan Academy and find me. I'll stand up for you."

As Xiao Li's gentle voice rang out, Little Fairy Doctor paused, then nodded vigorously. "I, I will come find you."

Now it was Xiao Li's turn to be stunned. It seemed Little Fairy Doctor's feelings for him were not ordinary.

He looked at the increasingly mature little girl. She was only twelve, yet in Wutan City, some brats were already engaging in puppy love.

Silently putting aside the thought of treating her only as a younger sister, Xiao Li looked at her squarely.

Little Fairy Doctor shyly lowered her head. The two locked eyes, sharing something they both wanted to possess but dared not voice.

Xiao Zhan, who was eavesdropping nearby, felt the world go black and pinched the bridge of his nose. No wonder that brat Xiao Yan likes little girls; so that's how it is!

"Someone come quick! The Clan Head has fainted!"

Although the Canaan Academy recruitment team was stationed in Wutan City, their jurisdiction covered several nearby cities as well. Thus, when Xiao Li arrived at the designated recruitment plaza the next day, he couldn't help but feel a headache coming on at the sight of the endless sea of people.

No one else from the Xiao Clan had come with him. Xiao Yu had wanted to, but the Great Elder deemed her too young and told her to wait a few years. Others either lacked the talent or didn't want to come.

Not everyone wanted to leave; some preferred to stay in the clan, while others feared the dangers of traveling far away.

On the massive plaza, waves of noise surged into the sky. Countless youths were desperately pushing toward the center. If not for the city lord's troops maintaining order at the perimeter, these excited crowds would have likely charged in regardless of the consequences.

However, Xiao Li didn't need to squeeze in with them; someone was there to lead him through.

A steward from the City Lord's Mansion led Xiao Li through a special passage. Given the Xiao Clan's current status as the dominant power, the position of this insignificant City Lord would likely fall to a member of the Xiao Clan within a couple of years.

Xiao Li followed the steward halfway around the massive plaza before stopping at the western side. This area was at the rear of the plaza, surrounded by two or three layers of fully armed troops. Their cold, gleaming weapons reflected the sunlight with a blinding glare.

Scanning the strict defenses, the steward stepped forward alone, produced his identification, and spoke briefly with a man who appeared to be an officer. Only then did he wave for Xiao Li to pass.

The middle-aged officer's sharp, cold gaze swept over Xiao Li inch by inch. After a long moment, he waved his hand and barked, "Let him through!"

The officer had been transferred from a larger city to oversee the assessment sites for these towns, so he didn't care much for local tyrants like the Xiao Clan.

At the officer's command, the solid wall of iron-clad men produced a rhythmic clatter of armor, slowly revealing a path just wide enough for a person to pass.

Walking past the soldiers, Xiao Li could clearly smell the scent of blood. These were elite troops who had likely seen battle. Although their strength was only around the low-level Dou Zhe stage, they were skilled in coordinated attacks; even he would have a slim chance of survival if surrounded by a hundred of them.

Xiao Li licked his dry lips. His exceptional composure allowed him to slowly dispel the sense of oppression in his heart. Regardless, with his current strength as a Da Dou Shi, he was already stronger than any of these soldiers.

The killing intent he had honed by slaying dozens of magical beasts in the mountain range was no less than theirs, and in a one-on-one comparison, it was far superior.

Seeing Xiao Li remain unfazed, his aura even surpassing their own, a hint of admiration appeared on the officer's stoic face. "It seems Mentor Su Fei will be able to recruit a fine student this time."

The steward stood outside. "Second Young Master Xiao, please go in yourself. It is not convenient for me to enter. My apologies."

Xiao Li smiled gently, "It's no trouble at all. Thank you for your help, Steward."

The steward waved his hands, looking flattered, "No trouble, no trouble at all."

Xiao Li walked to the center of the plaza, where a large, open green tent came into view. From here, he could see the vast sea of people outside, and through several passageways, young men and women who had passed the test occasionally walked toward the interior of the plaza with faces full of excitement.

As Xiao Li approached the large green tent, he saw a small group of men and women huddled together in its cool shade, chatting amongst themselves. Judging by their relaxed expressions, they were likely students of Canaan Academy.

Seeing Xiao Li arrive, a beautiful female student blinked her large eyes, and a brighter spark appeared in them.

"Are you here for the assessment? Come on, I'll take you in."

Seeing the female student being so enthusiastic toward Xiao Li, a male student in the group frowned.

"Li Fei'er, isn't that a bit against the rules? He should be left outside to bake in the sun for a while first."

The female student addressed as Li Fei'er glared at him with her beautiful eyes, "Mind your own business! Li Lin, if you meddle in my affairs again, I'll beat you to death!"

Having said that, she turned back to Xiao Li, who was twitching the corner of his mouth, and her voice softened back into a sweet tone, "Let's go, handsome."

Watching Li Lin retreat decisively without a word, Xiao Li felt a bit strange. Shouldn't there be a minor villain who likes this girl stepping up right about now? Why did you back down so quickly, buddy?

Wait, were you actually just concerned about the rules?