Crushing

The arrogance on Wu Jinchang's face stiffened. He felt like a clueless clown who had climbed up beside a monster, masquerading as something grand while feeling perfectly satisfied with himself.

Watching the shocked expressions of his peers, Wu Jinchang drew his long sword with grim determination and took a stance.

"Come."

Seeing Wu Jinchang braced for battle, Xiao Li naturally gave him the respect he was due. He swept his right hand through the air, and the Thunder Scale Spear materialized amidst a crackle of lightning.

With a push from his right foot, the ground cracked and splintered, and Xiao Li's figure surged before Wu Jinchang in an instant.

The lightning-fast speed caught even the wind off guard. A lock of hair on Wu Jinchang's forehead was severed, and his pupils contracted sharply.

So fast.

The next moment, Wu Jinchang's body was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground like a kite with a broken string and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Xiao Li appeared where Wu Jinchang had been standing, calmly retracting his spear as he stood tall, the weapon still shimmering with faint, residual electricity.

One move to crush an eight-star Dou Shi.

As the cheers erupted like a tidal wave around him, Xiao Li felt less than satisfied. His Dou Technique was still only of the Huang tier, which was far too outdated. Based on the original story, he might not even make it into the top five of the Inner Academy selection tournament.

Hu Gan flapped his wings, the massive pair of Dou Qi wings drawing the gaze of the entire arena.

A Dou Huang—this was the lifelong pursuit of most people.

"Xiao Li, come with me."

Hu Gan landed, his massive aura hidden beneath his wide robes, leaving Xiao Li feeling no sense of pressure from him.

Xiao Li followed Hu Gan into a room, where a little girl with braided pigtails sat waiting.

Hu Jia looked at Xiao Li with confusion. "Grandfather, who is he?"

Hu Gan chuckled. "This is a new student, Xiao Li. He is a genius far beyond your level."

Hearing this, Hu Jia wrinkled her delicate nose in defiance. "I am the greatest genius in this Outer Academy! How could anyone be better than me, let alone far beyond me?"

Hu Gan gave Xiao Li an apologetic smile. "This is my granddaughter. She is young and hasn't officially begun her studies at Canaan Academy yet. Please, excuse her."

Xiao Li smiled indifferently. "She's a cute little girl, the same age as my younger brother."

The speaker was careless, but the listener was attentive. Hearing that Xiao Li had a younger brother, Hu Gan's mind began to race, and he asked casually.

"Haha, what a coincidence. Since you are such a genius, your brother must be extraordinary as well. Your family is truly lucky to possess talents like you two."

Hearing Hu Gan's words, a triumphant smile tugged at the corner of Xiao Li's mouth. He wanted to promote Xiao Yan in advance; with the talent of the two of them, if they could attract the help of a Canaan Academy elder in the future, they would have more leverage when they went to the Cloud Mist Sect for their three-year appointment.

In the original timeline, Xiao Yan had gathered his friends, but he couldn't get the true powerhouses of Canaan to intervene. If not for that, Xiao Zhan would never have been captured by a mere Dou Zong from the Soul Hall.

Thinking of Xiao Zhan, who considered everything for his sons, the smile on Xiao Li's face faded slightly. Having transmigrated here, it would be a disgrace to his status as a traveler if his father were still captured by the Soul Hall.

Xiao Yan had many motivations for growth, and Xiao Li had his own—letting their father stand proudly behind his sons was one of them.

"My brother, Xiao Yan, has talent similar to mine, though his cultivation was delayed for over a year due to some circumstances. He should be at the Dou Zhe level now."

Xiao Li's words were ambiguous, and Hu Gan did not press for details, merely deciding that the academy should pay more attention to the Xiao Clan of Wutan City in the future.

With the small talk finished, the two ignored the pouting little Hu Jia and sat opposite each other.

"Tell me what you need. The academy didn't expect anyone to actually defeat a veteran student at the Dou Shi level, so we aren't prepared. You know your own situation best; as long as your request isn't too outrageous, I can get it for you."

Seeing Hu Gan acting like a man with bottomless pockets, the words slipped out of Xiao Li's mouth. "I want a lightning-attribute Di-tier Dou Technique. I wonder if..."

"Cough!" Hu Gan choked on his own saliva, his nostrils twitching. "The reward isn't quite that generous."

Xiao Li smiled sheepishly, realizing his request was indeed a bit absurd.

"According to the academy's deliberations, if you want a Dou Technique as a reward, the most we can offer is a mid-to-low Xuan-tier technique," Hu Gan said, relaying the conclusion reached by the judges and elders earlier.

Before Xiao Li could speak, Hu Gan added, "However..."

Hu Gan picked up his teacup and took a sip, nearly causing Xiao Li, who had just gotten excited, to collapse to the floor.

"Please, Dean Hu Gan, speak."

A glint of amusement flashed in Hu Gan's eyes. "The academy can only give you that much, but I, personally..."

Xiao Li suddenly understood. Hu Gan was investing in him because he saw his potential.

"This junior thanks the Dean. If you have any requests in the future, just say the word, and I will do my utmost."

Xiao Li didn't commit too firmly, and the repayment wasn't for now. Hu Gan valued his future, not just a Xiao Li at the Da Dou Shi level.

Hu Gan nodded with satisfaction. A child worth teaching.

"I have no other requests. I only hope that if my granddaughter, Hu Jia, ever finds herself in danger, you will lend a hand. I believe your future achievements will surely surpass mine."

Hu Gan gestured toward Hu Jia. Xiao Li pondered for a moment before agreeing to the request. Helping her out in the future in exchange for a Xuan-tier intermediate Dou Technique or higher right now? It was worth it!

Hu Gan chuckled and produced a purple-bound book, handing it to Xiao Li. "If you have any questions about your cultivation in the future, feel free to ask me."

Xiao Li accepted the technique, thanked him once more, and left the room.

After Xiao Li left, Hu Jia, who had been ignored the whole time, finally couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Grandfather, I don't need his help! I'm very strong!"

"Hahahaha, good, our Hu Jia is the strongest. But you mustn't underestimate Xiao Li. He is a genius valued even by the Great Elder. Trading a Dou Technique that already has a backup for the favor of someone who will at least be a Dou Huang in the future—it is well worth it."

Hu Gan affectionately patted Hu Jia's head, a flash of amazement in his eyes; he still couldn't forget the remark Great Elder Su Qian had made about Xiao Li.

"A true dragon emerges from the shallows. Once he enters Canaan Academy and gains a cultivation method worthy of his talent, his potential will truly manifest."

Indeed, Su Fei had inquired about the situation of the Xiao Clan, and the Clan Head, Xiao Zhan, had personally admitted that just a month ago, before he even possessed a Xuan-tier low-grade cultivation method, Xiao Li had relied solely on a Huang-tier high-grade method to reach the level of a Great Dou Shi. What a monster.

...Xiao Clan

Hearing Xiao Yan personally state that he had taken an alchemist as his master and recovered his talent, and having seen him regain the strength of a one-star Dou Zhe during the test, Xiao Zhan's face beamed with joy. He hadn't been this happy in over a decade; with every one of his sons showing such promise, he felt a father's pride swelling within him.

Pushing open the door to Xiao Yan's room, he called out, "Son, I heard you've returned to being a Dou Zhe, so I came to..."

Seeing that the room was empty and finding a letter covered in writing resting on the table, Xiao Zhan's feet went numb and he halted in his tracks, a familiar and ominous feeling surging into his heart.

Xiao Zhan's hands trembled as he picked up the note, the very first sentence causing his vision to darken.

"Father, I have gone out to train with my teacher. I do not know when I will return, please take care of yourself..."

"Rebellious son! Three rebellious sons!"