Wu Jinchang's arrogance froze on his face. He felt like a helpless clown, putting on airs and climbing up beside a prodigy, all the while thinking highly of himself.
Seeing the shock on his classmates' faces, Wu Jinchang resolutely drew his sword and took up a stance.
"Come on."
Seeing Wu Jinchang ready for battle, Xiao Li naturally gave him the respect he deserved. He swept his right hand through the air, and the Thunder Scale Spear materialized in a flash of lightning.
His right foot touched the ground, and cracks spread inch by inch. Xiao Li had already charged in front of Wu Jinchang.
His speed was so lightning-fast that even the wind was caught off guard. The hair at Wu Jinchang's forehead was sliced through, and his pupils contracted sharply.
"So fast."
The next moment, Wu Jinchang's body flew backward and crashed to the ground like a kite with its strings cut, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Xiao Li appeared where Wu Jinchang had been standing. He calmly lowered his spear and stood at ease, fine arcs of lightning still dancing along its shaft.
One move. An overwhelming victory over an Eight-Star Dou Master.
A tidal wave of cheers rose around him, but Xiao Li was far from satisfied. His Dou Technique was still only high Yellow Tier—far too outdated. Judging by the original story, he might not even make the top five in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament.
Hu Gan beat his wings, and his broad Dou Qi Wings drew everyone's eyes.
Becoming a Dou Emperor was what most people spent their entire lives striving for.
"Xiao Li, come with me."
Hu Gan landed. His loose robes concealed his imposing presence, so Xiao Li felt no pressure from him.
Xiao Li followed Hu Gan to a room, where a little girl with her hair in pigtails was waiting.
Hu Jia looked at Xiao Li in confusion. "Grandpa, who is he?"
Hu Gan chuckled. "This is Xiao Li, a new student. He's far more talented than you are."
At that, Hu Jia wrinkled her delicate nose in indignation. "I'm the most talented person in the Outer Academy. How could anyone be better than me, let alone far better?"
Hu Gan gave Xiao Li an apologetic smile. "This is my granddaughter. She's young and hasn't officially begun studying at Jia Nan Academy yet. Please forgive her."
Xiao Li smiled nonchalantly. "She's a cute little girl, about the same age as my younger brother."
He had said it without a second thought, but Hu Gan took note. Hearing that Xiao Li had a younger brother, he discreetly probed, "Ha, what a coincidence. With a genius like you, your younger brother must be exceptional too. Your clan is lucky to have talents like you."
At Hu Gan's words, the corner of Xiao Li's mouth curled in satisfaction. This was exactly what he wanted—to spread the word about Xiao Yan early. With the two brothers' talents, if they could get the elders of Jia Nan Academy to lend a hand in the future, they would have more confidence when they went to the Misty Cloud Sect for the Three-Year Agreement.
Xiao Yan's old companions had rallied around him, but he had still been unable to get the true powerhouses of Jia Nan Academy to intervene. If he had, Xiao Zhan would not have been abducted by a mere Dou Zong from Soul Hall.
Thinking of Xiao Zhan, who had always considered his sons, the smile on Xiao Li's face faded. Having crossed into this world, if he let his father be captured by Soul Hall, it would be a disgrace to him as a transmigrator.
Xiao Yan had plenty of reasons to grow stronger, and Xiao Li had his own. One of them was to let their father stand proudly behind his sons.
"My younger brother, Xiao Yan, is about as talented as I am. Some things delayed his cultivation for over a year, but he should be a Dou Zhe now."
Xiao Li was deliberately vague, and Hu Gan did not press him. He simply decided the Academy should keep a closer eye on the Xiao Clan in Wutan City.
With the small talk over, the two sat facing each other, ignoring Hu Jia, who was sulking nearby.
"Tell me what you need. The Academy never expected anyone to beat an older student at the Dou Master level, so we didn't prepare anything. You know your own situation best. As long as what you ask for isn't too outrageous, I can get it for you."
Seeing Hu Gan's air of someone who had money to burn, Xiao Li blurted out, "I'd like a lightning-type Earth Tier Dou Technique, if possible..."
"Ahem." Hu Gan choked on his tea, his nostrils twitching. "The reward isn't quite that generous."
Xiao Li laughed awkwardly. He realized his request was a bit much.
"According to the Academy's discussion, if you want a Dou Technique as your reward, the best we can offer is one of the lower or middle grades of Black Tier." Hu Gan told him what he and the elders had decided at the judges' platform.
Before Xiao Li could speak, Hu Gan added, "But..."
Hu Gan lifted his teacup and took a sip, nearly making the newly excited Xiao Li collapse on the spot.
"Please, go on, Dean Hu."
A glimmer of amusement passed through Hu Gan's eyes. "The Academy can only give you that much, but as for me..."
Xiao Li understood. Hu Gan wanted to invest in him because of his talent.
"Thank you, Dean. If you ever need anything, just ask. I'll do my best to help."
Xiao Li did not make any promises beyond that. The repayment would not come now; Hu Gan was betting on his future, not on Xiao Li as a Da Dou Shi.
Hu Gan nodded with satisfaction. A promising young man indeed.
"I don't have any other requests. I only hope that if my granddaughter Hu Jia ever gets into danger, you'll help her out. I believe you'll surpass me one day."
Hu Gan's words were directed at Hu Jia beside him. Xiao Li considered the request briefly, then agreed. Helping her out in the future in exchange for a Dou Technique above middle Black Tier right now? Worth it!
Hu Gan chuckled and produced a purple-covered book, handing it to Xiao Li. "If you run into any problems with your cultivation, you can come ask me."
Xiao Li accepted the Dou Technique and replied before thanking him again and leaving the room.
After Xiao Li left, Hu Jia, who had been ignored the whole time, finally couldn't hold back.
"Grandpa, I don't need him to help me. I'm strong!"
"Hahahahaha! Of course, Hu Jia is the strongest! But don't underestimate Xiao Li. Even the Great Elder thinks highly of him. Trading a Dou Technique we already had a copy of for a future favor from someone who'll be at least a Dou Emperor is absolutely worth it."
Hu Gan affectionately rubbed Hu Jia's head, his eyes flashing with amazement. He couldn't forget one thing Great Elder Su Qian had said about Xiao Li:
"A true dragon emerges from shallow waters. Once he enters Jia Nan Academy and gets cultivation techniques worthy of his talent, his true potential will finally shine."
That was right. Su Fei had looked into the Xiao Clan's situation. Their clan leader, Xiao Zhan, had personally admitted that just a month earlier, before Xiao Li had obtained even a low Black Tier technique, Xiao Li had reached the Da Dou Shi level by cultivating with a high Yellow Tier technique. What a monster!
...Xiao Clan
Hearing Xiao Yan say himself that he had taken an alchemist as his teacher and recovered his talent—and seeing him regain One-Star Dou Zhe strength during the test—left Xiao Zhan grinning from ear to ear. He hadn't been this happy in over a decade. Every one of his sons was accomplished; as their father, he took pride in them all.
He pushed open Xiao Yan's door. "Son, I heard you've become a Dou Zhe again. Your father came to—"
The room was empty. A sheet of paper covered in writing lay on the table. Xiao Zhan's feet went numb and he stopped in his tracks, a familiar, ominous feeling welling up inside him.
Xiao Zhan picked up the note with trembling hands. The first sentence made his vision go black.
"Father, my teacher and I have gone out to train. I don't know when we'll be back. Take care..."
"You unfilial sons! All three of you!"