Rise to Power from Canaan Academy

Therefore, Qin Chen's actions drew looks of envy and even jealousy from the other four students.

All Qin Chen could say was that being an alchemist was awesome!

Half an hour quickly passed. During that time, Qin Chen obtained quite a few good things: Earth-tier cultivation methods, Earth-tier battle skills, high-grade medicinal herbs...

As expected of Canaan Academy. Its foundation was truly rich!

Qin Chen took out the other items he had obtained from his storage ring, leaving behind only a red scroll, then departed with the other four.

After the five left, the vortex-like energy barriers slowly began to shrink. In the end, they turned into tiny points and completely dissipated with a faint crack, leaving the enormous room empty in the blink of an eye.

"Creak."

The five arrived at the entrance. The sleeve of one gray-robed figure shifted slightly, and a vast, majestic invisible energy swept across them. A few breaths later, it settled down.

"Time is up. Leave now. Remember, you must not reveal anything that happened here today, including information about the inside of the Library Pavilion, to anyone." After the invisible energy dispersed, a hoarse, aged voice rang out.

Qin Chen and the others hurriedly nodded.

After leaving the pavilion, Hu Gan said, "You've worked hard," to the Thousand Elders, then led the group away.

Inside a spacious study.

Hu Gan, dressed in gray robes, sat in a chair and smiled at the five youths standing before him.

"Alright, now that you have obtained what belongs to you, go back first. Return here in two days to report in.

The Inner Academy is not as simple as you imagine. You will suffer plenty when the time comes." Hu Gan waved his hand at the five standing before him, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

Upon hearing this, the five bowed to Hu Gan and replied in unison, "Yes, thank you, Vice Principal."

As the five departed, the study instantly fell silent. Hu Gan's fingers unconsciously tapped the tabletop, and a satisfied smile gradually appeared on his face. "Only fourteen years old, yet already a Da Dou Shi, as well as a fourth-tier alchemist. He truly is a rare genius."

At this thought, his brow furrowed, and his right hand involuntarily slammed onto the table. "Hmph! This is outrageous! Others are so outstanding and still working so hard, while that girl Hu Jia..."

Deep in the mountains of Canaan Academy.

After leaving the study, Qin Chen, dressed in a green robe, did not return to his residence like the others. Instead, he impatiently found a secluded cave and prepared to cultivate the technique he had just obtained from the Library Pavilion.

Looking at the red scroll in his hand, a smile rose on his lips. "After ten years in this world, I've finally seen hope!"

Although he could hardly conceal the joy in his heart, Qin Chen knew this was only the beginning. The real challenges still lay ahead.

With that thought, he raised his head toward the azure sky and let out a deep sigh. Dou Di... power that stands above heaven and earth!

"Forget it. Why think so much? Changing my cultivation technique is more important."

After a while, Qin Chen shook his head and cleared those impractical thoughts from his mind.

The red scroll in his hand was the mid-level Earth-tier fire-attribute cultivation method he had just obtained from Canaan Academy's Library Pavilion—Fire Origin Art.

Though it was only a mid-level Earth-tier technique, it was no weaker than ordinary high-level Earth-tier techniques. Not only could it make a cultivator's battle qi purer, but it could also greatly improve their recovery ability. It was most suitable for fighting opponents above one's level.

As expected of Canaan Academy. It was truly generous to its own people.

Qin Chen sat cross-legged and pressed the scroll against his forehead. A massive torrent of information surged directly into his mind.

A moment later, Qin Chen had fully grasped the cultivation method. As his hands formed seals, the battle qi within his body began circulating rapidly along the Fire Origin Art's routes. His originally somewhat mixed battle qi gradually became more condensed under the technique's guidance, and the cave's atmosphere turned scorching hot.

He could clearly feel that after every cycle of battle qi, the battle qi within his battle crystal became purer, while its circulation speed also subtly increased. This efficiency far surpassed the Xuan-tier technique he had cultivated before.

Zi Yan

An hour quickly passed. The battle qi around Qin Chen changed from its original pale red to crimson, while the natural energy within the cave began to rage madly, massive amounts of energy continuously pouring into his body.

Qin Chen slowly rose to his feet. Feeling strength several times greater than before, a smile could not help appearing on his lips.

He clenched his fist, and his bones let out faint crackling sounds. Through changing to the Fire Origin Art, not only had the battle qi within his body become far more abundant, but he had also broken through a minor realm. He had now reached the six-star Da Dou Shi level.

Qin Chen then quickly left the cave and found a suitable spot to begin his daily training. After all, the Fire Energy Hunting Competition would begin in two days. A fight would be unavoidable, so he had to quickly stabilize his newly advanced realm.

The night was as black as ink, shrouding the entire land in darkness. Only scattered stars flickered in the sky, casting down faint light.

Inside a quiet room, Qin Chen sat cross-legged on the bed, his hands forming seals as he adjusted his condition. The past few days had drained him considerably, and he had to recover as quickly as possible.

Today, he had successfully passed the Fire Energy Hunting Competition. This was the residence arranged for him by the elder leading the team.

As the final trace of natural energy entered his body, the battle qi within him completely stabilized. Qin Chen exhaled a breath of stale air, and a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes.

"Zi Yan, I'm here." A smile curled across Qin Chen's lips. He had asked around everywhere today and learned that someone had occupied the top spot on the Strong Ranking for several years. Who else could it be but Zi Yan?

Why had Qin Chen worked himself to the bone to enter the Inner Academy? Wasn't it for Battle Qi Continent's number one little rich girl?

Zi Yan was not only connected to his future cultivation, but she could also provide him enormous support later on. Besides, no man would refuse the chance to become a dragon rider, especially when it was the future supreme magical beast—the Dragon-Phoenix.

Naturally, Qin Chen was no exception. He planned to visit the medicinal herb storage depot tomorrow and see whether he could run into Zi Yan.

"This little dragon girl is really hard to find." Qin Chen rubbed his throbbing temples and thought to himself.

He had already been in the Inner Academy for seven days. During that time, he had constantly searched for traces of Zi Yan and visited the Inner Academy's medicinal herb storage depot many times, but heaven had not favored him. Forget running into her—he could not even find a single clue.

Just a few days ago, he had been dreaming of displaying his abilities and shaking the continent. He had not expected reality to deal him such a blow so quickly.

As the top newcomer, Qin Chen was bound to attract attention.

Moreover, he had offended quite a few older students during the Fire Energy Hunting Competition. If he could not find Zi Yan to back him up soon, he would be in trouble.

To think that I, a future Dou Di, would be reduced to this!

Qin Chen shook his head. "Since taking the initiative won't work, I'll just wait for the rabbit by the tree stump."

Having made up his mind, Qin Chen set his sights on a hill near the Inner Academy's medicinal herb storage depot. It lay near the necessary route for transporting and storing medicinal herbs, with students constantly passing through. Zi Yan possessed an innate and powerful talent for treasure hunting. If he refined pills here, she would surely be drawn over.

Qin Chen found a suitable place on the hill and sat down cross-legged. With a light swipe of his right hand over his storage ring, a black medicinal cauldron appeared before him, followed by stalk after stalk of spiritual herbs floating above it.

"It still feels like something is missing..." Qin Chen rubbed his chin and carefully recalled Zi Yan's habits from the original story. A moment later, inspiration flashed through his mind, and a cunning smile appeared on his face. "Got it!"

Qin Chen took out another Sky Luo Fruit from his storage ring and placed it beside himself. The Sky Luo Fruit not only contained enormous energy, but also emitted a faint fragrance. It would certainly draw Zi Yan over.

"Time to refine some pills."

Qin Chen flicked his wrist, and fifth-tier beast flame appeared in his palm. He then tossed it into the medicinal cauldron, causing scorching heat to spread through the surroundings. He carefully controlled his battle qi and fed the spiritual herbs floating above the cauldron into it in a specific order. Powerful soul force also flowed from between his brows into the cauldron, precisely refining and merging the herbs.

Since he could encounter Zi Yan at any time, he did not refine any complicated pills. Instead, he refined ordinary pills that were commonly traded.

A few students passed nearby during this time, but Qin Chen turned a deaf ear to them and silently continued refining pills.

More than ten days later, a faint presence caught his attention.

"She's finally here!" A playful smile curled across Qin Chen's lips. His soul force had sensed an unfamiliar presence, and the other party's footsteps stopped not far away, as though she were hesitating about something.

Qin Chen remained calm and continued maintaining his pill-refining rhythm. Under the tempering of the beast flame, the pills gradually took shape.

Before long, that figure could no longer restrain herself. An exceedingly slender little hand quietly reached out and grabbed the Sky Luo Fruit, which emitted an enticing scent.

Hearing the movement, Qin Chen turned around "at just the right time" and immediately saw a little girl cheering happily where she stood. Her fair, tender cheeks, smooth purple hair, and lively large eyes confirmed without a doubt that she was Zi Yan.

Although she realized she had been discovered, Zi Yan's black eyes showed not the slightest hint of avoidance. Instead, she looked at Qin Chen indifferently. Clearly, she had done this sort of thing many times before.

Looking at this fearless little girl, Qin Chen said with a smile, "Little sister, could you return the fruit in your hand to your big brother?"

"It's in my hand now, so it's mine..." Zi Yan paused. Perhaps she also felt that what she was doing was somewhat improper. She then waved a hand at Qin Chen and said lightly, "Don't worry, I won't eat your things for nothing. If someone bullies you, I can help you beat them up once."

"No." Qin Chen shook his head and said seriously, "My father left this behind for me. I can't give it to you."

"Father..."

Upon hearing that unfamiliar form of address, Zi Yan's petite body suddenly trembled. She froze in place, and the Sky Luo Fruit in her hand nearly fell to the ground.

Seeing Zi Yan's dejected expression, Qin Chen silently apologized in his heart. After all, this was the fastest way to deepen the bond between them.

"I'm sorry. I'll return it to you now..."

After a long silence, Zi Yan handed the Sky Luo Fruit to Qin Chen. Her black eyes were already filled with moisture, and her voice carried a trace of bitterness. She sniffed, trying her best not to look so miserable.

"Little sister, why did you take my fruit?" Qin Chen accepted the Sky Luo Fruit and knowingly asked.

"I could sense that this fruit contains enormous energy. It can definitely help me grow up faster, so I had to eat it. Also, don't call me little sister. This great aunt's name is Zi Yan!" Zi Yan felt that the person before her was different from those she had encountered before, but Qin Chen's form of address made her very unhappy!

Zi Yan's Discovery

"It's true that growing up requires energy, but if you eat it directly like this, the enormous energy will make you explode." Qin Chen said with a chuckle.

Zi Yan's earlier gloom instantly vanished. She tossed her smooth purple hair, her little nose almost pointing at the sky as she said proudly, "That's because you humans are too weak. As long as I can find medicinal herbs with powerful energy, I can eat as much as I want."

Qin Chen revealed a surprised expression and sighed to Zi Yan, "Oh, so you're a magical beast. Ah, if only I could be as powerful as you."

After Qin Chen revealed that he knew she was a magical beast, Zi Yan had initially worried that his attitude toward her would change. Yet she had not expected Qin Chen not only to avoid distancing himself from her like the others, but to even look at her with admiration. This instantly gave her little heart immense satisfaction.

"Hmph, of course. This great aunt is very powerful. It's just that those medicinal herbs taste awful."

At this, a look of disgust appeared on Zi Yan's little face. If growing up did not require so much energy, she would never eat those terrible-tasting medicinal herbs.

Qin Chen waved his hand and smiled as he took another herb containing pure medicinal power from his storage ring. "I'm an alchemist. I should be able to make the herbs taste better."

"Really?" Zi Yan's large eyes immediately lit up.

"Just watch."

Qin Chen tossed the herb in his hand into the medicinal cauldron and controlled the beast flame to temper it. Once the herb had completely melted, he took out some seasonings from his storage ring and thoroughly fused them with the medicinal liquid. As his fingers moved, the medicinal liquid divided into more than ten small clusters, which slowly solidified into golden pellets as the flames intensified. He then placed them into a jade bottle.

"Give them a try."

Seeing Zi Yan, who had been waiting for so long, Qin Chen waved his hand, and the jade bottle full of pills flew before her.

Zi Yan snatched the jade bottle in front of her. Ignoring the remaining warmth, she impatiently poured a pellet into her little mouth. As she chewed continuously, her lively eyes quickly curved into crescents.

"They're so delicious!" Still wanting more, Zi Yan poured another pellet into her mouth.

Of course they're delicious. I specifically spent quite some time practicing my cooking for you. Qin Chen silently complained, then reminded her, "Zi Yan, you can only eat these pills yourself. Don't give them to anyone else. Others can't endure such violent medicinal power."

"I don't even have enough for myself. Why would I share them with anyone?" Zi Yan muttered, then said in an affectedly mature tone, "If anyone bullies you in the future, come tell me. I'll beat them up for you."

"Alright, alright. If I run into trouble, I'll definitely come find you. You can also come find me to refine pills for you." Qin Chen smiled and rubbed her long purple hair. Refining these so-called pills was not difficult at all; he could practically make them with a casual flick of his hands.

"Then it's a deal." Zi Yan's heart filled with delight, and she gave Qin Chen a huge good-person label. At last, she would not have to eat those terrible-tasting medicinal herbs anymore.

"But..." Qin Chen changed the subject. "If you see me cultivating, you must never interrupt me. And if I find out that your medicinal herbs were stolen from the academy, don't ever expect to eat pills refined by me again."

With this girl's lively and unruly nature, who knew what trouble she might cause if he did not warn her in advance.

"Ah..." The smile on Zi Yan's face instantly collapsed. After hesitating for a while, she still nodded.