Journey to the Heavenly Serpent Empire
"The Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family paid such a high price, is it really just so that Jia Nan Academy can stand up for them and offer some support at a crucial moment?"
Even after hearing First Elder Su Qian say it with his own ears, Xiao Lin still found it hard to believe.
Putting aside the three Tier 7 Medicinal Pills and ten Tier 6 Medicinal Pills, what's truly important for the Jia Nan Academy is the latter, which allows them to recruit students within the Heavenly Serpent Empire!
It should be noted that this is one of the two dominant powers in the Northwest Continent.
Jia Nan Academy has never recruited students within the territory of the Heavenly Serpent Empire.
Why is that?
Isn't it all because of the obstruction from the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family or the Heavenly Serpent Mansion?
Although Jia Nan Academy is merely an academic institution and does not force enrolled students to the Jia Nan Academy, for reasons unknown, the Heavenly Serpent Empire does not allow Jia Nan Academy to recruit students within its territory.
This left Jia Nan Academy in a rather helpless situation.
It can be said that most countries in the entire Northwest Continent not only do not reject the enrollment of their own people in the Jia Nan Academy, but also show considerable enthusiasm for it.
But the Heavenly Serpent Empire was the only exception.
Once a talented young person emerges in their country, they are almost always immediately absorbed by either the Heavenly Serpent Mansion or the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family.
The reason for this is twofold. Firstly, the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family and the Heavenly Serpent Mansion have been engaged in various open and covert struggles, and they naturally do not want their country's talents to fall into the hands of others.
Secondly, their cultivation of outstanding young people in the country is not much worse than that of the Jia Nan Academy.
Given these multiple factors, they naturally wouldn't allow Jia Nan Academy to recruit students within their territory.
The Heavenly Serpent Empire is located in the most resource-rich central region of the entire Northwest Continent!
Therefore, the resources available to people within its borders for growth far exceed those of other neighboring countries.
To put it bluntly, Jia Nan Academy considers the students within the Heavenly Serpent Empire to be the most outstanding in the entire Northwest Continent!
As an academy-like organization, Jia Nan Academy naturally wanted to recruit students within the Heavenly Serpent Empire.
There was no such opportunity before, but now the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family has actually relented!
In First Elder Su Qian's view, this offer was even more tempting than the three Tier 7 Medicinal Pills and ten Tier 6 Medicinal Pills!
No wonder First Elder Su Qian was tempted.
"That's what the Dou Zong from the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family said."
First Elder Su Qian confirmed Xiao Lin's disbelief once again.
If the temptation weren't so great, why would he be so conflicted?
"First Elder, don't you suspect there's something fishy going on?"
Looking at the composed First Elder Su Qian, Xiao Lin couldn't help but ask in confusion.
"Hehe, that's why I wanted you to go!"
First Elder Su Qian's answer was perfectly natural!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lin was stunned for a moment, then his lips twitched.
Well, so you're waiting for me here, huh?
That old man is getting more and more cunning!
"What does the First Elder need me to do?"
Given his interest in the relationship between the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family and the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, Cang Si did not refuse this time either.
After all, Xiao Lin, who knew some of the Original Work content, was aware of the conflict between the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family and the Heavenly Serpent Mansion.
Therefore, Xiao Lin thought that if the conflict between the two sides were to erupt, he could take advantage of the situation and fish in troubled waters.
They are, after all, the most powerful force in the entire Northwest Continent. If they just pull out a little something, it would be enough to make the Xiao Household rich.
Xiao Lin certainly wouldn't miss such a great opportunity!
"It's very simple. I didn't explicitly agree to the conditions proposed by that Dou Zong from the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family. However, I did tell him that our Jia Nan Academy would send a Dou Zong to participate in their Founding Ceremony."
"The person the First Elder was talking about, is that me?"
First Elder Su Qian had only spoken halfway when Xiao Lin interrupted him.
After all, they're all here, aren't they?
"That's right, you're the only one in the entire Jia Nan Academy who's suitable for this trip right now. Besides, you're quite cunning, making you perfect for checking if the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family has any other wicked schemes in mind."
If they really only need support from the Jia Nan Academy and it won't affect Jia Nan Academy in any way, then you can agree to their conditions.
However, if the situation changes, you can make your own decision.
Furthermore, if the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family tries to trick us, you can teach them a lesson in return!
At first, First Elder Su Qian's words were relatively mild, but as he spoke, they became more and more serious, and when he uttered the last sentence, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
They want to take advantage of the dean's absence and try to take advantage of the Jia Nan Academy?
That's suicide!
Of course, this is all predicated on the fact that the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family truly harbors such wicked intentions.
However, First Elder Su Qian looked serious, while Xiao Lin's expression became quite interesting.
His focus had completely shifted away from the matter itself, and instead became on First Elder Su Qian's description of him—
"First Elder, are you really that treacherous?" Does that description not quite fit me?
Xiao Lin asked back, frustrated.
"Huh? Did I? Did I just say you were cunning?"
Feeling Xiao Lin's gaze fixed on him, First Elder Su Qian began to pretend to be oblivious.
Didn't you say so?
Did I say that?
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And so, the matter was basically settled.
Xiao Lin accepted the task.
Over the next month, after settling matters at the Trial Grounds, Xiao Lin took a recipe for a Tier 7 Medicinal Pill Recipe given to him by the Jia Nan Academy as a gift for the 800th anniversary of the Founding Ceremony of the Heavenly Serpent Empire and set off for the Heavenly Serpent Empire.
Since you're going to participate in someone else's Founding Ceremony, you have to at least do the bare minimum.
As one of the top powers in the entire Northwest Continent, Jia Nan Academy wouldn't offer anything ordinary as a congratulatory gift.
This made Xiao Lin secretly marvel at the wealth of the Jia Nan Academy.
Subsequently, after spending only a few days, Xiao Lin successfully arrived in the Imperial Capital the Heavenly Serpent Empire before the start of its Founding Ceremony.
"As expected of the strongest nation in the entire Northwest Continent! The grandeur of its Imperial Capital alone far surpasses that of the Jia Ma Empire."
Upon entering the Imperial Capital the Heavenly Serpent Empire, Xiao Lin couldn't help but sigh.
People come and go, and various buildings stand side by side, some even hundreds of meters high, with shops displaying a dazzling array of goods.
Furthermore, perhaps because the Founding Ceremony was about to be held, a festive atmosphere could be felt throughout the Imperial Capital of the Heavenly Serpent Empire.
Even Xiao Lin was slightly affected.