New Friends

After the three had learned about Xiao Yan's background, they seemed to relax somewhat and began chatting with him amicably. Naturally, Xiao Yan did not refuse. Through their subsequent conversation, he also learned quite a few things:

First, all three of them came from the "Central Plains," the central region of the Dou Qi Continent. The Jia Ma Empire where Xiao Yan had been born, as well as Canaan Academy where he now was, were both located in the continent's northwestern region, considered remote backwaters in the eyes of Central Plains natives.

Second, the three had indeed been surprised by Xiao Yan's age, but not for the reason he had imagined. Seeing how young he was and sensing that he was already a Dou Practitioner, they had naturally assumed that, like them, he was a descendant of a Central Domain family sent here by his clan. After all, only the Central Domain had Dou Practitioners this young.

However, people from the Central Domain rarely traveled thousands of miles to Canaan Academy, which was why they had been so surprised and restrained upon seeing Xiao Yan.

"But Xiao Yan, you entered through ordinary admissions? What was your aptitude rating?"

After Qian Mo asked that question, the three of them stared directly at Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan had no intention of concealing it and answered frankly, "Super S-rank."

"Hiss~"

The three gave another perfectly synchronized round of sharp inhalations. Knowing even better than Xiao Yan what Super S-rank meant, they could not help but marvel. Qian Mo sighed.

"Xiao Yan, you really are incredible. Before coming here, I thought that after traveling from the Central Plains to the northwest, I'd be able to crush everyone with ease. Who would've thought that I'd run into Brother Lin and Brother Yan, then meet a little monster like you the very next day? All of us received A-rank aptitude ratings, though Brother Lin was only a little short of S-rank. Still, none of us can compare to you, Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan asked in confusion, "There are different levels even within the same rank?"

Lin Xiuya answered instead.

"That is indeed the case, though it does not affect your Super S-rank in any way, Xiao Yan. But Qian Mo, there is no need for you to be discouraged. Talent is certainly important, but the path of cultivation values diligence even more. Otherwise, should those with inferior talent simply give up cultivating? How could that make any sense? If we temper ourselves and are willing to work hard, we may not necessarily lose to Xiao Yan."

Lin Xiuya's tone was calm. His final words sounded less like comfort for Qian Mo and more like something he was telling himself. Anyone could sense the confidence in his voice—he firmly believed that he could become a powerhouse second to no one!

Perhaps realizing that he had made the atmosphere a little strange, Lin Xiuya stood up, his earlier sharpness vanishing as he said gently,

"You've only just arrived, Xiao Yan. Once you've finished unpacking, we'll take you to register. It'll save you from making unnecessary trips."

Qian Mo perked up as well and cried out, "Brother Lin, you didn't take me to register when I arrived yesterday. Why are you treating us differently?"

Yan Hao threw on his clothes and laughed heartily. "Fatty Qian, take a look at yourself. How can you possibly compare yourself to Xiao Yan?"

Watching the three bicker as they headed outside, Xiao Yan suddenly felt that Canaan Academy was not only something to look forward to, but also an exceptionally interesting place.

Meanwhile, in a pavilion somewhere within Canaan Academy, a group of white-robed people sat around a round table. On closer inspection, most of them were middle-aged or older. The man at the head of the table had white hair and a white beard, his face lined with age. At that moment, he was giving instructions to the others.

"As Elder Qin said, that thing beneath the tower has been quiet for over a year since its last disturbance. It will likely stir again soon. All of you must remain cautious in the coming days and ensure that you can assist this old man in suppressing it at any moment."

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

"If there is nothing else, then this meeting—"

"Great Elder, wait! I have something to say!"

The interrupted Great Elder raised a brow and glanced over. The speaker was Hu Gan from the Outer Academy.

"Hu Gan, sealing the Fallen Heart Flame does not require anyone from your Outer Academy. What is it?"

"I'm not here because of that. I just received word that our Outer Academy has recruited a student with Super S-rank aptitude. He has already arrived at the Outer Academy."

Hu Gan casually tossed the documents in his hand to the others. After reading them, the elders began discussing the matter one after another.

"A ten-year-old, four-star Dou Practitioner? Could he be the disciple of some reclusive great expert...?"

"The Jia Ma Empire? That's a very remote place. He seems like a good prospect..."

"Super S-rank? This is the first time in all my years that I've seen such aptitude. Could the Jia Ma Empire's evaluation standards simply be too low...?"

"Silence!" After pondering for a moment, the Great Elder stopped their discussion. A Super S-rank student was indeed of extraordinary significance to the entire academy and deserved serious attention.

"First, Hu Gan, personally examine Xiao Yan. Make certain of his age and whether there is anything wrong with his body."

"Second, once everything has been confirmed, prioritize him in the allocation of cultivation resources, according to the usual standards."

"Third, observe his will and character. If he is truly a gifted jade, we absolutely cannot let him be ruined in the hands of Canaan Academy. If his temperament is merely average, then treat him as an ordinary student."

"Also," the Great Elder added, "bring me a copy of this child's monthly observation report."

On Xiao Yan's side, the entire process went smoothly with someone guiding him. He had simply not expected Qian Mo to be such a blabbermouth. Along the way, everyone Qian Mo knew learned through his loud announcements that Xiao Yan possessed Super S-rank aptitude.

Xiao Yan had not intended to hide it from anyone, but being examined like some spectacle by strangers was far from enjoyable. Fortunately, Lin Xiuya noticed Xiao Yan's awkwardness and stopped Qian Mo. Otherwise, who knew how much of a commotion he would have caused.

Lin Xiuya patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and comforted him. "Don't take it too seriously. With your talent, you'll attract attention sooner or later. You might as well get used to it now."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "Brother Lin, don't make fun of me. Besides, what do other people's opinions have to do with me? Since I came to Canaan Academy, it is naturally to increase my strength. Let them look if they want. It won't cost me any flesh."

Lin Xiuya and the other two clearly knew far more about Canaan Academy than Xiao Yan did. Xiao Yan then asked them in advance about the academy's cultivation facilities. After all, cultivation was something that should not be disturbed. Their four-person dormitory was only a place to rest, and they certainly could not cultivate in such a noisy dormitory building.

"Canaan Academy has many places for students to cultivate, separated according to their dou qi attributes. Since you have fire-attributed dou qi, the Flowing Fire Pool in the south is best for your cultivation. Once classes officially begin tomorrow, you can go over and take a look."

It was Xiao Yan's first time hearing of cultivation grounds divided by dou qi attributes, and he was quite curious. Qian Mo, however, seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

"I'm not asking for Canaan Academy's cultivation grounds to be particularly effective. I'll be satisfied if they're about the same as the ones at my home."

Unmoved by Qian Mo's humblebragging, Xiao Yan asked in puzzlement,

"Brother Qian, if your family already has such a cultivation ground, why did you come to Canaan Academy?"

Xiao Yan had actually wanted to ask this question for a long time. He had come here because Wutan City would only hold back his cultivation progress. But today's conversations had taught him that Qian Mo and the others came from the Central Plains, a place far more prosperous than the northwestern region. Why had they traveled so far from a better place to a worse one?

The three exchanged glances, and in the end, Lin Xiuya spoke.

"You would have learned this sooner or later, Xiao Yan, so there is no harm in telling you. Xiao Yan, have you heard of the Inner Academy?"

"The Inner Academy?" Xiao Yan looked confused.

"That's right. Canaan Academy is actually divided into the Inner Academy and the Outer Academy. We are currently in the Outer Academy. Although the resources and conditions here are exceedingly valuable, they are not much to people like us.

"The real reason we came here was to join Canaan Academy's Inner Academy!"

Yan Hao took over, and even his rough voice carried a trace of fervor.

"That's right! The elders of our clans did not tell us much about the Inner Academy, but they made it clear that there are great cultivation opportunities within it, opportunities even our clans cannot provide!"

Finally, Qian Mo added,

"Not only that, when one joins Canaan Academy's Inner Academy, there is a chance to enter the Scripture Pavilion and choose a treasure. It is said that it even contains Earth Tier cultivation methods and dou techniques!"

When Xiao Yan heard the words "Earth Tier," he nearly failed to keep the saliva from reaching the corner of his mouth. His high-grade Mystic Tier cultivation method had already allowed him to cultivate without hindrance, maintaining a rate of one star advancement per month after becoming a Dou Practitioner. He could not help imagining just how powerful Earth Tier cultivation methods and dou techniques would be!

As night gradually fell, Xiao Yan and the others lay down as well. However, Lin Xiuya and the other two were in high spirits, and with Xiao Yan chiming in from the side, the four began chatting back and forth.

"Xiao Yan, you should visit the Central Plains someday. The stories there are far more exciting than the ones here. Just take the great powers of the Central Plains, known as one hall, one tower..."

"Oh, tell me about it. (இдஇ;)"

"Old Lin, you're too conservative. If you ask me, the situation in Ice River Valley is..."

"Oh, so that's how it is! (ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ"

"My uncle attended an assembly of the Four Directions Pavilion. There, Dou Kings and Dou Emperors would not even spare you a glance. And what cultivation level do their pavilion masters have? Dou Venerable!"

"Whoa~ (ﾟoﾟ;"

In the end, it was only after someone next door repeatedly slammed on the wall as a reminder that the four finally went to sleep, still wanting more.