Agreed

At his words, Nalan Chenfeng took the scroll, spread it open, and sent his soul power into it to study it.

"It truly is a High Mystic Rank technique. Not bad at all."

A moment later, Nalan Chenfeng withdrew his soul power and nodded in satisfaction.

The Flame Yang Art was the highest-grade technique he could currently access. Its properties suited his fire affinity quite well, and it even had the potential to evolve.

Earth Tier techniques above the Mystic Rank were goals for the future. His grandfather could not possibly provide one, and even if his grandfather still possessed other High Mystic Rank techniques, they certainly would not compare to this Flame Yang Art.

The old man truly could not have treated him better. There was no need to doubt that familial affection.

"Your breakthrough... your father doesn't know yet, does he?"

Nalan Jie waved his hand, signaling for Nalan Chenfeng to put away the Flame Yang Art.

"Mm, I haven't told Father yet."

Nalan Chenfeng replied.

His father, Nalan Su, was only a Dou Ling. His grandfather was the one who truly called the shots in the Nalan Clan, so as long as he persuaded his grandfather, anything he wanted to do would be easy enough.

His visit to the Xiao Clan four years ago had also been made possible by his grandfather's support.

As for techniques, his father could not help him much. But he still needed to inform him of his breakthrough to Dou Zhe.

"Tell him later, so he can make preparations."

"If word gets out that you've broken through to Dou Zhe, it will be enough to cause an earthquake in the Imperial Capital. The other two great clans and the Imperial Family won't remain indifferent."

"But with Grandfather here, you needn't worry. Just focus on cultivating."

Nalan Jie's expression turned somewhat more serious, his firm, forceful voice brimming with confidence.

Although the Imperial Family had always been wary of the three great clans, with the Misty Cloud Sect keeping them in check, it did not dare do anything to them.

Without the support of the three great clans, the Imperial Family would most likely be no match for the Misty Cloud Sect. The Misty Cloud Sect was the one that truly gave the Imperial Family headaches.

"Grandfather, I want to go to Jia Nan Academy in the Black-Corner Region to cultivate."

After pondering for a moment, Nalan Chenfeng spoke of his next plan.

Jia Ma Sacred City appeared vast, but the circles of the three great clans and the Imperial Family were small. He could not keep his secrets hidden.

The direct descendants of the three great clans were the focus of every faction's attention. At every year's end, he even had to accompany his father and grandfather to visit the heads of several great clans.

He could not keep avoiding public appearances forever. Before long, news of his breakthrough to Dou Zhe would become known to everyone, and then it would likely be difficult for him to cultivate in peace.

A marriage alliance with the Imperial Family, recruitment by the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun taking him as a disciple—these were all practically foreseeable.

"Jia Nan Academy..."

"It seems you think poorly of a marriage alliance with Princess Yaoye of the Imperial Family."

Nalan Jie's expression froze. Then, he already had some idea of the answer.

As early as the year before last, after his grandson's cultivation talent had first begun to show, Elder Jia of the Imperial Family had mentioned it to him, whether intentionally or not.

Now that this boy had broken through to Dou Zhe at the age of ten, it was practically inevitable.

Jia Nan Academy was hailed as the foremost academy on the Dou Qi Continent. It had nurtured many experts, and even the Misty Cloud Sect and the Imperial Family could not compare to it.

Every year or two, the academy sent a dedicated recruitment team to the Jia Ma Empire. With his grandson's talent, entering it would be easy.

"Your grandson is only ten. There's no need to decide something as important as a lifelong marriage so early, is there...?"

Nalan Chenfeng shook his head and said with a smile.

It was not that he dared not get involved with the Imperial Family. He simply did not like Yaoye.

Members of the Imperial Family were excessively calculating.

It was not as though he had never met the eldest princess of the Imperial Family. Although she was quite attractive, the scheming and depth she exuded made her seem nothing like a girl only a few years older than him.

"Why are you saying something so different from before, boy? Didn't you always praise Grandfather's decision to arrange a marriage with the Xiao Clan as the wisest one?

"Why is it unacceptable when it comes to you?"

Hearing Nalan Chenfeng's answer, Nalan Jie laughed, amusement in his eyes.

For some reason, his grandson cared greatly about the marriage alliance between the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan.

"That's different."

Nalan Chenfeng shook his head and uttered four words, offering no explanation.

A marriage alliance between the Nalan Clan and the Imperial Family was entirely different from one between the Nalan Clan and the Xiao Clan. Only he understood the reasons behind it.

"You brat certainly has plenty of twisted logic. Still, that Xiao Yan truly is an outstanding talent, worthy of Yanran."

Nalan Jie chuckled, a satisfied smile appearing on his aged face.

He had been keeping an eye on the situation of the Xiao Clan in Wu Tan City these past few years, especially that boy of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's cultivation speed was indeed astonishing. Third Stage of Dou Qi at six, fourth stage at seven, fifth stage at eight, seventh stage at nine... At this rate, breaking through to Dou Zhe before the age of twelve was far from impossible.

Such cultivation talent was exceedingly rare throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire. He was more than worthy of his granddaughter.

By comparison, aside from being an Imperial Family princess, Yaoye's cultivation talent could only be considered above average. The gap between her and his grandson was enormous.

"Since you've decided to go to Jia Nan Academy, Grandfather won't stop you. I'll speak to your father."

Nalan Jie rose to his feet and walked to the window with his hands behind his back. Looking toward the distant horizon, his voice grew deeper.

"Outside, it won't be like the Nalan Clan. You can only rely on yourself. Your grandfather and father won't be able to offer you much help, so be careful in all things."

"Since this path is your choice, you must walk it well."

Almost no one in the Jia Ma Empire was unaware of Jia Nan Academy's great reputation. It truly was an excellent place to improve one's strength.

Though his grandson was only ten, he was already a Dou Zhe, and his temperament was far steadier than that of his peers. There was nothing wrong with going alone to Jia Nan Academy to cultivate.

Moreover, given the current power structure of the Jia Ma Empire, leaving this place was not an unwise choice.

"Your grandson understands. Please rest assured, Grandfather."

Nalan Chenfeng nodded solemnly.

His purpose in going to Jia Nan Academy was not merely to change his cultivation environment. More importantly, it was for techniques and for long-term growth in strength.

Although a High Mystic Rank technique held some advantages before reaching Dou Ling, a technique of that grade would prove inadequate against even slightly more exceptional geniuses.

If he wanted to cultivate faster and grow stronger, he had to practice an Earth Tier technique or higher.

Jia Nan Academy was the easiest place in the regions surrounding the Jia Ma Empire to obtain Earth Tier techniques. As long as one possessed sufficient talent and potential to rank among the top five of the new student rankings, one would have an opportunity to select a technique from Jia Nan Academy's Scripture Repository.

"Alright, go. Tell your father to come here. I have something to say to him."

Nalan Jie smiled and nodded, waving his hand.

"Yes."

Nalan Chenfeng answered, bowed, and withdrew. He headed briskly toward the Nalan Clan's main hall, where his father lived.

"Brother..."

A moment later, a clear voice, like an oriole emerging from its nest, drifted from the end of the corridor and made Nalan Chenfeng stop in his tracks.