Attitude

Wu Tan City, Xiao Clan.

Compared to the turbulence in the Imperial Capital, Wu Tan City seemed exceptionally peaceful.

In the Xiao Clan's guest courtyard, Nalan Chenfeng sat cross-legged on his bed, his eyes slightly closed and his breathing long and steady.

The wandering energy of heaven and earth continuously flowed into Nalan Chenfeng's body. Pale yellow Dou Qi slowly circulated within him, following the cultivation route of the Flame Yang Art through his meridians again and again, constantly refining the energy that entered from the outside world.

With every completed cycle, his Dou Qi became a little more solid.

"Phew..."

An hour later, Nalan Chenfeng opened his eyes, and a trace of satisfaction flashed through his dark pupils.

A High Mystic Rank cultivation method truly was extraordinary. Its cultivation speed was countless times faster than during the Dou Qi stage.

At this rate, he would break through to a Two-Star Dou Zhe in less than half a month.

And this was only a High Mystic Rank cultivation method. If it were Earth Tier or above, even merely Low Earth Tier, his cultivation speed could rise by another level.

His talent was even better than he had imagined, and that would be the foundation upon which he established himself on the Dou Qi Continent.

"I wonder when Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team will arrive. Judging by the schedule of the team in the Imperial Capital, I'm afraid I'll have to wait another two months..."

Nalan Chenfeng rose and stretched, his joints cracking loudly.

"I'll go ask..."

Nalan Chenfeng's gaze flickered, and he headed toward the Xiao Clan's main hall.

As the head of the Xiao Clan and a prominent figure in Wu Tan City, Xiao Zhan surely knew roughly when Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team arrived each year.

He no longer wished to wait any longer for this day.

Xiao Clan main hall.

Seated in the place of honor, Xiao Zhan looked at Nalan Chenfeng standing in the center of the hall, his face full of smiles.

When Nalan Chenfeng had come to the Xiao Clan four years ago, he had still been a six-year-old child. Though precocious, he had ultimately still been a child.

Four years later, this future heir of the Nalan Clan had become a genius renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire—a ten-year-old Dou Zhe.

With such talent, no one in the entire Jia Ma Empire could rival him.

More importantly, Nalan Chenfeng greatly supported the marriage alliance between the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan. He was also Yan'er's future brother-in-law. With such support in the future, Yan'er's prospects were promising.

"Uncle Xiao."

Nalan Chenfeng cupped his hands in salute and got straight to the point. "Chengfeng has something to ask."

Xiao Zhan's hand, which had just been about to pick up the teacup before him, paused. He smiled and said, "No need to stand on ceremony, nephew. Just ask whatever you wish."

"Jia Nan Academy comes to the Jia Ma Empire every year to recruit students. When do you think this year's recruitment team will arrive in Wu Tan City?"

Nalan Chenfeng did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.

"Jia Nan Academy?"

Xiao Zhan was slightly startled. His gaze lingered on Nalan Chenfeng's face for a moment, and he already had a few guesses in his heart.

"Do you wish to enter Jia Nan Academy for cultivation?"

"Yes."

Nalan Chenfeng nodded without concealing it.

Xiao Zhan pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "In previous years, Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team generally arrived in the Jia Ma Empire around September. They would first stay for several days in Starfall City at the empire's border, then send people in groups to other cities to select students."

"It is only the beginning of July now. I'm afraid it will be another two months before Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team arrives in Wu Tan City."

"Two months..."

Nalan Chenfeng murmured softly and nodded slightly.

The recruitment team Jia Nan Academy would send to Wu Tan City was arriving at roughly the same time as the one in the Imperial Capital. Two months was neither long nor short, but he could only wait.

He only hoped the muddy waters of the Imperial Capital would not reach Wu Tan City, and that his grandfather could withstand the pressure.

"If you do not mind, nephew, you may stay with our Xiao Clan for as long as you wish. You can leave after Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team arrives."

Xiao Zhan's tone was sincere, and the smile on his face did not fade.

Nalan Chenfeng's relationship with the Xiao Clan had already been close because of Xiao Yan and Yanran's marriage agreement.

Moreover, the person before him possessed limitless potential and would have immeasurable achievements in the future. There was nothing but benefit and no harm in the Xiao Clan befriending him.

"Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Xiao."

Nalan Chenfeng cupped his hands in thanks, then gave Xiao Zhan further reassurance while also administering a precaution in advance.

"Rest assured, Uncle Xiao. As long as I am here, the marriage agreement between the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan will not be dissolved. No matter who proposes it, it will not count."

In another two years, the Dou Qi in Xiao Yan's body would be absorbed by Yao Lao. This Xiao Clan genius would then fall from grace, and his sister would most likely come to break off the engagement as she had before.

How to preserve the marriage agreement with the Nalan Clan while allowing Xiao Yan to gain motivation to grow was a problem he had no choice but to face.

Letting Xiao Zhan prepare himself in advance was only the beginning.

"With those words from you, nephew, I can rest even more easily."

Xiao Zhan laughed heartily.

Yan'er's talent was exceptionally outstanding. He was merely inferior to Nalan Chenfeng, yet no weaker than that Nalan niece.

Ever since the Xiao Clan had declined, the Nalan Clan's attitude had become vague.

It was not until Nalan Chenfeng came to the Xiao Clan that Xiao Zhan gained some confidence and dared to regard the connection between the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan as part of his clan's strength, using it to deter Oba and the Jia Lie Clan within Wu Tan City.

Now that Nalan Chenfeng had come to the Xiao Clan once again, it undoubtedly further confirmed the relationship between the two clans.

The person before him was deeply valued by Old Master Nalan. From a certain perspective, his coming to the Xiao Clan represented Old Master Nalan's attitude.

A Dou Wang powerhouse was a pyramid-like existence in the Jia Ma Empire.

"Chengfeng shall take his leave. I will visit Uncle again another day."

After leaving the Xiao Clan's main hall, Nalan Chenfeng followed the bluestone path back toward where he was staying.

On the Dou Qi Continent, aside from cultivation, he currently only read books and records to learn relevant knowledge and experiences. There was nothing else for him to do.

As for beating up Xiao Yan, he had no reason to do so. From beginning to end, he had remained a reasonable person.

As long as Xiao Yan did not do anything sneaky, perverted, or outrageous, he could not be bothered to teach him a lesson.

Xiao Yan's arrogance and self-satisfaction within the Xiao Clan had nothing to do with him.

The fall of a genius was necessary.

And the three years of stagnation in his cultivation would be the best lesson for him. Time would change Xiao Yan, so there was no need for Nalan Chenfeng to concern himself too much.

"Hmm, Xiao Yu..."

As Nalan Chenfeng walked on and passed through a moon gate, he ran into a tall figure approaching from the front.

"Brother Chenfeng!"

Xiao Yu walked toward him. Her long, straight, jade-like legs appeared and disappeared beneath her skirt, while her slender figure was filled with the contours of a young girl.

Four years had passed, and Xiao Yu had grown much taller than others her age. She was already close to adulthood. Her long black hair was tied into a ponytail, revealing a lovely face.

Girls changed greatly as they grew up. Compared to boys, girls developed somewhat faster, and Xiao Yu's genes had clearly been invested mostly in her pair of legs.

"It has only been a few years, yet you've grown so tall."

Nalan Chenfeng stopped in his tracks and said in amazement.

After not seeing her for several years, Xiao Yu had changed greatly, especially in height. She had already become someone he needed to look up at.