Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing

"I didn't expect Han Yue to come to Jia Nan Academy to train so early. Perhaps it was also because of her Dou Qi cultivation method..."

After glancing at Han Yue, Nalan Chenfeng withdrew his gaze, lost in thought.

Han Yue was the eldest daughter of the Han Family in Tian Bei City of the Central Plains Continent. Her great-grandfather, Han Fei, was a genuine Dou Zong expert, making the Han Family a Dou Zong-level force.

However, even coming from such a family, Han Yue might not necessarily have an Earth Tier cultivation method to practice.

On the Dou Qi Continent, cultivation methods were divided by attributes. The Han Family might possess Earth Tier cultivation methods, but they might not suit Han Yue's Dou Qi attribute.

Aside from that reason, as the eldest daughter of a Central Plains family, Han Yue had no need to travel so far to Jia Nan Academy for cultivation.

After all, Tian Bei City, where the Han Family was located, was extremely far from the Black-Corner Region. Even through a spatial wormhole, the journey would take one or two months.

If one traveled by flight, even Dou Emperors and Dou Zongs would need more than half a year, perhaps even longer.

"I didn't expect a woman to possess such terrifying talent..."

"Yeah, with such outstanding talent and such cold, stunning beauty, it seems that our Xuan Tier Class Three will..."

"..."

Faced with the various scrutinizing gazes directed at her, Han Yue showed no trace of nervousness on her snowy-white face. Instead, she remained cold and indifferent.

As the eldest daughter of the Han Family in Tian Bei City, Han Yue had clearly seen the world. She would not be intimidated by a few gazes.

"Enough. Quiet."

Lu Cheng frowned slightly and barked in a deep voice, immediately silencing the classroom.

This Xuan Tier Class Three had quite a few promising students. It was the highest-quality class he had taught in recent years.

Lu Cheng continued reading from the roster. Names and strengths were announced one after another, and low cries occasionally rang out in the classroom, though silence was more common.

Xuan Tier Class Three had thirty-two students in total. The weakest among them was a One-Star Dou Zhe, but strength was tied to age. An eighteen-year-old One-Star Dou Zhe might be talented, but his potential was merely average.

But a ten-year-old Three-Star Dou Zhe was an entirely different matter.

"Nalan Chenfeng."

When he read this name, Lu Cheng's voice rose slightly, becoming noticeably louder.

Lu Cheng did not immediately announce Nalan Chenfeng's strength. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Nalan Chenfeng and paused.

"Ten years old. Three-Star Dou Zhe."

In an instant, the room fell completely silent. The shock was clearly even greater than when Han Yue had been announced.

Everyone involuntarily turned their heads, their gazes landing in unison on Nalan Chenfeng.

Ten years old. Three-Star Dou Zhe.

Combined, those two figures carried an unquestionably terrifying impact.

"No way..."

A round-faced youth in the front row blurted out, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

"A Three-Star Dou Zhe? At ten years old? I was already eighteen when I became a One-Star..."

"What kind of monster is this? Did he start cultivating while still in his mother's womb?"

"No wonder he could enter a Xuan Tier class at such a young age..."

"..."

Whispers rose once more. Gazes filled with shock and curiosity locked onto Nalan Chenfeng, carrying an indescribable trace of envy.

"With such talent and potential, he would be exceptionally outstanding even in the Central Plains Continent..."

A touch of color appeared on Han Yue's cold, indifferent face. Her gaze was firmly drawn to Nalan Chenfeng as she thought to herself.

Clearly, a ten-year-old Three-Star Dou Zhe was the center of everyone's attention. Nalan Chenfeng indeed possessed such qualifications.

The geniuses who had come from all over were completely overshadowed before Nalan Chenfeng at this moment.

Nalan Chenfeng remained calm as he sat upright, as though the name that had just been called had not been his.

It would be a lie to say he was not a little nervous under so many gazes, but he would get used to it eventually. He had experienced this before in the Jia Ma Empire.

Lu Cheng closed the roster. His originally stern face softened considerably, gaining a trace of a smile.

He was a Xuan Tier instructor and had seen many geniuses, but this was his first time seeing a ten-year-old Three-Star Dou Zhe.

Ruohai had assigned this boy to his class and given him an enormous surprise.

Moreover, based on his senses, Nalan Chenfeng's strength did not seem to be as simple as what was recorded in the files.

Three-Star Dou Zhe was the strength detected when he had joined Jia Nan Academy. That had already been two months ago and could not represent his current strength.

"Alright, quiet down."

Lu Cheng did not ask further. He patted the podium with his palm, drawing everyone's attention back.

"Since you have come to Jia Nan Academy, you must work hard for your own futures."

"Every two days, I will be waiting here to help you resolve any difficulties you encounter in cultivation and guide your training."

"As for the rest of the time, it will depend entirely on yourselves. Whether you can pass the Inner Academy Selection Tournament in the future will depend on your efforts."

Lu Cheng swept his gaze over the students and spoke bluntly.

Jia Nan Academy was divided into the Inner Academy and Outer Academy. The Inner Academy Selection Tournament was held once a year, but most people remained in the Outer Academy for some time, waiting until their strength had improved enough to give them confidence in competing for one of the top five spots.

The top five in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament could enter the Library Pavilion. This temptation had always been the key reason Jia Nan Academy could recruit such gifted students from all across the Dou Qi Continent.

There was no shortage of Earth Tier cultivation methods and Dou Techniques within the Library Pavilion. Such foundations already surpassed those of many forces on the Dou Qi Continent.

The time one could spend in the Jia Nan Outer Academy was not unlimited either. Five years was the limit.

There were also special methods to extend it, such as rendering great service after joining Jia Nan Academy's Enforcement Team, or receiving special permission from the academy elders.

"If you have any other problems, you may come to where I live at any time. As your instructor, I will be responsible for each and every one of you."

After saying that, Lu Cheng did not add anything else. He turned and left the classroom.

Once Lu Cheng left and there was no longer any restraint, the classroom quickly became chaotic.

Several older students immediately rose from their seats and surrounded Nalan Chenfeng.

"Nalan Chenfeng, are you really only ten?"

A round-faced youth squeezed to the front, widening his eyes as he examined him, his tone full of disbelief.

"Do I not look like it?"

Nalan Chenfeng smiled and stood up.

"You do! But your talent is far too discouraging, isn't it?"

The round-faced youth scratched his head, then grinned. "My name is Chen Mo. Nice to meet you."

"Nalan Chenfeng."

Nalan Chenfeng nodded.

Perhaps because everyone had only just arrived at Jia Nan Academy, the students seemed relatively harmonious for now.

However, as they grew older and faced the inevitable competition ahead, whether they could remain this amicable was unknown.

"Jia Nan Academy has a decent cultivation environment, but it is difficult to gain true experience and growth in such a greenhouse. Once I have some ability to protect myself as a Da Dou Shi, I can join Jia Nan Academy's Enforcement Team and train in that place where people devour others without leaving bones behind—the Black-Corner Region."

"Cultivating peacefully all the time makes it difficult to improve. If I want to enhance my combat experience and skills, some life-and-death battles will be indispensable."

These thoughts flashed through Nalan Chenfeng's mind, and he formed a concrete plan for his upcoming cultivation life at Jia Nan Academy.

With his special ability to stop time, as long as he did not encounter someone whose strength far exceeded his own level, he would basically never lose.

However, he needed at least the strength of a Da Dou Shi before he could venture into the Black-Corner Region for training.

Chen Mo did not mind. He leaned over familiarly and asked in a low voice, "Can I acknowledge you as my boss in the future?"

Before his words had even ended, several others gathered around as well, asking questions all at once. For a moment, they even seemed to want to become Nalan Chenfeng's followers.

Hearing this, Nalan Chenfeng merely smiled and gave no response.

Establishing an organization within Jia Nan Academy was necessary, but not now.

"Everyone, I need to go back and cultivate..."

Without talking much further with them, Nalan Chenfeng stood and headed outside. As he raised his head, he met Han Yue's gaze directly.

Their eyes met in midair for an instant.

A trace of shyness appeared in Han Yue's crystalline eyes. She nodded at Nalan Chenfeng in greeting, then turned and left ahead of him.

Seeing this, Nalan Chenfeng smiled as well before stepping outside.

Within just a few days, the entire Jia Nan Outer Academy was discussing the same name: Nalan Chenfeng.

"Have you heard? Xuan Tier Class Three has a ten-year-old Three-Star Dou Zhe!"

"What...?"

"A ten-year-old Dou Zhe... Isn't that talent far too outrageous?"

"..."

Similar discussions played out repeatedly in every corner of the Jia Nan Outer Academy, eventually spreading to all of Canaan City and the Canaan Inner Academy.

At a training ground in the Jia Nan Outer Academy.

Two young figures crossed and collided. As their Dou Qi clashed, waves of force swept out, making the bluestone bricks beneath them tremble slightly.

After a moment, the two figures each retreated, facing one another from several yards away.

"Lin Xiuya, your Dou Qi has improved again."

The speaker was a burly youth. His short brown hair stood straight like steel needles, his bronze face was sharply defined, and his tiger-like eyes shone brightly.

He casually wiped the sweat from his forehead. Several tears had been ripped into his upper garments during the exchange, exposing the outline of his lean, powerful muscles.

Opposite the burly youth stood a young man in fitted blue clothing, his hands clasped behind his back.

The youth was tall and slender, with a handsome face and an air of arrogance between his brows.

"Liu Qing, you are not bad either. You really are a troublesome fellow."

Lin Xiuya spoke calmly. His gaze moved away from Liu Qing as he discreetly shook his hand.

He and Liu Qing had both entered Jia Nan Academy one year ago. They were similar in age and evenly matched in strength.

Over the past half year, they had fought several times, winning and losing in turn. Yet with the swift speed of his wind-attributed Dou Qi, Lin Xiuya had always managed to hold a slight advantage.

However, in their next battle, he could not guarantee that he would still have the upper hand. This person was like a formidable opponent tailor-made for him.

Still, having such a battle fanatic as a sparring partner was beneficial to improving his strength.

"Have you heard? There is a monster in this year's Xuan Tier Class Three."

Liu Qing walked to a stone bench at the edge of the training ground, sat down, took out a water pouch from his Storage Ring, and took a large gulp before turning to look at Lin Xiuya.

"A ten-year-old Three-Star Dou Zhe. We cannot compare to that kind of talent."

Lin Xiuya sat down opposite Liu Qing. His expression remained calm, but a ripple flashed deep in his eyes.

"A ten-year-old Three-Star Dou Zhe... That kind of talent is indeed astonishing. Even on the Central Plains Continent, he would rank among the very best."

Lin Xiuya paused, his voice filled with gravity.

Although he thought highly of himself, he also knew his own limits. In the current Jia Nan Outer Academy, his talent might be considered top-tier, but on the Central Plains Continent, it could only be regarded as above average.

"I only condensed my Dou Qi vortex and advanced to Dou Zhe when I was nearly thirteen. I am far behind compared to that fellow."

"However, I will not admit defeat. One day, I will defeat every student in Jia Nan Academy."

Liu Qing grinned, his voice full of determination.

"Arrogant. Defeat me first before saying that!"

"..."

Meanwhile, Nalan Chenfeng, the person at the center of this storm, had completely settled into a steady cultivation routine. He cultivated diligently every day without pause, striving to improve his Dou Qi strength.

Jia Nan Outer Academy, dean's office.

Hu Gan sat behind a broad desk, holding a student file that had just been delivered.

The old man appeared to be around sixty. He had a burly build, a square face, a ring of grizzled stubble, and tiger-like eyes that carried authority even without anger.

He wore a long green robe embroidered with the emblem of Jia Nan Academy over his chest. Simply sitting there, he exuded an imposing presence.

"A ten-year-old Three-Star Dou Zhe. Super S-rank potential..."

Hu Gan set down the file, narrowing his tiger-like eyes as his fingers lightly tapped the desktop. He had seen countless geniuses, but this was the first time he had encountered a ten-year-old Dou Zhe.

"Outer Academy Dean, this child's test result was Super S-rank. Such potential is truly remarkable."

Before the desk, an old man in gray robes cupped his hands and reported respectfully, his tone carrying a hint of admiration.

A ten-year-old Dou Zhe possessed talent that surpassed even the Outer Academy Dean's granddaughter by a considerable margin. Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, Lin Yan, and the others currently at the height of their fame in the Outer Academy could not compare either.

"The grandson of Nalan Jie, Lionheart Marshal of the Jia Ma Empire..."

Hu Gan murmured, tapping his fingers against the desk.

"Dean, should we give Nalan Chenfeng some special training?"

The gray-robed elder asked cautiously.

"That would not be appropriate."

Hu Gan spoke after some consideration, a sharp gleam flashing in his tiger-like eyes.

"Jia Nan Academy has never lacked geniuses. If we open a special door this time, it may become impossible to manage matters afterward."

"The academy has never made such an exception before. He is from the Jia Ma Empire and will most likely not remain at the academy in the future. Besides, all students must be treated equally. That was a rule established by the dean himself."

"At the Dou Zhe stage, there is not much help we can provide him anyway. However, once he becomes a Dou Shi, we can have the Alchemy Department openly distribute some medicinal resources that increase strength and let the students compete fairly. Whether he obtains them will depend on himself."

Hu Gan paused, then added, "Still, keep a close eye on Nalan Chenfeng in the future. We cannot violate the academy's longstanding rules for his sake, but giving him some appropriate conveniences is acceptable."

"Yes."

The gray-robed elder bowed in acknowledgment. He did not linger any longer and turned to leave.

"Hehe, Jia Nan Academy has taken in so many outstanding students over the past two years. The Inner Academy Selection Tournament in a few years is likely to become truly lively."