A Way

"What is it?"

Seeing the change in Han Yue's expression, a ripple passed through Nalan Chenfeng's dark eyes.

"At the Inner Academy Selection Tournament in a month and a half, I'm afraid it'll be difficult for me to make the top five. I may have to wait another year and won't be able to go to the Inner Academy with you."

Her purpose in coming to Jia Nan Academy had been to secure one of the top five spots in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament, so she could obtain an Earth Tier or higher cultivation method from the Library Pavilion.

But this Inner Academy Selection Tournament was exceptionally fierce. Talents who had cultivated in the Outer Academy for many years, such as Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, Lin Yan, Qian Mo, and Yao Sheng, would all be participating.

With Nalan Chenfeng added to the mix, the top five spots were practically set.

Even Dean Hu Gan had said that this year's Inner Academy Selection Tournament was the fiercest yet. Compared to those people, she held no advantage at all and ranked near the bottom among them.

So, waiting another year would be the safer choice.

"The top five spots in the selection tournament..."

Nalan Chenfeng's eyes turned thoughtful as he murmured softly.

With Han Yue's current strength, her chances of making the top five in this Inner Academy Selection Tournament were indeed slim.

Things were rather different from how they had originally been. Now that Jia Nan Outer Academy had him, one of the top five spots would naturally be taken.

With his strength as a Dou Ling, he could easily take first place in this Inner Academy Selection Tournament.

And now that Han Yue was his girlfriend rather than some insignificant outsider, if she could not go to the Inner Academy with him, he would lose out on quite a bit of enjoyment.

Therefore, he had to help Han Yue solve this problem. It could also count as a gift for her.

"Don't worry. I have a way."

Nalan Chenfeng's gaze darkened, and he smiled.

Under normal circumstances, Jia Nan Outer Academy's selection tournament used a round-based format. In that case, everything depended on individual strength, and it would be difficult for him to get Han Yue into the top five.

But since there were so many geniuses this time, he could change the tournament rules a little.

Given his current strength and the talent and potential he had displayed, speaking to Hu Gan, a Dou Emperor expert, should not be much of a problem.

Changing the round-based format to a free-for-all would not violate the rules. Such matches had existed before in Jia Nan Academy's history.

And if that method did not work, he could simply make a move during the selection tournament and let Liu Qing and the others suffer a little, clearing away some obstacles for Han Yue.

"Mm, what way?"

A hint of confusion appeared on Han Yue's exquisitely beautiful, icy face as she asked softly.

Nalan Chenfeng did not answer immediately. Instead, he pointed at his own cheek, making his meaning obvious.

Smack!

Han Yue froze for a moment, then lightly closed her eyes. Suppressing the embarrassment in her heart, she pressed her lips to Nalan Chenfeng's cheek.

"Now tell me."

After that brief kiss, Han Yue urged him on.

"That was too perfunctory. Do it again."

Nalan Chenfeng grinned as he teased Han Yue.

"You're so young, yet you already know how to take advantage of me."

Han Yue's pretty face turned bright red, and she fiercely twisted Nalan Chenfeng's waist with her jade-like hand.

It had already taken a great deal of courage for her to take the initiative just now, yet this fellow was asking her to do it again. He was truly hateful.

Nalan Chenfeng bared his teeth in an exaggerated show of pain, then kept Han Yue in suspense.

"Rest assured. You'll definitely make the top five this time. I can't bear to leave little Yue'er behind in the Outer Academy."

Han Yue's beautiful eyes paused, then she gave Nalan Chenfeng a deeply disdainful glance.

"Am I that little? The little one should be you, shouldn't it?"

In terms of age, she was three years older than Nalan Chenfeng. When they had first entered Xuan Tier Class Two together, she had remembered his age clearly.

"If you want to take a look now, that's fine too. We can inspect each other's bodies."

Nalan Chenfeng showed no embarrassment at all. His gaze rested on Han Yue's full chest, his meaning beyond obvious.

"Pah... pervert."

Han Yue spat lightly, hurriedly rose from Nalan Chenfeng, and backed away two steps.

"I didn't even do anything, yet I've been saddled with such a title. How unjust."

Nalan Chenfeng chuckled and spread his hands.

"You're still young. You can't do that sort of thing yet. Wait a few more years..."

Han Yue's expression turned much more serious as her red lips parted.

Since she had already made her choice, she would not reject being with Nalan Chenfeng. It was just that things like having children were still too early for them.

"I'm not in that much of a hurry."

Nalan Chenfeng replied, and his mind calmed down.

He was not even fifteen yet. He knew what he should do, and Han Yue did not need to remind him of that.

But being unable to go all the way did not mean they could not do other things. If he had the chance, he would definitely inspect Han Yue's body thoroughly and leave his own mark on her completely.

"I should go back. Don't force yourself over the selection tournament. I can just wait another year."

Han Yue straightened her slightly rumpled dress and spoke gently.

She did not know what method Nalan Chenfeng could use to help her, but she did not want him to put himself in a difficult position.

Some things were best left to take their natural course.

"I never expected the famous cold beauty of Jia Nan Outer Academy to have such a gentle and considerate side."

Nalan Chenfeng smiled faintly, a feeling stirring in his heart.

Han Yue looked cold and proud on the outside, but she was a gentle and sensible woman.

"When you're being serious, you're actually quite good too."

Han Yue smiled and shot back, then did not linger any longer before turning to leave the room.

"Hah..."

Watching Han Yue's departing figure, Nalan Chenfeng let out a soft breath. Then he slowly closed his eyes, formed hand seals with both hands, and began cultivating once more.

Before the Inner Academy Selection Tournament began, he had to break through to Four-Star Dou Ling.

That way, after entering the Inner Academy, he could quickly establish a foothold, challenge the Inner Academy Strong Ranking, obtain enough Fire Energy, and cultivate in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.

Fire Energy was an important resource for Jia Nan Academy students entering the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, and it was also a form of currency circulating within the Inner Academy.

The higher one ranked on the Canaan Inner Academy Strong Ranking, the more Fire Energy one could collect each day. There was no reason for him to give up such benefits.

Time flowed like water, passing in the blink of an eye.

Before long, it was once again time for Jia Nan Academy's annual Inner Academy Selection Tournament.

Early that morning, Nalan Chenfeng finished cultivating and headed straight for the place where Outer Academy Dean Hu Gan was staying.

Jia Nan Outer Academy, Dean's Office.

Hu Gan sat behind a large desk, holding the list of students participating in this year's Inner Academy Selection Tournament. His tiger-like eyes were slightly narrowed, and his grizzled short beard trembled gently with each breath.

Wisps of green smoke rose from the incense burner on the desk, lending the entire room a particularly tranquil atmosphere.

"Come in."

Hu Gan did not even raise his head, as though he had sensed the visitor long ago.

The door opened, and Nalan Chenfeng stepped inside. His moon-white robe was spotless, and his posture was as straight as a pine tree.

"Outer Dean."

Nalan Chenfeng bowed respectfully.

He was no stranger to Hu Gan. After revealing his talent and potential upon arriving at Jia Nan Academy, this Dou Emperor expert had placed considerable importance on him.

Although Hu Gan had not given him any special treatment, he understood that the occasional extra rewards from the Outer Academy had been specially prepared for him.

"Little fellow, your strength has improved again. Four-Star Dou Ling. Not bad, not bad."

Hu Gan set down the list, raised his head, and swept his tiger-like eyes over Nalan Chenfeng, his gaze filled with appreciation.

A fourteen-year-old Four-Star Dou Ling was unprecedented since Jia Nan Academy had been founded.

Nalan Chenfeng had always been one of Hu Gan's key subjects of attention, so his strength could not escape Hu Gan's senses. Even when he had returned to the academy last time aboard the recruitment team's flying ship, Hu Gan had known.

And at that time, Nalan Chenfeng had only recently broken through to Dou Ling. In merely half a year, relying on a Xuan Tier cultivation method, he had made such progress. His talent was truly extraordinary.

Once he reached the Inner Academy, perhaps he would not even need a year to advance to Dou Wang.

Compared to this boy, Hu Gan's granddaughter Hu Jia fell short by far more than a little.

"I was fortunate enough to break through."

Nalan Chenfeng answered modestly.

"Fortunate?"

Hu Gan laughed heartily and shook his head. "You brat, on the path of cultivation, where does fortune come into it?"

As he spoke, Hu Gan rose to his feet and walked to the window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant mountains shrouded in clouds and mist.

"Nalan Chenfeng, you didn't come to see me just so this old man could praise you a few times, did you?"

"You see clearly, Dean."

Nalan Chenfeng nodded and got straight to the point. "I would like to ask the Dean to change the rules of this Inner Academy Selection Tournament to a free-for-all format."

"A free-for-all?"

"Huh? How did you know what I was thinking?"