Han Yue's Gratitude

Nalan Chenfeng glanced around, then descended along the wall and headed toward Han Yue, who was darting about snatching light orbs.

"Stop looking. Take this."

Smiling, Nalan Chenfeng waved the blue scroll in his hand.

Hearing this, Han Yue turned to look at Nalan Chenfeng and abruptly came to a stop.

"This scroll is..."

Han Yue accepted the blue scroll. When she saw the writing through the energy barrier, she froze where she stood.

"Frost Art... Low Earth Tier?"

Han Yue raised her head, her clear, crystalline eyes blinking as her red lips pressed tightly together.

"What, don't you like it?"

Nalan Chenfeng asked with a smile.

"No, it's just too much trouble for you."

Han Yue shook her head repeatedly, her jade-like hands holding the scroll trembling faintly.

An Earth Tier cultivation method—even a Low Earth Tier one—was a clan-protecting treasure to the Han Family. Moreover, the Han Family did not possess an ice-attributed Earth Tier cultivation method.

If not for that reason, she would not have traveled all the way from the Central Plains to Jia Nan Academy to cultivate.

Here, obtaining an Earth Tier cultivation method required the least difficulty and cost. As long as she placed among the top five in the selection competition, she would have a chance.

Just moments ago, she had been thinking that if she failed to obtain a cultivation method this time, she would send word back to her family afterward and ask whether her father and great-grandfather could bid for one at one of the large auctions in the Central Plains.

Both she and her younger sister possessed ice attributes. Without an Earth Tier cultivation method, their cultivation progress after reaching the Dou Wang level would slow considerably.

Yet now, Nalan Chenfeng had casually handed her this Earth Tier cultivation method. The surprise had come far too quickly.

But surprise was one thing. Relying on the man before her for everything was truly a little too useless.

"You're already mine. Since I was doing it anyway, helping you obtain a cultivation method is nothing, isn't it?"

The smile on Nalan Chenfeng's face did not fade as his meaningful gaze swept over Han Yue's shapely, delicate figure.

Han Yue had developed very well. Her beauty was first-rate, and coupled with that cool, aloof ice beauty temperament, he liked her very much.

Otherwise, among all the female students in the Outer Academy who had shown interest in him, he would not have chosen Han Yue.

He did not care that Han Yue lacked talent and strength. In his eyes, women could be decorations, companions, or people who could bring him benefits. As long as he liked them, he could choose them.

"Mm."

Han Yue's clear eyes widened slightly. Then her pretty face flushed red, and she lowered her head, tightly clutching the Frost Art in her hands.

There was no need for her and Nalan Chenfeng to draw such clear lines between them, but she would not simply enjoy his kindness toward her with complete peace of mind.

The family possessed a Low Earth Tier fire-attributed Dou Qi technique. Once she entered the Inner Academy, she would find time to return home and bring it to Nalan Chenfeng.

The value of this cultivation method far exceeded that of a Dou Qi technique of the same tier. With it as an exchange, her family would certainly not object.

Nalan Chenfeng came from the Jia Ma Empire on the Northwest Continent. He had entered Jia Nan Academy for a Dou Qi cultivation method as well, but he probably did not possess any Earth Tier Dou Qi techniques.

Even if he did, having one more Dou Qi technique would still increase his strength.

Perhaps this was the greatest help she could offer Nalan Chenfeng. As for herself, from the day she had made that decision, she had already belonged to the man before her.

When it came to that sort of thing, she would not be so useless. She could satisfy this lecherous fellow before her.

However, before that, she had to let her father and the Han Family know of her choice. That was respect for her father and the Han Family.

"Don't overthink it."

Seeing Han Yue remain silent, Nalan Chenfeng spoke.

One hour was very short. If he had more time, he might have been able to find a High Earth Tier cultivation method, or perhaps even exchange one for Han Yue.

But time was limited. Even if he did not leave now, he would soon be ejected from this space.

"I'll tell you later..."

Han Yue came back to herself and looked up at Nalan Chenfeng. The corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a gentle arc, her smile faint.

At that moment, faint ripples spread through the space, and Nalan Chenfeng immediately felt the rejection of this space.

"Time's up. Let's go..."

Nalan Chenfeng glanced at Lin Xiuya and the others, who had already stopped, then took Han Yue's jade-like hand and headed toward the dark passage they had entered through.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuya and the other two did not hesitate, following behind Nalan Chenfeng and Han Yue.

Hiss!

As the five left, the vortex-like energy barriers within the recesses of the walls in the enormous space slowly began to shrink.

A moment later, the energy barriers turned into tiny points and completely dispersed with a faint cracking sound.

At this point, the vast space became empty. No one would have imagined that it had previously been filled with countless treasures capable of causing a sensation throughout the Black Fish Region.

Outside the spatial light gate.

Nalan Chenfeng and the other four emerged one after another. Standing on a flight of steps and looking out at the lush greenery in the valley, they all inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

Whether or not they were satisfied with what they had obtained, this trip to the Library Pavilion had come to an end.

The next instant.

Nalan Chenfeng and the others sensed a vast, majestic invisible energy sweeping across their bodies. Its power made their hearts tremble.

The invisible energy lasted for a brief dozen seconds before retreating like the tide, vanishing completely.

"You may leave. Remember, do not reveal anything about the interior of the Library Pavilion."

A hoarse, aged voice came from Qian Bai Er Lao, seated cross-legged like ancient monks, devoid of the slightest emotion.

Nalan Chenfeng could sense a concealed gaze sweeping across him once more. Those words seemed to be directed at him.

This trip to the Library Pavilion had likely benefited him the most. As for how to select high-tier items from the Library Pavilion, he had already gained some ideas.

Of course, the prerequisite was strength at the Dou Ling level or above, along with sufficiently powerful soul strength.

As Qian Bai Er Lao's words fell, the spatial light gate behind them closed as well, vanishing in an instant.

When Nalan Chenfeng and the others looked again, Qian Bai Er Lao were nowhere to be seen before the Library Pavilion.

"Alright, come with me. There are some matters I still need to explain to you..."

Inside a spacious study.

"You have already received your rewards. Rest for the next two days."

"After two days, you will need to enter the Inner Academy. By then, you little fellows will have plenty to complain about."

Hu Gan smiled at Nalan Chenfeng and the others while stroking his grizzled beard.

Seeing Hu Gan's smiling expression, Nalan Chenfeng understood inwardly, but he did not pay it much mind.

With his current strength and that trump card of his, he would not fear even an ordinary Low-Star Dou Wang too greatly.

It would not take long for him to secure a place in the Inner Academy.

In contrast to Nalan Chenfeng's calmness, Lin Xiuya and the others turned solemn.

"I called you here just to remind you of something."

Hu Gan paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over Nalan Chenfeng and the others one by one.

"If newcomers wish to avoid being bullied by the older students when they first enter the Inner Academy, their fists must be hard enough."

"The students who can enter the Inner Academy are all quite talented. They were once like you. Although your talents are somewhat better, there remains a great gap between you and them in terms of strength."

"Other than Nalan Chenfeng, none of you possess the strength to contend with the older students. So it would be best if you can cooperate and stand united."

"Alright, go back. In two days, you will depart together with the remaining forty-five new students."

"I hope your cultivation in the Inner Academy goes smoothly."