The next day, while everyone in the Inner Academy was still caught up in yesterday's three stunning dark-horse victories, a grand procession of flying magical beasts slowly approached the academy through the surrounding Magical Beast Mountain Range.
On a secluded hill in the Inner Academy.
Xun'er and Xiao Yan lay leisurely on the hillside.
Lush grass covered the hill, dotted with nameless wildflowers in full, vivid bloom.
The two lounged on the grass as golden sunlight streamed down from overhead, spilling over their shoulders as they nestled together.
In this peaceful, tranquil setting, neither of them spoke.
Although Xiao Yan had noticed nothing amiss, he kept feeling as though something momentous was about to happen.
Tilting his head slightly, Xiao Yan looked at Xun'er, who was mere inches away. Her jewel-like eyes were gazing at him as well.
"Brother Xiao Yan, once you reach Dou Wang, you must work hard at cultivating what's in the scroll I gave you."
Hearing Xun'er's gentle words, Xiao Yan nodded.
Several days earlier, Xun'er had given him a scroll, telling him mysteriously that he could only break its seal and cultivate its contents once he reached the Dou Wang class.
Xiao Yan had wanted to refuse. After all, a Dou Technique that required Dou Wang strength merely to qualify to cultivate it could hardly be ordinary. Whatever Xun'er's status might be, something like that had to be exceedingly precious.
But Xun'er had repeatedly insisted that she had never given him any gifts throughout all their years growing up. Unable to turn her down, Xiao Yan had finally accepted it.
"All right, I promise. Once I reach Dou Wang, I'll work hard at cultivating it."
Xiao Yan affectionately brushed a finger against Xun'er's nose, then asked with a grin, "Then tell me first, what