Enrollment began, Xiao Yan's temper flared!

At last!

After Xiao Yan had waited until his eyes nearly wore through from longing, Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team finally arrived in Wutan City!

The moment the news reached him, Xiao Yan felt as though the whole world had lit up!

A savior sent from heaven!

He made a beeline for the registration site almost immediately.

He had truly had enough!

I, the mighty Venerable Han, am stuck in Wutan City, playing out your petty family squabbles and romantic entanglements?

Whoever wants to play can go ahead!

I have absolutely no interest in women!

I want to train in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and improve my strength!

Jia Nan Academy's recruitment site was set up in the largest square in the city center.

By now, it was a sea of people, with countless boys and girls harboring dreams crowding around so tightly that not even water could seep through.

Relying on his exceptional footwork, Xiao Yan quickly squeezed his way to the front of the registration area.

Once he reached the front, Xiao Yan discovered that registration was divided among several counters.

Xiao Yan was about to choose a random counter when he suddenly noticed Xiao Yu standing among the recruitment examiners.

She was also one of the examiners handling registration this time.

When Xiao Yu spotted Xiao Yan, her eyes lit up, and she excitedly waved him over.

Besides visiting her family, her other task on this trip home was to help the Xiao Clan's youngsters register smoothly.

Seeing Xiao Yu, however, Xiao Yan felt somewhat awkward. He did not want to have much to do with her.

But she had already called him over, and ignoring her would be a little inappropriate.

Since he also wanted to register as quickly as possible, he walked over.

Upon reaching Xiao Yu, he noticed another girl standing beside her.

The girl had full breasts, a slender waist, and shapely hips-a truly voluptuous figure. Xiao Yu introduced her as her good friend from the academy, Xue Ni.

After offering a polite greeting, Xiao Yan asked, "Cousin Xiao Yu, can I register here with you?"

Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Yan with a slight blush and said softly, "Since we're from the same clan, I need to avoid any conflict of interest. Let me find a classmate to register you."

Lively and cheerful, Xue Ni became extremely friendly upon learning that Xiao Yan belonged to Xiao Yu's clan.

But after hearing Xiao Yan introduce himself, she suddenly cried out in surprise!

"Wow, you're Xiao Yan? You're so young!"

Xiao Yan was baffled.

Xue Ni covered her mouth and giggled. "Xiao Yu often talks in her sleep at school and says your name.

"We all thought you were her sweetheart back in her clan. Who knew you were a younger boy?"

As she spoke, Xue Ni turned to look at Xiao Yu again.

"Yu'er, I never knew you liked younger men!"

Xiao Yu's face instantly flushed scarlet.

"You rotten Xue Ni! Keep talking nonsense, and I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Then she stumbled over her words, trying to explain herself to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan remained calm. Let her say whatever she wants. There are no women in my heart anyway.

Unexpectedly, a man's voice suddenly rang out nearby.

"Oh? So this is Xiao Yan? Since you want to register, why not register with me? I'm qualified to assess applicants, so I can even speed things up for you."

Xiao Yan was delighted to hear that. Perfect. What difference does it make where I register?

Turning toward the man, Xiao Yan cupped his hands. "Then you have my thanks."

But once he got a clear look at the man's expression, Xiao Yan frowned.

The man's face wore a smile brimming with malice.

Xiao Yu also frowned at the malicious-looking man. "Luo Bu, why are you making trouble? Go recruit your own students. I'll make the arrangements for Xiao Yan."

Xue Ni's expression turned unfriendly as well.

Seeing Xiao Yan's confusion, she explained quietly, "This Luo Bu is a One-Star Dou Zhe and one of Yu'er's suitors at the academy. Now that he's met you, the real sweetheart, he obviously can't stand you."

Xiao Yan's brow furrowed even deeper.

Romance again!

Romance again!

Why is this world so strange?

Why do so many peach blossoms of romance keep landing on me?

All I want is to focus on cultivation. Why is that so difficult?

Looking at Luo Bu's villainous expression, Xiao Yan felt the man was practically saying outright, Just watch how I deal with you!

The negative emotions Xiao Yan had accumulated over the past few days finally erupted!

With a cold laugh, he ignored Xiao Yu's quiet attempts to dissuade him and said bluntly, "Senior Luo Bu, does beating you mean I've successfully registered?"

Luo Bu smiled arrogantly.

"You're merely at the ninth stage of Dou Power. How could you possibly beat a One-Star Dou Zhe like me? You'll just spar with me so I can acknowledge your strength."

Xiao Yan said no more and stopped listening to Xiao Yu and Xue Ni's advice. He walked straight into the open area.

"Then come on. Let's make this quick."

Luo Bu sneered and followed him into the open area. Walking up beside Xiao Yan, he whispered into his ear, "Piss yourself a puddle and take a good look at your reflection. You think you're worthy of pursuing Xiao Yu? From now on, get as far away as you can!"

Xiao Yan could not be bothered to respond. Right now, he just wanted to vent his pent-up anger!

Luo Bu stepped back twice and was about to strike.

But Xiao Yan suddenly paused, as though he had remembered something, then said, "Wait!"

Luo Bu sneered. "What? Scared? Too late! You're taking this beating whether you like it or not!"

Xiao Yan simply sat down cross-legged. "Give me three minutes to make a breakthrough."

Xiao Yan did not want to expose his ability to fight above his rank, so he decided to advance a level on the spot.

Winning against someone of the same rank was less conspicuous than beating someone above his rank.

As for his talent, so what if it looked a little better? He had to vent this anger today!

Three minutes later, under everyone's dumbfounded gazes, Xiao Yan stood up and unleashed the aura of a One-Star Dou Zhe, equal to Luo Bu's, then beckoned him over.

"Come on."

Another three minutes later, with everyone even more dumbfounded, Xiao Yan let out a refreshed breath.

That felt great!

All the frustration he had endured lately had finally found an outlet!

Looking at Luo Bu lying on the ground with a bruised face and swollen nose, Xiao Yan smiled. "Senior Luo Bu, does this mean I've successfully registered?"

Luo Bu shot Xiao Yan a resentful glance, then climbed to his feet and staggered away without looking back.

Xiao Yan did not mind exposing this little bit of his strength.

He did indeed need to conceal his strength, but by his usual standards, hiding two major ranks was more than enough.

His true strength was now that of a six-star Da Dou Shi, so he could have long since revealed the strength of a six-star Dou Zhe.

He had only revealed himself as a One-Star Dou Practitioner now. He was already keeping such a low profile that it was almost excessive!

Xue Ni and Xiao Yu had long since been stunned speechless on the sidelines.

At that moment, Xue Ni was gazing at Xiao Yan with stars in her eyes.

"So handsome! Unleashing your potential for your sweetheart, breaking through right before battle, and thrashing your romantic rival! Even novels wouldn't dare write something like this! It's just too romantic! Your love must be engraved into your very bones and hearts!"

Hearing that, Xiao Yan immediately felt the pent-up anger he had just vented so satisfyingly begin to rise again!

Amid the chaos, the scene suddenly fell quiet.

Xiao Yan looked up and discovered a beautiful woman in robes standing nearby.

Upon seeing her, Xiao Yu and Xue Ni both cried out happily and rushed over.

"Instructor Ruo Lin!"

Instructor Ruo Lin first smiled and rubbed Xiao Yu's and Xue Ni's heads in greeting, then turned her smiling gaze toward Xiao Yan.

"A sixteen-year-old One-Star Dou Zhe. You've got quite some talent, young man.

"Even more remarkable are your combat instincts and use of Dou Techniques. They're far beyond the ordinary.

"Your name is Xiao Yan, correct? Well, I can announce right now that you've been admitted."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He had worried that his earlier display had been too conspicuous and displeased the instructor.

However, although he had registered, there was still one important matter to address.

Clearing his throat, Xiao Yan said, "Thank you for your kind regard, Instructor, but I have a presumptuous request."

"Oh? Let's hear it." Instructor Ruo Lin looked at him with interest.

"I'd like to request a year's leave."

The moment he said this, the students watching nearby began whispering among themselves.

He had just been admitted to Jia Nan Academy, had not even seen its gates, and already wanted a year's leave?

Was this kid mad?

Even Xiao Yu looked astonished. She had known nothing about this.

Instructor Ruo Lin was stunned too. This was the first time she had encountered such a student.

"Give me a reason."

Xiao Yan had already prepared his explanation and replied unhurriedly, "To tell you the truth, my master is a fourth-tier Alchemist, and my grandmaster is a seventh-tier Alchemist.

"My grandmaster wants me to return to our sect this year. He has a secret art to teach me.

"I truly don't want to miss something so important, so I'd like to request a year's leave."

A seventh-tier Alchemist?!

Those words instantly stunned everyone present!

Across the entire Jia Ma Empire, the highest-ranking Alchemist, Pill King Gu He, was only sixth tier!

Even the dean of Jia Nan Academy's alchemy school was only a sixth-tier Alchemist.

This boy actually possessed such an illustrious lineage!

A trace of caution flashed through Instructor Ruo Lin's beautiful eyes as well.

If it was something so important, she really could not stand in his way.

She could have told him not to register this year and to return next year once he had finished his business.

But with talent and a lineage like his, how could she possibly wait? What if he did not apply to Jia Nan Academy next year?

Even if he needed leave, she had to secure him for the academy first.

However!

Taking another long look at Xiao Yan, Instructor Ruo Lin fell into thought.

After considering it for a moment, Instructor Ruo Lin smiled. "I can approve your leave, but I have one condition."

Xiao Yan asked, "What condition?"

Instructor Ruo Lin said, "Spar with me as well. Whether you win or lose, as long as your performance is good enough, I'll approve your leave."

Another fight?

Xiao Yan frowned.

The previous fight had been an outlet for the anger he had bottled up lately.

Now that he had calmed down, he had little interest in showing off again.

But since the instructor had given the order, he had no choice but to comply.

Cupping his hands, Xiao Yan ultimately agreed.

During the spar that followed, however, he performed conventionally, displaying only the strength of an ordinary One-Star Dou Zhe.

After the fight, Xiao Yan still felt somewhat uncertain.

His performance had been average. If Instructor Ruo Lin was dissatisfied, he really might be unable to enroll in Jia Nan Academy this year.

Unexpectedly, Instructor Ruo Lin smiled in satisfaction.

"You performed very well."

Xue Ni was utterly baffled.

"Instructor, Xiao Yan's performance just now couldn't hold a candle to his fight with Luo Bu. Why do you think he did so well instead?"

Instructor Ruo Lin smiled. "Precisely because he knew to hide his abilities.

"Xiao Yan, although you won't be at the academy during this year's leave, you're already one of its members. If you relied on your talent and combat strength to act arrogantly and recklessly, making trouble outside, I really wouldn't feel comfortable granting you leave.

"But after being so eager to fight just now, you were able to calm yourself and refrain from rushing to show off. That proves your temperament is sound.

"That makes me comfortable granting your leave instead."