"The Sky Jade Fruit can be refined into a Sixth-Grade Pill that directly boosts your strength, but I can't do that yet. Besides, I don't have the pill formula!"
Jiang Yun looked at the expectant Zi Yan and waved his hands helplessly. This was his current predicament: he had the alchemy skills, but no high-grade pill formulas. Spending time researching formulas would clearly be unwise.
For now, improving his strength remained his priority. Once he was strong enough, the formulas would come. Jiang Yun had already secretly set his sights on the fattest sheep in the Black-Corner Region.
"Ahhh..." Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Zi Yan immediately looked disappointed. Her head drooped as though she had lost all interest in life.
"Take it. With this, and a few more good medicinal ingredients from the Magical Beast Forest, you should soon have enough energy to break through to the sixth rank!"
Just as Zi Yan felt her dream of growing up slipping away, Jiang Yun's voice rang out like heavenly music, pulling her right back.
"Xiao Yun..." Zi Yan gazed at Jiang Yun with a deeply moved expression. It would have been even more convincing if she could have squeezed out a few tears.
Jiang Yun saw a blur, and the Ten-Thousand-Year Vine in his hand was already in Zi Yan's. He had the distinct feeling that he had taken a huge loss.
After carefully putting away the two medicinal ingredients, Zi Yan sidled up to Jiang Yun with a sly expression and whispered into his ear, "Xiao Yun, I know you like how I look when I'm grown up. Once I grow up, I definitely won't let you lose out."
Watching Zi Yan even throw him a playful wink, Jiang Yun shuddered. He pushed her away and said disdainfully, "You're overthinking it. Once you break through, just find me a few medicinal ingredients."
Pushed aside, Zi Yan stared at Jiang Yun indignantly and protested, "You clearly do! Don't think I didn't notice the way you looked at me when I broke through to the fifth rank last time. You obviously liked it."
As Jiang Yun's expression grew darker, Zi Yan's voice dwindled, but she still looked at him as though he were a scumbag. For the sake of her medicinal pellets, she had to let him off for now, but she secretly made up her mind.
Just you wait, Xiao Yun! Once I grow up, I'll have you utterly spellbound. Then you'll be the one begging me.
After obtaining the two medicinal ingredients, Jiang Yun and Zi Yan found nothing of a higher grade. As for cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, neither lacked those, so they stopped reaching for anything and watched the other three use their various methods to capture the glowing orbs.
As time passed, the three gradually stopped as well. Their smiling faces made it clear that they were very satisfied with their gains.
An hour after Jiang Yun and the others entered the Scripture Repository Pavilion, its doors opened again, and everyone emerged with smiles on their faces.
Meanwhile, the enormous room began to empty out. No one would have imagined that it had just been filled with countless treasures, any of which could have caused a sensation in the outside world.
Just then, the sleeves of Elders Qian and Bai stirred slightly. Jiang Yun and the others immediately sensed a vast, boundless wave of invisible energy sweep over them. Its power was terrifying.
They were checking whether anyone had secretly taken extra items out. The only treasure Jiang Yun carried was the Azure Nether Tower, but Elders Qian and Bai were not strong enough to detect anything unusual about it.
The invisible energy did not linger for long. After just a dozen or so breaths, it receded like the tide until it vanished completely.
"Hmph." Zi Yan gave a dissatisfied snort. Anyone would have felt uncomfortable being examined inside and out like that. Fortunately, she was no spoiled, willful young lady and did not otherwise show it.
"Time is up. Leave, all of you. Remember, you must not reveal a single detail of what happened here today, including anything about the Library Pavilion's interior." Having found nothing unusual, an old, hoarse voice drifted slowly from the doorway.
Hearing this, they nodded in agreement.
"From your expressions, I can tell none of you came away empty-handed. Good. Whether or not the items suit your wishes, you've still gained something."
Hu Gan smiled at the five of them, then bowed slightly to Elders Qian and Bai, who sat like old monks. "Since these youngsters have come out, we won't disturb your secluded cultivation any longer. Farewell."
Elders Qian and Bai seemed not to have heard Hu Gan at all. They remained seated cross-legged with their eyes closed, aloof as ever. Hu Gan did not mind; he went through this every year and was already used to it.
Masters always had eccentric tempers!
Jiang Yun and the others also bowed to the two gray-robed figures before following Hu Gan away.
"Stay close to me. Don't touch those spatial folds, or even I won't be able to save you." Just before passing through the invisible doorway, Hu Gan turned his head to warn them, then carefully stepped through.
They followed cautiously, not daring to make any unnecessary movements. Even Jiang Yun and Zi Yan were no exceptions. Their Spatial Talent might be exceptional, but until that talent became actual strength, falling into a spatial rift would still be extremely dangerous.
Once everyone had safely passed through the invisible doorway, a wave of invisible energy swept past. Moments later, a tightly sealed wall of spatial folds appeared again, protecting the Library Pavilion behind it.
The two gray-robed figures disappeared from view as well. They would probably not appear again until the next Inner Academy Selection Tournament produced its top five.
Inside the study, Hu Gan watched the wall slowly close, then turned to Jiang Yun and the others. "You've received your rewards for placing in the top five. Rest well for the next two days. The day after tomorrow, you'll enter the Inner Academy. Fiercer competition awaits you there, and life won't be so comfortable anymore."
Hearing Hu Gan's words, Ling Feng and the other two felt their hearts tighten for no apparent reason, a sense of urgency rising within them.
Jiang Yun remained as calm as ever, as though nothing could stir his emotions. As for Zi Yan, her mind was wandering far away, and a glistening thread of drool hung at the corner of her mouth. Who knew what she was thinking about?
Seeing the reactions of Ling Feng and the other two, Hu Gan chuckled inwardly. They were still too green, getting nervous over this. But when he looked at Jiang Yun and Zi Yan, his breath caught.
Oh no! How did I forget this little terror?
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Hu Gan's forehead. With Zi Yan participating, could they even hold the Fire Energy Capture Tournament?
What Fire Energy Capture Tournament? It'll probably turn into an Inner Academy match-three game!
At that thought, Hu Gan hurriedly told them, "All right, go back and make your preparations. We'll take you into the Inner Academy when the time comes."
After saying goodbye to Hu Gan, they each left.
Once they were gone, Hu Gan watched Zi Yan and Jiang Yun's retreating figures, hurriedly formed Dou Qi wings, and sped toward the Inner Academy.
He needed to discuss this with the Great Elder. The Fire Energy Capture Tournament absolutely could not turn into an Inner Academy match-three game.
Two days later.
Jiang Yun brought a sulking Zi Yan to Hu Gan's office.
The moment she saw Hu Gan, Zi Yan glared fiercely at him, as though she wanted to tear him to pieces. Ever since Jiang Yun and Zi Yan arrived, however, Hu Gan had avoided looking at them, instead casting guilty glances elsewhere.
Naturally, this situation had arisen because Zi Yan's strength was far beyond the tournament's limits.
Afraid that a perfectly good Fire Energy Capture Tournament would become an Inner Academy match-three game, Hu Gan had asked Su Qian to forbid Zi Yan from participating. Otherwise, even all the senior students sent by the Inner Academy combined would not be enough for her to beat up.
The Great Elder had immediately approved Hu Gan's proposal. This would also let them see Jiang Yun's true strength, something both Hu Gan and Su Qian were very curious about.
They both knew Jiang Yun's background. When Su Qian first brought him back, he already possessed sixth-stage Dou Power. In all their years, they had never seen such a genius.
They were therefore curious about his true strength. Since the Outer Academy students could not probe Jiang Yun's depths, surely the Inner Academy's senior students could force him to reveal at least some of his strength?
Hu Gan thought this with a sinister air, secretly eyeing Jiang Yun with a hint of ill intent.
"All right, stop being angry. You're already a Dou Wang. Is beating up a bunch of Da Dou Shi and Dou Ling really that interesting?"
Watching Zi Yan stare at Hu Gan with her wide eyes from the moment they entered, Jiang Yun rubbed her head in amusement.
"It's different!" Feeling the warmth atop her head, Zi Yan looked away from Hu Gan and shook her head at Jiang Yun. "I'm not interested in beating up those weaklings! It's just... it's something I'd get to experience with you, Xiao Yun. I don't want to miss out."
Seeing the flicker of disappointment in Zi Yan's eyes, so unlike her usual carefree manner, Jiang Yun was momentarily dazed. When had this little girl begun to seem as though she had grown up?
Not physically, but mentally.
"Then just watch my performance. I'll show them through my actions that whether you participate or not, the result won't change."
Jiang Yun shook off the inexplicable thoughts in his head and clasped his hands behind his back, looking every bit like a reclusive master.
"Right! Give them a good beating for me!" Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Zi Yan's expression changed instantly, and she waved her fists excitedly.
As time passed, ten dark silhouettes suddenly came flying toward them.
They were the academy's "airplanes," the Griffin Beasts. The ten Griffin Beasts cast enormous shadows as they passed over the academy, finally stopping above the open ground in front of Hu Gan's study.
"All right, youngsters. Let's set off!"
At Hu Gan's words, the students on the open ground immediately turned, then rushed forward in a swarm, impatiently climbing onto the Griffin Beasts' broad backs.
The Griffin Beasts' feathers were rather slippery. Only those at the Da Dou Shi level could stand steadily, and quite a few students slipped and fell, making embarrassing spectacles of themselves.
Once all the students had climbed onto the Griffin Beasts' backs, Hu Gan and several Outer Academy elders flashed into the air.
With a shake of their shoulders, several pairs of splendid Dou Qi wings extended from their backs. Their wings fluttered gently, holding them motionless in midair beneath the many envious gazes from the open ground.
"Set off!"
At Hu Gan's command, the handlers below gave sharp whistles. The Griffin Beasts beat their wings forcefully, their enormous bodies slowly rising as their shadows on the ground shrank.
There was, however, a small mishap. While all the other Griffin Beasts took off safely, the one carrying Zi Yan and Jiang Yun remained rooted to the spot. A closer look would reveal the fear in its eyes and its trembling body.
"This..." The Griffin Beast's "driver" had never encountered anything like this before and hurriedly issued all sorts of commands to it.
Hu Gan and the others, already airborne, noticed the unusual situation behind them. Surprise appeared on their faces as they watched.
"Get moving!"
By now, Zi Yan was growing impatient. She stamped her little foot and shouted at the Griffin Beast beneath her.
At Zi Yan's command, the Griffin Beast let out a piercing cry and chased after the group ahead at the fastest speed of its life, terrified that if it slowed even slightly, the frightening girl on its back would eat it.
At that moment, apart from Hu Gan, who knew the truth, the other elders all looked at Zi Yan with a hint of astonishment.
"Let's go!"
Hu Gan turned and instructed the others, then led them after the group ahead, guarding its flanks.
On the Griffin Beast's back, Zi Yan lifted her chin a little boastfully at Jiang Yun. "Look how fast it's flying."
"You're amazing!" Jiang Yun smiled and gave Zi Yan a thumbs-up.
Unlike the Outer Academy, the Inner Academy lay hidden deep within endless mountains. Its location was extremely secretive. Without specially trained Griffin Beasts to guide them, even students who had come out of the Inner Academy would have trouble finding their way back.
Flying Magical Beasts attacked from time to time, and Hu Gan and the other elders struck out to slaughter them.
The mountains behind Jia Nan Academy teemed with Magical Beasts. Even Fifth-rank Magical Beasts roamed the deep forests. Without these elders protecting them, the students would have had almost no chance of flying safely over the rear mountains.
Under the combined assault of Hu Gan, a Peak Dou Emperor, and the several Dou Wang elders, not a single Magical Beast broke through their defenses.
Their flight left thick clouds of blood mist in its wake. After more than an hour of traveling at full speed, the Griffin Beast formation gradually slowed as they reached an entirely new area.
Beneath them lay a long mountain ravine, surrounded by greenery and seeming rather quiet.
"Open!"
Hu Gan moved forward. With a mighty shout, powerful Dou Qi erupted from his hands and shot straight ahead. The space before them rippled, and a gateway eight or nine meters tall quietly appeared.
This was a Spatial Barrier. Only after passing through it would they truly enter the Inner Academy's territory.
"Go!"
Hu Gan gave a low shout, and the Griffin Beast formation flew into the spatial gateway together. Once everyone had entered, the gateway vanished, and everything returned to its original appearance.
After passing through the spatial gateway, they still found a forest before their eyes. The difference was that people were already there to welcome them.
Unlike the Outer Academy teachers, all these people wore robes bearing a small tower-shaped insignia.
At their head stood Great Elder Su Qian, whom Jiang Yun knew well.
Seeing Su Qian, Zi Yan indignantly turned her head aside, clearly still sulking.
Catching Zi Yan's reaction out of the corner of his eye, Su Qian's eyelid twitched. This girl really did grow more temperamental as she grew older.
Doesn't she realize how strong she is? What is she doing competing with a bunch of Da Dou Shi and Dou Ling?
One could only say that the Great Elder did not understand a girl's thoughts!
Before you continue