Study room.
The Grand Elder and Chen Xiao sat facing each other across the table, while Zi Yan sat directly on the edge of another table, chattering excitedly about her supposedly interesting experience of frying fish. Her animated expression was quite amusing.
What she didn't know was that ever since she and Chen Xiao entered the Black-Corner Region together, Su Qian had been paying even more attention to it.
The identities of the two widely rumored mysterious Dou Wangs were unknown to outsiders, but Su Qian could easily guess.
One big, one small, and the small one liked to rob people. The characteristics were simply too obvious.
"And that peak fifth-tier Magical Beast, the Kui Fire Rhinoceros, today, it was so close to becoming a sixth-tier Magical Beast. Chen Xiao and I originally just wanted to go into the mountains to find a quiet place for him to break through. Who knew that big guy, instead of retreating when it saw us, dared to actively attack us? The result was tragic. Chen Xiao and I didn't even have to put in much effort, we took it down easily. How about it, Old Man Su, aren't we amazing?"
"Indeed amazing! You've made great progress!"
Su Qian nodded in praise without hesitation, his face full of smiles, which greatly satisfied Zi Yan. The corners of her raised mouth couldn't be suppressed.
Seeing that she was finally ready to rest for a while, Su Qian turned his gaze to Chen Xiao.
"With your current strength, you could have graduated early long ago. Bringing Zi Yan back this time, I'm afraid you also feel that the Black-Corner Region doesn't have much effect on you anymore. What are your plans next?"
In the Inner Academy, breaking through to Dou Wang meant being able to graduate early, without having to stay for the full five years.
Because Chen Xiao had previously won a spot in the top ten of the Strong Ranking, he also had the status of an Elder candidate. As long as he wanted to and got Su Qian's approval, he could serve as an Elder in the Inner Academy.
Su Qian naturally thought highly of Chen Xiao. From the moment Chen Xiao entered the Inner Academy, this Grand Elder had not hidden his admiration.
However, he also knew that the biggest advantage of the Inner Academy was the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.
Or to be precise, it relied on the Fallen Heart Flame.
And Chen Xiao was of the ice attribute. Continuing to stay in the Inner Academy would be even less helpful to him than before.
Therefore, Su Qian didn't need to offer Chen Xiao the position of Elder.
"I plan to return to the Jia Ma Empire, deal with things there, and then come back to the Black-Corner Region. In the past two years, Zi Yan and I have fought against many Dou Wangs while hiding our identities, but we haven't encountered those Black Ranking powerhouses yet. When the day comes that I can beat the Black Ranking one by one, it will be time to go to the Central State."
Chen Xiao replied with a light smile, not hiding his thoughts, but speaking a bit vaguely.
He had considered discussing the matter of Han Feng with this Grand Elder before, but ultimately suppressed the idea.
After all, Han Feng's identity as a sixth-grade Alchemist could attract many powerhouses, and he was also involved with the Soul Hall, which people avoided. Even if the Grand Elder took action, it wouldn't be absolutely safe.
"Hehe, wanting to overturn the Black Ranking won't be easy, but with your growth rate, the difficulty isn't too high. You are from the Jia Ma Empire, and now that you've achieved a little success, it's not bad to go back and take a look. After you've settled things at home, you can then feel at ease looking for your little girlfriend. That's quite a challenge."
Chen Xiao looked up and gave Su Qian another look, clearly feeling that he had something more to say, hinting that Xun Er's identity was extraordinary.
He didn't say much about this matter, nor did he mention anything about home. Chen Xiao was now without family or relatives; wherever he went was home.
"Zi Yan heard I was going back to Gama and wants to go see it too."
"Go ahead. You can thrive in the Black-Corner Region, so a normal empire goes without saying. Coincidentally, I've had some insights recently and seem to be on the verge of a breakthrough. I plan to spend some time in seclusion, so I don't have time to entertain you."
"Then I wish the Grand Elder further progress."
"Old Man Su, when are you going into seclusion?" Zi Yan looked up in surprise.
Although she didn't say it, after two years of not seeing him, this girl still missed the Grand Elder very much. Now that she was finally back, she wanted to brag to the Grand Elder even more.
"Haha, tonight. My realm hasn't improved for many years. It's rare to have a feeling, so I can't miss it. I'll wait until you return from the Jia Ma Empire to talk in detail."
Hearing this, Zi Yan could only reluctantly accept the result.
After chatting in the Grand Elder's study for half an afternoon, Chen Xiao left Zi Yan there and went back to his old residence alone, thinking of catching up with his former 'floor mates'.
However, to Chen Xiao's surprise, there wasn't a single person in the entire small pavilion...
Helpless, Chen Xiao could only casually grab an old student who looked somewhat familiar and lived in the adjacent pavilion to inquire.
"Fu Tong and Cao Hui took leave a few days ago and left. I don't know where they went. Dun Shan is probably still cultivating in the tower right now."
"Dun Shan?"
"That's Mu Boshan. This guy has a bit of a strange habit, he just likes cultivating defensive Dou Skills. He's disgusted a lot of people in the Arena, and that's how he got this nickname."
The person who was stopped also recognized Chen Xiao and immediately complained with a speechless expression.
Chen Xiao couldn't help but laugh.
The so-called strange habit was something the top five freshmen back then had some understanding of. Now that it was known to the public, it didn't seem surprising.
As for Cao Hui and Fu Tong, taking leave and leaving together made it a bit hard to guess what was going on.
Not finding anyone he knew, Chen Xiao didn't force it and simply wandered around the Inner Academy, just like the day he sent Xun Er and Qing Lin away.
Evening.
Zi Yan returned from the Grand Elder's place and told Chen Xiao that Su Qian had already gone into seclusion.
"What do we do now? Old Man Su isn't here either, it feels boring staying in the Inner Academy."
That sounded a bit strange.
"Then let's just set off. We can catch up properly next time we come back."
Looking towards the direction of the Jia Ma Empire, Chen Xiao felt a sense of anticipation.
At this time, the big stage of Gama was already set. Going back earlier would allow him to see many interesting things.
"Okay!"
Hitting it off instantly, the two wasted no time and set off immediately, prioritizing swift action.
Chen Xiao had experienced the long journey from Jia Nan Academy to the Jia Ma Empire several years ago.
While using Gryphons could save effort, in the eyes of the current Chen Xiao and Zi Yan, that speed was simply unbearable.
Therefore, the two didn't rent Gryphons. Instead, they directly transformed their Dou Qi into wings and flew.
Although this method was more tiring, it was faster and more freeing. When they were tired, they could land and rest, and occasionally Zi Yan would discover some rare medicinal herbs along the way.
Flying and stopping like this, after about twenty days, the two finally saw the border of the Jia Ma Empire.
Seeing the strict guards at the border, Chen Xiao and Zi Yan exchanged glances and tacitly chose to quietly cross over.
Late at night.
In the center of the Tagor Desert, the Snake-People Race Holy City.
The Medusa Queen, who was lightly leaning against the headboard and napping, suddenly opened her eyes.
Just now, she had sensed that two powerful experts had rapidly passed through Tagor. The route they took was not far from the Holy City.
After carefully sensing the direction these two were heading and not detecting any stops, the Medusa Queen closed her eyes again and continued to ponder the matter of evolving with the help of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
The Green Lotus Core Flame was extremely precious.
But even she, due to the Snake-People physique, was unable to refine it and could only temporarily seal it.
However, this was not a long-term solution. If the news of the Heavenly Flame leaked out, it would inevitably attract a lot of trouble.
"Hua She'er."
With a soft call, the door to the sleeping quarters was gently pushed open, and the alluring Hua She'er walked in, bowing and awaiting orders.
"Issue an order to the eight major tribes to strengthen their vigilance during this period and avoid causing trouble."
Hua She'er, who was bowing and awaiting orders, was startled.
As the person most trusted by the Medusa Queen, she had already understood Her Majesty's decision.
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