On the back mountain behind the Xiao family estate, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yun sat side by side on a large rock, gazing out at the distant mountain range teeming with wild beasts.
"I heard you've been sneaking out to the back mountain a lot lately. Don't tell me you've been spying on the clan girls soaking in the hot springs?" Xiao Yun teased, still in a great mood after roughing up Xiao Yan earlier, his eyes twinkling as he looked at the mist-wrapped peaks.
"Who said that? Cousin, don't slander me without evidence! I'm just training my Dou Qi back here—never once thought about peeping on girls bathing." Xiao Yan said defensively, wide-eyed.
Xiao Yun's words made Xiao Yan's face drop instantly. This kind of thing was serious business. If his father found out, Xiao Zhan would probably hang him up and beat him senseless.
"Good, good. Listen, you punk, if I find out you do anything to disgrace the Xiao family's honor, it won't be just a few punches—I'll show you this." Xiao Yun snapped his fingers, and a fiery red Dou Qi shot out, smashing a pebble on the ground into powder with a loud crack.
Seeing that egg-sized rock shatter, Xiao Yan felt a chill run down his spine. He wiped off a nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead and quickly promised, "Don't worry, Cousin. You know what kind of person I am. I'd never do anything to bring shame to the family!"
"Hahaha, I hope so." Xiao Yun laughed and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder before standing up. "Out of the whole Xiao family, you've got the best talent besides me. Now that you've reached the seventh stage of Dou Qi, by this time next year, you'll probably meet the minimum requirements to enter Jia Nan Academy. What do you say? Want to join the academy and train properly?"
"Hmm… I think I'll pass. I prefer a life with some challenge. After my coming-of-age ceremony, I want to venture out with my eldest and second brothers and really see the world." Xiao Yan shook his head and declined. The old him had enough of school rules in his past life. Now that he was in this new world, why would he want to go back to being a student? Compared to the quiet life at the academy, he preferred the wide-open and turbulent world beyond.
"Going out to explore, huh? You do have a bit of an adventurous spirit. But if you train hard, you can become strong anywhere," Xiao Yun said, not surprised by Xiao Yan's refusal. If Xiao Yan wanted to join the academy earlier, he would have done so in the original story. He only went later because of that Fallen Heart Flame in the inner academy.
"Here, this is a gift for you." Jumping off the rock, Xiao Yun tossed a spirit ring to Xiao Yan. "Inside this Ring are pills and Dou Techniques I prepared for you. As for cultivation manuals, I'll give those to you once you break through to Dou Practitioner."
Xiao Yun's voice was calm but encouraging. "Work hard. On this path of cultivation, your talent is no worse than mine—I just started a little earlier."
Within the Xiao family, probably only Xiao Yan could keep pace with him. Giving a little help now was a solid investment for a powerful ally in the future.
The pills and techniques were meant to speed up Xiao Yan's cultivation. After all, as the destined child of the Dou Qi Continent, Xiao Yan was fated to break through to Dou God someday. If Xiao Yun met any accidents, Xiao Yan would be the one to protect those he cared about.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Xiao Yun encouraged Xiao Yan once more, then leisurely strode down the mountain.
"Just a little earlier than me, huh? Talent no worse than mine?" Xiao Yan shook his head bitterly, watching Xiao Yun's retreating figure. Thinking about the gap between them, he told himself it was just a comforting lie.
…
A few days later, Xiao Yun brought Xiao Ding to the enrollment plaza, accompanied by Xiao Zhan and several elders.
"Ding'er, listen carefully to your cousin when you're away from home. If anything happens, remember to tell him," Xiao Zhan whispered, eyes red with concern. His eldest son wasn't even of age yet but was already going off to study and train in a foreign land.
The three elders pulled Xiao Yun aside, reminding him he was now the Xiao family's hope and warning him to be cautious while out in the world.
They talked for a long time until the Jia Nan Academy recruitment instructors came to urge them. Reluctantly, they let Xiao Yun and Xiao Ding board a flying beast, which shot straight up into the sky.
On the ground, Xiao Zhan and the elders stared after the departing beast for a long time before finally leaving.
High in the sky, Xiao Yun greeted the instructor leading the group and sent Xiao Ding off to join the new students for orientation, then retreated to his own single-occupancy room on the flying beast to begin cultivating in silence.
…
In the Black Horn region, a massive Roc soared through the skies, following a specific route that bypassed all other cities, heading straight for Jia Nan City.
Not long after, Xiao Yun and his group arrived at Jia Nan City. Passing through bustling streets, they finally reached Jia Nan Academy.
As soon as he arrived, Xiao Yun went straight to the teaching department to find his mentor, Xu Ning.
"Teacher, I'm back."
Inside the office, Xu Ning was in the middle of a tirade.
"You punk! You almost gave me a heart attack. The inner academy selection tournament is tomorrow, and you only just got back! If you'd missed it, old Xu here would've been demoted to a yellow-rank instructor by now." Xu Ning let out a relieved sigh. He'd been eagerly awaiting Xiao Yun's return because Xiao Yun was the only one he could rely on for the inner academy trials.
"You missed last year's inner academy selection because you went to train with the law enforcement team. This year, you must compete!"
"Sorry about that, Mentor. I ran into some trouble on the way back and got delayed, but luckily, I made it. Please register me for the tournament."
Scratching the back of his head sheepishly, Xiao Yun explained that during the journey back, he had broken through to the Seven-Star Dou Grandmaster realm. The shockwaves of his breakthrough had startled everyone nearby. To avoid disrupting him, the flying beast had slowed to a crawl, nearly causing him to miss the selection tournament.
Missing it because of a breakthrough would have crushed him. He couldn't wait another year; he wanted to enter the inner academy now.
Because the inner academy had much richer resources compared to the outer academy.
Just the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower alone put the outer academy to shame. Besides that, the inner academy hid a secret treasure no one else knew about.
The Earth-Core Tempering Lotion!
From his memories, the Earth-Core Tempering Lotion wouldn't be discovered until Xiao Yan joined the inner academy—still eleven years away. So this opportunity belonged to Xiao Yan's future. For now, Xiao Yun would enjoy it first, and later compensate Xiao Yan with something else.
The only real obstacle was the Snow Demon Ape guarding the lotion, but that was just a minor annoyance.
Once inside the inner academy, Xiao Yun planned to find the Earth-Core Tempering Lotion and rapidly advance to Dou King. Then he could return to the Jia Ma Empire openly to hunt for opportunities instead of sneaking around like this time.
His next goal was to find Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin and activate their super talents, gaining two powerful allies quickly.
Then there was the Azure Lotus Earth-Core Flame in the Tager Desert. Once inside the inner academy, he'd gather the ingredients for the Blood Lotus Pill and Ice Spirit Cold Spring. He could also ask his teacher for some Soul Absorption energy; Elder Huo would likely have some extras.
After preparing all three, he'd claim the Azure Lotus Earth-Core Flame—though it was a bit unfair to Xiao Yan for snatching his chance.
Lost in daydreams of this bright future, Xiao Yun was jolted awake by a light cough from Xu Ning.
"Hey, punk, where'd you learn that skill of zoning out anywhere anytime? You're drooling all over the place just while I was registering you."
Xu Ning glared with mock scolding. "Here's your admission card. Don't forget to bring it to the inner academy trials tomorrow."
He tossed Xiao Yun a card and waved him off.
"Oh, by the way, there's a new student from our clan this year—Xiao Ding. His talent is impressive, already reaching the eighth stage of Dou Qi at just twelve. Please take good care of him."
Before leaving, Xiao Yun remembered Xiao Ding and quickly mentioned him to Xu Ning. He also took a jade bottle from his Ring and placed it on the desk.
"This is a little gift from your student. Please accept it."
"You little schemer, bribing your mentor now?" Xu Ning laughed and scolded, "Take your lousy pills back. If Xiao Ding is as good as you say, I'd be fighting others to take him in whether or not you offered bribes."
…
After leaving the teaching building, Xiao Yun didn't return to his dorm but went straight to the alchemy department to see Elder Huo.
"Teacher, disciple Xiao Yun requests an audience."
Outside the exclusive alchemy room for Elder Huo, Xiao Yun bowed respectfully.
"Come in, punk," came Elder Huo's gruff voice.
Pushing open the door, Xiao Yun entered.
"Why'd you only come back today? I told you to return to Jia Nan Academy sooner." Elder Huo frowned, sitting cross-legged in the center of the room.
Xiao Yun had no choice but to repeat what he told Xu Ning.
"Huh? You broken through the 8th rank? Seems you gained a lot this trip." Hearing the reason, the frown eased from Elder Huo's face, replaced by a small smile.
"Top five in the inner academy selection tournament get access to our academy's treasure library. It's filled with countless treasures. Even high-grade Earth-level cultivation manuals can be found there. With your strength, making the top five shouldn't be hard. Once inside, seize the opportunity and get the best treasures you can." Elder Huo stroked his graying beard, smiling warmly.
Xiao Yun knew well about the treasure library. The good stuff inside was well worth the effort.
"Thanks for your guidance, Teacher. I'll do my best."
Elder Huo's eyes gleamed with pride. "That's my disciple! Now, go get ready. Tomorrow's your big day."