In the office of Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan, Instructor Ruo Ling placed some of Xiao Yan's information on the desk.
"Oh? An 8-star Dou Practitioner?" Hu Gan was very surprised when he saw Xiao Yan's student information.
It was worth noting that his own granddaughter was the same age as Xiao Yan. Yet, even with his guidance, she had only reached the 6-star Dou Practitioner stage.
After reaching the Dou Practitioner realm, one could use medicinal pills to aid their cultivation. This would greatly speed up one's progress. But it was rare to see someone so young reach the 8-star Dou Practitioner stage.
Instructor Ruo Ling nodded seriously and continued, "Aye, and this student named Xiao Yan also possesses strong combat abilities. During the recruitment, he had a conflict with a first- year student who was with the recruiting team. As a result, he swept through more than a dozen students ranging from 1-star to 4-star Dou Practitioners with a single move." "Hmm?!"
Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this. To be able to defeat more than a dozen low-level Dou Practitioners with a single move, his strength must have reached the Dou Master realm, and that was only possible by using a Xuan Class Dou Technique that had been cultivated to at least a minor level of mastery.
"To possess such strength at the age of sixteen is indeed an outstanding talent."
Even the Deputy Headmaster commented as such. One could imagine how incredible Xiao Yan's strength was.
Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan stroked his beard and laughed, "I'm afraid he'll be able to pass the Inner Academy examination and enter the Inner Academy after just one year of cultivation. Hehe, it's been a long time since a first-year student entered the Inner Academy."
Jia Nan Academy was divided into an Outer Academy and an Inner Academy. New students could participate in the annual Inner Academy Qualifying Competition once they reached the Dou Master realm and only the top fifty were qualified to enter the Inner Academy.
The Inner and Outer Academies were entirely different worlds. Frankly speaking, the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy was merely a place for learning and even just a trading platform. All the resources had to be earned by the students through tasks to earn credits.
Only by entering the Inner Academy did one become a true core disciple of the Academy and receive its support.
"However... that child has made a request," Instructor Ruo Ling said with a hint of
embarrassment. After all, although Xiao Yan was a genius, it was somewhat inappropriate for him to make demands right after enrolling.
Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan raised his eyebrows and smiled helplessly while shaking his head, "Really, making demands right after enrolling... Kids these days. Let's hear it, what is his request?"
"He wants to experience the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower."
Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan stroked his beard, pondered seriously for a moment, and unexpectedly nodded in agreement, "His wish is understandable. With his talent and strength, nothing in the Outer Academy can really attract him. It's only logical that he wants to see if the Inner Academy's training methods and resources can meet his needs."
He didn't find Xiao Yan's request unreasonable. After all, with Xiao Yan's talent, the only thing that could really appeal to him was the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower of the Inner Academy.
"Are you saying that you agree, Deputy Headmaster?!" Instructor Ruo Ling didn't hold much hope initially. Although Xiao Yan was a genius, the rules of the academy couldn't be disregarded for him.
Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan's eyes twinkled as he revealed a meaningful smile, "The Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower is a resource for the students of the Inner Academy. Even though his talent is extraordinary, we can't bend the rules just for him."
"However, it is indeed our oversight that newly enrolled students cannot participate in the Inner Academy Qualifying Competition."
Instructor Ruo Ling's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she asked softly, "Deputy Headmaster, are you suggesting..."
"As long as Xiao Yan can prove that he indeed qualifies to enter the Inner Academy, then we'll go along with his request," Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan resembled a cunning fox at this moment.
Instructor Ruo Ling sighed inwardly. The older ones were indeed the most cunning. It seems Xiao Yan might not have it so easy after all.
Early the next morning, after Instructor Ruo Ling introduced all the basic information of the Outer Academy, she let everyone choose their own tasks according to their strength to earn credits issued by the academy.
"Xiao Yan, come here for a moment."
"What is it, Instructor Ruo Ling?" Xiao Yan's heart had a rough idea of what it might be.
Instructor Ruo Ling's slender fingers gently brushed aside a strand of hair on her forehead as she softly said, "The Deputy Headmaster has agreed to let you experience the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower beforehand but has one condition."
Xiao Yan wasn't the least bit surprised. He did not think that his casual request could actually bend the rules.
"Please tell me, Instructor."
"As long as you can defeat a Xuan Rank class student, the Deputy Headmaster will grant your request to enter the Inner Academy early to experience the effects of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower."
Xiao Yan's class was a Huang Rank class, while the Xuan Rank class was also known as the re- examination class. It was for students who had previously participated in the Inner Academy Qualifying Competition but failed and were preparing to retake the examination.
All the students promoted to the Xuan Rank class were Dou Masters without exception, with most being 4-star Dou Masters or higher. The majority of them were third-year students. If third-year students in Huang Rank classes didn't pass the examination, they would graduate directly without a chance to enter the Xuan Rank class.
The students in the Xuan Rank class not only had high cultivation levels but were also seasoned veterans who had participated in the Inner Academy Qualifying Competition. Having been in the Outer Academy for two years, they were highly proficient in their Qi Methods and Dou Techniques.
In essence, most of the students in the Xuan Rank class were expected to enter the Inner Academy in the next competition. Hence, they were often referred to as the preparatory students of the Inner Academy.
Xiao Yan smiled calmly and nodded without hesitation, "No problem. The selection of the candidate is up to the instructor."
Seeing Xiao Yan's expression so composed, Instructor Ruo Ling felt like he was taking it lightly. She warned, "Little genius, I must remind you. Everyone in the Xuan Rank class is a Dou Master, starting as high as 4-star Dou Masters. You are essentially challenging across a
"Moreover, the gap between a Dou Master and a Dou Practitioner isn't as simple as the
difference between high and low-star Dou Practitioners. Dou Masters can use their Dou Qi to form a protective energy cloak, which will significantly diminish the effectiveness of your
"You...! Fine, I'll pick a tough one for you to understand." Instructor Ruo Ling was quite irked by Xiao Yan. Would it kill him to show a little weakness?!
After Instructor Ruo Ling left in a huff, Xun Er walked up to Xiao Yan and asked, "What's
wrong, Xiao Yan ge-ge?"
"Nothing much. I have to defeat a senior Dou Master to enter the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower," Xiao Yan shrugged. Regardless, he had to enter the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower no matter what, so he had to accept this challenge.
Shortly after the sun dipped below the horizon in the west, a pale red glow enveloped the Outer Academy square, casting a thin red carpet upon the ground.
This was a rather secluded dueling ground within the Outer Academy, one of many such areas provided within the academy for students to settle their disputes.
A cool breeze blew across the square, giving Xiao Yan a slight chill as he stood there. Xun Er, Xiao Yu, and Instructor Ruo Ling were also present on the sidelines watching the match. Besides the three of them, some bystanders had noticed the duel and sat nearby to
Under the watchful gaze of the onlookers, Xiao Yan smiled slightly and cupped his fists toward a young man standing in the middle of the square, "Please go easy on me later, senior
Lu Xing showed a mocking smile as he looked at Xiao Yan and said, "Although bullying new students is not my style, since the academy has issued such a mission, I guess I have to
reluctantly do it this time."
To ensure fairness, the Deputy Headmaster did not designate a specific student for Xiao Yan to challenge. Instead, he issued a task within the Outer Academy, and whoever accepted the task would be his opponent.
"That guy has always been , never knowing when to ease up a bit, always choosing to
make things difficult for himself! Lu Xing is a 6-star Dou Master, and he's only an 8-star Dou Practitioner. How is he supposed to fight?" Xiao Yu stomped her foot in frustration, though her eyes betrayed a hint of helpless concern.