Hearing the heavy door close behind them, everyone paused for a moment.
"Let's go. We only have one hour. The Vice Dean said earlier that it depends on both luck and strength. Obtaining the items won't be that simple. Don't waste any more time."
Xiao Jietian's calm voice echoed in everyone's ears. Apart from Xun'er, the hearts of the others tightened.
This was a rare opportunity—one they didn't know when they would get again.
Before them stretched an extremely spacious hall. Along the walls stood more than a dozen glowing energy shields, their light illuminating the entire hall as brightly as daylight.
"Xun'er, my grandfather said that in the Inner Academy, resources are obtained with fists. Let's stick together—that way it won't be so easy for others to bully us."
Hu Jia quietly moved to Xun'er's side and whispered with a smile, a hint of expectation in her eyes.
"Thank you for your kindness, Hu Jia. But I believe Tian Ge will protect me."
Xun'er gently held Xiao Jietian's hand, a faint smile on her lips, her small face radiating absolute confidence.
"In this world, if anyone dares to bully you, I will make them regret ever being born."
Xiao Jietian tightened his grip on Xun'er's hand, his eyes filled with unshakable resolve. If a man couldn't even protect his woman, he might as well cut off his own manhood.
"Damn it… this is too much. I can't take it anymore."
Hu Jia watched their interaction, feeling her heart shatter. She pouted dramatically.
"The Inner Academy is full of talented prodigies. You'd better live up to your words, or I'll snatch Xun'er away myself, hmph."
"You'll see in the future."
With Xiao Jietian's current strength, he was already on par with most elders. If he became ruthless, he could even blow up Jia Nan Academy. He had already dealt with Dou Zuns before.
"It's completely empty here… there's nothing at all. Did we come to the wrong place?"
Xiao Jietian's wide eyes scanned the suspiciously vacant hall.
"They'll appear soon."
Xiao Jietian glanced toward one of the energy shields. Right after he spoke, that shield began emitting a faint whooshing sound.
In the otherwise silent environment, the noise was surprisingly loud.
A streak of green light shot out from inside the energy shield, heading straight toward the group of five.
"Watch out!"
Xiao Yan shouted, quickly pulling Xiao Yu beside him to dodge.
Xiao Jietian simply reached out and caught the incoming green light cluster in his hand.
The green light gradually dissipated in his palm, revealing the object inside. Xiao Jietian softly read the words inscribed on the scroll.
"Mysterious High-Rank Combat Skill: Wind Shadow Trace-less."
"A Dou Technique?"
Xiao Yan examined the item in Xiao Jietian's hand, a look of understanding dawning in his eyes. The others also reacted, realizing this was how the treasures appeared.
Once they understood the rules, the energy shields began continuously emitting whooshing sounds. Light clusters of various colors shot out one after another from within the barriers.
"The items are all inside those light clusters. The clusters have resistance, so whether you can obtain them depends entirely on your ability to suppress them."
Xiao Jietian casually released the scroll in his hand. It immediately transformed back into a green light cluster and merged into the swarm of flying clusters, disappearing from sight.
"Well then… let the snatching begin."
Xiao Yan licked his dry lips, eyes shining brightly as he watched the light clusters constantly dart past.
Hu Jia and Xiao Yu wore the same excited expressions. The three of them immediately began chasing after the flying clusters.
"Tian Ge, what do you want? Xun'er will help you find it."
Xun'er stood quietly beside Xiao Jietian, carefully observing the rapidly moving light clusters in the air.
Xiao Jietian thought for a moment, then shook his head.
As for Xun'er, she originally needed a fire-attribute cultivation method for transition, but Xiao Jietian had already given her a Heaven-tier High-level fire-attribute technique.
"Then help me look for these medicinal ingredients."
Xiao Jietian knew Xun'er lacked for nothing, so he didn't stand on ceremony. He directly transmitted the list of ingredients needed for the Marrow Cleansing Pill into Xun'er's mind.
"Okay, I'll go look."
Xun'er immediately left Xiao Jietian's side, her figure flashing constantly between the various light clusters.
Time slowly passed as everyone searched for their desired items.
Xiao Jietian stood on the west side of the hall, holding a blue light cluster in one hand and a milky-white one in the other.
Both clusters struggled continuously, but as soon as Xiao Jietian released a trace of his aura, they immediately became obedient and lay quietly in his palms.
Xiao Jietian glanced at the others—who were still busy chasing clusters—and silently activated the system:
"System check-in."
[Ding! Successfully checked in at Jia Nan Academy's Hidden Scripture Pavilion. Rewards obtained: Netherworld Poison Flame ×1]
Netherworld Poison Flame: Ranked twentieth on the Heavenly Flames list. A flame born in the ancient Netherworld Poison Marsh. After tens of thousands of years of absorbing the sky-obscuring poisonous miasma, it has consumed endless venom and carries terrifying poison power.
…
"Tian Ge, I found it."
Xun'er's joyful voice echoed through the space. The others immediately looked over curiously.
They wanted to know what could cause such a rare emotional fluctuation in the usually aloof Xun'er.
Xun'er instantly appeared beside Xiao Jietian, holding a red flower with nine petals in her fair hand.
"Hmm? Is this the Nine-Layer Bone Refinement Flower?"
Xiao Jietian looked at the flower in Xun'er's hand, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Xun'er, you're amazing."
"Hehe~ I'm very happy to be able to help Tian Ge."
Xun'er's face bloomed with joy at Xiao Jietian's praise. She chuckled happily.
"Love-struck fool," Hu Jia muttered under her breath from the side, almost grinding her teeth. What kind of love potion did that damned Xiao Jietian give Xun'er? I want to buy some too.
Xiao Jietian looked at Xun'er—so happy simply because she had helped him—and felt warmth surge in his chest. He gently placed the milky-white light cluster he was holding in front of her.
The milky-white light slowly dissipated, revealing the object inside.
A bracelet lay quietly in Xiao Jietian's palm—crafted from green beads interwoven with silver metal.
"This is a soul-protecting bracelet. It can shield your soul from attacks and resist certain illusions."
Xun'er looked at the bracelet before her, surprise in her eyes.
"Is this… for me?"
Xiao Jietian nodded gently and shook the bracelet lightly in his hand.
"Of course. I specifically looked for this for you. What? Don't you like it?"
"I like it. This bracelet is so beautiful."
Green had always been her favorite color. Knowing that Xiao Jietian had put thought into finding something she loved made her feel as sweet as if she had eaten honey.
Xun'er raised her hand toward Xiao Jietian, revealing her fair wrist—where another bracelet already rested.