"The Heavenly Jade Fruit can be used to refine a sixth-grade medicinal pill that directly enhances one's strength. I can't do that yet, and I don't even have the pill formula!"
Jiang Yun looked at Zi Yan, who was full of anticipation, and waved his hand helplessly. This was the predicament he was currently facing: he had alchemy skills but no high-grade pill formulas. Spending time researching pill formulas was clearly unwise.
His priority now was to improve his strength. Once his strength was sufficient, pill formulas would come. Jiang Yun had already secretly set his sights on the Black-Corner Region's biggest fat sheep.
"Ah~~~" Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Zi Yan was immediately disappointed. Her head drooped, as if she had lost interest in life.
"Take these. With these, and a few more good medicinal herbs from the Magical Beast Forest, I believe you'll have enough energy to break through to the sixth rank soon!"
Just as Zi Yan felt her dream of growing up slipping away, Jiang Yun's voice, like a heavenly melody, pulled her back.
"Xiao Yunzi," Zi Yan looked at Jiang Yun with a face full of gratitude. If she could shed a few tears, it would be even more convincing.
Jiang Yun only felt a blur before his eyes, and the Myriad Longevity Vine in his hand was already in Zi Yan's. He had a feeling he had lost out big time.
Carefully putting away the two medicinal herbs, Zi Yan slyly leaned close to Jiang Yun and whispered in his ear, "Xiao Yunzi, I know you like me when I grow up. When I do, I will definitely not let you suffer any losses."
Seeing Zi Yan even playfully wink, Jiang Yun immediately shivered. He pushed Zi Yan away with a look of disgust and said, "You're overthinking it. When you break through, just find me a few medicinal herbs, that'll be enough."
Pushed away by Jiang Yun, Zi Yan looked at him indignantly and said, "You clearly do! Don't think I don't know the look in your eyes last time when I broke through to the fifth rank. You clearly liked it a lot."
Watching Jiang Yun's face darken, Zi Yan's voice involuntarily softened a lot, but she still looked at Jiang Yun with the eyes of a scumbag. Due to the face of the pill, Zi Yan had to let Jiang Yun off the hook for now, but she secretly made up her mind.
Just you wait, Xiao Yunzi! See if I don't charm you to death when I grow up. By then, you'll be the one begging me.
After obtaining the two medicinal herbs, Jiang Yun and Zi Yan found no more high-grade medicinal herbs. As for cultivation techniques and Dou techniques? Neither of them lacked these, so they stopped making moves and watched the other three use various methods to capture the light clusters.
As time passed, the three gradually stopped. From their smiling faces, it was easy to see that they were quite satisfied with their harvest.
An hour after Jiang Yun and the others entered the Treasure Pavilion, its main door opened again, and everyone walked out with smiles on their faces.
At the same time, the entire enormous room began to become empty. No one would have imagined that it had once been filled with countless treasures capable of causing a sensation in the outside world.
At this moment, The Two Elders Qian Bai's sleeves suddenly moved slightly. Immediately, Jiang Yun and the others felt a vast and majestic invisible energy sweep over them. The energy was so strong it was astonishing.
This was to check if anyone had secretly taken extra items. The only treasure on Jiang Yun was the Qing Ming Pagoda. However, The Two Elders Qian Bai's strength was insufficient to detect the pagoda's abnormality.
The duration of the invisible energy sweep was not long, lasting only for a dozen breaths before receding like a tide until it completely dissipated.
"Hmph—" Zi Yan let out a soft snort of dissatisfaction. Anyone being probed inside and out like that would feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, she wasn't a spoiled and willful young lady, so she didn't show it.
"Time's up, everyone. Leave. Remember, you must not reveal a single detail about what happened here today, including any information about the Treasure Pavilion's interior, to anyone," a hoarse, aged voice slowly came from the doorway, after no abnormalities were found.
Hearing this, the few people nodded in agreement.
"Seeing your expressions, I know you didn't return empty-handed. That's good. Regardless of whether the items are to your liking, it's still a gain."
Hu Gan looked at the five people, smiling, then bowed slightly to The Two Elders Qian Bai, who sat like old monks. "Since these little ones have come out, we won't disturb the two elders' ascetic cultivation. Farewell."
The Two Elders Qian Bai seemed not to have heard Hu Gan's words, still sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, maintaining their aloof demeanor. Hu Gan, seeing this, didn't mind, as he experienced this every year and was used to it.
Experts, after all, always have peculiar temperaments!
Jiang Yun and the others also bowed to the two grey-robed figures, then followed Hu Gan out.
"Stay close to me. Do not touch those spatial folds, or even I won't be able to save you," Hu Gan reminded them, turning his head as they were about to pass through the invisible doorframe. Then he cautiously stepped out of the door.
The few followed carefully, not daring to make the slightest move. Even Jiang Yun and Zi Yan were no exception. Even if their spatial talent was excellent, no matter how excellent it was, before it transformed into strength, falling into a spatial rift would be very dangerous.
After everyone safely passed through the invisible doorframe, an invisible energy slowly swept over. Moments later, an extremely tight wall of spatial folds reappeared, protecting the Treasure Pavilion behind it.
The two grey-robed figures also disappeared. When they reappear, it will probably be for the next Inner Court selection competition, after the top five are decided.
In the study, Hu Gan looked at the slowly closing wall, then turned to Jiang Yun and the others, saying, "You've received your rewards for the top five. Now, rest well for two days. The day after tomorrow, you'll enter the Inner Court. More intense competition awaits you, and life there won't be as leisurely."
Hearing Hu Gan's words, Ling Feng and the other two felt an inexplicable tightening in their hearts, a sense of urgency rising within them.
Jiang Yun remained calm, as if nothing could stir his emotions. As for Zi Yan, she was currently daydreaming, a trace of glistening saliva at the corner of her mouth, lost in thought.
Seeing the reactions of Ling Feng and the other two, Hu Gan secretly chuckled,'Still too green, getting nervous like this.' But then, seeing Jiang Yun and Zi Yan, his breath hitched.
Oh no, how could I forget this little ancestor!
A cold sweat dripped from Hu Gan's forehead. With Zi Yan's participation, would the Fire Energy Capture Competition even happen?
This wouldn't be a Fire Energy Capture Competition! It would probably turn into an Inner Court Match-3!
Thinking of this, Hu Gan hurriedly said to the few, "Alright, you all go back and prepare. I'll take you into the Inner Court then."
After bidding farewell to Hu Gan, the few left separately.
After they left, watching the disappearing figures of Zi Yan and Jiang Yun, Hu Gan quickly transformed his Dou Qi into wings and sped towards the Inner Court.
He needed to communicate with the Grand Elder. The Fire Energy Capture Competition absolutely could not turn into an Inner Court Match-3.
Two days later.
Jiang Yun brought a sullen Zi Yan to Hu Gan's office.
As soon as she saw Hu Gan, Zi Yan glared at him fiercely, as if she wanted to 'tear' him to shreds. Hu Gan, on the other hand, avoided looking at them after Jiang Yun and Zi Yan arrived, instead glancing nervously elsewhere.
The reason for this situation was, of course, Zi Yan's extraordinary strength.
Hu Gan was afraid that a perfectly good Fire Energy Capture Competition would turn into an Inner Court Match-3, so he asked Su Qian for instructions to prohibit Zi Yan from participating in the Fire Energy Capture Competition. Otherwise, the Inner Court's veteran students, even if tied together, wouldn't be enough to fight her.
The Grand Elder immediately approved Hu Gan's plan. This way, they could also discern Jiang Yun's true strength. Both Hu Gan and Su Qian were very curious about this.
They both knew Jiang Yun's background. When Jiang Yun was brought back by Su Qian, he already possessed Dou Qi Stage Six. In their old age, they had never seen such a genius.
So they were also curious about his true strength. Since the Outer Court students couldn't measure Jiang Yun's true abilities, then the Inner Court's veteran students should at least make him reveal some of his strength, right?
Hu Gan thought sinisterly, his gaze at Jiang Yun carrying a hint of ill intent.
"Alright, don't be angry. You're already a Dou Wang, is it really that interesting to fight a bunch of Dou Grandmaster and Dou Lings?"
Jiang Yun looked at Zi Yan, who had been blinking her big eyes and staring at Hu Gan since she entered, and chuckled as he ruffled her hair.
"It's not the same!" Feeling the warmth on her head, Zi Yan retracted her gaze, looked at Jiang Yun, and shook her head, saying, "I'm not interested in fighting those weaklings! It's just... it's just an experience with Xiao Yunzi, and I don't want to miss out."
Seeing a hint of disappointment flash in Zi Yan's eyes, so different from her usual carefree demeanor, Jiang Yun was momentarily stunned. When did this little girl, who used to be so young, seem to have grown up?
Not physically, but mentally.
"Then just watch my performance. I'll show them with my actions that whether you participate or not, the outcome will be the same."
Jiang Yun shook off the inexplicable thoughts in his mind, clasped his hands behind his back, and adopted the posture of an otherworldly expert.
"Yes, beat them up fiercely for me!" Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Zi Yan's expression instantly changed, and she excitedly waved her fists.
As time passed, ten dark figures suddenly flew towards them.
Those were the academy's 'airplanes,' the Griffins. Ten Griffins cast huge shadows as they glided over the academy, finally stopping in the open space in front of Hu Gan's study.
"Alright, little ones, let's depart!"
Hearing Hu Gan's words, the students in the open space immediately turned, then swarmed into the open area, eagerly boarding the Griffins' broad backs.
The Griffins' feathers were somewhat slippery; only those at the Dou Grandmaster level could stand steadily. Many people slipped and fell, making a spectacle of themselves.
Once all the students were on the Griffins' backs, Hu Gan and several Outer Court elders also flashed into the air.
With a shake of their shoulders, several pairs of splendid Dou Qi wings extended from their backs. With a slight flutter of their wings, their figures hovered motionlessly in the open space, amidst the envious gazes of the crowd.
"Depart!"
Accompanied by Hu Gan's command, the people controlling the Griffins below let out a sharp whistle. Instantly, the Griffins' wings vibrated fiercely, and their massive bodies slowly ascended, leaving behind shadows on the ground that grew smaller and smaller.
However, a small incident occurred. While the other Griffins took off safely, the one carrying Zi Yan and Jiang Yun remained motionless. If one looked closely, they could even see fear in its eyes and its trembling body.
The 'driver' of this Griffin also encountered this situation for the first time, and he hurriedly issued various commands to the Griffin.
At this moment, Hu Gan and the others, who had already taken off, also noticed the anomaly behind them. Looking at this scene, all of them showed surprised expressions.
"Hurry up and go!"
At this moment, Zi Yan, who was waiting, was already a bit impatient. She stomped her small foot and shouted at the Griffin beneath her.
With Zi Yan's command, the Griffin let out a sharp cry and chased after the main group at the fastest speed of its life, fearing that if it was even a little slow, it would be eaten by the terrifying person on its back.
At this moment, except for Hu Gan, who knew the inside story, the remaining elders looked at Zi Yan with a hint of surprise.
"Let's go!"
Hu Gan turned his head and instructed the few, then took the lead to catch up with the main group, guarding them on both sides.
On the Griffin, Zi Yan looked at Jiang Yun, her head tilted back somewhat boastfully, and said, "Look how fast it's flying."
"You're amazing!" Jiang Yun smiled and gave Zi Yan a thumbs-up.
The Inner Court is different from the Outer Court. The Inner Court is hidden deep within endless mountains, its location quite secret. Without special Griffins to lead the way, even students who have come out of the Inner Court would find it very difficult to find their way back.
From time to time, flying Magical Beasts would suddenly attack from all directions. Hu Gan and the other elders were currently fighting them, slaughtering the attacking Magical Beasts.
In the back mountains of Jia Nan Academy, there were numerous Magical Beasts. Deep within the old forests, even fifth-tier Magical Beasts roamed. Without these few guardians, it would be almost impossible for these students to fly safely over the back mountains.
Under the combined efforts of Hu Gan, who was at the peak of Dou Huang, and several Dou Wang elders, not a single Magical Beast could break through their defense line.
Flying all the way, leaving a thick mist of blood, after more than an hour of full-speed advancement, the Griffin team's speed slowly decreased. They had arrived at a completely new territory.
Below them was a long mountain gorge, surrounded by lush green, appearing quite serene.
"Open!"
Hu Gan stepped forward. Accompanied by his loud shout, a powerful Dou Qi erupted from his hand and shot straight forward. The space in front rippled, and a portal, fully eight or nine meters high, quietly appeared.
This was a spatial barrier. Only after entering the spatial barrier could one truly be considered to have entered the Inner Court's domain.
"Go!"
Hu Gan let out a soft cry, and the Griffin team flew into the spatial gate in unison. After everyone had entered, the spatial gate dissipated, and everything returned to its original state.
After entering the spatial gate, what greeted their eyes was still a forest, but the difference was that people were already waiting there.
Unlike the Outer Court teachers, the robes of this group of people all bore a small pagoda-shaped emblem.
Leading them was none other than the Grand Elder Su Qian, whom Jiang Yun was familiar with.
At this moment, seeing Su Qian, Zi Yan somewhat indignantly turned her head to the side, clearly still sulking!
Su Qian's peripheral vision caught Zi Yan's reaction, and his eyelid twitched slightly. This girl, the older she got, the bigger her temper became.
She didn't even consider her own strength, what was she competing for with a group of Dou Grandmaster and Dou Lings?
One can only say that the Grand Elder did not understand a girl's thoughts.