Chapter 23: Inner Academy Clearance Sweep?
"The Heavenly Jade Fruit can be refined into a tier 6 pill that directly boosts strength. I can't do that yet, and what's more, I don't have the pill formula either!"
Jiang Yun looked at Zi Yan's hopeful expression and spread his hands somewhat helplessly. This was the predicament he currently faced. He possessed the alchemical skills but lacked high-tier pill formulas. And spending time researching and developing formulas was clearly an unwise course of action.
Right now, his main priority was still raising his own strength. Once his strength was sufficient, the pill formulas would come. Jiang Yun had already secretly set his sights on the biggest fat lamb in the Black-Corner Region.
"Ah~~~" Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Zi Yan was immediately somewhat disappointed. Her head drooped in an instant, as if she had lost all interest in life.
"Hold onto it. Add this, and go find a few more good ingredients in the Demonic Beast Forest. I believe it won't be long before you have enough energy to break through to rank 6!"
Just as Zi Yan felt her dream of growing up slipping away from her, Jiang Yun's voice, like heavenly music, came drifting over and instantly pulled her back.
"Little Yun..." Zi Yan looked at Jiang Yun, her face full of emotion. A few tears would have made it far more convincing.
Jiang Yun only saw a blur before his eyes. The Longevity Vine in his hand had already arrived in Zi Yan's grasp. He had the distinct feeling he'd just taken a massive loss.
After carefully stowing away the two medicinal ingredients, Zi Yan leaned in close to Jiang Yun with a sly, sneaky air. She whispered in his ear, "Little Yun, I know you like how I look when I'm grown up. Once I grow up, I definitely won't let you down."
Watching her even make a teasing, flirtatious wink, Jiang Yun instantly shuddered. He stretched out a hand to push Zi Yan away and said disdainfully, "You're overthinking it. When the time comes and you've broken through, just find me a few medicinal ingredients."
Pushed aside by Jiang Yun, Zi Yan now looked at him with righteous indignation. She protested defiantly, "You clearly do! Don't think I didn't notice—last time I broke through to rank 5, that look in your eyes... you definitely liked it..."
Seeing Jiang Yun's expression darken further and further, Zi Yan's voice involuntarily trailed off. Yet she still shot Jiang Yun a look that screamed 'scumbag.' However, out of consideration for her pellet supply, Zi Yan had no choice but to let Jiang Yun off the hook for now. But inwardly, she secretly steeled her resolve.
Just you wait, Little Yunzi! Once I grow up, see if I don't charm you to death. When that time comes, you'll be the one begging me.
After obtaining the two ingredients, Jiang Yun and Zi Yan discovered no further ingredients of an even higher tier. As for cultivation arts and Dou Techniques? Neither of them was lacking in that department. So they no longer made any moves, simply watching the other three employ their own methods to snatch the light spheres.
As time passed, the three also gradually ceased their efforts. Judging by the smiles on their faces, it wasn't hard to tell that they were quite satisfied with their haul this time.
One hour after Jiang Yun and the others had entered the Library, its great doors opened once more. Everyone walked out with smiling faces.
At the same time, the entire vast room began to empty out. No one would ever imagine that just moments before, this very place had been filled with countless treasures, each enough to stir a frenzy in the outside world.
At this moment, the sleeves of Elder Qian and Bai suddenly stirred faintly. Immediately after, Jiang Yun and the others sensed a vast, majestic, incorporeal energy sweep over their bodies. The power of that energy was shocking and terrifying.
This was a check to see whether anyone had secretly taken extra items out. The only treasure on Jiang Yun's body was the single Qing Ming Tower. However, the strength of Elder Qian and Bai was still far from enough to detect the anomaly of this tower.
The sweep of incorporeal energy did not last long—merely a short span of a dozen or so breaths—before it receded like the tide, until it completely dissipated.
"Hmph—" Zi Yan let out a dissatisfied little snort. Anyone would feel uncomfortable being scanned inside and out like that. Fortunately, she wasn't a spoiled, willful young miss and didn't show it overtly.
"Time's up. All of you, leave. Remember, regarding today's events here, including the internal matters of the Library, you must not leak a single word to anyone." Having discovered nothing amiss, a hoarse, aged voice slowly drifted from the grand entrance.
Hearing this, the several of them nodded in agreement.
"Judging by the looks on your faces, I see none of you came back empty-handed. That's good. Whether or not the item suits your tastes, it still counts as a gain."
Hu Gan looked at the five and said with a smile. Then, he bowed slightly toward Elder Qian and Bai, who sat as still as old monks, and said, "Since these little ones have come out, we shall no longer disturb the two elders in your arduous cultivation. We take our leave."
Toward Hu Gan's words, it seemed as if Elder Qian and Bai hadn't heard a thing. They still sat cross-legged with closed eyes, distant and aloof. Hu Gan didn't mind the sight. After all, this happened every year—he was long used to it.
Lofty experts always had eccentric tempers!
Jiang Yun and the others also bowed respectfully toward the two gray-robed figures, then followed behind Hu Gan and departed.
"Stay close to me. Do not touch those spatial creases. Otherwise, even I won't be able to save you." Just as they were about to pass back through the invisible doorframe, Hu Gan turned his head and warned. Then, he too carefully stepped forward, placing one foot through the door.
The group carefully followed, not daring to make the slightest reckless move. Even Jiang Yun and Zi Yan were no exception. No matter how extraordinary their spatial talent was, before it had been fully converted into actual strength, falling into a spatial rift was still an extremely dangerous affair.
Once everyone had safely passed through that invisible doorframe, a wave of incorporeal energy slowly brushed past. Moments later, a seamless, utterly solid wall of spatial creases once again materialized, shielding the Library behind it.
The two gray-robed figures also vanished from sight. The next time they reappeared would likely be when the next Inner Academy Selection Tournament determined its top five.
Within the study, Hu Gan watched the wall slowly close shut. He turned toward Jiang Yun and the others and said, "You've all received your rewards for the top five. Now, rest up for the next two days. The day after tomorrow, you'll be entering the Inner Academy. More intense competition awaits you all there. The days ahead won't be nearly so leisurely."
Hearing Hu Gan's words, Ling Feng and the other two felt their hearts involuntarily tighten, a sense of urgency rising within them.
Jiang Yun was still the same calm, indifferent self, as if nothing in the world could stir any emotional ripples in him. As for Zi Yan—right now, she had wandered off into outer space, a crystalline thread of drool trailing from the corner of her mouth. Who knew what she was daydreaming about.
Seeing Ling Feng and the other two's reactions, Hu Gan chuckled inwardly. Still too green, getting tense just like that. But when his gaze landed on Jiang Yun and Zi Yan, his breath caught in his throat.
Oh no. How could he have forgotten this little ancestor!
A bead of cold sweat dripped from Hu Gan's forehead. With Zi Yan participating, was that Fire Energy Capture Competition even going to happen?
What Fire Energy Capture Competition? At this rate, it'd probably turn into an Inner Academy Clearance Sweep!
At this thought, Hu Gan hurriedly said to the group, "Alright, go back and prepare. When the time comes, we'll escort you into the Inner Academy."
The group bid farewell to Hu Gan and then all left on their own ways.
After the group had departed, watching the vanishing silhouettes of Zi Yan and Jiang Yun, Hu Gan hurriedly materialized his Dou Qi wings and sped off at full speed toward the Inner Academy.
He had to go discuss this with the First Elder. The Fire Energy Capture Competition absolutely could not turn into an Inner Academy Clearance Sweep.
Two days later.
Jiang Yun brought a sullen, moody Zi Yan to Hu Gan's office.
The moment she saw Hu Gan, Zi Yan glared viciously at him, as if she wanted to 'tear him to shreds.' And Hu Gan, ever since Jiang Yun and Zi Yan had arrived, had not once looked directly at them, instead guiltily averting his gaze elsewhere.
As for the reason behind this situation—naturally, it was caused by Zi Yan's completely over-spec level of strength.
Fearing that a perfectly good Fire Energy Capture Competition might turn into an Inner Academy Clearance Sweep, Hu Gan had requested Su Qian's approval to forbid Zi Yan from participating in the Fire Energy Capture Competition. Otherwise, all the old students the Inner Academy sent would not be enough to fight even when bound together.
The First Elder had immediately approved Hu Gan's proposal. This way, they could also clearly observe Jiang Yun's true strength. Regarding this, both Hu Gan and Su Qian were very curious.
They were both people who knew Jiang Yun's background from the very start. When Su Qian had first brought Jiang Yun back, the boy had already been at the 6th Stage of Dou Zhi Qi. At their age, they had never seen a genius like this.
So they too were curious about the other's true strength. Since the Outer Academy students couldn't measure Jiang Yun's depth, the old students of the Inner Academy should at least be able to force you to reveal a bit of your power, right?
Hu Gan thought with sinister glee, secretly casting Jiang Yun a look that was not entirely well-intentioned.
"Alright, don't be angry anymore. You're already a Dou Wang. Is beating up a bunch of Da Dou Shi and Dou Ling really that interesting?"
Jiang Yun looked at Zi Yan, who from the moment she'd entered had been glaring at Hu Gan with wide, unblinking eyes. He couldn't help but rub the top of her head in amusement.
"It's different!" Feeling the warmth on her head, Zi Yan withdrew her gaze. She looked at Jiang Yun and shook her head. "I'm not interested in beating up those weaklings! It's just... it's just that this is an experience to share with Little Yun. I don't want to miss out on it."
Looking at the flicker of disappointment in Zi Yan's eyes—so completely unlike her usual carefree, boisterous self—Jiang Yun was momentarily stunned. Since when had this little girl, as she once was, seemingly already grown up?
Not physically, but mentally.
"When the time comes, just watch my performance. I'll show them through my actions that whether you participate or not—the outcome is no different."
Jiang Yun cast aside the inexplicable thoughts in his mind. He clasped his hands behind his back, striking the pose of a transcendent expert who had left the mortal world behind.
"Right! Beat them up good for me!" Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Zi Yan's expression instantly flipped. She waved her fist in excitement.
As time passed, ten black silhouettes suddenly came swooping in their direction.
Those were the academy's 'airplanes'—Griffin beasts. The ten Griffins cast enormous, sweeping shadows as they streaked across the academy, finally coming to a halt in the air above the clearing before Hu Gan's study.
"Alright, little ones. Let's set off!"
Hearing Hu Gan's words, the students on the clearing immediately turned around and swarmed into the open space in a hive, impatiently climbing onto the broad backs of the Griffins.
The feathers of the Griffins were somewhat slick and slippery. Only those at the Da Dou Shi level and above could stand steadily on them. Quite a few people lost their footing, slipping and falling, cutting awkward, embarrassed figures.
Once all the students had mounted the backs of the Griffins, Hu Gan and several Outer Academy elders also flashed up into the air.
With a shake of their shoulders, several pairs of dazzling, brilliant Dou Qi wings extended from their backs. Their wings fluttered slightly, and their figures hovered unmoving in the air, under the many envious gazes from the clearing.
"Set off!"
With a single command from Hu Gan, the Griffin handlers below let out a sharp whistle. Instantly, the Griffins' great wings shuddered violently. Their massive forms slowly ascended, accompanied by the shadows they cast on the ground growing smaller and smaller.
However, a small incident occurred. While all the other Griffins took off safely, only the Griffin carrying Zi Yan and Jiang Yun remained completely motionless in its original spot. If one looked closely, one could even detect the fear in its eyes and its trembling body.
"This..." The 'driver' handling the Griffin was encountering this situation for the first time and somewhat frantically issued various commands to the beast.
By now, Hu Gan and the others, who had long since taken off, also noticed the abnormality behind them. Watching this scene, expressions of astonishment appeared on each of their faces.
"Hurry up and go!"
At this moment, Zi Yan, waiting impatiently, had already lost her patience. She stomped her little foot and shouted coquettishly at the Griffin beneath her.
With that single command from Zi Yan, the Griffin let out a piercing screech and, at the fastest speed of its life, chased after the main group ahead—utterly terrified that if it were a second slower, the terrifying creature on its back would devour it whole.
At this moment, aside from Hu Gan, who knew the inside story, the remaining elders all looked at Zi Yan with a trace of astonishment.
"Let's go!"
Hu Gan turned his head and instructed the others. He took the lead, chasing after the main group ahead, flanking them on both sides as an escort.
On the Griffin's back, Zi Yan looked at Jiang Yun and tilted her head up with a show-off air. "See how fast it's flying!"
"You're amazing!" Jiang Yun raised a thumb at Zi Yan with a smile.
The Inner Academy was different from the Outer Academy. The Inner Academy was hidden deep within an endless mountain range. Its location was extremely secluded. Without a specially trained Griffin to guide the way, even students who had come out from the Inner Academy would find it very difficult to locate the path back.
Around them, flying demonic beasts would occasionally suddenly attack. Hu Gan and the other elders were actively taking action, culling the attacking beasts.
In the back mountains of Jia Nan Academy, demonic beasts were numerous. Deep within the ancient forests, even rank 5 demonic beasts roamed. Without the protection of these few elders, it would have been practically impossible for these students to safely fly over the back mountains.
Under the combined encirclement and annihilation led by Hu Guan, a peak Dou Huang, and several Dou Wang elders, not a single demonic beast could break through their defensive line.
Flying all the way, bearing thick, heavy mists of blood, after expending a little over an hour of full-speed forward progress, the Griffin convoy's speed gradually slowed. They had arrived at an entirely new domain.
Beneath them stretched a long mountain gorge, verdant and green on every side, appearing exceptionally tranquil.
"Open!"
Hu Gan advanced. Accompanied by his great shout, a powerful, fierce blast of Dou Qi shot straight ahead from his hand. The space before them rippled, and a spatial door, fully eight or nine meters high, silently materialized.
This was a spatial barrier. Only after entering the spatial barrier was one considered to have truly stepped into the Inner Academy's domain.
"Go!"
Hu Gan barked lightly. The Griffin convoy flew uniformly into the spatial door. After everyone had entered, the spatial door dissipated, and everything once again reverted completely to its original appearance.
After entering the spatial door, what greeted their eyes was still a stretch of forest. Only, this time, people were already there to welcome them.
Unlike the Outer Academy instructors, these people all bore a small tower-shaped emblem on their robes.
Leading them was none other than Jiang Yun's familiar First Elder, Su Qian.
The moment Zi Yan spotted Su Qian, she turned her head away with indignant fury, clearly still simmering with resentment!
Su Qian caught Zi Yan's reaction from the corner of his eye, and the corner of his eye twitched involuntarily. This girl—truly, the older she grew, the bigger her temper.
Did she even look at her own level of strength? What was she competing with a bunch of Da Dou Shi and Dou Ling for?
One could only say, the First Elder didn't understand a girl's heart at all!
(End of Chapter)