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**
"Headmaster, you were waiting for me?"
Although he had already made a guess, Xiao Lin still spoke up to ask.
"It wasn't exactly waiting for you. After all, once the matters here were handled, I originally intended to return to the Central Plains anyway."
"It just so happened that you also returned to the Jia Nan Academy. So, I figured since that's the case, I might as well travel back to the Central Plains with you when the time came. Consider it having some company."
Mang Tianchi didn't hide anything and spoke the truth.
As for whether there were other reasons involved, only Mang Tianchi himself knew.
"So that's how it is."
After listening to Mang Tianchi's explanation, Xiao Lin nodded.
He had almost forgotten that this man was a classic hands-off manager!
In the original story, Xiao Yan stayed at the Jia Nan Academy for so long without ever seeing him return; the man didn't even make an appearance until the mid-to-late stages of the story.
Similarly, Xiao Lin had stayed at the Jia Nan Academy for about six years back then, and likewise, there hadn't been a trace of the other party. If someone said the Headmaster intended to stay here for a long time after returning to the academy this time, there would truly be a ghost!
"Headmaster, when are you prepared to set out?"
Since the man had waited for him for so long, Xiao Lin naturally had to seek his opinion.
"That depends on you. I'm ready whenever."
Regarding this, Mang Tianchi was indifferent.
Having waited this long already, he didn't care about waiting a few more days.
"Alright then. I'll say hello to some acquaintances in the academy, and then shall we set out in three days?"
Leaving, naturally, wasn't something one could do on a whim. Especially with that little ancestor Zi Yan; he estimated he would have to coax her for quite a while.
"Fine, it's a deal then."
Mang Tianchi expressed no opposition.
Subsequently, over the next three days, after handling all necessary matters, Xiao Lin bid farewell to the people he was close to in the academy.
Surprisingly, Zi Yan didn't make a fuss this time!
She only told Xiao Lin that the next time they met, she would have become even stronger!
To this, Xiao Lin was looking forward to it as well.
Three days later, after Xiao Lin and Mang Tianchi bid farewell to the crowd of acquaintances who came to see them off, they left the Jia Nan Academy together.
A Dou Zun's way of traveling was still very fast. Similarly, because both of them were Dou Zun, they naturally didn't need to use those Spatial Wormholes located in the border cities of the Northwestern Region.
Just like that, the two of them continuously approached the Central Plains continent through spatial tunnels. Normally, if one traveled by flying from the Northwestern Region to the Central Plains, it might take a month or so.
However, with Xiao Lin and Mang Tianchi—two Dou Zun powerhouses—traveling via spatial tunnels, it took only about two days to approach the boundaries of the Central Plains continent. Of course, if Mang Tianchi were alone, his traveling speed would be even faster!
A Peak Ninth-Turn Dou Zun's mastery over spatial power was not something a Four-Star Dou Zun like Xiao Lin could compare to. Along the way, it was Mang Tianchi who was looking after Xiao Lin.
Finally, another half-day later, the two of them stepped out of the spatial tunnel one after another.
"We've arrived!"
A single sentence from Mang Tianchi revealed the territory they were currently in.
Xiao Lin nodded calmly.
At this moment, Xiao Lin did not expose any sign that this was his first time coming to the Central Plains. After all, when he used the identity of Lin Xiao to enter the Jia Nan Academy, his external claim was that he came from the Central Plains continent.
If he acted like a clueless country bumpkin right now, his cover would be blown immediately!
"What are your plans next?"
Mang Tianchi's voice rang in Xiao Lin's ear.
"I'll just take it one step at a time. I don't have a specific target in mind. Since it's for tempering myself anyway, I'll naturally go wherever I can improve my strength."
This was the truth for Xiao Lin.
Although he had certain matters to attend to in the Central Plains, increasing his own strength was also of paramount importance!
"By the way, Headmaster, what about you?"
Remembering something, Xiao Lin suddenly asked in return.
"Me? I'm naturally heading back to my clan first," Mang Tianchi said with a smile.
"Your clan?" Xiao Lin asked, feigning confusion.
Although he knew Mang Tianchi's identity through the original story, he certainly wouldn't show it at this moment!
One had to know that under normal circumstances, forget about him, even Grand Elder Su Qian and the two Guardians, Elder Qian and Elder Bai, likely had no idea that Mang Tianchi had the background of the Lei Clan!
"Hehe, the Lei Clan—have you heard of it?"
Mang Tianchi wasn't surprised by Xiao Lin's reaction.
When he had traveled abroad to establish the Jia Nan Academy, he had never revealed his identity or background to anyone.
Everything had been carved out through his own hard work!
If he had traveled under the banner of the Lei Clan, what kind of tempering would that even be?
"The Lei Clan? Headmaster, you mean the Lei Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans? You... you come from the Lei Clan?" Xiao Lin asked back, pretending to be shocked.
Toward the end, his voice even rose in pitch.
At the same time, a look of astonishment appropriately appeared on his face.
"That's right, I indeed come from the Lei Clan! Lin Xiao, it seems that during your travels in the Central Plains, you managed to learn quite a bit of information that outsiders aren't privy to!"
Mang Tianchi first showed a look of pride, then praised Xiao Lin once more.
The top powerhouses and factions of the Central Plains naturally knew about the Eight Ancient Clans. However, there were still a considerable number of people who only had a half-baked understanding of them.
After all, the Eight Ancient Clans were far too distant from ordinary people; it was normal for them not to know.
"By chance, I happened to hear a thing or two about them."
At this moment, Xiao Lin appeared both excited and somewhat ignorant.
Seeing all of Xiao Lin's reactions, Mang Tianchi was very satisfied.
"Once I return to the clan this time, I will begin preparing for my breakthrough to Ban Sheng. Therefore, for the rest of your tempering in the Central Plains, Lin Xiao, you'll have to rely on yourself."
After patting Xiao Lin's shoulder, Mang Tianchi spoke with earnest words and good intentions.
"Then I shall congratulate the Headmaster in advance for a successful breakthrough to Ban Sheng!" Xiao Lin cupped his hands to express his congratulations. Of course, in reality, Xiao Lin had never expected Mang Tianchi to stay with him forever.
Even for this trip to the Central Plains, the man was just passing through!
"Then I'll take your auspicious words!"
After a laugh, Mang Tianchi suddenly pulled an object from his robes.
It was a pitch-black token with the word "Lei" engraved upon it.
"Right, take this." Mang Tianchi tossed the token engraved with the word "Lei" to Xiao Lin.
"Headmaster, what is this?" Xiao Lin asked calmly.
"This is a token representing my identity. Lin Xiao, though I am a man of the Lei Clan, I am also the Headmaster of the Jia Nan Academy, and you are the Guardian of my Jia Nan Academy! Since you are going to temper yourself in the Central Plains, I naturally must protect you a little."
"In the future, during your travels in the Central Plains, if you encounter anything you cannot resolve, you can bring this token to the Lei Realm to find me. My Lei Clan will naturally host you!"
Mang Tianchi stated the purpose of this token with utmost solemnity.
Earlier, before arriving in the Central Plains, Mang Tianchi already had the idea of investing in Xiao Lin.
Now, by giving this token, it was equivalent to putting that plan into action. Just think about it—once Xiao Lin brought this token to the Lei Clan to seek help, wouldn't that mean a relationship had been established between him and the Lei Clan?
When Xiao Lin eventually promoted to the Dou Sheng realm in the future, the Lei Clan would have formed a good affinity with him. No matter how one looked at it, this was not a losing deal for the Lei Clan.
After all, once someone reached the Dou Sheng realm, even the Eight Ancient Clans would have to treat them with courtesy!
Oh, right—except for the Hun Clan...
**
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