Xiao Tian turned his head, gazing toward the corner of the hall where the portal stood.
Within that corner, a small white snake shimmering with a seven-colored glow darted toward him. It arrived before him in an instant.
"Little one, what are you doing here?"
Xiao Tian was momentarily stunned. Without needing to ponder, it was undoubtedly Queen Medusa's mischievous scheme. This little creature would never conceive such an idea on its own.
Xiao Tian produced some companion Purple Crystal Source and placed a few drops into its mouth. It coiled contentedly within his palm.
Xiao Tian had no intention of bringing it along. In a flash, he appeared inside Medusa's palace and gently laid the Seven-Colored Little Snake upon the bed.
"I will keep watch for the medicinal herbs you require. Do not follow me. Those old scholars within are all stubborn to the bone. Remain here and help me safeguard Qing Lin and the others."
After murmuring these words, Xiao Tian vanished from the chamber.
"Hmph. As if I wished to follow you. Had that little one not pleaded with me, I would not have bothered. But since you are helping me locate the herbs, I shall reluctantly guard your women on your behalf."
The Seven-Colored Little Snake gradually transformed into a woman of bewitching beauty. She clutched the blanket, grinding her teeth.
Xiao Tian withdrew a single-use teleportation gate. Flying from here would consume roughly a full day—a monumental waste of time.
Selecting the coordinates and activating the portal, Xiao Tian stepped through.
Barely ten minutes after Xiao Tian's departure, Xiao Yan's figure materialized in Mu City. Trailing behind him was a woman whose face was draped in a light veil.
"Let us go. Your teacher should be here. This is Brother Tian's faction."
Xiao Yan addressed the woman behind him with a note of helplessness. The woman lifted her head. It was Nalan Yanran.
After her defeat at Xiao Yan's hands, she had vanished from the Misty Cloud Sect the very next day and had shadowed him ever since. Initially, she had trailed him from a distance. Once she realized she had been discovered, she clung to him like glue.
Xiao Yan had indeed considered shaking her off. Yet the thought that she was Lan Na—and that in this unfamiliar land, should harm befall her because of him, he would be unable to face Xiao Tian or Yun Yun—stayed his hand.
And so, he tacitly permitted her to follow.
Xiao Yan arrived at Heaven Suppressing Hall. After announcing himself, Nalan Yanran also met with Yun Yun. Xiao Yan learned that the Xiao family had been relocated here in its entirety and even gained a glimpse of Xiao Tian's small world—an experience that left even Yao Lao profoundly astounded.
---
The scene returns to ten minutes prior.
Xiao Tian emerged from the portal, arriving at a remove from a small town.
Nestled between two colossal mountains lay a modest settlement. This town was the first to encircle Jia Nan Academy, serving as its outermost gate.
To the left of the town's entrance loomed a menacingly dark, twisted tree. Corpses dangled from its branches, their deaths ghastly. This was the infamous Necromancer Tree.
Those hanging there were the bodies of past troublemakers and the fallen from a particularly savage battle.
Xiao Tian spared it a glance and swiftly lost interest. He strode toward the town.
The instant he crossed the town's threshold, Xiao Tian felt an uncanny, probing ripple sweep over his form.
Understanding full well what it was, Xiao Tian paid it no heed and pressed onward.
At that moment, over a dozen figures vaulted down from the rooftops lining the street, landing squarely before Xiao Tian and the others seeking entry.
"Everyone, halt. Before entering, you must state your identity, name, and other particulars. If you are unwilling to cooperate, you may depart now."
The middle-aged man in the lead stepped forward, a jade vial cradled in his hand, and spoke evenly.
"Furthermore, after stating your identity, you must consume this medicinal pill. It is not a poison. It merely detects killing intent. Should you harbor murderous designs within the town, your body will emit a crimson glow. You comprehend the consequences."
"Upon departure, you may proceed to the town center to receive the antidote. Personnel will oversee your exit at that time."
Hearing the middle-aged man's words, the expressions of the Black Horn Region denizens standing near Xiao Tian shifted involuntarily.
Those dwelling in the Black Horn Region were inherently distrustful of others, let alone casually swallowing pills proffered by strangers.
What ensued was the middle-aged man from Jia Nan Academy deploying his aura to subdue the Black Horn Region individuals. Some departed. Others swallowed the pill and entered.
"Students of the academy are exempt from this requirement, are they not?"
Eyeing the pill held before him, Xiao Tian refused outright.
"You are a student of this academy?"
Hearing Xiao Tian's words, the middle-aged man was taken aback. He then scrutinized him with open skepticism.
The others finished distributing their pills. Overhearing their exchange, they gradually drew nearer.
"Yes. However, I took a leave of absence for a period after passing the entrance examination. I have only just arrived at the academy. My name is Xiao Tian, and my mentor is Ruo Lin."
Xiao Tian succinctly stated his identity and his mentor's name.
"You came here on your own?"
The middle-aged man regarded Xiao Tian with astonishment, posing the question directly. Since it was not Jia Nan Academy's recruitment season, there were no mentor-led teams to escort students. One could only arrive by traversing the Black Horn Region alone.
Xiao Tian nodded lightly. "You could say that."
He had come directly via teleportation gate, which technically counted as arriving on his own. They had not inquired as to the precise method.
A look of amazement dawned on the middle-aged man's face. Unable to perceive Xiao Tian's cultivation level, he was just about to instruct someone behind him to verify the records when a young man frowned, as though dredging up a memory. "You are Xiao Tian? That Xiao Tian from the Gama Empire?"
"Xiao Tian? The one Xun'er so often speaks of, the Brother Xiao Tian she is forever recalling? The one who took over a year's leave before even beginning his studies?"
The others, catching the young man's exclamation, were momentarily stunned before voicing their own astonishment.
Observing their expressions, Xiao Tian understood it was likely on account of Xun'er.
It appeared he would have no shortage of love rivals at the academy. Even among this group, many likely harbored concealed affections for Xun'er. It seemed he would have to assume the role of the Thunderbolt Enforcer.
"That is correct. It is me. If you doubt me, you may verify the records directly."
Xiao Tian met the middle-aged man's gaze, whose own face betrayed his surprise.
"Very well. I am Huo De. Follow me."
The middle-aged man, Huo De, gave Xiao Tian a measured look, called out, and began walking into the town. Xiao Tian acknowledged and trailed behind him.
After Xiao Tian departed, the remaining young men watched his vanishing silhouette and fell into discussion among themselves. "Is he truly Xiao Tian? But his appearance is indeed quite handsome. He will probably seize the top rank in the Outer Academy before long."
"We simply do not know his strength. If he proves too weak, his path will not be a smooth one."
"He is unlikely to be weak. After all, he traversed the Black Horn Region unscathed. That alone marks him as no ordinary figure. It seems the Outer Academy is about to grow lively."
---
Under Mentor Huo De's verification, Xiao Tian's student identity was confirmed. After briefly inquiring whether he had come to pursue his studies and the reason for his extended leave, Huo De also informed Xiao Tian that Mentor Ruo Lin had registered him for the Inner Academy selection competitions both the previous year and the current one.
"This is the academy badge. You must wear it to gain entry into the academy." Huo De handed Xiao Tian an azure-blue badge.
"Thank you, Mentor Huo De." Xiao Tian accepted the badge and promptly affixed it to his chest.
"I shall arrange a flying magical beast to convey you there now. Reaching Jia Nan City from here requires crossing a stretch of primeval forest."
Huo De patted Xiao Tian's shoulder and spoke with warmth.
"Thank you, Mentor Huo De, but a flying magical beast will not be necessary. I have my own means of travel. Simply apprise me of the location."
Xiao Tian considered flying magical beasts far too sluggish, as they required intermittent rest stops along the journey. It would consume at least seven or eight hours.
"Very well, then." Huo De was momentarily stunned by this response. When he beheld the wings unfurling behind Xiao Tian, it took him roughly three breaths to regain his composure. He assumed it was a flying Dou Technique and supplied Xiao Tian with the location of Jia Nan City.
"Thank you for the directions, Mentor Huo De. This student shall take his leave now."
Xiao Tian cupped his fists in a respectful salute to Huo De. Then, with a gentle beat of his wings, he rose into the air and transformed into a streak of light that vanished from Huo De's sight.
"A flying Dou Technique... To think I would witness one here."
Simultaneously, atop a distant mountain, a figure seated cross-legged in cultivation trembled faintly upon hearing the report delivered by the person kneeling behind them. A smile bloomed across their face, one that could put a hundred flowers to shame.