Xiao Tian knocked on the palace door before him, and a surge of Dou Qi pushed it open from inside.
He stepped in.
A white-haired old man sat in the main hall, his face brimming with a spring breeze-like satisfaction.
"You can't hide the joy on your face. It looks like you've had a great harvest lately."
Seeing the old man so refreshed, Xiao Tian felt genuinely happy for him. Hai Bodong was someone he admired, and he was more than willing to support him.
"It's all thanks to the Hall Master. I never thought I'd get the chance to cultivate such a high-level technique. Before this, I'd only heard of it—never even seen it, let alone practised it. Hahaha."
Hai Bodong had already switched to the ice-attribute Earth-tier high-grade cultivation method Xiao Tian received as a check-in reward. After the switch, his cultivation had broken through to Seven-Star Dou Huang. Originally at Five-Star, the Huangji Pill had boosted him by one star, and cultivating the new method pushed him up another.
The core members of Heaven Suppressing Hall had all basically cultivated techniques that matched their elements. Even Xiao Zhan had begun practising the Windflower Sword Dance. After all, his own father had to be given the very best. The upper limit of this technique was uncertain—it depended entirely on talent.
As for Xiao Zhan's talent, Xiao Tian wasn't worried in the slightest. The moment either Xiao Zhan or Xiao Tian himself reached the Emperor realm, as a direct descendant, Xiao Zhan's talent would skyrocket directly.
"You're one of us, no need for formalities. The stronger you are, the better it is for Heaven Suppressing Hall. You're my specially appointed Great Elder."
Xiao Tian sat down beside Hai Bodong. The two had spent a great deal of time together, and their relationship wasn't just the typical superior and subordinate—it was more of an age-defying friendship.
They chatted back and forth, often bursting into laughter.
As time passed, Xiao Tian bid farewell to Hai Bodong. Passing by Old Mo's palace, he briefly checked on him as well. Old Mo had already begun his breakthrough to Dou Zong, and his aura was very stable, with no major issues.
Returning to the Hall of Heaven, Xiao Tian shared a meal with everyone before they sent him off.
The Hall of Heaven was the name of the palace complex on Xiao Tian's own mountain peak. Plenty of maids had already been arranged inside, making it quite complete.
---
Two more days passed. Ruo Lin brought a middle-aged instructor to find Xiao Tian and the others. From him, they learned that today was the day the Hidden Book Pavilion would open.
Led by the instructor, the four students arrived at a spacious and brightly lit room. Upon entering, they saw Vice Dean Hu Gan sitting behind a table, flipping through documents, while Hu Jia stood beside his table with an unhappy expression.
Seeing Xiao Tian again and recalling how she had been instantly defeated, Hu Jia's expression turned a little stiff. That terrifying scene assaulted her memory once more.
*Stinky man, not a gentleman at all.*
Hu Jia cursed Xiao Tian inwardly, her expression very complicated.
*I never expected such a seemingly gentle young man to turn so violent when he fought—completely a different person. Is this the ferocity of the lightning attribute?*
Hu Gan sized up Xiao Tian, who stood at the very front.
"According to the rules, the top five in the competition are allowed to enter the Hidden Book Pavilion. Since you're all here, follow me."
Hu Gan stood up, went to the wall behind him, and patted it a few times. A low rumbling sound echoed, and a dark passage appeared before them.
Hu Gan walked straight into the passage. Xiao Tian, Xun'er, Xiao Yan, and the other two followed him in.
"I'll definitely defeat you in the future," Hu Jia whispered as she passed Xiao Tian.
"I'll be waiting. But those I defeat only get further and further away from me—unable to even see my back." Xiao Tian smiled slightly as he spoke these confident words.
"Hmph, just you wait."
Hu Jia gave Xun'er a deep look, then strode forward.
Xiao Tian and Xun'er exchanged a smile and shook their heads. For this delinquent girl with her questionable orientation, they couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Hu Gan.
The group walked for about half an hour, then emerged from the passage. Dazzling sunlight shone on their faces, and they instinctively closed their eyes.
When they opened them again, they were standing in a valley hollow. At its centre stood a massive, ancient pavilion.
The pavilion bore a slightly aged plaque, marked by the passage of countless years. On it, three characters with an ancient artistic conception were written:
**Hidden Book Pavilion!**
Hu Gan led the five students to a stop about twenty metres from the main entrance. He respectfully cupped his fists towards the entrance and said, "The top five of this Inner Academy selection competition have been determined. According to the rules, I've brought them here. Elders, please open the door."
His words, carried by Dou Qi, echoed continuously throughout the small valley, lingering for a long time.
Soon after Hu Gan finished speaking, under the gaze of the six, two grey-robed figures suddenly appeared, sitting cross-legged on either side of the entrance.
Xiao Tian thought to himself: *These are the two peak Dou Zongs of Jia Nan Academy—Bai Mu and Qian Lie, known as the Two Elders Qian Bai. Together, they can even fight a Dou Zun. Right now, they're the ceiling of the Black-Corner Region.*
The two old men did not speak. Hu Gan maintained his respectful posture, and Xiao Tian and the four others behind him also remained silent.
Xiao Yan subtly caressed the ancient ring on his hand. The moment these two appeared, Old Yao had directly cut off their faint connection.
This was the first time Xiao Yan had ever encountered such a situation, and he couldn't help but exclaim inwardly: *So this is the foundation of Jia Nan Academy—to actually make Teacher feel apprehensive!*
After about a few minutes, the robes of the two grey-robed figures trembled slightly. They slowly opened their eyes and glanced indifferently at Hu Gan before their gazes finally landed on Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan.
"Heavenly Flames? And two people with Heavenly Flames."
"May I know the names of you two young friends?"
One of the grey-robed figures spoke, his slightly hoarse voice echoing through the valley as if from the depths of time.
Hu Jia, standing behind Hu Gan, was stunned to hear that Xiao Tian also possessed a Heavenly Flame. She clenched her fists tightly. She had never expected Xiao Tian to have even more hidden abilities, and a surge of discouragement washed over her.
"Junior Xiao Tian greets the two Elders."
"Junior Xiao Yan greets the two Elders."
Both cupped their hands respectfully.
"The flame is greenish, lotus-like, volcanic in nature. That must be the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked nineteenth on the Strange Fire Ranking, correct?"
Seeing the old man instantly identify his flame, Xiao Yan was greatly shocked. This was the first time anyone had identified his flame without him even using it, and he inwardly exclaimed at how terrifying their perception was.
"This young friend's flame is unique. "The fire carries like stars, and dark purple in color... like an ancient dragon suppressing the land. If this old man is not mistaken, this should be the Three Thousand Burning Flame, ranked ninth on the Strange Fire Ranking..."
The old man looked at Xiao Tian, and a shock ripple appeared in his normally calm eyes.
Xiao Tian has already hidden his other flames, as the flames of the top 6 flames are very eye-catching and useing them can brought disaster if he was not strong. So he hide them in his Heavenly Poison Pearl and he only showing his Three Thousand Burning Flame.
After a simple sigh, the old man looked at Hu Gan. "This year's top five are much better than the last batch."
Hearing this, Hu Gan breathed a slight sigh of relief and chuckled. "Since that's the case, Elders, please unlock the space lock."
In front of Vice Dean Hu Gan, faint, shallow wrinkles appeared in the space. These spatial wrinkles were like a wall protecting the Hidden Book Pavilion behind them.
Seeing the confusion on their faces, Hu Gan explained what a space lock was.
Upon hearing the explanation, a few of them finally understood. They had never imagined that the space lock before them couldn't even be breached by a Dou Zong.
Under the gazes of Xiao Tian and the others, the two old men continuously formed hand seals. Two invisible fluctuations constantly emanated from their hands, finally merging with the spatial wrinkles.
The space in front of Xiao Tian and the others was torn open as if by an invisible giant hand, forming a door-shaped entrance.
"Let's go," Hu Gan said and stepped in first. Xiao Tian and the others cautiously followed.
After they entered, the Hidden Book Pavilion before them became even clearer.
"Thank you, Elders!" Hu Gan said respectfully with a smile.
"Just doing our duty," the two elders' old, hoarse voices came from beneath their grey robes.
Afterwards, Hu Gan introduced the rules of the Hidden Book Pavilion to Xiao Tian and the other four, summarizing it in one sentence: what they could obtain depended entirely on their strength and luck, and the time limit was one hour.
Once he finished explaining the rules, one of the old men flicked his finger. The main door of the Hidden Book Pavilion swung open directly, and a wave of ancient and desolate aura rushed out.
Xiao Tian and his four companions composed themselves briefly and stepped into the Hidden Book Pavilion.
After the five entered, the main door slowly shut.