[For the sake of the "Thunder Flame Immortal Body" technique, I might be a little more lenient toward Lei Dong in the future.]
[Thunder Clan's Divine-level Dou God bloodline inheritor, the only member in the Thunder Clan aiming for high-level Dou Saint realm.]
[He fell in love with Xun Er at first sight and wished to marry her. Many veteran elders also agreed.]
[Fortunately, Xun Er proved her own qualifications. During her coming-of-age ceremony, she was found to have inherited divine bloodline. Her status rose, allowing her to reject the proposal.]
…
"Wonderful!" Xun Er smiled gently, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
She knew that because she was the daughter of a sinful woman in the family, she was not cherished.
Her mother had been a maidservant guarding the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame. By chance she met Gu Yuan, the clan leader.
It should have been a good thing, but after her mother became pregnant with her, she made a mistake while guarding the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame, nearly causing problems with the inheritance. Her father Gu Yuan appeared at the critical moment, stabilized the situation, and transplanted the nascent flame born from the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame inheritance and into her mother's body, avoiding losses.
According to clan rules, her mother still received severe punishment. Her father, who always acted according to the rules, did not give her any special treatment.
Because her mother gave birth prematurely, Xun Er had been weak and sickly since childhood. It was thought she would have difficulty growing up.
Thanks to the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame residing in her body and using it as a source of vitality, she managed to survive until the age of three.
After she began to understand things at age three, Gu Yuan did not want her to grow up under the clan's gaze, and he feared she had no talent, so he sent her to the Xiao family to be raised. If she turned out ordinary, he intended to let her live an ordinary life.
A few years ago, when the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame matured and fully fused with her, Gu Yuan finally realized her talent was extraordinary. He wanted to bring her back to the clan for further training, but she refused.
It seemed the elders had a high opinion of her and wanted to bring her back.
"Fortunately, I inherited divine bloodline."
"It seems I'm almost identical to Nalan Yanran."
Xun Er thought in her heart how lucky she was to have met Xiao Ting.
Fortunately, her bloodline status would be sufficiently high in the future, so she would be able to control her own fate to a certain extent.
…
[Xun Er]: Lei Dong, right? I hope he can withstand my punch.
[Huo Zhi]: Lei Dong is stronger than me. He's already a Nine-Star Dou Venerate, stronger than Gu Qing Yang, the genius of the Gu clan. For him, reaching the peak of Nine-Turn Dou Venerate within five years is no problem, and he will definitely become a Dou Saint within ten years.
[Xun Er]: Very strong, but not enough. If I follow Brother Xiao Ting, it would be embarrassing if I don't become a Dou God within ten years.
Girls: "… "
…
Meanwhile, in the council hall in the inner courtyard.
Su Qian urgently summoned the inner academy elders. "During this year's outer academy recruitment, we scouted a genius who could be cultivated as a core disciple even in the top forces of Central Plains."
Upon hearing this, the elders felt it was a good thing and immediately began discussing.
Although Jia Nan Academy recruited students from all over the Battle Qi Continent, in recent years it had not produced particularly talented disciples. As a result, the academy's reputation had declined and the quality of recruited students had dropped.
If they could recruit someone with genius-level talent, and that person spoke well of what they learned at Jia Nan Academy during their path to success, it would be wonderful.
"Elder, where is that student?" one elder asked. "If even you acknowledge him this much, his talent must be extraordinary. Even if his current cultivation level isn't sufficient, special admission into the inner academy wouldn't be a problem."
These words were immediately supported by the other elders, each voicing their opinions.
"Ahem." Su Qian coughed to quiet everyone and continued, "Regarding that genius disciple, we naturally brought him back to the inner academy immediately. Not only that, we sent him directly to the library and, with the permission of the two guardian elders, allowed him inside to choose something."
Even after hearing this, the elders' expressions remained unchanged. They felt Su Qian's actions were reasonable.
Disciples who had reached the level of genius deserved such preferential treatment.
But the next moment, Su Qian continued, "Whether he chooses four items, three items, or exchanges items with me, I think it's acceptable."
"Elder, how can this be allowed?" the Punishment Elder, a strict person, couldn't help but speak up upon hearing this. "Allowing a new student to freely choose three or four items from the library is far too much."
"Providing such treatment to a new student whose character hasn't been proven and whose future prospects are uncertain violates the rules."
"Furthermore, according to the rules left by the dean, if such treatment is to be provided, it shouldn't be decided with a single word—we need to hold a meeting and decide by our vote."
Upon hearing the elder's words, the other elders began whispering among themselves.
Some said the Great Elder was right to value genius and make quick decisions. Others said the rules left by the dean could not be abolished.
"Originally, I had no intention of giving this new student such generous treatment. Instead, based on the elders' authority, I gave him two choices." Su Qian had already anticipated everyone's reaction and spoke with a half-smile. "First, he immediately gains the opportunity to enter the library. Second, I will hold a meeting and give him two or three more selection opportunities for his sake."
Upon hearing this, the elders immediately showed puzzled expressions. Why had Su Qian insisted on his way and given three or four more selection opportunities?
"This student Xiao Ting is no ordinary person." Su Qian leaned back deeply in his chair and spoke in a calm tone. "His bone age is fifteen years and four months, and his cultivation level has reached Two-Star Dou King."
"What!?" an elder stood up in disbelief, suspecting he had misheard.
Su Qian slowly repeated it.
Whoosh.
Everyone gasped in shock. This was truly exaggerated.
A Two-Star Dou King was a level most outstanding graduates didn't even possess.
This was a cultivation level he had already achieved upon entering the academy, and he wasn't even sixteen yet. It was only natural for the Great Elder to give him such preferential treatment.
"Even so…" the Punishment Elder still wanted to say more.
"Xiao Ting contributed the moment he arrived," Su Qian continued, not wanting to embarrass the Punishment Elder. "On the way to the academy, he killed a Dou King elder from Demon Flame Valley."
Elders: !
"Moreover," Su Qian said, looking at everyone's faces, "Xiao Ting is also a fourth-grade alchemist."
"Once he passes the test, he'll receive a badge!"
Elders: ?!?
Smack!
Old Huo, the head of the inner academy's Alchemy Department and a fifth-grade alchemist, slammed his fist on the table, stood up, and said in an irritated tone, "Who dares to object? Who dares to say our future honorary elder of the Alchemy Department doesn't qualify for a reward? Let's see!"
Everyone: ? ? ?
We didn't object.
It's not right for alchemists to poach someone who hasn't even taken up a post yet.
"My combat department also wants this student," the head of the combat department stated.
A fifteen-year-old who had reached the second stage of Dou King and could defeat a Demon Flame Valley elder—he was truly an outstanding graduate.
"You want to compete with the Alchemy Department?" Old Huo glared, his beard bristling. "Don't forget the rules. The Alchemy Department does not hold student elections. To become an alchemist, one must first be scouted by the Alchemy Department."
"If the rules are broken, the alchemists of the Alchemy Department will suffer minor injuries and won't be able to refine pills for a while."
Combat Department Head: "… "
I'll shut up now.
…
…
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