The Xiao Family in Wu Tan City is developing well, with many young members entering Jia Nan Academy to study. However, Xiao Yan after skipping classes for two consecutive years, was eventually expelled from the Academy, bringing shame to the Xiao Family members.
"Actually, if Brother Xiao Yan isn't here, I'm planning to drop out too."
"Xun'er? Did you just say something?"
"Uh, no."
Xun'er's eyes wandered, and a slightly awkward smile appeared on her pretty face. Faced with the disheartened Xiao Family members, she couldn't bear to add more pain to their hearts. She thought to herself: I might as well stay in the Academy a little longer, settle the Xiao Family members, and resolve any worries for Brother Xiao Yan.
"Inner Court Competition, with one less Xiao Yan, and more Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei?"
"But it has nothing to do with me."
Yun Tianming's figure flashed and left the square.
"Huh?!"
Xun'er seemed to sense something, suddenly raising her head to look at the high platform where Yun Tianming had just been.
"Xun'er, what's wrong?"
Xiao Yu asked in surprise.
"This aura... is it that person?"
"Why would he appear at the Academy?"
Xun'er's brows furrowed slightly. Although she didn't see Yun Tianming's figure, from that familiar Soul Power, there was no mistake!
"Xun'er, who is this person you're talking about?"
Xiao Yu blinked and continued to ask.
"Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Tianming."
"Young Master Yun?!"
Xiao Mei, who had been silent, suddenly had her eyes light up. She had a deep impression of the genius boy she met more than three years ago.
"Is he the one who gave our Xiao Family the Qi Method?"
Xiao Yu's expression also brightened with joy.
The highest-level water attribute Qi Method in the Xiao Family was only Yellow Rank High level. Due to the limitation of the Qi Method, her cultivation progress had always been very slow. The water attribute Black Rank High level Qi Method sent by the Misty Cloud Sect gave her an unprecedented opportunity. In three years, she broke through from Dou Practitioner to 2 Star Dou Grandmaster.
"Sister Xiao Yu, and Xiao Mei, are you both very interested in that Yun Tianming?"
Seeing the expectant looks on the faces of the two Xiao Family girls, Xun'er had a strange expression. According to the information collected by Ling Ying, a significant reason why Nalan Yanran was able to defeat Xiao Yan in the three-year agreement was due to Yun Tianming. Yun Tianming provided Nalan Yanran with Pills and Dou Techniques, greatly enhancing her combat power. However, if one were to argue seriously, Xiao Yan had the Medicine Sovereign backing him, so when it comes to having advantages, no one could outdo the other.
"Cough, cough~ Xun'er, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"I'm just grateful for the Qi Method sent by the Misty Cloud Sect."
Xiao Yu answered seriously.
"She fell in love with Young Master Yun at first sight~"
Xiao Mei's answer was bold and direct. She had always admired the strong, and she used to follow the talented Xiao Yan. After Xiao Yan lost his talent, she immediately distanced herself from him. When she saw the genius Yun Tianming more than three years ago, she promptly approached him.
"You little girl, you really are as vain as ever."
Xiao Yu's mouth twitched slightly, and she said with a bit of disdain.
"What? I'm just trying to attract strong allies for the family. What's wrong with that?"
Xiao Mei raised her smooth chin, looking justified. Then she pointed at Xiao Yu and said in a lecturing tone, "Speaking of which, Sister Xiao Yu, I heard that Senior Brother Lu Mu in the Academy is pursuing you. Why don't you consider it? He's an Alchemist, and for the benefit of the Xiao Family, you should."
"No, no, no! I don't like those medicine pot guys!"
"Speaking of romance, I think we should ask Xun'er!"
"Most of the boys in the Academy are infatuated with Xun'er. Bai Shan and Wu Hao are quite good. Hasn't Xun'er felt a bit moved by them?"
Xiao Yu nudged Xun'er's shoulder with her elbow, her face showing a teasing expression.
"Why is the conversation shifting to me?"
Xun'er shook her head with a wry smile.
————
Academy high-level office.
"Knock, knock~"
The sudden knock on the door made Hu Gan's body shudder. He was greatly astonished. With his peak Dou Emperor strength, he hadn't noticed someone approaching.
"Come in."
Hu Gan's aged eyes flickered with sharp light as he stared at the young man who pushed the door open. He was even more puzzled, "Which class are you in? Why haven't I seen you before?"
"Headmaster, you misunderstand. I'm not a student of Jia Nan Academy. I'm here to apply for the position of Mentor. My name is Yun Tianming."
Yun Tianming introduced himself.
"What? You are Yun Tianming? The Fifth Grade Alchemist?"
Hu Gan's eyes widened immediately. A few days ago, Mentor Ruo Lin reported that a young Fifth Grade Alchemist wanted to join Jia Nan Academy. Although he had some expectations in his mind, he was still stunned by Yun Tianming's youth. This age was about the same as his granddaughter Hu Jia!
"Wow, Mr. Yun is truly remarkable!"
Hu Gan exclaimed in amazement.
"Headmaster, you overpraise me. My skills are not much in the Central Plains."
Yun Tianming remained modest and maintained a humble attitude.
"No, a Fifth Grade Alchemist under twenty years old is rare, even in the Central Plains."
Hu Gan himself came from a mid-level family in the Central Plains, so he had seen many young talents.
"I wonder if I can become a Mentor at Jia Nan Academy?"
Yun Tianming didn't bother with formalities and asked directly.
"Of course!"
Hu Gan had already thoroughly investigated Yun Tianming's background: a member of the Misty Cloud Sect of the Jia Ma Empire and an honorary elder of the Alchemist Guild. Jia Nan Academy's principle has always been open and inclusive, not rejecting people from any faction.
Thus, after completing a series of procedures, Yun Tianming smoothly became a Mentor at Jia Nan Academy, specifically a specially appointed lecturer in the Alchemy Department.
"After tomorrow's final selection for the Inner Court, Mentor Yun will be responsible for escorting the students to the Inner Court. The journey requires passing through the first stage of the Magic Beast Mountains, but this shouldn't be a problem for you, right?"
Hu Gan gave him a meaningful look, as this was also a kind of test from the Academy.
Knowing the headmaster's intention, Yun Tianming did not refuse and readily agreed, "I will follow the headmaster's instructions."
The next day, the final of the Inner Court Competition took place. The battle mode was not one-on-one in the ring but a large melee with fifty people on the same stage. Teaming up freely was allowed, and the last five survivors would have the opportunity to select a treasure from the Academy's library.
"Xun'er, what should we do?"
Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei's strengths were 2 Star Dou Grandmaster and 1 Star Dou Grandmaster, respectively. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't make it to the top five.
"Sorry, Senior Brothers. The Xiao Family needs to secure three spots."
Based on overall strength, the top five should be Xun'er, Wu Hao, Bai Shan, Hu Jia, and Lu Mu. To secure spots for Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei in the top five, Xun'er knocked down Bai Shan and Lu Mu.
"Ah~ this young lady is truly willful."
The Academy's high-level officials smiled helplessly, seemingly very wary of Xun'er's background, and had no choice but to turn a blind eye.
"I see, so this is your reason for staying at Jia Nan Academy for now?"
As an onlooker, Yun Tianming quickly saw through Xun'er's intentions.
After all, having grown up there, Xun'er still had some affection for the Xiao Family.
****
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