Xiao Yan hurriedly went to ask Xiao Yu about the Heavenly Flame at Jia Nan Academy. Unfortunately, Xiao Yu didn't know much about it either; she had only heard rumors herself.
She had heard that the reason why the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower at Jia Nan Academy was able to increase one's cultivation speed was due to a Heavenly Flame, but as for which specific Heavenly Flame it was, she was not sure. It was nothing more than a rumor after all.
"Why are you asking? I thought you didn't want to go," Xiao Yu said with her arms crossed and her chin tilted up as she looked at Xiao Yan who had come to inquire.
She had once asked Xiao Yan if he wanted to join Jia Nan Academy, but his ambiguous answer led her to believe that he wasn't interested in going.
Her return to the clan this time was mainly for the upcoming Jia Nan Academy enrollment. She wanted to see how many people from the clan planned to take the exam and see if she could help them get in through the back door.
As the Little Clan Leader, Xiao Yan's talent and cultivation level were beyond question. Although Xiao Zhan was reluctant to let Xiao Yan go, he understood the saying, 'Freely can fishes leap as the sea is vast enough and can birds fly as the sky is high enough.' Wu Tan City was ultimately too small for someone of his son's caliber.
Xiao Yan also understood that he needed to leave Wu Tan City and explore the world to grow stronger. Consequently, he had devised a series of plans to take down the other two major clans before departing.
"Come on, I'm an alchemist. Wanting a Heavenly Flame is only natural. Since Jia Nan Academy has one, of course I want to go."
Xiao Yu was taken aback and quickly said, "Don't be reckless, you little pervert. Jia Nan Academy isn't like Wu Tan City. No one will be able to protect you if you cause trouble there."
"The existence of a Heavenly Flame in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower is just a legend. Even if there is one, it belongs to Jia Nan Academy. It's not something anyone can simply take."
Seeing Xiao Yu's anxious look, Xiao Yan patted her shoulder and took on the air of an exalted hermit. "Relax, I know what I'm doing. As the Little Clan Leader, I'll ensure the safety of our clan members, even in Jia Nan Academy. This Young Master has your back."
...
Half a year had passed in the blink of an eye.
Xiao Yan shook his head somewhat helplessly as he looked around at the clan grounds, now noticeably emptier.
Today, the recruitment team from Jia Nan Academy was scheduled to arrive in Wu Tan City, and even those in the clan who knew they didn't qualify had run off to watch, leaving the place deserted. By now, the gates of Wu Tan City were likely blocked by crowds of people.
"These folks, passing Jia Nan Academy's assessment isn't as easy as just showing up," he muttered as he slowly made his way to the city gate.
When Xiao Yan arrived at the main square of Wu Tan City, he couldn't help but squeeze his temples at the sight of the massive, frenzied crowd. Even the city's garrison was on duty to maintain order for fear of any conflicts that might arise.
He had inquired about the enrollment process at Jia Nan Academy. The first step was to stand in line and have one's cultivation level and age checked. Jia Nan Academy only admitted students under the age of twenty, and their cultivation had to be at least at the 7th-stage Dou Disciple.
The saying 'teach without discrimination' did not apply to the Dou Qi Continent.
Every year, a large number of people would come and try to sneak in through the back door.
"Ha, ran into a snag, did you? Even our super-genius Little Clan Leader has his moments," Xiao Yu couldn't help but snort with delight when she saw Xiao Yan's frustrated look.
She had arrived at the square early to organize and brief the clan members. Now she could finally see Xiao Yan, this little pervert, at a loss, and she couldn't be more thrilled.
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and was too lazy to pay any attention to her.
"Sister Xiao Yu, you must have a way, right?" Xiao Mei grabbed Xiao Yu's clothes and cooed.
Xiao Yu straightened her pretty nose, patted her already blossoming chest, and said with a smile, "Come with Sister."
She proudly said as she walked, "The person in charge of this year's recruitment in Wu Tan City is my instructor. As her favorite student, I've already spoken to her in advance."
Watching Xiao Yu raise her long, sexy legs and lead the way to the other side of the square, Xiao Yan held out his hands in resignation to Xun Er, who covered her mouth and giggled.
Seeing Xiao Yan at a disadvantage was indeed a rare sight.
"Let's go, I'm not too fond of crowded places either."
Xun Er smiled lightly upon hearing this and nodded, following Xiao Yan.
Although they talked about taking the back door, not all members of the Xiao clan could follow; only Xiao Yan, Xun Er, Xiao Ning, and Xiao Mei, the four most talented members of the clan, were allowed to take it.
The other clan members who barely met the criteria had to line up for the test as usual.
The group followed Xiao Yu to the back of the square, where fully equipped soldiers had formed two or three layers of encirclement. Their weapons carried a cold glint which under the hot sun, reflected the piercing rays.
Xiao Yu briefly instructed Xiao Yan and the others before stepping forward alone. She pulled a green card from her bosom and spoke softly to an officer-like soldier. After a brief conversation, she waved for Xiao Yan and the rest to come over.
The middle-aged officer's cold gaze swept over Xiao Yan and his companions. Only after a while did he wave his hand and order, "Let them through!"
The sound of clanking armor followed the officer's command. It made a neat sound as a narrow path, just wide enough for people to pass through, slowly appeared.
After putting away the jade card, Xiao Yu led the way, followed closely by Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning, with Xiao Yan and Xun Er bringing up the rear.
'Huh?' Xiao Yan felt a coldness on his skin the moment he stepped onto the narrow path. The expressionless soldiers surrounding them emitted a scent of blood from their bodies, causing those who had never experienced such a formation to feel an intense pressure that made it difficult to breathe.
'This is a battle formation?' He remembered reading about it in a book from the storage ring. After tempering their wills, troops returning from bloody battles could unleash a kind of battle formation that exerted pressure on the soul.
Xiao Yan and Xun Er, with their higher cultivation levels, didn't have much of a problem. However, Xiao Ning, Xiao Mei, and even Xiao Yu, who had relatively lower cultivation levels, were trembling, their faces drained of all color.
The short distance of less than ten meters felt like a thousand meters to Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning.
Xiao Yan frowned and released his powerful Spiritual Strength. It was worth noting that he was now a 2nd-tier alchemist, capable of refining high-grade 2nd-tier medicinal pills, and also had a strand of Bone Chilling Flame within him.
His Spiritual Strength carried a mixture of cold and heat.
When Xiao Yan released his Spiritual Strength, all the soldiers felt the mix of cold and heat and involuntarily stepped back. Even the leading officer took half a step back. The entire oppressive formation was dispersed at this moment.
Xiao Yu and the others quickly turned to look at Xiao Yan as they felt a wave of warmth from behind and the icy coldness disappearing. There was no doubt it was his doing.
All the soldiers looked at Xiao Yan with surprise. Their formation had been shattered by a teenager!
"What are you looking at? Hurry up and move. Why are you blocking the path?" Xiao Yan pretended to be oblivious and spoke indifferently.
Only then did Xiao Yu come to her senses and hurriedly lead Xiao Ning and the others out of the narrow path. She turned to the middle-aged officer and said, "Senior Ke, did you deliberately try to make things difficult for us?"
The middle-aged officer smiled apologetically, turned to Xiao Yan, who remained calm, and said with cupped fists, "This must be the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan. My actions were merely part of my duty. Please forgive me for any offense."
Xiao Yan responded with cupped fists, "No offense taken. It was my misunderstanding."
As he watched Xiao Yan and the others leave, the middle-aged officer smiled and said, "It seems that Instructor Ruo Lin will gain an excellent student this year."