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--- Chapter 309 ---
The caravan moved peacefully through the Tager Desert. Although they encountered some wild Magical Beasts, they weren't something a Dou Grandmaster like Ruo Ling couldn't handle herself.
In the carriage, Han Yuan still leaned on the barricade with a complicated look before finally sighing.
"So, are you going to tell us what happened between you and Sect Master Yun?" asked Xiao Yixian with a questioning look.
Han Yuan chuckled and played it calmly, "We had a pleasant chat and then promised each other to share letters often in the future."
"She also wanted me to visit the Misty Cloud Sect sometimes when I returned to Jia Ma Empire."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you're not even at the Jia Ma Empire, Sect Master Yun already missed you that badly?" Xiao Yixian hissed in amazement.
"As expected, your charm is too strong..."
Han Yuan's mouth twitched, "What charm? We merely have too many interests in common."
"Even then, we can't erase the fact that Sect Master Yun asked to leave so that she could talk with you... Alone at that." Gu Xun'er commented casually. "A man and woman in a closed, tight place alone."
"It's hard to imagine you two are innocents..."
"That's right! That's right!" Xue Ni, the gossip girl, nodded in agreement upon hearing Gu Xun'er.
Xiao Yu pressed her forehead, "Yeah, it's really tough to imagine nothing happened."
"Alright, stop pressing, Han Yuan," Ruo Ling decided to speak up for Han Yuan, though she also thought the same as the girls. "Sect Master Yun is a noble person, and we shouldn't judge her based on assumptions."
Han Yuan smiled at Ruo Ling, "Thank you, Teacher Ling."
Ruo Ling pursed her lips, "I said that, but you should really stay lowkey in the next few months upon arrival at the academy. I couldn't say anything about Sect Master Yun, but she's a proper adult and should know what it entails, but I can't say the same things about those girls in the academy."
'Heh, I wonder what kind of expression Teacher Ling would make if she knew Yun Yun actually confessed her feelings to me,' Han Yuan laughed wryly inside. 'An adult, you say? Who said adults can't be greedy, too?'
"I understand, Teacher Ling." Even then, Han Yuan still answered sensibly, which received a nod from Ruo Ling.
The journey continued. The caravan passed a city in the Tager Desert and traveled further into the border of Black Corner Region to catch up on the time they lost in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Thankfully, they almost reached their destination by night.
Ruo Ling surveyed the surroundings and noticed a few familiar landmarks, saying, "We shouldn't be far from the Peace City."
"But now that we have almost entered the Black Corner Region, the danger has also increased."
"Back in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, all we have to be afraid of is Magical Beasts, but here..."
"It's other Dou Practitioners." Han Yuan stated casually.
Xiao Yu and Xue Ni recalled something and shivered, "Not all Dou Fighters are like Sect Master Yun and Han Yuan."
"Some are just trash of the world. Those desperate and evil people didn't view others as human and merely as amusement or resources to climb even higher."
"Killing, plundering, and many other atrocities are often done in the most gruesome way."
"And the Black Corner Region is truly a chaotic place where all those people dominate the dangerous locations."
Ruo Ling patted Xiao Yu and Xue Ni, "Don't worry. The path to Peace City is safe, and even if someone wanted to do something to us, I can still intimidate them with our academy's reputation."
She smiled and added confidently, "Also, don't forget that Han Yuan can still hold those people in case something ever happened."
"Teacher Ling, you're throwing me under the carriage, you know?" Han Yuan complained helplessly.
"Hehe, I mean, what can I say? I thought Dojo Master's contingency plan for your safety was some protection hidden in the shadows, but who would have thought you're so reliable?" Ruo Ling fixed her glasses as she giggled.
"With your 'Infinity' secret technique, no one can harm you under the Dou Ancestor realm. Even now, I still find it unbelievable."
"You're indeed the strongest genius I've seen." She praised him.
Xiao Yixian snorted, "More like the strongest seducer."
"..." Han Yuan.
---
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Under Ruo Ling's order, the caravan decided to rest a bit in a well-hidden area among the rock formations. The horses are lying down, and finally have time to take a breather.
Qing Lin woke up not too long ago and checked the horses with her eyes before feeding them a blood-refining pill that Han Yuan had asked her to feed. These pills will help the horses recover their full stamina and body condition faster.
"Are we going to cook something?" Xiao Yu asked while holding some dry sticks.
Han Yuan glanced at her and nodded, "Well, you might as well make a campfire."
"Everyone should be hungry after the long journey."
"But not too big, we don't want to gather too much attention."
"Alright," Xiao Yu already lit the dry sticks with her fire Dou Qi and made a small campfire. "She tried to control the heat so the fire wouldn't make smoke."
Yet, she ended up coughing nonstop because of the smoke instead.
"This girl." Han Yuan shook his head helplessly and sent a breeze to Xiao Yu, allowing her to breathe.
Xiao Yu coughed in embarrassment, "T-Thank you."
The other students watched this and laughed at Xiao Yu before lighting their campfires as well.
Ruo Ling distributed some Magical Beast's meat that she got from Yun Yun this morning, and then calmly sat near the campfire with Han Yuan and others.
"After resting a bit, we should continue our journey. I reckon we can reach the Peace City in four to six hours. Maybe more, but that depends on the situation."
Gu Xun'er bit into the roasted meat that Han Yuan made and asked, "We should be quick then. We don't want those situations to happen."
"Mm, after dinner, we will move again." Ruo Ling nodded.
'Have you ordered Ling Ying to clean our path?' Han Yuan asked through telepathy.
Gu Xun'er answered smugly, 'He has been doing it since we entered the Tager Desert. Why do you think our journey has been very smooth so far?'
'Hehe, not bad.' Han Yuan chuckled in response.
Meanwhile, Ling Ying in question stood atop a tall rock and watched over Han Yuan and Gu Xun'er like an old father. He has a faint smile on his face while chewing on fasting pills.
'Being a bodyguard is tasteless. I want roasted meat, too.' He thought, feeling somewhat jealous. Yet, since he accepted the legacy from the Guardian Pavilion of the Misty Mountain Range, he also learned the essence of being a silent guardian.
Back in the caravan, Ruo Ling looked around and noticed everyone had had their fill. "Alright, let's continue our journey."
"Yes, Teacher Ruo!" The students have no problem with Ruo Ling's orders and hurriedly prepare their carriages.
The caravan moved again under the moonlight this time. Ruo Ling intently watched the road and sometimes cast a glance at Han Yuan. The girls are sleeping, and only he is awake beside her.
Han Yuan noticed Ruo Ling's gaze, "What's the matter, Teacher Ling?"
"Mhm, nothing," Ruo Ling laughed softly.
They stared at each other awkwardly and then chuckled, enjoying the night together.
Five hours later, they finally could see a city with a 'Peace' plaque on the entrance gate.
Peace City is much bigger than Wu Tan City and is 'tightly' surrounded by monolith-like walls. Not to mention, Han Yuan could sense countless Dou Fighters in the city. Even at night, the city is still bustling with people.
"We are here!" Ruo Ling clenched her hands in excitement.
"Let's enter the city and meet with the Jia Nan Academy's mission hall; there should be elders waiting for us there."
Han Yuan shrugged, "You made the decision, Teacher Ling."
"Oh, you..." Ruo Ling rolled her eyes.
Their caravan entered the city safely, and Ruo Ling directed them to the south of the Peace City, where the Mission Hall of the Jia Nan Academy is 'strategically' located.
Not only is the mission hall a place where the students of the academy could accept a bounty or quest for a hefty reward, but this place also holds a significant reputation.
"Not a bad place." Han Yuan commented casually.
Ruo Ling retorted, "Of course, it wasn't a bad place. A Dou King elder is protecting this place."
"It shouldn't be shabby."
"A Dou King? Well, that's generous." Han Yuan said this time.
Ruo Ling harrumphed proudly, "Now, you know. The Jia Nan Academy always treats its own people well."
"Everyone, follow me!"
Everyone exited the carriage and marched to the mission hall as a white-bearded elder in blue came out.
"Ruo Ling? You arrived faster than I thought." He said in awe.
Ruo Ling humbly replied, "I can't afford to be careless when bringing a genius to the academy."
"Elder Kun, I've completed my mission!"
"Hahaha, you're right," Elder Kun gazed at the new students with a look of approval. Then, he stopped at Han Yuan and noticed he couldn't see through this young man.
He was amazed. Because all he could sense from Han Yuan was his Dou Grandmaster cultivation while being only twelve, truly a monstrous genius.
"Aih, the young generation will replace the old." He praised calmly.
"Young Man, no, Han Yuan, welcome to the Jia Nan Academy."
"Thank you, elder." Han Yuan nodded in response.
Elder Kun stroked his beard and then pulled out a box made of ancient wood, handing it to Han Yuan. "I can't give you much, but please accept this."
"Think of it as a welcome gift for being a special admitted student of our academy."
"Unfortunately, I can't accompany you to the academy directly, or else I would have given you more valuable treasure."
"What lies inside the box is a magic core of a rare space-attributed Silver God Falcon. I hope you like it."
"Silver God Falcon, that's 7 Rank Ancient Magical Beast..." Gu Xun'er mumbled on the side.
Elder Kun raised his eyebrow in surprise and then commented, "It seems this girl isn't so simple either."
Gu Xun'er smiled politely, "I just know a little more than others."
Han Yuan accepted the box and bowed slightly, "Thank you for the gift, senior."
Elder Kun grinned, liking Han Yuan for being sensible. "Mm, have a rest in the mission hall tonight. In the morning, I will have the Griffons ready to carry you and other new students to the academy."
"You, too, Professor Ling. You had done a good job for the academy."
After saying that, Elder Kun excused himself and ordered some staff in the hall to take care of them.
---
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The next morning.
Everyone had a good rest and is ready to enter the infamous Jia Nan Academy. At last, they finally did it.
Ruo Ling gathered everyone in a big courtyard, and a group of beasts that mixed lion and eagle landed on the ground grandly. "Everyone, get on the Griffons."
"We are going to fly to the academy!"
"Yes, Teacher!" Everyone gets on their assigned Griffons as Elder Kun sends them off with a smile.
'With that little girl in the academy, and Han Yuan, the academy is going to enter the Golden Generation again! Am I going to witness the birth of Saint Powerhouse?' Elder Kun thought emotionally.
Han Yuan sat on the Griffon, gazing into the distance with a calm look and mumbled, "My academy life is going to start soon."
"What life are you talking about?" Xiao Yixian sat beside Han Yuan and put on a nosy look.
"Harem life?" Gu Xun'er made her guess.
"Oh, is Qing Lin going to have more sisters?" Qing Lin tilted her head, feeling curious.
Han Yuan gave them a karate chop squarely and said, "What harem, what sisters? I, your brother, Han Yuan, am a pure and innocent young man who only wanted to reach a higher realm of cultivation by studying at Jia Nan Academy!"
"Pfft, who the hell is going to believe you, stinky brother!" Xiao Yixian laughed out loud.
Even then, she held Han Yuan's right arm in response. Gu Xun'er saw this and hugged Han Yuan's other arm while Qing Lin sat on his lap with a joyful look.
Han Yuan watched these girls and smiled warmly, "Well, we are going to do it together this time."
"Mm!" 3x.
"To the Jia Nan Academy!"
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(Author's Note: It Is Time for the New Arc!)