"Alright, Young Master Xiao, rein in that aura of yours!"
Instructor Ruo Lin snapped out of her shock, staring at the white-haired youth before her. Even now, she struggled to believe it, but the oppressive force of his aura left no room for doubt. With a wry smile, she waved a delicate hand.
While staying with the Xiao Clan, she'd heard tales of Xiao Bai: he began cultivating at five, reached the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi by ten, and then lingered there, unable to break through. To the Xiao Clan, Xiao Bai was synonymous with that ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi—his true strength a mystery to all.
The incident during recruitment had hinted at more, but she'd assumed, given his age and Wu Tan City's limitations, he was at most on par with the two girls beside him. That's why she'd singled the trio out.
But a Dou Ling? Hiding as a ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi? What was this guy thinking?
No wonder Luo Bu and Ge Ci had collapsed before him without explanation—nobody had suspected his true power.
As Xiao Bai withdrew his aura, reverting to an unassuming presence, Ruo Lin lowered the hand covering her lips and exhaled slowly. Her beautiful eyes locked onto him, a mix of emotions swirling within as she spoke softly, "I thought Xiao Yan lasting twenty moves against me was impressive, but you—you're the real monster!"
"Quite the shock, eh, Instructor Ruo Lin?" Xiao Bai teased, winking at the gentle, mature woman.
Her eyes flashed with a trace of exasperation, and despite her mild temperament, she couldn't help a slightly sharp retort. "Shock? You gave me a downright fright, you rascal!"
"Fright? Recruiting a student like me you should be a delight!" Xiao Bai replied, his eyes twinkling with a playful smile.
"…" Ruo Lin rubbed her smooth forehead. A delight? Sure, it was delightful, but a student like him left her with no sense of accomplishment. She was only a Five-Star Da Dou Shi—how was she supposed to teach a Dou Ling?
And he was just eighteen! She was nearly thirty, still stuck at Da Dou Shi. How am I supposed to feel about this? The Xiao Clan seemed to breed monsters. Xiao Yan, who'd taken a year's leave, was already a headache. Now this one, aiming for the Inner Academy before even being assigned a class.
"The Inner Academy selection is in about two months," Ruo Lin said, accepting his strength. With Dou Ling cultivation, he'd be a powerhouse even in the monster-filled Inner Academy. Why waste time in the Outer Academy? "Two months, huh," Xiao Bai mused.
"If you're in a hurry, I can petition the Vice Dean on your behalf," Ruo Lin offered, mistaking his expression for impatience.
"No need." Xiao Bai shook his head.
"Why not? With your talent and effort, reaching this level so young, are you really willing to waste two months in the Outer Academy?" Ruo Lin was puzzled. She knew Inner Academy students—high-level cultivators obsessed with training, squeezing every moment for progress. She assumed Xiao Bai, with his remarkable cultivation, was the same.
"Because I want to bring them with me," Xiao Bai said, his gaze softening as he looked at the two girls beside him. He wasn't just aiming for the Inner Academy himself—he wanted Xun Er and Xiao Yi Xian to join him. Two months wasn't long; it was enough to boost their strength.
Xun Er's cultivation was steady, needing only consistent effort. But Xiao Yi Xian was different. Her Calamity Poison Body was a wildcard. By altering the plot to bring her here, Xiao Bai wasn't sure if the academy's powerhouses could detect her constitution—or how they'd react if they did. She wasn't yet the Dou Zong powerhouse from the original story.
In the original, she'd gone to the Chu Yun Empire, a haven for poison masters where her constitution faced no prejudice. But here? Outside the Chu Yun Empire, poison masters were often shunned, let alone someone with a physique at the pinnacle of their kind.
Xiao Bai wouldn't abandon her for his own goals. Until he confirmed the academy's stance on the Calamity Poison Body, he wouldn't rest easy.
"Brother Xiao Bai!"
"Xiao Bai!"
The girls, touched by his gentle gaze, stepped closer, each taking one of his hands in a synchronized gesture.
Xun Er didn't care about the Inner Academy—she cared that Xiao Bai always considered her in his plans. Xiao Yi Xian felt the same; she'd come to Jia Nan Academy solely because of him. Wherever he is, I'm home.
No wonder these two exceptional girls orbit him, Ruo Lin thought, a flicker of envy in her eyes. He's not just a cultivation prodigy—he's genuinely good to them. Envy for their youthful bond, envy for their remarkable talent. Cultivation was a lonely path, and finding steadfast companions—especially ones bound by deep, youthful love—was rare and precious.
As for the trio's dynamic, Ruo Lin wasn't bothered. They were fine with it, and in a world where the strong ruled, multiple partners weren't uncommon. Some male and female powerhouses even built harems. While she yearned for devoted love, she didn't judge their arrangement.
"Alright, you three, spare a thought for your instructor's feelings! I'm still single, you know!" Ruo Lin teased, feigning indignation.
Xun Er and Xiao Yi Xian blushed, shyly retreating behind Xiao Bai.
Seeing their demure, almost wifely demeanor, Xiao Bai chuckled fondly, then turned to Ruo Lin with a playful glint. "With your gentle charm, Instructor, how could you not find a good match?"
Ruo Lin rolled her eyes gracefully. This kid treated her more like a peer than an instructor, but she didn't mind. After his cultivation reveal, she'd felt a touch of distance, but his quick wit and teasing—Surprised, Instructor?—had dispelled it instantly.
What a charismatic guy, she thought. If I'd met someone like him at seventeen or eighteen, I'd have fallen hard. Too bad I didn't.
"You're really bringing them along?" Ruo Lin asked, glancing at the girls. "Their talent is great, but two months to qualify for the Inner Academy? I'm not optimistic. Another year, and they'd be shoo-ins."
Seeing the resolve in Xiao Bai's eyes despite his smile, she sighed. "Fine. If you're confident you can get them in, I won't argue. But since you're preparing for the selection, stay at my place."
Noticing his confusion, she explained, "Outer Academy freshmen share courtyards, eight to a unit. You don't want to cram in with them, do you? Especially with Xun Er and Xian Er. Don't worry—my courtyard is spacious, and Xiao Yu lives there too."
A Dou Ling like him, bunking with freshmen? It wouldn't do, especially now that his strength was known.
"Much obliged, Instructor," Xiao Bai said, nodding with a smile, accepting the offer. Why settle for a crowded freshman courtyard when a better option existed? And surrounded by beauties, no less—purely for the view, of course.
___
Xiao Bai, Xun Er, and Xiao Yi Xian followed Ruo Lin to a secluded corner of the academy, where a large, tranquil courtyard awaited.
"I like peace," Ruo Lin said. "I chose this spot when I first became an instructor. It's a bit out of the way, but it's serene and spacious."
She assigned each a room and left.
Once she was gone, Xiao Bai pulled the girls into his room.
"Brother Xiao Bai, don't get any ideas!" Xun Er said, her cheeks flushing as she scolded him playfully.
"What're you thinking?" Xiao Bai tapped her forehead lightly, exasperated. This girl trusts me less and less. "I want to talk about your training plans for the next two months."
The girls blushed, realizing their mistake. It's his fault, they thought, recalling how he'd jokingly flirted about "embracing both" on the eagle, sparking their misunderstanding.
"Alright, let's convene the first Xiao Clan family meeting!" Xiao Bai said, seating them and scanning their faces with a grin.
Xun Er's eyes sparkled as she glanced at him and Xiao Yi Xian, a smile spreading across her delicate face.
Xiao Yi Xian's gentle lips curved, her eyes twinkling with warmth at the pair.
Pleased with their reactions, Xiao Bai began the meeting.
The agenda included reviewing Xiao Bai's plans for their time at Jia Nan Academy, approving his decision to prepare all three for the Inner Academy selection in two months, and outlining specific steps.
For Xun Er, currently an Eight-Star Dou Zhe, Xiao Bai issued key directives: be bold but steady, advancing from Eight-Star Dou Zhe to Dou Shi within two months. The goal was to secure a top-five spot in the selection, earning access to the Library Pavilion.
For Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Bai stressed innovation, urging her to abandon outdated poison-consumption methods. By adopting alchemist techniques to craft poison pills, she could further develop her Calamity Poison Body. Her Nine-Star Dou Zhe cultivation needed to reach mid-tier Dou Shi or higher, aiming for a top-five spot in the selection to access the Library Pavilion.
Both girls spoke, pledging to follow Xiao Bai's guidance, intensify their training, and strive for the set goals to bring honor to the family in the selection.
They also raised concerns about Xiao Bai's "lifestyle," sharply criticizing his flirtatious tendencies and warning him against chasing flowers during their time at Jia Nan Academy.
In closing, Xiao Bai summarized the meeting, expressing satisfaction with their dedication, promising full logistical support, and vowing to avoid romantic entanglements at the academy. He congratulated the Xiao Clan on the successful first family meeting.
Days passed in a blur.
In a room lined with bookshelves, seven or eight elders sat around a circular table. Their unassuming auras belied their formidable strength and status—ordinary elders wouldn't sit in this chamber, where the academy's major decisions were made.
The elder at the head lowered a report, scanning the room with a faint smile. "Tch, this Xiao Bai kid sure knows how to surprise."
Ruo Lin had reported a remarkable recruit: eighteen years old, Dou Ling cultivation. The elders had been stunned.
Jia Nan Academy's admission standards were high—under twenty, at least eighth-stage Dou Zhi Qi, with potential rated up to S-grade Five-Star Dou Zhe. But a Dou Ling? While others were at Dou Zhi Qi or Dou Zhe?
"His potential is extraordinary," a gray-robed elder said softly. "At his level, there's little the academy can teach him. Our reputation spans the continent, but even Inner Academy graduates rarely exceed Dou Wang."
"Indeed," the Vice Dean said, tapping the table, his cloudy eyes glinting with admiration. "That's why I had him investigated. Even with our vast network, we found no issues. A true genius, with no powerful backing, from a place like Wu Tan City."
The academy's rigorous training system and vast student pool still rarely produced such talent, even in the Inner Academy.
"For now, observe him discreetly," the Vice Dean decided, waving a hand. "As long as he harbors no ill intent toward Jia Nan Academy, we'll nurture this promising student."
The other elders nodded, exchanging glances. With a slight shimmer, they vanished from the room.
____
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