After a brief chat, Elder Huo turned to the three students, his expression darkening. Jia Nan Academy didn't discourage competition among students, even rivalry. Such dynamics often sharpened their skills and character.
However, this rule applied primarily to the Inner Academy, where prodigies with exceptional talent clashed. These gifted youths, each brimming with pride, naturally sparked conflicts when their egos collided, justifying the academy's leniency toward such rivalries. In the Outer Academy, though, the rules differed to protect newcomers.
"You three, report to the Academy Enforcement Team for your punishment," Elder Huo said, his gaze sweeping over them. "Speak the truth there, or Jia Nan Academy may no longer have a place for you."
The trio paled under his scrutiny, hastily bowing their heads in agreement.
Elder Huo's reputation in the Outer Academy was formidable. Not only was he a powerhouse, but as the head of the Alchemy Department, he was also a genuine fifth-tier alchemist.
"Satisfied with my judgment, lad?" Elder Huo turned back to Xiao Bai with a smile.
Xiao Bai glanced at the trio's retreating figures, their expressions like mourners at a funeral. The Enforcement Team's penalties wouldn't be light. He shrugged nonchalantly. "It'll do."
No matter how severe the punishment, could it compare to losing their lives?
Had these three not been Jia Nan Academy students, and had this not been academy grounds, their earlier attempt to bully Xian'er would've likely seen them crossing the Bridge of Helplessness and reincarnating by now.
"Heh, you're a good one," Elder Huo said, a hint of approval in his eyes.
With Xiao Bai's strength and lightning attribute, he could've easily dealt with the trio before Elder Huo could intervene. Yet, he chose to call out the elder and handle it by academy rules—a decision Elder Huo admired.
"You're Xiao Yi Xian, right?" Elder Huo shifted his attention to the graceful girl beside Xiao Bai, smiling. "Don't take their words to heart. Poison masters do face some prejudice in the Outer Academy, but in the Inner Academy, it's different. There, only strength matters. If you're strong enough, no one will dare say a word."
"Thank you for the guidance, Elder Huo," Xiao Yi Xian replied with a gentle smile, forming a favorable impression of the old man.
"Well, I've got matters to attend to, so I'll be off. You two carry on!" Elder Huo waved dismissively, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing.
"Oh, one more thing," his voice echoed faintly from afar. "The Scripture Depository holds a Di-class poison attribute cultivation method. Whether you can claim it depends on your ability!"
Xiao Bai's eyes lit up instantly.
Poison attribute cultivation methods were exceedingly rare. Xiao Yi Xian's current progress relied entirely on her unique constitution and the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture, but the scripture's grade was modest. She needed a proper, high-tier poison cultivation method to replace it. Xiao Bai had been searching for one, but suitable options were elusive.
Before leaving Wu Tan City, he'd asked Hai Bo Dong to keep an eye out, hoping for any leads. Coming to Jia Nan Academy, he'd held faint hopes of finding something, but lacked certainty. Now, Elder Huo's words confirmed it, easing his mind. Otherwise, he'd have to take Xian'er to the Poison Sect in the Chu Yun Empire someday.
While the Calamity Poison Body didn't strictly require cultivation methods, one would allow better control over Dou Qi flow and, crucially, the poison body's eruptions.
Xiao Bai had studied Xiao Yi Xian's Calamity Poison Body in detail. It was a fascinating and perilous constitution, inherently laced with potent toxins. His last examination of her had left him shaken—her body seemed to contain layered seals. Each time a seal broke, the poison body erupted, releasing toxins that propelled her cultivation forward. This explained how, in the original story, she reached Dou Zong in just a few years.
These eruptions were triggered by consuming poisons. When accumulated toxins reached a threshold, the poison body would undergo a minor eruption, rapidly boosting her cultivation. Consuming poisons to grow stronger, followed by eruptions that further accelerated progress—such a cultivation method was bound to be swift.
With a cultivation method, she could gain finer control, actively triggering these eruptions. However, this control was limited to inducing eruptions early, not preventing them. As long as she continued consuming poisons, eruptions were inevitable.
Still, this was valuable. It gave her a trump card for survival. This was why Xiao Bai was so determined to find her a high-tier cultivation method. He couldn't always be by her side, and until the poison body was fully controlled, extra trump cards were essential. Today, even with her Dou Qi depleted, a hidden card would've ensured she wasn't bullied.
In the original story, she'd survived several crises through poison body eruptions. Though painful and accelerating the poison body's growth—hastening the arrival of its fully matured, fateful consequences—it was better than the worst outcomes.
"Let's head back, Xian'er," Xiao Bai said softly, taking her hand.
"Back? No more training?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, puzzled.
"Today was a test of your training, and you've passed. The selection tournament is about a month away. For now, focus on raising your cultivation. No more training needed," Xiao Bai said, waving his hand. Two beast cores flew into his grasp, one with poison attributes—perfect for Xiao Yi Xian.
"Really?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes sparkled, her face blooming with a radiant smile. Free at last! She'd half-expected him to keep her in the forest until the tournament began.
"Hm? Looks like my Xian'er isn't satisfied. Want to keep training?" Xiao Bai teased, noting her slightly disbelieving expression. "Shall we continue?"
"No way!" Xiao Yi Xian's face shifted, and she quickly refused. She didn't mind training, but she didn't love it either. And during training, this guy transformed into a strict taskmaster, making her wonder if she'd met two different Xiao Bais.
"Haha!" Xiao Bai laughed at her adorable reaction, pulling her into his arms and wrapping them around her slender waist. "You've been exhausted lately, haven't you?"
"Hmph!" Xiao Yi Xian leaned into his embrace, grumbling. "You know I'm tired, yet you keep that stern face, always bullying me!"
"Heh, who was it that gasped at a second-tier beast while gathering herbs?" Xiao Bai recalled the scene, unable to resist teasing. "Please, it was the weakest poison-type second-tier beast. Its poison couldn't hurt you—it was practically a tonic. Yet you were scared. I had no choice but to toughen you up!"
Xiao Yi Xian flushed at the memory, burying her face in his chest with a shy whine. "I… I'd just advanced to Dou Shi and wasn't used to it, okay?"
Her sudden coquettish tone and actions caught Xiao Bai off guard. Xian'er was usually independent, her gentle exterior hiding a resilient heart. He'd thought her incapable of such behavior, yet here she was, surprising him.
Gazing at her, his eyes softened with affection. He tightened his hold on her waist, gently lifting her chin to meet her peach-blossom-like face, shy yet captivating. Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to her alluring lips.
"Mmph."
Xiao Yi Xian let out a soft moan, instinctively squirming, but the warmth in his deep eyes melted her resistance. Her body softened, and she ceased struggling. Her hands rested uncertainly on his chest, her eyes fluttering shut, surrendering to the moment.
Her pale ears flushed a vivid red, burning like flames, betraying her shy nervousness.
After a while, Xiao Yi Xian wriggled free, glaring at him with mock indignation. "Bad guy!" she huffed, her tone a mix of complaint and flirtation, as she adjusted her slightly disheveled clothes.
Xiao Bai watched her ethereal face, now tinged with charm, and her soft, teasing scolding sent a shiver through him. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to quell the stirring heat within.
Catching his expression from the corner of her eye, Xiao Yi Xian paused, then blushed, a flicker of amusement in her gaze. This bad guy, she thought, stifling a giggle.
Biting her lip, she sighed inwardly. Despite having her and Xiao Xun'er by his side, Xiao Bai rarely initiated intimate moments. It wasn't disinterest—quite the opposite. His restraint stemmed from deep care. Xiao Xun'er's situation was unclear, but Xiao Yi Xian knew her own well: until her Calamity Poison Body was controlled, she couldn't fully give herself to him.
When Xiao Bai opened his eyes, calm once more, Xiao Yi Xian stepped forward, taking his hand. "Let's go," she said softly.
Xiao Bai nodded, scooping her into his arms. Lightning crackled beneath his feet, and they sped out of the forest.
___
Time galloped like a spurred steed, days flowing like petals on a stream. Over twenty days passed in a blink.
In a room, Xiao Bai sat cross-legged, the dense energy around him thinning until it vanished into his body.
A peculiar energy fluctuation rippled through the room. Moments later, a powerful aura surged from Xiao Bai's closed-eyed form. The aura climbed, as if restrained by some force, growing ever stronger. Finally, the suppression shattered like dry twigs.
The aura broke free, an energy ripple bursting from his body. Xiao Bai's eyes opened, a flash of silver lightning erupting from them before retracting.
"Six-star Dou Ling!"
Xiao Bai clenched his fist, feeling the robust Dou Qi within, and exhaled slowly, his heart steady.
"Where will my cultivation be in a year?" he murmured, a trace of wariness in his eyes as he thought of the Yun Lan Sect.
It wasn't the sect itself he feared—nor even Yun Shan, its Dou Zong leader. Xiao Yan, at peak Dou Wang, had handled Yun Shan, proving the old man's bark was worse than his bite, despite his protagonist's luck. No, Xiao Bai's true concern was the Soul Hall's Protector Wu, a four-star Dou Zong.
Even with Medusa and Yao Lao, dealing with Protector Wu wouldn't be easy.
"I wonder if I can access the space beneath the Heaven-Burning Qi Refining Tower. If I could retrieve the Fallen Heart Flame, it'd solve a lot of problems," Xiao Bai mused. But entering via the tower meant facing the Fallen Heart Flame itself—a significant hurdle.
We'll see, once I'm in the Inner Academy. He could bring the little dragon girl along to test for any reactions. Finding the ancient dragon emperor might require that route. The subterranean magma world housed half-saint lizardmen. With his current cultivation, diving down to search for the Dou Di's mansion would be suicidal if he encountered them.
Thinking of the little dragon girl, Xiao Bai's mind shifted to another dragon. He pulled a golden dragonling from his sleeve, shaking his head at its slumbering form.
Since its last awakening, the little golden dragon had fallen back into a deep sleep, showing no signs of stirring. Its aura had grown stronger, though, subtly drawing in ambient energy with each breath.
"What'd happen if this guy met the little dragon girl?" Xiao Bai smirked mischievously. With the golden dragon's sharp tongue and Zi Yan's mischievous streak, they might hit it off—or brawl. Either way, he secretly anticipated the chaos.
Who'd win? Hard to say. He hadn't met Zi Yan yet, and the golden dragon's potential was unclear until it awoke.
A Taixu Ancient Dragon versus a Thunder Spirit Dragon—Zi Yan's talent was prodigious, but the golden dragon's mysterious origins and apparent knack for spatial power made it a worthy rival. A true clash of titans.
But his amusement faded as a thought struck. Both would likely follow him in the future. Imagining that scenario, Xiao Bai shivered. Two chaotic, destructive brats with terrifying power? That's a disaster waiting to happen.
Shaking off the grim vision, he resolved to suppress whichever caused trouble. He tucked the golden dragon back into his sleeve.
Just then, a surge of intense energy pulsed from the adjacent room. Xiao Bai's eyes brightened. That girl's finally coming out of seclusion!
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