In the misty dawn of the Magical Beast Forest, a serene valley lay nestled in tranquility.
At this moment, an intense battle unfolded within the valley, gripping yet perilous in its spectacle.
A colossal white magical ape, towering two to three meters tall, stood cloaked in snow-white fur. Its ferocious maw revealed two upward-curving tusks, and its blood-red eyes radiated savage killing intent, locked onto the human woman deftly weaving through its assaults.
The woman evaded the Blizzard Ape's attacks, occasionally releasing a shimmering cloud of multicolored mist. Her captivating eyes darted toward a massive python nearby, its cold pupils fixed on her with predatory focus.
This bastard isn't even human! Xiao Yi Xian's ethereal, fairy-like face darkened, beads of sweat forming on her brow. Thinking of the man who'd orchestrated this predicament, she gritted her teeth in silent fury.
Today's two magical beasts were her natural counters. The Blizzard Ape, massive and highly resistant to poison, was an ice-attribute creature. Its chilling aura hampered her movement techniques significantly. The other, a Black Scale Venom Python, bore innate toxins and strong poison immunity, rendering her poisons largely ineffective.
The ape, frustrated by the woman's agile movements, watched her dance like a butterfly, untouched despite its relentless attacks.
"Roar!"
Feeling its body grow numb and sluggish from inhaling the colored mist, the ape grew impatient. With a furious bellow, it condensed a ball of white frost and hurled it at Xiao Yi Xian with explosive force.
Faced with this sudden assault, Xiao Yi Xian remained composed. A month of rigorous training had transformed her from the novice who once gasped at the sight of a second-tier magical beast. Her body drifted to the side with ghostly grace, effortlessly dodging the attack.
Just as she thought the threat had passed, a sharp whistle of air sliced through her surroundings. Her expression shifted dramatically.
This cunning beast, striking now of all times! Her mind raced as her peripheral vision caught the rapidly approaching shadow. The Black Scale Venom Python wasn't just venomous—its armored scales were nearly impervious to ordinary blades.
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened. She noticed a charred, bloody mark beneath the python's jaw, a vulnerable spot. Without hesitation, she drew a longsword from her storage ring. Twisting her slender waist into an elegant arc, she evaded the snake's lunging head, channeled her Dou Qi into the blade, and thrust it fiercely into the wound.
"Hiss!"
The sword pierced clean through the python's thick body. A piercing wail echoed through the valley as the massive serpent writhed in agony.
A surge of force traveled through the sword, making her delicate hand tremble. Xiao Yi Xian quickly released the hilt, lest the beast's thrashing drag her down. She retreated, watching the python's struggles weaken.
That bastard has some conscience after all! A faint smile flickered in her eyes as she muttered softly.
The wound was clearly inflicted by lightning attribute energy, deliberately marking the beast's weak point. No need to guess—it was that scoundrel's doing.
"Roar!" A beastly bellow snapped her from her thoughts. Turning, she saw the Blizzard Ape, now even more enraged, pounding its armored chest with massive paws, producing a metallic clang.
"Heh, next up, it's your turn!" Xiao Yi Xian smiled lightly. Earlier, with the Black Scale Venom Python lurking, she'd had to split her focus, making the fight cumbersome. Now, free of its threat, dealing with this lumbering ape would be far easier.
With a gentle tap of her foot, her lithe form flitted around the ape like a butterfly weaving through flowers, scattering clouds of colored poison mist. In moments, the ape's massive frame was enveloped in the toxic haze.
Lacking suitable offensive Dou Techniques at her current Dou Shi stage, she found some common techniques less effective than her current methods, so she hadn't bothered practicing them. Xiao Bai had mentioned that the top five in the Inner Academy Selection would earn a chance to enter Jia Nan Academy's Scripture Depository. She could search for a fitting Dou Technique or cultivation method then.
As the poison mist took effect, the Blizzard Ape's once-agile movements slowed. Its glossy white fur dulled, and its roars grew hoarse, no longer carrying their earlier vigor.
Finally, its colossal body collapsed like a crumbling mountain, barely clinging to life. Were it not for its massive frame and thick hide, the absorbed poison would've killed it long ago.
Feeling her Dou Qi nearly depleted, Xiao Yi Xian wiped the sweat from her brow and let out a long breath. If the ape hadn't fallen, she would've been the one collapsing.
This Blizzard Ape was tougher than expected. Among the beasts I've faced recently, it lasted the longest.
"Clap, clap, clap." Several figures emerged nearby, one clapping with admiration. "Impressive skills, young lady!"
The speaker's gaze fell on Xiao Yi Xian, drenched in sweat yet exuding a delicate charm. A flash of awe crossed his eyes, tinged with curiosity. He'd been at the Outer Academy for three years and never seen this girl. With her beauty, that seemed impossible. A freshman? Unlikely. He'd observed her—a four-star Dou Shi, no novice. But a poison master? That was a pity.
Poison masters, no matter how stunning, were untouchable. Who'd dare pursue one? Sharing a bed would be nerve-wracking, and a lovers' spat could be a nightmare. "Poison masters aren't marriage material" was a widespread belief on the continent, save for a few fearless exceptions.
Xiao Yi Xian glanced at the sudden appearance of two men and a woman, her brows knitting slightly. She remained silent.
"Young lady, we've been tracking this Blizzard Ape for a while. Could you kindly step aside? We'd be most grateful," the young man said politely, though his words carried an undertone that made one frown.
"Sorry, I need this ape too. Find another elsewhere," Xiao Yi Xian replied calmly, her tone flat.
"Elsewhere? This is the only Blizzard Ape in the outer Magical Beast Forest. Where are we supposed to find another?" The woman in a fox-fur skirt sneered, her eyes glinting with jealousy at Xiao Yi Xian's ethereal aura.
Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy required students to complete tasks periodically. The academy issued tasks of varying difficulty, and students chose based on their strength. Completing tasks earned contribution points, redeemable for cultivation methods, Dou Techniques, medicinal ingredients, elixirs, or personal guidance from experts.
Confident students might join Inner Academy experts for trials in the Black-Corner Region, while weaker ones honed their skills in the Magical Beast Forest. This task was chosen because they knew of this Blizzard Ape, so the woman had enlisted two admirers to quickly resolve it and return to the academy.
Some students spent weeks tracking beasts in these mountains. She, pampered as she was, had no intention of lingering in the forest.
"Your search is none of my concern," Xiao Yi Xian shot back, casting a cool glance at the haughty woman.
Though gentle by nature, she wasn't a pushover. If they'd asked politely, she might've yielded for the sake of academy camaraderie. But their entitled demands and rude tone? Did they think she had no backbone?
The fox-fur woman's face soured. At the Outer Academy, no student dared disrespect her. She was accustomed to being the center of attention. Today was the first time someone had rebuffed her, and this woman's beauty and poise sparked a pang of envy.
"Li Bei, Lin San, don't be so polite!" the fox-fur woman said coldly, her voice low.
"Fairy Xue, isn't that unwise? If this gets back to the academy, it'll be trouble," Li Bei hesitated.
"Who said anything about attacking her? Just block her," Fairy Xue scoffed. "Besides, there's no one here. She's just a poison girl. Who'd believe her? Don't you know the status of poison masters at the academy?"
"Got it!" The two grinned knowingly, nodding.
Jia Nan Academy prided itself on inclusivity, disregarding background or societal taboos in its admissions. But the academy's openness didn't extend to its students' biases. Where there were people, there were cliques. Poison masters were notoriously friendless, especially female ones. Men were wary, and women, delicate and fearful, shunned poison instinctively.
The two stepped between Xiao Yi Xian and the Blizzard Ape, facing her with smug smiles. "Sorry, young lady, this ape is ours."
With her Dou Qi depleted, they had no fear of resistance.
Xiao Yi Xian watched the scene calmly, her face expressionless. She didn't stop Fairy Xue from approaching the ape to deliver the final blow, a mocking smile tugging at her lips.
As the two men smirked and Fairy Xue reached the ape, a clear voice rang from above the valley.
"Is this the way of Jia Nan Academy? Quite an eye-opener today!"
"Who's there?" The trio jolted, panic seizing them. They'd acted brazenly, thinking no one was around. If word reached the academy, they'd be finished.
A figure drifted down from a tree at the valley's edge, landing beside Xiao Yi Xian. Ignoring the trio, he looked at her with a warm smile. "Feeling wronged?"
Xiao Yi Xian's gaze softened, and she shot him a playful glare. "With you here, what's there to feel wronged about? Though, if you weren't… well, I'd be a bit upset."
If Xiao Bai weren't here, I'd have to watch them take the ape. That would've been frustrating.
"You, I don't care who you are to her, but you'd better stay out of this!" Li Bei barked, frowning at the white-haired youth.
Seeing Xiao Bai in the academy's uniform and sensing no energy fluctuations, the trio relaxed.
Xiao Bai ignored the fools, his gaze shifting to a specific direction. "Elder, you've watched long enough. Care to weigh in?"
The trio froze, eyes darting around in alarm. An elder? At Jia Nan Academy, whether Inner or Outer, elders were at least Dou Wang powerhouses!
This place isn't empty—it's a damn trap! they thought, despair sinking in.
"Haha, clever lad! So your jab at the academy's ways was aimed at me, eh?" An aged laugh echoed from the valley's entrance.
A streak of fiery red light flashed, and a tall, white-haired elder with a strikingly ruddy complexion appeared. "Elder Huo!" one of them gasped. The trio's legs weakened, their faces ashen. We're done for.
Elder Huo gave Li Bei and the others a cold glance, then, like a performer switching masks, turned to Xiao Bai with a jovial grin. "You must be Xiao Bai!"
He studied the youth with an odd look, then shook his head regretfully. "Tch, what a shame."
Xiao Bai frowned, puzzled by the old man's remark.
Seeing his confusion, Elder Huo explained, "You sensed my presence, which means your soul talent and perception are exceptional. I checked your records—lightning attribute. Such a pity. You'd have made a fine alchemist!"
Xiao Bai's lips twitched, a strange expression crossing his face. He realized who this was: Elder Huo, head of the Outer Academy's Alchemy Department.
"Xiao Bai greets Elder Huo," he said, offering a respectful salute. Wearing the academy's uniform meant observing proper etiquette.
"No need for formalities!" Elder Huo waved it off, looking at the white-haired youth with admiration. "You, lad, might just be the highest-cultivated student at enrollment in Jia Nan Academy's history!"
The trio gaped at Xiao Bai, stunned. The highest-cultivated at enrollment? That meant the greatest talent since the academy's founding.
All we did was try to take a second-tier beast. How did we cross someone like this? No wonder the usually fiery Elder Huo was all smiles with him.
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