At the central viewing platform of the plaza, a group of Jia Nan Academy elders exchanged enthusiastic greetings.
"Haha, Old Zhao, you're here too!" one called out.
"Of course, Old Li! I was out on a mission when I got the news and rushed back. Didn't expect you to show up—you said you weren't coming!" Zhao replied.
"Heh, I was supposed to head to the Black-Corner Region to hunt for Dou Ling Pill ingredients, but there's no rush. I'll go after the selection tournament," Li said with a grin.
"Didn't you say you'd already gathered all the materials for the Dou Ling Pill?" Zhao asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I did—three sets, no less! But a certain someone told me they all failed, and if I want another try, I'll need to bring more materials!" Elder Li shot a resentful glance at Elder Huo, who sat nearby, eyes half-closed, serenely sipping tea as if deaf to the conversation.
Elder Huo's calm demeanor made Elder Li's blood boil. He barely restrained himself from spitting in frustration.
Alchemists think they're untouchable! Li fumed inwardly. Using my hard-earned materials to practice, and if they succeed, I owe them a gift. If they fail, they shrug and say, "Bring more materials." It's infuriating, but I have to smile and bear it. Can't afford to offend them.
The Dou Ling Pill was a sixth-tier elixir. In the Black-Corner Region, only Maple City offered a guaranteed chance of success, but Li had no ties with Han Feng there. Within Jia Nan Academy, Elder Huo, a peak fifth-tier alchemist, was the best shot. What choice did he have but to let Huo use his materials as practice?
"Tch, Old Huo, you really failed all three times?" Elder Zhao teased, sensing the tension.
"Nonsense! An alchemist's work can't be called a failure—it's just a step closer to success!" Elder Huo retorted, casting a dismissive glance at the pair.
Elders Zhao and Li were speechless, as were the other elders watching the exchange. They stared at the stubbornly prideful Elder Huo, unsure how to respond.
"You're all here today, aren't you?" An elderly man arrived at the platform, accompanied by a girl in red, chuckling as he spoke.
"Greetings, Vice Dean!" The elders rose to salute.
"No need for formalities!" The old man took the central seat, the red-clad girl standing obediently behind him. Her restless, darting eyes, however, betrayed her less-than-docile nature.
"Gathered here today, I presume you're all here for that young fellow?" the Vice Dean said, cutting to the chase after scanning the group.
"Haha, Vice Dean, you're sharp! With that lad's cultivation, coming to Jia Nan is surprising. I'm quite curious!" one elder replied.
"Indeed, we're all intrigued!" others chimed in, nodding.
The Vice Dean shook his head, unconvinced. He knew these old foxes weren't driven solely by curiosity—though they might have some. Their true motives lay elsewhere.
___
Within Jia Nan Academy, the elders weren't a monolithic group. Factions existed, as they did everywhere, driven by power, profit, or other ambitions. Being Dou Wang or Dou Huang didn't make them immune to desire; if anything, their needs were greater. Securing influence for their faction was critical.
These elders, each representing a faction—some spanning both Outer and Inner Academies—were here for a purpose. While the Dean was absent, the presence of the First Elder and the Thousand and Hundred Elders kept such rivalries in check, fostering a healthy vitality within the academy.
The academy didn't suppress these factional divides. Cultivation was inherently about competition—for resources, opportunities, and anything that advanced one's strength.
This year, Xiao Bai emerged as a standout: already a Dou Ling with a clean background, no affiliations, and immense potential. If he reached Dou Wang, he could claim an elder position. Recruiting him to a faction would yield long-term benefits as he grew, which was the real reason these elders had gathered.
They had no doubts about his potential. His records showed he'd risen to this level in a backwater like Wu Tan City in the Jia Ma Empire. With Jia Nan Academy's abundant resources, his growth would only accelerate.
"Don't get your hopes up about that lad. The First Elder is already keeping an eye on him," the Vice Dean said slowly, addressing the disingenuous elders.
The elders exchanged glances, their faces betraying disappointment. All their subtle maneuvering had been for naught—the First Elder had swooped in to claim the prize. They wanted to protest but held their tongues. The First Elder was a Dou Zong powerhouse—untouchable.
The Vice Dean nodded, satisfied. The First Elder's authority was unmatched; even he couldn't silence these cunning elders so effectively.
"Strange, that lad signed up, but where is he?" The Vice Dean scanned the arena below, where matches had begun, but saw no sign of the youth they'd been discussing.
"Probably still in the Magical Beast Forest with his little girlfriend," Elder Huo, who'd been silent, spoke up.
"How do you know?" The Vice Dean blinked, turning to Elder Huo, whose prestige in the Outer Academy was second only to his own.
"I ran into him in the forest not long ago. Decent young man," Elder Huo said, pausing. Noticing the odd looks around him, he added with a mix of pride and disdain, "It was a chance encounter, not some recruitment pitch. Besides, I'm an alchemist—I don't need to play your games."
The elders rolled their eyes. Alchemist privilege, huh?
"Grandpa, who are you all talking about?" The red-clad girl, who'd been listening in confusion, leaned toward the Vice Dean and asked.
"Heh, you think your talent's unmatched, don't you? Today, Grandpa's going to show you what true talent looks like," the Vice Dean said with a mysterious smile, his tone meaningful.
"Tch!" The girl scoffed, pursing her lips. Her talent had surpassed Jia Nan Academy's highest potential benchmark, a rare feat in recent years. How much higher could someone else's talent be?
The Vice Dean ignored her attitude. Bringing her today wasn't just to temper her pride. He'd noticed troubling signs in his granddaughter: she frequently pestered pretty female classmates but dismissed even the most outstanding male students with disdain. This worried him deeply.
He'd brought her to observe Xiao Bai, hoping to gauge her reaction to the exceptional young man. He knew Xiao Bai was a bit of a charmer with two girlfriends, but that was preferable to his granddaughter having… unconventional preferences. If his fears were true, his old face would be utterly disgraced!
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