The morning sun cast a gentle glow over the scene.
In front of Hu Qian's study, the open ground was already crowded with people. Groups of students huddled together, whispering in low voices. Not only were the selected students present, but many others had gathered around to watch or bid farewell, creating a lively, bustling atmosphere.
Suddenly, the noisy chatter quieted slightly. Sensing the shift, some students looked up in surprise. In the center of the clearing, a man and two women had appeared, unnoticed until now. A three-meter radius around them seemed like a forbidden zone—no one dared approach.
"Xun Er, Xian Er, am I that terrifying?" Xiao Bai asked, glancing at the empty space around them and the wary, reverent gazes directed his way. At Jia Nan Academy, I haven't exactly been bullying men or chasing women, have I?
Xun Er covered her mouth, giggling delicately. "Xiao Bai gege, don't you know? You're quite the celebrity in the outer academy now! I'm not sure where the rumors started, but they say you're incredibly strong, ruthless, and…"
"And what?" Xiao Bai prompted, intrigued by Xun Er's flushed cheeks.
"And that you can't live without women!" Xiao Yi Xian chimed in, her eyes shy, a faint blush spreading across her face like dawn clouds, utterly captivating.
"Nonsense! Who's spreading these lies?" Xiao Bai fumed. Can't live without women? I'd love to, but my 'spear' remains untouched, sealed away. How dare they call me a womanizer? That's like stabbing me in the heart! "Which bastard started this rumor?"
"Alright, calm down!" Xiao Yi Xian gently tugged his hand, her voice soft. "They probably saw you staying at Instructor Ruo Ling's place, surrounded by beautiful women coming and going. It's no wonder rumors like that spread."
"Is that so?" Xiao Bai nodded, understanding dawning. Whether in my past life or now, student life is never short on gossip, is it?
"Oh? Xian Er, are you praising yourself there?" Xiao Bai teased, grinning at Xiao Yi Xian.
"Isn't Xian Er beautiful?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes dimmed, her voice tinged with mock resentment.
"Beautiful, of course you're beautiful!" Xiao Bai nodded quickly, affirming her. Though he knew she was pretending, her delicate, sorrowful expression tugged at his heart. "My Xian Er, radiant as spring blossoms, with a face as lovely as jade, pure as the autumn moon, and charming beyond compare—how could 'beautiful' even begin to describe you?"
At his words, the feigned sadness on Xiao Yi Xian's face vanished, replaced by a radiant smile. Her eyes, like shimmering autumn waters, sparkled with delight.
Just as Xiao Bai breathed a sigh of relief, a piercing gaze shot toward him, making his heart skip a beat.
"And of course, my Xun Er," he added hastily, "with her stunning grace, unmatched among beauties, peerless in elegance, a true national treasure!"
Xun Er's expression softened instantly, her lips curving into a faint smile. Her eyes narrowed into charming crescents, and she gave him a playful glance, as if to say, That's more like it!
Xiao Bai wiped the cold sweat from his brow, inwardly rejoicing. That was close! If my brain had frozen and I'd run out of words, I'd have been in deep trouble. Thank the heavens there were only two of them. One more, and I might not have pulled it off. Coming up with those phrases was a miracle!
Nearby, male students who'd been secretly watching were awestruck, practically ready to kneel at Xiao Bai's feet. Compared to their usual clumsy compliments—muttering "you're pretty" to a girl's face or gushing about "fair skin, beauty, and long legs" behind her back—Xiao Bai's eloquence was divine.
So vulgar… we're too vulgar! they thought, scrambling to memorize his words, nodding in admiration. No wonder two such stunning girls are smitten with him. Look at how he weaves those compliments!
At that moment, the study's doors swung open. Hu Qian emerged with several elders, and the clearing fell silent, not a sound to be heard.
Hu Qian's gaze swept over the fifty students, noting their full attendance with a satisfied nod. Stepping forward, he spoke in a resonant voice, "Students, today marks your entry into the inner academy. On behalf of the outer academy, I congratulate you. Your tireless efforts have finally borne fruit!"
"Once you enter the inner academy, you may find its training methods unfamiliar. But I assure you, it's there that you'll unlock your greatest potential. This isn't empty boasting. Some of you have met inner academy students and know the vast difference between those who enter and those who leave!"
At the vice-dean's words, some students nodded in agreement, while others brimmed with excitement and anticipation. They'd fought hard for this chance to pursue greater power, and no matter the challenges, they were determined to persevere.
"Before you enter the inner academy, we'll take you to a special place!" Hu Qian said with a mysterious smile, glancing at the sky where a dozen dark shapes swooped down. He waved a hand, calling out, "Board the lion griffins!"
"Lion griffins? Is the inner academy that far away?" a student muttered, puzzled.
A few others exchanged knowing looks, their expressions growing serious. They understood what was coming—the inner academy's "welcoming" ceremony.
"Alright, groups of five! Stay seated on the chairs. Unless you're a Da Dou Shi, don't try standing on the griffin's back!" Hu Qian chuckled as he saw a student attempt to stand, only to slip and fall. Turning to Xiao Bai's group, he added, "Top five, you're together. Up you go!"
"Let's go!" Xiao Bai called to the two girls. With a light step, he vanished like a bolt of lightning, reappearing on the griffin's back, standing steady as a rock. Xiao Yi Xian and Xun Er exchanged a glance and followed, their graceful figures landing lightly beside him.
The sight left the students who'd tried and failed to stand on the griffin's slick feathers burning with envy. Only they knew how impossible it was to keep balance on those cursed wings!
Once everyone was aboard, the lion griffins flapped their wings, their shadows shrinking on the ground as they soared into the sky.
"Xiao Bai, Xun Er, Xian Er, do your best! Come back to visit when you can!" a gentle voice called from below. Looking down, they saw Instructor Ruo Ling, flanked by Xiao Yu, Xiao Ning, and Xiao Mei. Catching their gazes, the group waved with warm smiles.
"Xiao Bai gege, what did you give Instructor Ruo Ling yesterday?" Xun Er asked, waving back at the figures below.
"Just some pills to aid cultivation. Xiao Yu and the others got some too," Xiao Bai replied, watching the shrinking forms below.
"No wonder you were gone all day—you were off making pills!" Xun Er nodded, realization dawning.
"Mm. While you two were training, I visited the alchemy department and whipped up some pills. For Instructor Ruo Ling and Xiao Yu, I made cultivation aids. Xiao Ning and Xiao Mei each got a Qi Gathering Powder. Instructor Ruo Ling's been good to us, so I wanted to leave her something before we go. As for Xiao Yu and the others, they're Xiao Clan, after all. I'll help where I can."
Xun Er's gaze softened, a tender warmth in her eyes. She hugged his arm, her voice sweet and playful. "Xiao Bai gege, you're so thoughtful. Why didn't I think of that?"
"Don't play coy, little minx. Didn't you try giving Instructor Ruo Ling something this morning too?" Xiao Bai grinned, pinching her cheek gently as he looked at the adorable girl beside him.
"Hehe… Instructor Ruo Ling refused. She said you'd already given them something valuable yesterday, and if she took more, she'd feel too ashamed to face anyone as their instructor!" Xun Er giggled, nuzzling his hand like a kitten.
"Um… Xiao Bai… uh, classmate Xiao Bai, sorry to interrupt. I wanted to ask, are you really planning to start a faction in the inner academy?" a hesitant female voice spoke up from behind.
Turning, Xiao Bai saw the girl who'd entered the library with them. She stood nervously, as if mustering all her courage to speak. He vaguely recalled her name—Xu Su. Studying her now, he noted her yellow dress and delicate frame, more like a sheltered noblewoman than a cultivator.
"I'm considering it," Xiao Bai said, nodding as her eyes lit up with hope.
"That's great! Can I join?" Xu Su's face brightened, but seeing Xiao Bai's slight frown, she hurriedly added, "Don't worry, I can be useful! I know a lot about the inner academy. If you're building a faction, you'll need someone who understands the ins and outs, right?"
"You're entering the inner academy this year too, aren't you?" Xiao Bai's tone was skeptical. Even if she hasn't been to the inner academy, most new students wouldn't claim to know so much unless they've specifically studied it.
"Her brother was last year's Strong List second!" a gruff voice cut in before Xu Su could respond.
"Strong List second? Last year's?" Xiao Bai glanced at Tu Shan, who'd spoken, then back at the yellow-dressed girl.
"The Strong List is the inner academy's…" Xu Su began, assuming Xiao Bai was unfamiliar and ready to explain.
"No need to explain. I know what the Strong List is. But what's this about last year's second?" Xiao Bai interrupted, waving a hand.
"Uh…" Xu Su gave an awkward smile, her cheeks flushing slightly. "He graduated last year. He wanted to stay at the academy, but he could never beat the first-ranked student—a little girl, no less. It hit him hard, so he went back home."
Xiao Bai nodded, inwardly marveling. Even two years early, that little dragon girl is still dominating the list!
"Didn't your brother have his own faction? Why not join that?" Xiao Bai asked. From what he'd learned through the elders, the top ten on the Strong List were like golden brands in the inner academy. They attracted followers naturally, and since they spent much of their time in the Heaven-Burning Qi Refining Tower, they often formed factions to handle other matters. It was a win-win—lend your name, and others took care of the rest.
"Uh…" Xu Su hesitated, her expression complicated.
"Let me explain," Tu Shan sighed. "Supposedly, the last time Xu Qing Shan, her brother, challenged the Strong List's first, the top ranker got annoyed. After beating him, she said he was… uh…"
"Said what? Spit it out! Why are you hemming and hawing?" Xiao Bai frowned, curious. What could that little dragon girl have said to make it so awkward?
"She said he was destined to be second forever and told him to stop bothering her. She even mocked his Green Mountain Gang, saying he should rename it the Second-Rate Gang!" Tu Shan gritted his teeth, finally spilling it. "Because of that, Xu Qing Shan couldn't stand the strange looks he got afterward. He graduated in a huff, and his faction disbanded."
"…" Xiao Bai blinked, expecting something bigger. The little dragon girl's just blunt, calling him 'second' because of his rank. Others twisted it, and he couldn't handle the gossip, so he left and dissolved his group.
"You're not asking me to pick a fight with the Strong List's first, are you?" Xiao Bai asked Xu Su, his gaze probing.
Xu Su shook her head frantically, waving her hands. "No, no! My brother said that girl's pure-hearted, and he lost fair and square. He accepted it. He just couldn't stand the petty people who couldn't beat him but kept gossiping behind his back. It disgusted him, so he left. I don't have any grudge against the Strong List's first. I just want to see what kind of person could humble my proud brother. Joining you is just to avoid being bullied in the inner academy!"
"Alright. If I go through with it, you'll be the first founding member," Xiao Bai said, nodding. She seemed sincere enough.
"Um… Classmate Xiao Bai, what about me?" a rough voice piped up.
"And what's your deal with her?" Xiao Bai studied Tu Shan and Xu Su. Xu Su's knowledge comes from her brother, but what's Tu Shan's story?
"We're not involved!" Xu Su blurted, waving her hands as if Xiao Bai had mistaken them for a couple.
"No relation at all," Tu Shan added quickly, glancing nervously behind him, as if afraid someone might overhear. "I learned this stuff last year during a training trip to the Black-Corner Region. Xu Qing Shan led our team, and Xu Su and I were in the same squad. That's how I know."
Seeing their reactions, Xiao Bai understood. They were just acquaintances, and Tu Shan clearly had a crush on someone else—likely another student in their group heading to the inner academy.
"I'll consider you both, but you'll need to prove yourselves," Xiao Bai said, eyeing them. "Your test will be during the inner academy's 'welcoming' ceremony. Show me what you've got."
"Thank you, Classmate Xiao Bai!" they exclaimed, thrilled. We're in!
As their chatter continued, a vast mountain gorge came into view below.
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