. Xiao Ling followed Zi Yan and soon arrived at the door of a quiet attic.
Before they could knock on the door, a powerful voice boomed from within, "What's up, you two little brats? You've come to an old man like me. Come on in and tell me."
As they watched, the attic door swung open, revealing an elderly man in a black robe with white hair and a white beard. Though he appeared somewhat aged, the aura he emanated, the subtle ripples of space around him, betrayed his extraordinary power, a true master.
Xiao Ling stepped forward and bowed to Great Elder Su Qian. Zi Yan, standing nearby, merely glanced at him, then found a nearby chair, sat down, and pulled a bottle of pills from her ring, beginning to devour them with a slurry of "crunch, crunch..."
Seeing this, Great Elder Su Qian's mouth twitched. He couldn't help but complain in his heart: "I used to provide you with food, clothing, shelter and transportation, but you don't even give me, an old man, a little face in front of outsiders
." Xiao Ling pretended not to see it, and said in a calm tone: "Elder Su Qian, I came to you this time to discuss with you about my going out for training."
Hearing this, Elder Su Qian no longer thought about other things, and asked in a serious tone: "You are still young now, and although your strength is enough, you have studied in Canaan College since you were a child, and your experience is not rich enough. Besides, now is your golden age for cultivation, so why not cultivate to a higher level at Canaan Academy before going out to gain experience?"
Xiao Ling didn't hide his thoughts and spoke calmly, "I'm no longer able to improve my cultivation quickly at Canaan Academy, and my alchemy skills have reached a bottleneck. Rather than practicing mediocrely at Canaan Academy, I'd rather take this opportunity to venture out and explore. I've always had exceptional luck since I was a child, and perhaps I'll encounter an opportunity that will be of great significance to me."
Upon hearing this, Great Elder Su Qian nodded. As someone who had both come from a youthful and reckless age, Su Qian could understand this sentiment, but he was still worried and said, "Although you're now a Dou Wang three-star, with your outstanding soul power and physical fitness far superior to those of your peers, you'll have no problem dealing with ordinary Dou Wangs, but facing a Dou Huang is a difficult situation. Although a Dou Wang can resonate his Dou Qi with the energy of the same attributes between heaven and earth, mobilizing this energy for his own benefit, a Dou Huang can control the power of heaven and earth and mobilize large amounts of external energy of the same attributes for his own use. Their combat power is incomparable. "Your reputation has spread throughout the Black Horn Region. Although Canaan Academy is well-known, I'm worried they might have some ulterior motives. The Black Horn Region is overrun with Dou Huang masters, and several Dou Zong masters secretly control the situation. If you plan to train in the Black Horn Region, it would be unwise."
Xiao Ling nodded seriously after listening to Su Qian's narration, but he didn't plan to train in the Black Horn Region yet. He would wait until he was strong enough to explore the opportunities within. Xiao Ling knew that this place not only contained a fragment of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire map, but also the "Three Thousand Thunders," a low-level Earth-rank combat technique practiced only by core members of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion. This was the prerequisite for the high-level Earth-rank combat technique, "Three Thousand Thunder Illusionary Bodies," and Xiao Ling had long coveted it. More importantly, there was the Black Emperor Sect's Bodhi Transformation Saliva, which could not only cure the Little Medical Immortal's afflicted body poison but also hold the key to finding the Ancient Bodhi Tree's opportunity for sanctification. Other treasures were countless, including the corpse of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix, the recipe for refining a Heavenly Demon Puppet, the "True Flame Manipulation Art," and so on. If even the major powers with Dou Zun in command knew these items were in the Black Horn Territory, they might personally fight for them.
No longer thinking about these trivial things, Xiao Ling replied to Su Qian: "Now I know my own strength clearly. I am invincible below the Douhuang level, and I can exchange one for one with those above the Douhuang level. I am also capable of fighting with some low-star Douhuangs who do not have earth-level martial arts. Although such strength cannot guarantee my safety 100% in the Black Horn Domain, I can come and go freely in the Gama Empire. I plan to go back to my family, and then gain some experience in the Gama Empire and the Tagor Desert to find some opportunities. Now my magic beast Likongzuo has also been promoted to the sixth-level magic beast. Relying on its speed far exceeding that of the same level, even if the Douzong wants to attack me, he may not be able to catch up with me."
After hearing Xiao Ling's answer, Su Qian nodded, his face was not as serious as before, and he smiled and said: "Since you are going to the Gama Empire, I have nothing to dissuade you. As far as I know, "As for the situation, within the Jia Ma Empire, the Yun Lan Sect's patriarch, Yun Shan, is currently in seclusion, his true strength unknown. The most visible force is Jia Xing Tian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family, whose cultivation has reached the peak of the Dou Huang realm. The strongest within the Tagor Desert is undoubtedly the infamous Queen Medusa. Although also at the peak of the Dou Huang realm, she is incomparable to Jia Xing Tian. With her magical beast form, she can briefly rival a Dou Zong. If you happen to come into contact with her, it's best to be cautious. As long as you're not careless, there shouldn't be any accidents."
Xiao Ling breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the Great Elder's permission. If the Great Elder truly disagreed, Xiao Ling would have no recourse. After all, Canaan Academy was where he had been nurtured, and the Great Elder was half his parent. If his plans went awry, it would be difficult to deal with them.
Bowing deeply to the Great Elder again, Xiao Ling said earnestly, "Thank you for your help, Great Elder. I will be extra careful while I'm out there."
Seeing this, Great Elder Su Qian stroked his beard, a kind smile on his face. He had watched this child grow up. He had an exceptionally fast and talented cultivation speed, and was a true prodigy in alchemy. He also had a mature character, not arrogant or impatient, respectful of elders, and gentle in his dealings
with others. How wonderful it would be if this kid were his son. "Now that you've broken through to the Dou Wang realm, and you've been in the Inner Court for almost five years, since you're going out to gain experience, why not graduate early and serve as an elder in the academy? Don't forget Canaan Academy; it will always be your home," Su Qian said solemnly.
Nodding, Xiao Ling answered seriously: "Don't worry, Great Elder, Canaan College raised me up. Even if you didn't say these things, I would keep this kindness in mind. I have already regarded myself as a part of Canaan College."
Hearing this, Su Qian nodded with satisfaction, walked up to Xiao Ling, patted Xiao Ling on the shoulder, and said: "Then I will inform the elders in the college later. You will be an elder of the inner courtyard in the future. By then, we will not be students and teachers, but colleagues."
Xiao Ling shook his head and said: "No matter how high I reach in the future, you are my elder."
Zi Yan, who was standing aside, saw the two of them complimenting each other, and a big question mark appeared on her face. She felt like a redundant person.
With a quick step, he stepped between the two men, pushed them apart for a distance, stamped his foot, and addressed Great Elder Su Qian, "Old Su, why are you so obsessed with Xiao Ling? Can't you see I'm still here?"
Seeing Zi Yan suddenly appear, Su Qian remembered that Xiao Ling wasn't the only one looking for him; Zi Yan was also there.
Confused, he asked, "Zi Yan, you came to me to discuss something. If it's about the medicinal herbs at the academy, I can't help you solve it."
Shaking her head, Zi Yan said, "I also want to go out and train with Xiao Ling. If Xiao Ling goes out, I won't have any delicious pills to eat."
Hearing this, Su Qian cast his gaze in Xiao Ling's direction and said, "Xiao Ling, have you already discussed this matter?"
Xiao Ling nodded and told Great Elder Su Qian what he had discussed with Zi Yan.
Su Qian nodded, looking at Zi Yan, and said seriously, "Experience outside is different from being inside the academy. You must listen carefully to Xiao Ling's instructions."
Zi Yan patted her chest and replied seriously, "Don't worry, old man Su Qian, I will be obedient." Xiao Ling was her breadwinner, and she couldn't afford to offend him.
"Then I'll leave Zi Yan in your care. Be careful out there. I'll go inform the elders of the inner courtyard that you've been appointed an elder." Su Qian said this before stepping into the air and heading out of the attic.
After seeing that Great Elder Su Qian had already left, Zi Yan hugged Xiao Ling's arm and asked, "Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling, when are we leaving? We can go grab some herbs together outside."
Touching Zi Yan's soft purple hair, Xiao Ling smiled and said, "After tonight, we'll set off tomorrow morning. You're only so enthusiastic about herbs."
Feeling the warmth of Xiao Ling's hand on her head, Zi Yan didn't resist. A look of resignation crossed her face as she spoke, "Only by consuming more herbs can I quickly reach Dou Zong. Then I'll know what kind of demon beast my true form is."
Xiao Ling said seriously, "Don't worry, Zi Yan. Once I gather the herbs for the Transformation Pill and my Alchemy skills reach the peak of the seventh rank, I'll refine the Transformation Pill for you as soon as possible."
Although Xiao Ling knew that Zi Yan's true form was the Grand Void Ancient Dragon, the current situation of the Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan was special, so it would be best for her to stay by his side and improve her cultivation.
"Then you can't lie to me. You must keep your word." Hearing this, Zi Yan's grip on Xiao Ling tightened.
"Don't worry, I won't lie to you."
"We'll make a promise for a hundred years..."
The two of them walked and chatted, laughing as they slowly walked towards the host of the academy. The afterglow of the setting sun made the scene seem particularly warm.
(End of this chapter)