Chapter 159: There Are Six People in the Top Five—Totally Makes Sense, Right?
"You're saying… you want her to join Jia Nan Academy?"
Instructor Ruo Lin looked at the shy Qingning standing beside Xiao Yuan, her face full of confusion.
What's this kid up to?
He goes on leave for a few days and comes back trying to sneak a girl into the academy? A girl he clearly has a special relationship with?
"She's fourteen and has Dou Qi at the ninth level. That should count as qualified, right?"
Xiao Yuan said with a smile.
"She qualifies, yes… but doing this, what about Yu'er…?" Ruo Lin frowned, clearly troubled.
"Uh, Instructor, may I speak with you privately?"
Xiao Yuan nodded and led Ruo Lin aside, his tone lowering seriously.
"I bought this girl at an auction before coming to the academy. I couldn't bear to see her sold and used as a plaything. But only later did I realize her physical condition is... concerning." Xiao Yuan briefly explained Qingning's background, then added, "To help her survive, I really must ask for your support."
As a woman, Instructor Ruo Lin's sympathy swelled immediately. Seeing the sincerity in Xiao Yuan's eyes, she agreed at once:
"Alright. I'll do my best. But I'll also need to report this to the Vice Principal."
Xiao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Qingning's strength was still too low—for her early-stage training, it was best to leave her with a professional.
His own cultivation methods were too unorthodox, and not suitable for reference.
Besides, it really was inappropriate for him to drag around a girl who looked like a personal maid all the time.
He had already told Qingning that at Jia Nan Academy, at least, she wouldn't be stepped on like she was in the Black-Corner Region.
"Qingning, from now on, listen to Instructor Ruo Lin. I'll be waiting for you in the Inner Academy."
Xiao Yuan gently ruffled her hair, his voice soft and warm.
"Mm!" Qingning nodded earnestly, her small face filled with determination.
"Thank you, Instructor Ruo Lin."
Xiao Yuan nodded respectfully to her, then turned and left.
"You're Qingning, right? From now on, I'm your instructor. Just call me Instructor Ruo Lin, like Xiao Yuan does."
Her smile was as gentle as spring rain, immediately easing Qingning's anxiety.
"Hello, Instructor Ruo Lin…"
Back on the shaded path between academy buildings, Xiao Yuan squinted against the morning sun, ignoring the stares drawn his way. Even after six days of absence, his popularity had not faded.
According to academy rules, within seven days of the selection tournament's conclusion, the top fifty had to prepare for the Inner Academy transfer. The top five, however, were granted the right to enter the Tome Pavilion—a mysterious library where, by luck, they could choose one treasure.
Xiao Yuan was very interested in it—especially in a sound-based Dou Technique stored within: Lion-Tiger Golden Shatter Roar.
However, entry required all top five winners to go in together.
While Hu Jia and Wu Hao had recovered, three of the top five—Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yan, and Xun'er—were all from the same group. Without Xiao Yuan, the others weren't willing to proceed. Hu Jia and Wu Hao were annoyed, but having been defeated so cleanly, they had little room to protest.
The Tome Pavilion…
Xiao Yuan walked, thinking.
Though that sonic Dou Technique suited him, he wasn't entirely set on choosing it.
During the tournament, he had instinctively used Ice Dragon Soar to trigger the dragon energy within him and had let out a passive dragon roar. That alone showed he could potentially develop dragon-roar-based techniques on his own.
Besides, the Tome Pavilion might also contain Earth-Rank Dou Techniques. Even someone like Yao Lao didn't have many of those. If their attributes weren't compatible, they were better traded for rare herbs.
Xiao Yuan was considering whether to give up the Lion-Tiger Golden Shatter Roar and instead look for something more powerful and with greater long-term value.
"What're you thinking about?"
A familiar voice accompanied a waft of fragrance. Xiao Yu appeared beside him, linking her arm through his with a playful smile.
"Nothing." Xiao Yuan shook his head. "We're heading to the Tome Pavilion tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to the Dou Techniques there!"
"Hmph, really? Doesn't seem like it. If you were that excited, you wouldn't have gone running off for six days. What was so urgent?"
She sniffed—Xiao Yuan had another woman's scent on him. She spoke playfully, but if he lied, she'd definitely interrogate him thoroughly.
"It's nothing. While in the Black-Corner Region with Xiao Yan, we attended an auction. There was a poor girl being sold, and I bought her. I didn't have time to bring her earlier, so I just delivered her to the academy and asked Instructor Ruo Lin to look after her."
He shrugged casually.
"That kind of thing is common in the Black-Corner Region. Hey—Xiao Yuan, sounds like you played the hero saving the damsel!"
Xiao Yu grinned teasingly.
"If it were you, wouldn't you have done the same?"
Xiao Yuan knew her well. She wouldn't be jealous over a helpless girl.
"Mm… you're right. Even if we can only help one person, it's still something."
Xiao Yu nodded, sighing with a touch of sorrow and helplessness.
As a peak Dou Shi, she didn't even have the right to walk alone through the Black-Corner Region.
Now she understood why Xiao Yuan trained so hard.
In this world, only with strength can you speak and act freely.
Smack!
Suddenly, Xiao Yu kissed his cheek.
"Heehee! That's your reward!"
She giggled at his confused look.
"Are you sure you're not rewarding yourself?"
Xiao Yuan smiled slyly, catching the lingering fragrance on his cheek.
"Pfft, you're so full of yourself!"
She rolled her eyes and playfully scolded.
"Haha, just being realistic."
Xiao Yuan grinned.
"Hmph!"
Xiao Yu turned away, clearly thinking, You idiot, I won't argue with you.
The next day, after a restful night, Xiao Yuan came downstairs and saw that Instructor Ruo Lin, Xun'er, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yu were already ready to go. A middle-aged man in an instructor's robe stood beside them.
"Everyone's up early! Good morning. And this instructor is…?" Xiao Yuan smiled at the man.
"Xiao Yuan, this is Instructor Kulu," Ruo Lin said. "Hu Jia and Wu Hao are fully healed. According to the rules, this morning you all head to the Tome Pavilion. In the afternoon, you'll proceed to the Inner Academy."
"I see."
Xiao Yuan nodded, then bowed to Kulu. "Greetings, Instructor Kulu."
"Haha, very good."
Kulu seemed to like him. Despite being a Seven-Star Da Dou Shi himself, he had seen the selection matches. He knew he wasn't a match for Xiao Yuan, so he didn't put on any airs.
That's the power of strength.
"Follow me."
With that, Instructor Kulu turned and led the way. The group quickly followed.
In a spacious, ancient-smelling room lined with shelves of aged tomes, two figures stood quietly at the center. Behind the desk sat an old man with white hair and beard, calmly reviewing documents.
The two standing were Hu Jia and Wu Hao, now fully recovered. Wu Hao stood tall and calm, while Hu Jia pouted at the old man.
After ten minutes of silence, Vice Principal Hu Qian finally looked up.
"Don't expect me to avenge you. You ganged up with others and still got beaten. If you've got a problem, settle it yourself. Sparring isn't forbidden in Jia Nan Academy."
"Hmph, I didn't expect anything. I lost because I underestimated him. But I didn't use my trump cards either! It's not like I couldn't have won!"
Hu Jia pouted again. "I'm just mad that guy had no sense of mercy! I'm still a girl, you know! He could've gone easier on me! I'm not like Wu Hao over there—thick-skinned and tough!"
Wu Hao glanced over, having been hit with a stray insult, but chose to let it slide.
Hu Qian chuckled. "Mercy? You don't exactly act like a delicate flower."
"Hey! Are you really my grandpa?!"
Hu Jia stomped her foot in frustration.
Creak—
The door opened.
"Vice Principal, Xiao Yuan and the others have arrived."
"Let them in."
Hu Qian closed his book and smiled. Then he glanced at Hu Jia and Wu Hao. "You'll all be entering the Inner Academy soon. Don't let personal grudges get in the way. Strength rules in there. Background means nothing—including mine."
His gaze locked on Hu Jia.
She rolled her eyes but nodded.
Moments later, four figures entered the room, eyes scanning it before bowing.
"Ah, you've finally arrived."
Hu Qian's gaze lingered briefly on Xiao Yuan. Even after all these years, this was the most flawless face he had ever seen.
Even his granddaughter paled slightly in comparison.
And the way this kid handled Dou Techniques—it was like he'd been practicing since birth.
"Since you're here, let's not delay. You're the top five of this year's selection and qualify to enter the Tome Pavilion."
Hu Qian walked to the wall, tapped a pattern, and a dark tunnel slowly opened before them.
"Follow me."
Hu Jia went in first, full of curiosity. Wu Hao followed. Then Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan, holding their girlfriends' hands, exchanged nods and entered with caution.
Inside the tunnel, luminous pearls embedded in the walls provided faint but steady light.
After thirty minutes, light appeared at the end. They quickened their pace, emerging into daylight at the bottom of a steep-walled valley. In the center of three sheer cliffs stood a massive, ancient building.
Above it, a weather-worn plaque bore three faded characters:
Tome Pavilion!
Even battered by time, the elegant calligraphy exuded an aura of majesty.
As they approached, Hu Qian stopped and respectfully addressed the building, "The top five of this year's Inner Academy Selection have arrived. As per tradition, I ask the two elders to open the gate."
His voice, infused with Dou Qi, echoed through the valley.
Moments later, two gray-robed figures appeared—silent guardians who hadn't been there before.
The legendary protectors of Jia Nan Academy—Elder Qian and Elder Bai, both peak Dou Zong!
Even Yao Lao would stay hidden to avoid detection here.
The figures didn't respond at first. After ten minutes, their robes trembled slightly. Then two pairs of ancient, calm eyes opened and swept over the group—finally settling on Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan.
"...Heavenly Flames?"
A raspy voice echoed.
"What are your names?" one of the elders asked, their tone old and weary.
Everyone was stunned. They had bypassed Hu Qian and addressed the Xiao brothers directly.
Xiao Yuan... also has a Heavenly Flame?!
Faced with the question, Xiao Yuan sighed. He hadn't used his flame openly, yet they'd sensed it anyway.
Together, the two brothers bowed. "Xiao Yuan / Xiao Yan, greetings, elders."
"Black and white flame, rising and fading, appearing separate but bound in harmony—if I'm not mistaken, your flame ranks 21st on the Heavenly Flame List: Yin-Yang Flame."
The old man's voice brushed Xiao Yuan's ear, making his eyes widen slightly in awe.
"So you're brothers. And both control Heavenly Flames at your age… astonishing talent," the left elder murmured with admiration. Then, turning to Hu Qian, he added, "This year's top five are far better than the last."
Hu Qian smiled in relief. "Then, may I ask the elders to open the spatial seal?"
"Wait… why are there six of them if it's the top five?"
"Uh… top five having six people makes sense… right?" Hu Qian replied weakly.
Truthfully, they should've had Hu Jia and Wu Hao duel for fifth, but if Hu Jia lost, she'd have been furious.
"Heh, forget it."
The right elder chuckled and raised both hands. As they began forming seals, invisible waves rippled through the space.
Gradually, a translucent door appeared.
"Go on."
Hu Qian stepped in first. Xiao Yuan followed without hesitation.
On the other side, the light was clearer, the vision sharper—they had entered the sealed space.
After thanking the elders, Hu Qian turned to the group. "Go in. Whatever you choose inside, do not force it. Every item is protected by a barrier. If you can pass through, it's yours. But you can only bring out one item—greed will get you nothing.
If your hand can't get through, give up. Many leave empty-handed each year. Take only what fate allows."
The group nodded and began walking toward the Tome Pavilion.
(END CHAPTER)
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