Xiao Yan!
This name seemed to possess a magical quality, causing a momentary silence in the arena before everyone's gaze turned towards the field, wanting to see the celebrity of Jia Nan Academy!
Unfortunately, on the field there was only a man holding a spear, looking towards the area where Yellow Tier Class Two was located.
Xue Beng's aggressive, fiery gaze swept over in the direction of Xun'er and the others without any attempt to hide it, followed by the eyes of countless spectators.
In school, beautiful women were undoubtedly the center of attention, especially a beauty like Xun'er, whose strength and appearance were almost perfect. Unfortunately, no matter who it was, they were met with rejection in front of her, and because of this, Xiao Yan's name also spread throughout the academy.
Facing so many gazes, Ruolin felt a great deal of pressure. Time passed, and still no one came onto the stage. A few cold beads of sweat couldn't help but appear on her smooth forehead, and her hands also clenched tightly. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, hoping that the figure she had regarded so highly two years ago would appear like a savior.
Unfortunately, there was nothing. All she saw and heard was the same mockery and sarcasm as last year. She bit her lip gently, her Jade Hand lightly clenched, and then, as if all her strength had been drained, she almost collapsed. Xun'er seemed to have been prepared, quietly stepping forward to support her and comfort her, saying:
"Mentor, he's here..."
When she had been fighting just now, she had sensed her Dao Protector. She had thought that this time, like before, there would be no news, but she hadn't expected to receive a surprise – Xiao Yan had come.
"What?"
Ruolin hadn't reacted yet and asked subconsciously. But immediately after, on the High Platform's excellent viewing area, an Old Man whose status was clearly not low walked out. His expression was solemn, and he said loudly:
"Friend from wherever you are, since you have come, please show yourself and allow my Jia Nan Academy to fulfill its duty as host!"
Hu Gan dared not be careless. He had sensed a powerful aura nearby, but he couldn't pinpoint its location. Now, unclear of the visitor's intentions, he could only try to stabilize the other party to avoid unnecessary enmity.
As the Headmaster of the Outer Academy, this action naturally attracted everyone's attention, and they all shifted their gaze to the direction he was facing.
*Whoosh!*
Just then, a streak of light flashed and disappeared, and immediately after, a lighthearted voice sounded in the competition arena:
"Sorry, I'm late. Yellow Tier Class Two, Xiao Yan, please enlighten me!"
In the arena, which had fallen silent due to Hu Gan's action, this sudden, faint voice clearly entered everyone's ears, instantly drawing their attention.
"Xiao Yan? You're here. The competition can wait for a bit..."
On the competition field, the Referee Teacher was slightly stunned, then reassured Xiao Yan. Of course, he wouldn't lose sight of the bigger picture. In this situation, the Mysterious Expert mentioned by Hu Gan was clearly more important.
However, before he could finish speaking, he saw Hu Gan suddenly look at them. His Dou Sect level aura made it difficult for him to even breathe.
And Hu Gan's action caused many people to feel doubt. Their gazes shifted between Xiao Yan and Hu Gan. It seemed that Xiao Yan was not just someone from a small family in Wutan City as they had heard.
Before they could ponder further, Hu Gan spoke:
"You are Xiao Yan? The student from my Jia Nan Academy who took two years of leave?"
Hu Gan sensed that Xiao Yan only had a Dou Spirit level aura, but both the terrifying speed from earlier and the faint sense of threat Xiao Yan gave him made him believe that Xiao Yan was not just a Dou Spirit.
His words, however, caused the expressions of the few elders behind him to change. Based on their understanding of Hu Gan, a student wasn't worth this much attention from him, and if he were just asking for his identity, he clearly wouldn't need to specifically emphasize that string of qualifiers afterward. Coupled with his earlier abnormal actions, they had already formed an unbelievable thought: perhaps the expert Hu Gan had sensed earlier was Xiao Yan!
This thought seemed absurd, but Hu Gan's demeanor just happened to be like a confirmation, making it impossible for them to ignore. Thus, their gazes towards Xiao Yan also became solemn.
Under the gazes of numerous Elder, Mentor, and students, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, then said with a somewhat embarrassed tone:
"Esteemed Old Man, I am Xiao Yan, the one who took a long leave. I only just arrived after traveling all this way, I'm truly sorry."
How could he not know the suspicion of those Old Man? However, after knowing the importance of the Fallen Heart Flame to Jia Nan Academy, he knew that obtaining the Heavenly Flame through normal channels was no longer possible. But after experiencing the surging strength after Devouring a Heavenly Flame, how could he give up on it?
Now, he could only pretend to have just arrived in a hurry, knowing nothing, and sneak into the school first.
As he spoke, a streak of Azure Glow flashed in Xiao Yan's dark eyes. This streak of Azure Glow was precisely captured by Hu Gan, making him thoughtful. Then, he adopted a listening posture, and no one knew what he heard, but in any case, he changed his previous solemn expression, relaxed, and smiled:
"Good, good, good. Xiao Yan, you've come at the right time. Old King, the competition can continue. As for other matters, someone from the Inner Academy is already handling them."
This sudden change in attitude left people bewildered, but hearing him mention the Inner Academy, everyone didn't delve deeper and refocused their attention on the Selection Competition, or rather, on the Black Robe youth.
Xiao Yan's heart quietly settled. He knew that the backup plan left by Master Yao had worked. As long as he passed this first hurdle and entered the school, found the Fallen Heart Flame, then whether to advance or retreat would be entirely up to him...
"Xiao Yan, I thought you would continue to be a coward like last year. Actually, you could have continued to avoid it. Acting tough now is not a wise move."
Just then, Xue Beng also came back to his senses. He found that Xiao Yan's mere appearance had inexplicably stolen all the attention, and he was very unhappy, so he couldn't help but mock him.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan ignored him, just turning his head to look at the Referee Teacher, smiling slightly, and asking:
"Can we start?"
From leaving the Snake People Tribe until now, nearly half a year had passed. He had experienced quite a few things, especially in the Black Corner Region, where he had done many big things. In his opinion, these student children's competitions were just child's play. If not for the Heavenly Flame, he wouldn't even want to play with them.
His attitude, however, enraged Xue Beng. After the referee said "start," he let out an angry roar and charged forward directly. Then, without even knowing what happened, he flew out of the competition area at an even faster speed.
This match ended too quickly, so quickly that before everyone could react, Xue Beng had lost the match. The key was that almost everyone, like Xue Beng, didn't know what had happened.
It wasn't their fault; even among the teachers, only a small number saw Xiao Yan shoot out a wisp of Azure Glow that sent Xue Beng flying out of the arena.
"Xiao Yan wins!"
In the arena, which had suddenly fallen silent due to this change, the referee's announcement spread, and then, a fervent wave of discussion suddenly erupted!
And after the sound of his voice fell, Xiao Yan looked towards the Graceful Figure in the crowd, then under everyone's gaze, he grinned, lightly tapped the ground with his toes, and with a few leaps, he had flashed down from the competition stage, finally soaring up to the area where Yellow Tier Class Two was located, landing directly in front of the similarly smiling Green-Clad Girl.
Then, regardless of everyone's exclamations, he embraced the goddess in the hearts of countless people in Jia Nan Academy, leaned his head close to her ear, and softly spoke with a slightly apologetic voice:
"Sorry, I'm late..."
A faint, refreshing fragrance entered his nostrils. Smelling this familiar scent, an unprecedented sense of ease and confidence rose in Xiao Yan's heart, and his fatigue was swept away.
Xiao Yan lowered his head, meeting Xun'er's gaze. Looking at the face that had been deeply etched into the depths of his heart over the past two years, he hugged her tighter, a sense of satisfaction he had never felt before rising within him. He found that he was more confident than anyone else now; in this world, no one was more worthy of this girl than he was.
Xun'er looked at the handsome face that was less youthful and naive than two years ago and had gained some maturity and resolve, and she also felt a special sense of satisfaction. While she was bickering and delaying in the Clan, he had not stopped moving forward.
"Brother Xiao Yan now, even I can't see through him anymore..."
Murmuring in her heart, an arc unconsciously appeared between Xun'er's eyebrows, and then a smile that could captivate all beings appeared on her cheek. But at this moment, only Xiao Yan saw it.
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