Chapter 450: Washing and Settling
The Black Corner Region, Jia Nan Academy. Within this ivory tower, the youthful energy of boys and girls permeated the air.
Although the Inner Academy Selection Competition was a rare Prosperous Era event, at its core, it was essentially just like an entrance exam, not overly complicated.
After Xiao Yan appeared, he fought several matches, but the process was extremely simple, either with a punch or a kick. No matter who his opponent was, the result was without exception – Xiao Yan won completely. However, their outcomes were much better than Xue Beng's.
And with several consecutive battles decisively resolved by Xiao Yan, these young men and women in the ivory tower re-evaluated the young man named Xiao Yan. He went from being the crush of the academy goddess to a true Heavenly Talent.
Time flowed by during the competition. Night fell, and in a quiet room filled with bookshelves, seven or eight Old Guys sat on chairs around a round table. From their seemingly ordinary auras, it was clear that their Strength and status were likely not low. After all, ordinary elders weren't qualified to sit in this meeting room that decided the academy's affairs, big and small.
Moreover, Hu Gan, who had walked through the air during the competition and whose Strength had reached the Dou Sect Realm, was also seated among them. However, his seat was among the back rows among these few individuals.
At this moment, Hu Gan slowly put down a document in his hand, his gaze sweeping around the room. He said with considerable surprise:
"Great Elder, is all this information true? Tsk tsk, this Xiao Yan is indeed not simple. By himself, he's almost challenged all the so-called Black List experts in the Black Corner Region. With this kind of Strength, even within the Inner Academy, I'm afraid no one can match him. Does he have some purpose in coming here? Should we..."
Before he could finish speaking, the white-haired and bearded Old Guy in the main seat interrupted him:
"No, just accept him normally. Don't forget the original intention of Jia Nan Academy's founding. Isn't a Heavenly Talent like Xiao Yan precisely the kind of person we hope to befriend? Moreover, he's just a Junior. If he truly dares to be detrimental to our Jia Nan Academy, we Old Guys aren't pushovers either."
Hearing this, a hint of a smile flashed across the withered faces of the other few Old Guys around him, and they chimed in. Although they were old, when it came to fighting, they weren't hesitant at all...
"The Great Elder is right, it was I who was being overly cautious... Alas, that guy's battle record is truly terrifying. I'm not afraid of you all laughing, but today, I actually felt a faint threat from him..."
Hu Gan cupped his hands, showing a look of being taught. Then, he sighed, still speaking in an incredible tone about what happened today.
Hearing his words, the other Old Guys were quite surprised, looking at Hu Gan in astonishment. Even though he had only recently reached the Dou Sect Realm, he was still a Dou Sect. But he actually said he felt a threat from Xiao Yan. This...
Especially since these words came from Hu Gan's mouth, they were much more convincing than the battle records in the information the Great Elder gave them.
"Heh heh, without some capability, how could he have done such a great thing in a man-eating place like the Black Corner Region? Moreover, you should be able to sense the aura of that thing on him, right? At such a young age, he actually possesses such a treasure. Talent, Strength, Opportunity, all are excellent. As long as he isn't detrimental to our Jia Nan, everything else can proceed as usual..."
Seeing Hu Gan's sigh, the Great Elder still offered a word of comfort. At the same time, he set the tone for Xiao Yan's matter: let nature take its course, don't become enemies, but also don't let him do whatever he wants...
Everyone had no objections. Then, Hu Gan brought up another matter:
"What about the Black Corner Region side..."
The Great Elder still said calmly:
"No need for a big fuss, just slightly increase vigilance. From today's situation, they are still very wary of our Jia Nan Academy, otherwise they wouldn't have retreated like that. Heh heh, being made to look so bad by a Junior, it's no wonder they are so exasperated..."
As he spoke, he stroked his beard, his expression visibly becoming happier. Clearly, he was very happy to see the Black Corner Region suffer a setback.
Not only him, but the others also smiled upon hearing his words. For a moment, the small room was filled with a joyful atmosphere...
While those in Jia Nan Academy were discussing Xiao Yan, the person in question had just reluctantly parted ways with the Beauty and was walking alone through the forest. Feeling a slightly cold gaze from a distance, he frowned slightly, then smiled, and continued forward without changing his expression.
Compared to the life-or-death struggles outside, these disagreements within the academy truly weren't much. He didn't need to resort to methods that would lead to an endless feud...
"Teacher, today, it was thanks to your foresight and early arrangements. Otherwise, I'm afraid a battle would have been unavoidable, and it would have been difficult to approach the Fallen Heart Flame then..."
In the forest, Xiao Yan called out to Old Yao in his heart, his words filled with admiration.
Not long after, Yao Chen's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind:
"Little Yan, although you have the Heavenly Flame to help you conceal your Cultivation Level, you are still far from the Returning to Simplicity Realm. For a Dou Sect existence, the powerful Combat Power you honed between life and death is difficult to hide. Perhaps a trip to the academy can help you wash away some of your aura..."
Yao Chen didn't pretend to be profound. He directly pointed out the problem and also indicated the direction Xiao Yan should strive for. Even for the academy life, which was optional for Xiao Yan, he saw the potential Opportunity within it...
Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt a bit helpless and couldn't help but smile bitterly:
"Teacher, do I really have to play house with these Little Guys?"
Not to mention these students weren't even Dou Spirits, even if there were Dou Spirits, they were nothing in front of him. After all, more than one Dou Sect had died by his hand...
Yao Chen gave him a definite answer, and his expression was serious, not allowing for any refutation:
"Cultivation isn't just about cultivating Strength. If you can't control it at will, one day you will suffer a Backlash. You are still far from that. During this time, you should focus on Wash Away the Lead and Flourish, so that these Dou Master level Little Guys no longer instinctively fear you! Only then will you truly have the possibility of Devouring the second Heavenly Flame. Otherwise, this Flame Mantra, you'd better not practice it..."
Although Xiao Yan had adapted to his rapidly increased Strength and could theoretically begin to Refine the Nine Nether Wind Flame in his hand, when Devouring a Heavenly Flame, one could never be too careful. Yao Chen still suggested he Devour the Fallen Heart Flame first. One reason was its slightly lower ranking, another was that the Heart Flame could temper his body, making his Strength more solid. The third was what he had just said – he didn't want Xiao Yan to become a slave to power.
Xiao Yan could feel that Yao Chen was extremely serious when he said this, not trying to scare him. Hearing that he wouldn't even allow him to cultivate the Cultivation Technique that could resurrect him, he knew the seriousness of the problem. He wasn't stubborn and took this matter to heart, nodding slightly and agreeing:
"Teacher, I understand. Don't worry, Old Man, I will definitely succeed..."
"Hahaha, I naturally believe in you. After all, you even quietly integrated the Black Corner Region. I'm saying this just to remind you that the environment has changed..."
Yao Chen laughed heartily. Having witnessed everything Xiao Yan did in the Black Corner Region, he realized just how outstanding this young man was. Even with his assistance, Xiao Yan's performance still exceeded Yao Chen's expectations. The current Xiao Yan had not only integrated many forces in the Black Corner Region but also managed to withdraw and hide behind the scenes, which was much better than what he had imagined.
Amidst Yao Chen's praise, Xiao Yan didn't get Lost. He gently clenched his fist, then relaxed it. With a few flashes, he disappeared into the forest and also vanished from the gaze in the distance.
In the forest, on a small mountain, Bai Shan's expression was grim, his fists clenched tightly. He hated Xiao Yan, hated why he could gain the favor of the Beauty, and also hated himself, hated why he didn't even have the guts to provoke Xiao Yan
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