Meanwhile, on the other side, Xiao Yan was conversing with Yao Lao.
"You should enroll in Jia Nan Academy," Yao Lao said.
"I probably won't learn much there, will I? Teacher, you already have countless cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques," Xiao Yan replied.
"Jia Nan Academy possesses a Heavenly Flame ranked fourteenth — the Fallen Heart Flame. If you can obtain it, your Burning Technique will evolve once again. After enrolling, you will need to take leave for over a year. I will take you to the Magical Beast Mountain Range to train. That place suits you better. Only by seeking opportunities through danger can you grow faster. Following routine paths is not your destiny."
Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment, then nodded."Alright."
The next day.
Xiao Zhitian left early to pick up Xun'er and head to the Jia Nan Academy enrollment.
The Xiao Family was unusually quiet. Most people had already gone to watch or participate in the enrollment.
When the two arrived at the city gate, they saw Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan, Xiao Mei, and several others waiting.
"Oh? Our great genius Xiao is finally willing to show his face?" Xiao Yu said with a grin. "Come on, come quickly. The person in charge of enrollment this time is my Instructor. I'll take you through the back. Otherwise, you won't even reach the front of the line before tomorrow."
After speaking, Xiao Yu led everyone toward the rear of the enrollment grounds. Under her guidance, Xiao Zhitian and the others entered the center of the plaza.
As soon as Xiao Yu appeared, a group of female students immediately surrounded her, chatting noisily.
"Xiao Yu, long time no see!"
At that moment, a male voice suddenly rang out. A young man in a greyish-white robe walked over, a forced smile on his face. His gaze lingered heatedly on Xiao Yu.
"Luo Bu, long time no see," Xiao Yu replied politely.
"Are these the people you brought? Let them take the test first," Luo Bu said, glancing at Xiao Xun'er with undisguised desire before taking out a testing crystal.
Noticing his gaze, Xiao Zhitian narrowed his eyes slightly.
"This is a testing crystal. As long as you reach Dou Zhi Qi eight segments, it will light up, and you will pass," Xiao Yu explained hesitantly.
Everyone went up one by one to test. Without exception, all of them passed.
"Since you passed, you'll stay here for half an hour," Luo Bu said as he put away the crystal, pointing toward the students standing under the scorching sun.
"Luo Bu, what do you mean?" Xiao Yu's expression turned cold. "These are the people I brought."
"These are academy rules. New students inevitably have arrogance. This is to temper their character," Luo Bu said calmly.
"You just want to bully new students. Don't use that excuse on the people I brought."
"Since they passed under my supervision, I have the right to temporarily manage them," Luo Bu said lightly. "Of course, if you're willing to have a meal with me, I can let them off."
"You're dreaming. Don't even think about it," Xiao Yu rejected without hesitation.
At that moment, a grinning man walked out from a nearby tent.
"Heh, Big Brother Luo Bu, looks like things aren't going smoothly. Want me to help you teach them a lesson?" the man said fawningly.
Luo Bu glanced at Ge La, thought for a moment, then said, "Since you were brought by Xiao Yu, if any one of you can defeat a senior student, you'll be exempted from the trial."
"Oh? Then let me experience the senior student's brilliant moves."
Xiao Zhitian gently pulled Xiao Yu aside and stepped forward.
"Xiao Zhitian, you…" Xiao Yu looked worried, but then remembered his strength and relaxed. Luo Bu was only a four-star Dou Zhe, while Xiao Zhitian was far stronger.
Noticing Xiao Yu's fleeting concern, Luo Bu's expression darkened. He gave Ge La a meaningful look.
Ge La immediately understood."Kid, let me teach you what it means to respect seniors."
"I'm not interested in fighting you," Xiao Zhitian said calmly. "You're only a one-star Dou Zhe. Too weak. Fighting you would dirty my hands. How about Senior Student Luo Bu instead? Does he dare?"
Ge La's face turned red with anger."You… you dare call me weak?!"
Xiao Zhitian ignored him and looked directly at Luo Bu."You don't dare?"
"What's there not to dare?" Luo Bu said coldly. "I'm a four-star Dou Zhe. If you fight me, you'll lose miserably."
"Then fight. If not, admit defeat and get lost."
"You're courting death!"
Luo Bu's aura erupted. He condensed Dou Qi into his right fist and smashed it toward Xiao Zhitian's head.
Many nearby frowned. That level of force could seriously injure a new student.
Xiao Zhitian calmly extended a hand and caught the fist mid-air.
"Senior Student Luo Bu, didn't eat today? Or is your cultivation fake? Why is your strength so weak?"
Shock filled Luo Bu's eyes. He tried desperately to pull free, but Xiao Zhitian's grip was like iron.
"Some people are not for you to covet," Xiao Zhitian said indifferently.
Then he lifted his right foot and kicked.
Luo Bu raised his left arm to block.
Crack!
A terrifying force erupted. Luo Bu's body flew backward like a broken kite, slamming heavily into the wall. He spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.
The entire area fell into dead silence.
Xue Ni beside Xiao Yu stammered, "Yu'er… your cousin… what is his true strength? Is he really your cousin?"
"I don't know his exact strength either," Xiao Yu admitted. "But his talent has always been better than mine since childhood."
Nearby, Ge La secretly wiped sweat from his forehead. Fortunately, Xiao Zhitian had ignored him. Otherwise, he would not simply be lying there — he might not even survive.
"Hehe… such impressive strength from a little fellow. Seems I've found a true treasure this time."
A gentle, intoxicating voice drifted over.
Everyone turned.
A woman in green had appeared beside Luo Bu. Pale blue Dou Qi flowed from her hand, enveloping Luo Bu's body. Under the nourishment of water-attribute Dou Qi, Luo Bu slowly awakened and stood up awkwardly, his eyes filled with fear as he looked at Xiao Zhitian.
"Instructor Ruo Lin!" Xiao Yu cried out in delight and rushed forward to hug her.
"Yu'er, did you enjoy your holiday?" Instructor Ruo Lin smiled gently, then released her and looked at the group. "The people you brought this time seem quite good."
"Of course!" Xiao Yu puffed out her chest proudly. "If they weren't good, I wouldn't have brought them."
Ruo Lin nodded slightly, then turned toward the students waiting outside."Alright, everyone. Come in now."