Xiao Jietian turned to look at the corner of the hall where the portal stood.
A Seven-Colored Little Snake, glowing with rainbow light, flew towards him and landed in front of him.
"Little fellow, what are you doing here?" Xiao Jietian asked.
He was surprised. This must be Queen Medusa's doing, he thought. The little snake wouldn't have such thoughts on its own.
Xiao Jietian took out a purple crystal source and dropped a few drops into the snake's mouth. The snake coiled happily around his hand.
He didn't plan to take it with him. With a flash, Xiao Jietian appeared in Medusa's palace and gently placed the snake on the bed.
"I'll help you watch over your medicinal herbs. Don't follow me. Those old men inside are stubborn. Stay here and help protect Qing Lin and the others," he said softly before disappearing.
"Hmph. Do you think I want to follow you? If it weren't for the little fellow begging me, I wouldn't bother. Since you helped me find medicinal herbs, I'll reluctantly protect your women," the snake said, transforming gradually into a charming woman. She pinched the quilt and gritted her teeth.
Xiao Jietian then activated a one-time teleportation portal. Flying would take a whole day, which was too slow. He entered the portal and vanished.
Ten minutes later, Xiao Yan appeared in Mu City, followed by a veiled woman.
"Let's go. Your teacher should be here. This is Tian Ge's territory," Xiao Yan said. The woman lifted her veil—it was Nalan Yanran.
After being defeated by Xiao Yan, she had disappeared from the Cloud Mist Sect and had been following him ever since. At first, she stayed at a distance, but later, once discovered, she stuck close.
Xiao Yan considered shaking her off, but with Lan Na in mind, and in this unfamiliar place, he couldn't risk something happening. He allowed her to follow.
They arrived at Boundless Heaven Hall. Nalan Yanran met Yun Yun, and Xiao Yan learned the Xiao Family had moved and even saw Xiao Jietian's Small World, which surprised Yao Lao.
...
Ten minutes earlier, Xiao Jietian stepped out of the teleportation portal near a small town.
The town sat between two giant mountains. It was the first town near Jia Nan Academy and the main gateway.
By the entrance stood a black tree with outstretched claws, with many corpses hanging on it. This was the famous Death Spirit Tree, displaying the bodies of those who had caused trouble.
Xiao Jietian glanced at it, uninterested, and walked into the town.
At the entrance, a strange aura scanned him. He ignored it and kept walking.
Suddenly, over a dozen figures jumped from rooftops, blocking the way.
"Stop. State your name and identity. If you don't cooperate, leave now," a middle-aged man holding a jade bottle said.
"Also, take this pill. It's not poison. It detects murderous intent. If you have any, your body will glow red. You'll understand the consequences. You can collect the antidote at the town center," he added.
The Black-Corner Region people were suspicious and hesitant, but some took the pills under his aura's pressure.
"Students of the academy can skip this, right?" Xiao Jietian asked, refusing the pill.
"You are a student?" The man was surprised.
"Yes. I took a leave after passing the test. My name is Xiao Jietian, and my tutor is Ruo Lin," he explained.
"Did you come alone?" the man asked.
Xiao Jietian nodded lightly and teleported over, showing he had come alone.
The man looked surprised. One of the young men frowned, recalling: "You're Xiao Jietian from Jia Ma Empire? Xun'er talks about you. You took a leave of absence before school started?"
Others whispered, realizing he had many rivals in the academy and many admired Xun'er. It seemed he was going to be the Lightning King.
"Yes, that's me. You can check the files if you don't believe me," Xiao Jietian said.
"Okay, my name is Huo De. Come with me," the man said, and they walked into town together.
The others watched Xiao Jietian leave. "Is he really Xiao Jietian? He's handsome… I bet he'll be first in the Outer Academy soon. I wonder how strong he is."
...
Tutor Huo De confirmed Xiao Jietian's student status and explained his leave of absence. He also informed him about the Inner Academy selection competition and handed him a dark blue academy badge.
"Thank you, Tutor Huo De," Xiao Jietian said, placing the badge on his chest.
Huo De offered to send him with a flying Magical Beast, but Xiao Jietian refused.
"No need. I have my own way. Just tell me the location," he said.
Huo De was stunned but soon realized Xiao Jietian's wings were a Flying Dou Technique. He told him the way to Canaan City.
"Thank you. I will leave first," Xiao Jietian said, shaking his fists respectfully before soaring into the sky with his wings, disappearing like a streak of light.
"Flying Dou Technique… didn't expect to see it here," Huo De muttered.
On a nearby mountain, a figure sitting cross-legged heard the report from a kneeling subordinate. He trembled slightly and smiled, a smile that outshone all flowers.