"Elder, thank you for your warm invitation. Since I've only just enrolled at Jia Nan Academy, I'd like to spend some time as a regular student first."
Xiao Ting naturally refused to be swayed by short-term benefits. He did not impulsively accept the position of elder at Jia Nan Academy. He had entered Jia Nan Academy with five clear goals in mind.
First: help Xun Er obtain the Fallen Heart Flame.
Xiao Yan could handle his own matters.
Second: building connections with Jia Nan Academy would benefit both sides. In the future, he might even gain opportunities to interact with Mang Tian Chi or the Lei Clan.
Third: he had already fully enjoyed the advantages of the academy library.
Fourth: use the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower to rapidly complete his Dou King stage training.
Fifth: Meet Zi Yan, daughter of the Ancient Dragon Emperor.
Once these tasks were finished, he would prepare to depart for the Central Plains, where a wider world and far more resources awaited him.
"You don't have to agree right now. First, let me show you the Alchemy Department's environment. I'll personally guide you." Elder Huo offered with a friendly smile.
The surrounding elders were stunned. Elder Huo was the academy's only 5th-rank alchemist—his status and power were extremely high, and he was normally arrogant. Even when facing Su Qian he rarely gave her face, yet now he was smiling warmly at the junior Xiao Ting.
But when everyone remembered that Xiao Ting was already a 4th-rank alchemist before the age of sixteen, they understood.
In a few years he would probably surpass Elder Huo. In a few more years he might even reach the 6th rank, like Pill King Han Feng.
"Then I'll have to trouble the Elder." Xiao Ting did not refuse.
Having the department head personally lead the way would save a lot of trouble—perfect.
As expected, when Elder Huo personally escorted him into the Alchemy Department and introduced him to the alchemists, everyone treated him with extreme courtesy. Not a trace of the usual alchemist arrogance could be seen.
Xiao Ting chose a secluded courtyard blessed with beautiful scenery and rich natural energy as his residence.
After settling everything, he claimed he had business in the outer court. Elder Huo asked no further questions.
"Tomorrow Xiao Ting will publicly refine a 4th-rank pill in front of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. That way we can see his true skill."
After leaving Xiao Ting's residence, Elder Huo sternly warned those around him: "Put away your little schemes before Xiao Ting finishes refining tomorrow. If he is a genuine 4th-rank alchemist, even I don't have the courage to offend him. This is our chance."
…
Meanwhile, at the outer campus of Jia Nan Academy.
All new students had completed registration and moved into the dormitories. The dormitory area was divided into southeast and southwest sections. The east section courtyards housed female students, while the south section housed male students. Each section contained 4–5 buildings, with 4–5 people per building. New students generally roomed together and did not share quarters with upperclassmen.
Xun Er, Qing Lin, and Little Fairy Doctor had chosen a quiet courtyard house with two courtyards and four rooms.
The fourth resident of this courtyard was not Xiao Mei or any other Xiao family member—it was Han Yue.
"Han Yue, you seem to be in the same situation as us."
Four girls sat around a stone table in the corner of the courtyard, drinking flower tea.
Han Yue kept her hands on her thighs, exuding a cool and distant aura, yet she looked slightly awkward in front of Xun Er and the other two.
"I didn't think I was the only one who had seized a Journal copy, but it turns out there are far more than I imagined," Han Yue said with a smile.
"After discussing it, we discovered that obtaining a copy requires meeting three conditions," Xun Er stated the conclusion she had reached through observation. "First, Brother Xiao Ting must have written the person's name in his Journal. Second, the person must be female. Third, the person must be blessed with great fortune."
Being "blessed with great fortune" did not simply mean talent—it meant being a "supporting character" or even a "protagonist" in the story.
"To reach that conclusion, how many people did you actually identify?" Han Yue asked in surprise.
"To help everyone get to know each other, summon your own copy." Xun Er immediately decided to invite Han Yue into the group.
Without hesitation, Han Yue summoned a copy of her Journal. After all, even if Xun Er harbored ill intentions, there were countless ways to erase her without a trace.
Once Xun Er's Journal copy appeared, Han Yue successfully added her as a friend and was pulled into the "group."
[Zi Yan]: Welcome, newcomer! You arrived even later than Xin Lan.
[Ye Xin Lan]: Welcome, Sister Han Yue.
[Cao Ying]: Welcome, welcome! Heartfelt greetings!
[Cai Ling]: Xiao Ting is looking for you in the outer court, Xun Er.
[Qing Lin]: Then I have to start preparing dinner.
[Little Fairy Doctor]: I'll go too. I promised to show off my cooking tonight, right?
[Han Yue]: Hello everyone. Since Young Master Xiao Ting is here, I…
[Xun Er]: You can stay here. Just say you were assigned to this courtyard. That way you'll have a legitimate reason to get to know Brother Xiao Ting.
[Huo Zhi]: They beat me to it this time. Until Xun Er enters the inner court, I can't come to Jia Nan Academy.
[Zi Yan]: What do you all think about me "accidentally" running into him?
[Cai Ling]: Impossible. Tomorrow morning, after he refines the 4th-rank pill, he'll enter the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower for secluded training.
[Zi Yan]: Then… should I try bumping into him tonight?
[Xun Er]: It's a reasonable idea, but you should be more cautious.
[Zi Yan]: Fine, fine.
…
Xiao Ting left the inner court and headed for the outer court. Instead of going straight to Xun Er, he first visited Xiao Yan and Yao Lao.
After Yao Lao examined his alchemy skills, gave guidance, and taught him several more pill formulas, Xiao Ting finally departed.
"Xun Er, I'm here."
Xiao Ting appeared carrying a lunchbox filled with fresh Tier-3 Magical Beast meat he had specially purchased in Peace Town. Grilled with Purple Beast Flame, it would taste delicious.
"Han Yue lives in this courtyard too?"
Seeing Han Yue happily chatting with Xun Er at the stone table, Xiao Ting was surprised.
"Hello, Xiao Ting." Han Yue stood up, smiled, and nodded. "I've decided to take the inner academy selection exam in three months. Teacher Huo said I don't need to stay long in the outer academy or attend classes. So I was looking for a quiet place and happened to meet Xun Er. We decided to stay here together."
In other words, since she wouldn't be staying long, she would share the courtyard with Xun Er and the others.
"It's dinner time, so I'll take my leave," Han Yue said and turned to go.
Xun Er immediately tried to stop her and shot Xiao Ting a meaningful glance.
"Han Yue, if you have nothing urgent, please join us for dinner." Xiao Ting followed his girl's hint. "You're a Seven-Star Dou Master living in the same courtyard as Xun Er and the others. You can indirectly protect them. Please help us."
After a few polite exchanges, Han Yue reluctantly agreed to stay.
Soon, the Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin brought their own dishes to the table. The food was excellent, and Xiao Ting praised it generously.
After the meal, Han Yue wisely made an excuse and left.
Watching her retreating figure, Xiao Ting made a brief note in his Journal.
…
[Seeing Han Yue reminded me of Han Xue.]
…
Woman: ?
Han Yue: !?
…
…
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