Student Han Yue

Su Qian wasn't at all surprised when he learned that Xiao Feng and his companions were preparing to join Jia Nan Academy as guest elders in order to take advantage of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower for their cultivation.

After all, aside from the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, there wasn't much at Jia Nan Academy that would pique the interest of a Dou Emperor powerhouse.

Thanks to Zi Yan's guarantee, Xiao Feng and the others smoothly joined Jia Nan Academy.

Su Qian's demands of them were lenient: they only needed to step in and help when the academy faced an existential crisis. As for what they did on a daily basis, Su Qian would not interfere, so long as they didn't threaten the safety of the academy or its students.

"Alright, old man, I'm not going to waste any more time talking to you. I'm taking Xiao Feng and the others to the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower now."

Seeing that Xiao Feng and his group had received the badges symbolizing their status as inner academy elders from Su Qian, Zi Yan impatiently waved her hand, bouncing away with them in tow.

Watching this, Su Qian's eyes softened with affection as he murmured, "This little girl is just too pragmatic! When she needs my help, I'm the Great Elder; when she doesn't, I'm just an old geezer."

Having spent so many years with Zi Yan, Su Qian had come to treat her like a granddaughter. His complaint was more teasing than genuine anger.

Under Zi Yan's lead, Xiao Feng and the others soon arrived at a vast hollowed-out area.

Before them stood a pitch-black giant tower, buried deep underground, with only the tip and a dark entrance visible.

"Is that the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower?"

Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes flashed with surprise as she gazed at the eerie black tower. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, revealing some confusion. "Hmm?"

Xiao Yi Xian vaguely sensed that a powerful spatial barrier surrounded the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.

Setting up such a barrier was beyond the ability of a Dou Ancestor; it would require the strength of a Dou Venerate.

[So, Jia Nan Academy isn't as simple as it seems. There must be at least one Dou Venerate secretly guarding it.]

Hearing Xiao Yi Xian's thoughts, Xiao Feng silently nodded.

The headmaster of Jia Nan Academy was more than just a Dou Venerate—he was a half-saint, capable of sweeping through the entire Black-Corner Region with ease.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…"

As Xiao Yi Xian marveled at the depth of Jia Nan Academy's foundation, the sound of people rapidly approaching broke the moment.

Xiao Feng instinctively turned to see dozens of figures speeding toward them.

These people were quite strong, with a few Dou Spirits among them.

Under Xiao Yi Xian's curious gaze, the group arrived near the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, forming several smaller clusters.

One of the women in a silver robe, tall and silver-haired, noticed Zi Yan and quickly led a few other female students toward Xiao Feng and his group.

"Greetings, Senior Zi Yan."

The silver-haired woman respectfully saluted Zi Yan as she stood before her.

Though it was Xiao Feng's first time meeting this fair-skinned, delicately-featured silver-haired beauty, he instantly guessed her identity.

Other than Han Yue, the eldest daughter of the Han family from Central Plains, there shouldn't be another silver-haired beauty among the students of Jia Nan Academy.

"So, it's you! Han Yue, we meet again."

Normally, Zi Yan wasn't interested in remembering the names of other students.

Most students left Jia Nan Academy after graduation, and having sent off several cohorts already, Zi Yan didn't want to make friends, only to part ways later.

But Han Yue was different. Her striking silver hair had left a strong impression on Zi Yan.

Moreover, when Han Yue first met Zi Yan, she mistook her for a regular child and even gave her some candy, which left a positive impression on Zi Yan, causing her to remember her name.

"Senior Zi Yan, who might these two seniors be?"

After greeting Zi Yan, Han Yue's gaze shifted to Xiao Feng and Xiao Yi Xian.

Han Yue had only joined the inner academy less than a year ago, and as a four-star Dou Grandmaster, she could sense the immense power radiating from Xiao Feng and his companions, though she couldn't pinpoint their exact strength.

Since they were with Zi Yan, Han Yue naturally assumed they were also top-ranked seniors of the inner academy.

"Haha!"

Zi Yan couldn't help but laugh. "Han Yue, they're not inner academy students; they're newly appointed elders."

"E-Elders?!"

Han Yue's eyes widened in disbelief.

It wasn't her fault for being shocked—becoming an inner academy elder required at least Dou King-level strength.

Seeing Han Yue's dumbfounded expression, Zi Yan mischievously grinned. "And not just any elders—they're Dou Emperor powerhouses!"

"D-Dou Emperor?!"

Hearing this, Han Yue was thunderstruck and couldn't help but exclaim out loud.

Though she had met Dou Emperor powerhouses before, most of them were over thirty years old.

Yet Xiao Feng and Xiao Yi Xian looked about her age, or even younger.

Han Yue was just a four-star Dou Grandmaster, while Xiao Feng and his companion were already Dou Emperors. Was the gap between people really that vast?

Seeing Han Yue on the verge of a breakdown, Xiao Feng quickly smiled and comforted her, "Miss Han, there's no need to be so shocked. We only broke through to Dou Emperor by sheer luck; it was all just a fluke."

"Elder must be joking. Young Dou Emperor powerhouses like you two are rare even in the Central Plains. Luck alone doesn't explain it."

Recovering from her shock, Han Yue shook her head with a wry smile. She then bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Elder, for your kind words, but I'm not so fragile. May I ask your esteemed names?"

"My surname is Xiao, and my given name is Feng," Xiao Feng introduced himself, then pointed to Xiao Yi Xian. "This is my good friend, Xiao Yi Xian."

[Xiao Feng? Xiao Yi Xian? Are there any big families with the surnames Xiao or Xiao in the Central Plains? Could these be aliases?]

(End of Chapter)

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