Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Challenging the Xuan Rank Class

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    In the office of Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan, Instructor Ruo Ling placed some of Xiao Yan''s information on the desk.

    "Oh? An 8-star Dou Practitioner?" Hu Gan was very surprised when he saw Xiao Yan''s student information.

    It was worth noting that his own granddaughter was the same age as Xiao Yan. Yet, even with his guidance, she had only reached the 6-star Dou Practitioner stage.

    After reaching the Dou Practitioner realm, one could use medicinal pills to aid their cultivation. This would greatly speed up one''s progress. But it was rare to see someone so young reach the 8-star Dou Practitioner stage.

    Instructor Ruo Ling nodded seriously and continued, "Aye, and this student named Xiao Yan also possesses strong combat abilities. During the recruitment, he had a conflict with a first- year student who was with the recruiting team. As a result, he swept through more than a dozen students ranging from 1-star to 4-star Dou Practitioners with a single move." "Hmm?!"

    Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan''s eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this. To be able to defeat more than a dozen low-level Dou Practitioners with a single move, his strength must have reached the Dou Master realm, and that was only possible by using a Xuan Class Dou Technique that had been cultivated to at least a minor level of mastery.

    "To possess such strength at the age of sixteen is indeed an outstanding talent."

    Even the Deputy Headmaster commented as such. One could imagine how incredible Xiao Yan''s strength was.

    Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan stroked his beard and laughed, "I''m afraid he''ll be able to pass the Inner Academy examination and enter the Inner Academy after just one year of cultivation. Hehe, it''s been a long time since a first-year student entered the Inner Academy."

    Jia Nan Academy was divided into an Outer Academy and an Inner Academy. New students could participate in the annual Inner Academy Qualifying Competition once they reached the Dou Master realm and only the top fifty were qualified to enter the Inner Academy.

    The Inner and Outer Academies were entirely different worlds. Frankly speaking, the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy was merely a place for learning and even just a trading platform. All the resources had to be earned by the students through tasks to earn credits.

    Only by entering the Inner Academy did one become a true core disciple of the Academy and receive its support.

    "However... that child has made a request," Instructor Ruo Ling said with a hint of

    embarrassment. After all, although Xiao Yan was a genius, it was somewhat inappropriate for him to make demands right after enrolling.

    Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan raised his eyebrows and smiled helplessly while shaking his head, "Really, making demands right after enrolling... Kids these days. Let''s hear it, what is his request?"

    "He wants to experience the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower."

    Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan stroked his beard, pondered seriously for a moment, and unexpectedly nodded in agreement, "His wish is understandable. With his talent and strength, nothing in the Outer Academy can really attract him. It''s only logical that he wants to see if the Inner Academy''s training methods and resources can meet his needs."

    He didn''t find Xiao Yan''s request unreasonable. After all, with Xiao Yan''s talent, the only thing that could really appeal to him was the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower of the Inner Academy.

    "Are you saying that you agree, Deputy Headmaster?!" Instructor Ruo Ling didn''t hold much hope initially. Although Xiao Yan was a genius, the rules of the academy couldn''t be disregarded for him.

    "Moreover, the gap between a Dou Master and a Dou Practitioner isn''t as simple as the

    difference between high and low-star Dou Practitioners. Dou Masters can use their Dou Qi to form a protective energy cloak, which will significantly diminish the effectiveness of your

    Dou Techniques."

    "I know."

    "You...! Fine, I''ll pick a tough one for you to understand." Instructor Ruo Ling was quite irked by Xiao Yan. Would it kill him to show a little weakness?!

    After Instructor Ruo Ling left in a huff, Xun Er walked up to Xiao Yan and asked, "What''s

    wrong, Xiao Yan ge-ge?"

    "Nothing much. I have to defeat a senior Dou Master to enter the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower," Xiao Yan shrugged. Regardless, he had to enter the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower no matter what, so he had to accept this challenge.

    ...

    Shortly after the sun dipped below the horizon in the west, a pale red glow enveloped the Outer Academy square, casting a thin red carpet upon the ground.

    This was a rather secluded dueling ground within the Outer Academy, one of many such areas provided within the academy for students to settle their disputes.

    A cool breeze blew across the square, giving Xiao Yan a slight chill as he stood there. Xun Er, Xiao Yu, and Instructor Ruo Ling were also present on the sidelines watching the match. Besides the three of them, some bystanders had noticed the duel and sat nearby to

    enjoy the spectacle.

    Under the watchful gaze of the onlookers, Xiao Yan smiled slightly and cupped his fists toward a young man standing in the middle of the square, "Please go easy on me later, senior

    brother."

    Lu Xing showed a mocking smile as he looked at Xiao Yan and said, "Although bullying new students is not my style, since the academy has issued such a mission, I guess I have to

    reluctantly do it this time."

    To ensure fairness, the Deputy Headmaster did not designate a specific student for Xiao Yan to challenge. Instead, he issued a task within the Outer Academy, and whoever accepted the task would be his opponent.

    "That guy has always been like this, never knowing when to ease up a bit, always choosing to

    make things difficult for himself! Lu Xing is a 6-star Dou Master, and he''s only an 8-star Dou Practitioner. How is he supposed to fight?" Xiao Yu stomped her foot in frustration, though her eyes betrayed a hint of helpless concern.