Xun'er's face glowed with a shy but joyful smile as she listened to Xiao Jietian.
"I just woke up too. I'll tidy up and then come find you, Tian Ge."
She went over to the clothes rack in Xiao Jietian's room, picked up his jacket, helped him put it on, and then sat down in a chair with a cheerful smile.
"Wait a moment—I'll wash up, and then we'll explore the Inner Academy together," Xiao Jietian said.
After washing, he held Xun'er's hand, and the two walked downstairs.
There, they found Xiao Yan and the other four sitting and chatting. Among them, Hu Jia and Wu Hao had already broken through to Seven-Star Da Dou Shi, Xiao Yan had reached the peak of Seven-Star Da Dou Shi, and Xiao Yu was still at One-Star Da Dou Shi.
"Congratulations on your breakthroughs! Do you two have any plans for today?" Xiao Jietian asked Hu Jia and Wu Hao first, then looked at Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu.
"I had a slight epiphany yesterday, and the breakthrough came naturally. Today, I plan to go to the Arena. Elder Su mentioned it last night, and my hands are itching," Wu Hao revealed a rare smile.
"He's quite the battle maniac," Hu Jia said with a glance. "I haven't decided yet… wherever Xun'er goes, I'll follow."
Hu Jia gave Xun'er a teasing look. "But Xun'er is already taken, so put away your little thoughts."
Xiao Jietian frowned at her playful remark. "Xun'er will always belong to my Tian Ge."
Xun'er lightly chuckled, linking arms with Xiao Jietian.
Those around them suddenly felt stuffed with dog food.
"Yu Yu, I need comfort," Hu Jia said, extending her hand toward Xiao Yu.
"I refuse! I'm not into that," Xiao Yu replied quickly. She had long suspected that this Little Enchantress in front of her had a fondness for women.
"And Xiao Yan Zi, what about you?" Hu Jia asked.
"I haven't decided yet. I plan to wander. Tian Ge, what about you?" Xiao Yan said.
Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Xiao Jietian guessed he wanted to locate the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda he had mentioned before.
"You can just follow me. I also want to explore the Inner Academy with Xun'er."
"I want to go too!" ×2 Xiao Yu and Hu Jia quickly echoed.
The six of them immediately agreed and stepped out the door.
Because they were among the top in this selection competition and had defeated Luo Hou's team, no short-sighted old students dared to cause trouble.
Luo Hou himself was at least among the top hundred experts in the Academy, and most forces were still observing from afar. Large forces looked down on small fry, and small forces dared not provoke them.
"Wu Hao, if you see any new students along the road, try to win them over," Xiao Jietian instructed as they parted ways.
Wu Hao nodded and headed toward the Arena.
Walking along the road, the group curiously observed their surroundings. Xiao Jietian's pavilion was nestled in the innermost, most secluded area.
After a short while, they reached the main road, lined on both sides with residences of other new students. These houses were mostly single-story, nothing comparable to Xiao Jietian's.
"Why don't I see anyone else?" Xiao Yu wondered aloud, observing the empty road and closed dorm doors.
"Perhaps everyone has already gone out. People are usually curious about their new surroundings, and besides, this is where we'll be staying for a long time," Hu Jia explained.
"My grandfather told me that the Inner Academy is a five-year system. After five years, everyone goes their separate ways. If you're exceptionally talented or reach the Dou Wang realm, you can extend your stay for two years or apply to become an Elder in the Academy."
Xiao Yu nodded silently.
While they were talking, Xiao Jietian summoned the system.
"System, check in."
Ding! A notification appeared:
Checked in at Jia Nan Academy Inner Academy. Obtained:
Boundless Heaven Tower – Divided into nine floors, each corresponding to a cultivation realm. Successfully challenging a floor grants energy stones containing pure Heaven and Earth energy, accelerating cultivation. (Energy stones can only be absorbed within the small world; they dissipate if removed.)
Juvenile Heavenly Beast Mountain – Integrating this into the small world enhances Heaven and Earth energy, allowing all things to thrive, aiding the formation of mineral and spirit veins.
Xiao Jietian examined the two rewards. Both were extremely useful and could be placed within his small world.
The Boundless Heaven Tower acted like a mini Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda, accelerating cultivation within the Inner Academy. Once refined, it could attract even more students.
As for the Heavenly Beast Mountain, Xiao Jietian planned to merge it with the mountain where his Eternal Heaven Palace was located, creating a place rich in Heaven and Earth energy.
"Tian Ge, why are you suddenly smiling so foolishly?" Xun'er asked, noticing his expression.
Cough, cough… Xiao Jietian coughed lightly, controlling his expression. "I'm just happy to finally be able to stay with Xun'er." His eyes softened with undisguised tenderness.
Xun'er blinked gently, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Tian Ge… Xun'er is very happy too."
The five of them continued along the main road but soon found themselves blocked. Xiao Jietian gently pushed aside the crowd with subtle Dou Qi, leading them through.
Inside, they saw nearly twenty new students surrounded by seven or eight old students. Some new students had red marks on their faces, evidence of previous conflict, while many old students watched with amused smiles.
As they approached, Xiao Jietian overheard the conversation:
"I advise you to be sensible. Paying protection fees upon entering the Academy has always been the rule of the Inner Academy—two days of Fire Energy per person. Hand it over obediently, or a little physical pain won't be good. Pay, and we'll ensure your safety," a young man said arrogantly, clenching his fists menacingly.
Among the new students, one flushed young man replied, "We know the rule. But new students only pay at most two factions. We've already given our Fire Energy to five factions since last night—what's left?"
The old student grinned disdainfully. "That was the old rule. This year is different. You won the competition, so we need to treat you specially. Don't think we don't know—you've been rewarded with plenty of Fire Energy. Forget it. You won't even get a fart from us."
The new students were furious.
"Refuse a toast, and you'll drink a forfeit. Since you're uncooperative, I'll teach you a lesson. This isn't the Outer Academy. Injuries during sparring are normal, and the Academy won't interfere. Let's see how strong your bones really are, and how wonderfully they crack!"
The old student narrowed his eyes, scanning the new students dangerously.
"Is that so? I'd like to see how hard your bones are too," a voice said, faintly smiling from the crowd.
The chapter ends with Xiao Jietian revealing himself and preparing to handle the situation, setting the stage for a clash with the inner Academy's bullies.