Gan Nan Academy, an ancient academy situated at the heart of the continent, has, over the centuries, produced peak powerhouses who have all commanded great prestige and fame across the land. The most fearsome aspect of an academy is not the strength of its faculty, but the countless formidable individuals it nurtures. If Gan Nan Academy were ever to face a crisis and call upon those powerhouses, the might of such a force would be unimaginably terrifying… Although there are countless academies scattered throughout the continent, Gan Nan Academy’s reputation has never been surpassed. This also shows the depth of this ancient institution, steeped in history.
Across the lands, regardless of race, countless people take pride in being admitted to this venerable academy. Unfortunately, the academy’s stringent admission criteria leave many lamenting their missed opportunities. Atop the lush back mountain of Gan Nan Academy, a young girl in a light blue dress stood gracefully, her slender waist adorned with a purple sash that accentuated her alluring figure. She faced the vast white mist beyond the mountain peak, her smooth, dark hair cascading down her shoulders until it reached her willowy waist. The girl stood with her hands behind her back, her tall and slender form, highlighted by the surrounding faint white fog, resembled a lotus blooming in the mortal world, exuding an otherworldly and ethereal charm. Such a girl was as if born from the essence of the earth, her beauty captivating and mesmerizing.
*Clank…* Suddenly, the clear and ethereal sound of a small bell echoed on the tranquil mountaintop. Upon closer inspection, two tiny green bells hung from the pale wrist of the girl in the green dress. As the bells tinkled softly, a shadow behind the girl suddenly stirred, and an elderly figure emerged.
The old man bowed respectfully toward the girl, smiling, “Miss.”
“Old Ling, you’re finally back.” The girl slowly turned around, her exquisite and refined face breaking into a smile, instantly outshining all the flowers around.
The colors of the forest seemed to coalesce entirely upon her, drawing the eye irresistibly.
“Hehe, what can I do? If I returned without completing the task Miss set for me, wouldn’t I be scolded to death?” The old man laughed, lifting his head. His aged face was that of Ling Ying, who had once aided Xiao Yan in the Yun Lai Sect!
The girl smiled, her thoughts drifting to the young man she couldn’t stop thinking about. Her usually cold voice softened significantly. She glanced at Ling Ying, and her cheeks flushed with a bashful red that would make the entire Gan Nan Academy go wild. In a soft voice, she asked, “Old Ling, how is he?”
“Miss is referring to Young Master Xiao Yan, right?” Ling Ying replied, knowing full well, but noting the deepening blush on the girl’s face, he chuckled. It seemed only that little rascal Xiao Yan had the good fortune and charm to turn the lotus-like, otherworldly Miss into a regular, blushing girl.
“Before I left, Young Master Xiao Yan was fine, and as expected, he won the three-year bet with Nalan Yanran. However…”
Ling Ying paused briefly, then recounted in detail the events that occurred when Xiao Yan visited the Yun Lai Sect, including the intervention of Yun Shan and Xiao Yan’s perilous escape.
“Hehe, fortunately, Young Master Xiao Yan’s abilities far exceeded my expectations. Although Yun Shan disrupted his plan, the Queen Medusa, his ace in the hole, intimidated Yun Shan into inaction. In the end, he descended from the Yun Lai Mountain unscathed.”
“Queen Medusa? Tsk, Big Brother Xiao Yan is quite something, able to summon such a powerhouse… Yun Shan, a Battle Sect-level expert…” The girl brushed aside the stray strands of her hair, her bright eyes flashing with surprise before she smiled softly, “The Yun Lai Sect is stuck in their ways, clinging to the Jia Ma Empire. Since Yun Po Tian, no one truly remarkable has emerged. If this continues, they will eventually be replaced.”
“Is Big Brother Xiao Yan alright?” The girl lifted her eyes, asking again, her fair and delicate face flushing with a rosy blush at the mention of his name.
“Hehe, he’s fine,” Ling Ying nodded, looking up with a meaningful gaze, “I used to wonder why Miss held him in such high regard. After working with him, I understand now. Miss’s judgment is indeed sharp. That little guy, I believe, given enough time, even the Clan Leader wouldn’t dare to deny him.”
Hearing Ling Ying’s praise, a subtle curve appeared on the girl’s face. She had heard countless compliments, but whenever she heard praise for Xiao Yan, she couldn’t help but feel a girlish excitement.
“But you know, that’s assuming he has enough time. Our family has seen many prodigies over the years, but few truly reach the pinnacle. So, now, our family focuses on the present and doesn’t care much for potential, which is rather elusive.”
Ling Ying nodded, acknowledging the truth. The world was never short of geniuses.
“So, Big Brother Xiao Yan still has a long way to go…” The girl mused, then smiled playfully, “But no matter how long, I’m willing to wait, to see him become a true powerhouse.”
Sighing, Ling Ying gazed at the girl, illuminated like a fairy in the morning light. Though silent, his thoughts murmured, *Xiao Yan, even if Miss is willing to wait, if you can’t become strong, your path with her will be fraught with difficulties. With her talents, beauty, and the power behind her, your rivals will be formidable. Even if Miss protects you, would your pride allow you to hide behind her?*
Back then, for the dishonor of a broken engagement, the young man endured three years of grueling training, overcoming countless hardships, just to stand before the woman who once trampled on his dignity as a true powerhouse. If such a person were to hide behind a woman and watch her shield him, it would be more painful than death, wouldn’t it?
“By the way, Old Ling, what level is Big Brother Xiao Yan’s strength at now?” The girl, suddenly curious, asked.
“When I left, Young Master Xiao Yan was around a one-star Great Dou Shi,” Ling Ying smiled.
“One-star Great Dou Shi, huh…” The girl’s eyes curved into a crescent moon, “In two years, from a normal Dou Shi to a Great Dou Shi, advancing one rank per year—such speed would place him in the top five at Gan Nan Academy. It seems Big Brother Xiao Yan has been through a lot in these two years.”
“Without hardship, how can one grow? Young Master Xiao Yan is like a raw jade. Nalan Yanran polished away his laziness, and the subsequent years of training honed his edges, hiding his brilliance. A sword in its sheath, its edge concealed, such a path leads to greatness.”
Ling Ying stroked his beard, smiling.
“Old Ling, why are you so lavish with your praise after a trip to the Jia Ma Empire? I rarely hear you speak of others this way,” the girl giggled, her eyes filled with amusement.
“That little guy deserves it, with no bias,” Ling Ying smiled, then said, “I think Young Master Xiao Yan will come to Gan Nan Academy within a month or two, and then Miss’s longing will be eased.”
A gentle smile tugged at the girl’s lips as she raised her head, Xiao Yan’s slender figure slowly forming in her mind. Over two years, and finally, they would meet again. A warm feeling welled up inside her. Finally, she lowered her head, glancing at Ling Ying, and began to walk down the mountain.
“Old Ling, for now, find a place to rest outside Gan Nan Academy. No need to sneak in unless it’s urgent. Otherwise, if the old folks find out, it’ll cause trouble. They may respect our family, but they are strict about certain rules.”
The girl’s figure gradually disappeared among the leaves, but her voice lingered in the air.
“Hehe, alright. If anything happens, Miss just needs to blow the bee whistle, and I’ll be there immediately.”
Ling Ying nodded, then his body twisted, merging with the shadow of a tree, and faded away.
The girl slowly descended the mountain, her light blue silhouette forming a tempting silhouette under the soft sunlight.
“Hehe, Junior Sister Xun Er, what a coincidence, you just finished your training on the mountain too?” As the girl walked, a gentle voice called out from beside her. She stopped, looking up to see a handsome youth in white, standing with a warm smile, a combination that would ease any girl’s guard, even a stranger.
“Mm,” Seeing the tall and graceful youth, Xun Er’s face didn’t soften at his good looks. She knew he wasn’t just a pretty face; his strength was also top-notch at Gan Nan Academy. Among the students handpicked from all over, he was a standout.
Xun Er’s neutral greeting didn’t change the youth’s expression. He smiled, stepping forward, but before he could speak, she spoke first, “Senior White Mountain, I have something to attend to. Goodbye.”
She smiled, turning and walking down another path, but before she could take a few steps, another voice called out.
“Xun Er, I figured you’d be here.”
Hearing the soft, melodic voice, Xun Er’s face softened, turning to see the mature woman walking towards her. “Teacher Rourin, you’re looking for me?”
At the name, Xun Er recognized the woman as Teacher Rourin, who had gone to Wu Tan City for recruitment two years ago. Time had only made her more elegant and mature.
Teacher Rourin approached, patting Xun Er’s head, “In half a month, the Academy’s advancement competition will start. You know, passing it means entry into the inner court, but only fifty spots are available each year. You could have joined last year, but you chose not to.”
“As a newcomer, how could I compete with the seniors?” Xun Er teased.
“Stop it, I know what you’re thinking. You just wanted to wait for that guy, right?” Teacher Rourin bit her lip, anger flashing on her usually gentle face, “That Xiao Yan, that little brat, dared to waste my time. I went through a lot to give him a year off, but now a year’s passed, and he’s still MIA! If it weren’t for you, I’d have erased his name!”
“Don’t worry, Teacher Rourin, Xiao Yan will definitely come this year,” Xun Er assured.
“Even if he does, what’s the point? Missing two years of academy training, can he possibly surpass the training methods evaluated by the academy’s experts?” Teacher Rourin sighed, “To get a spot, you need at least Great Dou Shi level, and that’s if luck is on your side.”
“Teacher Rourin, don’t underestimate Xiao Yan. He held out for twenty rounds against you with just Dou Shi level strength.”
“…I hope so. This advancement competition isn’t as simple as the last one. Nearly three hundred eligible students, and it’s tough to stand out.”
“Please add Xiao Yan’s name this time, Teacher Rourin,” Xun Er pleaded, pulling on her arm.
“Ahhh, I can’t say no to you. Two years, and you’re always talking about that guy. There are many outstanding boys in Gan Nan Academy, like—”
Teacher Rourin glanced at the smiling White Mountain nearby.
Xun Er smiled, seemingly not hearing her.
“Knew you wouldn’t care…” Teacher Rourin withdrew the joke, “Let’s go, class is starting soon. I doubt you want to stay here and deal with White Mountain, right?”
Xun Er nodded, leading Teacher Rourin as they chatted, walking down the path.
The white-robed youth stood quietly by the path, watching the two depart, his smile fading slightly. He plucked a dry leaf from the air, muttering, “Xiao Yan? The freshman who took a two-year leave? Let’s see what makes you so special to Xun Er. A girl like her, mere mortals aren’t worthy of.”
White Mountain turned, his fingers flicking the leaf, sending it flying, embedding half its length into a boulder.
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