Today, the Mitte Auction House was undoubtedly the most bustling it had been in half a year. The spacious hall was filled with a sea of people, and the cacophony of voices made Xiao Yan and his companions feel disoriented the moment they entered, as if a swarm of flies were buzzing in their ears, causing annoyance and restlessness. Looking at the overcrowded hall, Xiao Zhan frowned and shook his head helplessly, having to ask the auction house staff to lead them through the VIP entrance. Only then did they manage to enter the auction quietly.
Inside the auction, although the number of people was still considerable, it was much quieter compared to outside. Xiao Zhan scanned the room and led Xiao Yan and the others to seats near the front of the auction stage, taking their seats smoothly.
Sitting slightly further back, Xiao Yan looked around boredly, lazily leaning against the backrest, waiting for the auction to begin.
“Sister, in another half year, it seems like it will be the time for the annual admission to the Jia Nan Academy, right?” With one leg casually crossed over the other, and his eyes slightly narrowed, Xiao Yan’s ear suddenly caught the somewhat eager inquiry from Xiao Ning. The mention of that particular name made his brows subtly raise.
Jia Nan Academy, the renowned academy of Dou Qi on the continent, possessed strength far beyond what ordinary people could imagine. It was said that within the Jia Nan Academy, one needed to have at least the strength of a Great Dou Master to become a teacher. If comparing the depth of power, even the Yunlan Sect would likely pale in comparison.
In the world of Dou Qi, academies and sects differed. Joining a sect would mean adhering to its restrictions, and future actions would represent the sect behind you. However, academies were different; after graduation, there would be no mandatory ties! Though this was so, people, after all, were not emotionless beings. In such an ivory tower environment, students often developed a sense of attachment to the academy. After graduation, this subtle sentiment would make many willing to help the academy within their capabilities.
Help from one person might not be significant, but the impact of a thousand or ten thousand individuals would create a formidable network of influence… This was precisely the goal of all academies.
Joining an academy was the best shortcut to acquiring advanced techniques and Dou Qi. Within an institution like the Jia Nan Academy, exceptional performance or favor from certain teachers could potentially lead to higher-level techniques and Dou Qi. With these, the path to becoming a strong practitioner became much shorter.
Techniques, Dou Qi, and elixirs—the three most attractive things on the continent—were all found in the Jia Nan Academy. Thus, in the hearts of countless people, entering the Jia Nan Academy almost guaranteed a bright future. Graduates from the Jia Nan Academy were always highly sought after by various forces, promising a luminous future.
Therefore, every year, countless young people from the Jia Ma Empire would vie fiercely to enter the Jia Nan Academy.
The Jia Nan Academy was indeed a prestigious place, but its admission criteria were extremely strict: candidates must reach the eighth level of Dou Qi before the age of eighteen!
This stringent baseline excluded those lacking in talent, so only gifted young people managed to enter.
…
Hearing Xiao Ning’s question, Xiao Yu nodded slightly, glancing at Xiao Yan with a hint of pride. “Don’t worry, you already meet the admission requirements. And the person in charge of recruitment in Wu Tan City is my mentor, a Five-Star Great Dou Master. With me vouching for you, there won’t be any problems.”
“Hehe, that’s good.” Hearing this, Xiao Ning’s face lit up with joy, nodding excitedly.
Listening to the conversation between the two, Xiao Yan smirked slightly. In the past, he might have aimed to enter the Jia Nan Academy to acquire more advanced techniques, but now, with the mysterious Pharmacist Elder as his teacher, the Jia Nan Academy no longer held much appeal.
“Brother Xiao Yan, don’t you plan to apply to the Jia Nan Academy in half a year?” Xuner asked softly, noticing Xiao Yan’s lack of enthusiasm.
Hearing Xuner’s question, Xiao Yu’s brows rose, and she also turned her gaze towards Xiao Yan, firmly deciding that if this little rascal wanted to enter the Jia Nan Academy, she would privately arrange for her mentor to give him a hard time.
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose lazily, “Not really interested. What’s there to learn with a bunch of kids? If I want Dou Qi techniques, I’d rather go cliff-diving for treasure hunts. It’s more exciting.”
“Hmph, how arrogant. You think the academy is begging you to join? Just because you have a bit of talent, you act so proud. Your kind of talent isn’t rare in the Jia Nan Academy. It’s better if you don’t go. If you do, with your annoying attitude, you’ll just be seeking humiliation,” Xiao Yu scolded coldly, displeased that Xiao Yan had belittled the academy she was proud of.
Xiao Yan glanced at the indignant Xiao Yu, rolled his eyes, and chose not to argue. He only had less than two years left to fulfill his promise to Nalan Yanran, and his sole goal now was to surpass her.
Time was running out, and the gap between them was still substantial. Xiao Yan didn’t believe that anyone in the Jia Nan Academy could help him surpass Nalan Yanran in the remaining two years. If it wasn’t possible, why bother going to that broken academy? Could they teach alchemy like the Pharmacist Elder? Even if they could, would they have the same skill?
Shaking his head, Xiao Yan no longer argued about the academy. His gaze shifted to the nearby crowd, noticing that the other major families had also entered the auction.
From behind a group of people, Xiao Yan suddenly felt a cold, sinister gaze. Turning his head, he saw Gally, the one he had clashed with in the marketplace. The young master of the Galley family was staring at him maliciously, occasionally glancing lecherously at Xuner’s graceful figure. When Xiao Yan looked back, Gally grinned sinisterly, moving his lips without sound.
Staring at Gally’s moving lips, Xiao Yan could barely discern his words: “Xiao Family’s little waste, finally done with the coming-of-age ceremony, huh? Don’t let me catch you in Wu Tan City again, or… hehe!”
With a slight squint, Xiao Yan smiled faintly, a glint of malice flashing in his lowered eyes.
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