Standing on the broad pathway within the Inner Academy, Xiao Yan gazed at the energetic students bustling about. His face, which had grown somewhat stern from months of mingling in the Black-Corner Region, slowly softened. Although the competition within the Inner Academy was intense, it felt like a paradise compared to the almost cruel Black-Corner Region. Accompanying Xiao Yan into the Inner Academy was the always close-by Medusa. The two of them, standing without any restraint on this busy thoroughfare, naturally drew countless awed and curious gazes. With Medusa’s beauty so captivating that it was nearly demonic, she possessed an inexplicable allure for the young students living in their ivory tower. Younger lads or youths were invariably more interested in mature women, perhaps this was what was known as the “big sister” complex.
Despite the dazzled stares, Medusa paid no heed, her beautiful face remaining cold as ice, and the aura of aloofness around her extinguishing any thoughts of casual conversation in the bolder ones.
While Medusa could ignore the glances around them, Xiao Yan was somewhat helpless. Since Medusa was constantly by his side, the gazes inevitably fell upon him too. Yet, when these eyes turned to him, they were not mere admiration but a pure envy and jealousy that stemmed from the hearts of men. To be the one who could monopolize such a peerless beauty, he was a common adversary in the hearts of many men. Faced with the glares tinged with hostility, Xiao Yan could only shake his head helplessly. He certainly would not tangle with these younger fellow students. After identifying the direction, he waved to Medusa and then, with a flicker of silver light at his feet, vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving behind a sea of astonished gazes.
After the duo disappeared, the quiet atmosphere was gradually broken by whispers. “That guy is so fast! It seems they’re not even Inner Academy students, right?”
“But that guy looks a bit familiar, doesn’t he?”
Some people blinked in puzzlement, racking their brains to recall.
“Oh, I remember! Isn’t he the leader of ‘Pill Gate’, Xiao Yan?”
Suddenly, a startled exclamation rang out, followed by nods of recognition from the crowd. They looked at each other, excitement gleaming in their eyes. For this mysterious figure who was almost a legend within the Inner Academy, yet often elusive, many held a deep admiration. In the great battle that determined the fate of the Inner Academy, this youth almost single-handedly reversed the final outcome. Such a dazzling record alone was enough to make these young students feel a surge of enthusiasm.
“Tsk, no wonder he has such a beauty following him, it’s Senior Xiao Yan…”
After recognizing Xiao Yan’s identity, many people secretly murmured, their hearts filled with a sigh of relief. Only a hero could have such a beauty as a companion.
Xiao Yan, of course, did not hear these murmurs. After leaving the scene, he rushed to the area where Great Elder Su Qian resided. When Xiao Yan entered Su Qian’s study, the latter noticed his footsteps and glanced up, smiling slightly as he saw Xiao Yan enter. Then, his gaze locked onto Medusa behind Xiao Yan.
“Ha ha, Great Elder, don’t worry, things between me and her are settled,” Xiao Yan quickly said, seeing Su Qian’s face suddenly tighten. He knew that Su Qian was always wary of Medusa, as this woman truly made him feel a sense of danger.
Hearing this, Su Qian’s tense body relaxed slightly. While his attention was still mostly fixed on Medusa, he managed to smile, saying, “You, this fellow, you’ve been gone for several months. If it weren’t for my confidence in you, I would have thought those guys in the Black-Corner Region had done you in.”
Xiao Yan smiled, walked into the study, and sat down in front of Su Qian, saying, “Great Elder, don’t tease me. The commotion I caused in the Black-Corner Region wasn’t small. How could the Inner Academy not notice?”
Su Qian paused, then laughed and shook his head, “You really aren’t a docile student. You now control Maple City and even organized a grand medicinal auction, attracting half the gazes of the Black-Corner Region. The Inner Academy naturally had to pay attention.”
Xiao Yan nodded. As two neighboring behemoths, the Inner Academy must be especially vigilant about that chaotic place. Originally, according to the Inner Academy’s decision, Maple City, being too close to the Inner Academy, should not be allowed to be occupied by any other force from the Black-Corner Region to avoid future trouble. However, due to Xiao Yan, Maple City became the property of ‘Pill Gate’. Even so, some necessary monitoring measures were still required for the overall safety of the academy.
“What plans do you have for coming back? But remember, you are still a student of the Inner Academy. According to your time here, you haven’t graduated, yet you spend most of your days away. This kind of behavior could earn you several titles for being an unruly student,” Su Qian asked, rolling his eyes at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan chuckled awkwardly, “Great Elder, you know, I’m of little use in the Inner Academy now.”
Su Qian rolled his eyes, knowing that Xiao Yan’s strength, while impressive, no longer had much room for improvement in the Inner Academy. Even the bottom floor of the Tianyan Tower, which housed the true Falling Heart Flame, no longer appealed to him. Still, it irked him slightly; this guy was too distracted.
“Great Elder, I might return to the Jia Ma Empire in the next two months,” Xiao Yan said, his gaze fixed on Su Qian, his expression growing serious.
Pausing, Su Qian frowned, pondering, “Going back to the Jia Ma Empire? So soon?”
Xiao Yan sighed lightly, “It’s been three years since I left. Some grievances must be resolved.”
“Yes, I won’t say anything to stop you. Though your strength has greatly increased, you must still be cautious. The Yunlan Sect is deeply entrenched in the Jia Ma Empire, with immense power. Also, Yun Shan is a genuine Battle Sect, and if you are careless, you might not get another chance. I know, when you came to the Canaan College, it was with the intention of growing stronger to take revenge. These three years have changed you from the impetuous youth you once were,” Su Qian said, his voice filled with gravity.
“Great Elder’s advice, Xiao Yan will remember forever. Thank you for your care over the years,” Xiao Yan said, moved by Su Qian’s sincere reminder. Standing up, he bowed respectfully. Su Qian’s kindness and favor towards him at the Canaan College were obvious to everyone, and this grace could not be taken lightly.
“Ha ha, what need for formalities? You are a student of the Inner Academy. This is all in my duty,” Su Qian said, waving his hand. Looking at the young face, he sighed, “I truly envy Venerable Yao for having such an outstanding disciple. Honestly, I once intended to do the same…”
Xiao Yan was stunned but quickly replied, “Great Elder, to me, you are also an invaluable teacher.”
Su Qian smiled, “Are you leaving? Do you need any help?”
Xiao Yan scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, “Actually, I just wanted to ask you to look after ‘Pill Gate’ after I leave. This place has good potential, and once I resolve the matters in the Jia Ma Empire, I will send someone to formally take over. Until then, I hope you can help manage it. You know the Black-Corner Region; without me, Maple City might be taken over by other forces soon.”
“You want an Inner Academy elder to look after your forces in the Black-Corner Region?” Su Qian was bemused but, after a moment, nodded, “This isn’t too much trouble. The Black-Corner Region has many factions, and if they united, even the Canaan College might struggle. Fortunately, they are too suspicious of each other to team up. With our strength, managing ‘Pill Gate’ shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Thank you, Great Elder!” Seeing Su Qian agree, Xiao Yan was delighted, bowing in gratitude.
Su Qian smiled, “Though I know returning to the Jia Ma Empire is very important to you, due to the Canaan College’s special status on the continent, I can’t help you much.”
“Xiao Yan isn’t unreasonable. You’ve already helped me a lot,” Xiao Yan said, understanding that Su Qian couldn’t mobilize the Canaan College’s forces for his personal revenge.
Looking at the bright, youthful face, Su Qian nodded, tapping his fingers on the desk, “Of course, some elders, especially those like Lin Yan who rose from students, are free to act despite their titles. They can do as they please. Do you understand?”
Realizing the underlying meaning, Xiao Yan nodded with a smile.
“In that case, thank you, Great Elder!”
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