In the spacious and luminous chamber, bookshelves interwove densely, filled with all sorts of ancient tomes, exuding an aura of scholarly elegance. At this moment, in the center of the room, three figures stood quietly. Behind the table before them, an elder with hair and beard as white as snow was slowly perusing the materials in his hands, the entire room enveloped in a solemn silence.
The trio standing in the room consisted of two men and one woman. Upon closer inspection, they were none other than Baisan, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia, who had been severely injured by Xiao Yan. The two men, Baisan and Wu Hao, hung their heads, their faces still somewhat pale, though their condition had improved significantly compared to before. Meanwhile, Hu Jia, with her eyes wide open, stared at the old man for a long while before pouting and looking thoroughly aggrieved.
After the silence had stretched for nearly ten minutes, Vice Principal Hu Gan finally shifted his gaze from the books, speaking indifferently, “Don’t expect me to vent your anger. This is what you brought upon yourselves. If you have the capability, go and fight Xiao Yan. But as for who would win, that’s none of my concern. In the Gana Academy, such sparring matches are not prohibited. You can do it whenever you want.”
“Hmph, I didn’t expect anything. That day, I lost because I was caught off guard. I hadn’t even revealed my true cards, or the outcome might have been different,” Hu Jia huffed, then added, “I just hate that guy for being so ruthless. I’m a girl, after all. Could he not be a little gentler? I’m not like these two with thick skin and tough bodies.”
Hearing Hu Jia’s grumbling, Hu Gan couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “At that time, who would care about sparing you? You three attacked one person. If Xiao Yan had held back, it would have been truly unreasonable. Of course, his final move also surprised me. This kid is quite a fierce character.”
“None of you should bear a grudge against him. Young people, think more openly. It’s not worth getting bogged down over such matters. Xiao Yan’s potential is extremely terrifying. Remember, it’s always better to have more friends than enemies, especially an enemy that makes your blood run cold.”
Hu Gan looked at the three before him with a serious expression. “Hmph, women hold grudges the longest. I remember that kick, and if I ever get the chance, he won’t escape,” Hu Jia said, sticking out her tongue.
Hearing this, Hu Gan smiled. Based on his understanding of her, he knew that she was not truly harboring resentment, but clearly, Xiao Yan’s kick had left a mark. Though she wouldn’t become his enemy, she wouldn’t show him any kindness either.
“I won’t consider him an enemy, but I will see him as a rival I must surpass,” Wu Hao stated calmly.
Hu Gan nodded slightly. Wu Hao was indeed a combat enthusiast, and it was precisely such individuals who could walk far on the path of strength. No wonder even the principal held him in high regard.
“Ha, it was just a sparring match. Getting injured is entirely normal. Why should we hold grudges?” Baisan smiled, his face devoid of any hint of anger.
However, Baisan’s smile made Hu Gan’s brow furrow subtly. As the vice principal of the Gana Academy, he had lived for many years, and his shrewdness allowed him to discern whether Baisan’s words were genuine or feigned.
Gazing deeply at Baisan, Hu Gan fell silent. He understood that, given the adoration Baisan had received over the years, having it shattered by Xiao Yan in one fell swoop must be extremely painful. However, he hoped Baisan wouldn’t do anything foolish. The young man who dared to challenge an entire sect in the Jia Ma Empire alone was not someone to be taken lightly.
A sharp creaking sound echoed softly, and a voice entered the room, “Vice Principal, Xiao Yan and Xiao’er have arrived.”
“Please, let them in,” Hu Gan replied, closing the book in his hand and smiling. He then turned to Baisan and the others, “Once you enter the Inner Academy, you may have to work together. Don’t make things awkward. Every year, the newcomers who don’t form alliances don’t fare well. In the Inner Academy, strength reigns supreme. The stronger you are, the better the conditions for cultivation. There, your backgrounds mean nothing, including mine!”
As he spoke the last sentence, Hu Gan fixed his gaze on Hu Jia, the unspoken meaning clear. Hu Jia pouted, nodding despite her reservations.
Shortly after, two figures entered the room, their eyes scanning the spacious chamber before settling on Hu Gan. They stepped forward and bowed.
“Ha, you two are finally here,” Hu Gan said, smiling warmly. His gaze lingered on Xiao Yan’s face for a moment. Since Xiao Yan had arrived at the Gana Academy nearly ten days ago, this was the first time Hu Gan had met the student whose reputation had reached its peak.
Calm and gentle—these two words suddenly popped into Hu Gan’s mind. He muttered to himself, chuckling bitterly. These words were a stark contrast to the wildness Xiao Yan displayed in battle.
After carefully observing Xiao Yan’s ink-black eyes, Hu Gan, with his experienced gaze, detected a restless, fiery energy beneath the calm surface. It was as if a volcano lurked beneath a peaceful mountain, ready to erupt with terrifying power and fury at any moment.
“Your Dou Qi seems gentle, but it has an unstable, volcanic quality. It must be related to the Flame you possess.” Hu Gan’s eyes swept over Xiao Yan’s body, sensing the nature of his Dou Qi. Such insight was fitting for the vice principal of the Gana Academy’s Outer Academy.
“Now that you’re all here, I won’t beat around the bush. You know why you’ve been called here. You are the top five of this selection competition, and according to the rules, you have the right to enter the Hidden Pavilion to try your luck.”
With that, Hu Gan stood up, approached the wall behind him, and casually tapped it several times. A low rumbling sound echoed, and a dark passage appeared before the five.
“Follow me,” Hu Gan waved, leading the way into the dark passage. Curious, Hu Jia followed without hesitation, followed by Wu Hao and Baisan. Once they all entered, Xiao Yan, holding Xun’er, cautiously followed, his years of experience making him cautious.
Inside the passage, Xiao Yan noticed large, glowing pearls embedded in the walls, casting a soft, ethereal light. For Xiao Yan and the others, it was enough. The atmosphere in the passage was quiet, save for the soft rustling of footsteps. Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over Hu Gan, who led the way, and his grip on Xun’er tightened. As a newcomer, he was unfamiliar with the Gana Academy and knew little about the formidable vice principal.
Xun’er, sensing Xiao Yan’s tension, patted his hand and shook her head, smiling. Xiao Yan nodded, took a deep breath, and gradually calmed down, quickening his pace.
After walking for about half an hour, a bright light appeared at the end of the passage. The group hastened their steps, and soon, they stepped out into the open.
Blinding sunlight poured down, causing Xiao Yan and the others to instinctively close their eyes. When they reopened them, they were slightly surprised by the scene before them.
Before them lay a valley depression, with steep cliffs extending upward to the horizon. In the center of the three cliffs, a vast, open space contained a massive, ancient, and imposing building.
Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over the structure, finally settling on an ancient plaque hanging outside, which bore three faded characters: “Treasure Pavilion.”
The ancient script, though worn by time, still conveyed a sense of awe-inspiring history. Indeed, the Treasure Pavilion of the Gana Academy’s Outer Academy was a place of mystery, and this plaque alone underscored its significance.
Hu Gan led the five toward the Treasure Pavilion, stopping twenty meters away and bowing, “The top five of this year’s Inner Academy selection have arrived. According to tradition, I bring them here. Elders, please open the door!”
Hu Gan’s words, carried by his Dou Qi, reverberated through the small valley, lingering for a long while. Soon after, Xiao Yan’s eyes, which had been fixed on the Treasure Pavilion, suddenly narrowed, and his gaze darted to two gray-robed figures seated at the entrance. He had distinctly seen no one there when they entered!
Now, the two figures seemed to have been sitting there all along. This eerie scene sent a chill down Xiao Yan’s spine, yet it also piqued his curiosity. The Treasure Pavilion, which the Gana Academy treated with such reverence, must house something extraordinary.
“The Gana Academy is truly profound in its heritage,” Xiao Yan thought, impressed.
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