The eerie and sinister aura seeping from the Necromantic Tree made the group of people standing at the entrance of the small town feel a chill to their bones. In the Black-Corner Region, this Necromantic Tree had earned a reputation that was terrifying to many. Those who had spent some years in the Black-Corner Region would never forget the deadly battle between the Black-Corner Region and the Jia Nan Academy. The exact cause of that bloodbath was no longer important, but what remained vivid in everyone’s memory was the cruel display of two Dou Wang and one Battle Emperor’s corpses hanging from the tree. Since then, the area around the Jia Nan Academy had fallen into an unnatural tranquility, cut off from the rest of the world. No more fierce men from the Black-Corner Region dared to bring their murderous intent into these towns. Even when there were occasional disturbances, the perpetrators would end up as corpses hung on the Necromantic Tree within an hour. Over the years, the infamous reputation of the Necromantic Tree spread throughout the Black-Corner Region, making even the most notorious criminals hesitant to enter this place that they regarded as a graveyard.
Standing at the town gate, Xiao Yan took a deep breath, dispelling the chill in his heart. Ignoring the hesitating crowd, he lifted his foot and stepped into the “Peace Town,” which served as the entry to the Jia Nan Academy. As soon as he entered the town, he sensed a strange fluctuation sweeping over him. Disregarding the scrutinizing presence, he looked up at the bustling streets. There were many pedestrians, stalls on both sides, and children playing and laughing. This peaceful atmosphere was a stark contrast to the usual chaos in the Black-Corner Region. The passersby noticed Xiao Yan, eyeing him with a hint of wariness but not much fear.
Xiao Yan scanned the street and was about to proceed when he felt a sudden urge. Lifting his gaze to the rooftops, he saw a dozen figures moving like apes, swiftly heading towards the town gate. Soon, the dozen figures landed at the gate, and their leader, a middle-aged man, said coldly, “Anyone entering Peace Town must state their identity and name. Otherwise, you will be expelled.”
Xiao Yan noticed that apart from the middle-aged man, the others were young men and women, all around twenty-two or three years old. They wore light blue robes, and on their chests were azure badges, each with a dagger stained with crimson blood. They observed Xiao Yan and his companions with a mixture of caution and rejection.
“Also, after stating your names and identities, take this pill.” The middle-aged man waved his hand, revealing a bottle of pale red pills. He glanced at the slightly nervous crowd and continued, “Don’t worry; it’s not poison. It’s a pill made by the Alchemy Department that can sense murderous intent. If you have malicious intentions in the town, the pill will emit a red light, and our law enforcement team will find you. You should know how the Jia Nan Academy deals with those who bring the evil of the Black-Corner Region here. When you leave the town, go to the antidote distribution point in the center. However, once you get the antidote, the law enforcement team will monitor your departure.”
Hearing this, the crowd at the gate paled. Their sharp instincts told them not to trust such pills. Just as some rebellious ones were about to protest, the dozen young men and women behind the middle-aged man unsheathed their swords, their various-colored Dou Qi flaring out, pointing at the gate, ready to expel any who disobeyed.
“The rules of Peace Town are clear. If you don’t like them, stay out. Violate the rules, and the Necromantic Tree might have some new decorations,” the middle-aged man said, his body emitting a powerful aura.
“His strength is at least that of a seven-star Da Dou Shi,” Xiao Yan muttered, feeling the overwhelming presence.
The crowd, noticing the unwavering stance and the ominous Necromantic Tree, shuddered. Some, gritting their teeth, reluctantly left. The remaining few, though unwilling, approached the middle-aged man, stated their names, and swallowed the pill under the watchful eyes of the law enforcement team.
Seeing the compliance, the middle-aged man’s stern face softened slightly. “Students of the academy, do we need to take this?” asked a young man as the pill was handed to him.
“Hmm?” The surrounding people and the law enforcement team turned to look at the young man. The middle-aged man, with a skeptical look, asked, “You’re a student of the academy?”
“I passed the entrance exam and took a leave of absence, so I came on my own,” Xiao Yan shrugged, smiling.
“You traversed the Black-Corner Region alone?” The middle-aged man was astonished. Most freshmen were escorted through the dangerous Black-Corner Region, and a newcomer would rarely survive unaided.
Xiao Yan nodded, and the middle-aged man, still surprised, said, “State your name, age, and recruitment mentor.”
“Xiao Yan, eighteen, mentor… Ruolin,” he said, remembering the gentle woman from his past.
“Eighteen? Traversed the Black-Corner Region alone? That’s a first for me.” The middle-aged man waved his hand, preparing to instruct the others to check the records when a young man, deep in thought, blurted out, “Xiao Yan? You’re the one from the Mo Empire who took a two-year leave?”
The exclamation startled the crowd, who now looked at Xiao Yan with newfound curiosity. This student, who had already gained notoriety before even entering the academy, was a legend in his own right, partly due to Xun’er.
“Xiao Yan? Xun’er’s Xiao Yan gege?” The gazes of the young men, filled with a peculiar meaning, fixed on Xiao Yan. He had seen similar expressions in Garry back in Wu Tan City.
“Hey, this girl… I haven’t even arrived, and she’s giving me rivals?” Xiao Yan chuckled, shaking his head.
“If you’re Xiao Yan from Wu Tan City, then it’s you,” the middle-aged man said, gesturing for Xiao Yan to follow him to the academy office to verify his identity. “I’m Hode, captain of the Second Squad of the Jia Nan Academy Law Enforcement Team and a Yellow-Rank mentor.”
“Teacher Hode,” Xiao Yan greeted, following Hode amidst the curious gazes of the law enforcement team.
“Is this really Xiao Yan?” The young men whispered, watching Xiao Yan’s back.
“He doesn’t seem extraordinary, but why does Xun’er think of him so much? She even rejected our captain for him,” one commented.
“Don’t underestimate Xiao Yan. To enter the Black-Corner Region alone and make it here safely speaks volumes,” another said, earning nods from the others.
“A two-year leave? This guy is unique… But maybe things will get interesting at the academy. Many are eager to see what makes Xun’er’s Xiao Yan gege so special,” a young man mused, crossing his arms.
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