Chapter 115: Journey to the Inner Court (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

Safely passing through that invisible doorway, a wave of energy slowly surged forth. Xiao Xie turned to look, only to see that the torn invisible threshold was gradually fading away. Moments later, an extremely tight wall of spatial folds reappeared, shielding the chamber behind it once more.

His gaze skipped over those barely perceptible spatial wrinkles and swept toward the entrance of the archive. Xiao Xie's face suddenly changed; the two grey-robed figures who had previously been seated there had vanished mysteriously.

Shaking his head, Xiao Xie dismissed the thought and followed Hu Qian, once again entering the cave by which they had arrived.

With Xiao Xie and his companions gone, the secluded valley, whose location was unknown, finally returned to its former tranquility.

Inside the spacious room, Hu Qian watched as the walls slowly drew together, then turned and smiled at the three, saying, "All right, you've received your rewards. Now, rest for two days. After that, I will take you to the Inner Academy."

He then spoke to Ruolin, who had been waiting in the room, "Ruolin, these three youngsters are in your care for the next two days."

"Understood, Vice Dean. Xiao Xie, follow me," Ruolin called to them.

"Thank you, Vice Dean," Xiao Xie replied, then left with Little Doctor Immortal and Qinglin, following Ruolin.

"This favor was well worth giving," Hu Qian said with a smile, watching their departing figures.

Ruolin took the three to her residence and arranged three rooms for them to stay in temporarily.

"Young master, this is for you!" Qinglin produced a red fruit and handed it to Xiao Xie; it was something she had taken from the Archive just moments ago.

"This is the Earth Flame Fruit, a heavenly-tier medicinal herb. Simply consuming it can raise the cultivation of a Dou Emperor by one star. Since Qinglin gave it, I'll accept it," Xiao Xie said, taking it without hesitation.

"This is for you," Little Doctor Immortal handed him a jade bottle she had obtained from the Archive.

"This is Ten-Thousand-Year Milk Essence!" Xiao Xie opened the bottle, startled to find another rare treasure of the earth and sky. He accepted it without ceremony.

"This battle skill is for you," Xiao Xie took out a scroll and handed it to Little Doctor Immortal.

"Poison Dragon Strike, a mid-tier earth-level battle skill." Little Doctor Immortal was surprised as she read the large characters on the scroll. Poison-type battle skills were rare; most of her moves had been developed by combining poisonous Dou Qi with various toxic fruits. This Poison Dragon Strike, being a mid-tier earth-level skill, would surely boost her power once she mastered it. Moreover, she could use it to develop more poison-based battle skills in the future.

"This is for you," Xiao Xie gave another scroll to Qinglin—a high-tier earth-level cultivation method, Heavenly Serpent Technique, perfectly suited for someone with partial serpent bloodline like Qinglin.

Qinglin accepted the Heavenly Serpent Technique with a joyful face and immediately began cultivating. Among the three, she was the weakest and felt considerable pressure, even though Xiao Xie said nothing. She herself hoped to grow stronger quickly, to help Xiao Xie more effectively.

...

"Ten... Ten... Ten-thousand forms..."

"What is it? Ten-thousand forms what?" Xiao Xie infused spiritual power while listening to the information Chanda transmitted to him, but he still couldn't catch it all. Still, hearing one more word meant progress.

Knock, knock, knock...

"Young master, Sister Ruolin is here. It's time to go." Qinglin pushed open the door and entered, telling Xiao Xie that their two days at Ruolin's residence were up, and it was time for the Inner Academy.

"I know, let's go!" Xiao Xie hung Chanda at his waist, rose, and followed Qinglin out.

Ruolin and Little Doctor Immortal were already waiting outside. When Xiao Xie emerged, Ruolin nodded to him, and the four walked to Vice Dean Hu Qian's study. Before the door, the open space was already crowded with many people, divided into groups, chatting quietly.

"They are the top fifty from this Inner Academy selection tournament. They'll be entering the Inner Academy with you. The selection ended a month ago, and if you'd come earlier, Xiao Xie, you surely would have won," Ruolin explained, seeing their puzzled expressions.

Xiao Xie smiled and shook his head at her words. Among these people, the strongest was only a Great Dou Master; his own participation as a Dou Emperor would have been pure bullying.

After some ten minutes, the tightly closed study door finally opened. Vice Dean Hu Qian and several elders walked out slowly. With their appearance, the whispers across the open space gradually fell silent, until not a sound remained.

"Xiao Xie, you've arrived. Were you comfortable these past two days?" Hu Qian stepped forward with a smile.

"Very comfortable. Thank you for your hospitality, Vice Dean," Xiao Xie replied courteously.

"No trouble at all. These are mere trifles," Hu Qian laughed, satisfied simply that Xiao Xie acknowledged the favor.

After speaking with Xiao Xie, Hu Qian turned his gaze toward the fifty students on the open ground. Seeing none missing, he nodded contentedly and stepped forward, speaking aloud: "Students, today is the day you enter the Inner Academy. Allow me to congratulate you; your long efforts have finally borne fruit.

Once inside, you may find the cultivation methods unfamiliar, but I can assure you: it is where you can most fully unleash your potential. I'm not exaggerating—after just one year in the Inner Academy, you'll undergo a transformation as profound as rebirth. Some of you may know students from the Inner Academy, since they occasionally return for holidays. So you should realize the vast difference between those who emerge from there and those who enter."

Hearing this, a few students nodded, evidently those who'd spoken with Inner Academy returnees. The majority, however, wore faces filled with anticipation and excitement. Hu Qian's words were precisely what they sought; their purpose in entering the Inner Academy was to pursue greater strength. They believed that, no matter how strange or rigorous the cultivation methods, they would persevere.

To have distinguished themselves at Canaan Academy, their talent and effort were proven; none who stood here believed strength could come without effort.

"The Inner Academy is the core of Canaan Academy. Due to its secrecy, most students and tutors outside know nothing of its exact location. Therefore, we'll send you to a certain place," Hu Qian smiled, raising his gaze to the distant blue sky, where eleven black shadows were swiftly approaching. As they grew closer, it became clear: eleven massive griffins.

The griffins cast huge shadows over the Academy, finally hovering overhead where Xiao Xie and the others stood. Their wings stirred wild winds, making it hard for some students below to keep their footing.

Hu Qian waved at the griffins, and the shadows descended, the beasts landing not far from the open ground. Upon inspection, they saw each griffin bore two riders.

"All right, it's time. Up you go, five to a group," Hu Qian pointed to the griffins with a smile.

At his words, the students on the open ground turned and rushed forward, scrambling onto the wide backs of the griffins like fleas, the air filled with rustling sounds as they eagerly boarded.

But as their feet touched the backs, the slippery feathers quickly taught them a lesson; those whose footing faltered slipped and tumbled down, bodies landing on the stone slabs with a constant thud.

"Haha, boys and girls, don't be reckless. The griffins have seats installed—standing is only for Great Dou Masters," Hu Qian laughed, then turned to Xiao Xie, "Xiao Xie, the three of you take one griffin together."