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  At the Sky Serpent Mansion, Elder Qing, whose soul had been injured by Xiao Yauro the Sky Serpent Empire after several days of recuperation and a long journey. She reyed Xiao Yan's exceedingly arrogant words verbatim to the higher-ups of the mansion.

  The current Mansion Lord of the Sky Serpent Mansion smmed his palm oable in fury. His gaze was as if he wao devour someone, and his ied triangur snake pupils tracted and expanded in a frightening manner.

  "Yan Alliance, what a Yan Alliance! Do they think that by unifying the Jia Ma Empire and allying with Queen Medusa's Snake-People Tribe, they domihe entire North-Western Region? Even if Yun Shan of the Misty Cloud Sect were still alive, even if the Yan Alliance had two Dou Aors, my Sky Serpent Mansion would have no difficulty wiping them out!"

  "The Mansion Lord is right. Our Sky Serpent Mansion has sent multiple invitations to Queen Medusa's Snake-People Tribe, but she has always ignored us. Perhaps it's time t a tougher stance."

  As a fa that occupied the tral region of the Northwestern Region, the strength of the Sky Serpent Mansion was naturally unfathomable. Within the mansion, there were not just a few peak Dou Emperors like the Eight-Winged Bck Serpent Emperor.

  In addition to the current Mansion Lord, there were former lords who were also Dou Aors. The mansion's numerous elite experts made it the faost likely to unify the entire North-Western Region.

  Although it was called the Sky Serpent Mansion, having 'serpent' in its name, in fact, the Sky Serpent Mansion was not just a gathering of serpent-type magical beasts from across the North-Western Region. Iy, it was a massive fa prising all types of magical beasts.

  The term 'Sky Serpent' sighat their fouhe Jade-Eyed Snake Saint, possessed the Sky Serpent bloodline.

  Upon hearing Elder Qing's words, the Eight-Winged Bck Serpent Emperor Bai Ya and the Bamboo Leaf Green Snake Emperor Lu Man, who were seated below, exged gnces. As the ones who had brought Qing Lin back, they naturally knew who Xiao Yan was.

  Back when they had brought Qing Lin back, they had sent their subordio the Jia Ma Empire to iigate Xiao Yan's background.

  However, their information about Xiao Yan was still from before he participated in the Alchemist Graing. After all, the Jia Ma Empire was situated at the edge of the North-Western Region, far from the trally located Sky Serpent Empire, and information transmission was not well-developed.

  Now, hearing Xiao Yan's name again, he had actually bee the initiator of the retly promi Yan Alliance!

  "Mansion Lord, that Xiao Yao be the person whom Her Highness Qing Lin has always been thinking about. If we act forcefully..." Lu Man stepped forward, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

  The Mansion L Lu Man with his snake-like pupils, his gaze icy as he said, "So what? Since Qing Lin has joined our Sky Serpent Mansion and has been ferred the title of Princess of the Sky Serpent Empire, she is now a member of our Sky Serpent Mansion and has ions with anyone from her past."

  Lu Mahe pressure of a Dou Aor, lowered her head, areated sullenly.

  She transmitted her voice to Bai Ya beside her: "Bai Ya, what should we do now? That foolish girl Qing Lin wants to return to the Jia Ma Empire, to return to that person named Xiao Yan."

  The Eight-Winged Bck Serpent Emperave a deep look at the Mansion Lord seated ohrone and transmitted back, "I've heard that the Mansion Lord intends te a marriage for Qing Lin. Many elders in the mansion share this iion, hoping to produce more offspring possessing the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. I'm afraid that once Qing Lin fully receives the iance of the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint, they will bring up this matter."

  Now that Qing Lin had obtaihe iance of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, how could the Sky Serpent Mansion possibly let her go?

  Lu Man and Bai Ya uood this reasoning, and naturally, Xiao Yan did as well.

  The two serpents showed deep worry on their faces because only they—who had directly fronted Xiao Yahat the young man was not someone who made empty threats.

  He dared to snatch the Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill and even dared to have Elder Qing bring back such bold words; that meant he was fident he could carry out his threats.

  He had already iheir souls back when he was just a mere Dou Grandmaster, and in the end, Bai Ya had even sensed aremely terrifying aura of destruanating from him.

  Bai Ya khat if he hadn't yielded and made certain promises back then, perhaps he wouldn't be standing here intact.

  That man was definitely not simple; he had mahods!

  They were extremely unwilling to see Xiao Yan st the Sky Serpent Mansion in a rage iure.

  "This matter only be discussed with Qing Lin. Now, there are some elders in the mansion who value her even more, believing that she lead the Sky Serpent Mansion to unify the entire North-Western Region. Perhaps we find a way to maneuver."

  "Agreed. I'll have people go to the Jia Ma Empire again to iigate this Xiao Ya's hope we don't make a grave mistake."

  The two serpents shook their heads secretly, feeling as if the fate of the Sky Serpent Mansioed in their hands.

  …

  Three days had passed sihe end of the Inner Academy Qualifying petition. At this moment, Xiao Yan walked through Jia Nan Academy like a star, with ardent gazes aed discussions stantly reag his ears.

  He had only e to the stalls area of Jia Nan Academy to see if there were any good items or medial ingredients he could pick up at a bargai he had already received several bouquets of flowers and fessioers.

  A man receiving flowers—one could imagine how popur Xiao Yan had bee.

  Xiao Yan sighed and pced the flowers at the entrance of the building where the Xiao was staying. Now, a table specifically for pg gifts and a mailbox for letters had bee up at the entrance of their residence.

  When Xiao Yan walked inside, he saw that Instructor Ruo Ling, Xun Er, Xiao Yu, and others were all present. Before them stood a middle-aged man wearing the academy's instructor robe.

  "Hehe, what's going on here? Everyone's gathered," Xiao Yan said with a smile as he walked into the living room, his gaze turning to Xun Er.

  "Xiao Yan ge-ge, this is Instructor Ku Lu." Xun Er smiled as she came forward and casually took Xiao Yan's outer robe, subtly sniffing it to check if there was any st of women's powder or perfume. Only after firming there wasn't any did she softly say, "Acc to the rules, this afternoon is the time for us to ehe Book Colle Hall."

  Xiao Yan's steps paused slightly. He was stunned for a moment before nodding with a smile. It had finally e. He had been looking forward to this so-called mysterious Book Colle Hall for a long time.

  "The's not waste time. Let's go. I'm quite curious about how extraordinary this legendary Book Colle Hall is, to make so many pete for it."

  Xiao Yan and his group followed the middle-aged man to the Deputy Headmaster's office. Bai Shan, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia were already waiting there.

  The three of them dispyed different expressions when they saw Xiao Yan's arrival.

  Wu Hao nodded slowly toward Xiao Yan; after all, he had lost fair and square and was sincerely vinced.

  Hu Jia, oher hand, bared her teeth and waved her fists at Xiao Yan like a tigress, muttering that after obtaining a Di Css Dou Teique from the Book Colle Hall, she would definitely defeat him.

  As for Bai Shan, he maintained a smile all along, but the ess in his eyes was hard to ceal.

  "Since you're all here, I won't waste words. You should already know why you've been summoned," Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan said with a smile as he stood up from his chair. "Acc to the rules, you have the qualifications to ehe Book Colle Hall and try your luck.

  "The rumors are true. The Book Colle Hall indeed tains Di Css Dou Teiques and Qi Methods, as well as some rare treasures. But what you obtain depends on your lud strength."

  As he spoke, Hu Gan walked to the wall behind him and casually tapped a few times with his palm. A deep rumbling sound arose, and then a pitch-bck passage appeared before everyone.

  "Follow me." Hu Gan waved his hand at the group and took the lead into the dark passage. Behind him, the curious Hu Jia followed without hesitation, then Wu Hao and Bai Shan. Only after they had all entered did Xiao Yan bring the others in.

  He swept his powerful Spiritual Strength through the passage, firming there was no danger before quiing his pace slightly.

  After walking for a while, a steep mountain path appeared before Xiao Yan and the others, extending upward until it vanished from sight. At the summit stood a grand and a building, massive enough to leave one speechless.

  On aremely old pque outside the a building, three words that had been eroded by time and were somewhat blurred faintly appeared:

  Book Colle Hall!

  'The foundation of Jia Nan Academy is not bad either,' Xiao Yan inwardly pared it to the Treasure Hall of the Hun .

  "This year's Inner Academy Qualifying petition has more outstanding students, so we've added five more slots. I have brought them here acc to the rules. I request the esteemed elders to open the door!" Hu Gan cupped his fists in a particur dire.

  Upon hearing his words, the robes of two gray-robed figures sitting cross-legged at the entrance of the pavilion trembled slightly. From beh the gray hoods, two pairs of eyes as calm as a wells lifted and swept over Hu Gan and the others in turn. Finally, they suddenly stopped on Xiao Yan. The gray robes quivered gently, and a faint, hoarse excmation quietly sounded:

  "Hmm? What kind of fme is this? It seems like a Heavenly Fme, yet it doesn't seem like it."

  The subtle voice slowly echoed in the silent valley, clearly reag the ears of Xiao Yan and the others.

  "May we know this young friend's he ray-robed elder fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan. Within his hoarse voice was a hint of the vicissitudes accumuted over the years.

  Everyone was momentarily stuo see that the gray-robed elders had bypassed Hu Gan to directly question Xiao Yan. They turheir curious gazes toward him. From Hu Gan's previously respectful attitude toward these two elders, it was evident that they held extraordinary status within Jia Nan Academy. For Xiao Yan to be able to arouse a bit of i from them—such treatment made Hu Jia and the others secretly envious.

  Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. He possessed peak Tier 6 Spiritual Strength, just a hair's breadth away from the Perfected Mortal State, yet the other party had still detected some clues. This proved that the strength of these two was at least at the Dou Aor realm, possibly even high-star Dou Aors.

  It was impossible for them to dis that he possessed a Heavenly Fme. As long as he did not separate his merged Heavenly Fmes, the fme within him remained in its merged state, being a brand-new fme that didn't belong to any on the Heavenly Fme Ranking.

  Xiao Yan cupped his fists and respectfully said, "This student is Xiao Yan. I was fortunate enough to acquire a peculiar fme by ce."

  "No wohere are five additional slots this time. To possess such a fme at such a young age..."

  "Keke, this year is a bit more iing tha."

  The two elders did not press further when they saw that Xiao Yan was unwilling to eborate.

  They formed hand seals, unlog the spatial barrier and revealing arao the Book Colle Hall.

  "You may er the Book Colle Hall on your own. Remember, regardless of what you wish to obtain inside, do not force it. All the items inside are protected by energy yers. If your hand pass through the energy yer without obstru, you take the item within. Of course, no matter how many items you pick up, you only bring out one from the Book Colle Hall. Do not be greedy; otherwise, you may end up with nothing."

  "And if you ot pee the energy yer, then give up. With your current strength, you ot break through them. Over the years, people have ehe Book Colle Hall annually, but those who leave empty-handed are not few. So, everything depends on fate; do not force what you ot obtain." Pointing toward the hall, Hu Gan turo Xiao Yan and the others.

  Xiao Yan and the others nodded, exged gnces, and then slowly walked toward the entrance of the hall.

  With a deep thud, the massive doors of the Book Colle Hall closed once everyone had entered.

  "What should we do now?" Xiao Yu approached Xiao Yan, looking at the glowing energy walls surrounding them.

  She had never imagihat she would one day step into the legendary Book Colle Hall.

  Before Xiao Yan could respond, Hu Jia jogged over to Xun Er's side, smiling as she said, "Xun Er, my grandpa said it's best to stick together in the Inner Academy, or else it's easy to get bullied."

  Bai Shan smiled beside them and said, "I have an elder cousin who has been in the Inner Academy for two years. Once we're inside, as long as Junior Sister Xun Er and all of you follow me, with his care, you certainly avoid the most difficult transition period that newers face."

  Even Xiao Ning couldn't help but ugh out loud upon hearing these words. "Follow you to shout 'I surreogether?"

  Many present had to stifle their ughter, turning their heads away to cover their mouths.

  A fierce glint fshed in Bai Shan's eyes when he heard this. The ent had clearly stung him.

  Xiao Yan cleared his throat lightly, "Alright, let's not tease others like that. If you shout 'I surrender' enough times, you get used to it. Why don't you all take a look at the clusters of light emerging from the walls?"

  The er of Bai Shan's mouth twitched slightly at Xiao Yan's words. His smiling face couldn't help but reveal a hint of ess, which quickly dissipated. He thought viciously, 'Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit? Fine, act tough all you want. I hope you still be this stubborn once we're in the Inner Academy. Wheime es, I'll make you crawl out of there!'

  Xiao Yan casually grabbed a floating cluster of light and exami. He easily retrieved the scroll from inside.

  "A High Xuan Css wood-attribute Dou Teique? No way, is this all the Book Colle Hall has to offer?"

  Xun Er said, "Xiao Yan ge-ge, I have a High Xuan Css Qi Method here."

  "Hey, Xiao Yan, I've got a spiritual fruit here," Xiao Yu called out.

  "Little Leader, I 't retrieve the item inside," Xiao Ning, oher hand, couldn't get the item inside his cluster of light.

  Frowning slightly, Xiao Yan used Soul Chase. His powerful Spiritual Strength peed the cluster of light in Xiao Ning's hand, allowing him to see what was inside!

  'Are the rules of these clusters of light the same as in the 's Dou Teique Pavilion? You need enough strength to break the light membrao get what's inside?'

  Xiao Yan's eyes fshed with a meaningful smile as he said, "Listen to my instrus and go for the clusters of light."

  He immediately grasped the rules of the Book Colle Hall. The greater the resistance of the light membrahe more precious the item inside.

  Moreover, these light membranes couldn't prevent his peak Tier 6 Spiritual Strength from probing their tents.

  All the members of the Xiao quickly caught on. There were ten people present, and seven were from the Xiao ! Following his lead, the seven of them split up like hungry wolves, targeting the clusters of light with the stro resistance.

  "This one's no good."

  "Not this oher."

  "This is too trashy."

  "A Sky Jade Fruit! Fet it, its value isn't even as good as a Dou King Pill. Let's find another."

  "Ha ha! A Di Css Dou Teique!" Amidst the whooshing sounds in the room, a joyful ugh suddenly echoed. Xiao Yan turo see Bai Shan holding a silver cluster of light aloft. Through the faint glow, they could vaguely see something like a scroll inside, with the words "Di Css" faintly visible.

  It had to be admitted that this fellow Bai Shan had a bit of luck.

  Just as Bai Shan was about to rea and take out the item inside, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. An imperceptible wave of Spiritual Strength emanated from him. Bai Shan's mind momentarily bnked, and the cluster of light transformed into a streak of light, disappearing bato the energy wall.

  Bai Shan was stunned for a moment, and then his face darkened instantly. Letting out an angry roar, he transformed into a white blur and hurled himself at the energy wall.

  Bang!

  Bai Shan collided heavily with the wall, but the energy barrier didn't budge in the slightest. He, however, was thrown back violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood before crashing into the opposite wall.

  Xiao Yaly revealed a cold smile. If not for the academy's prohibition against killing, Bai Shan would have been a corpse four months ago.

  He was still boasting about dealing with him in the Inner Academy? Today, Xiao Yan was determio make him leave empty-handed!

  "Cousin Xiao Yan, what about this one?" Xiao Mei walked over holding a snow-white cluster of light.

  "A defeype Di Css Dou Teique, Mutual Seal Guardian Shield! This is a good item; it suits you perfectly," Xiao Yan said, pleasantly surprised. Indeed, newers often had a bit of luck.

  "But I 't take it out," Xiao Mei said somewhat dejectedly. How could her strength possibly break open the light barrier of a Di Css Dou Teique?

  "It only says each person take oem; it doesn't say we 't help others obtain one." Xiao Yan's right hand densed his Heavenly Fme, and the power of a 2-Star Dou Spirit erupted. With a single palm strike, apanied by a rumbling sound, the light barrier shattered.

  Breaking the barrier of a Di Css Dou Teique was child's py for him.

  Xiao Mei saw Xiao Yan help her break the light barrier and recalled how he had simirly helped her obtain Dou Teiques from the 's Dou Teique Pavilion in the past.

  After handing the scroll to Xiao Mei, Xiao Yan said, "Xiao Mei, you should head out first to avoid anyone eyeing it."

  "Oh, okay. Cousin Xiao Yan, good luck!" Holding the scroll, Xiao Mei was the first to dash out of the Book Colle Hall.

  Even Hu Jia felt a twinge of envy when she saw Xiao Yan help his member break the light barrier and obtain a Di Css Dou Teique. This was truly spoon-feeding!

  Even with a Deputy Headmaster grandfather, she didn't receive this much help!

  Time ticked by, minute by mihe Book Colle Hall didn't allow unlimited time; they only had one hour.

  And Xiao Yan, this big demon, seemed to have taken trol of the entire hall. Given his strength, how could others possibly snatch items before him?

  "Hey, Xiao Yan, don't go too far! I saw that first!" Hu Jia shouted angrily.

  Xiao Yan g the cluster of light in his hand, shook his head, and tossed it to Hu Jia. "This item doesn't suit us; you have it."

  Soon, even Xiao Yu and the others had obtaihe rewards they desired ahe Book Colle Hall. Only Xun Er and Xiao Yan remained. Although Wu Hao and Hu Jia had secured some det items, they still lingered, hoping to find something eveer.

  As for Bai Shan, he articurly unfortunate. Every time he found a good item, either Xiao Yan snatched it away, or he inexplicably felt dizzy and failed to hold onto the cluster of light, which would then disappear into the energy walls.

  The number of clusters of light emerging from the energy walls was gradually decreasing.

  Xiao Yan frowned, feeling a bit frustrated. 'Could it be that there aren't any Tian Css Dou Teiques? This Jia Nan Academy is far inferior to the Hall of Souls.'

  If the two elders outside could hear Xiao Yan's thoughts, they would probably roll their eyes. If Jia Nan Academy possessed Tian Css Dou Teiques, they would have learhem long ago!