novelraw Chapter 22 : . Departure
Chapter 22 : . Departure
At the head of the table, Ruo Lin's wrist froze as she was about to record, her gentle face finally showing shock.
The girl's clear voice made the tent fall silent, all eyes turning to the green-clad young woman standing beside Xiao Han, smiling calmly.
Eight-star Dou Practitioner... sixteen years old... This level of potential seemed to have exceeded the S-grade limit. This talent was even more formidable than that of the "demoness" in the academy.
In the corner of the tent, Luo Bu also looked shocked, and somewhat relieved that he hadn't thoroughly offended her earlier.
"My, my, I didn't expect to encounter a new student surpassing S-grade potential. It seems I'm truly lucky," Ruo Lin said, her shock gradually fading as she gazed at Xun'er with sparkling eyes. After a moment, she smiled brightly: "It seems the most outstanding new student in Jia Nan Academy this time will likely be none other than Xun'er."
Hearing Mentor Ruo Lin's evaluation, Gu Xun'er smiled slightly, but then seemed to think of something and gently shook her head.
"Uh..." Startled by Xun'er's gesture, Ruo Lin blinked in confusion, hesitating in disbelief: "Could there be someone even more outstanding than you?"
Someone more outstanding than her... Gu Xun'er glanced at the expressionless Xiao Han from the corner of her eye, sighing inwardly.
Wasn't it her mysterious Senior Sister who could easily defeat her?
But of course, Gu Xun'er wouldn't say this. She just smiled slightly and said: "Xun'er just feels that there are always higher mountains and stronger people out there."
Seeing Gu Xun'er's neither humble nor arrogant, modest and polite attitude, Ruo Lin's evaluation of her rose even higher.
Finally, it was Xiao Han's turn. She reported as a one-star Dou Practitioner, but in the face of Gu Xun'er's eight-star Dou Practitioner, almost no one paid attention to her one-star status.
"Alright, today's recruitment ends here. For the next seven days, we will continue recruiting in the city," Mentor Ruo Lin said softly.
As agreed, Ruo Lin went with Xiao Yu to the Xiao family.
As a transcendent powerful force, Jia Nan Academy undoubtedly viewed the local forces in Wutan City with a condescending attitude. Under this mindset, recruitment teams in previous years rarely interacted with forces in Wutan City, let alone accept invitations from local families to stay with them.
In this situation, the various forces in the city were also very self-aware. They knew the gap between them, and did the weak dare to expect the strong to be polite and courteous? With this mindset, the various forces in Wutan City didn't foolishly try to curry favor where it wasn't wanted. So, they maintained a respectful distance from Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team, neither daring to provoke nor shamelessly trying to build connections, lest they end up being mocked.
When news arrived that Jia Nan Academy's recruitment mentor had come to the Xiao family, Xiao Zhan and the three elders, who were discussing matters in the council hall, were stunned. A moment later, they all stood up with delighted expressions.
After exchanging glances, they left the hall and hurried to the family's main gate, smilingly leading the group of beautiful women at the entrance into the family compound.
With Xiao Yu's introductions, both sides finally gained an initial acquaintance. Upon learning the purpose of Mentor Ruo Lin and her group's visit, Xiao Zhan unhesitatingly agreed, immediately sending people to prepare empty rooms in the back courtyard. This prompt and efficient action also earned considerable goodwill from Mentor Ruo Lin and her group.
That night, after everyone had mostly returned to their rooms to rest, Xiao Han donned her black robe and, guided by the system, rapidly flew towards Jia Nan Academy using her Dou Qi.
As a lightning-attribute Dou Zong, Xiao Han's speed was unbelievably fast. Combined with her possession of the world-class cultivation method "Nine Heavens Thunder Technique", she reached Jia Nan Academy in less than an hour.
Although she could perfectly conceal her aura to avoid detection, her purpose in coming this time was to find someone.
So shortly after she set foot in Jia Nan Academy, two old men blocked her path.
Both looked vigilantly at the black-robed figure before them. Unable to sense this person's level, they knew the stranger's strength must be above their own. They wondered why this person had come visiting so late at night.
The white-bearded old man spoke first: "May I ask the purpose of your late-night visit to Jia Nan Academy?"
Xiao Han, speaking in a hoarse voice, answered with another question: "May I ask your identities?"
The two exchanged glances, and the white-bearded old man said: "I am Hu Qian, Dean of Jia Nan Academy's Outer Court. This is Qian Su, an elder of the Inner Court. And you are...?"
Xiao Han chuckled lightly: "This old one is not a person of renown, so there's no need to give my name. Rest assured, I've come only for my disciples."
Hu Qian and Qian Su were puzzled: "Disciples... Who might you be referring to?"
"My disciples are new students in your Jia Nan Academy this year," Xiao Han said seriously. "However, I've come to request leave for the two of them."
"Leave?" This was unprecedented.
Xiao Han said: "Three years."
Hu Qian and Qian Su inwardly sighed in relief. At least the stranger wasn't here to cause trouble. Although Jia Nan Academy was full of experts, they couldn't gauge this person's level, so it was best to avoid conflict if possible.
"We wonder if Jia Nan Academy..."
Qian Su quickly said: "That's fine. The academy can approve this leave. We just need to know your disciples' names, which country and city they're from?"
Xiao Han chuckled, her body gradually fading away.
"Jia Ma Empire, Wutan City, Xiao family's Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Han."
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"Training journey...?" Gu Xun'er sat cross-legged before the alchemy cauldron, seemingly unable to believe what she had heard. She blinked and hesitantly repeated.
Xiao Han, clad in black robes, skillfully condensed the medicinal liquid into pills. At her level of alchemy, she could refine pills without a cauldron. Hearing Gu Xun'er's question, she turned her head slightly and made an affirmative sound.
"But I've already been admitted to Jia Nan Academy. I'm supposed to go there in a couple of days," Gu Xun'er said. It wasn't that she didn't want to go on a training journey with her teacher, she just had some concerns about Jia Nan Academy.
Xiao Han waved her hand, and ten freshly made fourth-grade Qi Gathering Pills appeared before her. Without even looking, she flicked her index finger, and the ten pills flew into two white porcelain bottles prepared on the side.
"Don't worry about that. I've already requested three years' leave for you," Xiao Han said, while taking out materials to refine third-grade Spirit Refining Pills.
Gu Xun'er nodded, then suddenly seemed to remember something and asked: "What about Senior Sister?"
"She's also going on a training journey, but in a different direction from us," Xiao Han said, looking at the silver lightning in her hand and reciting the explanation she had prepared. "However, I'll have to leave for a while soon, and then you two will go on the training journey together."
Xiao Han generally didn't use tribulation lightning when refining low-grade pills, as it would be overkill. Moreover, tribulation lightning was one of her trump cards, which she rarely used.
"Master, when do we set out?" Gu Xun'er asked, inputting Dou Qi into the medicinal cauldron.
"We leave tomorrow," Xiao Han said. "Go out later to prepare some things: fresh water, dried food, tents, insect repellent."
Gu Xun'er was surprised: "Are we going into the mountains?"
Xiao Han glanced at her: "Magic Beast Mountain Range."
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While Gu Xun'er went to purchase necessities, Xiao Han, carrying a storage ring full of pills, sought out Yafei and informed her of her impending training journey.
This time, Xiao Han gave Yafei not only third and fourth-grade pills, but also several bottles of fifth and sixth-grade pills. These were for Yafei to use when she returned to the Miteer family. Given Yafei's abilities and achievements, it was only a matter of time before she would be recalled to the Miteer family headquarters. Moreover, the Miteer family, not wanting to offend the mysterious alchemist behind Yafei, would recall her sooner.
With these fifth and sixth-grade pills in hand, combined with Yafei's abilities, few of her peers in the Miteer family would be able to match her.
However, this wasn't a long-term solution. After all, great wealth attracts envy. For Yafei to ascend to the position of family head, she would still need the support and protection of powerful individuals. Although Xiao Han could provide this, she couldn't always stay by Yafei's side.
But Xiao Han never fought unprepared battles.
"I'm leaving. Until we meet again," Xiao Han said, standing up after receiving the medicinal ingredients Yafei had prepared for her. Her gaze was calm, showing no trace of sadness at parting. "Yafei, I hope to see you in the imperial capital of the Jia Ma Empire when I go to the Cloud Mist Sect."
Yafei was slightly startled, then smiled in a way different from her usual charm: "Of course, no problem."
"Until we meet again."
"Until we meet again."