Chapter 47: Return to the Inner Court

Heijiao Yu

Xiao Li tugged at his tattered black cloak, feeling somewhat helpless, "This black storm is really dangerous,"

After leaving for nearly two or three months, Thunder Sect had become somewhat prosperous; hearing Steward Li say that they had recruited many new disciples, the fame of having destroyed the Blood Sect was not small, and moreover, Qian Lao deliberately performed a Void Tread in front of everyone, thereby attracting the attention of all Heijiao Yu to Thunder Sect.

"Thank you, Qian Lao, for helping me make a name for myself." Xiao Li sincerely thanked him; over the past year, Qian and Bai Elders have helped me a lot, and I will definitely repay them in the future.

Qian Lao waved his hand, "Nothing much; we two haven't been out and about for a long time, taking this opportunity to stay out for a year is not bad either."

Bai Lao nodded and said, "The one-year period is up; we two will send you back to the Inner Court."

Xiao Li nodded, his eyes showing a bit of excitement; the Inner Court—there, geniuses gather, giving him more rivals, which will make him train harder, and at the same time, there are many more talents worth recruiting.

The students of Jia Nan Academy, whether in character or talent, far surpass the rabble of Heijiao Yu; picking gems from the rabble is absurdly difficult.

As for Thunder Sect, Xiao Li plans to return every so often; everything he now possesses is based on his own strength, and his current strength clearly does not match Thunder Sect's reputation—secluded cultivation is the truth.

Saying they would go, they did; after giving Steward Li a few final instructions, Bai Lao and Qian Lao directly performed a Void Tread in public, taking Xiao Li away, and once again aroused admiration and awe.

With the news that a Fighting Sect powerhouse exists, those people of Heijiao Yu surely would not cause trouble for Thunder Sect over a remote northwestern plot of land.

At this moment, on the open ground of Jia Nan Academy, fifty people from this year who are able to enter the Inner Court are gathered, among whom Liu Qing, Lin Xiuya, and others are conspicuously present.

Hu Qian was about to speak when three black-robed figures descended from the horizon, "Wait, Hu Qian, bring Xiao Li along as well."

Xiao Li—this name, though not heard in a long time, Hu Qian still remembers vividly; this is the fierce one who won first place in the Inner Court selection as a newcomer.

Not only Hu Qian, but even the students of this year all know, after all, they were present at the time and personally witnessed Xiao Li securing first place.

Lin Xiuya looked toward the sound, seeing Xiao Li in a black robe with a handsome visage, he let out a soft "yi," "This guy's strength, I actually cannot see through."

Not being able to see through the opponent's strength, the greatest possibility is that he is far inferior to the opponent, yet Lin Xiuya is now a three-star Great Dou Master—how could he possibly fail to see through the opponent's strength?

Lin Xiuya looked at Liu Qing, discovering that this guy also had a solemn expression; one can only say that monsters are indeed monsters—within a year, they have made it impossible for us to keep up.

Hu Qian bowed to Qian and Bai Elders, "I'll take this kid; I will definitely bring him to the Inner Court, thank you, two elders."

Qian and Bai Elders shook their heads and sighed, "Being able to instruct a monster like Xiao Li is our honor."

After speaking, the figures of Qian and Bai Elders vanished, unknown where they went, leaving only Hu Qian with an astonished gaze.

Having just come to his senses after hearing Qian and Bai Elders' words, Hu Qian then looked at Xiao Li.

Calm, or rather indifferent, that is Xiao Li's first impression on Hu Qian; this kid has grown a lot over the past year.

But more importantly, why can't I even see through this kid's cultivation?

Could it be that this kid has become stronger than me in the past year?

Hu Qian was somewhat frantic, yet his face remained calm, "Alright, Xiao Li, mount the flying magical beast; we are entering the Inner Court—you entered a year late, you've fallen far behind, so you must work hard."

Upon hearing that, Xiao Li's expression turned strange; according to his knowledge, the Inner Court cannot possibly allow someone to go from a two-star Great Dou Master to a three-star Dou Ling in just one year, can it?

Xiao Li silently mounted the flying magical beast, feeling odd, as if he had the sensation of a past-life teacher striking a diligent student.

There were ten griffon beasts in total, five per team; Xiao Li was assigned by Hu Qian to Lin Xiuya's team.

Xiao Li's figure flickered, a red flash passed, and he immediately appeared on the back of a griffon beast, his feet firmly planted on the slick feathers, motionless like an iron tower.

Seeing Xiao Li's steady stance, those students who had previously fallen from the griffon beasts could not help but look on with admiration; those who had tried to forcefully mount the griffon beasts knew all too well how damned those feathers were, making it hard to stand.

After Xiao Li, Lin Xiuya and the others likewise flashed upward simultaneously, five of them standing straight on the griffon beasts without any external aid—such strength, they are indeed the outstanding among the top five of the selection.

Seeing the performance of the six, Hu Qian and the several elders beside him glanced around the open ground; when they saw that everyone had mounted the griffon beasts, they then exchanged a look, nodded slightly, the former waved his hand, Hu Qian and the three elders moved, flashing up into the air, a shake of the shoulders, and four splendid Dou Qi wings extended from their backs.

The wings vibrated slightly, and their figures hovered motionless amidst the many envious gazes on the open ground.

Being able to condense Dou Qi wings for free flight is forever the dream of many cultivators, and it is also Xiao Li's current goal.

"We will personally escort you all along the way." Looking down from above, Hu Qian smiled, waved his hand, and the person below commanding the griffon beasts gave a sharp whistle; instantly, the griffon beasts' wings shook violently, their huge forms accompanied by the ever-diminishing shadow on the ground, slowly rising into the air.

"Greetings, everyone." Xiao Li lightly greeted the few, being among the top five of this selection, he is certainly worth making acquaintance with.

"I am Lin Xiuya; you must be Senior Xiao Li, right? Speaking of which, we are actually a bit older, but our strength is far lower; by rights, we should be calling you senior." Lin Xiuya replied with a smile; in dealing with Xiao Li, they had no airs of genius.

Xiao Li nodded, his eyes showing a hint of surprise; he hadn't expected the person before him to be Lin Xiuya, which makes it all the more necessary to befriend him.

Under the azure sky, ten huge griffon beasts flapped their wings, sweeping past the academy's endless rear mountains; outside the griffon beasts, Hu Qian and the three elders, positioned at the four corners, encircled the entire griffon beast formation, their majestic Dou Qi emanating outward, no matter how the raging wind ravaged, it could not move them even a bit.

In the boundless sea of forests, teeming with all kinds of magical beasts, every so often a ferocious magical beast bursts out from the forest sea, roaring at the griffon beast formation in the sky; occasionally some flying magical beasts give chase, but whenever these beasts approach within a hundred meters of the formation, they are frightened by the formidable aura emanating from the four Hu Qian and retreat, weakened.

(End of chapter)