Chapter 38: Join One Hall!

Xun Er nodded slightly, acknowledging Xiao Yan's words.

The Dou Qi Continent is vast; Jia Nan Academy is a Holy Land in the Black Horn Region, untouchable by the three great empires, standing unshaken for countless ages, and having produced countless powerful students, its disciples scattered across the land.

Yet even such an educational Holy Land is merely a relatively powerful organization on the Dou Qi Continent, far from the top tier.

Xiao Yan knew this well, for the top-tier organizations described in his mysterious ring—the Eleven Great Organizations: One Hall One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions—did not include Jia Nan Academy.

"Xun Er knows so much," Xiao Yan smiled warmly at her.

Xun Er pretended to look around at the scenery, avoiding Xiao Yan's question.

Xiao Zhan had long ago told Xiao Yan about Xun Er; she had casually pulled out Xuan Jie High-Level Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods to give him, so how could he not know her background was extraordinary?

Xiao Yan simply did not know which of the Eleven Great Organizations she came from.

"Xun Er, I want to go out and see the vast Dou Qi Continent," Xiao Yan said softly, as if speaking casually—but his voice carried a faint trace of guilt and helplessness.

Xiao Yan was not worried about dying or being unable to return; he struggled inwardly over parting from Xun Er.

Xiao Yan and Xun Er had long agreed to enter Jia Nan Academy together; now, Xiao Yan suddenly said he wanted to leave, which carried a hint of breaking his word.

"Is Brother Xiao Yan leaving because of Nalan Yanran?" Xun Er pouted at him, for Nalan Yanran was his fiancée after all.

Xiao Yan froze, then remembered the woman—quickly shaking his head and waving his hands: "How could that be? You didn't remind me, I'd forgotten about that Three-Year Agreement. Right, it's barely over a year left until the three years are up."

Xiao Yan rubbed his head, embarrassed—he had completely forgotten. Though it was Nalan Yanran who issued the Challenge Letter, Xiao Zhan had agreed to it; as his son, Xiao Yan had no excuse to back out.

"I might as well stop by Wang Du and settle this messy debt," Xiao Yan sighed helplessly; the affairs of the previous two generations had brought him no end of trouble.

Xun Er laughed and said, "I heard Nalan Yanran trains hard every day at Yun Lan Sect—even the Sect Master marvels at her determination. Brother Xiao Yan, don't you dare lose."

Xiao Yan cleared his throat twice and said, "I won't lose—but this engagement must be broken."

Upon hearing Xiao Yan wanted to break the engagement, Xun Er pursed her lips, a smile playing at her corner—clearly satisfied with his answer.

Tilting her head slightly, Xun Er's gem-like eyes gazed at Xiao Yan, who sat beside her with calm ease; her lips slowly curved upward, then suddenly, as if remembering something, her brows furrowed faintly, her expression dimming.

"Brother Xiao Yan is young and talented—out there, you might meet all kinds of girls and never come back."

"Uh… how could that ever happen?"

Seeing Xun Er deliberately turn her face away, Xiao Yan smiled and patted her head: "Then let's do the pinky promise like when we were kids."

Xiao Yan hooked his little finger around Xun Er's; under the moonlight, their eyes met.

"No matter where Xun Er goes in the future, I, Xiao Yan, will return and stay by your side. Pinky promise, one hundred years unchanging—whoever breaks it is a puppy."

Seeing Xiao Yan's childishness, Xun Er finally smiled sweetly, her laugh clear and melodic like a mountain stream striking stones: "Brother Xiao Yan, you're so childish—still using that trick to fool children."

Under the deep night, Xiao Yan and Xun Er seemed to have returned to childhood, laughing and playing on the hillside.

The next morning, Xiao Yan woke no one, dressed in plain clothes, empty-handed, and departed Jia Nan Academy aboard an Outer Court Flying Mount.

"Huh???? Xiao Yan is leaving the academy for a while??? For about a year????" Ruolin, the Mentor, stared at the letter Xun Er handed her, stunned.

On the first day of school, causing a city-wide uproar, successfully entering the Inner Court and experiencing the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower—and the very next morning, leaving with a note????

Are you kidding me?!

Xun Er covered her mouth, stifling a laugh: "Brother Xiao Yan said he took on many academy tasks—he'll earn all the Credits before he returns."

The Outer Court's Credits System isn't just for exchanging Cultivation Methods and Dou Techniques; only those who earn enough Credits qualify for the Inner Court Examination, and only those who contribute to the academy may use the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower.

Otherwise, the academy would go bankrupt.

"Forget it," Ruolin sighed helplessly. "Xiao Yan's strength and talent truly shouldn't be stuck in the Outer Court." She'd sensed it all along—someone with Xiao Yan's talent and power couldn't be confined to the Outer Court for a year, let alone two; that would stifle his potential.

One flaw of Jia Nan Academy is its inability to tailor teaching to individual students; Xiao Yan could never be taught by ordinary methods.

Hearing Xiao Yan planned to train outside for a while, Ruolin was actually glad—he hadn't been blinded by his talent into laziness.

Sometimes, powerful Inner Court students also leave for external training before returning; the Outer Court forbids it only because its New Students are too weak.

"By the way, Xun Er, do you know where he's going to train?" Ruolin asked curiously.

Xun Er shook her head slightly; she hadn't asked Xiao Yan where he was going—she didn't want to bind him with too many restraints.

After Xun Er left the office, a figure suddenly appeared behind her.

"Ling Lao, what is it?" Xun Er's tone turned cold and calm, as if she had become someone else.

"Miss, the clan wishes you to return," Ling Ying said.

After a moment's thought, Xun Er recalled her promise to Xiao Yan and replied: "Tell the clan that Xiao Xuan ordered the Xiao Clan to survive in the far northwest corner of the continent—perhaps it's connected to the Ruins of Tuoshe Ancient Emperor. I need time to investigate."

Ling Ying couldn't help but laugh and sigh—such a flimsy excuse wouldn't convince the clan.

"Yes, Miss."

Xun Er gazed at the clouds on the horizon, just in time to see an eagle soaring across the sky.

"The young eagle has grown—let it dance in the heavens! Brother Xiao Yan, I believe you can do it."

At this moment, Xiao Yan's Flying Mount had just landed in Peace Town.

This was Xiao Yan's second visit to Peace Town; unlike last time, he had set out early—it was still noon.

"Overlord Trumpet Flower! Advanced Medicinal Material! Enhances Dou Qi, strengthens the body! Exchanged only for Pills!"

"Armor forged from Fourth-Tier Magical Beast Cores—like a mobile fortress protecting you, with six layers of defense! Exchanged only for Xuan Jie Mid Grade Dou Ji!"

"Third-Rank Pills! Selling small quantities of Third-Rank Pills—all excavated from the tomb of an Alchemist, still sealed, low price, honest dealings! Buy now while stock lasts!"

Peace Town is the buffer zone between the Black Horn Region and Canaan City; vendors shouted to attract customers.

The bustling streets of Peace Town did not disturb Xiao Yan's composure; he walked straight past the shops to the same alley from before.

Unlike that night, sunlight now streamed into the alley, making it less dark.

Xiao Yan took the Soul Token from his mysterious ring; from the moment Hun Xu Zi appeared, he had pondered until today—and finally, he had his answer.

He, Xiao Yan, would join One Hall!