Battle Through the Heavens - chapter-412

Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze from Bai Shan, who was on the opposite side of
the arena. His gaze then swept across the surroundings of the stadium
once more. In the middle of the viewing gallery, there were some good
seats with the best views. Seated on these seats were merely four,
white-haired, old men. Although the auras of these four people were no
different from ordinary old men, Xiao Yan’s gaze landed on their bodies
first. Other people might not have sensed anything, but with his
outstanding Spiritual Perception was able to faintly sense a vibration in
space that occasionally surfaced from the surroundings of these four old
men. This kind of spatial fluctuation was only created when the strength
of the Dou Qi in one’s body had reached a certain limit, which enabled
it resonate within the space of the outside world.

Among the strong people whom Xiao Yan was acquainted with, even Hai
Bodong had yet to achieve this level. Only those who had already entered
the peak level of a Dou Huang, like Jia Xing Tian or the even stronger
Yun Shan, were able to achieve this.

While Xiao Yan was observing these four old men, who were dressed in an
extremely plain manner, the four of them suddenly appeared to have sensed
something. Their originally lazy eyes were raised and turid gazes made
contact with Xiao Yan’s eyes. The few pair of eyes looked at one
another and Xiao Yan eyes immediately felt a little pain. The Dou Qi in
his body swiftly circulated before a wisp of green flame suddenly flashed
across his black pupils. Only then did that painful feeling gradually
weaken. Besides being shocked in his heart, he hurriedly retracted his
gaze.

“Huh?” Just as the wisp of green-colored flame quietly flashed across
Xiao Yan’s eyes, a soft, shocked sound was spontaneously and
simultaneously emitted from the four old men seated on those seats. Three
among them exchanged glances with one another as they opened their mouths
to speak, “What a strange Dou Qi. It is as hot and agile as a flame.”

“This kind of Dou Qi is the best fuel to refine medicinal pills. It
would really be a waste if Xiao Yan were not an alchemist.” A shock
flashed across the eyes of an old man who was seated furthest left as he
slowly said.

“Ke ke, Old Huo, I heard that this Xiao Yan had once become the
champion of the Jia Ma Empire’s Grand Alchemist Meeting. His medicinal
refining talent is quite great. If you can recruit him to your place to
refine medicinal pills, I’m afraid that his achievements in the future
would leave people speechless.” A gray-robed old man in the middle said
with a smile.

“Ah, having such an achievement at only eighteen. His potential is
extraordinary. He is indeed a good seedling. However, I think that he
should already have his own teacher. Otherwise, he would definitely not
be able to reach such a stage at this age with just his talent alone.”
The old man, who was addressed as Old Huo, first nodded before he
immediately replied.

“There is no conflict even if he already has a teacher. There is not
much conflict between the academy and private teachers. Moreover, Jia Nan
Academy’s Alchemist Department has been founded for so many years. If
he can enter it and practice, there are many benefits for him. After all,
no matter how vastly knowledgeable his teacher is, it would be difficult
to compare with the many years of inheritance your Alchemist Department
has, right?” The gray-robed old man shook his head and said with a
smile.

“Besides, the Alchemist Department is independent of the Outer and
Inner Academy and does not have much conflict with them. If this Xiao Yan
were interested in coming to the Alchemist Department, I would not mind
having another outstanding student.” Old Huo glanced at Xiao Yan in the
distance and said faintly.

“Among the four of them, the three people, starting from the left, are
the Deputy Headmaster of the Outer Academy and two elders who have quite
great prestige in the academy. They have extremely great authority to
speak in the Outer Academy. Moreover, their strengths are around that of
the Dou Huang peak level.” When she saw Xiao Yan’s gaze, Instructor
Ruo Ling, who stood beside him, explained softly, “The quiet old man,
who isn’t speaking much on the far right, is the Department Head of the
Alchemist Department. He manages a large group of alchemists under him.
Since an alchemist has a special position on the continent, the Alchemist
Department is independent of the Inner and Outer Academy. There is no one
who can interfere with their matters. Even the Deputy Headmaster cannot
do so.”

“Alchemist Department?” Xiao Yan’s heart moved when he heard this
name. This so called Alchemist Department was likely an existence that
was similar to that of the Alchemist Association.

“The distribution of the faction in the Outer Academy is quite messy.
Although I know that the strength which you are hiding is extremely
strong, you need to be careful of two factions. One is the Law
Enforcement Unit. There are as many strong people as there are clouds
within the unit. Moreover, their unit’s position causes them to nearly
have the authority to make unauthorized arrests. It is quite troublesome
to offend them. The bloody fight between Jia Nan Academy and the
‘Black-Corner Region’ back then and finally the ‘Death Spirit
Tree’, that gives people the creeps, were all their tactics… The
other party would be the Alchemist Department. No matter what happens, an
alchemist, no matter where he is, would be able to enjoy an extremely
special position.” Instructor Ruo Ling sighed. There was some envy in
her voice. The treatment of any random tier two alchemist within the
Alchemist Department would far exceed that of hers as a Huang class
instructor.

“Ah.” Xiao Yan nodded slightly as he firmly remembered these two
faction in the academy within his heart.

“Additionally, I may have said yesterday that you only need to enter
the top fifty in this Inner Academy Qualification but I think that with
your true strength, you may perhaps try to break into the top five…”
Instructor Ruo Ling smiled as she looked at Xiao Yan. She did not
purposefully hide the fact that she had accidentally heard some things
last night.

“Isn’t it all the same…” Xiao Yan smiled as he replied.

“It is not the same. If you are able to enter the top five in the
Qualifying Competition, you would have the qualification to enter into
the academy’s ‘Book Collection Hall’.” Xun Er continued on with a
smile instead.

“‘Book Collection Hall’? Are the things inside extremely
attractive?” Xiao Yan was startled as he asked.

“I can only say that over half of the people participating in the
Qualifying Competition have come with the intention of entering the
‘Book Collection Hall’. Within them includes Xun Er, Bai Shan and the
others.” Xun Er exhaled like an orchard by Xiao Yan’s side. Her
smiling, warm and soft manner caused the surrounding gazes, which were
looking at Xiao Yan, to suddenly become much hotter.

“The ‘Book Collection Hall’ is a forbidden place within the Outer
Academy of the Jia Nan Academy. Its defenses are extremely tight.
Usually, other than a few countable people, who have the qualifications
to enter, it is in a locked state most of the time. Only each year after
the Qualification Competition is over will it once again open for a
limited period of time.” Xun Er said softly, “If someone is lucky,
one would obtain a benefit that would be difficult to imagine from within
it.”

“Oh?” Xiao Yan lifted his eyebrows. With Xun Er’s background, she
still had such a high opinion of the mysterious ‘Book Collection
Hall’. In that case, the things inside should not disappoint him. He
only nodded slightly after thinking about this manner within his heart.
There was also some excitement within his heart as he said with a smile,
“Since it is like this, then let us do our best. However, I shall say
this before hand. Do not place too much hope on me. After all, there are
quite a number of strong people in Jia Nan Academy.”

“There should not be much problem with your strength. There are only
five people you need to pay attention to during the Qualification
Competition.” Instructor Ruo Ling said with a laugh. There was a marvel
within her laughter: “The first is that Little Witch. Her training
talent is not any weaker than yours. Moreover, she has followed beside a
strong person like the Deputy Headmaster for so many years. By being
exposed to her surroundings, her knowledge far exceeds those of the same
age group as her. The class of the Qi Technique and Dou Skills which she
has learned are also beyond the reach of an ordinary person.
Additionally, her character is strange and unique and is unaffected by
soft and hard tactics. She totally has the character of a little demon.
However, it is fortunate that she does not have much interest in men, so
you need not worry about being pestered by her. Of course… with your
relation with Xun Er, she might vent her anger on you.”

“The second person is Bai Shan, whom you have met yesterday. As one of
the most outstanding students and the one who received the greatest
attention within the academy during these past two years, his strength is
also extremely strong. It is not an exaggeration to call him a rival…
the third is someone you have not met. However, that person belongs among
the people of the ‘Law Enforcement Unit’, whom I have told you about
earlier. Moreover, his position is quite high within it and has the trust
of the current chief of the Law Enforcement Unit. Moreover, he is an
orphan and will likely stay in this academy frequently. In the future, he
might have the chance to take over the ‘Law Enforcement Unit’, such a
strong faction, within his hands.”

“The fourth person is called Lu Mu. He is one of the top students in
the Alchemist Department. Not only is his medicinal refining skill
outstanding, but he is also similarly not weak in Dou Qi training. He is
also an opponent that you cannot underestimate. You must also be
especially carefully about him. This is because, according to the
sequence, your opponent today might be him.” Instructor Ruo Ling
reminded.

“Oh?” Xiao Yan was startled when he heard this. He inquired, “What
class is that Lu Mu’s strength in?”

“Around a three star Da Dou Shi. However, that fellow is a complete
‘medicinal pot’. His Dou Qi is superficial and is nothing to be
worried about.” Xiao Yu by the side suddenly pursed her lips and said.

“Ke ke, that Lu Mu is one of the top suitors of Xiao Yu. When she first
entered the academy , that fellow disguised himself as a new student and
brought Xiao Yu to wander randomly around the academy for over half a
day. After which, Xiao Yu sensed something and directly kicked him into a
pond. Who would expect that ever since that one kick, that fellow came
leaning over, repeatedly pestering Xiao Yu. Unfortunately, each time, he
would be attacked until wounds covered all of his body. It is really
fortunate that he is an alchemist. Otherwise, there would not be
sufficient healing medicine for him to use.” Instructor Ruo Ling
covered her mouth and laughed in a lovely manner.

A flush surfaced on Xiao Yu’s pretty face when she heard Instructor Ruo
Ling’s teasing. She helplessly said, “Don’t mention that sticky
candy which I cannot get rid of. He really irritates me to death.”

“Ah?” Xiao Yan was startled when he heard the words of the two of
them. His eyes immediately revealed a surprise as he eyed Xiao Yu and
jokingly said, “Tsk tsk. It is really unexpected that Elder Cousin
Sister Xiao Yu is also quite charming. However, the fellow this time
around appears to be a little better than that fellow from two years
ago?”

“Hmph, do you think that everyone has the same eyesight as you? It is
not that no one wants this lady…” Xiao Yu snorted when she saw the
shock on Xiao Yan’s face.

Xiao Yan smiled and once again turned his gaze back to Instructor Ruo
Ling. With a smile, he asked, “What about the last person?”

“As close as being in front of your eyes.” Instructor Ruo Ling
craftily said.

“Uh?” Xiao Yan was startled. His gaze turned toward Xun Er. When he
saw her saucy expression, he could not help but say with a bitter smile,
“Indeed, a rival that must be taken seriously…”

Undoubtedly, the last person Instructor Ruo Ling had said that he needed
to pay attention to was naturally the one with the most terrifying
training talent and a mysteriously large background, Xun Er.

During the time that the few of them were laughing softly, the viewing
gallery around the stadium was once again completely packed with
students. Noisy sound directly broke through the clouds. The second day
of the Inner Academy Qualifying Competition was finally about to begin.