BTTH: From Genius to Invincible

Xun Er nodded her head slightly, agreeing with Xiao Yan's statement.

The Dou Qi Continent was indeed vast. The Jia Nan Academy was considered a sacred place in the Black-Corner Region, a sacred place that no one from the three great empires dared to provoke. A sacred place that had remained unshaken for countless years, producing many strong students who were renowned far and wide.

Yet, such an educational sacred place was merely a relatively powerful organization in the Dou Qi Continent, far from being a top-tier one.

Xiao Yan was, of course, aware of this. The top-tier organizations described in the mysterious storage ring he possessed included One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, and Four Pavilions—a total of eleven top-tier organizations—and a Jia Nan Academy was not among them.

"Xun Er really knows a lot," Xiao Yan said with a smile as he looked at her.

Xun Er pretended to admire the scenery around them and didn't respond to Xiao Yan's comment.

Xiao Zhan had already told Xiao Yan about Xun Er's situation. Moreover, Xun Er had casually taken out High Xuan Class Dou Techniques several times with the intention of giving them to him. How could he not know that her background was far from simple?

He just didn't know which of the eleven major organizations she belonged to.

"Xun Er, I want to go out and explore, to see this vast Dou Qi Continent by myself," Xiao Yan said casually as if it were an offhand remark. Yet, there was a hint of guilt and helplessness in his tone.

He wasn't worried about the dangers of exploring or the possibility of not being able to return. Instead, he struggled with the idea of parting ways with Xun Er.

He and Xun Er had agreed early on to attend Jia Nan Academy together for further studies. Now, his sudden desire to leave the academy felt somewhat like breaking a promise.

"Is it because of Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan ge-ge?" Xun Er pouted as she looked at him. After all, she was his fiancée.

Xiao Yan was startled for a moment before he remembered that there was such a person. He quickly waved his hands and said, "How could that be? If you hadn't reminded me, I would have completely forgotten about that so-called three-year agreement. Oh right, there's still a little over a year left until three years have passed."

He scratched his head with an embarrassed look, having completely forgotten about this matter. Although it was Nalan Yanran who had issued the challenge, Xiao Zhan had also agreed to it. As his son, he couldn't just stand her up.

"It might also be a good opportunity to visit the imperial capital along the way and settle this confusing matter," Xiao Yan said with a wry, helpless smile. The affairs of the past two generations had caused him quite a bit of trouble.

Xun Er laughed upon hearing this and said, "I heard that Nalan Yanran has been cultivating diligently every day in the Misty Cloud Sect. Even the Sect Master is amazed by her determination. Xiao Yan ge-ge isn't allowed to lose."

Xiao Yan coughed lightly and said, "I definitely won't lose, but well, this marriage engagement must be dissolved."

Hearing Xiao Yan mention that the engagement should be dissolved, Xun Er pursed her lips, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. It was clear she was satisfied with his response.

Tilting her head slightly, Xun Er's gem-like bright eyes gazed at Xiao Yan beside her, who had a relaxed expression on his face. Her lips curved up in a subtle smile, but suddenly, as if she had thought of something, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her expression turned somewhat grim.

"Xiao Yan ge-ge is young and talented. Who knows, you might encounter all sorts of girls out there and never come back."

"Uh... How could that be?"

Seeing Xun Er deliberately turning her face away from him, Xiao Yan chuckled and gently patted her head. "Then let's make a pinky promise like we did when we were kids."

He hooked his right pinky finger with Xun Er's, and under the moonlight, their eyes met.

"No matter where Xun Er is in the future, I, Xiao Yan, will return and stay by your side. This promise is set in stone for a hundred years, and whoever breaks it is a puppy."

Only after seeing Xiao Yan's childish behavior did Xun Er laugh softly, her laugh as clear and melodious as a mountain spring hitting the rocks "Xiao Yan ge-ge, you're so childish, still using these methods to deceive kids."

Xiao Yan and Xun Er seemed to have returned to their childhood, frolicking and laughing on the hillside under the moonlit sky.

…

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan left Jia Nan Academy without informing anyone. Dressed in ordinary clothes and empty-handed, he rode a flying beast from the Outer Academy and departed.

"Huh??? Xiao Yan is leaving the academy for a while?!!! For about a year?!" Instructor Ruo Ling read the letter handed by Xun Er and her whole body felt dizzy.

Causing a stir on the first day, successfully entering the Inner Academy to experience the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, and then leaving a letter the next morning saying he's going away?

You must be kidding me!

Xun Er covered her mouth and giggled. "Xiao Yan ge-ge said he accepted many tasks from the academy. He'll have earned all the credits by the time he returns."

The Outer Academy's credit system wasn't just for exchanging Qi Methods and Dou Techniques. Only by earning a certain number of credits could one qualify to take the Inner Academy's examination, and only by contributing to the academy could one earn the right to use the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.

Otherwise, wouldn't the academy go bankrupt?

"Well, it doesn't matter. Xiao Yan's strength and talent really shouldn't be wasted by just staying in the Outer Academy," Instructor Ruo Ling could only shake her head helplessly. She actually had a premonition that someone with Xiao Yan's talent and strength couldn't possibly stay in the Outer Academy for a year. Doing so would stifle his potential.

One drawback of Jia Nan Academy was its inability to tailor education to each student's talents. Xiao Yan could not be taught using conventional methods.

Now that she learned that Xiao Yan was leaving to experience the outside world for a while, she was actually happy for him. At least, Xiao Yan hadn't been blinded by his talent into laziness.

Some of the stronger students from the Inner Academy also left to gain experience outside before returning. The main reason the Outer Academy didn't allow this was that the new students were too weak.

"By the way, Xun Er, do you know where he's going to gain experience?" Instructor Ruo Ling asked out of curiosity.

Xun Er shook her head gently. She hadn't asked Xiao Yan where he was going for his training the night before, as she didn't want to put too many restrictions on him.

…

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

"What is it, Old Ling?" Xun Er seemed to have changed into a different person, her tone becoming cold.

"Miss, the clan wishes for your return," Ling Ying said.

After pondering for a moment and remembering her promise with Xiao Yan, Xun Er found an excuse. "Tell the clan that Xiao Xuan allowed the Xiao Clan to stay in the northwest corner of the continent. It might have something to do with the relics of the Tou She Ancient God, and I need some time to investigate."

Ling Ying didn't know whether to cry or laugh. The clan would not necessarily listen to such a ridiculous excuse.

"Understood, Miss."

Xun Er looked toward the horizon, just in time to spot an eagle soaring in the sky.

"The fledgling eagle has grown and is now soaring in the sky! Xiao Yan ge-ge, I believe you can definitely do it."

…

Xiao Yan's flying beast landed in Peace Town.

Unlike his previous visit, this time he had set off early and arrived by midday.

"Tyrant Trumpet Flower! A high-grade medicinal ingredient that enhances Dou Qi and strengthens the body! Only traded for medicinal pills."

"Armor melted from the demon core of a Rank 4 magical beast. It functions as a movable fortress with six layers of defense, tradable only for Intermediate Xuan Class Dou Techniques!"

"3rd-Tier Medicinal Pills! I have a small quantity of 3rd-tier Medicinal Pills for sale! All of them were obtained from the excavation of an alchemist's tomb. They are unopened and priced low. It is a fair deal. Hurry while supplies last!"

Peace Town served as a buffer between the Black-Corner Region and Jia Nan City, with many vendors shouting to attract business.

The bustling activity did not distract Xiao Yan as he walked directly past various shops to the same alley he had visited the last time. 

In contrast to that night, rays of sunlight were now streaming through the alley, making it a little less dark.

Xiao Yan took out the Soul Command token from his storage ring. He had been pondering from the moment Hun Huzi appeared until today, and he finally made a decision.

He, Xiao Yan, would join the Hall of Souls!