Entering the Academy

The flying boat slowly descended into the mountain range about ten li outside Peace Town.

The cabin door opened, and Shen Wen was the first to step out. Behind him, Cai Lin, Cao Ying, Xiao Yi Xian, Dan Chen, and Qing Lin followed in order. Xiong Tao was the last to land with heavy steps, making the ground tremble slightly.

Everyone stood still, looking up into the distance.

Between two majestic mountains, the outline of a small town was faintly visible in the mist.

Houses with green tiles and gray walls were scattered about, and streets crisscrossed. Although it was far less grand than Black Emperor City, it had a unique air of peace and stability.

"That's Peace Town," Cao Ying squinted, looking into the distance. "It's Jia Nan Academy's outpost in the Black-Corner Region. It's said that the rules are extremely strict, prohibiting all private duels and killings."

Shen Wen nodded, waving his hand to put the flying boat into his storage ring: "Let's walk in."

The group walked along the mountain path towards the town.

Xiong Tao had transformed into a burly, simple-looking strong man, following closely behind. However, his physique was still two sizes larger than ordinary people, and there was still a slight thud as he walked.

The closer they got to Peace Town, the quieter and more secluded the surroundings became.

Ancient trees towered on both sides of the mountain path, and birds chirped crisply, a stark contrast to the chaotic and oppressive atmosphere of other areas in the Black-Corner Region.

Occasionally, they would see two or three people passing by, mostly young faces, dressed in uniform gray-green robes with the Jia Nan Academy emblem embroidered on their chests.

When these students saw Shen Wen and his group, especially sensing the faint, profound aura emanating from Cai Lin and Xiong Tao, they instinctively averted their gaze and quickened their pace.

Qing Lin's emerald eyes curiously scanned her surroundings, whispering, "It's... so quiet here."

"It's the Academy's territory after all," Xiao Yi Xian responded softly, a hint of relaxation on her beautiful face.

During their time in the Black-Corner Region, although they hadn't encountered any major dangers, the omnipresent tension had always lingered. Now, stepping into this peaceful place, both her body and mind involuntarily relaxed a little.

Before long, the group arrived at the town entrance.

At the entrance stood a two-person-tall bluestone monument, inscribed with the three ancient characters for "Peace Town."

Beside the monument stood two middle-aged guards in Jia Nan Academy uniforms, their auras steady, both of Dou Ling cultivation.

When they saw Shen Wen and the others, their expressions immediately became serious.

Among the seven, the weakest, Qing Lin, was also at the Peak of Great Dou Master. The others were even more unfathomable, especially the black-robed youth, the red-dressed woman, and the burly strong man at the end.

They merely stood there casually, yet they seemed to merge with the surrounding space, subtly exuding a terrifying pressure that made people's hearts pound.

The two guards exchanged glances, and the one on the left stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed. His tone was respectful but cautious: "Honored guests, welcome to Peace Town. This is Jia Nan Academy's jurisdiction, and private duels and killings are forbidden. Please abide by the rules."

Shen Wen nodded slightly: "Naturally."

The guard stepped aside, clearing the path: "Please."

Stepping into the town, Qing Lin couldn't help but blink.

The streets were wide and clean, the shops on both sides were orderly, and pedestrians moved at a leisurely pace.

Although it wasn't as bustling and prosperous as Black Emperor City, it had an orderly and peaceful atmosphere.

Even when there were occasional disputes, both parties kept their voices down, and no one dared to resort to violence.

At a street corner, a patrol team of three Great Dou Masters slowly walked by, their gazes sweeping around like hawks.

"It really is different," Cao Ying said, hooking her arm through Shen Wen's, her red lips slightly curved. "In Black Emperor City, street fights are commonplace."

Dan Chen also nodded lightly: "After all, this is a town guarded by the Academy."

As the group walked slowly, a subtle ripple suddenly appeared in the space at the center of the street ahead.

A figure in a dark blue Elder's robe appeared there without warning.

The newcomer was about fifty or sixty years old, with a gaunt face, white hair and beard, and piercing eyes.

He stood there, his aura profound as an abyss, clearly a Dou Zong.

Su Qian.

Su Qian's gaze immediately fell on Shen Wen, his pupils suddenly contracting.

His Three-Star Dou Zong cultivation made him extremely sensitive to Qi flow.

The black-robed youth in front of him seemed calm, with no Dou Qi overflowing from his body, but the moment their eyes met, all of Su Qian's pores instinctively bristled!

That was an intuition honed through countless life-and-death battles.

This person was extremely dangerous!

Su Qian suppressed the awe in his heart, a genial smile appearing on his face. He stepped forward two paces, cupped his fists, and bowed, saying: "This old man is Su Qian, Grand Elder of Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy. I apologize for not welcoming you, my friends, who have traveled so far."

Shen Wen returned the bow, his expression calm: "Elder Su is too kind. I am Shen Wen. I am traveling with a few companions and heard that Jia Nan Academy is renowned in the Central Plains and has a profound heritage, so I came to visit."

His voice was clear, and some passing students and pedestrians couldn't help but slow down and secretly cast their gazes.

Su Qian's gaze lingered on Shen Wen's face for a moment, his doubts deepening. He had never seen such a young Dou Zong in his life, and what made him even more wary was the subtle sense of danger emanating from the other party.

"So it's Young Friend Shen," Su Qian's smile remained unchanged. "May I ask where Young Friend comes from? Although Jia Nan Academy is in the Black-Corner Region, we know a little about the Central Plains. This old man has never heard of a figure like Young Friend."

Shen Wen smiled faintly, saying no more, and directly took out an emblem from his bosom.

The emblem was ancient, with seven lifelike ripples on its surface, shimmering with a warm luster under the sunlight.

"I am a Disciple of the Pill Tower. This journey is also for broadening my horizons."

Seven ripples!

A Seventh-Rank Alchemist emblem!

Su Qian's pupils suddenly constricted. Even as the well-informed Grand Elder of the Inner Academy, he couldn't help but feel a tremendous shock in his heart at this moment.

The two guards behind him gasped, their eyes wide.

Pill Tower! Seventh-Rank Alchemist! And so young!

Su Qian's throat bobbed. He forcefully suppressed his surging emotions.

But before he could speak, the charming and peerless red-dressed woman beside Shen Wen also stepped forward half a pace, flipping her jade hand to reveal a six-rippled emblem resting quietly in her palm.

"Cao Ying, from the Cao Family." Cao Ying's red lips curved slightly, her voice carrying a natural, languid charm.

Cao Family! One of the five great families of the Pill Tower!

Su Qian's breath hitched.

Immediately after, the gentle and beautiful young girl also spoke softly, holding a Sixth-Rank emblem in her hand.

"Dan Chen, from the Dan Family."

Dan Family! Another of the Pill Tower's five great families!

Su Qian felt his brain was a bit overwhelmed.

A terrifyingly young Seventh-Rank Alchemist, two equally young and prominent Sixth-Rank Alchemists from prestigious backgrounds, and that red-dressed woman who had been quietly standing beside Shen Wen, her aura unfathomable... He suddenly recalled some scattered information that had come from the Central Plains a while ago.

The Pill Tower's Old Ancestor had recently taken a new closed-door Disciple, whose talent was nothing short of a Prodigy, and who had even married that demonic girl from the Cao Family... Could it be this person in front of him?

A storm raged in Su Qian's heart, but a more enthusiastic smile quickly bloomed on his face. His previous wariness had been completely suppressed.

Offend the Pill Tower?

Even as a Grand Elder, he couldn't afford to offend them.

"My apologies!" Su Qian bowed deeply, cupping his fists. "So it is distinguished guests from the Pill Tower, Geniuses from the Cao Family and Dan Family! This old man was blind, please forgive me."

He stepped aside, clearing the path, his tone sincere: "This is not the place to talk. If you don't mind, please follow this old man to the Inner Academy to rest."

"Although our Jia Nan Academy cannot compare to the Pill Tower's heritage, it also has its own scenery."

Shen Wen nodded: "Then we shall trouble Elder Su."