12: Thousands of griffins

Several instructors gathered inside a spacious carriage, the atmosphere slightly heavy.

Elder Mo's withered fingers lightly tapped the tabletop as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Have all of you investigated just now?"

"That kid named Jiang Donghua is clearly a Two-Star Dou Zhe."

Instructor Yuxiao toyed with the jade flute in his hand and chuckled.

"Madman Yan really struck gold this time. Who knew a small place like Black Iron City could nurture such a talent."

"Impossible!"

An instructor dressed in blue robes slammed the table and stood up abruptly.

"Black Iron City lacks resources; it doesn't even have a decent Cultivation Technique Pavilion. How could..."

"The facts are right in front of us."

Elder Mo's cloudy eyes narrowed slightly.

"That kid's foundation is unbelievably solid. Even I can't find fault with the purity of his Dou Qi."

Hearing this, the expressions of the instructors turned grim.

They were all talented students carefully selected from various cities. They had thought the competition for the Yellow Rank Class instructor position was a certainty, but they hadn't expected Yan Feng to appear out of nowhere.

No one had ever thought that a run-down place like that could actually harbor a Dou Practitioner.

Elder Mo let out a heavy snort.

"It seems Madman Yan wants a piece of the Yellow Rank Class instructor position this time."

The instructors looked at each other, seeing reluctance in the eyes of their counterparts.

Although a few of the students they brought were also Dou Practitioners, a Two-Star Dou Zhe with such a solid foundation as Jiang Donghua was truly rare.

"During tomorrow's trial, I'll see for myself if this kid is the real deal!"

One of the instructors gritted his teeth and said.

In the distance, Yan Feng leaned against an ancient tree, looking at the instructors' gloomy faces, and couldn't help but grin.

"Heh heh, old fellows, let's see how arrogant you can be this time!"

He tilted his head back, took a swig of wine, and his eyes flashed with excitement.

This time, he, Madman Yan, was finally going to have his moment of glory!

A pale glow appeared on the horizon, and above the misty Peace Town, sudden bursts of loud eagle cries could be heard.

"Screech—"

The sharp cries cut through the sky, followed immediately by massive Gryphon Beasts soaring up from the taming grounds of Jia Nan Academy!

These Gryphon Beasts were enormous; their wingspans measured thirty meters wide, and their bodies were covered in golden-brown feathers that shone with a metallic luster in the morning light.

Their heads resembled eagles, their sharp beaks like curved knives, and their golden vertical pupils revealed fierce wildness.

Yet their bodies were as robust as lions, their four limbs thick and powerful, and their sharp claws could easily tear through rock.

What was most striking was their aura.

Every single Gryphon Beast exuded a pressure comparable to a Great Dou Master, and the dozens leading the group had even reached the level of Dou Ling!

The strong winds generated by their flapping wings even caused the houses in Peace Town to tremble slightly.

"Is everyone ready?"

An elder of Jia Nan Academy, dressed in azure robes, stood at the highest point, his voice booming like thunder across the entire area.

"Reporting, Elder! One thousand Gryphon Beasts are all in position!"

The beast tamers below responded in unison.

The Elder nodded in satisfaction and waved his large hand.

"Depart! Head to the great plains of the Black-Corner Region to pick up the New Students!"

"Screech—!"

A thousand Gryphon Beasts cried out simultaneously, their roar shaking the heavens!

Their massive wings flapped together, creating a storm that sent sand and stones flying across the ground.

In an instant, this terrifying flying squad transformed into a golden torrent, soaring rapidly toward the Black-Corner Region!

Above the wasteland of the Black-Corner Region, a group of fierce-looking bandits lay hidden behind rocks, their eyes gleaming with greed.

Looking up at the swarm of Gryphon Beasts that blotted out the sky, they unconsciously swallowed.

"Boss, if we could capture just one..."

A man with a scar across his face licked his lips.

"That would be hundreds of thousands of gold coins!"

"Shut up!"

The one-eyed strong man leading the group roared lowly, staring intently at the sky.

The Gryphon Beast swarm roared past, the resulting gale whipping up dust everywhere.

And at the very front of the beast swarm, several figures stood mid-air, their auras vast and profound!

"Is that... the Vice Dean of Jia Nan Academy?"

Someone said tremulously.

"Six peak Dou Kings..."

A hint of fear flashed in the one-eyed strong man's single eye.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply!

In the center of the Gryphon Beast swarm, a robust figure stood with his hands behind his back. Lightning Light faintly flickered around him, and his mere presence seemed to freeze the entire sky!

"Lei Tian..."

The one-eyed strong man's voice was as dry as sandpaper rubbing together.

"That old monster actually came in person..."

The surrounding area instantly fell silent.

Lei Tian, the Dean of the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy, an unparalleled expert who had one foot in the Dou Zong realm!

In the Black-Corner Region, that name alone was enough to make the most vicious bandits tremble in fear!

"Retreat!"

The one-eyed strong man turned without hesitation.

"Back to the Blood Wolf Gang!"

"But Boss..."

"If you want to die, go ahead!"

The one-eyed strong man roared without looking back.

"I haven't lived long enough!"

The same scene played out across the Black-Corner Region.

Those forces that had been ready to make a move instantly ceased their activities and scurried back to their dens the moment they saw Lei Tian.

In the sky, Lei Tian seemed to sense something and lightly glanced below.

"Hmph."

A soft snort, yet it exploded like a clap of thunder!

Several spies hiding in the shadows immediately spat out blood and stumbled backward.

"Dean, why bother with these small fry?"

A Vice Dean said with a smile.

Lei Tian's gaze was profound.

"The Black-Corner Region... must be thoroughly cleaned up sooner or later."

The Gryphon Beast swarm continued forward without further obstruction.

The massive Gryphon Beast swarm in the sky gradually dispersed, with only twenty or thirty of them diving toward the camp where Yan Feng was located.

These gigantic beasts spread their wings, stirring up strong winds, their sharp eagle eyes scanning the crowd below, and a low roar rumbling in their throats.

"Screech—"

The leading Gryphon Beast landed first, its sharp claws embedding deeply into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Its entire body of golden-brown feathers shimmered like armor, and its fierce aura caused several young men and women who had not yet reached the Dou Practitioner realm to turn pale and unconsciously retreat a few steps.

"Don't panic!"

Yan Feng gave a low shout, and crimson Dou Qi erupted around him, forming a barrier to protect the students behind him.

The other instructors also released their Dou Qi, enveloping their students to resist the natural killing intent brought by the magical beasts.

"These are the Gryphon Beasts of Jia Nan Academy?"

Liu Yuting, hiding behind Yan Feng's Dou Qi barrier, had wide eyes filled with shock.

"They are even fiercer than the rumors said..."

Jiang Donghua stood at the front of the crowd, observing the giant beasts with a calm gaze.

He could sense that every single one of these Gryphon Beasts was comparable to a Five-Star Great Dou Master, and the leaders had even reached the Dou Ling level.

"The last batch of students, mount your rides!"

An executive of Jia Nan Academy, standing on the back of a Gryphon Beast, shouted loudly.

"Remember, no loud noises, and do not provoke your mounts!"

Several scions of noble families looked distressed.

They had thought they would return to the academy gloriously riding Gryphon Beasts, but they hadn't expected these fierce beasts' mere aura to make their legs turn to jelly.

Lin Xiuyuan braced himself and stepped forward. Just as he was about to leap onto a Gryphon Beast, the massive creature suddenly turned its head, its sharp eagle eyes staring directly at him, causing him to stagger in fright.

"Pfft—"

Liu Yuting couldn't help but laugh out loud, then quickly covered her mouth.

Jiang Donghua shook his head, leaped lightly, and landed steadily on the back of a Gryphon Beast.

The Gryphon Beast was about to get angry, but it suddenly felt a burst of pure Dou Qi pressure, instantly suppressing its fierceness and standing obediently.

This scene caused several instructors to raise their eyebrows.

"Did you all see that?"

"That's what you call strength."

Instructor Yuxiao chuckled.

Yan Feng stroked his beard smugly and waved his hand.

"All of you, get on your mounts! Don't embarrass me!"

As the last student nervously climbed onto the Gryphon Beast's back.

This team finally took to the air, soaring rapidly toward Jia Nan Academy.