62: Chapter 62 Entering the Library

Today's matches weren't much to see, and Xiao Yan didn't plan to participate. He simply stayed by Xun'er's side, treating it as a way to pass the time.

The matches on the field followed yesterday's format of one-on-one battles. The most outstanding performers were, unsurprisingly, the same individuals from the original story.

Aside from Xun'er, there were Hu Jia, Wu Hao, Bai Shan...

However, whenever these prominent figures of Jia Nan Academy looked toward Xiao Yan, intentionally or otherwise, they all showed expressions of awe and respect. As for the 'Little Witch' Hu Jia and Bai Shan, who had been frightened by Xiao Yan yesterday, their eyes revealed a hint of terror.

The second day's competition had some entertainment value, as it was a fifty-person free-for-all. The result was no surprise: those four individuals emerged as the final victors.

According to the academy's rules, after the Selection Competition ended, the top fifty could prepare to enter the Inner Academy. As for the top five, they were given the opportunity to enter the academy's Library Pavilion within these seven days.

Jia Nan Academy's Library Pavilion was extraordinary, even containing Earth Rank Cultivation Techniques and Dou Techniques. One must know that in the outside world, even a single low-level Earth Rank Dou Technique could be sold for a high price of ten million!

Yet here, it was merely the reward for the top five entering the Inner Academy...

The depth of Jia Nan Academy's foundation was evident from this.

The rule for entering the Library Pavilion was that the five people must enter together. Thus, on the first day after the selection ended, the five, including Xiao Yan, headed to the Library Pavilion together.

As for why Xiao Yan could also enter, the reason was self-evident: this was the privilege of the strong. Xiao Yan didn't resent this privilege, as it was inevitable in this world.

What he had always resented was those who used their privilege to bully the weak and insult them. Someone like Hu Jia, who was called a 'Little Witch' in the Inner Academy and caused headaches for countless people, clearly had character flaws.

As for the special attention given to Bai Shan, it wasn't just because he tried to drive a wedge between him and Xun'er, but also because he understood this person's character. In the original plot, he was undoubtedly a villainous enemy.

If he had been weak that day, he likely would have faced endless ridicule and beatings, looking like a dead dog in front of everyone.

If that were truly the case, Xiao Yan wouldn't have complained. The weak have no rights; those are the rules set by the strong. But unfortunately for them, Xiao Yan was now the strong one.

He allowed the strong to have their due respect and privileges, but he did not allow them to wantonly oppress or bully the weak. This was what made Xiao Yan different from most of the strong in this world.

As for how to change things, heh, naturally it would involve subtle influences through systems, education, culture, faith, and so on. However, those were matters for later...

In a spacious and bright room stood five people—three men and two women—who were Xiao Yan's group.

Hu Jia and Bai Shan stood behind Xiao Yan with their heads slightly lowered. Another youth named Wu Hao also stood a step behind Xiao Yan. The sky full of green flames and the aura that suppressed the entire city from that day remained fresh in his memory!

Meanwhile, Xun'er held Xiao Yan's arm, standing prettily by his side.

“You are the top five of this Selection Competition. According to the rules, you are qualified to enter the Library Pavilion to try your luck,” Vice President Hu Qian said to the five as he stood up from his chair.

While speaking, he walked to a wall and gave it a casual slap. A rumbling sound echoed, and a pitch-black tunnel appeared before everyone.

“I won't waste words. Follow me.” Waving to the five, Vice President Hu Qian was the first to enter the tunnel, with Xiao Yan and the others following closely behind.

As they walked forward, many large Luminous Stones appeared on the tunnel walls, filling the dark passage with a faint glow.

The atmosphere in the tunnel was quiet, with only the sound of light footsteps. After walking for about half an hour, a bright light finally appeared ahead. Seeing the light, everyone quickened their pace and soon walked out of the tunnel.

This was a deep valley beneath a precipice. In the middle of the open ground stood a massive, ancient-looking pavilion.

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over the ancient building, and a plaque eroded by time appeared before his eyes. He could vaguely make out the three large characters on it: 'Library Pavilion'.

Vice President Hu Qian led the five to the front of the Library Pavilion. Stopping ten meters away from the building, he cupped his hands and said, “The top five of this Inner Academy Selection Competition have been chosen. Elders, please open the door!”

After waiting quietly for a moment, two grey-robed figures suddenly appeared before everyone, sitting cross-legged in front of the door without saying a word.

They sat there for about ten minutes. Xiao Yan rolled his eyes helplessly; for the sake of Cultivation Techniques and Dou Techniques, he would endure it.

Over the past few days, Xiao Yan had already considered that entering the Library Pavilion was naturally about finding something he could use. He already had the Burning Technique for cultivation, the Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler and Exotic Fire Bead for Dou Techniques, and Three Thousand Lightning Movement for movement techniques.

What he lacked now was a close-combat Dou Technique. Although there likely wouldn't be any ruler techniques in this Library Pavilion, it didn't matter; as long as it could be used in close combat, it would suffice.

“Exotic Fire?” While Xiao Yan was thinking about Dou Techniques, a raspy voice spoke. One of the grey-robed figures sitting at the door let out a sound of surprise.

“May I ask this young friend's name?” the man asked, staring intently at Xiao Yan.

Hearing the grey-robed man's question, the several people in the valley were stunned and looked toward Xiao Yan one after another.

“My name is Xiao Yan. Greetings to you both,” Xiao Yan said calmly.

“The fire is pale green, like volcanic magma... Why has this old man never heard of such an Exotic Fire?” the aged voice echoed through the valley and reached Xiao Yan's ears.

“Hehe, it would be strange if you had heard of it.” Xiao Yan smiled at the words and summoned the pale green Exotic Fire into his palm. Then, the flame split into two: one side showed a strange green color, while the other flowed like blue water-flame, flickering slightly and appearing incredibly magnificent.

“This... the fire leans toward green and is shaped like a lotus—this is the Green Lotus Core Flame! The fire is deep blue and like flowing water—this is the Sea Heart Flame! How is this possible? These are two types of Exotic Fire...” Seeing Xiao Yan separate the pale green fire into two, the two grey-robed men immediately stood up, staring at the Exotic Fires in Xiao Yan's hands in shock.

Xiao Yan retracted the Exotic Fires and said casually, “The world is vast and full of wonders. I was just lucky enough to be able to subdue and fuse these two Exotic Fires.”

“This old man has truly had his eyes opened today. Exotic Fire is inherently a violent substance; I never expected someone could contain two types of Exotic Fire within their body...”

After a moment of exclamation, the two grey-robed men finally opened the spatial lock surrounding the building, and a spatial gate appeared before everyone.

“Enter the Library Pavilion yourselves. Remember, whatever you obtain is a matter of fate, do not force it. Everything inside has been covered with a layer of energy shield...”

Xiao Yan nodded, took Xun'er's hand, and walked into the Library Pavilion under the deep gazes of the two grey-robed men.

The dark passage was somewhat long, and it took the two of them a few minutes to walk out.

This was an extremely spacious room. On the walls surrounding the room, over a dozen energy shields constantly pulsed with light, illuminating the room as if it were broad daylight.

At this time, Hu Jia and the other two also caught up from behind. Before long, the dozen or so energy shields suddenly shot out a cluster of purple light.

Xiao Yan reached out and caught the purple light. The light slowly dissipated, and a scroll appeared before everyone.

“Advanced Profound Rank Cultivation Technique: Purple Lightning Decree.” Clearly, this was a Cultivation Technique scroll.

With the appearance of this scroll, the energy shields around the walls continued to spit out clusters of light. Among them were Cultivation Techniques, Dou Techniques, as well as some precious Monster Cores, medicinal ingredients, weapons, and so on.

The three others constantly made their moves, beginning to snatch the light clusters.

Xiao Yan walked through the room as if taking a stroll, not making any random moves to snatch things. His powerful perception told him that the items appearing now weren't high enough in level.

Seeing that Xiao Yan didn't move to snatch anything, Xun'er also stayed quietly by his side, looking curiously at the light clusters flying around the room.

It wasn't until nearly ten minutes later that Xiao Yan reached out and caught a light cluster emitting a fiery red glow. This was a pale red scroll that was currently radiating a searing temperature.

“Nine-Fold Phoenix Fire Decree, Intermediate Earth Rank. Xun'er, I don't need a Cultivation Technique. Take a look and see if this is useful for you?” Xiao Yan read out the contents and handed the scroll to Xun'er beside him.