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

  The Dou Qi ti was indeed vast. The Jia Nan Academy was sidered a sacred p the Bck-er Region, a sacred pce that no one from the three great empires dared to provoke. A sacred pce that had remained unshaken for tless years, produg many strong students who were renowned far and wide.

  Yet, su educational sacred pce was merely a retively powerful anization in the Dou Qi ti, far from being a top-tier one.

  Xiao Yan was, of course, aware of this. The top-tier anizations described in the mysterious ste ring he possessed included One Hall, Oower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, and Four Pavilions—a total of eleven top-tier anizations—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 preteo admire the sery around them and didn't respond to Xiao Yan's ent.

  Xiao Zhan had already told Xiao Yan about Xun Er's situation. Moreover, Xun Er had casually taken out High Xuan Css Dou Teiques several times with the iion 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 majanizations she beloo.

  "Xun Er, I want to go out and explore, to see this vast Dou Qi ti 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 expl 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 Nan 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 pletely fotten about that so-called three-year agreement. ht, there's still a little over a year left until three years have passed."

  He scratched his head with an embarrassed look, having pletely fotten about this matter. Although it was Nan 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 ale this fusing matter," Xiao Yan said with a wry, helpless smile. The affairs of the past two geions had caused him quite a bit of trouble.

  Xun Er ughed upon hearing this and said, "I heard that Nan 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 e must be dissolved."

  Hearing Xiao Yaion that the e should be dissolved, Xun Er pursed her lips, a smile pying at the ers 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 rexed 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 enter all sorts of girls out there and never e back."

  "Uh... How could that be?"

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

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

  "No matter where Xun Er is iure, 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 ugh softly, her ugh 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 returo their childhood, frolig and ughing on the hillside uhe moonlit sky.

  …

  Early the m, Xiao Ya Jia Nan Academy without inf anyone. Dressed in ordinary clothes ay-handed, he rode a flyi from the Outer Academy aed.

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

  Causing a stir on the first day, successfully entering the Inner Academy to experiehe Bzing Sky Qi Refining Tower, and then leaving a letter the m 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 exging Qi Methods and Dou Teiques. Only by earning a certain number of credits could one qualify to take the Inner Academy's examination, and only by tributing to the academy could one earn the right to use the Bzing 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 ier Academy," Instructor Ruo Ling could only shake her head helplessly. She actually had a premonition that someoh Xiao Yan's talent and strength couldn't possibly stay ier 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 ventional methods.

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

  Some of the stroudents from the Inner Academy also left to gain experieside before returning. The main reasoer Academy didn't allow this was that the udents 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 maris on him.

  …

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

  "What is it, Old Ling?" Xun Er seemed to have ged into a different persoone being cold.

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

  After p for a moment and remembering her promise with Xiao Yan, Xun Er found an excuse. "Tell the that Xiao Xuan allowed the Xiao to stay in the northwest er of the ti. It might have something to do with the relics of the Tou She A God, and I need some time to iigate."

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

  "Uood, Miss."

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

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

  …

  Xiao Yan's flyi nded in Peace Town.

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

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

  "Armor melted from the demon core of a Rank 4 magical beast. It funs as a movable fortress with six yers of deferadable only for Intermediate Xuan Css Dou Teiques!"

  "3rd-Tier Medial Pills! I have a small quantity of 3rd-tier Medial 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 st!"

  Peace Town served as a buffer between the Bck-er 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 st time.

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

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

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