Chapter 20: Enrollment starts
Xiao Yu said, "Sure, but let's do it tomorrow. It's getting late now."
Xun'er didn't say anything, she just nodded and said, "Alright!"
Then, Xiao Yu took Xun'er back to the room. After washing up, he led her to the cliff behind the Xiao family residence.
As night fell, the sky sparkled with stars.
Xiao Yu lay down with Xun'er on the soft grass, quietly watching the stars in the sky. Neither of them spoke.
After a long while, Xiao Yu said, "Xun'er, I actually know that your background is very mysterious."
Xun'er suddenly looked at Xiao Yu, her eyes showing a trace of panic. Xiao Yu, however, just smiled and said, "Don't worry, I also know that you're from the Ancient Clan."
This time, Xun'er couldn't keep calm anymore. Just as she was about to speak, Xiao Yu continued, "I'm not blaming you. I just want to ask you for a favor."
Xun'er stared into Xiao Yu's sincere eyes, and after a long pause, she said, "Brother Xiao Yu, just tell me. I will agree to anything."
"I know Xun'er has her secrets, and I have my own too. I'll participate in the enrollment of Jia Nan Academy, but I will leave for a year. During that time, could you ask the Ancient Clan to take care of my father for me?" Xiao Yu asked.
"Leave? You won't go to Jia Nan Academy?" Xun'er asked in shock.
Xiao Yu chuckled, "No, it's just a year. After that, I'll go to Jia Nan Academy and look for you then!"
Xun'er's eyes showed undisguised disappointment. Suddenly, Xiao Yu leaned in and gently kissed her lips. Her face turned bright red like a fiery cloud. "Brother Xiao Yu, what are you doing?"
"Just marking you. You're mine now, you can't escape!" Xiao Yu said passionately, looking at her.
The next day.
Xiao Yu went to Xiao Yu's (female) courtyard. When she opened the door and saw Xiao Yu, she complained, "You little rascal, you're hard to find!"
"What do you need me for?" Xiao Yu smiled, not minding her words, and walked in directly.
"Didn't Xun'er tell you?" Xiao Yu asked, somewhat puzzled.
"She did mention that your mentor wanted to see me, right?" Xiao Yu replied.
Xiao Yu nodded, "That's right. She wants to ask if you'd like to attend Jia Nan Academy for further study."
Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Yu in surprise and asked, "Since when do you talk like that?"
Xiao Yu rolled her eyes at Xiao Yu and led him to the room of her mentor, Ruo Lin.
"Teacher, Xiao Yu is here!" Xiao Yu knocked on the door.
There was a sound from inside the room, and then the door opened. Xiao Yu saw a woman standing in front of him. Dressed in green, she stood there gracefully, her voluptuous and curvaceous figure very tempting. However, Xiao Yu quickly averted his gaze, smiling faintly, "You must be Mentor Ruo Lin?"
Ruo Lin smiled slightly, "Yes, and you're the young genius of the Xiao family?"
"I don't dare to claim that. My name is Xiao Yu," he nodded slightly.
"Come in," Ruo Lin said, stepping aside.
The three of them sat in the room, and Ruo Lin directly asked, "Do you plan to further your studies at Jia Nan Academy?"
"Yes!" Xiao Yu replied.
A slight smile appeared on Ruo Lin's face, but it quickly froze at Xiao Yu's next words.
"But I hope to take a one-year leave of absence," Xiao Yu said.
Ruo Lin's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. "You're planning not to go to Jia Nan Academy?" A three-year study period, and Xiao Yu wanted to take off a third of it—this was something she absolutely couldn't agree to!
"Of course, I plan to go. But I have important matters to attend to, which is why I need the year off," Xiao Yu explained.
Beside him, Xiao Yu grew anxious, "What important matters could you have, you little rascal?"
"Oh, there are some! In two years, I'll need to go to the Yun Lan Sect to seek justice for my father, and Nalan Yanran also wants to challenge me!" Xiao Yu said nonchalantly, without any hint of nervousness.
"Don't be ridiculous. With your talent, you'll be more than capable of dealing with Nalan Yanran in two years!" Xiao Yu said.
Xiao Yu shrugged, "That's not certain. After all, she has the Yun Lan Sect backing her, and she has a Dou Emperor as her mentor!"
Ruo Lin saw Xiao Yu's determination but could only say helplessly, "The Jia Nan Academy's enrollment team will arrive in a month. I'll try to negotiate for you during this time. In the meantime, think carefully about it, alright?"
Looking into Ruo Lin's soft and gentle eyes, Xiao Yu finally nodded.
Though he wouldn't back down, he still needed to show some respect.
After Xiao Yu left, Ruo Lin sighed bitterly, "Your cousin is really too stubborn. His personality could drive anyone crazy!"
Xiao Yu spread her hands helplessly, "Who doesn't think so?"
After returning, Xiao Yu focused on his training. He remembered that in the original story, Ruo Lin fought Xiao Yan before letting him go. If it came to a fight, Xiao Yan had Yao Lao to help him, but Xiao Yu would have to rely on himself!
Currently, Xiao Yu had already broken through to the rank of a six-star Dou practitioner.
On the other side, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were also deciding on their next steps.
"Little one, the Jia Nan Academy's enrollment team will be arriving soon. I've decided that we should head to the academy next," Yao Lao said.
Xiao Yan was puzzled, "Why? Can the Jia Nan Academy teach me better than you?"
Yao Lao shook his head, "No. I once controlled a rare flame, the Bone-Chilling Flame, but after I faked my death, it became ownerless and was lost. Your Flame Mantra requires consuming rare flames to evolve. Before my death, I received news that the Jia Nan Academy might have a rare flame."
When Yao Lao mentioned the rare flame, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, "The Jia Nan Academy has a rare flame?"
Yao Lao nodded, "Yes, it seems to be the Falling Heart Flame, ranked fourteenth. This time, we're not only going to gain training resources, but also to consume the Falling Heart Flame to evolve your Flame Mantra!"
"Alright, then let's go to Jia Nan Academy!" Xiao Yan said excitedly.
Xiao Yu probably hadn't expected that the disappearance of the Bone-Chilling Flame would cause Yao Lao and Xiao Yan to change their plans and head directly to Jia Nan Academy!
Time flew by, and a month had passed.
Early in the morning, Xiao Yu led Xiao Mei, Xiao Ning, Xun'er, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Yan to the plaza where the enrollment team was stationed.
Looking at the crowded plaza, everyone took a deep breath.
Xiao Yu waved them over, "I'll take you through the back door. Follow me!"
With that, she led the group to the other side of the plaza, where there was indeed a small path, guarded by several soldiers.
Xiao Yu approached and handed the leader a green jade token. After glancing at it, the soldier let them through.
The iron-clad soldiers stood in formation, their killing intent palpable. Xiao Yu remained unfazed by the intimidation, walking straight ahead without changing his expression.
Xun'er and Xiao Yan, following behind, handled it fine as well. But Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning's faces turned slightly pale with fear.
As soon as they entered, a young woman dressed in red waved at them. Over the past month, they had gotten to know her—this was Xue Ni. The group followed her toward the large green tent.
Xue Ni whispered to Xiao Yu, "Robb is here too."
Xiao Yu frowned slightly upon hearing this, and just then, a fawning voice called out, "Yu'er, long time no see!"
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