I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the latest chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/NineClouds69
--- Chapter 313 ---
The next day, the new students that Jia Nan Academy accepted into the Outer Court gathered again in the venue.
Despite the mess left by the fight between Han Yuan and Gu Xun'er on the main stage, the Deputy Headmaster, Hu Gan, proceeded with his announcement.
Hu Gan cleared his throat and said with an affable tone, "Ehem! Students, after the qualification tournament, your ranks in the academy have been determined through a grand competition."
"However, please don't be discouraged by your initial ranking. Remember, only those who enter the Inner Court truly deserve the title of genius and monster!"
"Outer Court is just your starting point, and today marks your starting line—don't give up. Use that frustration as motivation!"
"Strive to improve yourself and become stronger; I believe your moment will come!"
His speech gained applause from the new students. Encouraged by his words, they accepted their losses in the qualification competition and made a vow to increase their efforts in cultivation.
Ultimately, what mattered was their determination to eventually enter the Inner Court, where all the true geniuses were said to belong.
What these students didn't realize was that Han Yuan could have joined the Inner Court as soon as he arrived at Jia Nan Academy, but the elders decided it was best for him to stay in the Outer Court and maintain a low profile.
Nevertheless, remaining low-key was nearly impossible. Even though Han Yuan hadn't revealed much the previous night, he had already attracted the attention of several spies planted as new students.
Fortunately, this attention was not enough to provoke others into sending an assassin after him, as his earlier display had not threatened those with ill intentions toward the Jia Nan Academy. At most, they would send some assassins whenever he did a mission outside.
So, as long as Han Yuan stayed inside the academy and trained silently, everything would be fine.
Hu Gan then called over the top five new students: Han Yuan, Gu Xun'er, Xiao Yixian, Qing Lin, and a seemingly indifferent boy named Yun Peng.
'If I'm not mistaken, this Yun Peng is from the Sky Rending Feather Sect, a branch in the Chu Yun Empire,' Han Yuan thought, giving the indifferent-looking boy a nod. 'He possesses a rare dark-attributed Dou Qi and has been cultivating the Chronicle of Dark Wings that I developed.'
Yun Peng was momentarily stunned but returned the nod. Inside, he was ecstatic, thinking, 'Oh my god! Master Han Yuan is nodding at me! I will remember this moment forever!'
If Han Yuan knew what Yun Peng was thinking now, he would have been speechless because he didn't expect his doctrine, well, I mean, teachings in the Martial Union to have such an impact, considering this was their first meeting.
"Okay, you five, follow me!" Hu Gan said with a smile, genuinely pleased, as he viewed them as the golden generation for the Jia Nan Academy.
Under Hu Gan's guidance, Han Yuan and the other four high-ranked new students left the bustling venue. Some new students realized why they were being escorted away and felt a pang of jealousy, but there was nothing they could do about it.
After all, they couldn't even dream of entering the top thirty with the current lineup of new students.
"Headmaster, are you taking us to the Book Collection Hall?" Han Yuan asked curiously.
Hu Gan placed his hands behind his back and walked casually. "Well, yes, you did rank in the top five, didn't you?"
"Additionally, the academy has given you the privilege to choose two more dou techniques," he added with a chuckle.
"How generous." Han Yuan clicked his tongue in amazement.
Hu Gan rolled his eyes. "Of course, but the techniques you choose will depend on your luck."
"Even I don't know how many dou techniques the Old Headmaster gathered and stored in the hall."
"Uh, shouldn't you know that?" Xiao Yixian chimed in.
"Yeah, that sounds important," Gu Xun'er added solemnly.
Hu Gan's mouth twitched. "What do you, little girls, know? I'm the Deputy Headmaster, not the manager of the Book Collection Hall," he replied defensively.
"I supervise the entire Outer Court. Knowing about and protecting the Book Collection Hall is not my responsibility."
"Oh, is that all your grandpa is good at—talking big?" Qing Lin blurted out innocently, nearly making Han Yuan and the others burst into laughter at Hu Gan's dark expression.
Hu Gan was left speechless. Though he wanted to reprimand Qing Lin, her innocent look softened his annoyance.
In the end, he sighed internally, recognizing Qing Lin's innocence and youthfulness, and laughed it off. "Keke, you little girl, don't know how important my position is. This elder won't argue with you."
Han Yuan shook his head and gently nudged Qing Lin. "Alright, say sorry to the Headmaster. What you said was a bit rude."
Qing Lin nodded and bowed, "I'm sorry, Grandpa!"
Hu Gan glanced at Han Yuan and smiled in return. "Alright, I don't mind her words too much. We should be arriving at the entrance soon."
After saying that, Hu Gan led them to a grand ancient library in the heart of the Outer Court. Han Yuan looked around curiously and glanced at one of the bookshelves with his Eyes of Truth, chuckling inwardly.
"Headmaster, this library..." He said.
"It's just a decoration, right?"
"Well, it's not really decoration per se because there are still collections of books about history, and many other subjects stored inside from my first glance, but I believe the Book Collection Hall shouldn't be left bare outside like this."
"Good observation, lad." A calm voice suddenly echoed in the library.
Han Yuan and others looked around and finally spotted a white hooded elder walking out of the void, which means he was a Dou Ancestor-level Powerhouse.
Not long after, another hooded elder also followed, but this elder's hood was dark blue.
Han Yuan narrowed his eyes, 'As expected of Jia Nan Academy, two Dou Ancestor-level Guardians. From my senses, they aren't weak either.'
'Even Protector Wu with the Nihility Devouring Flame's seed couldn't pose a problem to them.'
'Heh, it seems I still have to put more consideration into taking Jia Nan Academy under my control.'
Hu Gan greeted the two hooded guardians and then introduced them to Han Yuan and others, "Elder Guardians. Students, these elders are the guardians of Jia Nan Academy: Elder Bai and Elder Qian."
"They are in charge of protecting the academy and its precious Book Collection Hall."
"Greetings, Elders!" Han Yuan and four others greeted them, showing respect to the elders.
Elder Bai waved his hand. "Mm, get up."
"You're the future of this academy, let's not be too formal."
"What Old Bai said is right," Elder Qian added. "So, let's not dilly-dally and open the entrance toward the Book Collection Hall."
"Before that, I have to warn you."
"Book Collection Hall is one of the sacred places in the academy, so you can't simply force your way into getting what you want."
"More importantly, you only have three hours."
"So, trust your heart, and choose wisely." He gave Han Yuan a solemn look.
"Do you understand?"
"Understood!" 5x.
"Elders, please." Hu Gan gave Elder Bai and Elder Qian an approachable look.
Elder Bai and Elder Qian waved complex hand signs rapidly, regulating the spatial power within the library and opening the secret passage into the Book Collection Hall.
A swirl appeared before Han Yuan and others, allowing them to see a very mysterious space on the other side of a portal.
Yes, the truth is the Book Collection Hall exists in a pocket dimension!
"Get in!" Hu Gan suddenly shouted.
"Don't waste your time!"
Han Yuan and the girls glanced at each other before smiling and then jumping into the portal. Yun Peng awkwardly bowed to the elders for the last time before following them inside.
Hu Gan, Elder Bai, and Elder Qian watched them with a calm look.
"Hey, do you wanna bet?" asked Hu Gan.
Elder Bai narrowed his eyes, "Heh, Hu Gan, it seems you wanted to trick this old man again."
"Yeah, we won't fall to your dirty tricks anymore." Elder Qian added with a snort.
Hu Gan rubbed his hands and taunted, "Don't tell me the guardians are afraid?"
"..." Elder Bai.
"..." Elder Qian.
"Fine, let's bet!" 2x.
Hu Gan laughed faintly, "Good, let's bet what's the highest Dou Technique Han Yuan and others could bring out from the Book Collection Hall, and I will start first."
"I bet that Han Yuan is going to get that 'incomplete' technique that the Old Headmaster left inside."
"That's ridiculous!" Elder Bai shouted in disbelief.
"Even if that technique is incomplete, it is at least a mid-earth rank dou technique."
Elder Qian nodded in agreement, "Yes, not to mention, the system that Old Headmaster Meng left in the Book Collection Hall is luck-based, and there are tons of dou techniques inside."
"The chance is lower than 0.001%."
"But never zero," Hu Gan commented lightly. "And I believe Han Yuan is going to surprise you two old fossils."