The next morning, golden sunlight gently streamed across the courtyard. Xiao Ling rose early, quietly entered Zi Yan's room, and gently awoke her from her sweet sleep.
"Zi Yan, hurry up! We're heading to the inner courtyard today," Xiao Ling said gently.
Zi Yan rubbed her sleepy eyes and muttered, "Oh, so early! I haven't gotten enough sleep yet," but she still sat up obediently.
Xiao Ling smiled and patted her head. He then went to Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin's rooms, waking them one by one.
Soon, the four of them had packed up and arrived at the courtyard.
Qing Lin shouted softly, summoning the Six-Winged Black Snake King. The four of them leaped onto its broad back one by one, finding their proper positions.
Xiao Ling gave the command, "Move!" The Six-Winged Black Snake King raised its head and let out
a long roar. With a sudden flap of its wings, it soared into the air, heading towards the inner courtyard.
In the air, a strong wind blew across everyone's faces. Zi Yan rubbed her eyes and tugged at Xiao Ling's sleeve.
Xiao Ling turned and cast a curious look at Zi Yan. "What's wrong, Zi Yan? Are you hungry again?"
Because Zi Yan's energy needs had recently increased far more than before, she often asked Xiao Ling for more herbs.
Nodding, then shaking her head, Zi Yan replied, "I feel like the opportunity to advance to the sixth-level magical beast is getting closer. When I return to the inner courtyard, I'll find a place to retreat. Please give me more pills this time."
Hearing this, Xiao Ling suddenly realized that after more than half a year of accumulating energy, it was time for Zi Yan to break through to the sixth-level magical beast. However, the bloodline of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Royal Family was indeed powerful, and the resources required for this advancement were indeed considerable.
Xiao Ling pulled out a storage ring and handed it to Zi Yan. "The pills in here should last you a long time, probably enough for you to break through to the sixth-level magical beast."
Zi Yan's face lit up with joy as she accepted the ring. After putting it away, she lay down in Xiao Ling's arms and closed her eyes. Xiao
Ling gently rubbed Zi Yan's head, his eyes filled with fondness. Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin, watching from the side, exchanged a smile.
At that moment, the Six-Winged Black Snake King suddenly accelerated, and the wind around them intensified. Xiao Ling held Zi Yan tightly in his arms and released a layer of Dou Qi to shield her from the oncoming gusts of wind.
Riding on the Six-Winged Black Snake King's back, they soared over a series of mountain ranges, peaks towering into the clouds; through dense forests shaded by green trees; and across vast grasslands covered in lush green grass.
After a long flight, the magnificent buildings of the inner courtyard finally appeared ahead. The towering buildings, imposing and majestic, were enveloped in a mysterious aura that inspired awe.
After flying for a considerable time, the inner courtyard finally appeared ahead.
It was a place surrounded by a canyon. Though the entrance was invisible, a mysterious power emanated from within.
Xiao Ling formed a specific hand seal, and light flickered between his hands. As his gestures shifted, mysterious runes emerged from the air, interweaving into a complex pattern.
Then, a powerful wave of energy surged from the front, and a faint spatial portal slowly materialized.
Qinglin and Xiao Yixian were both amazed by this scene. Qinglin's large, lively eyes widened in surprise and curiosity. Xiao Yixian's beautiful face also displayed a hint of novelty.
Yao Chen emerged from the Bone Inflammation Ring, took a careful look at the space door, and said, "The power of space here is used very cleverly, completely isolating the space of the inner courtyard from the outside world, forming an independent space domain, making it difficult for outsiders to directly perceive its existence. The person who performed this technique must be as powerful as I was in my lifetime."
"But looking at this space barrier, it seems that it has not been reinforced for a long time, so that its stability has now seriously declined, far worse than before."
"Old Yao is indeed knowledgeable and can see through the mystery of this with just one glance. I have heard before that the dean is a strong man with the strength reaching the Dou Zun level, but he has always been idle and free by nature, not used to being restrained, so he did not stay in Canaan Academy for a long time to preside over affairs. He left the academy a long time ago and has not returned yet." Xiao Ling nodded slightly and replied to Yao Chen.
Xiao Ling gently patted the Six-Winged Black Snake King's broad back, raised his hand, pointed in the direction of the dimensional portal, and commanded, "Six-Winged Black Snake King, lead us into that mysterious dimensional portal."
Upon hearing Xiao Ling's command, the Six-Winged Black Snake King raised its head and let out a long roar, as if responding to Xiao Ling's command.
Immediately, its massive, powerful wings flapped, and its enormous body flew swiftly toward the dimensional portal, diving into it without hesitation.
After passing through the dimensional portal, Xiao Ling greeted the two elders.
Then, leading Qing Lin, Xiao Yixian, and the others, he hurried along the winding path of the inner courtyard, heading straight for the office of Great Elder Su Qian.
After all, Great Elder Su Qian was his elder, so it was only natural to inform him first as a sign of respect and courtesy.
Xiao Ling and the others then entered the Great Elder's office. The interior was simple yet solemn, with rows of bookshelves lining the walls, filled with various tomes. Sunlight filtered through the cracks in the window, casting dappled shadows on the wooden floor.
At that moment, Great Elder Su Qian sat at his desk, an ancient book in hand, absorbed in his reading.
Hearing the entrance, he raised his head, a gentle smile on his face, and was the first to greet Xiao Ling: "Xiao Ling, you're back."
Xiao Ling bowed slightly respectfully and said, "Great Elder."
The Great Elder's gaze swept over the group before settling on the sleeping Zi Yan.
The Great Elder frowned slightly, looked at Xiao Ling, and asked, "What's going on?"
Xiao Ling hurriedly explained, "Great Elder, Zi Yan is about to advance. I will send her back to her room later so she can rest assured and break through."
The Great Elder nodded slightly, a hint of concern in his eyes, "Then you must take good care of her. Nothing can go wrong with her advancement."
Xiao Ling replied solemnly, "Don't worry, Great Elder, I will make every arrangement."
The Great Elder nodded and said, "Xiao Ling, I trust you."
He then looked at Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian behind Xiao Ling, and asked curiously, "Who are these two?"
Xiao Ling smiled and introduced them to Su Qian, "Great Elder, this is Xiao Yi Xian. She has a body that is susceptible to the evil poison. Although her constitution is special, she has a kind heart. The other one is Qing Lin. She possesses the Green Serpent Triple Flower Pupil. This unique pupil power gives her unique abilities. In terms of cultivation talent alone, even I am far behind them."
(End of this chapter)