Chapter 252: Han Yue
This was the cultivation room of Jia Nan Academy. According to the unspoken rules across the continent, cultivation rooms, once marked as "in use," were strictly off limits to interruptions.
Disturbing someone during a critical moment of cultivation could have disastrous consequences. At best, it could break their concentration and disrupt their progress. At worst, it could cause a deviation in their cultivation path, leading to internal injuries or even death.
Particularly with a terrifying flame like the Fallen Heart Flame, if a Dou Shi (Battle Master) were cultivating here, even a slight interruption could result in a disastrous outcome. In the most severe cases, one might be consumed by the flame itself.
However, Xiao Yan remained entirely unharmed. His extraordinary strength ensured he could handle such dangers effortlessly. If it were someone else, though, the consequences would have been dire.
With this thought, Xiao Yan removed his Fire Energy Card and slowly pushed open the door to the cultivation room.
As the door swung open, a group of young men and women came into view.
While their cultivation levels weren't low, to Xiao Yan, they were insignificant no more than ants.
What caught Xiao Yan's attention, however, was the young woman at the center of the group.
The woman was quite striking, with an oval shaped face, cherry lips, and large, expressive eyes. Her features combined to create a pleasant and captivating beauty.
In terms of looks, she didn't surpass the women in Xiao Yan's entourage. But compared to someone like Ruolin, she was slightly more attractive.
Still, Xiao Yan barely spared her a glance before dismissing her from his thoughts. While she was decent, she didn't come close to qualifying for a spot in his inner circle.
"Who's the idiot that knocked on the door just now?"
Xiao Yan's voice was calm, but his words immediately darkened the expressions of the group in front of him.
Unbothered by their reaction, he repeated himself.
"I'll ask one more time who's the moron that opened the door? If no one steps forward, none of you are leaving here today."
At first, the group looked at each other in stunned silence before their expressions shifted to amusement.
Who does this kid think he is? Does he have no idea who we are?
The man leading the group sneered and stepped forward.
"Hey, kid, are you new here? Don't you know that this cultivation room is reserved for Fei'er's exclusive use?"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and glanced at the pretty woman he'd noticed earlier.
"Which academy rule states this is your private cultivation room? Do you have a written authorization from the Inner Academy? If this room was officially allocated to you, I'll let you off the hook this time."
His words wiped the smug expressions off the group's faces. Even the young woman looked visibly annoyed.
The surrounding students, who had been silently watching the confrontation, exchanged surprised and sympathetic glances.
This guy must be new here. Of all people to offend, why did he have to pick Liu Fei?
Even without mentioning her influential cousin, her companion Reina alone was trouble enough for any newcomer.
As expected, Reina, the man standing beside Liu Fei, stepped forward, glaring at Xiao Yan with disdain.
"You've got quite the attitude, huh? But since you dared speak to us like that, let me, your senior, teach you a lesson. That way, you'll learn to watch your mouth and avoid provoking people you shouldn't!"
As he spoke, a powerful aura surged from his body, causing the surrounding students to react in shock.
"Reina has already reached the level of a two star Dou Ling?"
"I didn't expect that. With this level of cultivation, that new guy is in big trouble!"
Reina's face was full of pride as he unleashed his aura. Xiao Yan, on the other hand, didn't even flinch. Instead, he raised his head slightly, an amused smirk forming on his lips.
A two star Dou Ling? Even Xiao Feng, that rascal, would surpass this at his age. Where does this guy get the confidence to act like this in front of me?
"Brother Reina, don't go too hard on him. Otherwise, my cousin will scold me again," Liu Fei said casually, as if she were reminding Reina to spare Xiao Yan's life.
Her indifferent tone made Xiao Yan roll his eyes in disbelief.
Seriously? These two are really getting into character with their little act.
Just as Xiao Yan was about to put Reina in his place, another calm voice echoed across the third floor's hall.
"Why are you giving such a hard time to a newcomer in the Inner Academy? That seems unnecessary, doesn't it?"
As the clear and cool voice reached their ears, the expressions of Liu Fei's group changed, while Xiao Yan's eyes lit up.
At the entrance to the third level of the Refining Qi Tower stood a tall, slender young woman dressed in a silver robe. Her face was slightly thin but undeniably beautiful, with skin as fair as snow and delicate, artistic features. Compared to Liu Fei, she was in a league of her own.
In Xiao Yan's mind, only Cai Lin and Xun'er could truly outshine her.
What excited Xiao Yan even more was her rare silver hair, cascading to her waist. Paired with her silver robe, it gave her an unapproachable, frosty elegance like a snow lotus atop a distant peak, stunning yet untouchable.
"A silver haired beauty with a cold demeanor how could anyone resist?" Xiao Yan mused, feeling, for the first time since arriving at Jia Nan Academy, a slight desire to add someone to his inner circle.
Meanwhile, Reina's expression reflected not just admiration, but also apprehension.
"Han Yue, this has nothing to do with you," Reina said, his tone tense as his body subtly tensed. "I suggest you stay out of this."
Han Yue ignored his warning and instead glanced at Xiao Yan, her clear eyes briefly flashing with surprise at his composed demeanor. Then, she spoke in a calm, measured tone:
"If you're upset about a newcomer using your usual cultivation room, I won't object. But banging on the door so violently? What if this new student had gone into Qi Deviation? Would you take responsibility for that?"
Liu Fei, clearly displeased, let out a cold snort. "Senior Han Yue, this is none of your concern. I have my own ways of handling things!"
Her tone was sharp, and it was clear she was annoyed. Not only was Han Yue stronger than her, but she was also more beautiful a fact that irked the prideful Liu Fei to no end.
"Exactly, Han Yue. You don't need to interfere," said another voice, cutting through the tension.
Everyone froze for a moment, confused by the remark. The speaker was none other than Xiao Yan himself.
Han Yue's face briefly showed a trace of surprise as she looked at Xiao Yan again, seemingly confirming that nothing was wrong with him. With a faint nod, she said, "If this junior is so confident in himself, then I'll leave it to him."
With that, she turned and gracefully walked deeper into the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower. For someone of her strength, the third level wasn't particularly effective for cultivation.
However, she had only taken a few steps when a series of loud slapping sounds echoed from behind her.
Han Yue frowned slightly, thinking, That new student is too arrogant. But Reina slapping him so blatantly seems a bit excessive.
Curious, she turned back and her eyes widened in shock.
By the cultivation room, Xiao Yan stood nonchalantly, shaking his hand as if brushing off dust. Around him lay a group of unconscious students.
Reina, who had been the instigator, and Liu Fei, with her striking looks, were both sprawled on the ground. A bright red handprint adorned the right side of each of their faces.
Blood and broken teeth littered the floor, evidence of the sheer force behind Xiao Yan's strikes. It was clear that the entire group had been knocked out with a single slap, their teeth sent flying.
Ignoring the fallen students, Xiao Yan casually walked up to Han Yue. With a warm smile, he said, "Han Yue, is it? Nice to meet you. I'm Yan Xiao."
"If you ever need help, feel free to find me in the Alchemy Department."
With that, Xiao Yan turned and continued toward the staircase leading to the fourth level.
Though Han Yue was undoubtedly a rare beauty far more so in person than he had imagined his focus remained on the allure of the Fallen Heart Flame, which was far greater than any beauty at the moment.
As he descended to the fourth level, Han Yue remained rooted in place, still processing what she had just witnessed.
Reina was a two star Dou Ling! Han Yue knew she could defeat him, but it would take effort. Yet this new student had knocked him out cold with a single slap.
When did the Alchemy Department produce someone this strong? she thought, her mind racing. Even Lin Xiuya couldn't defeat a Dou Ling with a single move.
Before she could dwell further, Elder Hao entered the third level of the tower with his usual warm smile.
As the elder responsible for guarding the treasure vault and frequently patrolling the third level, Elder Hao's presence wasn't unusual. But as he surveyed the scene, his expression shifted to one of utter confusion.
"What happened here?" he asked, looking to Han Yue for answers.
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