Jia Nan Academy was located at the very heart of Jia Nan City, like a brilliant pearl inlaid within this flourishing metropolis.
Looking at the lively and bustling city before her, Qing Lin could not help but marvel inwardly. She had once visited the Scared City of Jia Ma, but Jia Nan City before her was even more prosperous, even more dazzling to the eye.
"Jia Nan Academy truly lives up to its reputation as the most prestigious academy on the Dou Qi Continent," Qing Lin thought to herself. After nearly a month of tempering in the Black Corner Region, she was no longer the ignorant novice who knew nothing of that land.
She glanced at Lin Yuan beside her and noticed the gentleness and warmth in his eyes.
"So this is the place Young Master calls home…"
"Lin Yuan?"
A crisp, slightly puzzled female voice came from behind.
Lin Yuan turned around and saw a familiar figure standing there. It was Hu Jia, the girl who had grown up alongside him in Jia Nan Academy, someone who could be considered a childhood companion.
"Hu Jia, long time no see," Lin Yuan greeted her with a smile. A year's time had added a hint of maturity to both of their faces.
"So it really is you, Lin Yuan." Hu Jia looked him up and down in delight, a playful expression appearing on her face as she laughed. "Not bad. How come I never noticed before that you're actually quite good-looking? And your strength—"
"I've made a bit of progress," Lin Yuan replied with a smile. He then examined Hu Jia briefly and chuckled. "Our little demoness isn't bad either. You've already broken through to a Three-Star Dou Master."
Hearing this, Hu Jia grinned smugly. "Of course. You know my talent. Oh, and that pill you gave me before you left worked really well. Thanks. I haven't forgotten our agreement—just wait."
She then noticed Qing Lin standing beside Lin Yuan, curiosity flashing through her eyes.
"And who is this cute little sister…?"
"This is Qing Lin, a companion I met during my travels," Lin Yuan introduced.
Hu Jia looked Qing Lin up and down, a strange glint flashing in her eyes as she teased, "A companion, huh? Little Sister Qing Lin is really beautiful. Lin Yuan, you'd better treat her well, or I'll get angry."
Qing Lin blushed slightly at Hu Jia's words, while Lin Yuan could only shake his head helplessly.
"What are you thinking? You're still as lively as ever."
As they chatted and laughed, Hu Jia suddenly remembered something. Her expression turned a little serious.
"Lin Yuan, I've got something urgent to deal with. I won't keep you company for now—we'll talk again when we get the chance."
With that, she hurried off toward a certain direction within the academy grounds.
"She's still as hot-headed as ever," Lin Yuan said with a soft laugh as he watched Hu Jia's retreating figure, his tone tinged with nostalgia, as though recalling the past.
He then turned to Qing Lin and said, "Let's go, Qing'er. We'll head inside first and arrange an identity for you."
As he spoke, he sensed the general location of the Vice Principal and led Qing Lin toward Hu Qian's residence.
The two soon found Vice Principal Hu Qian in a quiet and elegant courtyard in the back mountain area.
When Lin Yuan and Qing Lin arrived, Hu Qian was leisurely sipping tea in the courtyard. Seeing them, he set down his teacup and smiled warmly.
"Lin Yuan, you're finally back. And this young lady is…?"
"Greetings, Vice Principal," Lin Yuan said as he performed a junior's salute. He then went straight to the point. "Her name is Qing Lin. She's a companion I met while traveling. Her situation is similar to mine, and I wish for her to join Jia Nan Academy. Naturally, I'm willing to vouch for her."
"Oh? Similar to you, and you're even willing to stand guarantee for her? That suggests quite a deep relationship between the two of you. Interesting." After hearing Lin Yuan's words, the Vice Principal turned his gaze toward Qing Lin and examined her carefully.
However, with just that glance, his expression subtly changed. A trace of shock appeared in his eyes, and his tone grew more serious.
"This little girl looks quite young, yet her cultivation is already close to Nine-Star Dou Master! Such talent is truly rare."
Lin Yuan nodded solemnly. "Indeed. Qing Lin's talent is exceptional, and her cultivation speed is extremely fast."
Hu Qian took a deep breath, suppressing the surprise in his heart. As Vice Principal of Jia Nan Academy, he had seen countless geniuses, yet someone as gifted as Qing Lin was still uncommon. The fact that Lin Yuan had discovered such a talent and brought her back to the academy was no small matter.
Looking at Lin Yuan, approval shone in Hu Qian's eyes.
"Lin Yuan, you've done very well. As for this young lady joining the academy, I approve."
"Moreover, I never expected your cultivation to advance so rapidly. In just a little over a year, you've already reached the peak of Dou King. Judging from the restless aura around you, you're not far from breaking through to Dou Emperor. Truly worthy of being Jia Nan Academy's most outstanding genius."
Lin Yuan smiled lightly. "Vice Principal, you flatter me. I merely encountered a few opportunities while traveling. Actually, there's something even more special about Qing Lin that needs to be explained."
Hu Qian's curiosity was immediately piqued.
"Oh? What special matter is that?"
Lin Yuan smiled and looked at Qing Lin.
"Qing'er, show the Vice Principal that."
As he spoke, he gestured for Qing Lin to reveal her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. When those unique pupils appeared before Hu Qian's eyes, his expression changed dramatically, and he exclaimed in shock, "Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils?!"
Hu Qian was well aware of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. He had learned of this phenomenon—known as the number one extraordinary pupil under the heavens—from the ancient records of Jia Nan Academy. According to those records, possessing this pupil was equivalent to holding a direct ticket to the Dou Venerate realm. Barring unforeseen circumstances, its owner was destined to become a Dou Venerate and one of the most powerful among them.
Lin Yuan nodded lightly and explained,
"That's right. Qing Lin possesses the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. This is the reason her cultivation speed is so astonishing. In fact, it may be even faster than you imagine, she went from the fifth stage of Dou Qi to her current Eight-Star Dou Master in just one year."
Upon hearing this, Hu Qian was utterly shaken. Such a cultivation speed was truly terrifying. As expected of the world's number one extraordinary pupil.
He looked at Qing Lin, his eyes filled with anticipation. A genius of this caliber—especially one who could become a core disciple of the academy was undoubtedly an immeasurable treasure to Jia Nan Academy.
As Vice Principal, Hu Qian quickly made his decision. Taking a deep breath, he spoke solemnly to Lin Yuan.
"Lin Yuan, rest assured. The academy will spare no effort in nurturing Qing Lin."
"Thank you, Vice Principal," Lin Yuan replied sincerely.
Hu Qian waved his hand.
"No need to thank me. If anything, I should be the one thanking you for bringing such an outstanding talent to Jia Nan Academy. A genius like Qing Lin is coveted by any faction. We will devote all our resources to cultivating her and allow her brilliance to fully bloom."
As he spoke, a teasing glint appeared in his eyes as he looked at Lin Yuan.
"And this little girl must be quite close to you, isn't she? Regarding her future training, do you have any suggestions?"
As the Vice Principal of Jia Nan Academy, Hu Qian was an astute man. He could clearly see Qing Lin's reliance on Lin Yuan at a glance. Moreover, Lin Yuan had personally brought her back to the academy, and he himself was an exceptionally talented high-level alchemist and a powerhouse on the verge of breaking through to Dou Emperor. He could no longer be treated merely as a junior or student, he was already a strong expert deserving of due respect. Naturally, Hu Qian understood that Lin Yuan's opinion carried significant weight when it came to Qing Lin.
Lin Yuan pressed his fingers lightly against his forehead, pondered for a moment, and then said in a deep voice,
"Let Qing Lin enter the Inner Academy with me. With the uniqueness of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, her strength is far beyond what the Outer Academy can accommodate."
"Is it the legendary ability of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to control snake-type magical beasts?" Hu Qian asked with interest. He then turned to Qing Lin and asked kindly,
"Little girl, what level of magical beasts can you currently control?"
After glancing at Lin Yuan, Qing Lin answered softly.
"Senior, my strength is still too weak. For now, I can only control Fifth-Grade snake-type magical beasts."
"Hiss—!"
Hu Qian sucked in a cold breath and said gravely, "I understand. I'll bring this matter up with the First Elder. Keeping Qing Lin in the Outer Academy is indeed inappropriate."
After discussing some further details, Lin Yuan bade farewell to Hu Qian and left with Qing Lin. He intended to visit the Alchemy Department and Elder Huo.
After the two departed, Hu Qian gazed thoughtfully in the direction they had left.
"A Dou Master capable of controlling Fifth-Grade magical beasts… the world's number one extraordinary pupil truly lives up to its reputation. Heh, the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils that the Heavenly Serpent Mansion has searched for with such desperation have ended up in my Jia Nan Academy. What a marvelous twist of fate."
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