The Mi Te Er Auction House today was undoubtedly the most bustling day in half a year. The clamor in the main hall made the ears of Xiao Yan and his companions, who had just arrived, ring, as if a swarm of flies were buzzing around, making people feel agitated and restless.
Looking at the main hall, Xiao Zhan frowned, shaking his head helplessly. He could only let the auction house staff lead them into the VIP passage, and only then did they calmly enter the auction room.
Inside the auction room, although there were quite a few people, it was much quieter. Xiao Zhan's gaze swept around the auction room, then he led Xiao Yan and his companions to a spot in front of the auction stage and sat down.
Sitting near the back, Xiao Yan boredly looked around, lazily leaned back in his chair, waiting for the auction to begin.
“Sister, in half a year, it seems it will be time for Jia Nan Academy's student recruitment?” Xiao Yan casually crossed his legs, his eyes narrowed as if he wanted to sleep, when Xiao Ning's somewhat eager question suddenly reached his ears. That particular name couldn't help but make his eyebrows furrow.
Jia Nan Academy, the renowned Dou Qi academy of the Dou Qi Continent, its true strength was already formidable, far exceeding ordinary people's imagination. It was said that to become an instructor in Jia Nan Academy, one had to be at least a Great Dou Master. If compared in terms of strength, even the Yun Lan Sect would likely be a few points weaker.
On the Dou Qi Continent, academies and sects were somewhat different. Joining a sect meant enduring certain restrictions, and later, one's actions would represent the sect. Academies, however, were different; after graduation, there would be no more compulsory ties to the academy.
Even so, humans, after all, were not emotionless beings. In the academy environment, students easily developed a certain affection for it. Upon graduation, this subtle affection would make many people willing to assist the academy with whatever they could.
One person's help might not amount to much, but if it were tens of thousands of people, the resulting deterrent force would be quite formidable… And this was precisely the objective of all academies.
Entering an academy was the best way to acquire Dou Skills and cultivation methods. In an academy of Jia Nan Academy's caliber, if one performed exceptionally or was favored by certain instructors, one might even obtain some high-tier cultivation methods and Dou Skills. And with these two, the path to becoming a powerful expert would be much shorter.
Cultivation methods, Dou Skills, and elixirs were the three most attractive types of items. Jia Nan Academy possessed two of these. Therefore, in the hearts of countless people on the continent, as long as one entered Jia Nan Academy, generally speaking, there was no need to worry about one's future prospects. Every student who successfully graduated from Jia Nan Academy would be eagerly sought after by various powers across the land; their future could be said to be bright.
Thus, every year, countless young people devised all sorts of methods to enter Jia Nan Academy.
However, Jia Nan Academy was indeed an excellent place, but its admission requirements were extremely strict: before the age of eighteen, one had to reach eight segments of Dou Qi!
The strict admission threshold also kept all those with insufficient talent outside its doors. Therefore, every person who could enter Jia Nan Academy was without exception highly talented.
Hearing Xiao Ning's question, Xiao Yu nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan. She spoke with a hint of smugness: "Don't worry, you've already qualified for admission. Moreover, the person in charge of recruitment this time in Wu Tan City is my mentor. She's a five-star Dou Master. With my help, there'll definitely be no problem."
"Heh heh, that's great then." Hearing this, a few traces of joy appeared on Xiao Ning's face, and he nodded excitedly.
Listening to the conversation between the two beside him, Xiao Yan pouted. If it had been before, he might have only been able to enter Jia Nan Academy to obtain higher-level cultivation techniques and Dou Skills. But now, with a mysterious master like Yao Lao, Jia Nan Academy held little appeal for him.
"Brother Xiao Yan, aren't you planning to take the entrance exam for Jia Nan Academy in half a year?" Beside him, seeing Xiao Yan's uninterested expression, Xun Er softly asked.
Hearing Xun Er's question, Xiao Yu frowned, also turning her gaze. She had already made up her mind: if this little rascal also wanted to go to Jia Nan Academy, she would definitely ask her mentor to make him suffer a bit.
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, reluctantly saying, "I'm not interested. What is there to learn by being with a bunch of little brats? If I want Dou Qi cultivation techniques, searching for treasures in the mountains would be far more exciting."
"Hmph, what arrogant words! Do you think the academy is begging you to join? A little talent makes you so conceited. Talent like yours isn't rare at Jia Nan Academy. It's better if you don't enter. With your detestable personality, you'll most likely just bring trouble upon yourself." Hearing Xiao Yan belittle the academy she was so proud of, Xiao Yu's face turned cold, and she snapped at him.
Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Yu, pouted, but didn't bother to pay her any mind. His agreement with Nalan Yanran had less than two years left. His sole goal now was to surpass that woman.
There wasn't much time left, and the gap between them was still significant. Xiao Yan didn't believe that Jia Nan Academy could help him surpass Nalan Yanran in two years.
If he couldn't achieve his goal, what was the point of going to that rotten academy? Could they teach him alchemy like Yao Lao? And even if they could, would they possess Yao Lao's capabilities?
Shaking his head, Xiao Yan didn't argue with her about the academy. His gaze drifted into the distance, where he noticed people from the two great clans had already entered the auction house.
Amidst the crowd, Xiao Yan suddenly detected a sinister gaze. He lifted his head and realized it was none other than Jia Lie Ao, with whom he had previously clashed in the marketplace.
At this moment, the young master of the Jia Lie Clan was staring at him with ill intent, occasionally casting covetous glances at Xun Er's graceful figure. Seeing Xiao Yan look back, he immediately sneered, his lips moving slightly.
Indifferently watching Jia Lie Ao's lips open and close, Xiao Yan could vaguely guess his meaning: "Xiao Clan's little trash, have you finally completed your coming-of-age ceremony? Don't let this young master see you in Wu Tan City again, or else... heh heh!"
Narrowing his eyes slightly at Jia Lie Ao's smug smile, Xiao Yan returned a smile, a fierce glint flashing in his pupils.