"Is this where Xun Er and the others are? Could it be…"
Xu Ran's ability to help others achieve rapid breakthroughs flashed through her mind, and she quickly ran over.
She had a good relationship with Xun Er and Xiao Yu, and also had a key to their room.
Seeing is believing; unless she saw it with her own eyes, she would never believe it to be true.
Even the most powerful alchemists at Canaan Academy could only concoct some elixirs to assist in cultivation, with only a few that could help a cultivator achieve rapid breakthroughs. Moreover, these were rarely without a variety of side effects and could not be consumed over a long period.
Was Xu Ran really that monstrous?
If Xu Ran was really that amazing, then even if she had to pester him shamelessly and lose face to ask for his help, why wouldn't she?
Hu Jia might be fiery by nature, but such a cheerful girl often took things rather easily.
What is face?
If becoming stronger was possible, what did all the intangible things matter?
Face?
If Xu Ran were weaker than her or not much stronger, she would certainly not lower her head.
But with Xu Ran being so formidable, bending a knee to Xu Ran was the right choice.
Hu Qian was the vice dean of the Outer Court at Canaan Academy. Having spent time with Hu Jia, she too had picked up many of Hu Qian's traits. She knew how to talk to people and tell each what they wanted to hear.
"Such a rich Dou Qi energy; if one could cultivate here for a long time, wouldn't that be extremely profitable?" Hu Jia carefully approached the courtyard, afraid that any loud movement would disturb Xun Er and the others.
No sooner had she climbed into the courtyard than she gasped in astonishment.
The Heavenly Energy in the courtyard had become as dense as fog.
Inside and outside the yard were completely different; it was as if somebody had sealed this rich Heavenly Energy inside with powerful means.
This was comparable to the Qi Refinement Tower.
The Heavenly Flame Qi Refinement Tower that only the geniuses of the Inner Court at Canaan Academy had the privilege of enjoying. Even then, not every genius from the Inner Court could enter the Heavenly Flame Qi Refinement Tower to cultivate without restriction; one had to pay enough Fire Energy to gain access.
Being a relative, she too had cultivated in the Heavenly Flame Qi Refinement Tower several times.
She had always coveted that place.
Yet the courtyard where Xun Er and her friends lived was almost the same as the Heavenly Flame Qi Refinement Tower; cultivating here, one's speed of cultivation could be several times faster than outside.
"I remember this place wasn't like this before; since Xu Ran came, it's been different," Hu Jia swallowed nervously, pondering how she could stick around and not leave.
To act shamelessly or what else?
Even sleeping outside with only a bed and blankets would be fine.
She had done the same during her time at the Qi Refinement Tower, cultivating there for a few days and then feeling downcast for a long time after leaving. Unfortunately, as someone from the Outer Court, she couldn't earn Fire Energy and it was impossible for her to continually cultivate inside through connections.
It was like stepping from over forty-degree heat into an air-conditioned room at twenty degrees; would you be willing to leave? Even if your willpower wanted to exit, your body would honestly convince you to stay.
"Ah, Xun Er and the others are really breaking through?"
"Is Xun Er now a Dou Spirit?"
"And Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei, are they also Dou Spirits?"
Hu Jia stealthily peeked through the window from outside.
Standing outside, she could feel the oppression emanating from Xun Er and the others, far stronger than herself.
Having seen many Fighting Spirit Strongholds, she knew this was the oppressive aura only a Fighting Spirit Stronghold possessed.
Hu Jia didn't know what she was feeling at the moment, a mix of emotions.
Although Xun Er's talent was higher than hers, when she came to the academy, Xun Er was only at the Dou Shi Level, while she was already a Great Fighter. In such a short time, Xun Er had already become a Dou Spirit.
What made her feel even more desperate was that Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei were also Dou Spirits.
Being surpassed wasn't scary, but being surpassed by so many people all at once was indeed distressing.
In the Outer Court, she used to rank in the top three.
But now, the three spots could be easily dominated by Xun Er and the other two, which meant her own ranking might fall to fifth. If she couldn't even keep a top five position in the Outer Court, that would be truly miserable
"It seems rather rare for someone in Canaan Academy to break through to Dou Spirit as a freshman. Even in the Inner Court, most are at the level of Dou Shi or Great Fighter," Hu Jia grumbled to herself, feeling extremely unlucky.
If the rules from previous years were followed, she might be in danger.
Only the top five had the privilege of entering Canaan Academy's Library Pavilion.
Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Mei had already taken three of those spots, and Wu Hao was also very strong, which meant her own position was at risk.
"This Xu Ran..." Hu Jia suddenly felt an immense pressure.
She even suspected that Xu Ran was sent by the heavens to punish her.
With Xu Ran's arrival, nothing good ever happened.
She was originally certain about entering the top ten of the Inner Court this year, and being in the top five of her class wasn't a problem either, but now...
Against three Dou Spirits, she was definitely outmatched.
A single slap from a Dou Spirit could send her flying.
"Hu Jia? What are you doing here?" Xu Ran came out and, seeing Hu Jia sneaking around and peering into the room on her tiptoes, couldn't help but feel the itch to act again.
Giving lessons to such hot-tempered girls, making them behave, was also a sense of achievement.
"Ah? Xu Ran."
Hu Jia was startled, and her head banged into the window, causing her to cover her forehead in pain.
Seeing Xu Ran, Hu Jia immediately behaved herself and stood there gracefully, disregarding the pain on her forehead, with her hands behind her back, like a child being reprimanded.
"What's this? A change of heart? Not shouting about fighting and killing anymore?" Xu Ran teased.
"Brother Xu Ran, haven't I admitted my mistake? I was blind to your greatness before, not realizing how powerful you are. If I had known how amazing you were, I definitely wouldn't have opposed you," Hu Jia said, awkwardly.
Seeing Xu Ran's teasing look, she felt extremely embarrassed.
Even with her thick skin, her face felt flushed with heat.
"Oh? You realize your mistake?"
"Was it your grandfather who sent you here?"
"No, no, I came on my own. My grandfather did tell me about your deeds, though, and my admiration for you is like a river that flows endlessly. Thinking about how I behaved so rudely in your presence, I feel deep remorse," Hu Jia said flatteringly. As she spoke, she blushed again at her own lack of spine.
A wise man knows better than to fight when defeat is certain... a moment of patience in a moment of anger saves a thousand moments of sorrow...
"Alright, I forgive you. You may go," Xu Ran said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Ah?"
Hu Jia didn't expect Xu Ran to be so straightforward. What about all the lines she had prepared?
Leave? She didn't want to leave.
This place was a treasure trove...
"Brother Xu Ran, I came to play with Xun Er and the others. What are they doing now?" Hu Jia pointed inside and swallowed nervously.
Her expression seemed to say: "I want in too, I want that..."