Chapter 53 Fully Prepared, Forging Ahead

Regarding the arrangements for Qing Lin, Chen Xiao originally had a solid plan in mind.

Once she formally began her cultivation, the young girl's progress would be unimaginably swift.

He only needed to bring her to Jia Nan Academy and stay in Jia Nan City for a brief period. When the inner academy selection trials began, Chen Xiao would have the opportunity to meet the inner academy's principal decision-maker, First Elder Su Qian.

At that time, Chen Xiao would subtly hint at Qing Lin's unique talent, and given that Great Elder's temperament, there was a high likelihood he would take Qing Lin under his wing.

Moreover, even if Su Qian rejected the idea, it would not pose a major problem.

While it took ordinary people a very long time to cultivate to the point of entering the inner academy, for Qing Lin, it might only take a year or a half, after which she could still remain by Chen Xiao's side.

Furthermore, with the academy's resources, coupled with Chen Xiao's ability to leverage the pre-advance system in his mind, Qing Lin's rate of improvement would certainly not be slower than if she went to the Heavenly Snake Mansion.

Eventually, when the time was ripe, Chen Xiao could even pre-advance the heritage of the Heavenly Snake Mansion.

Based on all these factors, Chen Xiao had never considered sending the young girl to the Heavenly Snake Mansion.

However, plans could never keep up with changes.

He clearly remembered that upon returning from青山镇 (Qingshan Town), Qing Lin had been full of curiosity about Jia Nan Academy and had even specifically inquired about it.

Yet, after returning to Wu Tan City for a few months, the young girl's mindset had quietly shifted.

To find the root cause...

"Let's hear it. What is going on?"

Returning to Xun Er's courtyard from the recruitment plaza, Chen Xiao looked at the two young women seated opposite him.

Qing Lin was extremely obedient and innocent of the world's complexities. Without other influences, the probability of her changing her mind was practically zero.

Therefore, the root cause most likely lay with Xun Er.

"Sister Xun Er said that the speed at which Young Master's strength has grown over the years is simply too fast. After entering Jia Nan Academy, through systematic study, your foundation will become increasingly profound, and by then, another qualitative leap is bound to occur."

"Although Qing Lin possesses the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupils, if she continues to follow by Young Master's side, her growth rate might still fail to keep pace with Young Master's footsteps, eventually becoming a burden. Therefore, Sister Xun Er thought of finding a better destination for Qing Lin. Sister Xun Er said that once there, Qing Lin will receive the finest cultivation, and within ten years, she will definitely be able to give Young Master a huge surprise."

Without concealing anything, Qing Lin blurted out the whispers Xun Er had shared with her in private, speaking more words in one go than she usually did.

Having been "sold out" by the little girl, a trace of helplessness flashed across Xun Er's pretty face, though she did not stop her.

Laying this matter out in the open was actually quite nice.

After listening, Chen Xiao nodded slightly, roughly understanding the situation.

Following five months of companionship, Xun Er had indeed developed genuine affection and pity for Qing Lin. Coupled with the fact that Qing Lin possessed the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupils—a foundation that was already exceptional—she naturally formed the intention to help her.

If Chen Xiao guessed correctly, the so-called better destination was undoubtedly the Gu Clan.

The Heavenly Snake Mansion was simply not worthy of such high praise from Xun Er.

As for the Gu Clan, it could be considered a behemoth across the entire continent. With Xun Er's status, looking after Qing Lin would naturally be a simple matter.

In this way, Qing Lin would receive superior cultivation resources, and Xun Er would have a companion upon her return; it could truly be described as achieving multiple goals with a single stroke.

"Did Xun Er tell you where she is taking you, and how she plans to cultivate you?"

Qing Lin shook her head, looking slightly bewildered.

"Then aren't you afraid that Xun Er is just tricking you?"

"Sister Xun Er is very kind to both Young Master and me, so Qing Lin believes Sister Xun Er. Young Master, Qing Lin is not stupid; I wouldn't blindly and easily trust just anyone."

Chen Xiao did indeed harbor some worries regarding Qing Lin's temperament—she was far too prone to trusting others easily.

Neither he nor Xun Er harbored malicious intentions, but if it were anyone else, it would be hard to say.

However, the fact that the young girl could pick up on his worries showed that she was indeed quite sharp.

Nodding gently, Chen Xiao said nothing more, turning his gaze instead to Xun Er beside him.

"I know Xun Er's background is extraordinary and that you certainly won't stay in Wu Tan City forever. Judging from what Qing Lin just said, does Xun Er plan to leave as well?"

Chen Xiao was well aware of why Xun Er had come.

Now, having spent seven years in the Xiao family, she had lived through a relatively pleasant childhood.

As for the Tou She Ancient God Jade, Ling Ying had probably searched the entire Xiao family inside out in private, and they likely already had their suspicions regarding its whereabouts.

Therefore, whether it was speaking candidly with the Xiao family or shelving the matter entirely, it all hinged on a single decision from Xun Er.

Under such circumstances, her premature return to the Gu Clan was hardly surprising.

"Mmm, at most a few more months. Xun Er still has some minor personal matters to handle. When the time comes for Xun Er to leave, I will bring Qing Lin to Jia Nan Academy and bid farewell to Big Brother Chen Xiao then."

Xun Er had never denied her own background, even though she had never elaborated on it either.

For an ordinary person to enter Jia Nan Academy to look for someone would naturally be immensely difficult, but for Xun Er, it was nothing at all.

Hearing Xun Er's reply, the young Qing Lin beamed with delightful surprise. She had originally thought that once Chen Xiao left in a few days, it would be a very, very long time before they could meet again, but she hadn't expected she would still be able to visit him at Jia Nan Academy.

For her, this came as an unexpected and joyous blessing.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly. "Then I will entrust Qing Lin to Xun Er's care. I will wait for your arrival at Jia Nan Academy. By the way, these are two Earth-Flame Lotus Seeds and a Lotus Platform. They were gains from my recent distant journey and can be considered companion products of a certain Heavenly Flame. Unfortunately, their utility to me is limited, so I present them to Xun Er together."

Looking at the two jade bottles and the lotus platform retrieved by Chen Xiao, Xun Er's expression shifted slightly.

"Big Brother Chen Xiao, I regard Qing Lin as my younger sister. Even if you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't let her suffer any grievances. These things..."

"Don't misunderstand, Xun Er. I know the bond between you and Qing Lin. These Earth-Flame Lotus Seeds and the Lotus Platform are not payment either; consider them a farewell gift from me to you. In my hands, they can only serve as bargaining chips, but to you, they might prove somewhat useful in the future. You needn't worry; I still have two Earth-Flame Lotus Seeds left on me."

The Earth-Core Lotus Platform was a fine treasure; fire-attribute individuals sitting cross-legged upon it to cultivate could accelerate their cultivation speed.

The lower the realm, the more pronounced the effect.

Chen Xiao was somewhat reluctant to sell such an item, and giving it to a stranger was completely out of the question. After much deliberation, he felt it was best to give it to Xun Er.

In the past, Chen Xiao had benefited from Xun Er's "wool" a few times—that was the first strand of affinity. Now, as their relationship grew closer, that was the second strand.

Giving it to Xun Er caused him no heartache.

The same applied to the Earth-Flame Lotus Seeds, though their value was slightly inferior to the Earth-Core Lotus Platform.

Keeping two as spares was already more than enough for Chen Xiao.

When all was said and done, with the pre-advance system, he wasn't truly lacking in cultivation resources.

Hearing Chen Xiao's explanation, Xun Er finally smiled brightly.

"Since it's a gift, Xun Er will not decline. However, Xun Er will only accept the lotus platform and a single lotus seed; Big Brother Chen Xiao should keep another one just in case."

Unaware that Chen Xiao could utilize the pre-advance ability, Xun Er immediately found an excuse to return one seed.

As the biological daughter of the Gu Clan's Patriarch, she was likewise not lacking in resources. Both the lotus platform and the seeds held greater sentimental value, and a single seed was more than enough to keep as a memento.

"Very well, let's do as Xun Er says." Chen Xiao was not overly rigid and openly accepted the outcome.

"Big Brother Chen Xiao has reminded Xun Er of something, but I am not quite prepared yet. I shall save this gift and present it in return when we bid farewell at Jia Nan Academy."

...

Over the next few days, Wu Tan City remained lively, particularly the recruitment plaza, which was packed with a sea of people.

Amidst the recruitment team's heated admissions process, a piece of gossip gradually circulated through Wu Tan City.

It was said that this year's crop of new students included a veritable monster who, at merely twelve years old, had already reached the 3-Star Dou Ling realm!

Recruiting such a newcomer caused the female instructor of the recruitment team to grin from ear to ear these past few days.

The rumor was spread with vivid detail, and Chen Xiao's name frequently popped up in public conversations.

Unfortunately, without seeing it with their own eyes, the majority of people remained skeptical.

After all, within the Gama Empire, they had never heard of such a monstrous talent; even Xiao Yan, who had previously been the center of attention, paled in comparison.

Making this comparison, quite a few people suddenly realized that it seemed to have been a very long time since they last heard news of the Xiao family's genius?

Even during the Jia Nan Academy admissions, Xiao Yan had not shown his face. Wasn't there something fishy about that?

For a time, Xiao Yan was also frequently mentioned.

Chen Xiao saw and heard the external clamor, yet he paid it no mind.

During these final few days, he allowed himself to relax. Aside from the medicinal baths every three days, the rest of his time was mostly spent accompanying Xun Er and Qing Lin.

They visited the Mical Auction House together, where Qing Lin was gifted a storage ring at a heavily discounted price of twenty thousand gold coins. They also went on excursions outside the city, staking out the routes leading into Wu Tan City from neighboring cities, watching various young men and women arrive full of spirit only to return dejected.

Thus, six days passed in the blink of an eye.

Finally, the day arrived for the recruitment team to depart.

The new students who had passed the examination hurriedly changed into their finest new garments, and under the envious gazes of the city's onlookers, they gathered toward the center of the city.

Instructor Xian Wen looked at these newcomers with a beaming smile.

Even leaving aside that little monster, the quality of the new recruits she gathered this year was far from poor. Based on her experience, among all the instructors' yields, this batch could easily rank in the upper-middle tier.

Nodding with satisfaction, Instructor Xian Wen glanced at the gradually rising morning sun, feeling a bit puzzled.

Where is my SSR card? Why hasn't he arrived yet?

Hurry, hurry, hurry!

What she did not know was that at this very moment, Chen Xiao was just emerging from his cultivation state.

Opening his eyes, Chen Xiao clenched his fists slightly, feeling the surging, elevated power within his body, and joy blossomed on his face.

"I didn't expect that occasionally relaxing for a few days would lead to a breakthrough even earlier than expected. No wonder they always say to combine work and rest. The ancients truly did not deceive me!"

Leaping down from the bed, Chen Xiao opened the door.

There he saw Xun Er and Qing Lin, standing prettily outside waiting for him.