Chapter 60 Heading to the Inner Courtyard

Switching cultivation methods is hardly a rare occurrence on the Dou Qi Continent.

In fact, one might say it is exceedingly common.

A cultivation method of a higher grade that is better suited to oneself brings foreseeable benefits in the future.

It can accelerate your cultivation speed, boost your combat prowess, and even raise your ultimate potential ceiling.

At the same time, there is another crucial factor.

That is, when switching to a higher-grade cultivation method, the practitioner's current realm will only fluctuate slightly, with a negligible impact.

The only thing that requires attention is the need to adapt to the new method as quickly as possible after the transition!

Because the circulation pathways and cultivation style of the new method differ from the old ones, one must change their original cultivation habits and Dou Qi circulation routes after switching. If it proves difficult to adapt, there is a possibility that one's strength might stagnate in the short term, or even decline due to an unfamiliarity with the new method and the lingering influence of the old one not being fully eradicated!

However, generally speaking, as long as the practitioner remains calm and steady, advancing step by step, there will be no major issues.

As for switching to a lower-grade cultivation method...

It is hardly worth mentioning.

Anyone with even a slightly normal train of thought would never make such a foolish choice.

Unless one is fortunate enough to obtain a special cultivation method with immense potential, much like the *Flame Mantra*, it wouldn't even be considered.

Back in the Xiao family of Wutan City, Chen Xiao had privately discussed this matter with Xun'er, and the necessary precautions were already clear in his mind.

Therefore, as he switched to the *Ice Prison Code* this time, although he was filled with anticipation for the effects of a Di-tier cultivation method, he did not dare to rush in the slightest. Like someone who had just broken through to the Dou Zhe stage, he mobilized the Dou Qi within his body bit by bit, slowly circulating it according to the meridian pathways of the *Ice Prison Code*.

Running through just a single circulation cycle took him the time it usually took to complete six or seven.

Fortunately, caution prevents major errors.

Under Chen Xiao's cautious advancement, a brand-new Dou Qi circulation trajectory finally took shape within his body.

Without rushing to celebrate, Chen Xiao cast aside all distracting thoughts and continued to mobilize his Dou Qi, keeping it moving at a steady pace so as to adapt to the brand-new cultivation method more quickly.

And this process lasted for a full two days for Chen Xiao.

It was not until the day arrived for them to head to the Inner Academy that he finally pushed open his chamber door and stepped outside.

...

Outside the study of Vice-Headmaster Hu Gan, on the open ground below.

As the morning sun just rose, thirty to forty youths had already gathered here.

They gathered in groups of three or five, excitement and anticipation written across every face.

Today, they would officially head to the Inner Academy, going to practice in the true core of Canaan College!

Chen Xiao arrived neither too early nor too late, yet his presence still caused the noisy open ground to quiet down for a brief instant. A few people greeted him warmly, while most stood in place, watching in silence.

The people present here were like an elite class meticulously handpicked by a school; although they were all the cream of the crop among their peers, gaps still existed when compared side by side.

Imperceptibly, an invisible generational divide seemed to exist.

Chen Xiao cared little for what these people were thinking. Returning a smile to those who greeted him, he walked over to Cao Hui and the others to wait, as they were the only ones he was slightly familiar with.

"How come Fu Tong is nowhere to be seen?"

Noticing the absence of the delicate-looking young girl, Chen Xiao asked casually.

"She hasn't arrived yet. Like you, she chose that thing, so she's probably busy adapting to the new stuff these past two days," Cao Hui replied, lowering his voice.

Restricted by the warning from the First and Second Elders, his phrasing remained quite general.

Suffice it to say, those who knew, knew.

Those kept in the dark had no inkling of what they were discussing.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly and asked no further questions, chatting idly here and there with the three of them.

Another quarter of an hour or so passed, and the final few trainees who had won quota spots, including Fu Tong, arrived fashionably late.

Fifty-one people, all present and accounted for.

Shortly after, the door to the elevated study was pushed open, and Vice-Headmaster Hu Gan, accompanied by three elders, walked out slowly.

At the sight of their appearance, the murmurs across the entire open ground instantly ceased.

Hu Gan swept his gaze over the fifty-one trainees on the open ground, nodded with satisfaction, stepped forward, and chuckled softly.

"I could hear your commotion half an hour ago. It seems everyone is quite eager to head to the Inner Academy."

"Since that is the case, this old man will spare you any further nonsense. The Inner Academy is the true core of Canaan College; once you enter, you will naturally come to understand it gradually."

"However, due to its confidential nature, most instructors, and even some elders, do not know the exact location of the Inner Academy. Therefore, I will send you to a designated place, and once you arrive there, someone will properly receive you."

"Very well, that is all. The Griffin beasts have also arrived; everyone, prepare to set off."

As Hu Gan's voice trailed off, the crowd noticed a vast shadow cast down upon them.

The trainees immediately looked up, only to see ten massive Griffin beasts soaring through the azure sky from the east, hurtling toward them.

Most present were no strangers to this type of Magical Beast, having already ridden them upon enrollment.

A number of them had even made fools of themselves back then because of it.

Soon, the ten Griffin beasts landed steadily on the wide open ground, kicking up gusts of wind. Fortunately, those standing here were all elites from the Outer Academy, so no one was blown over.

Hu Gan instructed: "Form groups of five or six will do. The top five will form a separate group."

Hearing this, the trainees no longer hesitated, leaping gracefully onto the backs of the Griffin beasts.

"All right, let's move out!"

At Hu Gan's command, the ten Griffin beasts rose into the air, beating their wings as they flew toward the seemingly endless rolling mountains behind the academy.

Hu Gan and the three elders also unfurled their Dou Qi wings and soared into the high altitude. With a sudden burst of speed, they formed a four-cornered formation, surrounding the entire Griffin beast formation within them.

As the Griffin beast contingent pushed deeper along the way, many trainees curiously gazed down at the lush, verdant sea of forests below, seemingly searching for the location of the Inner Academy.

However, as the ten Griffin beasts flew further and further inward, they failed to catch even a glimpse of the Inner Academy. Instead, they spotted fierce Magical Beasts leaping violently from the mountain ranges, alongside some unevolved flying Magical Beasts that charged straight toward the Griffin formation, launching attacks without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing this, Hu Gan and the three elders each made their moves. With every burst of Dou Qi they struck out, a cloud of bloody mist would explode in the sky.

In this manner, the four powerhouses guarded the Griffin beast formation watertight, handling the threats with effortless ease.

All the way through the flight, bloody mist accompanied their journey.

Countless flying Magical Beasts attacked, yet not a single one ever managed to threaten the Griffin beast formation.

The strength of a Dou Huang expert was truly terrifying!

This nearly brutal slaughter lasted for over an hour before the flying speed of the Griffin beast formation finally began to slow down gradually.

Have we arrived?

The trainees looked around in all directions, only to discover with puzzlement that, apart from a bottomless mountain ravine below, everywhere else remained an endless expanse of greenery.

Noticing their confusion, Hu Gan offered no explanation, merely waving his hand grandly.

"Descent!"