Goodbye Xiao Xun'er

Shen Wen and his group followed Su Qian, walking through the neat streets of Peace Town towards the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy.

Everything they saw along the way was orderly.

Both sides of the bluestone paved road were planted with ancient trees with lush branches and leaves. Occasionally, students holding books would hurry past under the shade, or two or three would gather in one place, discussing their studies in low voices.

The air carried a unique tranquility characteristic of an academy, completely different from the chaos and impetuosity of other places in the Black-Corner Region.

Su Qian walked slightly ahead, leading the way with steady steps, his blue robe gently swaying. Although he had a smile on his face, his heart was still processing the shock he had just experienced.

A Seventh-Rank Alchemist so young, two Sixth-Rank Alchemists from prominent Pill Tower Families... such a lineup suddenly visiting Jia Nan Academy, he wondered if it was a blessing or a curse.

While he was pondering, Shen Wen beside him suddenly spoke, his tone sounding casual and natural:

"Elder Su, among the Outer Academy students, is there one from the Jia Ma Empire named Xiao Xun Er?"

Su Qian did not stop walking, he turned his head to glance at Shen Wen, his heart stirred slightly, and he nodded, saying, "Indeed there is. Xiao Xun Er has excellent talent and showed her brilliance not long after enrollment. I have also heard a little about her."

He paused, then added, "Coincidentally, with her strength and potential, she should have been promoted to the Inner Academy for cultivation long ago. It's just that she seems to intentionally stay in the Outer Academy... as if waiting for someone."

Su Qian recalled the information reported by the academy, "It seems to be a student named Xiao Yan, from the same place. Why, Young Master Shen, do you know her?"

Shen Wen smiled slightly, not directly answering, only saying, "We have some history. Since I'm here, I wonder if you could take me to see her first?"

Although Su Qian was puzzled, he did not ask further, readily agreeing, "Of course. Please follow me, everyone; we'll go to the Outer Academy first."

The group turned a few streets, and a wide plaza appeared before their eyes.

Behind the plaza, several rows of imposing buildings constructed from blue-gray stone stood majestically, which were the main buildings of the Outer Academy.

Su Qian led everyone into the main hall of the main building, and soon an elegant old man in a brown robe came out to greet them.

It was Hu Gan, the Vice Dean of the Outer Academy.

On the way, Shen Wen had already heard from Su Qian that their Dean, Mang Tianchi, was in seclusion, but according to Shen Wen's understanding, he should be traveling around the Fighting Qi Continent.

And the Dean of the Outer Academy had indeed left the academy.

So, the Vice Dean Hu Gan was responsible for all matters in the Outer Academy.

"Grand Elder?"

Hu Gan was a little surprised to see Su Qian himself, and when he looked at Shen Wen and the others with their extraordinary aura behind Su Qian, a hint of caution flashed in his eyes.

Although he did not recognize Shen Wen, he could sense something unusual from Su Qian's subtly respectful attitude.

"Hu Gan, these guests are distinguished visitors from the Central Plains Pill Tower."

Su Qian gave a simple introduction, not elaborating on the specific identities of Shen Wen and the others, only saying, "Young Master Shen wants to meet your Outer Academy student, Xiao Xun Er. Please arrange for someone to invite her over."

Hu Gan, though doubtful, immediately nodded: "I'll arrange it right away."

He called over an instructor guarding outside the hall and whispered a few instructions.

The instructor took the order and hurried away.

During the wait, Hu Gan invited everyone to sit, and attendants served clear tea. The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the lingering fragrance of tea.

They didn't wait too long.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, light footsteps were heard from outside the hall.

A graceful figure in pale green appeared at the doorway and walked in slowly.

The young girl was dressed in the academy's standard green dress; the fabric was ordinary, but it could not conceal her naturally elegant temperament.

Her skin was as pure as white jade, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, and her clear eyes were like water, as if holding starlight.

Her figure was graceful, and as she walked, her skirt swayed slightly, exuding a sense of aloofness yet politeness and composure.

It was Xiao Xun Er.

She entered the hall and first bowed slightly to Hu Gan and Su Qian: "Vice Dean, Grand Elder."

Then she raised her eyes, her gaze naturally falling towards the guest seats.

When she clearly saw the face of the young man in a black robe sitting beside Su Qian, her calm eyes paused almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Shen Wen?

How could he be here?

A trace of surprise flashed through Xiao Xun Er's heart.

She remembered her deal with Shen Wen and had arranged for people in Wutan City to keep an eye out, reporting immediately if Shen Wen went to the Xiao Family.

But how long had it been? He had already left the Jia Ma Empire and directly found his way to Jia Nan Academy?

How did he know she was here?

All sorts of questions flashed through her mind, but Xiao Xun Er showed no hint of it on her face, only nodding gently towards Shen Wen, her expression as calm as ever: "Young Master Shen."

Shen Wen put down his teacup, stood up, and smiled at Xiao Xun Er: "Young Miss Xun'er, long time no see."

He then turned to Su Qian, his tone gentle: "Grand Elder, Young Miss Xun'er and I have some old matters we need to discuss privately. I wonder if you could make it convenient?"

Su Qian glanced at the two, understanding in his heart, and waved his hand with a smile: "Of course, of course. Please feel free. He looked at Hu Gan, "Hu Gan, have someone prepare a quiet room."

"No need to trouble yourself," Shen Wen said, "A walk around the academy will suffice."

Su Qian nodded: "That works too."

Shen Wen then turned his head to look at Cao Ying beside him, saying gently, "Ying'er, you can discuss some of our future plans with Elder Su."

Cao Ying understood, smiled charmingly, and with a glint in her eyes, she rose and walked closer to Su Qian: "Elder Su, we have some matters we wish to discuss with the academy during this visit. I wonder if you are free now?"

Su Qian understood her meaning, knowing she wanted to talk alone.

He also stood up and gestured to Cao Ying: "Miss Cao, please. I also have some matters regarding the Pill Tower's dealings with the academy that I'd like to consult you about."

As they spoke, the two walked towards a side room on the other side of the hall.

Seeing this, Hu Gan also wisely invited Cai Lin, Xiao Yi Xian, and others to sit and have tea, and had Xiong Tao wait in the corridor outside the hall.

Only then did Shen Wen make a 'please' gesture to Xiao Xun Er.

Xiao Xun Er's eyes moved slightly, she said no more, and turned to walk out of the hall. Shen Wen stepped to follow.

The two, one after another, exited the main building and slowly walked along a stone path lined with green trees, heading deeper into the academy.

The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. It was quiet all around, with faint shouts of students practicing martial arts echoing in the distance, further highlighting the tranquility of the place.

After walking for a distance, Xiao Xun Er stopped and turned to look at Shen Wen.

"Young Master Shen," she spoke, her voice clear and cool like a spring, "You arrived much faster than I expected."

Shen Wen stood three steps in front of her, and hearing her words, he smiled: "One should always be serious about promises. Besides, my coming to Jia Nan Academy isn't entirely to fulfill a promise."

Xiao Xun Er looked at him, quietly waiting for him to continue.

"Han Feng is dead," Shen Wen said casually, "The Sea Heart Flame is in my hands."

Xiao Xun Er's eyes suddenly narrowed.

Even with her Heart-Nature, hearing this news, a ripple still inevitably crossed her eyes.

She knew Shen Wen was extraordinary, but she hadn't expected him to act so swiftly, and so... decisively.

"In that case," she quickly regained her composure, her voice showing no emotion, "I must thank Young Master Shen."

"It's just a transaction, no need for thanks," Shen Wen said casually, "I still need to use the Sea Heart Flame for a while. Once this matter is concluded, I will hand it over to you to deal with."