67: Storm in the inner courtyard

The commotion on the Jia Nan Academy square gradually subsided, but the news that “soul sword” Xiao Chen defeated Zi Yan and won the Inner Academy selection competition championship, like a giant rock thrown into a lake, stirred up huge waves in the Inner Academy.

Xiao Chen did not stay long. After receiving the championship rewards—a large amount of Fire Energy, a high-level pass to the library, and deep-level cultivation access to the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower—he followed Instructor Ruolin's arrangements and headed to the Inner Academy disciple residential area. His new residence was an independent small courtyard located on an energy-rich mountain peak, with a tranquil environment, perfect for quiet cultivation.

However, not long after he settled down, that lazy voice came from outside his courtyard gate.

“Kid, you’re pretty good with your soul.”

Xiao Chen’s heart stirred. He opened the courtyard gate to see the mysterious Sloppy Old Man leaning against the doorframe, still holding his wine gourd. But his originally cloudy eyes were now clear and profound, looking at Xiao Chen with a hint of inquiry and an indescribably complex emotion.

“You flatter me, Senior,” Xiao Chen said, cupping his hands in greeting, his attitude neither obsequious nor arrogant. He knew this person was extraordinary, his strength unfathomable, and he seemed to bear no ill will towards him, even secretly observing him multiple times.

The Sloppy Old Man shook his wine gourd, walked into the courtyard, and sat down on a stone stool without a word. His gaze swept over Xiao Chen, finally settling on the slightly more solidified area between his eyebrows.

“Spirit Realm Soul… so young… Heh heh, I’ve lived for so many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen it.” He took a gulp of wine, his tone filled with a sigh, “And, your soul origin, kid, is very peculiar, it seems… not entirely cultivated?”

Xiao Chen’s heart tightened, but his expression remained calm: “Junior had some fortuitous encounters by chance.”

“Fortuitous encounters?” The old man scoffed, his eyes suddenly sharpening. An invisible pressure enveloped the small courtyard, but this pressure was not Dou Qi (Fighting Energy) coercion; it was a purer, more ancient Soul pressure! This immense pressure, far exceeding the Spirit Realm, made Xiao Chen’s Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul feel a heavy sense of oppression. The clan mark between his eyebrows involuntarily appeared, emitting a faint golden light to resist.

“Kid, don’t play tricks in front of me.” The old man stared at the clan mark between Xiao Chen’s eyebrows, his voice deepening, carrying an undeniable authority, “Your clan mark… although faint, that aura, I won’t mistake it! It’s the Xiao Clan’s battle-axe clan mark! Speak! What is your relationship with the Xiao Clan? Who are your parents? Which branch do you come from?”

Xiao Chen’s heart pounded wildly! One of his biggest secrets had been seen through at a glance by the other party! Moreover, the other party directly pointed out “Xiao Clan” and “battle-axe clan mark”! Who exactly was this person? Friend or foe?

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Xiao Chen’s mind. Deny it? In front of such a person, a clumsy denial would be meaningless and might even provoke the other party. Confess? The risk was huge, but if the other party truly had old ties with the Xiao Clan, it might be an opportunity.

He took a deep breath, met the old man’s sharp gaze, and said in a deep voice: “Junior Xiao Chen, my father Clan Leader, is from the Xiao Family in Wutan City of the Jia Ma Empire. As for the Xiao Clan… Junior only knows from ancient texts that it was an ancient powerful clan, but I do not know its connection to my Xiao Family.” He answered half-truthfully, both revealing his origins and concealing the core secrets of his transmigration and system.

“Wutan City Xiao Family? Clan Leader?” The old man frowned tightly, seemingly recalling something, and muttered, “A declining branch… no wonder the bloodline is so thin… But your soul…” He shook his head, seemingly puzzled, but the sharpness and oppressive feeling in his eyes lessened considerably.

He looked at Xiao Chen again, his gaze complex, containing reminiscence and sadness, finally turning into a long sigh: “Alright, alright. To be able to see a descendant of the Xiao Clan bearing the battle-axe clan mark in my lifetime is already a stroke of luck. Kid, you are very good, much better than I imagined.”

The pressure suddenly disappeared, and Xiao Chen breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had passed the test for now. He tentatively asked: “Senior… you seem to know a lot about the Xiao Clan?”

The old man glanced at him, then reverted to his lazy demeanor, taking a gulp of wine: “My surname is Xiao, and my given name is ‘Chen’. Do you think I know a lot or not?”

Xiao Chen?!!

Xiao Chen’s pupils contracted sharply, and he suddenly looked at the old man! Blood Axe Xiao Chen?! The legendary cousin of Xiao Xuan, the Five-Star Dou Sheng who should have been trapped in the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame space?! He had actually broken free from his restraints, and he was even in Jia Nan Academy?! No wonder he was so powerful and paid so much attention to him!

“You… you are Ancestor Blood Axe?!” Xiao Chen’s voice carried a hint of incredulous excitement. If it truly was this ancestor, then for him, it was undoubtedly finding the strongest backing and the closest clan member!

“Heh heh, it seems you’re not completely ignorant, kid.” Blood Axe Xiao Chen (the Sloppy Old Man) grinned, tacitly acknowledging it, “However, in my current state, I can barely display the strength of a Dou Zong (Fighting Sect). Don’t mention Blood Axe; it’s embarrassing.”

He waved his hand, his expression becoming serious: “Kid, remember, the news that I am still alive, and that you possess the Xiao Clan bloodline, must never be mentioned to a third person! Those scumbags from the Soul Hall have very keen noses! The Xiao Clan… now only has these scattered sparks left; we cannot afford any mishaps.”

Xiao Chen nodded solemnly: “Junior understands!”

“Mm.” Blood Axe Xiao Chen nodded with satisfaction, “Your current strength is barely passable in the Inner Academy, but it’s still far from enough. Your Spirit Realm Soul is an advantage, but your Dou Qi (Fighting Energy) cultivation is a weakness. The Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower is a good place; make good use of it. Also, the Inner Academy is not like the Outer Academy; the waters here are very deep. The little fellows on the strong ranking list, more or less, have some influential backgrounds behind them, so be careful in your actions. If you encounter any troubles you can’t solve, you can come find me in the bamboo forest behind the mountain.”

Having said that, he stood up, patted his backside, and reverted to his sloppy drunkard appearance, swaying out of the small courtyard and disappearing into the night.

Xiao Chen stood rooted to the spot, his heart surging. He hadn’t expected to meet this legendary ancestor on his first day in the Inner Academy! Although the other party’s strength had not yet recovered, this blood connection and protective intent made him feel incredibly secure. With this ancestor secretly looking out for him, his safety in the Inner Academy greatly increased.

After calming down, Xiao Chen focused on the rewards before him. He first went to the high-level section of the library. The Dou Technique cultivation methods collected here were far superior to those in the outer section, with many of high-grade Profound Tier and even low-grade Earth Tier. Xiao Chen mainly chose a movement Dou Technique suitable for soul power—the “Illusory Spirit Steps”—and a finger technique for condensing soul attacks—the “Soul Breaking Finger”—as supplements to his existing methods.

Subsequently, he eagerly headed to the core of the Inner Academy—the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower!

Stepping into the tower, a surge of energy, far denser and purer than outside, washed over him. There was also an invisible “Heart Flame” power, burning both Dou Qi (Fighting Energy) and soul, refining impurities. Xiao Chen, with his championship qualification, directly entered the seventh floor! The power of the Heart Flame here was extremely strong, making it difficult for ordinary low-level Dou Ling (Fighting Spirit) to stay long.

But Xiao Chen’s Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul had extremely high resistance to the Heart Flame. He sat cross-legged, activating the Myriad Souls Returning Flow Art to guide the Heart Flame in refining his soul, while simultaneously frantically absorbing the vast energy within the tower, attempting to break through the Dou Zong (Fighting Sect) barrier that he had been unable to breach! The Dou Crystal in his Qi Sea vibrated violently, with more and more cracks appearing on its surface… Just as Xiao Chen was immersed in cultivation, in another luxurious courtyard in the Inner Academy, several powerful-aura senior students were gathered. The leader, with a stern face and an aura that had clearly reached the peak of a Nine-Star Dou Huang (Fighting Emperor), was Liu Qing, ranked fifth on the strong ranking list!

“Boss, that newcomer Xiao Chen is too ostentatious! He just arrived, won the championship, and even directly entered the seventh floor of the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower!” one subordinate said indignantly.

Liu Qing toyed with a jade bead in his hand, his eyes cold: “He’s just a guy who relies on his soul to cheat. Without Dou Qi (Fighting Energy), he’s ultimately useless. The seventh floor? Hmph, when he comes out, I’ll let him know that the Inner Academy is not a place for him to be arrogant.”

A hidden current targeting the newly crowned champion began to quietly surge in the Inner Academy. And Xiao Chen’s Inner Academy life was destined not to be peaceful. The threat of the Soul Hall, the competition within the Inner Academy, and the improvement of his own strength would all intertwine on this new stage, forming a magnificent scroll.

The Soul Hall’s threat, the Inner Academy’s competition, and the improvement of his own strength will all intertwine on this new stage, forming a magnificent scroll.