After flying in the sky for two hours and nearing the border of Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Ming suddenly stopped mid-air.
Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian also stopped and hovered beside him.
"Did something happen?" Xiao Yi Xian asked with a puzzled expression on her pretty face.
Xiao Ming shook his head and looked back in the direction they came from. In an instant, a colorful light rushed towards them and wrapped around his arm.
Looking at the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python on Xiao Ming's arm, Zi Yan, who was previously unsure, was pleasantly surprised.
"Sister Medusa!"
"She's not Medusa now, otherwise, she wouldn't have followed us," Xiao Ming corrected.
Zi Yan smirked and didn't care whether it was Medusa or not. She reached out to grab the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
But unexpectedly, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, who just yesterday was very close to her, dodged her palm. Its intelligent eyes were full of longing and coquetry as it stared at Xiao Ming.
Seeing Xiao Ming's lack of reaction, it even rubbed its small head against Xiao Ming's cheek and let out a soft hiss.
"You followed us because you're hungry, didn't you?" Xiao Ming blinked and asked, somewhat speechless.
After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Ming took out a jade bottle containing the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence from his storage ring.
At the sight of the jade bottle, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's eyes lit up with excitement. It quickly appeared at the bottle's opening and started sucking the contents greedily.
After a while, one-twentieth of the Amethyst Lion Birth Essenc was consumed, and the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python lifted its head, emitting a satisfied whine.
Meanwhile, Zi Yan, who had been waiting patiently, grabbed it. Since it was full and content, the little snake didn't resist and allowed Zi Yan to hold it.
"What do you plan to do with it? Return it to the Snake-People Tribe?" Xiao Yi Xian asked curiously on the side.
"Well..." Xiao Ming hesitated. He was reluctant to fly two hours back to the Snake-People Tribe after already having flown to get here.
"Why send it back? Wouldn't it be better for Sister Medusa to accompany us?" Zi Yan suggested, stroking the snake's body with her small hand.
"Besides, those people may not have food, and what if they end up starving it?"
"I don't think you are afraid of them starving it, you just want to bring it with us." Xiao Yi Xian saw through Zi Yan's small mind and teased her.
Zi Yan quickly denied it, shaking her head vigorously. "No, I'm just concerned that it might wander off again, what if something bad happens?"
"It's useless for you to say that to me, you have to get Xiao Ming to agree." Xiao Yi Xian smiled slightly.
Upon hearing this, Zi Yan immediately locked her gaze on Xiao Ming.
"..."
"Forget it, if you want to bring it, then bring it." Xiao Ming rubbed his forehead and said.
He couldn't travel so far to send it back to the Snake-People Tribe, and it was unrealistic to let the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python go back on its own.
So he could only bring it along. When Medusa woke up, she could go wherever she wanted.
"Yay!" Zi Yan was thrilled to hear this and immediately cheered.
As she hugged the little snake, it suddenly wriggled out of her grip and snuck into Xiao Ming's sleeve, making Zi Yan pout in disappointment.
Apparently, compared to Zi Yan, it still preferred Xiao Ming.
"You'll have time to play in the future. Let's hurry on our way." Xiao Ming reassured her before setting off towards the Black-Corner Region with Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan trailing behind him.
After entering the Jia Ma Empire, the group did not stop, but flew straight towards the Black-Corner Region and only rested when they needed to.
...
Ten days later, in the forest outside the Inner Academy of the Jia Nan Academy.
A convoy of flying magical beasts raised by the Jia Nan Academy flew in the sky.
In front of the convoy, several old men with wings on their backs were clearing the way.
Attacks containing energy fluctuations flew out of their hands, turning any magical beast daring to charge at the convoy into a blood mist, causing a wave of admiration from the students behind.
At the forefront of the convoy was an old man who was different from the others. He didn't have wings behind him, but he was still able to fly, which was the defining characteristic of a Dou Ancestor powerhouse.
Occasionally, the other Elders were unable to keep up with their assigned areas, leaving gaps that required others to fill in. But the area he was responsible for had no problems at all, as he effortlessly covered it.
"Wow, Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan is really impressive!"
"Hehe, of course! He's a Dou Ancestor powerhouse after all."
The students on the flying magical beasts were full of excitement. Dou Ancestor experts were not easy to come by.
"I heard that he was able to break through to Dou Ancestor thanks to Elder Xiao Ming's Zong Breaking Pill."
"Zong Breaking Pill?! That's a high-grade sixth-tier pill!"
"Indeed. Elder Xiao Ming is a rare genius in our Academy. He was already able to refine high-grade sixth-tier pills before, and now he might even be a seventh-tier Alchemist. Can you believe he's about the same age as us?"
This caused another wave of exclamations from the students.
Just as the students were chatting excitedly, three streaks of light of different colors rushed in from the distance.
This caught Hu Qian's attention, but after sensing the aura of the newcomers, he relaxed.
At the same time, he passed on the message to several other Elders beside him: "Don't be nervous. The newcomer is Xiao Ming. Tell the students to behave and keep flying at this speed."
"Yes!"
The streaks of light quickly approached and slowed down slightly when they got close to the flying convoy.
The crowd also got a clear look at the appearance of the newcomers.
"Wow! It's Elder Xiao Ming and he is accompanied by two beauties!"
"Quick, look, look!"
"..."
The students immediately became restless, whispering excitedly amongst themselves.
However, they were soon scolded by the Elders.
"Deputy Headmaster, it's time for the new student enrollment ceremony. I didn't expect you to lead the way again this year!" Xiao Ming said with a hearty laugh, looking at Hu Gan.
"It's tradition for me to lead the team for the enrollment ceremony every year." Hu Gan chuckled in response, beaming with a smile upon seeing Xiao Ming.
As Xiao Ming's gaze swept across the new students, he noticed the presence of Xiao Yan.
However, he just frowned slightly and didn't bother with him.
Whether Xiao Yan came to the Jia Nan Academy for the Heavenly Flame or not, he would never be able to steal it from the Academy without Yao Lao's help. If he could just behave himself and focus on his studies at the Jia Nan Academy, it would be a good choice for him.
Looking at the new students, Xiao Ming thought about the scene when he himself entered the Inner Academy when he was only eight years old.
Has it been so long already? Time waits for no one!
After a brief moment of sentimentality, Xiao Ming turned to Hu Gan and asked, "Speaking of which, I haven't seen Hu Jia for a long time. How is she doing now?"
"After you left, Hu Jia, that girl, entered the Inner Academy. I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but if you happen to have some spare time, you could go and see her." Hu Gan said wistfully.
He remembered how he used to tease Xiao Ming about marrying his granddaughter, but with time, the idea gradually faded away.
"I will, then we'll go ahead first." Nodding his head, Xiao Ming said no more.
Hu Gan nodded and watched the streaks of light disappear into the distance.
After flying in the sky for two hours and nearing the border of Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Ming suddenly stopped mid-air.
Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian also stopped and hovered beside him.
"Did something happen?" Xiao Yi Xian asked with a puzzled expression on her pretty face.
Xiao Ming shook his head and looked back in the direction they came from. In an instant, a colorful light rushed towards them and wrapped around his arm.
Looking at the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python on Xiao Ming's arm, Zi Yan, who was previously unsure, was pleasantly surprised.
"Sister Medusa!"
"She's not Medusa now, otherwise, she wouldn't have followed us," Xiao Ming corrected.
Zi Yan smirked and didn't care whether it was Medusa or not. She reached out to grab the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
But unexpectedly, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, who just yesterday was very close to her, dodged her palm. Its intelligent eyes were full of longing and coquetry as it stared at Xiao Ming.
Seeing Xiao Ming's lack of reaction, it even rubbed its small head against Xiao Ming's cheek and let out a soft hiss.
"You followed us because you're hungry, didn't you?" Xiao Ming blinked and asked, somewhat speechless.
After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Ming took out a jade bottle containing the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence from his storage ring.
At the sight of the jade bottle, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's eyes lit up with excitement. It quickly appeared at the bottle's opening and started sucking the contents greedily.
After a while, one-twentieth of the Amethyst Lion Birth Essenc was consumed, and the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python lifted its head, emitting a satisfied whine.
Meanwhile, Zi Yan, who had been waiting patiently, grabbed it. Since it was full and content, the little snake didn't resist and allowed Zi Yan to hold it.
"What do you plan to do with it? Return it to the Snake-People Tribe?" Xiao Yi Xian asked curiously on the side.
"Well..." Xiao Ming hesitated. He was reluctant to fly two hours back to the Snake-People Tribe after already having flown to get here.
"Why send it back? Wouldn't it be better for Sister Medusa to accompany us?" Zi Yan suggested, stroking the snake's body with her small hand.
"Besides, those people may not have food, and what if they end up starving it?"
"I don't think you are afraid of them starving it, you just want to bring it with us." Xiao Yi Xian saw through Zi Yan's small mind and teased her.
Zi Yan quickly denied it, shaking her head vigorously. "No, I'm just concerned that it might wander off again, what if something bad happens?"
"It's useless for you to say that to me, you have to get Xiao Ming to agree." Xiao Yi Xian smiled slightly.
Upon hearing this, Zi Yan immediately locked her gaze on Xiao Ming.
"..."
"Forget it, if you want to bring it, then bring it." Xiao Ming rubbed his forehead and said.
He couldn't travel so far to send it back to the Snake-People Tribe, and it was unrealistic to let the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python go back on its own.
So he could only bring it along. When Medusa woke up, she could go wherever she wanted.
"Yay!" Zi Yan was thrilled to hear this and immediately cheered.
As she hugged the little snake, it suddenly wriggled out of her grip and snuck into Xiao Ming's sleeve, making Zi Yan pout in disappointment.
Apparently, compared to Zi Yan, it still preferred Xiao Ming.
"You'll have time to play in the future. Let's hurry on our way." Xiao Ming reassured her before setting off towards the Black-Corner Region with Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan trailing behind him.
After entering the Jia Ma Empire, the group did not stop, but flew straight towards the Black-Corner Region and only rested when they needed to.
...
Ten days later, in the forest outside the Inner Academy of the Jia Nan Academy.
A convoy of flying magical beasts raised by the Jia Nan Academy flew in the sky.
In front of the convoy, several old men with wings on their backs were clearing the way.
Attacks containing energy fluctuations flew out of their hands, turning any magical beast daring to charge at the convoy into a blood mist, causing a wave of admiration from the students behind.
At the forefront of the convoy was an old man who was different from the others. He didn't have wings behind him, but he was still able to fly, which was the defining characteristic of a Dou Ancestor powerhouse.
Occasionally, the other Elders were unable to keep up with their assigned areas, leaving gaps that required others to fill in. But the area he was responsible for had no problems at all, as he effortlessly covered it.
"Wow, Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan is really impressive!"
"Hehe, of course! He's a Dou Ancestor powerhouse after all."
The students on the flying magical beasts were full of excitement. Dou Ancestor experts were not easy to come by.
"I heard that he was able to break through to Dou Ancestor thanks to Elder Xiao Ming's Zong Breaking Pill."
"Zong Breaking Pill?! That's a high-grade sixth-tier pill!"
"Indeed. Elder Xiao Ming is a rare genius in our Academy. He was already able to refine high-grade sixth-tier pills before, and now he might even be a seventh-tier Alchemist. Can you believe he's about the same age as us?"
This caused another wave of exclamations from the students.
Just as the students were chatting excitedly, three streaks of light of different colors rushed in from the distance.
This caught Hu Qian's attention, but after sensing the aura of the newcomers, he relaxed.
At the same time, he passed on the message to several other Elders beside him: "Don't be nervous. The newcomer is Xiao Ming. Tell the students to behave and keep flying at this speed."
"Yes!"
The streaks of light quickly approached and slowed down slightly when they got close to the flying convoy.
The crowd also got a clear look at the appearance of the newcomers.
"Wow! It's Elder Xiao Ming and he is accompanied by two beauties!"
"Quick, look, look!"
"..."
The students immediately became restless, whispering excitedly amongst themselves.
However, they were soon scolded by the Elders.
"Deputy Headmaster, it's time for the new student enrollment ceremony. I didn't expect you to lead the way again this year!" Xiao Ming said with a hearty laugh, looking at Hu Gan.
"It's tradition for me to lead the team for the enrollment ceremony every year." Hu Gan chuckled in response, beaming with a smile upon seeing Xiao Ming.
As Xiao Ming's gaze swept across the new students, he noticed the presence of Xiao Yan.
However, he just frowned slightly and didn't bother with him.
Whether Xiao Yan came to the Jia Nan Academy for the Heavenly Flame or not, he would never be able to steal it from the Academy without Yao Lao's help. If he could just behave himself and focus on his studies at the Jia Nan Academy, it would be a good choice for him.
Looking at the new students, Xiao Ming thought about the scene when he himself entered the Inner Academy when he was only eight years old.
Has it been so long already? Time waits for no one!
After a brief moment of sentimentality, Xiao Ming turned to Hu Gan and asked, "Speaking of which, I haven't seen Hu Jia for a long time. How is she doing now?"
"After you left, Hu Jia, that girl, entered the Inner Academy. I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but if you happen to have some spare time, you could go and see her." Hu Gan said wistfully.
He remembered how he used to tease Xiao Ming about marrying his granddaughter, but with time, the idea gradually faded away.
"I will, then we'll go ahead first." Nodding his head, Xiao Ming said no more.
Hu Gan nodded and watched the streaks of light disappear into the distance.
