The Canaan Academy, an ancient institution situated at the heart of the continent, has produced countless peak-tier champions over the centuries—each of them renowned throughout the land and celebrated as regional legends. What makes a school truly formidable is not merely the strength of its faculty, but the collective power of the thousands of champions who have emerged from it. Should the Canaan Academy face a catastrophic downfall, and all these champions be summoned back, it would be unimaginable how formidable such a force would become. While there are countless academies scattered across the continent, the Canaan Academy's reputation remains unmatched to this day—demonstrating the profound depth of its roots and heritage. Across the continent, regardless of race, countless individuals take pride in being admitted to this venerable institution. Yet, the academy's exceptionally rigorous admission standards often leave many aspiring students in awe and admiration. … At the summit of the lush, wooded hills behind Gan'an Academy, a young girl stood gracefully, dressed in a light cyan robe. A slender purple sash was tied snugly around her waist, accentuating her alluring figure. Facing the vast expanse of white mist beyond the peak, her three thousand strands of smooth, dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, flowing gently until they reached her slender waist. Standing with her arms folded, her long, elegant form stood out against the soft white mist, like a lotus blooming in the midst of the bustling world—refined, serene, and imbued with a distinct spiritual grace. Such a girl seemed as if born of the combined essence of heaven and earth, outstanding to the point of being breathtaking. As the chime of the bell rang softly, a shadow somewhere behind the maiden stirred suddenly, and then a weathered figure emerged. The elder bowed respectfully to her, smiling, "Miss." "Master Ling, you've finally returned," the maiden slowly turned, her refined, elegant features brightening with a gentle smile—so radiant that even the flowers seemed to fade in comparison, and the colors of the forest seemed to converge entirely upon her, making it difficult for anyone to look away. "Heh, I can't help it," the elder said, lifting his head with a smile. "Since Miss assigned that task, if I had simply returned without completing it, wouldn't I be buried under complaints?" The weathered face—indeed, it was Ling Ying, the elder who had once lent a hand to Xiao Yan at Yunlan Sect! The girl smiled softly, recalling the young man who had been on her mind ever since—her voice, once cool, now grew gently tender. She glanced at Ling Ying, then a delicate blush spread across her cheeks, a hue that would surely make the entire Cana College fall madly in love. With a soft tone, she asked, "Ling elder, how is he?" "Are you referring to Xiao Yan, sir?" Ling Ying asked knowingly, watching as the girl's blush deepened. He couldn't help but laugh—there seemed to be only one young man, Xiao Yan, capable of transforming a refined, elegant lady like her from an aloof, graceful presence into a warm, ordinary girl. "Before I left, Lord Xiao Yan had no major issues. His three-year agreement with Lan Yanran also concluded as expected, with his victory. Yet..." Ling Yin paused slightly, then proceeded to recount in detail the events that had unfolded during Xiao Yan's time at Yunlan Sect—naturally including Yun Shan's intervention and Xiao Yan's dramatic, close calls that had nearly cost him. "Heh, fortunately, Lord Xiao Yan's capabilities far exceeded my expectations. Although Yun Shan's appearance disrupted his plans, Xiao Yan's hidden asset—the Queen of Medusa—proved so formidable that it held Yun Shan back, preventing him from acting. In the end, everything went smoothly, and Xiao Yan safely reached the Yunlan Mountain." Ling Yin added. "The Queen of Medusa?" Well now, Brother Xiao Yan is quite impressive—managing to summon even such a strong one... Yunshan, right? A Dou-Zong-level powerhouse... With a delicate finger, she brushed aside the strands of silvery hair falling across her forehead. Her bright eyes first flashed with astonishment, then softened into a gentle smile as she murmured, "Yunlan Sect has always been stagnant, clinging tightly to the Gama Empire. Since Yun Pote Tian's time, no truly outstanding talents have emerged. If this continues, they'll inevitably be surpassed." "Is Brother Xiao Yan doing well?" she asked again, lifting her gaze. As she spoke the name, a delicate, charming blush warmed her fair, refined cheeks. "He's doing well," said Ling Ying, smiling and nodding. Raising her eyes with a touch of meaning, she added, "I used to find it hard to understand why the lady placed such strong emphasis on him. But after working alongside him this time, I've come to appreciate it—her judgment truly is excellent. That young man, I believe, given enough time, will even make the Master hesitate to deny him outright." Hearing Ling Ying's praise, the young woman's cheeks subtly lifted with a barely perceptible curve. Though she had heard such compliments countless times, every time she listened to people marveling at Xiao Yan's accomplishments, a childlike excitement stirred within her. "As you know, under the right circumstances, our family has long dominated the continent, and we've encountered many extraordinary talents. Yet, few truly reach the pinnacle. Thus, the current members of our family now focus solely on the present, unwilling to dwell on your potential—something that, after all, remains rather intangible and hard to grasp." "Agreed," Ling Ying nodded slightly. What she said was indeed true—talent, after all, was never in short supply in this world. "So to speak, the current Xiao Yan brother still has a long way to go..." The young girl paused slightly, then smiled playfully, her voice soft. "But no matter how long that journey is, I'm willing to wait until he becomes a true peak-level powerhouse." "Ah, Xiao Yan, even if the lady is willing to wait for you, if you don't grow strong yourself, then your path ahead will be full of obstacles. After all, with the lady's exceptional talent and beauty, and the powerful influence she represents, your competitors will be so strong they'll leave you speechless. Even if the lady protects you, will your proud spirit be willing to endure humiliation and stay quietly behind her?" Gazing at the young woman, glowing like a celestial being under the morning light, Ling Yin remained silent. Yet within her, a quiet murmur echoed softly. Back then, after enduring the humiliation of being asked to withdraw his engagement, the young man had managed to persevere through three years of relentless hardship, enduring countless trials—only to stand before that very woman who had once trampled upon his dignity with a strong and confident posture. How would such a person feel if he were hidden behind a woman, watching his own woman shield him from the storms and winds? He would likely suffer more than if he were killed. Master Xiao Yan was just like a fine jade stone, unpolished yet pure. Lan Yanran, in her early days, smoothed out his laziness, while the years of rigorous cultivation gradually subdued his sharpness, allowing his brilliance to remain quietly contained—like a sword stored in its case, its edge hidden but still potent. With such steady development, great things were certain to unfold. Ling Ying stroked his beard and smiled. "Master Ling, after your visit to the Jima Empire, you've elevated Master Xiao Yan to such a high praise. I've rarely seen you praise someone so warmly before." The young lady chuckled, her eyes sparkling with delight. "The boy truly deserves such an assessment—there's no personal bias involved," Ling Ying said with a smile, then added, "I believe Master Xiao Yan will arrive at the Gan'an Academy within the next one or two months. That would surely ease the lady's longing." A young lady smiled gently at the corner of her lips, slightly raising her head. The slender figure of the young man slowly came into focus in her mind—over two years had passed, and finally, they would be able to meet again... A warm sensation stirred within her. After a while, she lowered her gaze, glanced at the figure before her, and with a graceful step, began walking toward the foot of the mountain. "Master Ling, for now, why don't you find a place to rest outside the perimeter of the Cana College? Unless there's an urgent matter, there's no need to enter the campus itself. Otherwise, should the old fellows find out, they'll surely cause you a whole host of troubles. Though they always show us the face of our family, they're quite rigid when it comes to certain traditions. On this continent, there aren't many people who can persuade them to bend on the college's rules... " Her form gradually faded into the leaves, yet her voice lingered in the air. "Ah, very well. Should anything arise, all you need to do is blow the bee-horn, and I'll be there instantly." Smiling and nodding, Ling Ying twisted her body, transforming into a shadow and merging once more with the shadow of a great tree, eventually fading away. ... The young woman slowly descended the mountain, her pale green silhouette gradually taking on a charming silhouette under the soft morning light. "Hehe, Xun'er, what a coincidence! You've just come down from the mountain too, haven't you?" As the young woman walked quietly, a gentle voice suddenly rose from beside her. She paused, looked up, and saw a handsome young man dressed in a white robe standing at the foot of the mountain, smiling warmly and elegantly. His refined appearance, combined with his composed smile, naturally put even a stranger at ease upon first meeting. "Hmm." The young man in white robes stood tall and poised. Yet薰儿’s cheeks did not soften noticeably at his striking appearance—though she knew well that he was no mere man who relied solely on looks. His strength ranked among the top at Cahan Academy, and among the outstanding students selected from across the land, he had truly stood out, earning his reputation as a rising star of the academy’s younger generation. Her calm greeting left the young man’s expression unchanged. He smiled gently and took a few steps forward, just about to begin a conversation when she suddenly spoke up, cutting him off: “White Mountain, I have a matter to attend to now. I’ll have to leave you. Goodbye.” The girl gave a slight smile and then turned, walking down a different path. Yet, before she had taken several more steps, a voice rang out again. “Xun, you’ve come here again.” Hearing this soft, gentle voice, Xun's cheeks bloomed with a warm, tender smile. She turned to look at the mature woman approaching from the side path and smiled, "Master Ruolin, are you looking for me?" Upon hearing the name, it suddenly came to her that the visitor was indeed Master Ruolin—the instructor who had gone to Wutan City for recruitment two years ago. Now, after two years, the grace and beauty on her face remained unchanged, yet with a subtle maturation that had deepened and refined her presence compared to when she had first arrived. Master Ruolin approached Xun, gently patting her head with a touch of resignation, "In another fifteen days, the Academy's Promotion Competition will take place. You must know that if you pass the competition, you'll be eligible to enter the Inner Academy for training. Only fifty spots are available each year. Originally, you were supposed to participate last year, but you chose to step aside." "Last year, Xun was still new here—how could she have dared to compete with the senior students?" Xun replied with a playful smile. "Lessons, do you still not know what's on my mind? Isn't it simply that you've been waiting for that person too?" At this point, Master RuiLin suddenly bit her silver teeth, a flush of indignation rising on her gentle face, and for once, she broke into a sharp outburst: "That young fool, Xiao Yan, dare to tease me! That year's leave of absence—wasn't it only after I endured so much pressure that I managed to secure it? Yet now, over a year has passed, and he's still nowhere to be seen! I'm furious! If it weren't for you constantly bothering me, I'd have simply erased his name from the list altogether!" "Master RuiLin, please rest assured—Xiao Yan will definitely come this year," hurried Xun'er. "But what good will it do? He's missed two full years of training at the academy. Can his progress outside the academy possibly match the carefully evaluated training methods established by our esteemed predecessors?" "Master Liu sighed helplessly, "To secure a spot, one needs at least the rank of Grand Combatant. Even then, that's only under the condition that the person doesn't have a lucky break—like not being forewarned about some particularly eccentric competitors." "Master Liu, don't underestimate Brother Xiao Yan, please. Back then, he managed to hold his own against you for twenty rounds, despite only being a Combatant himself." Xun'er smiled gently, her eyes slightly crinkled. "...I hope so. This time around, the晋级 competition isn't going to be as straightforward as last time. Nearly three hundred students across the academy are vying for spots. To make it through, one truly needs to have some real talent—otherwise, it's going to be quite a challenge." Master Liu muttered, still holding a grudge against that persistent, always-attentive student who had once completely forgotten their appointment. "Then, please, this time, Master, could you also include Brother Xiao Yan's name on the list?" Xun'er smiled warmly, gently holding onto Master Liu's arm. "Oh, I just don't know what to do with you. For two years now, you've been constantly talking about him. The boys at Gan'an Academy who surpass him are actually quite numerous—take, for instance…" At this, Master Ruolin suddenly glanced sideways at Bai Shan, who stood nearby with a warm smile. Xin'er smiled gently, yet seemed entirely unaware. "I knew you wouldn't pay any attention..." Seeming to recognize the effect, Master Ruolin quietly folded her remark and said, "Come on, the morning class is about to start. Let's go. I'm sure you wouldn't want to be kept busy by Bai Shan here, would you?" Nodding with a smile, Xin'er took Master Ruolin's hand, and the two exchanged soft words as they slowly walked toward the other side of the path. The young man in white stood quietly by the path, smiling as he watched the two figures gradually fade into the distance. After a while, his smile softened slightly. With a graceful gesture, he casually held a dry, yellow leaf that had drifted down from the tree branch, and murmured, "Xiao Yan?" Is that the new student who took leave for two full years? Well, that's fitting—just let me see what credentials you have to make Shinobu, our outstanding junior, so deeply attached to you. A mediocre person simply doesn't deserve such a connection. As she spoke, Bai Shan slowly turned around, and with a sudden light tap of her finger against a leaf, a brilliant yellow flash erupted, swiftly striking a distant massive stone. Though the delicate leaves appeared fragile, nearly half of them had penetrated deep into the solid stone.