I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the latest chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/NineClouds69
--- Chapter 294 ---
After defeating the students of Jia Nan Academy, Han Yuan healed them using his Water and Wood Dou Qi, which earned him an approving nod from Ruo Ling, who was watching from the side.
At the same time, Ruo Ling's students couldn't help but feel shame after being healed by Han Yuan.
Being defeated by someone is one thing, but being healed after being utterly defeated is another level of shame.
They didn't know how to feel about Han Yuan as they honestly couldn't form a grudge against such a person.
"As expected, I can't understand it," Ruo Ling said as she approached Han Yuan, observing his healing skills with curiosity. "How can you use Water and Wood Dou Qi and be so skilled in healing techniques? I definitely saw you fighting with Wind Dou Qi earlier."
Han Yuan smiled and responded casually. "It's true that I mainly cultivate Wind and Lightning Dou Qi. But who says one can only follow one path at a time?"
"Some people are just born special, right, Senior?"
Han Yuan's nonchalant response really took Ruo Ling aback. Regardless, she understood what he meant by 'born special.' Some individuals indeed have an unfair advantage in cultivation due to their immense talent, rare constitution, and noble backgrounds.
She was aware that Han Yuan was a commoner, which meant he was the second type of 'special' person—immensely talented and possibly born with a unique physique.
However, it only made Ruo Ling admire him more. Despite lacking a noble background, he had achieved his current level of cultivation through sheer effort and a talent that surpassed that of his peers.
The wind spheres and infinity techniques Han Yuan demonstrated earlier were not something one could create solely with talent. Creativity and a willingness to challenge common sense were essential for developing such skills.
More importantly, Han Yuan had succeeded. If he continued to refine his 'tricky' techniques, he could become a renowned expert in the Dou Qi Continent. It was just a matter of time.
The more Ruo Ling thought about this, the more she wanted Han Yuan to join Jia Nan Academy. His monstrous presence would undoubtedly usher the academy into a new era.
Those who couldn't adapt to the changes Han Yuan brought would likely perish, while those who could adjust would become extraordinary individuals.
"I see..." Ruo Ling replied with a smile. "It seems I really need to offer a lot to convince you to join our academy."
Han Yuan shook his head gently. "Haha, Senior, you really know how to joke. At the end of the day, Jia Nan Academy is an academy, a place for studying."
"If I want more resources from Jia Nan Academy, I'll earn them through my own abilities. There's no need to owe too much in favors..."
Hearing this, not only was Ruo Ling stunned, but the other students felt more ashamed of their previous behavior.
Xiao Yu felt heat rise to her face, realizing that her childish pride paled in comparison to Han Yuan's dignity. In fact, she now saw her own intention to come here as utterly foolish.
'The truth is I'm the foolish one, after all,' Xiao Yu thought, pressing her hand against her chest in disappointment.
"Honestly, with such a mindset, you're destined to become an excellent expert in the future," Ruo Ling said, nodding in satisfaction. "Still, a genius like you deserves special treatment. If we don't treat you well, Jia Nan Academy wouldn't deserve its reputation as a prestigious institution on the Dou Qi Continent."
"Don't worry! You don't owe me or the academy any favor," she added, giggling as she finished her words. "Just be a good student and follow the rules."
Han Yuan understood that continually backing down was pointless. "Well then, I leave it to you, Senior—no, Teacher Ling."
"What a sensible child," Ruo Ling said, her delight evident as she covered her mouth while giggling. A young man like Han Yuan was truly rare. He knew when to advance and when to retreat.
Afterward, they returned to the third floor and found Meng Xi leisurely sipping his tea.
"Ah, Teacher Ling," Meng Xi called out with a smug look, "What do you think of my disciple?"
Ruo Ling responded calmly, "He's exceeding my expectations. Dojo Master, Jia Nan Academy will treat him with the utmost respect."
"Good," Meng Xi said, clearly pleased with her reply. "Since Han Yuan is going to join Jia Nan Academy, you may stay at the Soaring Wind Dojo until your departure. We will provide you with other necessities as well."
Ruo Ling waved her hand dismissively. "Ah, there's no need for that, Dojo Master. I have already rented an inn for our caravan."
"I insist..." Meng Xi emphasized, narrowing his eyes at Ruo Ling.
"..." Ruo Ling remained silent.
"Okay, we will stay at Soaring Wind Dojo. Thank you for your hospitality, Dojo Master," she finally agreed.
"Hahaha, what can I say? Today is a joyful day," Meng Xi responded, unabashed.
Ruo Ling's mouth twitched as she felt a strong sense of déjà vu from this conversation. She then glanced at Meng Xi's teacup and noticed the tea inside was still warm with faint steam. It dawned on her that Han Yuan's fight—no, his bullying of her students—had not actually taken much time at all.
'Both Han Yuan and the Dojo Master aren't ordinary people...'
---
---
The next day.
The news about Han Yuan's special admission to the Jia Nan Academy spread fast in Wu Tan City. After all, something like this was a joyous occasion for the Soaring Wind Dojo, and Meng Xi wanted more than anything to promote his disciple.
In the past, Meng Xi wouldn't have done this because the Martial Union was still in its vulnerable stage. But now? The Martial Union possessed considerable strength on the Dou Qi Continent.
The existence of Han Yuan is enough to give Meng Xi the confidence that Martial Union will become one of the strongest factions in the future, and the appearance of the Misty Mountain Range propelled that hope even further.
Han Yuan's deed shook the whole city because they had never heard of someone being 'specially' admitted into Jia Nan Academy. Being admitted alone is already a prestige, but being specially admitted?
What kind of genius is Han Yuan to receive such treatment?
Obviously, the Xiao Clan also heard this news.
Xiao Zhen, the clan leader of the Xiao Clan, held a meeting with the elders and sat on the ancient chair with a solemn expression. "How should we handle this news?"
Xiao Tianbe, the Grand Elder of the Xiao Clan, snorted, "How should we handle this news? Why don't you ask yourself that question, our dear clan head?"
"If it weren't for your 'genius' son, Xiao Yan, our Xiao Clan wouldn't be in this dire state. Sigh, if only that son of yours were more respectable and sensible, at least putting on a humble air, we wouldn't confront Soaring Wind Dojo like this."
"And before you try to deflect things back on me, do you think I don't know that you're the one who encourages our young generation to challenge Soaring Wind Dojo after Xiao Yan lost?"
"Heh, Tiger Father, Dog Son, am I right?"
Xiao Tianbe sneered, as he didn't even bother to show respect to Xiao Zhan for messing with their clan's affairs.
"Take those words back, Grand Elder!" Xiao Zhan roared angrily. "Do you think I really don't dare strip you of your position?"
"Strip me from my position then! I dare you! I fucking dare you!" Xiao Tianbe shouted back indifferently.
The first elder of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Xunci, tried to calm the situation down, "You two, please don't fight with each other."
"We can't afford to have internal strife right now."
"The first elder is right," The second elder of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Lanzhe, nodded in agreement.
"I know you two dislike each other, but for the good of the clan, please cooperate for now."
"Fine!" Xiao Zhan and Xiao Tianbe glared at each other fiercely before sitting on their seats again.
---
In the back of the Xiao Clan's mountain, Xiao Yan confronted his older cousin, Xiao Yu, with a hopeful look on his face.
"Cousin, please tell me this isn't true! Please tell me that guy, Han Yuan, wasn't really specially admitted to Jia Nan Academy!" Xiao Yan shouted frantically.
Xiao Yu frowned as she gazed at Xiao Yan, feeling that her once 'genius' cousin had changed significantly over the years. She remembered him as a rather adorable and mischievous child, but now she could hardly see those qualities after not seeing him for a few years.
He had grown tall but remained scrawny, wearing a black robe, and his untidy black hair gave him an increasingly moody appearance. The dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn't been sleeping well.
However, what shocked Xiao Yu most was the dim luster in Xiao Yan's black eyes, which made her feel as if he were a completely different person.
'How did you become like this, Xiao Yan?' she thought. 'Even if you've lost a fight and your talents, you shouldn't have given up so easily. Where is the spirited cousin I know?'
Xiao Yu fell into a complicated daze, unsure of how to help her 'genius' cousin. Deep in her heart, she felt as though the image she had of Xiao Yan was 'naturally' shattered.
At the same time, the image of a tall, muscular young man with black hair and a confident yet sunny smile, challenging her fellow students, flashed through her mind.
Xiao Yu bit her lips, "It's true. Han Yuan was indeed recruited specifically by Teacher Ruo Ling."
"After a few days, we should leave for the academy."
Thud!
Xiao Yan fell to the ground, kneeling. "No, that can't be... I was supposed to be the one, I was a genius!"
"I was... aahhh!" He let out a cry of anguish into the sky.
Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Xiao Yu wanted to comfort him with a pat, but her hand somehow stopped. She felt repulsive for some reason.
Not because Xiao Yan was crying, but because the 'unrivaled' image of him in her heart is not the same as reality.
Xiao Yu is a type of girl who admires and longs for a strong man. So, upon seeing her once-genius cousin in such a state, it makes her feel, how to put it, disgusted.
Xiao Yu knew she shouldn't be feeling this way. Yes, it made her feel very sick!
After all, Xiao Yan is her cousin, her family, but she couldn't help it.
Especially after that 'young man' was imprinted deep in her mind!
Xiao Yu clenched her hand and said calmly, "Get up, Xiao Yan!"
"I know you've lost a fight, a talent, and a loved one, but you should be strong and stand tall! Boys shouldn't cry!"
"Because right now..."
"You look pathetic!"
After saying that, Xiao Yu turned around, unable to face her crying cousin, and walked away, leaving the stunned and teary-faced Xiao Yan on the ground in disbelief.
"Cousin... No, I..." Xiao Yan clutched his chest, gasping for air and feeling the same loss he once felt a while ago.
At that moment, the protagonist of this world seems to lose more of his luck, and a few green leaves fall on his head.