A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Every day, besides practicing, Xiao Ling spent his time shopping with Xiao Xun’er.
In the morning, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, Xiao Ling opened his eyes, got dressed, and left his courtyard.
He purposely woke up early, fearing there would be too many people signing up and waiting in line would be too troublesome.
Leaving the Xiao family and arriving at the selection site, he found there weren’t many people.
Xiao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and headed toward the tent in the plaza.
There weren’t many people at this time.
Xiao Ling didn’t pass through the wall of soldiers like in the original story but sequentially reached the registration spot in the center of the plaza.
In front of him was a large tent.
Several young people were testing the cultivation of applicants in front of the tent.
The registration requirement was 8th Stage of Battle Qi at the age of eighteen, which was simple for Xiao Ling.
Although many people were gathered outside, Jia Nan Academy had recruited before, and the conditions were well known.
Not many were confident they would be selected; most were just there for the excitement.
“Age too high, next.”
Before long, Xiao Ling reached the crystal ball for testing.
The person testing was a female student.
Seeing a handsome little boy walk in, estimated to be no older than ten, she didn’t look down on him because of his good first impression.
She gave a brilliant smile and handed him the testing crystal ball.
“Little brother, this test is simple.
Inject Battle Qi into it.
As long as your strength reaches 8th Stage of Battle Qi, it will light up, and you’ll pass.”
Xiao Ling didn’t hesitate and grabbed the crystal ball, injecting Battle Qi.
Once the crystal ball emitted a brilliant light, he handed it back to the student.
The female student was shocked.
It actually lit up.
After all, Xiao Ling was far too young.
“I passed, right, big sister?”
Xiao Ling’s voice pulled her back from her daze.
“Oh, you passed.
You’re truly a little genius!”
The student pointed inside, “Just walk in that way.”
Nodding, Xiao Ling walked into the tent.
There were only a few new students inside; it wasn’t crowded.
He wasn’t made to stand in the sun like in the original story, which made Xiao Ling sigh in relief.
He didn’t want to waste time on such things.
It seems I’ve found a treasure today.”
A sudden female voice caught Xiao Ling’s attention.
He looked inside.
In the shadow of the tent, a woman in green was standing with a smile.
On her beautiful face was a gentle smile.
Her eyes flickered as she stared intently at Xiao Ling.
“This must be Ruo Lin from the original story.
Truly a beauty,” Xiao Ling couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.
Xiao Ling stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Hello, Mentor.
My name is Xiao Ling.”
Ruo Lin didn’t put on any mentor airs and said, “My name is Ruo Lin.
Just call me Mentor Ruo Lin.
Little brother, how old are you this year?
You shouldn’t be ten yet, right?
This is the first time I’ve seen someone so young pass the test.”
“I am eight years old and a 1-Star Battle Practitioner.” As soon as Xiao Ling said this, the people chatting nearby turned their gaze toward him.
Some were surprised, some envious, and some jealous.
Ruo Lin felt a surge of joy in her heart.
She gripped her pen so hard it made a “creak” sound.
She stared at the child before her with glowing eyes, not expecting to have actually found a treasure.
Calming her excitement, Ruo Lin said with a smile, “Although your strength hasn’t reached S-level yet, because you’re still young, you’ll be given S-level treatment.
This is the highest treatment I can give you.
Is that okay?”
Xiao Ling shook his head; he hadn’t expected such a good thing.
“Thank you, Mentor Ruo Lin.
I have no objections.”
“Fine.
Then gather here in three days.
You can go home now and say goodbye to your family.” Waving her hand, Ruo Lin turned and left.
She had to report to the academy’s high-level.
This kind of talent was rare even in the Inner Academy.
Seeing this, Xiao Ling didn’t stay any longer.
He turned and left the tent, heading back to the Xiao family.
The moon was high, and the stars were many.
Xiao family, back hill.
Xiao Xun’er and Xiao Ling sat on the hillside, watching the stars together.
The evening wind blew, and their black hair mingled together, seemingly inseparable.
The young man turned his gaze.
The moonlight fell on the girl’s exquisite side profile, like a moonlight elf, elegant and mysterious.
Looking up at the stars in the night sky, Xiao Ling felt nothing but peace.
“Brother Xiao Ling, I’ll go to Jia Nan Academy with you next year.
What do you think?” Xiao Xun’er spoke softly.
“That’s great.
We’ll practice together and enter the Inner Academy together,” Xiao Ling said with a smile, holding Xun’er’s fair hand.
Nodding, Xiao Xun’er leaned her head on Xiao Ling’s shoulder.
Listening to the young man’s steady breathing, she unknowingly fell asleep.
Ling Ying, hiding in the shadows, couldn’t help but shake his head.
He sighed in his heart, “It seems my lady’s heart has truly been stolen by this kid.” Actually, he had no ill will toward Xiao Ling; he just felt the status gap between the two was too large, making it hard for them to be together.
“Sigh, let nature take its course.”
Three days passed in a flash.
Last night, Jia Nan Academy announced the recruitment rankings.
This made Xiao Ling’s name widely known.
Many people sighed that a tiny Xiao family had produced such a genius.
During these three days, Xiao Ling didn’t practice.
He spent every day with Xiao Xun’er.
Every corner of Wu Tan City had their footprints.
Standing in front of Xiao Xun’er’s courtyard, looking at the person in his arms, Xiao Ling shook his head helplessly.
“Xun’er, if you don’t let go, I’ll be late.”
Looking up and rolling her eyes at Xiao Ling, Xiao Xun’er took out a porcelain bottle from her storage ring.
Inside was a ball of bright red fire.
She handed it to Xiao Ling and said softly, “This is a beast flame from a Tier 6 Blazing Wolf.
You said you wanted to become an alchemist, so this is my gift to you.” After saying that, she pried open Xiao Ling’s hand and stuffed it into his palm.
Looking at the beast flame in his hand, Xiao Ling was overjoyed.
Flame Mantra was exactly at the stage of needing fire to evolve.
With the fire ready, he just needed to prepare the pills to upgrade the technique.
Tucking away the beast flame, he rubbed Xiao Xun’er’s head and said, “Xun’er, you’re truly my lucky star.”
“As long as you like it.
It’s no big deal.
Remember to miss me when you’re at Jia Nan Academy.” Seeing Xiao Ling’s joy, Xiao Xun’er also gave a smile.
“Of course.
I’ll miss Xun’er every day, very, very much.” Xiao Ling gently touched the girl’s cheek and gave a soft kiss on her forehead, then turned to leave.
Facing the setting sun, the young man’s figure grew further and further away until it vanished from the girl’s sight.