Chapter 245: The Grand Elder Su Qian
With that resounding slap, Director Li's plump body was sent flying like a cannonball, embedding itself firmly into the nearby wall.
Seeing this, Ruo Lin couldn't help but gape in astonishment, her mouth agape in disbelief.
Even more shocked were the instructors working on the first floor. They stared at Xiao Yan with looks of sheer terror, as if they were staring at a maniac.
Is this man insane? they thought. How dare he cause trouble at Jia Nan Academy?
In this place, even a Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) expert wouldn't leave unscathed if they dared to stir up trouble.
"Mr. Yanxiao, I suggest you hide immediately," Ruo Lin said, her face pale with worry. "This is Jia Nan Academy, after all. The person you just struck is Director Li, an Earth ranked instructor in the Outer Academy. Even if you are a Dou Wang (Battle King), you're no match for the Vice Principal if he personally intervenes."
At this point, Ruo Lin had no doubt that Xiao Yan was at least a Dou Wang. No one else could so easily send an eight star Dou Ling flying and command such respect from the Black Corner Region's auction house leader.
"Earth ranked instructor?" Xiao Yan scoffed, glancing at Ruo Lin with disdain.
"If this is the caliber of your academy's Earth ranked instructors, then Jia Nan Academy's standards aren't much to brag about. What kind of students can a broken academy like this possibly produce?"
His words caused Ruo Lin's face to flush with embarrassment and anger. The nearby instructors were equally indignant, though none of them dared to retort after witnessing Xiao Yan's strength.
"Watch your tone, young man!"
A calm but imposing voice suddenly echoed through the hall, causing the tense atmosphere to shift.
Hearing this voice, the previously panicked instructors visibly relaxed. Relief washed over their faces.
A moment later, a gentle breeze swept through the hall, and an elderly man appeared in front of Xiao Yan.
The elder cast a glance at the still bleeding Director Li, now slumped against the wall, before turning to Xiao Yan. His expression was grave, his eyes cold with a hint of hostility.
"May I ask why you've come to Jia Nan Academy, young man?" the elder asked in a measured tone. "If Director Li has wronged you, we can make him apologize. But to resort to such violent actions do you intend to challenge Jia Nan Academy itself?"
As he spoke, a powerful, overwhelming Dou Qi aura spread through the hall. The elder's aura, teetering at the peak of the Dou Huang level, made breathing difficult for the Yellow ranked instructors present despite his restraint.
"Vice Principal Hu Qian, please listen there's an explanation for this!" Ruo Lin stepped forward, trying to mediate.
Before she could say more, Xiao Yan raised a hand to stop her. He showed no reaction to the pressure around him, his expression calm and unfazed.
Then, with a casual stride, Xiao Yan walked up to the elder and patted his shoulder.
"You're Hu Qian?"
Hu Qian's expression darkened. As a Vice Principal of Jia Nan Academy, when had he ever been treated so casually? Even if the person in front of him was a Dou Wang, they had no right to act so presumptuously.
But the moment Xiao Yan's hand landed on his shoulder, Hu Qian's expression changed dramatically.
In that instant, Hu Qian truly felt Xiao Yan's strength. The pressure radiating from him wasn't just overwhelming it was suffocating.
The gap between their powers was like that between a small stream and a vast river, or a tiny pond and an endless ocean.
Hu Qian's face paled. In all his years, he had only felt such an oppressive aura from two individuals: the revered elders Qianbai and Qianhe. Not even Grand Elder Su Qian exuded such a presence.
"You... You're a Dou Zong (Battle Sect)!"
Before Hu Qian could fully process his shock, Xiao Yan smiled faintly and spoke.
"Take me to your Grand Elder Su Qian. Is that acceptable, Vice Principal Hu Qian?"
"Of course!" Hu Qian's stern demeanor vanished, replaced by a courteous smile.
"This way, please!"
The hall fell silent.
The other instructors, who had been expecting Hu Qian to reprimand Xiao Yan, were stunned speechless.
"But Vice Principal, this man caused trouble at our academy!" Director Li protested weakly, his voice slurred from the blow. "How can you let him off so easily?"
Hu Qian turned and glared at him, his voice cold and stern.
"Shut up!"
"Director Li, you've displayed poor judgment, spoken out of turn, and violated the principles of an educator. Effective immediately, you are demoted to a Yellow ranked instructor and will spend three months in reflection!"
The announcement left Director Li in utter shock.
"And," Hu Qian added, his tone icy, "your salary for the next three months is also forfeited."
With that, he turned back to Xiao Yan, his expression warm once more.
"Please follow me, sir."
Xiao Yan gave a slight nod and followed him out of the hall.
The other instructors exchanged stunned glances.
"Who is this man?" one muttered, unable to comprehend what had just transpired.
Director Li, meanwhile, was trembling with fury and fear.
Ruo Lin, watching Xiao Yan leave, couldn't help but marvel.
"So, he isn't just a Dou Wang... He's a Dou Zong."
Her admiration for Xiao Yan deepened.
High above the ground, Hu Qian flew with Dou Qi wings, glancing nervously at Xiao Yan, who was levitating effortlessly beside him.
"Mr. Yanxiao, just ahead is the Inner Academy," Hu Qian said respectfully, gesturing toward a massive basin below.
The basin was enormous, as if a giant meteor had crashed there, carving out a colossal crater.
"It's just as I suspected. The Fallen Heart Flame must be hidden here," Xiao Yan thought, his eyes narrowing.
After passing through the layers of buildings within the basin, Hu Qian finally led Xiao Yan to a serene, ancient courtyard.
"Grand Elder, a distinguished guest has requested an audience," Hu Qian said, knocking gently on the door.
For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then, a faint wave of soul energy swept over them, pausing briefly on Xiao Yan.
Hu Qian, noticing this, glanced nervously at Xiao Yan.
Finally, a hoarse but steady voice came from inside.
"Hu Qian, bring our guest in."
Pushing the door open, Hu Qian led Xiao Yan into the courtyard.
Seated in a pavilion was an elderly man dressed in black robes, his white hair and beard lending him an air of wisdom.
"I am Su Qian," the old man said, his voice calm but wary. "May I ask what brings you here, sir?"
(End of Chapter)
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