Chapter 78

*Bang!*

Jiang Yi, having thought things through, walked out of his room and kicked open the door to the little fatty’s room, startling him as he was reading some documents.

The little fatty quickly hid the book in his hand without a trace, and said with a bitter smile, "Brother, can you be a bit gentler? If this door breaks, how will I sleep in the future!"

Jiang Yi didn’t bother to investigate what he was reading. After a pause, he said, "Qian Wanguan, can you help me send a message to my great-grandfather?"

"Jiang Yunhai?"

Qian Wanguan frowned, then nodded and casually said, "That’s easy. When do you want to see him?"

"Too late today, let’s make it tomorrow!"

Jiang Yi sat down on the little fatty’s bed without any hesitation, his eyes fixed on him, and said, "Qian Wanguan, can you do me a favor? If you succeed, I, Jiang Yi, will owe you a favor!"

"Hmm?"

Qian Wanguan’s small eyes lit up, and he quickly said with a smile, "Brother, you’re being too formal. Since I recognize you as my brother, your matters are my matters. Don’t talk about favors. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll do my best."

*Slap!*

Jiang Yi slapped the little fatty, making him spin in place. He said seriously, "Qian Wanguan, if you want to be friends with me, Jiang Yi, put away your little tricks. I hate hypocrites the most."

The little fatty’s smile froze, his expression turning serious. He nodded and said, "Alright, Brother, just tell me. I’ll take this favor."

Jiang Yi smiled bitterly, "Aren’t you afraid of losing out? What if my favor isn’t worth much?"

"Hehe!"

Qian Wanguan patted his chest and said, "Don’t worry. We Qian family members are the best at business. To do business, you must first learn to read people. In my eyes, Brother, you’re not just a small fish. This favor is worth my full investment. It’s a surefire deal."

Jiang Yi nodded, "I need you to do everything in your power to hide my identity. No matter who my father is, if this information gets to Jiang Niliu’s ears, you know he’ll try to get rid of me."

"Yes!"

Qian Wanguan nodded, "Given Jiang Niliu’s cunning, if he finds out your identity, he’ll definitely send someone after you. Unless you reveal your identity to the world, including the Western Border King, you’re doomed. You can’t hide in the academy forever..."

As he spoke, Qian Wanguan’s brows furrowed, and after a long silence, he said with a bitter smile, "Brother, I can help you for now. I can use my family’s resources to cover for you in the short term, but it won’t last long. Unless you stay low in the academy, once you become an elite student, all the families will investigate your background. Someone will definitely find some clues."

"Elite student!"

Jiang Yi’s face darkened. To gain the academy’s attention, he had to become an elite student. Only then would he have the chance to meet the Heaven Rank healer and ask for help to treat Jiang Xiaonu. Only as an elite student could he obtain the secret techniques for taming spirit beasts. But once he became an elite student, he would attract the attention and recruitment of major families, and his background would inevitably be investigated...

"Whatever, just do your best to keep it hidden for now!"

Jiang Yi’s head ached. For now, he could only take it one step at a time. He wasn’t worried about the little fatty betraying him. If he wanted to sell him out, Qian Wanguan wouldn’t have tried to get close to him. It would have been easier to go directly to Jiang Niliu.

Back in his room, Jiang Yi immediately went into seclusion. He desperately needed to become stronger, and his desire to grow stronger was more intense than ever. He understood a principle: to control his own life and live as he wished, he had to become a strong person.

He now had an abnormal cultivation speed and the mysterious black elemental energy. With so many advantages, if he didn’t work hard, he would truly be a waste.

A night of cultivation passed without incident.

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Jiang Yi was woken by a knock on the door. He opened it to find Qian Wanguan’s round face, as expected. Curiously, Jiang Yi asked, "So early? Is the academy holding a welcoming ceremony for new students today?"

"Brother, are you still half-asleep?"

The little fatty rolled his eyes and said, "What are we? Named students! The lowest rank in the academy. Even if there’s a ceremony, it’s not for us! Come on, let’s get to work!"

"Work? What kind of work?" Jiang Yi blinked, confused.

"Brother, it seems you don’t understand the Spirit Beast Mountain Academy at all!"

The little fatty shook his head and explained with a bitter smile, "In the academy, it doesn’t matter who you are, only your rank matters. The lowest rank, named students, have to do chores for the academy every day, or they’ll be kicked out. Named students don’t enjoy any benefits in the academy. Unless you donate a large amount of purple gold, you don’t even have the right to enter the meditation room. Regular students don’t have to do chores and can go on missions to earn points. As for elite students, they get free points every month, and the top geniuses can use any academy resources without limit..."

"I see!" Jiang Yi nodded, then asked, "So, how do you become a regular student? Blood Refinement?"

"Yep, that’s one way!"

Qian Wanguan patiently explained, "The academy holds a Blood Refinement every six months. Students can apply to participate, and if they pass, they can advance. Of course, there’s another way: challenge five higher-ranked students, all at once! The lowest rank of regular students in the academy is Purple Mansion Realm, so, Brother... you’d better stick to doing chores."

"Challenge five Purple Mansion Realm martial artists?"

Jiang Yi’s mouth twitched. With his current strength, he couldn’t even handle two, let alone five.

He followed Qian Wanguan outside, taking in the scenery of the academy. The Spirit Beast Mountain Academy, one of the three major academies on the continent, was indeed vast. The courtyard where Jiang Yi lived was surrounded by neatly arranged courtyards, stretching as far as the eye could see, numbering at least several hundred.

Many students were walking out of the courtyards, but most of the residents nearby were named students, with low strength. Few were Purple Mansion Realm martial artists.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from a courtyard ahead. The man was tall and handsome, with a bronze complexion and sharp eyes, exuding a natural aura of authority, making him very noticeable.

Seeing Jiang Yi and Qian Wanguan approaching, he stopped and fixed his gaze on Jiang Yi, saying, "Jiang Yi?"

"Brother Wushuang, what a coincidence! You live nearby too?" The little fatty’s face was full of flattery as he greeted him warmly, but Zhan Wushuang ignored him, his gaze still fixed on Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi met his gaze without backing down, and with the same tone, said, "Zhan Wushuang?"

"Thank you for saving my sister that day. If you have any problems in the academy, feel free to find me. With me around, no one will dare touch you!"

Zhan Wushuang left with a proud stride. Jiang Yi touched his nose and pouted, "Zhan Wushuang is so arrogant. He’s a named student, right? If a genius student in the academy wants to harm me, can he handle it?"

"You’re wrong!"

The little fatty looked at Zhan Wushuang’s back and sighed, "Wait and see. In three days, Zhan Wushuang will become a regular student. In three months, he’ll become an elite student. Within a year, he’ll definitely become a genius student. He’s not arrogant; he’s truly capable. The successor of the War God Clan is not just a name."