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 328 ---
Being friends with Han Xiayue was not part of Han Yuan's initial plan.
After all, he intended to maintain a low profile in the Outer Court for a while.
However, this decision did not significantly alter Han Yuan's subsequent arrangements. In fact, befriending Han Xiayue proved to do more good than harm to his goal of taking control of Jia Nan Academy.
Not only was Han Xiayue beautiful and exceptionally talented, but she could also assist Han Yuan with matters concerning the Inner Court ahead of time.
A few weeks had passed, and Han Xiayue had helped Han Yuan build a small group of Inner Court geniuses whom he could support as future subordinates—cough, I mean allies.
These individuals were Han Xiayue's friends, and she attested to their character herself. Among them were geniuses like Lin Xiuya and Yan Hao, individuals worth recruiting.
Although Lin Xiuya and Yan Hao might not reach the Dou Venerate Realm with their current abilities, achieving the Dou Ancestor Realm within four to five decades was not out of reach.
After all, they had both reached the Dou King Realm at an impressively young age in the original story.
Moreover, receiving Han Yuan's support would undoubtedly enhance their qualifications.
Once they demonstrated their loyalty to the Martial Union, especially to Han Yuan, awakening their Martial Souls wasn't a problem.
In addition to Lin Xiuya and Yan Hao, Han Xiayue also recruited several other Inner Court students, including some alchemists and individuals with unique talents.
Of course, Han Xiayue's relationship with Han Yuan did not go unnoticed by the Inner Court elders, particularly Su Qian.
Upon learning that Han Xiayue had voluntarily reached out to Han Yuan, the First Elder basically confirmed the identity of the mysterious savior who had rescued Han Xiayue from the Snow Demon Sky Ape.
At first, Su Qian was baffled about why Han Yuan was in that forest. Then, he recalled that Zi Yan had been visiting him frequently lately.
It was easy to deduce that Zi Yan must have been the one who led Han Yuan to the Inner Court, secretly to gather medicinal herbs or to explore the nearby primal areas, as usual.
Even so, Su Qian was still internally astonished. Although he had received and read Ruo Ling's thorough report about Han Yuan's ability to defend himself and others from a Rank 6 Magical Beast, the fact that he saved Han Xiayue from an enraged Snow Demon Sky Ape of similar strength confirmed that he was indeed a monstrous talent.
With this understanding, Su Qian naturally did not question Han Xiayue further and allowed her to study as usual.
The academy had intended for Han Yuan to join the Inner Court from the outset, and he would eventually interact with other geniuses there.
Interestingly, the academy even clandestinely supported this. A talent like Han Yuan was bound to bring about significant changes within Jia Nan Academy, and the elders were committed to guiding him in a positive direction.
As for interfering with Han Yuan's interactions? Why should they? Unlike a certain shady and unscrupulous academy on the Douluo Continent, Jia Nan Academy prioritized genuine education!
The principle of a school or academy is to teach students, guiding them to the right paths, and helping them develop a proper worldview before graduation.
The elders understood that Han Yuan was ambitious. They wouldn't get fooled by his 'good boy' character. After all, you can't judge a book by its cover.
Having lived for hundreds of years, the elders had the wisdom to see things clearly.
If they hadn't, they wouldn't have tolerated the ongoing chaos in the Inner Court.
Competition for interests was a common occurrence, yet the elders rarely intervened because they knew that such experiences bring growth, which was 'naturally' needed in the real world.
Of course, if something beyond the boundaries of rules and order were to occur, they would be the first to step in.
What? Han Yuan broke into the Inner Court as an Outer Court student? No, Han Yuan was actually an Inner Court student; his identity as an Outer Court student was merely an adaptation phase.
What? He stole precious herbs from the Inner Court's treasury? On the contrary, it was an equal exchange between Han Yuan and the academy since he was also a genius alchemist.
What? Han Yuan is a playboy who mingles with numerous beauties. The academy is not responsible for this; single students should manage their feelings privately without disrupting the academy's educational environment.
So far, Han Yuan has never broken a single rule within the academy and has proven to be a sensible student willing to learn and even assist his peers whenever they face challenges in their cultivation.
His peers (mainly girls) love him.
His teachers loved him even more because anything they taught was 'easily' learned by him.
And today, Han Yuan will cause another shock.
---
Outer Court's Deputy Headmaster Office.
"Hmm, it's rare to see you here," Hu Gan smiled in delight while staring at Han Yuan, who was leaning on the chair opposite him listlessly. "What's the occasion?"
Han Yuan sighed, "I have been racking my brain lately, Headmaster. The bet we made back in the Book Collection Hall is difficult."
Hu Gan chuckled, "Do you want to give up? It's not shameful to know your own limitations."
"No, no, I've successfully cultivated them all." Han Yuan waved his hand casually, downplaying his feat.
"It's okay, I understand-!" At first, Hu Gan nodded and tried to console Han Yuan as any elder would do, but then his face froze. "Wait, did you say that you successfully cultivated all the Dou Techniques you chose back at the Book Collection Hall?"
Han Yuan nodded slowly, "Yup."
"They were so difficult to learn, but I did it!"
"I did my best!"
"..." Hu Gan was speechless.
'What do you mean you did your best?' He felt Han Yuan was bragging, but didn't have any proof.
Hu Gan stared at Han Yuan silently, thinking about something. Frankly, he wasn't surprised if Han Yuan said he learned Thunderless Punch because of his talent, but the other Dou Techniques are different.
The Thunderfire Shock and Elemental Thunder Mantra are dangerous as they were inherently incomplete Dou Techniques, which means Han Yuan didn't only learn them, but also somehow perfected them.
After all, Hu Gan finally spoke, "Show me."
Han Yuan narrowed his eyes and nodded, snapping his fingers. This snap caused his Dou Qi to become chaotic in his body, creating a multitude of shockwaves that boosted his cultivation by one subrealm. A faint blood-colored electricity danced around his body and made his long hair float slightly in the air.
"Thunderfire Shock, Initial Mastery: Two-Fold Shock." Hu Gan's eyes gleamed in fervor. "Your body..."
Han Yuan shook his head and canceled the transformation, "I can handle up to three-fold shock, but more than that, I would have horrible cramps for a whole day."
"Just cramp?" Hu Gan's mouth twitched in disbelief.
"You're lucky you're not dying."
"What about the other..."
Before Hu Gan could finish his words, Han Yuan snapped his finger again, but this time, he didn't show any transformation, and heat gathered in his right hand instead.
Yet, this heat is merely a byproduct of the real thing.
Hu Gan stood up from his seat immediately and stared at the crimson-colored electricity dancing around Han Yuan's right hand in awe. "This sensation..."
"Heavenly Flame."
"You have Heavenly Flame!"
Han Yuan humbly answered, "Yes, and it was the weakest Heavenly Flame, the Ten Thousand Beast Flame."
"Ten Thousand Beast Flame..." Hu Gan stared at the crimson electricity excitedly. "No wonder, no wonder you could perfect the Elemental Thunder Mantra, and learn it."
"But how?"
"Even the Old Headmaster couldn't achieve this result back then."
"That's true," Han Yuan nodded in agreement. "Even if the Ten Thousand Beast Flame is the weakest Heavenly Flame, it is still Heavenly Flame, a force of nature to reckon with."
"If I have to answer your confusion, Headmaster, then I guess because I possess a suitable physique."
"Physique?!" Hu Gan's eyes lit up in realization. "Yes, how could I not think of that!"