While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

When Chen Xiao and Zi Yan returned to the inner courtyard, the thunderstorm had subsided considerably, but it was still drizzling.

After parting ways with Zi Yan, Chen Xiao walked towards the small attic in the freshman dormitory area.

From afar, Chen Xiao could see a young girl dressed in a sky-blue dress standing gracefully in the corridor on the second floor of the small attic.

She was like a lotus flower in a pond after the rain; the wind and rain did not diminish her beauty but instead became the best backdrop, making her look even more beautiful.

Raindrops fell on the puddles on the ground, creating ripples. Chen Xiao quickened his pace and arrived at the foot of the pavilion.

They looked up and smiled at each other.

Without further delay, Chen Xiao hurried upstairs, not even having time to greet the few people chatting on the first floor.

"Sister Xun'er, has Young Master returned?"

As soon as Chen Xiao reached the second floor, he heard Qing Lin's voice coming from his room.

Xun'er smiled at Chen Xiaoying before nodding slightly to the little maid inside the room.

The next moment, thumping footsteps echoed in the room, and an adorable head peeked out from the doorway.

"Young Master!"

Qinglin jumped out of the room, waving her little hands happily.

Even after several months apart, there was still no awkwardness between us; we were as close as we were in Wutan City.

Chen Xiao walked over and rubbed Qinglin's head.

"I just heard the Grand Elder's voice transmission saying that guests had arrived in the inner courtyard and that I should come back early. I guessed that it was you, and I was right."

There's no need to ask them how they got in.

The secrecy and rules of the inner courtyard were all irrelevant to Xun'er's identity.

"Brother Chen Xiao also gave Qinglin and me quite a surprise. When we arrived at the inner courtyard earlier, we thought we would have to ask around to find it, but we didn't expect that anyone we asked would know. Brother Chen Xiao, why don't you wash up first? Qinglin has prepared hot water. We can catch up later."

With that, Xun'er smiled slyly and pushed Chen Xiao into the room.

The first thing that caught Chen Xiao's eye was a steaming wooden tub, which made him feel as if he had returned to his days in Wutan City.

"Okay, then please wait a moment."

After giving a greeting, Chen Xiao closed the door and washed up. He didn't spend much time and quickly changed into a clean and appropriate robe, appearing before the two women.

From their sparkling eyes, one could tell that Chen Xiao looked much more pleasing to the eye now than he had just appeared.

They entered the room together. Qinglin ignored Chen Xiao's dissuasive gaze and helped tidy up the room with brisk movements, as if she couldn't stay idle at all.

Seeing this, Chen Xiao had no choice but to let her be and sat down with Xun'er at the table in front of the wooden window.

"How is Brother Chen Xiao doing at Canaan Academy?"

"This place is indeed very suitable for me. Half a month ago, Elder Su Qian pointed out my shortcomings incisively, telling me to accumulate more experience and gain more training. If I spend two or three years like this, there should be a qualitative change. Xun'er and Qing Lin arrived at just the right time today. I originally planned to enter the Black Corner Region tomorrow..."

After not seeing each other for several months, we could talk for a long time just about what we had experienced during that time.

By the time Chen Xiao had finished giving a general account, the rain outside had completely stopped, night had fallen, the dark clouds had receded, and the stars and moon were shining brightly.

Xun'er pulled Qinglin, who finally had some free time, to sit down beside her and said with a smile, "When Qinglin and I came in today, we discovered that there are many academy factions in this inner courtyard. Brother Chen Xiao, have you ever thought about creating one?"

"A few days ago, these guys downstairs asked me privately, saying that if the freshmen stick together and support each other, it will be easier for them to gain a foothold in the inner courtyard. However, I declined, because due to my attribute, the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower has limited use for me. I don't need to spend much fire energy in the inner courtyard, and my cultivation plan will not be limited to the inner courtyard."

Chen Xiao shook his head slightly in reply.

Creating academy factions has both advantages and disadvantages.

However, whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks depends on the individual.

Chen Xiao didn't have any enemies like the Yunlan Sect, nor did he have much energy to spend managing the academy's gangs, which made him very uninterested in creating one.

As for letting others manage it while I remain a hands-off manager…

Unfortunately, Chen Xiao doesn't have anyone he can completely trust by his side right now.

Therefore, instead of spending all your time doing work for someone else, it's better to focus on improving yourself.

"Enough about me. Xun'er mentioned before that she still had some minor matters to settle at the Xiao family. Has she achieved a satisfactory result?"

Chen Xiao knew that Xun'er had another purpose in coming to the Xiao family, and he was still somewhat curious about the outcome.

The ancient emperor's cave corresponding to the Natuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade is, as Chen Xiao knows, the only path to becoming an emperor in the current Dou Qi Continent.

If Chen Xiao hadn't been able to get his hands on it in advance, he would have tried every means to get his hands on it back when he was with the Xiao family in Wutan City.

Possessing an imperial jade grants one significant advantage.

In short, no one is allowed to enter the ancient emperor's cave until I am fully prepared!

However, because he could get an advance payment, Chen Xiao's need for the imperial jade was not so strong.

"Uncle Xiao Zhan is very easy to talk to. Also, thanks to Cousin Xiao Yan, his health problems can no longer be hidden. Everyone in Wutan City knows about them. Uncle Xiao Zhan is so worried that his hair is almost turning white. So Xun'er gave some things that might be useful to Cousin Xiao Yan in exchange, and the deal was easily reached," Xun'er replied with a smile.

This result wasn't entirely unexpected.

After all, Xiao Zhan knew that Xun'er's identity was extraordinary.

Knowing Xiao Zhan's character and conduct, he naturally understood that Xun'er's polite suggestion to exchange was already a very generous gesture. If she dared to refuse, she would be ungrateful and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she was courting death.

The so-called patriarchal symbol is worthless in the face of the safety of the clan.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, pondering whether he should remind the ancient clan of the existence of spies within their ranks.

However, considering that this matter was too secretive and would be difficult to explain once spoken, Chen Xiao decided to keep it quiet for the time being and remind Xun'er in a different way when she was about to leave.

Just then, Xun'er took out a scroll from her storage ring and pushed it over.

"As Xun'er mentioned before, she would make up for the gift she gave to Brother Chen Xiao. During this time, Xun'er was thinking about what would be a better gift. Then she remembered that Brother Chen Xiao had asked Xun'er about ice-attribute spiritual objects. So, Xun'er recorded and summarized all the information she knew as her first little gift."

Chen Xiao had asked Hai Bodong and Teng Shan about ice-attribute spiritual objects, but Teng Shan's information was limited. He only knew the name of many spiritual objects, let alone where to find them, and he didn't even know their uses.

Therefore, during his time at the Xiao family, Chen Xiao would inquire about it in private conversations with Xun'er.

Taking the scroll handed to him by Xun'er, Chen Xiao opened it and saw densely packed, yet neatly arranged, delicate characters on it. Instead of making him feel tired, he found it pleasing to the eye.

Upon closer inspection, Chen Xiao's eyes lit up.

The information compiled by Xun'er not only recorded the locations where many spiritual objects might appear, but also the locations where they had appeared in the past, and detailed the issues that needed to be noted when using these spiritual objects.

For example, the cold weather.

To refine it, one must have at least the strength of a Dou Ling.

In addition, the environment is also very important. It is best to carry out the refining in an extremely hot environment with a strong fire element to increase the success rate!