Yan Jiaojiao had multiple burns, coupled with bone injuries from her fall. Although treated with wood-elemental spiritual energy, some wounds were not instantly curable and required multiple sessions.
As gentle spiritual energy slowly healed her injuries, Yan Jiaojiao smiled at Xu Changzong, "See, I'm almost better. Can you alter my prescription? It's too bitter."
Xu Changzong finally let out an exasperated huff, "That's what you deserve to drink."
She appeared meticulous yet was infuriatingly absent-minded in certain aspects. Xu Changzong, knowing her forgetful nature, could only use this method to remind her: if she didn't want to drink such bitter medicine next time, she shouldn't be the first to rush into danger!
Yan Jiaojiao's response was: she would truly remember, but she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't do the same thing next time.
Yan Jiaojiao's arrival also drew the attention of others. Many asked questions, and the atmosphere was not as grim as some might have imagined.
Wei Congling was also affected, her expression lightening.
Jiang Yiling arrived after a while.
He had used a talisman array for direct teleportation, followed by the surviving sect leaders.
The sect leader of the Fire Sect had also suffered severe injuries last time. Only Luo Guiyuan and Shangguan Yuan were still mobile.
The Water Sect and the Metal Sect, while not openly hostile before, had a certain disdain for each other's conduct. However, after this incident, the relationship between their sect leaders had improved.
Luo Guiyuan's gaze swept over everyone's faces, lingering the longest on Yan Jiaojiao. Yan Jiaojiao even saw Luo Guiyuan offer her a slight smile.
She shivered involuntarily, almost shaking off goosebumps.
"Are you cold?" Wei Congling, sitting beside Yan Jiaojiao, noticed her shivers and immediately leaned in with concern.
Yan Jiaojiao shook her head, "I just feel Luo Guiyuan has changed a lot."
Wei Congling was surprised by the reason and smiled, "You don't know, Sect Leader Luo praises you to everyone now."
Yan Jiaojiao replied, "That's unnecessary."
Although there had been conflicts before, Yan Jiaojiao hadn't truly resented Luo Guiyuan. Everyone had their own personality. She was merely displeased with Luo Guiyuan's favoritism towards Tang Xiye and his double standards.
Yan Jiaojiao did not enjoy seeing reconciliations. She preferred misunderstandings to be resolved and then everyone to go their separate ways, just as before. Luo Guiyuan's current ostentatious behavior made Yan Jiaojiao feel uneasy and uncomfortable.
"Everyone, as you know, Ge Nan Academy recently faced a significant event."
"During this period, we conducted thorough searches throughout the sect."
Luo Guiyuan's face showed deep sorrow, "Regarding the relationship between Ge Nan Academy and the Demon Race, we can clearly state that all disciples of Ge Nan Academy have no connection whatsoever with the Demon Race! Please rest assured, Ge Nan Academy is dedicated to nurturing disciples and is committed to providing talent for the Boundless Continent. We have never strayed from our path!"
The disciples' spirits lifted upon hearing this.
Indeed, everyone had been worried about this.
With Luo Guiyuan's statement, they finally felt reassured.
"Xuan Chen has disappeared without a trace. We will send people to investigate his whereabouts. After all, he is a venerated master of our Ge Nan Academy, and we wish to understand certain matters. Ge Nan Academy will not cease to operate due to the loss of one master. As long as we remain, and as long as you remain, Ge Nan Academy will never disappear."
"We will always be here!" The disciples of Ge Nan Academy had become even more united after this ordeal. In fact, many had already withdrawn and returned home. The sect leaders, including Luo Guiyuan, had no objections. If a student wished to leave, the academy would not force them to stay.
However, the disciples who remained genuinely cherished the academy and their fellow disciples. Under such unity, they had fully matured. These were the very disciples Ge Nan Academy sought to cultivate and the purpose of their educational endeavors.
Facing setbacks was not terrifying; what was terrifying was giving up directly.
These disciples had experienced things that others would not in a lifetime. They would undoubtedly become leaders and exceptional figures on the Boundless Continent in the future.
Luo Guiyuan's eyes reddened. After all that the academy had endured, the fact that these disciples chose to stay was deeply moving.
He had not truly appreciated the disciples of Ge Nan Academy before, believing their excellence was solely due to their innate talent and the academy's cultivation methods producing many outstanding individuals.
Now, he understood that Ge Nan Academy had unknowingly become a sacred entity, and these disciples considered themselves a part of that sacredness, never giving up.
"Originally, after the descent of the Demon King, we needed time to recover. However, time waits for no one, and there are those who wish to see us fall and become a spectacle. This morning, our Ge Nan Academy received a battle invitation."
"A battle invitation?"
Yan Jiaojiao nudged Wei Congling, "What is that?"
Wei Congling's face turned pale, and she nervously fiddled with her fingers, "A battle invitation is a form of challenge. There are many academies on the Boundless Continent, and they engage in friendly competitions annually. In previous years, due to Ge Nan Academy's great reputation, few academies dared to issue battle invitations to us."
"Our academy also rarely dealt with such matters."
"A battle invitation cannot be refused, and the rules are designated by the party that issues it. Generally, it's a competition similar to our academy's selection exams."
Yan Jiaojiao hummed, "So it sounds like a normal competition. Are there any rewards?"
Wei Congling was not as carefree as Yan Jiaojiao. Her face was pale, and she seemed frightened, "There are, but..."
"But what?"
"But under the rules of a battle invitation, there is no distinction between life and death."
Yan Jiaojiao furrowed her brow, about to speak, when she heard Luo Guiyuan say, "Initially, considering the circumstances of our Ge Nan Academy disciples, we intended to negotiate with the other party to postpone the battle invitation match. However, the information might have been leaked, and suddenly nine academies issued battle invitations to us. Because the number reached the threshold stipulated by the Boundless Continent's rules, the Academy Grand Competition was automatically initiated."
"The Academy Grand Competition will take place in half a month."
Wei Congling was now stiff as wood.
Yan Jiaojiao patted her shoulder, "What is the Academy Grand Competition?"
Judging by the name, Yan Jiaojiao understood, but seeing the disciples looking as if they had lost their souls, and even Shangguan Yuan's face etched with solemnity, she realized this was likely not a good thing.
"The Academy Grand Competition is an elimination tournament created by ancient powerful beings. Academies on the Boundless Continent can issue battle invitations. When the number of battle invitations reaches a certain threshold, the Academy Grand Competition begins. In this competition, there is no distinction between life and death. The academy that finishes last will be disbanded on the spot."