As a hunter who grew up in the deep mountains since childhood, Yun Xiao's sense of smell for the mountains and forests is by no means comparable to that of ordinary people.
At present, the Jinshi Mountain is full of peaks and ranges, stretching for hundreds or even thousands of miles. Vaguely, one can even hear the roars of some magical beasts. In any aspect, this Jinshi Mountain is probably several times more dangerous than the Yingchou Mountain.
The Leiyun Academy has set the location of the grand competition here. Obviously, it really wants to train these disciples under its sect. He even believes that in this mountain life this time, many disciples will probably lose their lives.
"How do you feel?"
Just then, Elder Yan's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting his train of thought.
"If the dean chooses to hold the grand competition here, it is estimated that a large amount of settling-in fees will have to be prepared." With a twitch of the corner of his mouth, Yun Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly and said jokingly.
"Hmm?" Hearing what Yun Xiao said, Elder Yan was slightly taken aback. Then he shook his head with a smile and did not deny it.
He understood Yun Xiao's meaning. There is a rule in Leiyun Academy. If a disciple of the academy dies accidentally due to the relationship of the academy, Leiyun Academy will send settling-in fees to the family of the deceased disciple, and the amount is not small.
"The dean has made great efforts this time. It should be to train the disciples under his sect as much as possible. As for the settling-in fees, Leiyun Academy can still afford it."
Leiyun Academy has a profound foundation and naturally doesn't care about any settling-in fees. In his opinion, if more talented disciples who can be entrusted with important tasks can be cultivated among these disciples of Leiyun Academy, even if there are more losses, the dean will not hesitate.
"Let's go and find our tent first."
With a squeeze of his legs on the horse's belly, Elder Yan stopped talking and took the lead to walk towards the crowd. Seeing this, Yun Xiao also withdrew his gaze from the distant mountains and forests and followed.
"It's Elder Yan. Elder Yan is here."
"It's really Elder Yan. Look, the one next to him should be Yun Xiao, the newly accepted personal disciple of Elder Yan, right?"
"Yes, yes, it's him. It seems that this kid should also participate in this grand competition. I just don't know what kind of ranking a small martial artist at the minor accomplishment stage of Zhenyuan Realm can get."
"Get a ranking? Don't be kidding. There are countless geniuses at the great accomplishment stage of Zhenyuan Realm participating in this grand competition. Even the masters on the Destiny Ranking will participate. Do you think a guy at the minor accomplishment stage of Zhenyuan Realm can also get a ranking?"
"This... It seems to be true!"
The arrival of Elder Yan and Yun Xiao was immediately noticed by the disciples of Leiyun Academy. Some disciples who were closer saluted Elder Yan one after another. Some disciples who were farther away started discussing.
This is the first time Elder Yan has publicly brought Yun Xiao to appear. Many academy disciples are still very curious about Yun Xiao. Seeing him this time, they found that Yun Xiao really has nothing outstanding. At this point, the previous rumors were inadvertently confirmed.
Yun Xiao has sharp ears and eyes and can hear some of the discussions around him clearly. However, he doesn't feel anything about it. The mouths are on others. What others say is their business.
"Don't pay attention to them. Just be yourself." Looking at the change in Yun Xiao's expression, Elder Yan knew that Yun Xiao should have heard those discussions, so he quickly comforted him.
"The disciple understands." With a smile, Yun Xiao simply stopped listening to those people's discussions and silently urged the horse to catch up.
"Greetings, Elder."
Just then, a young man led two young people out from the central area of the tent area. After a few steps, he came to Elder Yan and Yun Xiao and bowed.
"Dispense with the formalities!" Seeing the person coming, Elder Yan waved his hand and continued, "Is everything ready?"
"Reporting to Elder, the tent has been set up. The disciple will take the Elder there now." The leading young man nodded slightly and replied respectfully.
"Very good. Lead the way ahead." Hearing the other party's words, Elder Yan dismounted, handed the reins to the young disciple who came up, and gave a faint order.
"Elder, please." The young man took a step back and made way. Naturally, Elder Yan would not be polite and walked towards the direction pointed by the other party first.
"Senior Brother Qi." At this time, Yun Xiao had also dismounted and handed the reins to another young disciple. Only then did he have time to greet the young man in front of him. Speaking of which, this young man is none other than Senior Brother Qi Shaozheng who went to find him yesterday.
"Junior Brother Yun, it's been a hard journey." Seeing Yun Xiao greeting him, Qi Shaozheng did not dare to be negligent and quickly returned the salute.
"Did Senior Brother come here one step ahead of us?" While following Qi Shaozheng and keeping up with Elder Yan's footsteps, Yun Xiao started chatting with Qi Shaozheng.
"Yes. I came here to prepare yesterday on the order of Elder. It's indeed a day earlier than Junior Brother Yun." Yun Xiao didn't have the airs of a personal disciple. This made Qi Shaozheng like this little junior brother very much. "By the way, Junior Brother. When we arrive at our tent later, I will tell you the news about Jinshi Mountain that I have inquired about. Maybe it will be helpful to Junior Brother Yun."
"Senior Brother is so kind." Hearing the other party's words, Yun Xiao gave a grateful smile and chatted with the other party casually. Before long, the three of them came to a tall tent. Obviously, this is the tent that Qi Shaozheng prepared in advance.
The entire tent is quite spacious. There is a low couch inside, and wild animal furs are carefully spread on it, showing Qi Shaozheng's thoughtfulness in handling affairs.
"Have all the other elders arrived?"
After entering the tent, Elder Yan casually sat on the low couch and asked Qi Shaozheng.
"Only Elder Sui and Elder Nie have arrived. No other elders have been seen yet." Qi Shaozheng obviously didn't just come here to set up a tent. What Elder Yan wanted to know, he had already investigated clearly long ago.
"Which tent belongs to the Second Elder?" Frowning slightly, Elder Yan continued to ask.
"The steward of the Second Elder arrived here almost at the same time as the disciple. That one is the tent of the Second Elder." As he spoke, he directly pointed to a tall tent not far away through the gauze curtain.
"Not bad." Nodding his head, Elder Yan seemed very satisfied that his tent was not far from the tent of the Second Elder. "Keep an eye on it for me. Inform me as soon as the Second Elder arrives."
Although he had already agreed with the Second Elder, with the grand competition approaching, he naturally wanted the disciples of the other party to get to know Yun Xiao and let Yun Xiao integrate into the team of the other party's disciples.
"The disciple has already arranged for people below to keep an eye on it. No matter which elder arrives, the disciple will get the news as soon as possible."
"Well done." Seeing that Qi Shaozheng had done everything flawlessly, Elder Yan couldn't help nodding frequently. "You seemed to have some news to tell Xiao'er just now. Since this is the case, take Xiao'er down. Tell Xiao'er the information you have mastered in as much detail as possible."
"The disciple obeys." Qi Shaozheng bowed and then greeted Yun Xiao, "Junior Brother Yun, let's go to my place and talk."
"Senior Brother, please!"
Saying that, the two of them left Elder Yan's tent together and walked towards a slightly smaller tent nearby.
There are not many disciples under Elder Yan. Qi Shaozheng only brought six people this time. These six people are all on various tasks at this time and are not in the small tent.
Yun Xiao and Qi Shaozheng returned to the tent. The latter told Yun Xiao all the news he had inquired about one by one. Basically, it was all about the situation of Jinshi Mountain, which could be more or less helpful to Yun Xiao.
The two young people sat together and naturally had endless topics to talk about. Unconsciously, the two of them chatted for almost an hour. It wasn't until a disciple brought news that the Second Elder had brought his disciples and arrived that they ended this chat.
Because Elder Yan had given instructions in advance, the two returned to Elder Yan's tent as soon as possible and reported the news of the Second Elder's arrival to the other party.
"The Second Elder has arrived?" After getting the report from the two of them, Elder Yan stood up immediately and called Yun Xiao, "Xiao'er, come with me to pay a visit to the Second Elder."
"As you command, Master." Yun Xiao's expression became solemn. He knew that his master had been waiting for this moment. And all of this was for him.
The tent of the Second Elder was not far away. Soon, the master and apprentice arrived outside the other party's tent.
"Hehe, it's Elder Yan, right? Please come in and talk."
As soon as the two of them arrived outside the tent, before they could step forward and call out, the voice of Qi Changhai, the Second Elder of Leiyun Academy, came from inside. Obviously, this Second Elder should have sensed their arrival.
"Nothing can escape the ears and eyes of the Second Elder. It seems that the Second Elder's skills are getting deeper and deeper!"
Hearing the voice of the Second Elder in the tent, Elder Yan raised his eyebrows outside the door. As he spoke, he took Yun Xiao and entered the tent. He couldn't help but flatteringly smile.
The master and apprentice entered the tent. At this time, there were a total of five people inside. One middle-aged and elderly man was obviously the Second Elder Qi Changhai. In addition, on either side of this Second Elder, there were four young people, three men and one woman.
These four young people all had steady auras and there was an unruly look in their eyes that was hard to hide. As Yun Xiao and his master entered the door, these four young people all cast their gazes over. The first one they looked at was not Elder Yan, but Yun Xiao beside Elder Yan.
"Uh, this situation..."
As soon as Yun Xiao stepped into the tent, he saw five pairs of eyes staring at him. Even the Second Elder was no exception. Seeing this, he couldn't help scratching his head. He was really a bit uncomfortable.
However, although he hadn't seen much of the world, he obviously wouldn't be frightened by these people. After a slight adjustment, he looked back without flinching and looked at the five people in the tent one by one squarely.
"Hmm?" On the low couch, a strange light flashed in the eyes of Second Elder Qi Changhai. Unexpectedly, this disciple accepted by Elder Yan dared to look at him. You know, among the entire Leiyun Academy, there are not many disciples who dare to look at him.
"It's really a sin to disturb the Second Elder's rest without permission!" At this time, Elder Yan had already brought Yun Xiao to the front of the Second Elder and said apologetically.
"Hahaha, there's no need to be so formal between us brothers." Laughing heartily, the Second Elder's gaze first met Elder Yan's, and then he looked at Yun Xiao again. "This should be the disciple newly accepted by Elder Yan. As expected, he is outstanding in appearance. Good, good!"
He said two "goods" in a row. It was not known whether it was out of courtesy or if he really saw something unusual.
"Hehe, the Second Elder is overpraising." With a smile, Elder Yan didn't try to guess the other party's meaning. "Xiao'er, this is one of the three main elders of my Leiyun Academy, the Second Elder. Come and pay your respects quickly."
"Yun Xiao has met the Second Elder."
Yun Xiao had been sizing up this Second Elder for a long time. At this time, hearing his master's words, he quickly stepped forward and bowed to Second Elder Qi Changhai.
He didn't release his spiritual power to observe the other party, but it was obvious that this Second Elder must be a powerful figure. He is probably a bit stronger than his master. He is worthy of being the Second Elder of Leiyun Academy.
"Quickly dispense with the formalities." Waving his hand, Second Elder Qi Changhai sized Yun Xiao up from top to bottom. But he didn't find anything more unusual. So he lost so much interest.
"Second Elder, I came this time to let Xiao'er get acquainted with the outstanding disciples of the Second Elder first. In this grand competition, I will have to trouble the outstanding disciples of the Second Elder to take care of him."
He had already informed the other party before. But he was afraid that there might be some changes at the moment. That's why he brought Yun Xiao here in such a hurry.
"Hehe, Elder Yan has come at just the right time. Coincidentally, my four most proud disciples are all here. In this grand competition, let your disciple follow these four. I think it should not be a problem to get a ranking."
Saying that, he turned his head and looked at a young man. "He Bi, you take a few people to get to know the little junior brother. The teacher and Elder Yan still have something to say."
"Yes, Master. This disciple takes his leave."
Hearing the Second Elder's order, the young man named He Bi slightly bowed and then led the other three people out.
"Xiao'er, you go too!"
Seeing the four disciples of the Second Elder walking out, Elder Yan quickly gave an order to Yun Xiao and even blinked at Yun Xiao, as if reminding him of something.
"This disciple takes his leave." Yun Xiao did not hesitate. He bowed slightly to the Second Elder and his master and quickly followed behind the four and walked out.
After leaving the tent, the four disciples of the Second Elder just entered another tent not far away. Seeing this, Yun Xiao hesitated slightly and then followed closely and walked in.