Bai Chuyan's worry was entirely unnecessary. After Tu Xiao'an said his piece, he turned and left without a second glance.

As he was leaving, he casually tossed out a comment: "Felt nice."

The comment made Bai Chuyan grit her teeth in fury.

Reaching the window the Cat Spirit had escaped through, Tu Xiao'an vaulted over the sill and jumped.

The sight nearly made Bai Chuyan scream. This was the eighth floor, after all.

'He just jumped? Like that?'

'Just how terrifying is this man?'

Tu Xiao'an had no time to worry about the trauma he'd inflicted on Bai Chuyan. After jumping out the window, he immediately used his Flying Technique, soaring gracefully through the air like an acrobat.

The sky was dotted with stars, and the night was as still as water.

This was the area behind Wencheng University. Logically, it should have been outside the campus limits, but Tu Xiao'an was surprised to find quite a few buildings here.

Ahead stood a grand, ancient gate with cyan stone steps that seemed carved by the ages. A solemn, sacred aura permeated the air around it.

'It's a whole different world out here.'

'Who would have thought there'd be a hidden institution behind Wencheng University? It looks like an Ancient Academy, steeped in a thousand years of history.'

'Could this be an academy exclusively for Martial Cultivators?'

Tu Xiao'an mulled this over as he landed, coming to a stop outside the hidden academy's main gate. He immediately sensed a peculiar aura, and a complex, inexplicable feeling rose within him.

'Such strong Spiritual Qi.'

That's right, it was Spiritual Qi. In modern society, Spiritual Qi was all but depleted, practically non-existent except in special locations, like the depths of a great mountain range.

But standing before the academy's gate, Tu Xiao'an could clearly feel the Spiritual Qi within. It was like the air—invisible, yet deeply felt.

This place was a focal point for the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth. It seemed to be a Divine Land for Awakened Martial Cultivators' Cultivation.

No wonder Wencheng University was considered top-tier. Turns out it had a hidden academy backing it.

He'd heard from Li Qingzhao that this university was the top choice for the children of powerful families, the wealthy, and high-ranking officials.

Now Tu Xiao'an understood. Wencheng University must be partnered with the Martial Cultivation Realm. The main campus was for ordinary people, while this rear section was an academy for Martial Cultivators.

'Interesting. As expected of a big city, to have a dedicated academy for Martial Cultivators.'

In Bai Town, you couldn't even find an Awakener.

Then, Tu Xiao'an detected the Cat Spirit's snake-like aura inside. It must have stumbled in here by accident.

'In that case, I might as well go in and have a look.'

Tu Xiao'an leaped onto a high courtyard wall. After observing for a moment and seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he flew down into the compound.

The academy was deathly quiet. Among the layers of courtyards, only a few rooms were lit. He drifted through the grounds like a Midnight Ghost.

'Logically, it isn't easy for a human to Awaken, so there shouldn't be too many students in this academy. Besides, the school year hasn't officially started yet.'

Tu Xiao'an passed a massive training ground, likely a place where Martial Cultivators held their duels.

What Tu Xiao'an didn't know was that Wencheng University offered a course on human awakening. Every new student underwent a full physical, including a blood draw.

If their blood showed they had the Talent for Cultivation, the university would make special arrangements for them to attend this awakening course.

If a student's body Awakened, they would be transferred directly to the Rear Academy.

Of course, those who were already Awakeners reported directly to the Rear Academy.

Many graduates from the Rear Academy were recruited by the government and entrusted with great responsibilities. Others were heirs of hidden families who returned to serve their clans.

Bai Chuyan was one such graduate. She went straight to the police department and was immediately appointed as a captain.

'Studying at an academy like this would probably be pretty interesting.'

Tu Xiao'an had never been to a university, so he was curious. Given what he was now, it was impossible for him to blend in perfectly with a normal human life.

Let alone pretend to be a college student.

'But an academy for Martial Cultivators... that would be a good fit. He could learn some Cultivation Techniques and continuously strengthen his abilities.'

Of course, that was just a passing thought. His current power was nearing that of a Rank Three Creature; destroying this entire academy single-handedly would be no issue for him. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

'Who here was qualified to teach him?'

Tu Xiao'an scanned his surroundings, covertly extending his senses to track the Cat Spirit's snake-like aura and gradually closing in.

Winding his way into the depths of the academy, he came upon a beautiful lake. Its surface was like a mirror, reflecting the scattered stars above, which gave Tu Xiao'an a slight start.

'As expected of an Ancient Academy for Martial Cultivators. It really has that classical charm.'

Just then, the lingering sound of a flute drifted gently across the lake's surface. A faint, sorrowful air was woven into its melody.

Tu Xiao'an frowned slightly. He searched for a long time but couldn't find the flutist. A sense of alarm grew within him. 'Where is that music coming from?'

Speaking of the flute, a ripple went through Tu Xiao'an's system. With a thought, a Jade Flute appeared in his hand, translucent and glowing.

The Jade Flute was vibrating slightly, resonating with the distant melody.

This Jade Flute was a treasure, meant to be played with Consciousness Power. Unfortunately, Tu Xiao'an didn't know how to play it, making it a terrible waste in his hands.

The flute music seemed to drift, at times near and at times far. Eventually, Tu Xiao'an realized with a shock that it was coming from beneath the lake.

'Flute music from underwater? Could there be someone hiding down there?'

'Looks like this Ancient Academy has some deep secrets.'

'I'll worry about that later. First, find the Cat Spirit.'

Tu Xiao'an quietly skirted the lake and continued onward, drawing ever closer to Cat Spirit Haitang's location.

Not far off, he spotted a flowerbed. A young man and woman sat on a stone bench beside it, whispering intimately to one another.

'Finally, some people.'

Tu Xiao'an could sense the distinct aura of Awakeners coming from them; their Life Force was far more vibrant than that of ordinary people.

He used Conscious Insight on them. They were around Level 11 and Level 12.

'They must be newly Awakened Martial Cultivators.'

Tu Xiao'an had snuck in and didn't want to be discovered. He was about to circle around them when their conversation caught his attention.

He heard the woman say, "That flute music is so melancholic. It's mournful and sad. It only ever appears at night, never during the day. It's so strange."

The man replied, "That music has been here since the academy was founded. Legend says a Female Demon is imprisoned at the bottom of the lake. She's a Rank Three Creature who achieved enlightenment, and whenever the stars shine brightly, she plays her haunting melody."

"A Rank Three Creature? What kind of creature is it? Is it human or an animal?"

"Probably an animal. As for what kind, I'm not sure. It's just a legend, you can't take it seriously."

The man continued, "There's another theory. It says that beneath the lake lies an Ancient Array left behind by a master Martial Cultivator. The 'flute music' is merely the mystical sound of heaven and earth produced by the array's operation. And it's because of this Ancient Array that the Spiritual Qi in the academy is so rich."