Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 51: The Gift

As Xiao Zhan had anticipated, after the unexpected death of Liu Xi and the subsequent looting of the Jia Lie Clan's hard-earned medicinal herbs, the clan found itself at the end of its rope.

To repay the debts incurred from purchasing those herbs, the Jia Lie Clan was even forced to sell two of their marketplaces.

It's important to note that marketplaces are the lifeline of a clan. As long as they have them, there's hope for a comeback. But once they're gone, the clan can only sit idly by as its resources dwindle, and eventually, it will fall to a second-rate power.

Moreover, when Jia Lie Bi heard that the Xiao Clan had bought the two marketplaces sold by his own clan to ease their financial troubles, he was so furious that he fainted on the spot.

Thus, the economic battle between the two major clans in Wu Tan City ended with the victory of the Xiao Clan. As for the defeated Jia Lie Clan, their power quickly shrank, and they would never again regain their former glory.

After about a week of intense gossip in Wu Tan City, the public's attention shifted from the competition between the two clans to another significant event—the enrollment of new students at the Jia Nan Academy.

With all the rumors floating around, Mo Yu had also gained a deeper understanding of Jia Nan Academy.

As one of the most prestigious institutions on the Dou Qi Continent, Jia Nan Academy was a sacred place in the hearts of almost all young people. Graduating from the academy practically guaranteed a bright future, where one could return home with honor and dignity, becoming a hot commodity sought after by many powerful factions.

The academy's strength was formidable, so much so that even the three major empires nearby dared not provoke it lightly.

However, Mo Yu was somewhat disdainful of these three empires. "How many Dou Zongs do they even have?" he thought.

Jia Nan Academy's true depth was profound. Its founder was an elder from the Lei Clan, one of the Eight Great Tribes, possessing the strength of a Half-Saint.

Aside from its mysterious and elusive dean, the academy also had two hidden guardians. Even in the public eye, Jia Nan Academy could stand alone, even in the vast Northwest Continent.

In a few days, the academy's recruitment mentors would arrive in Wu Tan City, so the entire city's attention was focused on this event.

…

Unlike the eager anticipation of others, Mo Yu was living quite leisurely. He had no particular desire to attend Jia Nan Academy.

For him, who was not lacking in Dou Techniques or cultivation methods, such a traditional education wasn't necessary.

As for the academy's rumored exotic flame, the "Fallen Heart Flame," Mo Yu had considered it after consuming the Beast Flame but ultimately dismissed the idea.

The Fallen Heart Flame was ranked 14th on the list of exotic flames, which was not a low rank at all. Even Yao Lao's Bone Chilling Flame was only ranked 11th.

However, Mo Yu had certain Thunder Powers in his body that were ranked lower than the Fallen Heart Flame. If he tried to absorb the Fallen Heart Flame to evolve his Vermilion Bird Flame Thunder, the risk would be too great.

Exotic flames and Thunder Powers are equally matched in suppressive strength, without a clear hierarchy. If Mo Yu attempted to absorb the Fallen Heart Flame, it might not be the Thunder Power consuming the flame but rather the flame consuming the Thunder Power.

After careful consideration, Mo Yu decided to target some of the lower-ranked exotic flames instead.

As far as Mo Yu knew, while exotic flames were rare, they were not unique, with the exception of the top three ranked flames, which only existed singularly. For instance, as long as the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame and the Nihility Devouring Flame existed in the world, there would not be a second one.

As for the number one ranked Emperor Flame, it was a fusion of all exotic flames.

So although the lower-ranked flames were mostly trapped in the Ancient Emperor's cave, Mo Yu believed there would definitely be a second one in the world, just waiting to be discovered.

As for how to find these exotic flames, Mo Yu already had some ideas.

…

As he walked slowly through the family estate, Mo Yu felt a sense of nostalgia as he looked at the suddenly crowded training grounds.

In the various training areas, many young members of the clan were sweating profusely, practicing hard. These were people who hoped to reach the qualifications for admission to Jia Nan Academy in the last few days.

In his previous life, Mo Yu was the same, believing that last-minute cramming was better than nothing before major exams. However, that busy and fulfilling life seemed to be getting further and further away from him.

Standing at the edge of the training ground, Mo Yu lazily glanced at the field before turning away, uninterested. While he understood those who prayed only when in desperate need, there was no need to pay them any mind.

Jia Nan Academy's admission requirements were strict: before the age of 18, one had to reach at least the eighth stage of Dou Qi. This condition was nothing for Mo Yu, who was on the verge of breaking through to an eight-star Dou Zhe, but for most people present, it was an insurmountable gap.

Returning home, Mo Yu noticed a familiar female figure standing tall in his room. She looked incredibly sexy and beautiful.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Mo Yu gazed at that perfectly curved back and those nearly perfect long legs. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, knowing that when he left, only his grandfather and this woman would weigh on his mind.

He chuckled softly and slowly approached the daydreaming, long-legged woman in blue.

"Mo Yu, are you…leaving soon?" Before he could get close, the clear voice of the woman reached Mo Yu's ears.

Pausing his steps, Mo Yu nodded, walked up to her, and reached out his hand, patting Xiao Yu on the head. His hand gently glided down her silky hair, bringing a comfortable feeling that instantly washed over him.

"You're not going to Jia Nan Academy?" Xiao Yu asked softly, allowing Mo Yu to play with her hair.

"Mm." Mo Yu nodded with a light smile, "The Dou Qi Continent is vast. I have other things to do."

Hearing this, Xiao Yu's red lips parted, but she didn't say anything.

In the young man's calm starry eyes, there seemed to be an ambition that was deep and unfathomable.

"Oh, by the way, I have something for you." While Xiao Yu was silent, Mo Yu suddenly pulled out a storage ring from his pocket—the one he had purchased at the Mittel Auction House.

Now that he had the Frost Beast Ring, this low-level storage ring was of no use to him, so it was perfect to give it to Xiao Yu. Besides, inside the ring was a gift he had carefully prepared for her.

Accepting the storage ring from Mo Yu, Xiao Yu was both delighted and touched, though not surprised. After all, the young blacksmith who was the pride of the clan had recently been making quite a bit of money.

However, when she noticed the two light blue scrolls inside the ring, her beautiful eyes lit up as she curiously took them out.

"This is… the 'Mixed Origin Blue Wind Technique' and the 'Clear Shadow Sword Technique.'"

Gently touching the seemingly ordinary scrolls with imposing names, Xiao Yu softly read them aloud.

"These are two wind-attribute techniques and Dou Techniques that I asked my master to copy. They are mid-level Earth class, perfect for you to cultivate," Mo Yu said calmly.

Hearing this, Xiao Yu's delicate hands trembled slightly as she took out the two scrolls, and a look of disbelief flashed across her beautiful eyes.

What seemed like two ordinary scrolls to her turned out to be Earth-class techniques and Dou Techniques!?

But Xiao Yu knew that Mo Yu would never lie to her.

Earth-class, mid-level techniques and Dou Techniques, and they were even a matched set! The value of such items was beyond what even the imperial family of the Jia Ma Empire could offer.

Casually giving away something of this value, Xiao Yu couldn't help but wonder who Mo Yu's master really was.

"Mo Yu, this…" Understanding the value of these scrolls, even the usually bratty Xiao Yu found herself at a loss for words.

"Don't worry, my master agreed to give them to you. Once you've mastered them, I'm sure you'll perform well in a place like Jia Nan Academy, where geniuses are everywhere," Mo Yu comforted her, noticing her tension.

Out of the two people he was concerned about, his grandfather was too old and had never cultivated Dou Qi. While Xiao Yu's talent wasn't top-notch, being selected by Jia Nan Academy proved she was still exceptional.

These two matched Dou Techniques and cultivation methods were obtained by Mo Yu in his previous life after destroying a certain clan and looting their treasures. He had spent considerable effort copying them recently and now entrusted them to Xiao Yu, confident that she would achieve great things when they met again in the future.

As for not giving her Heaven-class techniques or Dou Techniques, it wasn't that Mo Yu was stingy. It was simply that such high-level techniques required more soul power to cultivate than he could currently handle.

Moreover, the saying "A commoner who treasures a jade ring becomes a criminal" held true. Given Xiao Yu's current strength, Earth-class techniques were more than sufficient.

"But…" Despite Mo Yu's reassurances, Xiao Yu still felt uneasy. Her beautiful face showed a mix of surprise, joy, and anxiety.

After all, these were Earth-class techniques and Dou Techniques.

"Just take them. With my talent, I am destined for greatness. If you want to keep up with me, don't refuse," Mo Yu said bluntly when persuasion failed.

Hearing this, Xiao Yu was stunned. A trace of sadness flashed in her eyes as she realized the truth in his words.

Over the past few months, the boy had shown remarkable talent and skill, far surpassing her and leaving her far behind.

It was easy to imagine how vast the gap between them would be in a few years.

"Alright, I'll take them." Gripping the two Earth-class scrolls tightly, Xiao Yu looked at Mo Yu with determination in her eyes.

She had no intention of becoming his trophy wife.

(Chapter ends)