Battle Through the Heavens: He possesses extraordinary comprehension and is born a Battle Emperor!

Chapter 92, what rank? Eighth rank!

Zi Yan nodded slightly. "The power of the stars is far more mysterious than I imagined. It not only gave me power, but also allowed me to see the splendor and desolation of countless lives in the universe."

The Star Guardians opened a spatial passage to help Xiao Chong and Zi Yan leave.

The moment Xiao Chong and Zi Yan stepped out of the spatial passage, a bright and clear view appeared before them.

The ancient buildings of Canaan College come into view. Along the familiar stone-paved roads, students are either walking briskly or gathering together to discuss their cultivation experiences, creating a vibrant scene.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds, bathing the university in a golden glow.

"I'm back." Xiao Chong took a deep breath of the fresh air unique to the academy, his face beaming with undisguised joy.

Zi Yan gently freed herself from Xiao Chong's hand and strolled along the bluestone path, her skirt fluttering in the wind, as if she had blended into the surrounding natural scenery.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of Canaan Academy, Elder Huqian angrily pushed open the door to a secret chamber, his weathered eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at the empty medicine shelves.

That place should have been filled with precious herbs that he had painstakingly collected, but now not a single leaf remains, leaving only a room full of dust and emptiness.

"What...what's going on!" Elder Huqian's voice echoed in the secret room, shaking the dust into a frenzy.

"Elder, are the herbs you were looking for gone?"

A young disciple cautiously peeked in and, seeing what was happening, quickly stepped forward to ask.

Elder Huqian turned around, his beard trembling with rage: "It's not just gone, it's clearly stolen! Immediately issue a notice, I want a full search of the entire academy. Whoever dares to touch my medicinal herbs will pay the price!"

-

The news spread like wildfire throughout Canaan College.

Immediately, the trainees began to discuss the matter, feeling both curious and excited about the sudden bounty announcement.

"Have you heard? Elder Huqian's herbs have been stolen, and he even personally posted a reward notice, saying that anyone who can provide clues will be richly rewarded!"

"Wow, this is a big deal! Elder Huqian's herbs are all rare treasures. Who's so bold as to dare to mess with such a powerful figure?"

Just as everyone was discussing the matter, Xiao Chong and Zi Yan also learned of it. The two exchanged a glance, each with their own thoughts.

Zi Yan was a little scared. She was afraid that Elder Hu Qian would punish her if he found out, so she decided to be honest rather than live in fear.

So Xiao Chong and Zi Yan walked under the moonlight through the herb garden under the night sky. The faint fragrance of herbs filled the air, adding to the mystery. Zi Yan held Xiao Chong's hand tightly, her eyes flashing with a mixture of unease and determination.

"Brother Xiao Chong, I'm so scared. What will Elder Hu Qian think if he finds out that I did it?" Zi Yan murmured softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Xiao Chong gently patted the back of her hand, his gaze tender yet firm: "Don't worry, Ziyan. No matter what happens, I will be by your side. And I believe the elders will understand; after all, your initial intention was to grow faster."

They arrived at Elder Huqian's bamboo grove cottage. Under the moonlight, the bamboo shadows were dappled, exuding an otherworldly aura. Xiao Chong gently knocked on the door, and soon, a kind-faced old man slowly opened it.

"So it's Xiao Chong and Zi Yan. What brings you here so late?" Elder Hu Qian's voice was gentle, but it revealed a hint of displeasure, clearly indicating that he was quite bothered by the theft of the herbs.

Zi Yan took a deep breath, mustered her courage, took a step forward, slightly bent her knees, and bowed: "Elder, I...I have something to say."

Elder Huqian's brows furrowed in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded slightly, signaling her to continue.

"It's like this, Elder." Zi Yan looked up, her eyes clear, "I took those herbs."

Upon hearing this, not only did Xiao Chong's expression tighten, but even Elder Hu Qian's expression changed slightly, a hint of disbelief flashing in his eyes: "Zi Yan, what do you mean by this?"

Zi Yan took a deep breath and explained the situation in detail: "Elder, I've recently encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation. In order to break through this barrier, I dared to take those precious herbs. I know it was wrong of me, but..."

After listening, Elder Huqian pondered for a moment, his gaze gradually softening:

"Ziyan, I understand your feelings, but taking medicine without permission is against the rules. However, considering that you confessed voluntarily, I... I won't say anything more, and I won't punish you too harshly."

Xiao Chong breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Elder Hu Qian with gratitude: "Thank you for your magnanimity, Elder. Zi Yan will remember this and work even harder in the future to live up to your expectations."

"Yes, it is good to admit one's mistakes and correct them. But remember, the improvement of strength cannot rely solely on external things; what is more important is inner resilience and understanding of battle qi."

Elder Huqian spoke earnestly, his eyes filled with expectations for the younger generation.

"Yes, Elder, I will keep your teachings in mind." Zi Yan nodded emphatically, feeling both relieved and motivated.

Xiao Chong looked at the highly respected elder before him and said with a firm gaze, "Elder, to express my apology, I am willing to refine an eighth-grade pill for you. Please give me some time to prepare the materials, and I will certainly live up to your trust."

Upon hearing this, Elder Hu Gan's wrinkles seemed to smooth out slightly, and an incredulous light flashed in his eyes. His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Eighth grade...you're going to refine an eighth-grade pill for me?! That's a level that even many seasoned alchemists dream of!"

"Is that really true?" Xiao Chong replied confidently, his tone revealing a maturity and certainty beyond his years.

Zi Yan listened from the side, her eyes sparkling with admiration, and couldn't help but interject, "Brother Xiao Chong, you're so amazing! I want to refine eighth-grade pills with you!"

Xiao Chong smiled gently, nodded to Zi Yan, and then turned to Elder Hu Qian, earnestly inquiring about the specific type of pill needed and its purpose. After a moment of contemplation, Elder Hu Qian slowly said, "If it is truly as you say, then let's refine a 'Rejuvenation and Life-Extending Pill.' This pill is extremely precious; it can not only cure stubborn illnesses but also prolong life. For someone my age, it would undoubtedly be the best gift."

"The Rejuvenating Life-Sustaining Pill... I understand. Elder, please be patient, I'll go prepare it right away." After saying this, Xiao Chong and Zi Yan took their leave and embarked on their journey to find rare medicinal herbs.

The next day, the two arrived at a place called Youlan Valley, a place shrouded in mist and filled with exotic flowers and rare herbs, making it an ideal place to collect rare medicinal materials. Xiao Chong held a scroll of "Illustrated Compendium of Ten Thousand Herbs" and carefully identified the plants around him, while Zi Yan excitedly followed beside him, pointing to a strange plant from time to time and asking questions about it.

"Ziyan, look over there. That's the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum we need. Its medicinal effects are crucial for the Rejuvenation and Life-Sustaining Pill." Xiao Chong pointed to a Ganoderma lucidum shining with a pale purple light on a distant cliff, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

(End of this chapter)