Observing the delicate features of her face, like a budding flower, and then considering the heavy responsibility she now bore, Dongfang Cangwu paused. With a sigh, his form expanded, and he finally transformed back into his human shape.
He hadn't transformed in such a long time. Having stayed by Yan Jiaojiao's side as a small black dog for so long, he had almost forgotten what it felt like to be human.
"Falls asleep the moment she's told to, like a pig," Dongfang Cangwu said, casting a look of disdain at Yan Jiaojiao. Yet, his hand unconsciously reached out and pulled the blanket up to cover her.
After a moment's thought, he reached out again and pinched Yan Jiaojiao's cheek, smearing all the greasiness from the ribs he had been eating onto her face.
Satisfied with his handiwork, Dongfang Cangwu patted his hands and prepared to leave.
Although Arruoxi had been kicked back to his lair last time, there would surely be repercussions. The awakening of the Demon King was caused by his subordinates, and those subordinates would be extremely worried if their king did not return.
Something troublesome might happen again. At her current level, it was already incredibly difficult for this woman to lead the students of Gunan Academy to victory in the grand competition. If the Demon King's forces were to cause trouble at this time, it would be detrimental.
Since he had nothing else to do, he might as well find someone to spar with.
"This Venerable one isn't helping you."
After leaving, Dongfang Cangwu said with great pride, "This Venerable one is simply too idle."
With that, his figure turned into a wisp of black mist and vanished from the spot in an instant.
Yan Jiaojiao, drowsy in her sleep, felt something strange moving away from her. She mumbled, "Little Black, don't run around," and drifted back into a deep slumber.
Yan Jiaojiao slept soundly until evening.
It wasn't until Wei Congling, worried that something had happened to her, came to check on her that Yan Jiaojiao realized she had slept for so long.
Wei Congling was also somewhat surprised, "You slept for this long?"
Yan Jiaojiao nodded, "Perhaps I didn't sleep well before."
Wei Congling looked at her with some concern.
Previously, the people from Gunan Academy had been framed, and none of them had slept well. But after Yan Jiaojiao led them to retaliate, those troublemakers had been quieted. They should have been able to sleep soundly during this period.
So, Yan Jiaojiao was under too much pressure?
"Jiaojiao, you don't really need to put so much pressure on yourself. Gunan Academy is a place everyone wants to protect. We will all work hard to protect the academy from being disbanded."
Yan Jiaojiao blinked in surprise. Understanding that Wei Congling had likely figured something out, she didn't deny it, merely saying, "I just didn't rest well. There's nothing else, you don't need to worry too much."
Wei Congling knew that Yan Jiaojiao was a person of her word. Since she said nothing was wrong, then nothing was wrong.
She wasn't the type to force herself to endure.
She finally breathed a sigh of relief, "If you encounter any difficulties, you must tell us. We'll solve them together. Don't bear it all by yourself."
Yan Jiaojiao laughed heartily, "You think too highly of me. If something really happens, I'll definitely come to you. Otherwise, how can I solve it alone? I'm human, not a god."
In the past, Yan Jiaojiao, the thousand-year-old ancestor, would not have said such a thing.
But now, she was indeed just an ordinary person, and there was nothing she could do but yield.
Circumstances were beyond her control.
"Is everyone waiting?" Yan Jiaojiao tidied herself up briefly. Remembering that she had said she would discuss tactics with everyone, she quickly went out of the room with Wei Congling.
"Everyone is waiting for you."
Knowing that Yan Jiaojiao would not be late, everyone had waited for a while. When she didn't appear, they called Wei Congling to check on her.
Yan Jiaojiao nodded and mentally rehearsed her thoughts before leading Wei Congling into the conference hall.
"The group stage is actually more advantageous for us."
Yan Jiaojiao greeted everyone and got straight to the point.
"Today, Senior Brother Jiang and I went to take a look. The spirit beast spheres are all filled with Yellow-tier spirit beasts. For this round, whether it's a two-person or multi-person challenge, everyone just needs to remember one thing: the way to win is not by fighting the spirit beast to the death, but by controlling the spirit beast and successfully leaving the spirit beast sphere."
Yan Jiaojiao smiled slightly, "I can't speak for others, but as for making spirit beasts obedient, aren't there plenty of ways to do that? Right, Xu Changzong?"
Xu Changzong stepped forward, nodded at everyone, confirming Yan Jiaojiao's statement. He then produced a green pill.
"This is a modified beast-taming pill. I refined it after making some changes to the formula based on Jiaojiao's suggestion."
"Beast-taming pills are generally used by wicked people to capture beasts. They force people to swallow the pill and then throw them into an open area as bait. The beast-taming pill has no effect when used alone. It only produces a peculiar fragrance after being absorbed by the human body, which attracts beasts."
"The modified beast-taming pill is not as potent as those used for capture. When you take it, you won't become the target of beast attacks. It will only make your aura milder, and beasts will be more cautious when they encounter you."
"You should seize this opportunity to defeat the spirit beast and open the exit of the spirit beast sphere."
Yan Jiaojiao spoke directly. Coupled with the effect of the beast-taming pill in Xu Changzong's hand, everyone now understood her intention.
"There's such a method? Senior Sister Jiaojiao, you're too amazing!"
Who would have thought that someone would use such a method in the academy grand competition!
"Will this be considered cheating?"
Someone expressed concern about this.
Although they truly couldn't afford to lose this match, being disqualified for cheating would be even more unbearable.
Gunan Academy was already in such a state. They couldn't possibly lose their reputation too, could they?
"No, I've researched it. The grand competition does not restrict these actions. In other words, as long as you don't do anything to your opponents during the match, it's fine. Besides, our opponents in this round are spirit beasts. What about people who naturally have an aura of dominance over spirit beasts?"
Everyone relaxed, but also couldn't help but joke, "Are there really such people? Aren't they natural beast tamers?"
Although beast tamers were not common on the Boundless Continent, they were not extremely rare either.
After all, in a place teeming with spirit beasts, building good relationships with them was much more beneficial than building relationships with humans.
"Yes."
Yan Jiaojiao did not directly state that she was such a person.
She possessed a natural aura of dominance over spirit beasts, making the second round incredibly easy for her.
"I will join a two-person team tomorrow."
Judging by the competition format, a two-person team facing a Yellow-tier spirit beast was not particularly difficult. However, if Yan Jiaojiao joined a multi-person team, it would be a waste of her talent and would also hinder others. A two-person team was the most suitable for her.
"Alright."
All the students of Gunan Academy slept exceptionally soundly and sweetly that night, thanks to the well-thought-out strategy.
The next day, the second round of the group stage began.