Chapter 169 Free Cultivation

Lei Jue laid out his plan once more, his eyes filled with cunning. Upon hearing it, the Thunder Emperor immediately grasped the intent and issued a loud command:
"Execute the prince's plan! Send an emissary at once and order the Dark Elves to come immediately and pay homage to our dynasty!"

With the conclusion of the Magic Duel Tournament, the six participants representing the Holy City quickly became the talk of the town, turning into prominent figures in the public eye.

Following the close of the tournament came the vacation for the second academic year.
At the end of the second year, students typically leave the academy to pursue cultivation out in the world independently. Some choose to follow their respective class instructors, setting off in groups along designated cultivation routes.

Once the free cultivation period of the final academic year concludes, every student who achieves the anticipated standard of the peak Magician realm successfully graduates.

Before the start of the vacation, the six members of Class S gathered in Dean Yun Lan's office to bid him farewell, everyone feeling a lingering reluctance to part.
"You are all the pride of the magic academy. Do not slack off on your path of cultivation. This time next year, I will personally guide you all to the Advanced Magic Academy," Yun Lan said, looking at the students with satisfaction.
"Teacher Yun Lan, we are so reluctant to leave you. After spending so much time in Class S, now that we have to separate, it breaks our hearts..."
As they spoke, tears shimmered in their eyes. Through months of living and training together, compounded by their concerted efforts during the Magic Duel Tournament, their bonds had long since grown as close as those of true brothers and sisters.
"It's not as if we won't see each other again," Yun Lan comforted them with his gaze. "This time next year, you will all reach the peak level, and graduate together."

The group nodded. "Yes, Teacher Yun Lan, rest assured, we will work hard."
"What are your cultivation plans?" Yun Lan asked.
"I plan to return to the Light Elf Village in the Divine Realm to cultivate," Ling Meng said.
"I'm going back to the Dragon Island... Big Brother Heiyi, Sister Ling Xiaolei, I have to part ways with you both." Shen Zai Guo clutched the sleeves of the two, reluctant to let go.
Heiyi patted her head. "Go and cultivate with peace of mind. That Uncle Divine Tree seems quite formidable; with his guidance, you'll definitely do well. Besides, the food on the Dragon Island is pretty good, so you might even grow a little taller."
He gestured beside Shen Zai Guo's head, raising his palm slightly to a certain height:
"When I see you next year, you should have grown about this tall."
"But, what should I do when I miss you..."
"Whenever we have time, we will definitely go to the Dragon Island to see you."

"Really?" Hearing this, Shen Zai Guo immediately blinked her large eyes with eager anticipation.
"Where are we going to cultivate, though?" Ling Xiaolei scratched her head and asked.
"This..." Heiyi had actually made plans long ago, but he hadn't voiced them yet. "I've already thought of a place."
"Take these few days to relax properly as well," Yun Lan said. "Oh, and student Bai Shengye, regarding the research and development of the anti-magic potion, I have already obtained approval from the Magician Alliance in the name of the academy. The location for the research institute has also been chosen. Let's discuss the details tomorrow morning."
"Very well, Teacher, I will come over again tomorrow."
"Head monitor," Heiyi wrapped his arm around Yi Xin's shoulders, "before we part ways, aren't you going to treat us to a round of drinks?"
Yi Xin said helplessly, "Fine, fine, fine, my treat! Let's all head to the Devil Empire Bar!"
With a cheer, the group happily headed out.

Inside the Devil Empire Bar, Lin Aohun had heard the news and rushed over to celebrate. Gulping down a large mouthful of liquor and wiping the sweet alcohol from his chin, he said:
"I heard you beat those two brats from the Thunder family? A family like that just lacks people to teach them a lesson!"
Heiyi smiled. "So you came for this reason, Commander Lin. Are you not on patrol today?"
"The Magic Duel Tournament is the annual event of the Holy City. As someone from the Holy City, how could I not come to celebrate?"
The vixen had mixed a tray full of drinks, carrying two trays as she swayed her waist over to Heiyi's table. She blinked her seductive eyes and set down the trays:
"Please enjoy, honored guests. Today's special concoction, Blue Light Wine."
Bai Shengye immediately reached out to take the cup from the vixen and took the opportunity to brush his hand against hers: "Manager Ling really doesn't know how to cherish jade and appreciate flowers. How could he let such a great beauty do all the hard work? Come, sit down and have a drink with us."
The vixen bluntly replied, "No way! I can't slack off. Manager Ling entrusted the bar to me because he trusts me, so I have to do a good job. Stop pestering me!"

Everyone was drinking and making merry to their hearts' content, except for Ling Xiaolei, who looked somewhat lost. She slumped listlessly over the table, watching the vixen bustling back and forth, and actually found herself missing Manager Ling a little.
"Sigh, it's rare for everyone to gather together today, yet we're missing a person."
Heiyi also complained, "Manager Ling has really abandoned the bar and left us hanging!"
Just as the vixen was about to walk away, she turned back, put her hands on her hips, and said, "You guys have no idea how busy Manager Ling is! He's currently busy with matters of great importance!"

"Manager Ling must be busy with the migration of the Dark Elf tribe..."
Heiyi suddenly patted Ling Xiaolei on the back. "Hey! For the vacation cultivation, I have a place in mind. Do you have any ideas?"
"Well... I happen to have a place in mind, too."
Ling Xiaolei suddenly lifted her head from the tabletop. The two of them rolled their eyes at the same time, suddenly realizing, and spoke in unison:
"Could it be... the Dark Forest?!"
"Shh!" Heiyi hurriedly covered her mouth, glancing furtively at Yi Xin sitting in the distance. Seeing that he wasn't paying attention, he whispered:
"We can't let Yi Xin know about this. The Eastern Continent is a forbidden zone, otherwise he'll definitely nag us to death."
Ling Xiaolei had already made up her mind; as soon as the vacation started, she would go to the Blue Light Forest to rendezvous with Duo, Xiao Lan, and the rest of her clansmen there.
"Sigh, you're all leaving for the vacation, leaving just me alone guarding an empty room." Bai Shengye hugged himself pitifully. "Miss Fox, can I come visit you often?"
"Hmph!" The vixen turned her head away and ignored him.
"Eh? You aren't going home for the vacation either? What about your little sweetheart far away in the Snow Realm?" Ling Xiaolei smiled mischievously.
"Go away." Bai Shengye glared at her, then muttered desolately to himself, "Anyway, I've been away from home for three years now, I'm used to it. It's the same everywhere."
The vixen turned back to the bar counter to mix drinks. Wanting to follow her quietly and inquire about any recent news regarding Manager Ling, Ling Xiaolei left the noisy booth and sat alone at the bar counter.

Just as they were chatting about the progress of the Dark Elf Village, a brown fox suddenly ran in through the back door, holding an envelope in its mouth. It hopped a few steps onto a round table beside the vixen's hand, handed her the letter, and then left.
"Huh?"
Curious, the vixen tore open the letter, darted her eyes up and down, scanned it for a few moments, and her expression instantly froze. She slammed her hand on the table and said angrily:
"Despicable!"
The force shook the alcohol in the glasses, splashing it over the edges. The customers at the bar were startled and hurriedly scattered to other tables.
"Hmph! To think there are people like this! Simply going too far!"