In the two or three days following the conclusion of the Strong Ranking Grand Competition, the entire Inner Academy remained shrouded in the lingering shock of those soul-stirring battles. Discussions of the matches echoed throughout the academy, with every corner abuzz with excited retellings of the fierce confrontations that had taken place.
Among them, the battle between Xiao Yan and Liu Qing was, without doubt, the most revered. Faces still bore expressions of astonishment whenever the duel was brought up. None had expected a newcomer, one who had only recently entered the Inner Academy, to possess such terrifying strength and limitless potential.
Riding upon the momentum Xiao Yan had built, the reputation and influence of Pan's Gate soared rapidly over those few short days. Its members now walked with heads held high, exuding confidence and vigor as they traversed the academy grounds.
Gone was the former caution they once carried. Now, when others passed by members of Pan's Gate, their gazes were filled with envy. With Xiao Yan's name and strength reaching new heights, many could already foresee the day when Pan's Gate would surpass even the factions of Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing.
However, there was another matter within the Inner Academy that quietly drew the attention of many students. Strangely enough, it had little to do with Xiao Yan.
Instead, it centered around Xiao Yu—much to her growing irritation. Lin Xiuya had become utterly enamored with Xiao Yu.
"Lady Xiao Yu… Lin Xiuya has come once again…" one of the female members reported, her expression slightly troubled.
Just as Xiao Yu was about to step into the leader's office, her brows furrowed tightly, and a faint sigh of irritation escaped her lips. "Just tell him I'm unavailable. Handle it however you see fit. I'm buried under paperwork and overseeing preparations for the future Chaos Gate—I've no time to entertain visitors."
She paused for a moment, then added coldly, "Also, inform him that I won't be free for the next few days. If he dares show up again, no one is to receive him."
The female member gave a dry chuckle, having expected such a response. Without further comment, she turned and left to turn Lin Xiuya away once more.
Xiao Yu watch as the departing figure of the female member before shaking her head. She opened the door and let out a soft sigh once she enters the office and closed the door behind her.
"It seems you're in quite an amusing predicament, Xiao Yu."
As she sighed, Xiao Yu heard a soft, amused chuckle echo within the room. Lifting her gaze, she saw a silver-haired woman seated gracefully, a faintly entertained smile playing across her beautiful face.
"You seem to be enjoying this far too much, Han Yue," Xiao Yu said with a slight roll of her eyes, her tone tinged with faint irritation.
"I most certainly am," Han Yue replied, raising a slender hand to her lips as she chuckled with refined grace. "I don't know what kind of medicine Senior Lin Xiuya has taken lately, but he's been appearing here at all hours. I've never seen him so… enthusiastic. Could it be that you've unknowingly ensnared his heart after defeating him in battle?"
Xiao Yu let out a long, weary sigh. She gave a perfunctory nod and muttered, "I'm just as baffled. If I'd known things would turn out like this, I would've surrendered the moment I was matched against Senior Lin Xiuya."
"So, what do you intend to do about this situation?" Han Yue asked, her lips curved in a faint smile.
"Nothing in particular." Xiao Yu shook her head and walked toward the leader's table, taking her seat with graceful composure. "I've rejected him more than enough times. Hopefully, he'll take the hint and stop."
"If the other young women who admire Senior Lin Xiuya heard this, I imagine they'd be seething with envy and indignation," Han Yue remarked with a soft chuckle, her tone laced with amusement.
It was clear she posed the question only for her own entertainment—after all, she already knew the answer. She understood well who currently resided in Xiao Yu's heart.
Perhaps it would take a very long time before Xiao Yu chose to give up on this path of love, especially since winning that man's heart seemed to be no easy matter.
"Even so, how pitiful for Senior Lin Xiuya," Hu Jia mused, spreading her hands in mock helplessness. "Still, isn't it a bit harsh to not even show your face? He's come several times now, and you've avoided him each time. Like it or not, he still shares some connection with Xiao Yan..."
Xiao Yu shook her head, her expression calm and unmoved. "I already met with him yesterday. If I go again today, it may stir needless misunderstandings. Others might get the wrong idea and it would only put me in an even more awkward position."
"What a pitiful fellow senior indeed..." Han Yue sighed with a faint, helpless smile. She couldn't find fault in Xiao Yu's reasoning.
She recalled clearly—she had been visiting Xiao Yu at the time and happened to catch sight of Lin Xiuya leaving. His back then no longer carried the proud, indifferent aura she was so accustomed to seeing.
A faint sense of sympathy rose in her heart. Lin Xiuya, a man rarely moved by emotions, had finally experienced the stirrings of love—only for it to wither before it had the chance to bloom.
…
"Lin Xiuya… she only defeated you once, and now you're smitten?" Yan Hao eyed Lin Xiuya, whose aura lingered just outside Chaos Gate. He couldn't help but pat his forehead and speak with a bitter smile.
Lin Xiuya offered a sheepish smile, clearly at a loss. He himself had no answer. That kind of feeling crept in without warning—once it settled in the heart, no amount of reasoning could drive it away.
"Ugh… it seems you're fated for heartache," Yan Hao muttered. "Judging by Xiao Yu's attitude, it's obvious she doesn't harbor even the slightest affection for you. Besides, haven't we known all along? That junior of ours has only Xiao Hua in her heart…"
During the Grand Competition, Lin Xiuya had been matched against Xiao Yu. To the shock of nearly everyone present, he was defeated in just five exchanges. Only Su Qian and Han Yue seemed unsurprised—they alone had witnessed the depths of Xiao Yu's strength.
Yan Hao had been shocked upon hearing that Xiao Yu had managed to defeat Lin Xiuya. But, upon reflection, it didn't seem entirely unexpected. After all, among those ranked on the Strong Ranking, the most enigmatic had always been Xiao Yu. She rarely revealed her strength in battle.
Her last appearance had been when she secured a spot among the top five. Since then, she had seldom fought, and very few knew the extent of her power—aside from Han Yue, who remained close to her.
Lin Xiuya remained silent. He understood all too well the truth behind Yan Hao's words. Judging by Xiao Yu's attitude over the past few days, it was clear—his usual charm and refined demeanor, which had so often captivated others, had no effect on her whatsoever.
Even if he wished to prove himself superior, how could he possibly compare to Xiao Hua? That man was simply a monster in human skin—one he could never hope to surpass. In talent, accomplishments, status, appearance, and strength, Xiao Hua stood far above him on every front.
To make matters worse, Xiao Hua wasn't just a martial genius—he was also a high-tier alchemist. At such a young age, he had already stepped into the realm of eighth-tier alchemists, a feat even more impressive than reaching the Dou Zong class.
Even with all the pride he held, Lin Xiuya had no choice but to admit it: whether now or in the years to come, he simply could not compare.
His mind drifted to the memory of Xiao Yu's calm and aloof expression during their last meeting. Her noble detachment had made one thing painfully clear—there was no place for him in her heart.
All signs pointed to a single truth: he, Lin Xiuya, had not even the faintest chance.
"Ugh…" Lin Xiuya tilted his head back and let out a long, weary sigh. Then, under Yan Hao's stunned gaze, he shook his head vigorously before muttering a curse.
"Dammit… I never thought I'd say this, but I'm so damn jealous of Elder Xiao Hua. That fellow… he really has everything, doesn't he?"
…
Several days passed in calm, but as the sun rose once more over the Inner Academy, the stillness was broken, and the academy came alive with excitement.
Today marked the day when the top ten experts of the Strong Ranking would be granted entry into the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower—to receive the baptism of the Essence Heart Flame and temper their bodies through its flames.
Within the Inner Academy, everyone clearly understood what this opportunity meant. So long as one could endure the trial of refinement, it would all but ensure their path toward stepping into the Dou Wang class in the future.
It was a rare fortune—an encounter one could only dream of but never pursue directly—enough to stir envy in even the most composed hearts.
A great crowd had already gathered in the spacious area before the main entrance of the black tower. This ground, normally reserved for powerful factions, was now occupied by the elites of the academy. Only the top factions held the qualifications to gather here.
Naturally, such a gathering created quite the spectacle. The sight of so many powerful figures in one place stirred no small commotion and drew countless gazes. In fact, even before reaching the plaza, one could already hear the noise and feel the buzz that had turned the event into the academy's center of attention.
The crowd's gazes swept toward the group of just over twenty individuals standing behind Lin Xiuya, who stood beside Xiao Yu and the members of Chaos Gate.
"Is that Wolf Teeth—the faction Lin Xiuya personally founded? It may be small in number, but they're capable of contending with those ranked in the Strong Ranking..."
"Chaos Gate is even more frightening. From what I can see, most of their members could easily enter the top ten of the Strong Ranking if they truly wished to…"
"But just look at Lin Xiuya… that expression—he's the very image of a man trying to court a woman. Looks like the rumors were true; he's completely smitten with Xiao Yu."
Countless murmurs spread through the crowd as curious gazes lingered on the two factions standing side by side—Wolf Teeth and Chaos Gate. Yet the expressions on many faces grew subtly strange, as did the atmosphere itself.
And as those whispers reached the ears of the two groups, the mood became even more awkward.
Everyone was already aware of Lin Xiuya's interest in Xiao Yu—after all, he made no effort to hide it. However, the reason behind the strange expressions on many faces wasn't just the fact that he was smitten.
It was because his affection had seemingly blossomed after being defeated by Xiao Yu—a development that many found rather unusual.
Even the members of both Wolf Teeth and Chaos Gate were caught off guard. None of them had expected that this proud and handsome man—one who had always remained aloof despite being admired by countless female students—would fall for someone only after tasting defeat at her hands.
The two factions exchanged subtle glances, their eyes filled with confusion and an odd sense of awkwardness. From the looks in one another's eyes, it was clear: none of them could make sense of this unexpected shift.
Meanwhile, attention also turned toward another prominent group—Xiao Yan and the members of Pan's Gate. His reputation had soared in the aftermath of the Grand Competition, and it showed in the way others now regarded him.
Even though many of the leaders of elite factions were ranked within the top ten of the Strong Ranking, not a single one dared to show arrogance before Xiao Yan. No one treated him as a junior anymore. This was a young man who had pushed Liu Qing to the brink and left him seriously wounded.
Everyone present understood one thing with absolute clarity: had Xiao Yan and Liu Qing not ended their match in mutual injury, the two of them would have undoubtedly been the strongest contenders for the top three spots in the Strong Ranking.
Xiao Yan glanced at the growing crowd pressing in behind him and exhaled softly. Just over half a year ago, he too had stood among those on the outside—watching from a distance as the dominant factions claimed the best positions, envy stirring quietly in his heart. Who would have thought that now, the roles had reversed?
Still, what truly caught him off guard was the presence of elite members from Chaos Gate—faces he had never seen before, only heard of in whispers carried by the wind.
Yet, from the flow of their Dou Qi, he could immediately sense it: deep foundations, solid auras, and a level of strength that could rival even top ten, should they choose to fight.
'No wonder Liu Qing have always been cautious around Xiao Yu,' Xiao Yan mused inwardly. 'Even though she rarely reveals her strength, anyone capable of leading a faction like this… can't be underestimated.'
He felt a genuine sense of awe—and relief. Awe at the formidable strength hidden within Chaos Gate… and relief that they had not participated in the Strong Ranking. If they had, he might have been eliminated early on. Suffering a serious injury during such an encounter would've left him unable to continue in the later rounds.
"Hey, Liu Qing's here too."
Lin Xiuya's figure suddenly flickered beside Xiao Yan, settling casually next to him. He curled his lips and motioned in one direction as he spoke.
Having once again been coldly brushed off by Xiao Yu, he had chosen to abandon his fruitless efforts—at least for now—and wandered over to Xiao Yan instead.
Naturally, Xiao Yan understood the unspoken reason behind Lin Xiuya's sudden appearance beside him, yet he chose not to expose it.
He regarded Lin Xiuya as a friend, and although he had been surprised to learn that the handsome young man had fallen so deeply for Xiao Yu, he saw no reason to interfere—matters of the heart were best left to those involved.
However, the content of Lin Xiuya's words did catch Xiao Yan slightly off guard. His gaze shifted in the direction indicated, and sure enough, a disturbance was rippling through the crowd.
A moment later, a group of individuals exuding an oppressive aura forcefully made their way through the gathered spectators, heading straight toward the entrance of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
At the head of this group was Liu Qing, the Mountain Splitting Spear strapped to his back. Following closely behind were Liu Fei, Yao Sheng, and a contingent of sturdy figures—men whose builds and auras were impressive. While they were clearly stronger than the average Inner Academy student and could rival the members of Lin Xiuya's Wolf Teeth, they were still a step behind the hidden elites of Chaos Gate.
Sensing the weight of a gaze upon him, Liu Qing turned his head slightly—his sharp eyes meeting those of the black-robed youth standing at the front of Pan's Gate's members.
Four eyes locked across the open space. Liu Qing's steps began to slow.
As one of the focal points of the gathering, every movement he made drew the attention of the crowd. And so, following his line of sight, countless gazes gradually shifted—one by one—until they all fell upon Xiao Yan once more.
The surrounding chatter quickly died down the moment the crowd witnessed the two figures who could only be described with the phrase: enemies are destined to cross paths often.
Under the weight of countless gazes, Liu Qing hesitated briefly. But after a moment, he led his group steadily in the direction where Xiao Yan and the members of Pan's Gate stood.
The atmosphere behind Xiao Yan instantly grew tense. The members of Pan's Gate straightened their backs, their expressions hardening with hostility. Some even reached for their weapons, their gazes sharp and alert as they stared down Liu Qing's approaching faction.
This sudden escalation caused the surrounding spectators to fall into complete silence. All eyes were now fixed on the two factions—an encounter that felt like it could erupt into a large-scale clash at any moment.
Liu Qing came to a halt roughly ten meters away from Xiao Yan's group. With a wave of his hand, the overbearing men behind him stopped in unison. The synchronized sound of their heavy footsteps striking the ground rang out like a muffled thunderclap, exuding a powerful and oppressive aura.
Liu Qing approached with Liu Fei and Yao Sheng in tow, coming to a slow stop before Xiao Yan. His gaze locked onto the young man's calm, smiling face. After a brief silence, he spoke in a deep, steady voice, "That was truly a remarkable battle. It seems Elder Xiao Hua's judgment wasn't mistaken after all."
Xiao Yan returned the gaze with a polite smile and cupped his hands. "Indeed, it was a worthy exchange. As for Brother Xiao Hua… he merely took notice because of my unique condition at the time."
"Whatever the reason, you've proven yourself worthy of his attention." Liu Qing shook his head slightly, then his gaze sharpened, his voice carrying a faint trace of heat. "Still, it seems I now have one more rival to contend with. That's a good thing. If the opportunity arises, I'll seek you out for a proper spar."
Without waiting for a reply, Liu Qing turned around and led his group to a nearby open space, where they quietly took their seats to await the opening of the tower's entrance.
Watching the broad back of Liu Qing as he departed, Xiao Yan could only shake his head in mild exasperation. 'This fellow really is persistent… and troublesome.'
Not long after Liu Qing and his group settled in, more individuals began to arrive, filling the area with murmurs of anticipation. Finally, after nearly half an hour, the sharp sound of wind splitting through the air echoed from above. A few elderly figures descended from the sky and landed before the tower's entrance.
At the forefront of the group stood none other than the First Elder—Su Qian.
Su Qian's gaze swept across the gathered students, pausing briefly on Xiao Yan with a deep, unreadable look before shifting back to the crowd. A faint chuckle escaped his lips.
"Ke ke, it seems everyone is here. In that case, there's no need for unnecessary words."
With that, he waved his hand lightly. The massive door of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower let out a low, ancient creak as it slowly opened.
"The eleven individuals within the top ten of the Strong Ranking are to follow me in. No one else is permitted to enter today. Should anyone attempt to force their way in… you can forget about entering this place for the next half year."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a weight that caused many students' expressions to stiffen and their necks to shrink slightly from fear of invoking his displeasure. Without paying further attention to the crowd's reaction, Su Qian turned and strode into the tower.
Xiao Yan was the first to rise. His expression calm, he stepped forward and followed Su Qian into the depths of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower—under the envious, and somewhat awestruck, gazes of the surrounding students.
"After you refine the Essence Flame, we shall guide you to the reward that Xiao Hua left behind—your promised gift for passing the trial he set for you."
As he moved toward the black tower, Xiao Yan received a spiritual transmission from Su Qian. Upon hearing it, his hands involuntarily clenched beneath his sleeves. Of all things, this was what he had been looking forward to the most.
According to Yao Lao, once he obtained the Fallen Heart Flame, stepping into the Dou Huang class would no longer be a distant dream.
Although devouring the Ten Thousand Beast Flame would have already been enough to push him into the Dou Wang realm, the Earth Spirit Body Nourishment Pill he had refined had tempered his body to a degree where his advancement now required an even more immense amount of energy.
Yet precisely because of this, his physical strength had reached an astonishing level. If Liu Qing hadn't gained benefits from Xiao Hua and had instead followed a conventional cultivation path, Xiao Yan was confident the former would be no match for him in terms of sheer physical might.
Regardless, with such power—coupled with three types of Heavenly Flames—he would finally possess the qualifications to challenge Yun Shan and repay the Xiao Clan's blood debt in full!
"Brother Xiao Hua… I wonder how you are faring."
As thoughts of vengeance against Yun Shan surfaced in his heart, Xiao Yan's mind inevitably shifted to Xiao Hua.
He recalled the contents of the letter from Ya Fei—how Xiao Hua had single-handedly defeated numerous experts from the Hall of Souls, including even a Dou Sheng.
While the achievement was astounding, the news that Xiao Hua was in critical condition after the battle weighed heavily on him.
After a brief discussion with Yao Lao, he had come to understand that Xiao Hua might have already encountered the Hall of Souls' experts in the Tager Desert. It was even likely that he had gone ahead to the Central Plains in an effort to shield the Xiao Clan from an impending calamity.
Yet, no matter how well one planned, things rarely allowed things to go as one wished…
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