Lin Yan took the paper, puzzled, wondering what scheme Xiao Bai was brewing.
But as he scanned its contents, his eyes widened, his face darkening. His trembling hand clutched the paper tightly.
Curious onlookers craned their necks, eager to glimpse what could rattle the inner academy's notorious troublemaker so deeply.
"No way! I, Lin Yan, would rather die than sign this!" His anguished roar echoed through the valley, stirring pity in all who heard. "You black-hearted demon king, this is a slave contract!"
"Heh, not signing? Then it's the tree for you!" Xiao Bai's eyes glinted dangerously, his smile sinister. "Don't worry, I'll pay you for tree-hanging duty—to offset your debt!"
"You're inhuman! Two points of Fire Energy a day? For eight hundred points? How long would I be up there?" Lin Yan's eyes bulged, his breath heavy with rage.
The crowd, initially curious, paled and backed away, terrified Xiao Bai might hand them a similar paper. That's too horrifying!
"You don't have to hang," Xiao Bai said, stroking his chin with a teasing smirk. "I gave you two other options, didn't I? Pretty generous of me, no?" Dare to play me? We'll see who's laughing.
Lin Yan gritted his teeth, a fleeting urge to take Xiao Bai down with him flaring up. The paper offered two alternatives: pay eight hundred points upfront or work for him.
Eight hundred points? He couldn't scrape that together if his life depended on it. Working for Xiao Bai seemed feasible—until he saw the terms: one point of Fire Energy per day. That's worse than the tree!
"Looks like you're choosing fame!" Xiao Bai nodded thoughtfully, standing and stretching. "Makes sense—it pays better."
"Wait!" Lin Yan panicked as Xiao Bai seemed ready to leave. He's not joking. If I end up on that tree… Shuddering at the thought, he scribbled on the paper and blurted, "I'll take option three!"
"Eh, on second thought, one point a day is a bit harsh," Xiao Bai said, shaking his head. As Lin Yan hoped for a reprieve, Xiao Bai added, "Let's go with the tree."
"Let's duel, demon king!" Lin Yan grabbed his axe, ready to fight to the death.
"Haha!" Xiao Bai laughed, pocketing the signed contract under Lin Yan's resentful glare. "Get ready to work off that debt, laborer!"
Lin Yan rolled his eyes. If I could beat him, this vile guy would be done for!
Above the valley, Elders Su and Han exchanged bewildered looks. We've overseen countless Fire Energy Hunts, but this is the weirdest yet. Seniors robbed, and those short on Fire Energy forced to sign IOUs? What kind of move is this?
"Old Su, you called Liu Qing and Lin Yan here, didn't you?" Elder Han asked, his expression odd.
"Uh…" Elder Su's gaze darted away. How was I supposed to predict this? If Lin Yan comes asking for reimbursement—eight hundred points, plus Liu Qing's share, that's sixteen hundred. Ouch! He glanced at the great elder ahead.
Elder Su Qian, a Dou Zong, was well aware of the commotion. Waving a hand, he said, "Don't worry about it. Eight hundred points is steep, but tying himself to a fifth-grade alchemist? Lin Yan's getting a steal."
"Fifth-grade alchemist? Xiao Bai?" The two elders gaped at the black-robed figure below, stunned. He's a fifth-grade alchemist at eighteen?
A fifth-grade alchemist could be a guest of honor for Dou Wangs, even some Dou Huangs!
"No wonder his soul force is so potent," Elder Su muttered.
"Exactly! Who'd guess this kid's such a prodigy? No wonder Hu Qian didn't brag like usual—it wasn't necessary!" Elder Han's lips twitched.
They exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming. Eight hundred points? That's not much… But as elders, should they show some restraint?
___
Near the forest's exit, a group of seniors spotted the swirling vortex of the portal ahead. Overjoyed, they sprinted toward it.
Reaching the exit, they collapsed, wiping sweat from their brows and sighing in relief.
"I'm never joining this Fire Energy Hunt again. Too damn terrifying!"
"Tell me about it! Thought we'd flex on the freshmen and grab some Fire Energy. Who knew we'd face that demon king? What rotten luck!"
"Let's get out of here. If that demon king shows up, we've run for nothing!"
"Relax, we're at the exit! What, you think he'll pop out of the portal? No way!"
As they bickered, a playful voice echoed from the vortex.
"Heh, my lord can't come through the portal, but this dragon can!"
"Who's that?"
The sprawled seniors leaped up, eyeing the portal warily.
A flash of golden light burst forth. To their stunned gazes, a legendary creature appeared, claws crossed, hovering vividly before them.
"D-dragon…"
"A real dragon!"
After a shocked pause, someone whispered, "Wait… did you hear what it said? 'My lord'?"
"It has a master? Who?"
"We were just talking about—"
"Demon king Xiao Bai!" they gasped in unison, incredulous.
"Correct!" The little golden dragon flicked its tail, baring a toothy grin. "By my lord's command: hand over your Fire Energy!"
The seniors stared at the foot-long dragon, feeling surreal. Us, robbed by a mythical dragon? What an honor!
"Hurry up! This dragon's patience is thin!" The little golden dragon scowled, waving a claw. "Line up and hand over your Fire Energy cards one by one. No tricks, or else—"
Golden lightning crackled across its body.
Bang!
A nearby boulder shattered. The seniors' eyes twitched. One hit like that, and we're done for.
Those tempted to challenge the tiny dragon reconsidered. Can't afford to mess with it!
When Xiao Bai arrived at the portal with his group, he found the little golden dragon lounging on a boulder, idly sorting a pile of crystal cards. Below, a line of seniors stood obediently, still as statues.
Spotting Xiao Bai, the dragon zipped to him, proudly presenting the cards.
Xiao Bai scanned them. The haul matched half the previous seniors—over seven hundred points, averaging twenty to thirty per person.
After transferring the Fire Energy, he nodded, pleased with the total: 3125.
"What… what's that?" Lin Yan, snapping out of his daze, stammered, pointing at the dragon.
"Never seen a dragon as dashing as me?" The little golden dragon shot him a haughty glance.
"It… it talks?"
Lin Yan's words earned him pitying looks from Xiao Bai and the dragon. Blushing despite his thick skin, he coughed. "Just… just asking!"
The crowd gawked at the dragon, awestruck. A creature from legend, right before us!
Liu Qing approached, his expression grave. "I know we're not close, but a word of caution: don't reveal it outside until you're strong enough. It could bring danger."
"Thanks for the heads-up, but it's fine," Xiao Bai said with a smile, waving it off.
The little golden dragon couldn't be hidden—it was sentient, not an object. Xiao Bai had no intention of caging it. If anyone dared target it, they'd need the strength to back it up.
If the dragon strayed too far from him, it could summon something. That presence, beyond the northwest continent, was unmatched in Zhongzhou, save for the ancient eight clans. Few could withstand it.
If Xiao Bai disregarded the dragon's safety, it was a trump card. Toss it at an enemy, and it'd be a devastating weapon. Most Zhongzhou factions, except perhaps the Pill Tower or Soul Hall, would be wiped out. Who dares touch it dies!
"Fair enough. My business here's done. I'm heading back," Liu Qing said, respecting Xiao Bai's confidence.
Just then, an elderly figure appeared.
"The Fire Energy Hunt is over!" Elder Su's aged voice rang out, prompting sighs of relief from freshmen and seniors alike.
"Due to… unexpected events in this Hunt, after discussion with Elder Han, all participating freshmen will receive ten Fire Energy points. Those led by Xiao Bai get twenty. Tu Shan and Xu Su, thirty each. Xun Er and Xiao Yi Xian, for reaching the exit in the top three, receive 'Green Fire Crystal Cards' and thirty days of Fire Energy!"
"As for Xiao Bai, for outstanding performance, a Red Fire Crystal Card and one hundred days of Fire Energy!"
The crowd erupted in murmurs, envious gazes fixed on Xiao Bai. Many seniors grumbled inwardly. He's already filthy rich, and the academy piles on more? Unfair!
A Red Fire Card—the highest rank students could achieve! The purple card was elder-exclusive. Many graduated after five years without ever touching a red one.
Noticing the freshmen's confusion, Elder Su explained, "In the inner academy, Fire Crystal Cards come in five colors: black, blue, green, red, and purple. Black, the lowest, grants access to the Heaven-Burning Qi Refining Tower's first and second floors; blue, third and fourth; and so on."
"To upgrade, you trade Fire Energy: one hundred days for black to blue, two hundred for blue to green, doubling each step."
With a flick of his hand, three cards appeared—one red, two green. He sent them floating to Xiao Bai, Xun Er, and Xiao Yi Xian. "Your rewards are inside. Transfer your black card's Fire Energy and return the empty ones."
The trio complied, handing back their drained black cards.
"Done!" Elder Su pocketed the cards, ignoring a pair of resentful eyes, and smiled. "You've passed the Fire Energy Hunt. Follow me to the inner academy!"
Stepping through the portal, Xiao Bai and the others emerged on a hillside.
"Is this the inner academy?" the freshmen murmured, awestruck by the sight below.
A vast, sunken basin sprawled before them, as if carved by a colossal meteor. Towering buildings dotted the landscape, and tiny black figures darted between them like fleas. Beyond, lush greenery stretched endlessly, the basin's edge out of sight.
Who'd imagine such a marvel hidden in the mountains behind the outer academy?
"Welcome, young ones, to the heart of Jia Nan Academy: the inner academy!" Elder Su beamed at their stunned expressions, savoring the moment as he did every year.
Is what I need here? Xiao Bai gazed at the inner academy, anticipation in his eyes. His reasons for coming to Jia Nan Academy were threefold: Mang Qian Chi, Zi Yan, and the Heavenly Flame Venerable underground.
Zi Yan and the Heavenly Flame were certain, but whether Mang Qian Chi cultivated here, Xiao Bai wasn't sure. As for the Heaven-Burning Qi Refining Tower and its Fallen Heart Flame, coveted by others, Xiao Bai was indifferent. It's of little use to me.
With four thunder seeds in his body, his Dou Qi was constantly refined. Robbing Fire Energy was incidental—seniors would've targeted him anyway. Plus, building a faction required startup funds. Otherwise, I'd have taken Xun Er and Xian Er straight to the exit. Why bother with all this?
"Xiao Bai gege, let's go!" Xun Er tugged his hand, her smile radiant.
"Alright!" Xiao Bai glanced around, noting only the three of them remained. With the two girls, he joined the boisterous group ahead, charging down like a swarm of excited locusts.
"By the way, Xiao Bai gege, what contract did you make Lin Yan sign? Planning to recruit him?" Xun Er asked, curious.
"Mm. He's unaffiliated, strong for the inner academy, and though a bit lazy, he's got a good reputation," Xiao Bai nodded. In the original story, Lin Yan was bold and loyal. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother, let alone offer a contract. Think just anyone qualifies for one of mine?
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