In the inner courtyard of Canaan Academy, the ancient Burning Heaven Refining Qi Tower, which had stood at its center for centuries, was removed due to previous upheavals and the disappearance of the Fallen Heart Flame.
A new, tall, silver-white building has now been erected on the site of the tower, appearing far more refined and magnificent than the previous dark and ancient structure.
However, unlike the tower's immense function, this silver-white building is used merely as ordinary living quarters, as the once bustling center of the inner courtyard is now considerably quieter.
Not far from this building is a vast plaza, also located in the heart of Canaan Academy. Five battle arenas are arranged in order within the plaza.
At this moment, the plaza is filled with countless heads, the bustling crowd spreading out with a cacophony of voices, finally converging into a single surge that soars into the sky.
On each of the five battle platforms, two figures faced off, their powerful auras and burning fighting spirit clashing and resisting each other.
Beside the plaza stood a tall grandstand, where a dozen or so elderly men sat cross-legged, observing the students below and whispering amongst themselves. Judging from the powerful aura emanating from them and their standard white robes, they were clearly elders of the Canaan Academy's inner court. Above
these discussing elders sat a man with slightly graying hair, a robust face, but a somewhat haggard expression. This was none other than Su Qian, the Inner Court's Grand Elder, whose spirits had been low and melancholic since Hun Changqing had taken Zi Yan away.
Su Qian's gaze was fixed on the students on the battle platforms below, but his eyes were vacant and lifeless. Clearly, his thoughts had drifted far away, his attention not on the crucial "Strong Ranking" competition below, which represented the allocation of resources within the inner academy.
At this moment, no one knew that their inner academy's Grand Elder was lost in thought, their attention focused entirely on the five battle platforms in the plaza.
Of these five platforms, the most eye-catching was the one on the far right. A figure clad in a blood-red robe emanated from him, a strong, pungent stench of blood spreading from him, sending a chill down the spines of the students watching from nearby.
"Isn't that Wu Hao from the Enforcement Team?"
"That's right, this is Wu Hao, the adopted son of Wu Gulang, the captain of the Enforcement Team. I heard that he's been fighting those vicious thugs in the Black Corner Region for the past two years, killing no fewer than two hundred people from the Black Corner Region. He has a great reputation within the Enforcement Team."
Upon hearing Wu Hao's achievements, everyone present gasped. They all knew how ruthless and chaotic the people in the Black Corner Region were. How could they not be shocked that Wu Hao had killed so many ruthless and terrifying people in just two years?
"I heard that this time, the captain of the Enforcement Team asked Wu Hao to temporarily leave the team and come to the inner courtyard to compete for a place on the Strongest Ranking, so that he can grow even further."
Someone added.
However, some people questioned this.
"But Wu Hao only seems to be at the first level of the Dou Ling realm, while everyone on the strong ranking is at least at the fourth level. How can he possibly compete with them?"
"I don't know, but he must have his reasons for competing. He must have some tricks up his sleeve to kill so many people from the Black Corner Region. Let's wait and see."
Everyone agreed with this analysis and nodded in agreement. They then focused their attention on the stands where the fierce battle had already begun, wanting to see what special methods Wu Hao possessed.
However, to their disappointment, since this was only the beginning, Wu Hao's opponents were not very strong. They didn't even have time to see Wu Hao's fast-moving figure before being punched off the fighting platform, blood gushing from his mouth. If he hadn't been unable to kill, given his years of habitual killing, it was uncertain whether this student would have survived.
As time went on, Wu Hao encountered several more opponents, but they were all of average strength, and he easily defeated them all.
However, when the new round of battle began, his good luck seemed to have ended. The person who appeared opposite him made Wu Hao
's expression change drastically. The immense pressure emanating from that person made Wu Hao's body suddenly sink, and beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. It wasn't hard to imagine the pressure Wu Hao was enduring at that moment. Wu Hao's eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at the handsome, indifferent man opposite him. He spoke with some difficulty,
"Peak of Dou Ling! Third on the Strong Ranking, oh no, now number one, Lin Xiuya!"
Hearing Wu Hao call out his name, Lin Xiuya's expression remained completely calm, without the slightest change in expression. He simply said coldly,
"Since you recognize me, then admit defeat. With your strength, apart from those two people, no one in the inner courtyard can match me." Upon hearing Lin Xiuya mention the two people, the crowd below the stage wore strange expressions. They knew, of course, who Lin Xiuya was referring to. One was Zi Yan, needless to say.
The other was Xiao Yan, the sect leader of Panmen, who had only been at Canaan Academy for a few months, yet had fought his way up from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard, relentlessly challenging the top experts on the ranking list and rising to second place!
Unfortunately, in the earth-shattering turmoil a few days ago, both of them disappeared without a trace, leaving many to lament the untimely deaths of these two seemingly tragic geniuses.
Hearing Lin Xiuyai's cold, emotionless words, Wu Hao felt a sense of humiliation at being looked down upon, his face darkening. He snorted and said,
"You're strong, but surrendering without a fight isn't my style. Let me see just how strong you really are!"
With a roar, Wu Hao's fierce eyes were filled with killing intent, and a thick aura of bloodlust enveloped Lin Xiuyai. A blood-red heavy sword suddenly appeared in his hand, and he transformed into a blood-red shadow, shooting towards Lin Xiuyai.
Even with Lin Xiuyai's immense strength, he was slightly shocked by the sudden burst of bloodlust from Wu Hao. A hint of surprise appeared on his usually calm face.
Lin Xiuyai knew that such a dense aura of bloodlust couldn't be condensed by killing a dozen or twenty people; this man had at least a hundred lives on his hands!
Lin Xiuya quickly regained his composure. Although the blood energy had surprised him considerably, it wasn't true strength. The difference in their actual strength was too great to be compensated for by blood energy that could only be used to intimidate.
Lin Xiuya coldly stared at Wu Hao, who was charging towards him. A sharp glint flashed in his indifferent eyes as he rapidly formed hand seals. Powerful gusts of wind swirled around him, their howling and terrifying force terrifying.
Then, Lin Xiuya slammed his palm down towards Wu Hao. The gusts of wind around him swept towards Wu Hao with the force of his palm strike.
"Advanced Xuan-rank Battle Skill - Wind-Shattering Palm!"
As the gusts of wind swept in, Wu Hao, who was charging forward, felt an immense impact force crashing into his body with unstoppable momentum. His bones creaked and groaned, and then he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Wu Hao was instantly blasted away by the powerful impact, falling off the battle platform.
After regaining his senses, Wu Hao, standing below the battle platform, was filled with disbelief. He hadn't expected the gap between the two sides to be so vast. Looking up at Lin Xiuya, whose expression was indifferent and nonchalant, Wu Hao's eyes were filled with resentment.
"Hehehe... I didn't expect it to be so lively here..."
Just as the elders above were about to announce the winner's name, a cold, hoarse, and sharp voice suddenly rang out from the sky. This piercing sound was like a sword scraping against glass, causing everyone present to feel a sharp pain in their eardrums.
As the voice faded, a thick black mist suddenly appeared in the sky, emanating an extremely cold and sinister aura. It immediately silenced the previously noisy square, leaving everyone breathless. They felt a bone-chilling cold rise from their spines and then spread throughout their bodies, chilling them to the bone!
As the black mist gradually dissipated, it revealed a figure in black robes and a black hat, exuding a cold and evil aura.
Beside this man was an alluring woman of extreme beauty. Even those who were terrified by the cold aura emanating from the black-robed man couldn't help but temporarily forget their fear, frequently glancing at her.
The black-robed man also carried a little girl with long, pale purple hair, incredibly cute, but with a sullen and pouty expression.
Seeing this bizarre combination, the crowd exchanged bewildered glances, wanting to discuss it but, for some reason, daring not to utter a sound, only secretly watching the figures in the sky.
Meanwhile, in the elders' seats on the battle platform, Su Qian, sitting in the main seat, abruptly stood up the moment this aura appeared, his eyes filled with resentment, anger, and deep fear.
Su Qian immediately rushed into the sky, arriving opposite the black-robed man, and saw Zi Yan being carried, his face extremely grim.
Upon seeing Su Qian's appearance, the man in black robes instantly revealed a sinister smile, exposing a set of gleaming white teeth, and let out a chilling laugh as he said to Su Qian,
"Hehehe... Elder Su Qian... Long time no see..."