At the same time, five teams dressed in white sat atop a pile of rocks, while many onlookers gathered in other parts of the area.
"I heard the new students in this Fire Energy Hunting Competition are extremely arrogant; some even dared to snatch Fire Energy from the older students."
"Their team has already defeated several older student teams. The Black Fiends Team has gone in as well… I wonder if they've met."
The crowd buzzed with laughter and chatter. New students resisting older ones had been unheard of for years, drawing the attention of many Inner Academy students.
On a high platform beside the rocks, six or seven figures were seated. Elder Su and Elder Qing, whom Xiao Jietian had seen at the main gate, sat in the front.
"The Black Fiends Team has been defeated."
Elder Su's voice rang out slowly. Though not loud, it carried clearly to everyone present.
Both the onlookers and the five-person teams were stunned. Could new students really be this strong?
"Elder Su… was it that rebellious team?"
A fair-skinned youth from one of the five-person teams opened his eyes, a hint of seriousness crossing his face.
"No," Elder Su said. "They were killed outright—instantly defeated by a single person, without the slightest chance to resist."
The fair-skinned youth leapt to his feet, shock replacing his previous indifference.
The others were equally stunned.
One new student. One person. Instant kill. An older student.
It was impossible to comprehend when put together.
The two Elders, however, paid them no further attention. Elder Qing spoke quietly to Elder Su.
"I can't see through Xiao Jietian's strength entirely, but he must be at Dou Ling (Spirit Fighter) level. He killed Sha Tie, who was at the peak of Da Dou Shi, instantly. He's not just someone who recently broke through; his power is considerable."
"Then… is there any point in continuing this competition?"
Elder Su furrowed his brows. "That little fellow and his team are already aware of the White Fiends Team's existence. Cancelling the competition isn't an option; it would only make the new students think the older ones are cowards."
"It must be that old Hu Gan's trick. He didn't even report such critical information to us."
"Moreover, there's no need to stop it. Xiao Jietian's strength is his fortune, not something for us to deny him. The current older students have grown arrogant, looking down on others. It's about time someone showed them there's always someone stronger."
"Anyway, no one will die in this competition, and Xiao Jietian acts with restraint. I'll also report his actions to the Grand Elder."
Elder Qing nodded silently in agreement.
Hu Gan: Me? I don't even know his cultivation either. I wrote in the report that he instantly killed the former top three of the Outer Academy… but you didn't take it seriously.
Xiao Jietian and Xun'er perched on a large tree branch, quietly listening to the forest's calm heartbeat.
During this time, Xiao Jietian had encountered an older student team led by Leng Bai and gained a substantial amount of Fire Energy. He had also helped several new student teams recover their Fire Energy.
They had no idea that the news of their exploits had already caused a stir. Inner Academy students were rushing toward the scene, eager to watch. If an Elder hadn't intervened, half the Academy would have flooded into the forest.
Xiao Jietian allocated a portion of the Black Fiends Team's and Leng Bai Team's Fire Energy to Xun'er. He had intended to give her half, but Xun'er firmly refused.
"Tian Ge, what should we do next?" she asked.
"The other teams are weak. Let's leave them to Xiao Yan," he replied after a moment's thought.
The other eight teams were not only difficult to locate but also poor in Fire Energy. Since he had already claimed the larger share, it was only fair to leave a little for his beloved younger brother.
He now held a fortune in Fire Energy—more than many Inner Academy students could even dream of.
"Our final target is the White Fiends Team at the far end. They're the strongest and probably have even more Fire Energy."
Xiao Jietian toyed with his crystal card, eyes falling on the three-digit number displayed, a wide smile spreading across his face.
"Tian Ge, you're looking at your black crystal card and grinning so lewdly!" Xun'er complained, unable to hide her amusement.
But this Tian Ge seems even more charming… and exciting, she thought to herself.
Xiao Jietian suddenly remembered something and sat up straight.
"Xun'er, repeat what you just said."
She repeated the sentence as requested.
"Black crystal card… crystal card… oh, right."
Xiao Jietian's expression brightened. Luo Hou, captain of the White Fiends Team, had exchanged his blue crystal card for a cyan one some time ago. He was now utterly destitute.
"What's wrong, Tian Ge?" Xun'er asked, noticing his changing expression.
Xiao Jietian didn't hide it and explained briefly.
"Bad luck… we'll just earn a little less, that's all."
Elsewhere in the forest, after two days, Xiao Yan and his group rescued the new students. They had defeated the two strongest older student teams—aside from the Black and White Fiends—that had been encircling the newcomers.
After gathering valuable information and dividing the Fire Energy, the Black Fiends Team—who had been stalking unsuspecting prey—appeared before Xiao Yan and his group.
Bai Shan, using his cousin's name as an excuse, abandoned everyone and left the battlefield, earning the angry glares of Xiao Yan and the new students.
Having painstakingly defeated the Black Fiends Team, Xiao Yan's group prepared to enjoy the spoils of their efforts.
"How come you five only have this little Fire Energy?" Xiao Yan asked, staring at the crystal cards, his face blackening with disbelief.
Only pitifully small numbers were displayed. Although the Black Fiends Team had plundered a lot of Fire Energy while they were defeated by Xiao Jietian, compared with teams like Su Xiao's, it was a significant deficit.
"It… it happened like this… and like that," the Black Fiends Team stammered helplessly.
"You really had to provoke Tian Ge of all people," Xiao Yan muttered, shaking his head. He took their Fire Energy and tossed the crystal cards back to them.
Xiao Yan distributed all the recovered Fire Energy to the new students. Each regained what they had lost, and even gained an additional two days' worth of Fire Energy.
He also learned about the White Fiends Team from Sha Tie.
"Now that the Black Fiends Team is defeated, the only challenge left is the White Fiends Team at the end. They are the strongest, and the biggest obstacle remaining."
"If you win, the Fire Energy you hold can be brought into the Inner Academy. If you lose, it will only benefit the White Fiends Team."
Xiao Yan turned to the assembled new student teams.
"We only have one life. Let's give it everything and fight! There are so many of us, and only five of them."
The new students gripped their recovered crystal cards tightly. Naturally, they were unwilling to hand them over, especially after learning how vital Fire Energy was.
"Since no one is giving up, then we must gather all our strength and face them."
"I'll also help with your injuries so you can fight at full strength."
Xiao Yan planned to refine a batch of healing medicines overnight, ensuring everyone could recover fully.