Inner Courtyard Selection Competition

After separating the Spirit Receptacle from the storage stone and putting it away in a jade bottle, Xu Haoyu let out a long breath.

He then looked at the remaining fist-sized piece of High-Level Storage Stone. Even without the Spirit Receptacle inside, High-Level Storage Stone was still a treasure. When he had the chance, he would ask someone to forge it into a high-level Storage Ring.

Already thoroughly satisfied, Xu Haoyu chuckled as he took out another Extraterrestrial Meteorite he had picked up for a bargain. This round, head-sized stone was riddled with pits across its surface, yet it was extraordinarily hard. Perhaps its origins truly were remarkable, but if it could not be forged into a weapon, it would be of no use at all.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Haoyu willed the white energy in his dantian to flow through his meridians and into his palm. As he raised his hand, white flames ignited out of thin air.

After all, these flames came from the peak sixth-tier magical beast, the Blazing Heavenly Flame Tiger. If they could melt the Extraterrestrial Meteorite, then it might be possible to forge it into a weapon. If it truly could not be melted, then he could only leave it in his Storage Ring to gather dust for now.

Whoosh!

Xu Haoyu's gaze sharpened, and the white flames in his hand suddenly surged. Pill Fire Technique—turning fire into form. The white flames wrapped around the Extraterrestrial Meteorite, then shifted several times before transforming into a white furnace.

Xu Haoyu kept all of the flames' scorching heat contained within the furnace, without allowing even a trace to leak out. This was the terrifying level of his current fire-control ability.

Inside the furnace, white flames blazed fiercely, rapidly driving up the temperature and violently roasting the Extraterrestrial Meteorite.

Xu Haoyu's eyes remained fixed on the Extraterrestrial Meteorite, missing not the slightest change on its surface as he waited to see whether the stone could melt.

Yet what disappointed Xu Haoyu was that even after his powerful Beast Flame, taken from the peak sixth-tier Blazing Heavenly Flame Tiger, had refined the Extraterrestrial Meteorite for half an hour, he could not detect the slightest change in it.

Hmm?!

Suddenly, Xu Haoyu felt that something was off. During the refinement process, the Extraterrestrial Meteorite's exterior had not changed at all, yet his battle qi seemed to be draining a little faster.

Could it be...

Xu Haoyu began to sense carefully. Rather than deliberately focusing on the Extraterrestrial Meteorite, he attentively monitored the depletion of his own battle qi. Soon, another half hour passed.

He finally discovered it. Xu Haoyu's eyes gleamed brightly. The Extraterrestrial Meteorite had not remained completely unchanged during the forging process—it had secretly been absorbing Xu Haoyu's flames. It was not absorbing battle qi, but fire itself.

What secret was hidden within this stone? It was incredibly hard, capable of resisting any battle qi attack, yet it could secretly absorb flame energy.

Xu Haoyu murmured softly, "An Extraterrestrial Meteorite comes from the depths of the void beyond the heavens. It isn't merely a meteorite—it is like an egg, and something must be hidden inside. Since it can absorb flame energy, perhaps once it reaches a certain point, it will naturally break out of its shell. Then I'll nourish it with flames regularly and see just what will emerge from you in the end."

Xu Haoyu made his decision. This Extraterrestrial Meteorite might be an enormous bargain he had stumbled upon. Over the following days, he nourished it with flames during the day, while restoring and cultivating his battle qi at night.

A few days passed, and the day of the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition arrived.

That morning, Xu Haoyu put on his academy uniform: a fitted white martial outfit. He stood tall and straight, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, his entire body radiating vigorous, upward-reaching youthful energy.

After breakfast, he first headed to the Alchemy Department. He had registered for this Inner Courtyard Selection Competition through the Alchemy Department, so naturally, he needed to meet up with Fire Elder before heading to Canaan Square to take part in the selection competition.

The weather was excellent that day. The sky was clear for miles, and the sunlight falling on people made them feel warm from the outside in. Occasional breezes swept away the summer heat, leaving everyone refreshed and invigorated.

More and more people gathered at Canaan Square until it became a sea of heads. With every person talking at once, the clamor merged into such a roar that it seemed capable of scattering even the clouds on the horizon.

The annual Inner Courtyard Selection Competition was a chance for the finest Outer Courtyard students to distinguish themselves. The top fifty would be allowed to enter the Inner Courtyard for further study, while the top five could enter the Treasure Pavilion to choose a treasure. To every student of Jia Nan Academy, it was something worth aspiring to.

These youthful young men and women regarded the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition as their best opportunity to display themselves. It was no exaggeration to say that those who performed exceptionally well could gain priority in choosing a partner.

Therefore, the competition for the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition was bound to be extremely fierce.

At this time, as a member of the Alchemy Department, Xu Haoyu followed behind Fire Elder into Canaan Square and took a seat in the area specifically designated for the Alchemy Department.

Before long, once every seat in the venue had been filled, Vice-Dean Hu Qian arrived at the center of the square with a group of elders and instructors serving as judges.

Hu Qian swept his sleeve, and a powerful wave of battle qi spread outward, swiftly covering the entire venue. Under the suppression of that aura, everyone revealed respectful expressions and obediently fell silent. The entire square immediately quieted.

Only then did Hu Qian smile and speak loudly. Carried by his battle qi, his voice reached every corner of the square.

"Students, our annual Inner Courtyard Selection Competition is about to officially begin. I believe everyone is already familiar with the rewards. The top fifty will enter the Inner Courtyard for further study, while the top five may enter the Treasure Pavilion to choose treasures."

"The competition will follow a round-based format determined by drawing lots. From the 248 students registered this year, the matches will continue until the final champion is selected."

"During the competition, friendship comes first and competition second. Stop when appropriate. Deliberately killing or crippling others is forbidden. Victory will be judged when one side voluntarily admits defeat, is knocked down and unable to rise, or falls outside the arena."

"I won't say any more. Our judges will now begin drawing lots. Whenever the names of two students are called, they are to proceed to the arena and prepare. The time limit is three minutes. Anyone who does not arrive in time and step onto the stage will be considered to have voluntarily forfeited..."

Vice-Dean Hu Qian went on and on, nearly putting everyone to sleep. Speeches from people in authority were always long-winded and tedious, yet they had no choice but to listen.

Only when he finally announced the beginning of the draw did everyone perk up. In particular, the 248 students participating in this year's Inner Courtyard Selection Competition pricked up their ears and listened intently for their names.

They only had three minutes. If they failed to take the stage in time, they would be deemed to have voluntarily forfeited.

Very soon, as the judges drew lots, the match list was announced:

"First round: Yang Xiaolong of Earth Rank Class One versus Sun Dingfu of Earth Rank Class Three."

"..."

"Seventh round: Liang Buping of Heaven Rank Class Two versus Xu Haoyu of the Alchemy Department."

"..."