Trials Before Entering the Inner Academy: Fire Energy Hunt Competition

With a single step, they crossed the silver main gate, and the scene before them suddenly seemed to change.

Though it was still an endless, lush forest, it was no longer the forest beyond the mountain stream that Bai Ge had seen before, but an unfamiliar forest.

At the entrance to the forest stood an old man. Beside him was a group of young people, each with a tower-shaped badge pinned to their chest.

Seeing Bai Ge and the others appear, all the young people revealed ill-intentioned smiles.

"Ha ha, Old Hu, long time no see. You're still as punctual as ever. Having you escort the new students really puts people at ease. So, how are this year's newcomers?"

Seeing Hu Gan, the waiting old man immediately came forward with a hearty laugh and exchanged pleasantries.

"Ah, don't mention it. Something went wrong this year."

Hu Gan shook his head with a bitter smile.

"What happened?"

The old man asked curiously.

"Wasn't the Inner Academy Selection Competition always conducted in rounds? This year, I changed the method for selecting the top five. As a result, one little fellow was too formidable and eliminated three seeded contestants who should have made the top five ahead of time. So, the overall quality of this year's top five has declined somewhat."

Hu Gan explained with a bitter smile.

"No way, the gap was that big? Which little fellow was so impressive?"

Hearing Hu Gan's words, the old man could not help asking curiously.

"Xiao Bai, come over here."

Hu Gan turned around and beckoned Bai Ge over with a smile.

Once Bai Ge approached, Hu Gan pointed at the old man and introduced him. "This is Su Qian of the Inner Academy, Elder Su. If you run into any problems in the Inner