Fire Energy Hunt Competition

Fire Energy Hunt Competition

"All right, enough nonsense. Although you have passed the Selection Tournament and earned the qualifications to enter the Inner Academy, it is not over yet..." Elder Su smiled and raised his hand. A large handful of pitch-black crystal chips appeared in his palm. With a casual toss, the chips shot out, then floated before everyone as if they had eyes. Seeing this, everyone reached out and took one.

The moment the crystal chips landed in their hands, Xiao Ling and the others immediately felt a strange warmth seep from them. Lowering their heads for a closer look, they discovered a transparent mirror-like surface on each chip, bearing a large red number: "Five"!

It was also Xiao Ling's first time holding one of the actual items. He studied it carefully, but unfortunately, he could not make out how it had been made.

"What does this mean?" Everyone looked at the red number in confusion. When they raised their eyes, however, they were startled to see that the young people standing behind the middle-aged man were staring greedily at the black crystal chips in their hands, their eyes filled with undisguised covetousness.

"Some things are troublesome to explain, and you will naturally understand in the future. But for now, you only need to know one thing: guard the crystal chip in your hand as carefully as your life. Once you enter the Inner Academy, you will understand just how important it is to you! Of course, just look at the eyes of these fellows, and you might understand a little." As he spoke, Elder Su pointed at the group of youths and smiled.

"Next, you need to enter the forest and successfully reach the Inner Academy at the end of it." Elder Su's finger remained pointed at the group as he said calmly, "While passing through this forest, be careful of them. According to the Inner Academy's rules, they may act freely within this forest. In other words, they can attack you."

"Remember, the number on your crystal chips holds immense temptation for them. Therefore, aside from killing, they will use every means possible to obtain the... Fire Energy on your chips. You will become very familiar with—and fond of—that term in the future. For now, you must either avoid them or defeat them. As long as you are not caught by them and reach the Inner Academy safely, you will receive the final reward. The earlier you arrive, the richer the reward."

Elder Su suddenly pointed toward the dark forest behind him. "This forest robbery is called the Fire Energy Hunt Competition by our Inner Academy..."

"Now, I announce that this year's Fire Energy Hunt Competition has officially begun! Students, begin your escape!"

Upon hearing that the Fire Energy Hunt Competition had officially begun, Xiao Ling and the others rose to their feet. After exchanging glances, they dashed into the forest, intending to lie in wait near the finish line.

The senior students did not step forward to stop them. They assumed the group intended to stick together and quickly make their way through. They had heard that several of them were High-level Great Dou Shi. Would it not be better to conserve their strength for bullying the weaker students who remained?

Within the dense forest, scattered sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting specks of light across the ground carpeted with fallen leaves and lending the woods a slightly dreamlike air.

Footsteps suddenly sounded through the quiet forest, drawing nearer from afar. A moment later, six figures slowly emerged.

Once their forms became fully visible, it was clear that the six were Xiao Ling, Lin Xiuyai, and the others.

After rushing forward for some distance, they spotted the end of the forest not far away.

Seeing this, they did not continue forward. Instead, they began pacing along the edge of the forest, waiting for the senior students to arrive.

Before long, five senior students dressed in white headed in their direction. Clearly, they intended to wait at the forest exit and ambush the new students for their Fire Energy.

As his Soul Perception spread out, Xiao Ling spotted those white-clad figures. He muttered inwardly, So this is the strongest White Fiend Squad. Since they have come right to us, we might as well deal with them directly.

Using Disguise to conceal his aura, Xiao Ling did not rashly charge forward alone. Instead, he gathered everyone together. When the White Fiend Squad relaxed their guard, Xiao Ling shouted, "Attack together!"

Hearing movement from the shadows, the five members of the White Fiend Squad had yet to react. As they looked around, clusters of fireballs came plummeting down upon them from the sky. The scorching heat instantly ignited the surrounding trees. Xiao Ling had used the Earth Grade Low-Level Dou Technique, Blazing Fire Meteor. Though this wide-area attack did not concentrate its power, it was excellent for blocking movement and clearing out lesser foes.

Several fireballs struck the White Fiend Squad members, but because they promptly summoned their Dou Qi Armor, they were not severely injured. That was especially true of their captain, who directly condensed a shield before himself. Being able to employ such a method, he had clearly reached the Dou Ling realm.

After a brief adjustment, the five White Fiend Squad members stabilized their formation. Seeing Xiao Ling's group charging toward them, their captain, Lu Jin, whose cultivation had reached Dou Ling, spoke arrogantly. "You new students actually dare to ambush the strongest White Fiend Squad? You truly do not know your limits. Who are you? State your names at once!"

Seeing that this man did not take them seriously at all, Xiao Ling and the others were irritated. They were young—who was afraid of whom?

Xiao Ling called out, "Such shameless boasting. Come fight me one-on-one! Anyone defeated by me is unworthy of knowing my name."

Then he quietly told the others, "Lin Xiuyai and I will quickly deal with that Dou Ling first. Xun'er, go after the one with Wood Attribute Dou Qi. Just stall him for a while."

Everyone nodded at his words. Xiao Xun'er said confidently, "Don't worry, Brother Xiao Ling. Xun'er will not let you down."

Xiao Ling beckoned with one hand, and a long spear appeared in his grasp. Activating the movement Dou Technique Wind Chasing Steps, he surged before Lu Jin and swept his spear horizontally.

Seeing that a Da Dou Shi actually dared challenge him to a one-on-one fight, Lu Jin was greatly enraged. He intended to finish Xiao Ling in a single move, immediately slapping his palm toward the spear in an attempt to knock him flying. But the instant his palm collided with the shaft, he realized just how great the force was and involuntarily staggered back two steps. Before he could steady himself, Xiao Ling closed in and kicked him in the chest, sending his body flying. The damage was not high, but the control was already in place.

Seeing the opportunity, Lin Xiuyai used the Earth Grade Mid-Level Dou Technique, Gale Breath Severing Slash, appearing behind Lu Jin as though he had teleported. His sword slashed horizontally several times in succession, opening a crack in Lu Jin's Dou Qi Armor. Then, with a vertical slash, he smashed him heavily into the ground. Cracks spread across the earth like a spiderweb, showing just how terrifying the move's power was.

Before Lu Jin could recover, Xiao Ling arrived before him and used the Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique he had specially learned yesterday, Crimson Flame Seal. He struck Lu Jin's abdomen with his palm, sending a stream of fiery energy into his body and sealing off the paths through which his Dou Qi circulated.

When Lu Jin came to his senses, he had yet to understand what had happened before he discovered that the Dou Qi within his body could no longer be mobilized.

Only after seeing Xiao Ling and Lin Xiuyai before him did he realize he had been ambushed. He angrily demanded, "Didn't you say we were fighting one-on-one? Why did you call for help?"

Xiao Ling rolled his eyes at the fool and could not even be bothered to respond. With a flicker, he rushed toward the surrounding battlefield. Lin Xiuyai did the same.

Before long, all five members of the White Fiend Squad were defeated, their Dou Qi sealed as they were surrounded in a circle.

Seeing this, although Lu Jin was displeased, he could only say, "We lost. You may leave this forest."

Xiao Ling sneered and said, "Are you an idiot? Did I come here to pick fights for no reason? Hurry up and take out the Fire Crystal Cards from your Storage Rings, or I will show you what cruelty is."

Looking at that handsome, smiling face, Lu Jin felt a chill rise in his heart. This guy was terrifying. Sensing the coldness in Xiao Ling's words, Lu Jin was extremely unwilling, yet he did not dare delay. With a bitter expression, he took a pale green crystal card from his Storage Ring and handed it to Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling then turned his gaze toward the other four members and said in an unfriendly tone, "You too. Hand them over."

Seeing their captain hand over his Fire Crystal Card, the others also took out their own and passed them to Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling seized the cards in one hand, then began dividing the spoils before them, making the hearts of the White Fiend Squad members bleed.

After deducting every card down to the minimum of "seven days," Xiao Ling returned the Fire Crystal Cards to the White Fiend Squad members, lifted the seals, and led his companions away to seek out their next batch of prey.