Fire Energy Hunt Competition

Amid the vast sea of clouds, a squad of Griffins flew in from afar. It was Liu Xi and the others, who were about to head to the Inner Court.

As the Griffins flew, countless Magical Beasts in the forests below roared in fury after being disturbed. Yet under the intimidating auras of Hu Gan and the three elders, not a single Magical Beast dared to rush over and cause trouble.

However, that was not entirely the case. Magical Beasts were everywhere in these endless mountains, densely packed, and among them were no lack of terrifyingly powerful existences.

Thus, about half an hour after the flying party entered Jia Nan Academy's back mountains, some powerful Magical Beasts began disregarding the oppressive auras of Hu Gan and the other three, forcefully charging at the Griffins.

At that moment, Hu Gan and the three elders displayed their astonishing strength. With a casual wave of their hands, vast Dou Qi energy flashed across the sky like lightning.

Liu Xi and the others only heard a muffled boom before those enormous Magical Beasts exploded into a rain of blood that scattered downward.

Throughout the journey, all kinds of vicious Magical Beasts surged forward one after another, yet not a single one managed to break through the blockade formed by Hu Gan and the other three.

Standing atop a Griffin, Liu Xi gazed enviously at Hu Gan and the three elders. A casual attack from them could kill Magical Beasts whose auras were no weaker than his own, reducing them to bloody mist with the slightest movement. Such power was truly enviable.

Any one of these Magical Beasts would take some effort to deal with, even if I wasn't afraid of it. But they couldn't even withstand a single blow from the Vice Principal. At that level of attack, I'd probably be finished if I took one head-on. I need to keep a low profile from now on. If I run into an expert of that level, I'll leave behind an illusion with the Illusion Technique and run immediately. Watching another cloud of blood explode roughly fifty meters from the formation, Liu Xi's slightly inflated confidence from growing stronger gradually calmed.

Liu Xi consoled himself inwardly. I'm someone who intends to accomplish great things. I have to stay steady. If I get reckless, I'm done for.

When the group had flown over the boundless mountain range earlier, Liu Xi's exceptional soul perception had clearly sensed the auras of fifth-tier Magical Beasts below, hidden within the dense forest—Magical Beasts comparable to human Dou Wang experts.

However, Magical Beasts at that level possessed intelligence no weaker than humans. Naturally, they could see Hu Gan and the others' strength. For that reason, unlike the weaker Magical Beasts, they did not attack purely on hunting instinct.

Fortunately, those high-tier Magical Beasts knew how to weigh the gains and losses. Otherwise, even with four Dou Emperor experts escorting them, they likely would not have reached their destination intact.

They flew onward amid drifting blood mist. Hu Gan and the other three were like sharp awls, forcibly tearing open a safe passage. The strength of Dou Emperor experts was truly formidable.

After charging through the mountains for nearly an hour, the Griffins finally began slowing down. When they landed in an open space, Liu Xi and the others looked around. Yet as far as their eyes could see, aside from the vast mountain valley beneath their feet, there was nothing but endless forest.

It seems the Inner Court is hidden within some sort of concealed space. Our Dean's methods are truly unfathomable. Hehe, Inner Court, here I come. Liu Xi thought to himself.

Liu Xi knew what was going on, but the others did not. Most of them looked at Hu Gan with puzzled expressions.

"The Inner Court isn't so easy to enter," Hu Gan said with a faint smile as he looked at their confused faces.

Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, he walked forward about ten steps and stopped. With a wave of his palm, a streak of energy shot from his hand toward a space ahead. Then a strange scene unfolded. As the energy passed through an apparently empty patch of space, ripples like water spread outward. The ripples trembled violently, and at last, a pale gate seven or eight zhang tall appeared out of thin air!

Liu Xi was not surprised by the strange silver gate that had appeared. Still, such spatial methods made his heart burn even hotter with longing for truly powerful experts.

Under everyone's gaze, the silver gate slowly opened with a clear, crisp sound.

"Follow me." Hu Gan waved his hand and took the lead into the silver gate. Behind him, the fifty students followed with excited expressions.

After everyone, including the ten Griffins, had entered the silver gate, it slowly closed. A ring of energy ripples spread outward, and the gate gradually faded until it vanished completely. The area returned to being an ordinary forest.

The moment Liu Xi stepped through the silver gate, his mind went hazy. Startled, he hurriedly gathered his thoughts. Once he recovered, he saw dozens of figures standing ahead. Sweeping his gaze over them, he saw that each wore a badge on their chest engraved with what seemed to be the emblem of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower.

"Hahaha, Old Hu, you're finally here. How are this year's students?" One of the two old men standing before the crowd looked at the large group that had arrived and smilingly called out to Hu Gan.

"They're a little better than last year's," Hu Gan said with a smile. "So it's you two old fellows on duty this year."

"You five, come here." Hu Gan turned and beckoned to Liu Xi and the other four. Once they stood behind him, he pointed to the two old men and said, "These two are elders of the Inner Court. This is Elder Su, and the other is Elder Qing. If you have any problems in the Inner Court in the future, you can seek them out."

"Hehe, these five little fellows are quite good, aren't they?" Hu Gan naturally directed those words at the two elders.

"Not bad. To reach the top five in the selection competition at such an age is impressive indeed," Elder Su said approvingly as he looked at the five before him.

"Alright, enough nonsense. Although you've passed the selection competition and gained the qualifications to enter the Inner Court, it isn't over yet." Elder Su smiled and raised his hand. He took out a large handful of black crystal chips from his Storage Ring. With a casual toss, the chips shot out in streaks of light, then seemed to grow eyes as every streak flew toward a different person.

Looking at the crystal chip floating before him, Liu Xi reached out and caught it. The moment it landed in his hand, he felt a strange heat seep out from it. Lowering his head, he examined its transparent surface carefully and saw a large red number printed on it: "Five!"

I've always been curious about how these crystal chips are made. Not only can they display the Fire Energy used for cultivation in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, but when two chips touch, they can transfer Fire Energy. They practically scream technology! Perhaps Dou Qi Continent once had a profession of artifact refiners, but it declined after no one inherited it. Liu Xi stared at the red number with a face full of curiosity.

Then Liu Xi looked up and saw the group of young people behind Elders Su and Qing staring fervently at the black crystal chips in their hands. Their gazes held undisguised greed.

"Since this involves certain secrets of our Inner Court, explaining it would be rather troublesome. You will naturally understand in the future. For now, you only need to know one thing: protect the crystal chip in your hand as if it were your life. Once you enter the Inner Court, you will understand how important it is! Of course, perhaps you'll understand a little just by looking at the way these fellows are staring at you." As Elder Su spoke, he pointed at the group of young people and smiled.

Liu Xi casually tossed the crystal chip in his hand into the air. After catching it as it fell, he stored it in his Storage Ring. If I run into someone at the Dou Ling level or above, I'll need to deal with them carefully. But among Da Dou Shi, with my Illusion Technique and Crimson Flame, it remains to be seen who's robbing whom!

"Next, you must enter the forest and successfully reach the Inner Court at the other end." Elder Su's finger remained pointed at the group of young people as he said calmly, "However, while crossing this forest, you must beware of them robbing your crystal chips according to the Inner Court's rules. Within this forest, they may act freely. In other words, they are the final obstacle before you enter the Inner Court."

"Remember, the number on your crystal chips is an enormous temptation to them. Therefore, aside from killing, they will use every possible method to obtain the 'Fire Energy' on your chips. You will come to find that term familiar and lovable in the future. But for now, you must avoid them or defeat them. As long as you aren't caught and reach the Inner Court safely, you will receive a final reward. The earlier you arrive, the more generous the reward."

Elder Su suddenly pointed toward the dark forest behind him. "Our Inner Court calls these rules for seizing Fire Energy in the forest the 'Fire Energy Hunt Competition.'"

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

The moment Elder Su announced the start of the Fire Energy Hunt Competition, the Senior Students behind the two elders let out excited, strange laughter. Quite a few ill-tempered ones even made provocative gestures at Liu Xi and the others, while many new students glared back angrily.

"We'll be waiting for you in the forest!" someone among the Senior Students called out. The speaker held considerable authority among them. After speaking, he turned and headed into the forest, while the other Senior Students followed and left one after another.

The new students made arrangements with those they knew, then headed into the forest in small groups of three to five.

Liu Xi and the others, who had all placed in the top five of the selection competition, exchanged glances before walking toward the forest.

Before Dou Wang experts, I shrink back in fear. But against you lot, can't I strike hard? A faint dark-blue gleam flashed through Liu Xi's eyes.