Into the Inner Court

"After all these years, I never expected a freshman to make it through the Fire Energy Hunt Competition alone. Little fellow, you're quite remarkable." Elder Su's aged face could not conceal his amazement. Since becoming an elder, he had seen quite a few exceptionally talented geniuses. Their strength and cultivation might not have been the greatest, but none had performed as outstandingly as Liu Xi.

In the past, whenever freshmen ventured into the Fire Energy Hunt Competition alone, even geniuses would flee in disgrace under the combined assault of the Senior Students. Yet not only had Liu Xi robbed the Senior Students of their Fire Energy, he had also escaped unscathed while being hunted by multiple Senior Student teams. In the battle just now, his concealment and transformation techniques had truly been superb. If he focused entirely on hiding, even Elder Su would not be able to locate his true body for a time. Especially that final move—its explosive power already rivaled that of a low-level Dou Ling.

Facing Elder Su's praise, Liu Xi, whose face was pale after revealing himself, modestly said, "You overpraise me, Elder. I still have a long way to go!"

Elder Su replied with a smile, "Neither arrogant nor impatient—you have the makings of greatness!"

Seeing that Elder Su still was not getting to the point, Liu Xi's eyes flickered as he hinted, "Elder, since I've passed, then the reward you mentioned..."

Looking at Liu Xi's shifting gaze, Elder Su laughed heartily. "Hehe, are you worried I'll withhold your reward? Since you asked, your Black Fire Crystal Card will be upgraded to a Green Fire Crystal Card, and you'll receive thirty days of Fire Energy."

"Green Fire Crystal Card!"

After Elder Su announced Liu Xi's reward, Liu Xi had yet to react, but the few remaining Senior Students in the area cried out in surprise and looked at him with envy.

Hearing that the Fire Energy reward was only thirty days, Liu Xi said with undisguised disappointment, "Only thirty days?"

Elder Su immediately glared at Liu Xi before slowly explaining, "And you think that's too little? In the Inner Court, Fire Crystal Cards are divided into five colors from lowest to highest: black, blue, green, red, and purple. The black crystal card in your hand is the lowest-grade card. It only qualifies you to cultivate on the first and second levels of the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower. Blue crystal cards grant access to the third and fourth levels, and so on."

"To upgrade a crystal card, you must pay sufficient Fire Energy in the Inner Court. Generally speaking, upgrading a black crystal card to a blue crystal card requires one hundred days of Fire Energy. Exchanging a blue crystal card for a green crystal card requires two hundred days of Fire Energy. Now that you've been rewarded with a Green Fire Crystal Card, it's equivalent to saving three hundred days of Fire Energy. That is no small sum. Of all the Senior Students who came to participate in the Fire Energy Hunt Competition, aside from Yang Xiao, who is a Dou Ling and has upgraded to a Green Fire Crystal Card, everyone else still uses Blue Fire Crystal Cards."

"Tsk, three hundred days of Fire Energy!" Liu Xi had robbed three or four Senior Student teams in the forest and only gained a little over five hundred days of Fire Energy. Now that he had saved three hundred days' worth, he was satisfied. Though doing this alone would certainly earn him plenty of enemies, it was simply too good to pass up. By the time he used up all that Fire Energy, he estimated that he would have broken through to Dou Ling. Then he would have nothing to fear!

After finishing his explanation, Elder Su waved his hand, and a green crystal card appeared in his palm. With a flick of his finger, the crystal card turned into a streak of light and flew toward Liu Xi. Liu Xi raised his hand to catch it and looked at the Green Fire Crystal Card in his hand. The number 30 was already displayed on its mirror-like surface.

"The reward is already inside. Transfer the Fire Energy from your Black Fire Crystal Card, then return the black card to me."

At that, Liu Xi hurriedly took out his Black Fire Crystal Card. A moment later, he handed the now-empty black crystal card to Elder Su.

While Liu Xi transferred the Fire Energy, Elder Su, whose eyesight was exceptionally sharp, caught a glimpse of the number 538 on the surface of his Fire Crystal Card. He could not help but shake his head in speechless disbelief, thinking, Just how many people did this little fellow rob? No wonder he doesn't care about thirty days of Fire Energy.

After taking and putting away Liu Xi's Black Fire Crystal Card, Elder Su looked at him and said, "Let's go! The other freshmen haven't arrived yet, so I'll take you to settle into the Inner Court first."

"You four, come over and take your captain away to rest." The final two sentences were directed at Yang Xiao's four teammates. After speaking, Elder Su turned and walked toward the bluestone steps not far behind the platform.

Liu Xi hurriedly followed.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Elder Su turned to glance at Liu Xi and said, "From now on, you're a member of the Inner Court. However, unless your strength is exceptionally formidable, it won't be easy to get by here alone. Because of the environment, the Senior Students in the Inner Court have all divided up into factions and claimed their own territories. By the way, where are your former teammates?"

Liu Xi spread his hands helplessly. "Wasn't it because you said there'd be a reward for whoever reached the Inner Court first? Our team fell apart, and we became competitors!"

Elder Su was rendered speechless as well. Why had they interpreted it that way? He could only say, "Never mind. You'll understand after you suffer a little. The most important thing in Inner Court cultivation is Fire Energy. As long as you have Fire Energy, you can rapidly increase your strength in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower. You'll understand once you experience it yourself."

"If you need to change your cultivation method or Fighting Skill, you can choose one from the Cultivation Method Pavilion or the Fighting Skill Hall, provided you have enough Fire Energy. If you run out of Fire Energy and feel strong enough, you can challenge others in the arena. Victory will earn you Fire Energy as well."

Before long, the two arrived atop a hillside. Beyond it lay a vast basin, as though a meteorite had crashed down and carved it out. Towering buildings stood throughout the basin, and despite the great distance, Liu Xi could still sense powerful auras coming from within.

Seeing Liu Xi's stunned expression, Elder Su said proudly, "This is the true core of Jia Nan Academy—the Inner Court."

Liu Xi had come to Jia Nan Academy specifically for the Inner Court, and his heart was filled with excitement.

"Creak."

Liu Xi followed Elder Su into the Inner Court and found a small pavilion. Elder Su opened the wooden door and entered first, introducing it to Liu Xi as he did so. "This will be your residence in the Inner Court from now on. Settle in first, then you can take a look around the academy on your own. If you have any questions, come find me. I'll be leaving now."

Liu Xi smiled and bowed to Elder Su. "Then thank you very much, Elder."

After Elder Su left, Liu Xi casually chose a room, tidied it up a little, then sat down on the bed. After swallowing a medicinal pill to replenish his Dou Qi, he began recovering the Dou Qi that had been severely depleted in the previous battle.

As Liu Xi formed hand seals, streams of silvery-white energy emerged from the void and flowed into his body. At the same time, he pushed the Nine Nether Spirit Flame Art to its limit, plundering the heat within the room. The temperature dropped sharply, while the Dou Qi he had expended rapidly recovered.

An hour later, the energy drifting around Liu Xi gradually slowed and disappeared. Liu Xi slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air. Color finally returned to his pale face. Feeling his body recover, he murmured, "The Dou Qi I expended has finally recovered. And it seems that after all this fighting, my Dou Qi has become even more condensed."

Turning to look outside, Liu Xi saw that it was still early and decided to go out for a stroll.

Outside the pavilion was a tree-lined avenue. Identical small pavilions stood on both sides of the road, so this area was likely entirely residential. There was not a soul on the road at the moment, and Liu Xi did not linger as he headed straight for the exit.

The residential district was quite large. Liu Xi walked briskly for roughly seven or eight minutes before reaching the exit. Just as he arrived, three figures approached him.

All three wore badges on their chests bearing a tower-shaped pattern. They were undoubtedly Senior Students. One of them, seemingly the leader, stepped forward and asked viciously, "Kid, you're one of this year's freshmen, right?"

"So what if I am?" Liu Xi saw that the three men, with their fierce expressions and slightly mocking gazes, clearly had ill intentions. His smile faded as he answered calmly.

The fierce-looking youth grinned. "Then we've got the right person. According to Inner Court rules, every freshman entering the academy has to pay a tribute fee of two days' worth of Fire Energy."

"Which Inner Court elder set that rule?" Liu Xi immediately understood what was going on and asked with a mocking expression.

Though this rule was an unspoken custom tacitly accepted by the academy elders, not a single elder had ever openly acknowledged it. Naturally, the youth could not name one. He could only shout, "Enough nonsense, kid! Freshmen paying tribute is an Inner Court tradition that's been around for years. We're not making things difficult for you, so hand it over obediently. Give up some money to avoid disaster—don't you understand that?"

Liu Xi smiled sweetly. "Give up some money to avoid disaster? And what disaster am I avoiding?"

At that, the youth said sinisterly, "Other than in the arena, people in the Inner Court aren't allowed to kill. But during a 'friendly spar,' there's bound to be some bruises and pain. If you truly refuse to pay today, then I can't guarantee whether you'll receive some unfair treatment after leaving this place. Young man, don't act on impulse."

After hearing this, Liu Xi pondered aloud, "So in other words, people can fight anytime in the Inner Court?"

The youth was taken aback. "That's right."

Liu Xi clapped his hands and laughed. "Well then, why am I wasting words with you?"

The moment his voice fell, Liu Xi flashed forward and appeared before the youth.

Slap!

A crisp sound rang out. Before the youth could react, Liu Xi had slapped him across the face. "Still want your tribute fee?"

The fierce-looking youth's eyes instantly turned red as he roared, "Fuck, you dare hit me? Get him!"

The three attacked Liu Xi at the same time. Liu Xi immediately turned into a streak of light and vanished. While they stood frozen in shock, another slap struck out.

All that followed was a constant series of smack, smack, smack, along with Liu Xi's questions coming from every direction. "Want more?" Yet the three of them could not even touch the hem of Liu Xi's clothes.

Only when their faces had become red, swollen, and a full size rounder did they finally beg for mercy. "No more! We don't want anything anymore!"

When the three saw Liu Xi reveal himself again, their eyes filled with terror as they turned and ran.

But Liu Xi did not let them have their way. He shouted, "No running!"

The three had no choice but to stop. Lowering their heads, they begged, "We don't want anything anymore. We'll leave right now, right now!"

As Liu Xi smoothed out the wrinkles that had appeared on his clothes during the fight, he said calmly, "I've just arrived at the Inner Court and don't know the way. Show me around."

The three were clearly reluctant. Liu Xi continued coldly, "What? You unwilling?" As he spoke, he looked ready to strike again.

The three immediately shuddered and hurriedly said, "Willing! We're willing!"

Under the three men's guidance, Liu Xi then slowly toured the Inner Court and familiarized himself with its basic layout.