Surrounded and Forced to Pay Tribute

Xun'er hearing Xiao Tian's words, Xun'er's face beamed with a shy yet joyful smile.

"I just got up, and after tidying up, I came to find you, Xiao Tian Gege."

Xun'er went to the clothes rack in Xiao Tian's room, took the coat from it and helped him put it on. Then she sat down on a chair in the room and said with a smile.

"Wait a moment, let me wash up. Let's go for a stroll in the Inner Academy today."

After Xiao Tian finished washing up, he took Xun'er's hand and walked downstairs.

When they got downstairs, they saw Xiao Yan and the other three sitting there talking.

Among them, Hu Jia and Wu Hao have already broken through to the Seven Star Dou Grandmaster, Xiao Yan's realm has also reached the peak of the Seven Star Dou Grandmaster level, and Xiao Yu is still One-Star Dou Grandmaster.

"Congratulations on your breakthrough! What are your plans for today?"

Xiao Tian first addressed Hu Jia and the other person, then looked at Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu.

"I had a slight insight yesterday, and it all came naturally, leading to my breakthrough. I plan to go to the Arena today; after hearing Elder Su talk about it last night, I'm itching to try it myself."

Wu Hao gave a rare smile and said.

"He's quite the battle maniac. I haven't decided yet, but I'll go wherever Xun'er goes."

Hu Jia glanced at Xun'er beside Xiao Tian and spoke.

"Xun'er is already taken, so you should give up your little schemes."

Xiao Tian looked at the Hu Niu with questionable sexual orientation and said irritably.

"Xun'er will always belong to Xiao Tian Gege."

Xun'er took Xiao Tian's arm and chuckled softly.

The people around were suddenly bombarded with displays of affection.

"Yu Yu, I need comfort."

Hu Jia reached out her evil hand to Xiao Yu was standing to the side.

"I refuse, I'm not doing this."

Xiao Yu knew long ago that this Little Demoness in front of him was fond of women, so he quickly refused.

"What about you, Xiao Yanzi?"

"I haven't decided yet. I'm thinking of just wandering around. What about you, Tian Ge?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Xiao Tian knew that he wanted to find the Heavenly Flame Training Qi Tower that he had mentioned to him before.

"You can come with me; I'm also planning to stroll around the Inner Academy with Xun'er."

"I want to go too" *2

Xiao Yu and Hu Jia also hurriedly spoke up.

The six of them made their decision immediately and headed out the door.

Because the six of them were among the top performers in this Selection Competition, and given their record of defeating Luo Hou Team, no foolish senior student dared to cause trouble.

Luo Hou is at least among the top 100 experts in the Academy, and most forces are still observing.

The major powers look down on these paltry sums, and the minor powers dare not come to cause trouble.

"Wu Hao, don't just happen to run into any new students on the way; you could try to win them over."

When Wu Hao parted ways with Xiao Tian and the others, Xiao Tian gave him a few simple instructions.

Wu Hao nodded heavily, then headed towards the Arena.

Walking along the road, a group of people curiously looked around at everything. Xiao Tian's pavilion was at the very back, and also the quietest place.

After leaving the attic and walking a short distance, you'll reach a main road. On both sides of the road are the residences of other new students. These houses are mostly single-story and are nothing compared to Xiao Tian group.

Why haven't I seen anyone else?

Xiao Yu looked around at the empty main road and the tightly closed doors of the freshmen dormitory, and asked in confusion.

"Perhaps we've already left, but people are naturally curious about new environments, and this is where we'll be staying for quite some time to come."

"My grandfather told me that the Inner Academy is a five-year program. After five years, everyone will go their separate ways. If you have outstanding talent or reach the Dou Wang, you can choose to delay for two years or apply to become Elder in the Academy."

Hu Jia smiled and answered Xiao Yu's question.

Xiao Yu nodded silently.

While they were chatting, Xiao Tian activated the system: "System Check-in."

[Ding! Checked in at Jia Nan Academy Inner Courtyard, received: One Trial Tower, One Young World Mountain.]

Trial Tower: It consists of nine levels, corresponding to the nine realms of cultivation. Victory in the challenge will reward you with a certain number of Energy Stone, which contain pure Heaven and Earth Energy. Absorbing them can accelerate your cultivation speed.

(Note: Energy Stone can only be absorbed within the Small World; once removed, they dissipate immediately.)

World Mountain: The World Mountain in its early stages, when integrated into Small World, can enhance the Heaven and Earth Energy of that Small World, enabling all things to grow and thrive, and making it easier to generate mineral veins and spiritual veins.

Xiao Tian glanced at the two rewards; they were indeed very useful, and both could be placed within the Small World.

The Trial Tower is practically the same as the Heavenly Flame Training Qi Tower, serving as a cultivation accelerator for the Inner Hall. Once the rules are improved, it will become even more attractive.

Xiao Tian had also figured out how to deal with the World Mountain: he would merge it into the mountain where his Sky Palace was located.

In this way, one's palace becomes the place where the Heaven and Earth Energy is most concentrated.

"Xiao Tian Gege, why are you suddenly grinning like an idiot?"

Xun'er held Xiao Tian Xiao Tian's hand, looking at his expression with a puzzled expression.

"Ahem. I'm just happy at the thought of finally being able to be with Xun'er."

Xiao Tian coughed lightly twice, instantly composed himself, and his eyes showed undisguised tenderness.

Upon hearing Xiao Tian's words, Xun'er blinked her large eyes gently, a faint smile appearing on her lips, and thought to herself.

"Xiao Tian Gege, Xun'er is very happy too!"

The five of them reached the end of the main road and found that the road ahead was blocked. Xiao Tian gently pushed aside the people in front of him with his fighting Dou Qi and led them inside.

Upon entering, I saw nearly twenty new students surrounded by seven or eight senior students.

Some of the new students still had red marks on their faces, indicating that a conflict had occurred. There were also many other older students watching the commotion with smiles on their faces.

As they approached, Xiao Tian and the others overheard the conversation inside.

"I advise you to be more sensible. Paying protection money upon admission is a long-standing rule of the Inner Academy. Heavenly Fire Energy per person. I advise you to hand it over obediently, or you'll suffer some physical pain. Pay us, and we'll guarantee you a peaceful stay in the Inner Academy."

A young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties spoke arrogantly to the freshmen, constantly clenching his fists as he spoke, his tone full of threat.

Among the new students, a young man with a flushed face excitedly said:

"We are aware of this rule, of course, but new students only need to pay Fire Energy to the two factions at most, and then they don't need to pay anything else."

"But since last night, five different forces have come to collect our Fire Energy. We've given them all, what Fire Energy do we have left?"

The senior student grinned when he heard the freshman's words, his eyes filled with disdain.

"That was the old rule. This year is different. The rules have been changed. Aren't you freshmen the ones who beat the upperclassmen? So we'll treat you genius freshmen a little differently."

"Don't think we don't know, you won the competition and were rewarded with a lot of Fire Energy."

The young man's words were an attempt to shift the blame onto Xiao Tian group, since it was Xiao Tian and his team who led them to victory in the competition.

"Forget about it. We won't give you a single peep, let alone any Fire Energy."

The leading freshman shouted angrily, and the other freshmen were also filled with rage.

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences. Since you're so uncooperative, I'll teach you a lesson. This isn't the Outer Academy. The Inner Academy doesn't prohibit sparring, and injuries during sparring are quite normal. The Academy won't interfere."

"I'd like to see just how hard your newborns' bones are, and how wonderful it feels to tap them."

The senior student squinted, giving the new student in front of him a dangerous look.

"Really? I'd also like to know how hard your bones are."

A voice carrying a faint smile came from the crowd.