Battle Through the Heavens: Obtaining the Extraction System at the Start

"Alright, no more 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 tablets appeared in his palm. With a casual toss, the tablets shot outward, then hovered before everyone as though they had eyes. Seeing this, everyone reached out and took one.

The moment the crystal tablets landed in their hands, Xiao Ling and the others immediately felt a strange warmth seep from within. Lowering their heads to inspect them closely, they discovered a transparent mirror-like surface on each tablet, bearing a large red number: "Five"!

It was also Xiao Ling's first time holding one in person. He examined it carefully, but unfortunately, he could not make out the principle behind its construction at all.

"What does this mean?" Everyone was somewhat confused as they looked at the red number. But when they raised their eyes, they were startled to see that the group of young people standing behind the middle-aged man were staring heatedly at the black crystal tablets in their hands, their gazes filled with undisguised greed.

"Some things are troublesome to explain, and you will naturally understand them later. For now, you only need to know one thing: keep the crystal tablets in your hands as carefully as your lives. Once you enter the Inner Academy, you will understand how important they are! Of course, just looking at the eyes of these fellows may help you understand a little." At the end, Elder Su pointed at the group of young people and smiled.

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

"Remember, the number on your crystal tablets is an enormous temptation to them. Therefore, aside from killing people, they will use every means possible to obtain the... 'Fire Energy'... on your tablets. You will become very familiar with, and very fond of, this term in the future... But for now, you must avoid them or defeat them. As long as you are not caught and reach the Inner Academy safely, you will receive the final rewards. The earlier you arrive, the richer the rewards."

Elder Su suddenly pointed toward the pitch-black forest behind him. "This forest plundering 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 one after another. They exchanged glances before rushing into the forest, intending to lie in wait near the finish line.

The old students did not step forward to stop them. They assumed that the group planned to pass through quickly by sticking together. They had heard earlier that several of them were High-tier Dou Grandmasters. Would it not be better to conserve their strength and bully the remaining weaker students?

Within the dense forest, scattered sunlight filtered down through the gaps between leaves. Specks of light fell upon the ground blanketed in dead leaves, giving the entire forest a somewhat dreamlike appearance.

In the silent forest, footsteps suddenly sounded, drawing nearer from afar. A moment later, six figures slowly emerged.

Once the figures were fully revealed, it became clear that they were Xiao Ling, Lin Xiuyai, and the others.

After sprinting for some distance, they discovered the edge of the forest not far ahead.

Seeing this, they stopped running forward. Instead, they began pacing continuously along the forest's edge, waiting for the old students to arrive.

Before long, five old students dressed in white clothes walked over. Clearly, they intended to wait at the forest exit and intercept the new students' Fire Energy.

As his Soul Perception spread outward, Xiao Ling spotted the white-clothed figures and muttered inwardly, So this is the strongest White Fiend Squad. Since they have delivered themselves to us, let's deal with them directly.

Using the skill Camouflage to conceal his aura, Xiao Ling did not rashly step forward alone. Instead, he gathered everyone together. Once the White Fiend Squad relaxed their vigilance, Xiao Ling shouted, "Attack together!"

When a sound came from the shadows, the five members of the White Fiend Squad had not yet reacted. As they looked around, clusters of fireballs descended upon them from the sky. The scorching heat instantly ignited the surrounding trees. It was Xiao Ling's Earth Grade Low-tier Dou Technique, Blazing Meteor. Although this type of area attack did not focus its power very well, it was quite effective at blocking movement and clearing out minor enemies.

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

After making a slight adjustment, the five White Fiend Squad members stabilized their formation. Seeing Xiao Ling and the others charge toward them, their Dou Ling captain, Lu Jin, spoke arrogantly. "You new students actually dare attack the strongest White Fiend Squad? You truly do not know your own limits. Who are you? Quickly state your names!"

Seeing that this man did not take them seriously at all, Xiao Ling and the others became annoyed. What young person was afraid of another?

Xiao Ling said loudly, "You speak far too boldly. Come fight me one-on-one. Those defeated by me are not worthy of knowing my name."

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

Everyone nodded upon hearing this. Xiao Xun'er said confidently, "Don't worry, Brother Xiao Ling. Xun Er will not let you down."

With a wave of Xiao Ling's hand, a long spear appeared in his grasp. Activating the movement Dou Technique Wind Chasing Steps, he burst forward 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 and intended to finish him in a single move. He slapped his palm directly toward the spear, planning to swat it away. However, when his hand collided with the spear shaft, he finally understood its tremendous force and could not help retreating two steps. Before he could steady himself, Xiao Ling closed in and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying. Although the damage was not high, the control was in place.

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Xiuyai used the Earth Grade Mid-tier Dou Technique Fierce Wind Breath Severing Slash. He appeared behind Lu Jin as if he had teleported, his blade cutting horizontally several times in succession and leaving a crack in Lu Jin's Dou Qi Armor. Then he brought his blade down in a vertical slash, smashing Lu Jin heavily into the ground. The earth around him split with web-like cracks, revealing just how terrifying the move's power was.

Before Lu Jin could recover, Xiao Ling arrived in front of him and used the Mysterious Grade High-tier Dou Technique Crimson Flame Seal, which he had specially learned yesterday. He struck Lu Jin's abdomen with his palm, sending a strand of fiery energy into his body and blocking the flow of his Dou Qi.

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

Only after seeing Xiao Ling and Lin Xiuyai before him did he realize that he had been ambushed. He angrily shouted, "Didn't you say we were fighting one-on-one? Why did you call others over too?!"

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

Before long, all five White Fiend Squad members were defeated. Their Dou Qi was sealed, and they were surrounded in a circle.

Seeing the situation, Lu Jin was displeased, but he could only say, "We lost. You can leave this forest."

Xiao Ling sneered and said, "Are you an idiot? Do you think I came here for no reason just to find someone to fight? Hurry up and take the Fire Crystal Cards out of your Storage Rings, or I will show you what cruelty means."

Looking at that handsome smiling face, a chill rose in Lu Jin's heart. This fellow was terrifying. Sensing the coldness in Xiao Ling's words, Lu Jin was extremely unwilling, but he did not dare delay. With a bitter expression, he took out a pale azure crystal card from his 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. Take them out quickly."

Seeing that their captain had already handed over his Fire Crystal Card, they also took out their own Fire Crystal Cards and handed them to Xiao Ling.

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

After deducting every card down to the guaranteed minimum of "seven days," Xiao Ling returned the Fire Crystal Cards to the White Fiend Squad members, removed their seals, and left with his companions to search for their next batch of prey.

Over the next few days, Xiao Ling and the others ambushed old student teams around the forest exit, intercepting the Fire Crystal Cards on them. They took turns monitoring the surroundings while the others cultivated on the spot.

No one knew who had leaked the news, but the old students soon learned of Xiao Ling's group's actions. They were immediately enraged and began banding together to cause trouble.

Xiao Ling was happy to see it happen. After dealing with the White Fiend Squad, the Black Fiend Squad promptly came to deliver Fire Energy as well. The other old students were nothing more than chickens and dogs in his eyes. Even if they came in groups, they could not make the slightest difference. Though the enemy was numerous, all would fall in a single strike.

Under such circumstances, Xiao Ling's group gained tremendously, accumulating a large amount of Fire Energy for their early cultivation in the Inner Academy.

If the number of old students in the Fire Energy Hunt Competition had not been limited, Xiao Ling would have wanted to plunder a little more before leaving. Ah, there really were not enough for me, Xiao, to rob.

After leaving the forest, the group arrived at an open area filled with jagged rocks. The forest's spread stopped upon reaching the rocky terrain. Thus, the sunlight pouring down from the sky fell unobstructed upon the ground, its warmth making everyone feel pleasantly cozy.

Not far beyond the rocky terrain was a raised hill. Atop the hill stood a platform built from huge stones. Two elderly men sat upon it—the very Elder Su and Elder Qing whom Xiao Ling and the others had seen when entering the forest. Several middle-aged men with steady auras sat around them. Clearly, they were all administrators of the Inner Academy.

Seeing the group, Elder Su smiled and said, "Even sending the Black Fiend Squad and White Fiend Squad to deal with you proved useless. It seems that you truly are exceptionally outstanding."

Elder Qing stroked his beard at the side and smiled kindly. "However, this competition was meant to train the unity of you new students and make you understand that companions are indispensable. Your performance was very good."

"Since you have already left the competition grounds, the winners of this competition have emerged. It is time to end this Fire Energy Hunt Competition." After speaking, Elder Su flew toward the sky above the forest.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Elder Su spoke in a powerful voice that seemed to resound beside their ears. "This year's Fire Energy Hunt Competition is considered a victory for the new students. All students hiding in the forest, come out quickly."

Elder Su's slightly aged voice slowly echoed. Soon, the trees in the forest opposite him shook, and figures emerged one after another.

Most of these new students bore injuries. Some even limped as they walked, appearing extremely bedraggled.

Sweeping his gaze over them, Xiao Ling spotted Han Xian. At this moment, his face was bruised and swollen. Clearly, he had been beaten quite badly.

Compared to ordinary Dou Zhes, the combat ability of most Alchemists was somewhat lacking. Alchemists with combat strength as formidable as Xiao Ling's were truly rare.

After everyone had emerged from the forest, Elder Su spoke again. "As the victors of this Fire Energy Hunt Competition, every new student present will receive five days of Fire Energy. Xiao Ling, Xiao Xun'er, Lin Xiuyai, Liu Qing, Han Yue, and Lin Yan will additionally be rewarded with Azure Fire Crystal Cards, along with sixty days of Fire Energy."

"Azure Fire Crystal Cards?"

Upon hearing the words that came from Elder Su's mouth, an uproar rose from the hill. Envious gazes turned toward Xiao Ling and the other five.

"Azure Fire Crystal Cards? What are those?" Lin Xiuyai and the others were somewhat confused by these so-called Azure Fire Crystal Cards. They exchanged looks, all filled with puzzlement.

"Hehe, within the Inner Academy, Fire Crystal Cards are divided into five colors from lowest to highest: black, blue, azure, red, and purple. The Black Crystal Cards in your hands are the lowest-grade crystal cards. These cards only grant qualification to cultivate on the first and second levels of the Heavenly Flame Refining Pagoda. Blue Crystal Cards grant access to the third and fourth levels, and so on."

"To upgrade a crystal card in the Inner Academy, you need to pay Fire Energy in exchange. Generally speaking, switching from a Black Crystal Card to a Blue Crystal Card requires one hundred days of Fire Energy, while switching from a Blue Crystal Card to an Azure Fire Crystal Card requires two hundred days of Fire Energy... Now that you have received Azure Fire Crystal Cards as rewards, it is equivalent to saving three hundred days of Fire Energy. That is no small amount. Among the old students of the Inner Academy present, aside from Lu Jin, who happened to upgrade his Blue Crystal Card to an Azure Fire Crystal Card a week ago, most are still using Blue Crystal Cards." Seeing Lin Xiuyai and the others' confusion, Elder Su explained with a smile.

"Three hundred days of Fire Energy?" Upon hearing this amount, Lin Xiuyai and the others finally understood why the gazes around them were so full of envy. They had completely robbed the old students in the forest, and with these rewards added in, the Fire Energy on each of their crystal cards had only just exceeded three hundred days. From this, it could be seen that acquiring Fire Energy in the Inner Academy was likely rather difficult.

After finishing his explanation, Elder Su waved his hand, and six azure crystal cards appeared in his palm. With a flick of his finger, the cards shot toward Xiao Ling and the others before hovering in front of them.

"The rewards are already inside. Transfer the Fire Energy from your Black Crystal Cards, then return the Black Crystal Cards to me."

Hearing this, Xiao Ling and the others hurriedly complied. A moment later, they handed the now-empty Black Crystal Cards to Elder Su.

Taking the black Fire Crystal Cards, Elder Su nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Alright, since you have all passed the Fire Energy Hunt Competition, follow me into the Inner Academy." After speaking, he turned first and slowly walked up a stone staircase toward the hill.

Xiao Ling waved to Xiao Xun'er and the others, then took the lead beneath the gazes of everyone on the hill, following behind Elder Su as they climbed the stairs.

The stone staircase was not particularly high. In merely one or two minutes, Xiao Ling and the others reached the final step. With a leap, they landed atop the hill. As their eyes swept ahead, the sight before them made them slowly draw in a breath of slightly cool air.

Beyond the hill was an enormous sunken basin. Judging from its shape, it was as though a gigantic meteor had fallen from the sky and forcibly smashed it into existence...

Towering buildings filled the basin. Looking down from above, they could see black figures, like fleas, continuously flashing and leaping across the buildings. As their gazes extended farther ahead, they discovered that the basin's area was astonishingly vast. Even at the edge of their sight, they could still see nothing but towering buildings and lush greenery.

It was difficult to imagine that such a remarkable place was hidden within the endless mountains behind Jia Nan Academy!

"Hehe, little ones, welcome to the core of Jia Nan Academy: the Inner Academy!" Elder Su clapped his hands and laughed as he looked at the shock on the new students' faces.

It was also Xiao Ling's first time seeing the Inner Academy's scenery, and he could not help marveling at the uniqueness of this place. He muttered inwardly:

Mang Tianchi really knew how to pick a place. He found a Fallen Heart Flame in the magma, set up an array, and built a Heavenly Flame Refining Pagoda above it. If he knew that the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion and Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun, at the peak of the Nine Star Dou Saint realm, were right beneath it, would he still dare build an academy here?

Xiao Ling shook his head and stopped thinking about things beyond his current strength. The second-richest woman on the Dou Qi Continent was still waiting inside for him to lure away.

"Alright, now that the Hunt Competition is over, all new students will follow me back to the Inner Academy. We will settle you in first, and then you will truly become members of the Inner Academy. Believe me, as long as you can persevere here, once you leave, you will feel that every bit of your progress was worth it." Elder Su's gaze rested on Xiao Ling and the others as he spoke slowly.

All the new students nodded slightly. From those old students, they had already seen just how enormous the benefits of cultivating in the Inner Academy would be!

"Let's go! Everyone, follow me!" With a wave of his hand, Elder Su's body transformed into a blurry shadow and shot toward the enormous basin. Behind him, all the new students immediately moved as well, diving down from the hill like a swarm of locusts. Excited howls filled the sky and lingered for a long time.

Creak.

A wooden door was slowly pushed open. A ray of sunlight stretched in through the gap, eventually forming a long, narrow beam upon the floor.

As the wooden door opened fully, the beam of light rapidly widened. Several shadows of varying lengths, stretched by the sunlight, walked in. The elderly man at the front swept his eyes across the spacious small pavilion and smiled. "Xiao Ling, this will be the residence for the four of you from now on. Because there were not enough rooms, Han Yue and Xiao Xun'er were likely taken next door. The two of them will live in the neighboring courtyard from now on."

"From now on, you will be people of the Inner Academy. Let me remind you: unless your strength is exceptionally powerful, it is not easy to get by alone in the Inner Academy... Due to the environment here, the old students of the Inner Academy have each divided up their own factions and territories. You will likely encounter such matters soon enough." Elder Su said thoughtfully.

"We discussed it before entering the Inner Academy. We will establish a faction of our own," Lin Xiuyai interjected at the right moment.

"Then your relationship truly is quite good. That could also be seen from your performance in the Fire Energy Hunt Competition. The reason for letting you live together was precisely to help you form a team. During the Hunt Competition, you must have understood just how powerful a team can become, right?" Elder Su smiled. "From today onward, I hope that you will become a team that faces all difficulties together and never abandons one another. If you can do that, life in the Inner Academy will become much easier. No matter what, one person's strength cannot compare to that of a team, can it?"