Li Hao and Chu Junliang exchanged a glance, then rushed out of the group in unison and charged at Xiao Li together.
The blade in Li Hao's hand flashed. "Junior, forgive me!"
"Mid-grade Profound Tier Dou Technique, Ice Spirit Sword Whirl!"
Flames blazed around Chu Junliang's fists. The explosive fire trailed behind them as thick smoke billowed out.
"Mid-grade Profound Tier Dou Technique, Magma Burst!"
Ice and fire swept toward him. The powerful energy waves stirred up rolling clouds of smoke across the plaza. Xiao Li sank his stance and steadied himself.
Good thing I got a powerful Dou Technique. Otherwise, I really wouldn't be able to stand against two opponents of the same tier.
The Dou Qi in Xiao Li's body drained rapidly, nearly emptying three-tenths of it in an instant.
The Thunder Scale Spear bloomed with spear flowers, lightning surged, and streams of electricity blazed at their peak.
"High-grade Profound Tier Dou Technique, Mystic Thunder Shock Flash!"
Lightning flared. Blue thunderbolts shot straight into the sky. Xiao Li had devoted nearly all his energy to this Dou Technique recently, and today it finally erupted in full force, showing everyone present what it meant for thunder to shake the heavens!
The fish swimming along the Thunder Scale Spear flickered, seeming ready to leap from it. Its scales grew clearer, and the whiskers by its mouth grew long and tough.
The fish churned the winds and clouds. Xiao Li shot into the sky, then thrust his spear down at the ice and flames below.
Lightning shielded his body as the Thunder Scale Spear became a razor-sharp force that pierced through everything, charging forward without hesitation!
The ice shattered, the flames vanished, and only the lightning remained at full strength!
A look of disbelief flashed through Li Hao's eyes. "You're not a newly advanced Da Dou Shi—you're at the peak of two stars!"
Lightning flashed, and Li Hao's words faded into the air, leaving only two charred figures collapsed where they stood.
The arena fell silent. Everyone in the competition ring stared at Xiao Li in disbelief.
He'd fought two opponents at once and won?
He'd won!
The few veteran students who had joined Xiao Li felt their hearts nearly leap out of their chests. They hadn't expected him to hold them off—and not only had he done that, he'd wounded Li Hao and Chu Junliang!
"Cough, cough." Li Hao struggled to his feet. His wounds were covered in charred black, and not even blood could seep out.
"Junior, you've got some real skill. I, Li Hao, am impressed."
With that, Li Hao quickly retreated, putting distance between himself and Xiao Li.
Li Hao could still fight, but he knew that if he kept clashing with Xiao Li, he wouldn't just miss out on the greatest rewards—he might not even hold on to a top-five spot. Plenty of people were already wary of his strength. If he showed weakness, they would surely kick him while he was down.
Chu Junliang did the same. He silently got to his feet and retreated. Xiao Li's strength had thoroughly won him over today. To have cultivated a high-grade Profound Tier Dou Technique to this level—he truly was a genius.
It wasn't just Xiao Li's talent for martial arts that left Chu Junliang feeling inferior. His deep and solid Dou Qi cultivation was just as shocking.
"What a monster. He's already so talented, yet he still has the patience to temper his Dou Qi. I can't compare to him."
With both men defeated, the outcome of the battle was all but decided. Now that Xiao Li had a few allies, he no longer had to fear being surrounded.
Li Hao and Chu Junliang had eliminated several people, and the others had also eliminated one another. Only thirty-two people remained in the arena.
Xiao Li stopped waiting. This was the perfect opportunity.
He swept his spear through the air again and again, pouring lightning into the Thunder Scale Spear.
The fish-shaped phantom on the spear grew clearer and more lifelike. A flicker of curiosity crossed Xiao Li's eyes, but he had no time to dwell on it. He decided to ask Hu Gan after the fight.
Only three people remained in the arena. Xiao Li lowered his spear and stood still. Once he was sure he'd defeated thirteen people and secured first place, he stopped attacking and let the others fight over the two remaining top-five spots.
Li Hao and Chu Junliang exchanged bitter smiles. In the end, Chu Junliang willingly withdrew first, taking third place in the selection competition.
Li Hao clasped his hands in admiration. "Junior, your strength really is astonishing. I wish you success all the way to the top when you enter the Inner Academy!"
Xiao Li smiled and returned the salute. "You were too kind."
Li Hao smiled but said nothing more. He simply walked off the platform on his own, thoroughly convinced by his defeat.
When only Xiao Li remained in the arena, Hu Gan spread his wings and landed in the center of the competition ring to announce the results.
"First place in this elimination competition goes to Class One of the Yellow Tier, Xiao Li!"
As his voice rang out, thunderous applause filled the venue. This was the first time a new student had taken first place in the selection competition.
Once the applause had died down, Hu Gan raised both hands to signal for everyone to quiet down.
"Tomorrow, the top five students in the selection competition will come to see me. I'll take you to choose your Dou Techniques."
After speaking, Hu Gan turned to Xiao Li. "Come with me. I've prepared your reward."
Xiao Li followed Hu Gan out of the competition ring, anticipation rising in his heart. A fourth-grade pill would surely boost his strength considerably and give him more confidence in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition after entering the Inner Academy.
There would be veteran students at the Dou Ling level in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition. Xiao Li knew he couldn't possibly beat a Dou Ling right now. The most he could do if he ran into one was protect himself.
Xiao Li and Hu Gan sat down in Hu Gan's office. That little girl Hu Jia wasn't there this time.
Knowing Xiao Li was eager, Hu Gan didn't keep him in suspense. He took a box straight out of his Storage Ring.
The moment the box appeared, waves of medicinal fragrance wafted toward them. Even just smelling it made Xiao Li feel his cultivation improve a little.
A smile appeared on Xiao Li's face. He took the box and opened it. Inside was a green pill bearing two lines, one yellow and one red. It looked especially alluring.
"Dean, this is..."
Xiao Li's breathing grew heavy. He already recognized the pill.
Hu Gan nodded with a smile. "That's right, it's a Two-Pattern Green Spirit Pill. It can raise your strength by two stars. There's some chance of backlash, but this pill is excellent quality. With your foundation, you shouldn't fail."
A flicker of eagerness appeared in Xiao Li's eyes. This pill could save him half a year of hard cultivation.
"Thank you, Dean."
Xiao Li stood and bowed solemnly.
Hu Gan nodded, then continued, "It's just a shame that once you take this pill, you won't be able to take the higher-grade Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill. That's a bit of a loss, but there probably isn't an alchemist in this world who can control three kinds of flame, anyway."
Xiao Li nodded, but he knew in his heart that his third brother would be able to someday.
"Dean, there's something else I'd like to ask."
Hu Gan raised an eyebrow. "Even a genius has questions? Go ahead and ask."
Xiao Li took out the Thunder Scale Spear. Lightning roared in his ears as he looked at the increasingly lifelike fish on it and asked, "I wanted to ask about the fish on my spear. It seems like it helps me fight."
Surprise appeared in Hu Gan's eyes. "I couldn't make it out from far away earlier, but now that I can see it, this really is an excellent spear."
"Every fine weapon develops a spirit. When a spirit grows strong enough, it can take physical form. That's what's happened with your weapon," Hu Gan explained.
Hu Gan rubbed his chin. "An incredible weapon. Rare—truly rare."
Good things came in pairs. Xiao Li could hardly conceal his delight. "Thank you for telling me, Dean."
Hu Gan waved a hand. "Your weapon spirit is quite high-grade. It doesn't look like it's reached its full form yet, and for now, it only helps you fight. Who knows what it'll become in the future?"
Hu Gan sighed. Perhaps this was what made a genius: cultivation, weapons, temperament—he outshone his peers in every way. Others could surpass their peers with just one outstanding strength, but a true monster was a master of all. No wonder even Li Hao and Chu Junliang couldn't defeat Xiao Li together.
It wasn't just the difference between one star and two.