Anxiety Over Strength

Xiao Yan looked at the large crowd gathered before him; most were still Da Dou Shis, likely hoping to pick up an easy win.

They assumed that because Xiao Yan was a newcomer, he couldn't possibly be as formidable as them.

Furthermore, everyone believed that Xiao Yan's previous victory over Lin Yan had been a fluke, achieved only through the use of medicinal pills.

Thus, no one considered Xiao Yan's strength to be particularly terrifying, and many had already been lying in wait for him before this.

Surveying the crowd, Xiao Yan noted only three or four Dou Ling experts, and they were all essentially one-star Dou Lings. Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Since that's the case, let the few at the Dou Ling level go first."

A few peak Da Dou Shis scoffed disdainfully, "What are you putting on airs for? Challenging them first? You'll just end up unable to step down from the stage later."

But regardless of what others said, this was Xiao Yan's home turf, so his word still held weight.

Just as a commotion stirred on Xiao Yan's side, many gazes shifted over, including that of Yao Sheng, who happened to be nearby.

Standing beside him was a tall, burly man—none other than the Tyrant Spear, Liu Qing.

"Big Brother, that brat is Xiao Yan. His strength is actually quite decent; I don't think I could take him down."

Yao Sheng spoke with irritation. He still couldn't fathom how, just a few days after seeing Xiao Yan at the Scripture Library with only the strength of a three-star Da Dou Shi, he had improved so much.

Liu Qing watched Xiao Yan and remarked, "Being able to defeat Lin Yan shows the kid has some skill. However, I still don't hold him in high regard. If you find him an eyesore, go settle it yourself."

Yao Sheng nodded without saying anything more.

Liu Qing then added, "That fellow Qin Zhen is in the same faction as the fourth-ranked person on the Strong Ranking, so I really can't move against him right now. But in another year or two, I will definitely secure a spot in the top three of the Strong Ranking!"

Yao Sheng looked at Liu Qing with excitement and said, "I believe in you, Big Brother, and I, too, will reach the top twenty of the Strong Ranking!"

Amidst the chatter of the crowd, Xiao Yan and the four Dou Ling-level challengers finalized the order of the matches.

Xiao Yan looked at the four of them and muttered to himself, "All four are one-star Dou Lings. It seems there are quite a few Dou Lings in the Inner Academy. To reach the strength required for the Inner Academy's Strong Ranking, one must be at least a three-star Dou Ling."

The first Dou Ling stepped up. Xiao Yan drew his Mysterious Heavy Ruler, eager to test the fruits of his recent cultivation.

Liu Qing and Yao Sheng watched from the sidelines, and Lin Xiuya and Yan Hao, who had just emerged from seclusion in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, also arrived after hearing about the situation.

Xiao Yan's reputation in the Inner Academy was quite significant by now.

Lin Yan was also watching from below the stage; his injuries had only recently healed.

Xiao Yan, don't you dare let go of my spot on the Strong Ranking just like that! Lin Yan thought to himself.

In the first match, the Dou Ling's strength did not lie in aggressive attacks, but rather in defense. Yet, his defenses were torn apart by the sheer force of Xiao Yan's Eight Extremities Collapse.

The crowd erupted in praise; they hadn't expected Xiao Yan to possess such formidable offensive power.

Lin Xiuya remarked, "The cultivation technique this Xiao Yan practices seems to be of the Xuan-tier high grade. No wonder his Dou Techniques are so powerful."

Yan Hao replied, "It seems he is someone with a background. The Inner Academy is going to get lively from now on."

Lin Yan was incredulous. Only two months ago, Xiao Yan was a seven-star Da Dou Shi; in such a short time, he had already become a nine-star Da Dou Shi. This speed was truly frightening.

Yao Sheng watched Xiao Yan, clenching his fists as he muttered, "What a monster. Was this Dou Qi Continent designed for him? He is just too suited for this world; his cultivation speed is like he's cheating."

Liu Qing's expression turned solemn as well. If Xiao Yan were to break through to the Dou Ling realm, Liu Qing really wouldn't be confident in defeating him.

After Xiao Yan offered a few polite words of concession, the remaining three challengers stepped up one by one.

An hour later, Xiao Yan was drenched in sweat. The Dou Qi in his body was nearly exhausted, yet he hadn't sustained a single injury.

Xiao Yan had won all four matches, defeating four genuine Dou Ling experts in a row while still at the nine-star Da Dou Shi realm.

The remaining Da Dou Shis deferred to one another, and in the end, none were prepared to challenge him.

Xiao Yan smiled at them, then cupped his hands to the crowd and said, "Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me? I am at your disposal at any time."

No one in the crowd made a sound. Just like that, Xiao Yan successfully secured his position as the forty-fifth on the Strong Ranking.

After watching all the matches, Lin Xiuya patted Yan Hao on the shoulder and said, "It seems the position of that little monster ranked first on the Strong Ranking is about to be threatened."

As he finished speaking, Lin Xiuya felt a gaze fixed upon him.

Liu Qing stared at Lin Xiuya and said, "I didn't expect you to break through to a four-star Dou Ling after one session of seclusion."

"You're not bad yourself, having reached the peak of a three-star Dou Ling. You should be breaking through soon, right?" Lin Xiuya said nonchalantly.

"Soon. When I emerge from my next seclusion, I will come looking for you again."

Lin Xiuya waved his hand as he walked away, leaving behind only the words, "I'll be waiting."

Liu Qing gritted his teeth in anger and left with Yao Sheng.

Lin Yan, meanwhile, felt that Xiao Yan's personality suited his own; he never backed down, no matter the situation.

Even when facing those with higher cultivation levels, Xiao Yan remained neither arrogant nor servile, handling everything with composure.

"It's been a long time since I've seen such a strange person," Lin Yan said with a smile.

Once Xiao Yan had settled everything, he returned to find Xun Er.

Xun Er was at home waiting for Xiao Yan's return.

"Xun Er, I've taken care of everything." Xiao Yan smiled and stroked Xun Er's hair, and she leaned against his chest.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you aren't hurt, are you?" Xun Er asked with concern.

Xiao Yan smiled and said he wasn't, then brought up another matter: "Xun Er, I haven't practiced the Dou Technique I obtained from the Scripture Library yet. I plan to go to the mountains behind the Inner Academy to practice it and temper myself, striving to break through to the Dou Ling realm."

Xun Er said with a hint of sadness, "Brother Xiao Yan, you just came out of seclusion, and now you are going back in? This way of training doesn't seem very effective."

Xiao Yan sighed and explained, "My current strength is still not enough. If I were to face a true expert from the Strong Ranking, I would definitely lose. The ones who came to challenge me today were merely scouting the path for them. The real experts will come after some time."

Xun Er nodded and finally asked, "Then when will you be back, Brother Xiao Yan?"

Xiao Yan handed his Fire Energy Card to Xun Er and said, "I won't be needing fire energy for a while, but you mustn't let your training fall behind. I won't be returning until I break through to a Dou Ling; it will take at least three months, or perhaps up to half a year."

A cool sensation brushed against Xiao Yan's cheek as Xun Er gently kissed him, then quickly turned her face away.

Xiao Yan laughed heartily and said, "With that from Xun Er, I will surely be able to break through to a Dou Ling even faster."

Xun Er shyly punched Xiao Yan, and the two of them held each other in the sunset.