Strong Ranking Change!

"Hey, have you heard? Lin Xiuya and Yan Hao both finished their seclusion a few days ago, and both of them have broken into the top twenty of the Strong Ranking!"

"Yeah, and I also heard that Liu Qing, Lin Yan, and Qin Zhen have all seen massive improvements in their strength!"

"It looks like the Strong Ranking is about to see some changes!"

Xiao Yan heard many people discussing this along the way. He smiled and said, "I reckon that in less than a year, Lin Xiuya will stand firmly at the pinnacle of the Inner Academy. And for me, the Three-Year Agreement is drawing ever closer."

After sighing to himself, Xiao Yan realized he had already arrived at the residence he shared with Xun Er.

Just as Xiao Yan was preparing to surprise Xun Er, he discovered that there was someone inside.

Xun Er was sitting in a chair, conversing with Han Yue, who sat opposite her. During this period, Xun Er had not slacked off in the slightest, continuing to bolster the power of her bloodline.

Within these five months, Xun Er had gained a full six stars, reaching the realm of a seven-star Da Dou Shi.

At this time, Han Yue was only at the peak of the Da Dou Shi realm. Thinking back to when they had first entered the Inner Academy, Han Yue had already been a five-star Da Dou Shi, while Xun Er was merely a Dou Shi. In just a few short months, the gap between their strengths had almost vanished.

Han Yue smiled and said, "Little Sister Xun Er, why don't you reconsider? After all, we are both girls; we can look out for one another."

Xun Er didn't know how to refuse, but then she suddenly noticed Xiao Yan walking into the courtyard.

"Brother Xiao Yan!" Xun Er rushed over in an instant and threw her arms around him.

"Xun Er, have you missed me?" Xiao Yan said with a smile.

Xun Er nodded.

Xiao Yan looked at Han Yue, who appeared somewhat awkward and dared not meet his gaze.

"Han Yue, are you here to see Xun Er?" Xiao Yan asked.

Xun Er replied, "Sister Han Yue wants me to join the new faction they've established, which seems to be called 'Ling.' It's composed entirely of girls."

Xiao Yan pondered this for a moment. He seemed to recall that Han Yue had indeed established an all-female faction, and it had been developing quite well.

Han Yue hurriedly explained, "I just feel that this way we can better look after our fellow girls. If we all stand together, we can protect ourselves. But since we are newcomers and are all quite weak, I was hoping that Little Sister Xun Er might join us."

The moment Xiao Yan heard this, he knew exactly what Han Yue was thinking. Wasn't she just trying to use Xun Er to force Xiao Yan into backing their organization, Ling?

Xun Er also understood Han Yue's intentions and had already politely declined earlier, but she couldn't withstand Han Yue's persistent requests.

That was why it had dragged on until now.

Han Yue naturally knew of the talent possessed by both Xun Er and Xiao Yan, aware that neither of them would have any rivals in the Inner Academy within a year.

That was why Han Yue was so eager for Xun Er to join Ling this time.

"Han Yue, I think it's best to let Xun Er decide this matter. After all, none of us have the right to make decisions for her," Xiao Yan said with a smile, offering both sides a way out.

Xun Er looked at Han Yue, finding that she ultimately couldn't bring herself to be cruel and refuse.

Thus, Xun Er agreed to Han Yue's request. Xiao Yan knew that this decision might bring some trouble to Xun Er in the future, but he wasn't afraid in the slightest.

The Inner Academy was full of young people, and Xiao Yan didn't take conflicts of this level to heart.

Having received Xun Er's answer, Han Yue felt a weight lift from her chest.

With just a few words, Xiao Yan sent Han Yue on her way.

"Xun Er, you haven't slacked off during this time either, reaching the seven-star Da Dou Shi realm," Xiao Yan said happily.

Xun Er looked at Xiao Yan's darkened skin and said with a touch of heartache, "Brother Xiao Yan has suffered during this time, but you have successfully advanced to a Dou Ling."

Xiao Yan nodded. Just as the two were sharing a tender moment, Lin Yan walked in from outside.

"Hahaha! I heard someone say they saw you return from the back mountains! You brat, you really did come back! You've been hiding for five months, but I've finally caught you today!" Lin Yan said joyfully.

Xiao Yan said impatiently, "What do you want with me?"

Lin Yan continued, "Today, I've come to take back my Strong Ranking position! This place is too small; come outside with me!"

Xiao Yan was speechless. Lin Yan had also reached the six-star Dou Ling realm now. He hadn't expected Lin Yan to have made such massive progress during this time.

However, Xiao Yan wasn't afraid at all.

"Given your current strength, why must you insist on my forty-fifth ranking? You could clearly challenge someone higher," Xiao Yan said, almost laughing in frustration.

But Lin Yan was stubborn, declaring with great momentum, "Xiao Yan! Don't try to use this to humiliate me! I must take back my previous ranking! Otherwise, I don't want any of the other Strong Ranking positions."

Xiao Yan kissed Xun Er and said, "Xun Er, just wait for me at home. I'm going to handle a few things."

Xun Er knew that Xiao Yan's combat power couldn't be judged by his cultivation realm alone, but she still felt a bit worried.

"Brother Xiao Yan, come back early."

The arena!

"This is truly interesting! We haven't had a fight this exciting since Lin Xiuya defeated Liu Qing here last time!"

"That's right! That match between the two of them was truly a sight to behold! I heard that after that fight, both of them went back into seclusion. Who knows, maybe when they come out, they'll both have broken through to the seven-star Dou Ling realm!"

"It seems this year's batch is the strongest one yet!"

"That's not necessarily true! Xiao Yan, who is appearing today, is a freshman, and his strength is simply beyond reproach! This is Lin Yan's revenge match, so keep your eyes peeled!"

Lin Yan gripped his large axe, thick puffs of air venting from his nostrils. Looking at his complexion, Xiao Yan could see that the fire poison had invaded even more severely. It seemed Lin Yan had been going into seclusion a bit too frequently lately.

"Xiao Yan! Take out your weapon!"

Lin Yan shouted, and everyone knew that Xiao Yan's weapon was a Mysterious Heavy Ruler.

However, Xiao Yan simply extended his fists and said with a smile, "These two fists of mine are my strongest weapons; feel free to come at me."

Lin Yan snorted and said disdainfully, "You dare to hold back in front of me? Don't blame me if I bully you."

With that, Lin Yan swung his large axe down.

"Earth-Splitting Axe!"

Watching the fissures rapidly tearing toward him, Xiao Yan's expression turned cold, and he smashed a heavy punch forward.

He took Lin Yan's Dou Technique head-on with his bare body.

The crowd erupted in cheers!

Lin Yan's eyes widened as he said, "Are you a magical beast? Your physical strength is actually this terrifying!"

Xiao Yan shook his hand, which had been numbed by the impact, and smiled. "I originally wanted to test a new Dou Technique on you, but there's no need for that now. The results of my bitter training during this period are already beyond what an ordinary person can withstand."

"Eight Extremities Collapse!"

Facing this sudden assault, Lin Yan felt as if all the air around him had been sucked away, leaving him gasping for breath.

"What a powerful Dou Technique!"