Inner Academy

"Ah, I really envy He Haoran and the others. They get to rob the new students of their Fire Energy."

"Yeah, robbing the new students' Fire Energy is much faster than earning it ourselves."

"Who do you think will gain the most from this year's Fire Energy Hunting Competition?"

"He Haoran, probably. His cultivation is the highest this year—he's reached the level of a two-star Dou Ling."

"True enough. The captain of the White Fiend Team is a little weaker this year, only a one-star Dou Ling."

The old students on the hillside chatted back and forth, their words full of envy.

Just then, two elderly figures suddenly appeared atop the hillside.

The old students all turned to look, then revealed surprised expressions and respectfully bowed.

"Elder Su, Elder Qing."

The two elders nodded with smiles, their gazes coincidentally turning toward the forest in the distance.

Seeing this, the old students followed their gazes as well.

They saw a fair-skinned, handsome youth slowly emerge from the forest, walking toward where they stood.

The old students on the hillside froze, somewhat stunned. "Is he one of this year's new students?"

"How did he get here so quickly? What are the old students in the forest even doing?" A trace of doubt crossed everyone's minds as their gazes converged on Xiao Qing, who had emerged from the forest.

Xiao Qing's expression did not change. His gaze swept over the people on the hillside, and he was not surprised to see Elder Su and Elder Qing.

When he had dealt with the five members of the Black Fiend Team in the forest earlier, he had vaguely sensed someone watching from the shadows.

It seemed the two elders had been observing him.

"Why do I feel like he looks familiar?" As Xiao Qing drew closer, an old student who had joined the Inner Academy less than two years ago scratched his head and spoke in confusion.

Several nearby old students who had also joined the Inner Academy within the past two years nodded.

"That's right, I feel the same way."

"He does look a little familiar."

The old students exchanged glances and thought carefully. A moment later, one old student who had joined the Inner Academy just last year cried out.

"I remember now! He's Xiao Qing, Fire Elder of the Alchemy Department's disciple!"

Upon hearing this, the others suddenly understood. Clearly, they had all remembered Xiao Qing, a figure renowned throughout the Outer Academy.

"So it's him. I remember he could already refine third-grade medicinal pills last year. I wonder what grade alchemist he is now?"

One old student sighed in amazement.

Before this old student had joined the Inner Academy, Xiao Qing had already possessed the cultivation of an Advanced Dou Shi and had been a third-grade alchemist.

Given Xiao Qing's monstrous talent, after another year, both his cultivation and alchemy rank had likely undergone tremendous changes.

The old students who had not known about him began asking the others for information about Xiao Qing. Before long, shocked expressions appeared on all their faces.

The old students' conversation clearly reached the ears of the two elders, causing them to exchange glances as shock flashed through their eyes.

Over the past two years, they had heard that that old fellow Fire Elder from the Alchemy Department had taken in a disciple with monstrous talent. They had never expected it to be Xiao Qing.

And if they had not misheard, Xiao Qing was only seven years old now?

A seven-year-old eight-star Da Dou Shi who could also refine pills?

What had they been doing when they were seven? It seemed they had not even broken through to the Dou Zhe realm.

At that thought, the two of them felt somewhat lost. Was the gap between their talent and that of true geniuses really this great?

Just as the two began questioning their lives, Xiao Qing climbed the hillside and arrived before them. He lightly cupped his hands. "Greetings, Elders."

Hearing this, the two immediately came back to their senses. Elder Su maintained a calm expression as he said, "Little fellow, congratulations on successfully reaching the Inner Academy!"

"As the new student who arrived at the Inner Academy fastest in this year's Fire Energy Hunting Competition, you may receive twenty days of Fire Energy."

"Furthermore, since you defeated the five members of the Black Fiend Team during the Fire Energy Hunting Competition, I will make the decision to reward you with an additional Green Fire Crystal Card, along with thirty days of Fire Energy."

As he spoke, Elder Su flipped his hand and took out a Green Fire Crystal Card from his Storage Ring.

After transferring fifty days of Fire Energy into it, he flicked his finger, sending the crystal card flying toward Xiao Qing. It came to a silent stop, floating before him.

The old students watched the Green Fire Crystal Card hovering before Xiao Qing, their eyes filled with envy.

Perhaps afraid that Xiao Qing would not understand, Elder Su explained, "Within the Inner Academy, Fire Crystal Cards come in five colors: black, blue, green, red, and purple."

"The black crystal card in your hand is merely the lowest-grade card. It only grants you the qualification to cultivate on the first and second floors of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. Blue crystal cards grant access to the third and fourth floors, and so on."

"Generally speaking, exchanging a black crystal card for a blue one requires one hundred days of Fire Energy, while exchanging a blue crystal card for a green one requires two hundred days of Fire Energy..."

"Now that you have directly obtained a Green Fire Crystal Card, it is equivalent to saving three hundred days of Fire Energy. Once you join the Inner Academy, you will understand how precious Fire Energy is."

After patiently listening to Elder Su's explanation, Xiao Qing cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Elder Su."

Elder Su stroked his beard and smiled. "There is no need to thank me. You have earned all of this. Throughout all the previous Fire Energy Hunting Competitions, no one has ever counter-robbed the old students, much less defeated the Black Fiend Team. You are the first."

"Transfer the Fire Energy from your black crystal card into the green crystal card, then return the black crystal card to me."

Hearing this, Xiao Qing reached out and accepted the Green Fire Crystal Card. After transferring the Fire Energy from the black crystal card, he handed it back to Elder Su.

Elder Su accepted the black Fire Crystal Card, nodded slightly, and said with a smile, "All right. Since you have passed the Fire Energy Hunting Competition, follow me into the Inner Academy."

After saying this, Elder Su nodded slightly to Elder Qing beside him, then led Xiao Qing toward the Inner Academy.

Once the two figures disappeared from view, Elder Qing withdrew his gaze and sat cross-legged where he was, waiting for the remaining new students to arrive.

Inner Academy,

New Student Residence Area.

Elder Su led Xiao Qing to a rather quiet pavilion within this area.

Creak.

As the wooden door was slowly pushed open, Elder Su led Xiao Qing inside.

"According to the Inner Academy's rules, the top five from the selection competition are originally assigned to live together."

"However, considering the considerable gap in cultivation and strength between you and the others, I specially chose this quieter pavilion for you alone. Take a look and see whether you are satisfied."

Elder Su stroked his long beard and looked at Xiao Qing beside him with a smile in his eyes.

Xiao Qing nodded lightly. This arrangement suited him perfectly.

"Thank you, Elder Su."

Elder Su smiled and waved his hand. "Hehe, no need to be so polite. I will not stay any longer. If anything comes up, you may come find me."

After nodding to Xiao Qing, Elder Su turned and walked out the door, eventually disappearing from Xiao Qing's sight.