The Inner Academy plaza buzzed with noise.
The Strong Ranking Tournament had officially begun.
On the high platform stood an elderly man in gray robes with his hands behind his back. His aura was as deep as the sea. He was Su Qian, the Inner Academy's Grand Elder.
His gaze swept across the entire venue. After a few brief opening remarks, the tournament began.
On the arena stages, the students displayed their abilities, and the thunderous collisions of Dou Techniques rang out one after another.
Representatives of various factions watched with great interest from the viewing stands, occasionally letting out cries of amazement.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the thrilling matches on the stages.
Lu Xia sat in a corner of the viewing stand, his expression calm.
Though his eyes seemed to be fixed on the arena, his thoughts had long drifted toward the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Seeing that the time was about right,
Lu Xia turned his head and gave Medusa beside him a meaningful look.
Medusa understood at once and gave a slight nod.
The two rose without drawing attention, slowly leaving the viewing area under the cover of the crowd.
The moment they left everyone's sight, Lu Xia's figure flickered and vanished.
Medusa followed closely behind, concealing her aura.
The two figures darted toward the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower like ghosts.
None of the instructors or students they encountered along the way noticed them.
Outside the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
The plaza before the tower, usually bustling with people, was now deserted.
Most of the students and instructors had gone to watch the Strong Ranking Tournament, leaving only a handful of people guarding the tower entrance.
Lu Xia and Medusa landed in a grove some distance away.
"You stay outside and watch