Atop an unknown tree, two elderly figures were conversing.
"That boy Xiao Fan is quite something. He's strong, he's crafty, and he even knows how to drag others into the mire."
"A pity, though. Look over there. Those five boys have arrived."
"Heh! As expected of boys who spend their days in the arena. Their noses are sharp. They'll probably snatch up all the spoils now."
"Well, well! Quite a haul you've got there!"
The instant that voice rang out, the excited new students' spirits plunged into the depths.
The three teams of Inner Academy students had already been defeated, and everyone had thought they could collect their Fire Energy next. Not only would they recover what they had lost, but they could even gain more.
They had never expected another team to arrive just as the battle ended. Moreover, judging by their strength, these newcomers far surpassed the three teams from before.
As a deathly silence settled over everyone, five figures emerged from the darkness.
All five wore close-fitting black outfits, standing amid the shadows like five silhouettes of pitch-black darkness.
Xiao Fan frowned. Golden light flashed in his eyes, and the five men's strength was immediately laid bare before him. "Peak Da Dou Shi!" Their leader was a peak Da Dou Shi, while the others were all six- or Seven-Star Great Dou Masters.
"Sha Tie!"
One of the Inner Academy students cried out upon seeing the five men. The man he called Sha Tie was the leader of the five black-clad figures, apparently their captain. Sha Tie turned toward the student who had cried out and asked in surprise, "Where's your captain?" Before the student could answer, he spotted Su Xiao and the others lying unconscious nearby, and a flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes.
"Hahaha! Su