In the clearing outside the White Gang's entrance, Xiao Fan and Bai Cheng stood facing each other, a murderous tension spreading through the air.
Bai Cheng took out his weapon, a yellow spear with the magic core of an earth-type magical beast embedded in its shaft. A faint yellow glow flowed within it, radiating an extraordinary aura.
Bai Cheng was an earth-type cultivator to begin with. Judging by his weapon, the spear likely enhanced his strength as well.
Although Xiao Fan had claimed he thought little of Bai Cheng's strength, he was not one to underestimate an enemy. His grip on the Thousand-Flame Spear tightened, and surging Dou Qi condensed into Dou Qi Armor over his body.
Across from him, Bai Cheng narrowed his eyes as he sensed Xiao Fan's aura. No wonder Xi Ying had been beaten into such a state. The aura Xiao Fan was giving off now probably surpassed even that of some Five-Star Dou Ling students.
Even so, it merely made Bai Cheng take Xiao Fan a little more seriously. In his eyes, Xiao Fan was nothing more than a somewhat talented freshman. He had only just entered the Inner Academy, yet he was already throwing his weight around. Someone like that was destined to become another person's stepping stone.
The news that Xiao Fan, the powerful freshman, was fighting Bai Cheng, an expert on the Strong Ranking, quickly spread through the students gathered to watch.
Whoosh!
In an instant, both men charged toward each other in unison, their figures vanishing from where they stood. When they reappeared, they were already locked in fierce combat at the center of the clearing.
Clang!
A crisp ring burst from the battlefield with a scattering of sparks. Xiao Fan deflected Bai Cheng's thrust, then followed through with a sweep