The first floor of the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower was actually enormous. Even after accounting for the rings upon rings of cultivation rooms, vast stretches of open space remained. There was no question of anyone blocking the way.
"My surname is Liu. I'm one of the tower-guarding elders. How come I've never seen you before?"
The middle-aged man in yellow robes approached from afar, a trace of puzzlement on his face.
As a tower-guarding elder, he might not have known every senior student in the Inner Academy, but anyone who regularly visited the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower would have left some impression on him. In particular, he could recognize every senior student at the Dou Ling level.
Yet now, looking at Chen Cang, he was a little confused.
How could he have no impression whatsoever of a senior student with such strength?
With that question in mind, Elder Liu had casually found an excuse to strike up a conversation.
Hearing his question, Chen Cang realized that word about him had yet to spread through the Inner Academy. At most, only some of the elders knew. With nothing to hide, he answered honestly.
"It's only natural that you don't recognize me, Elder Liu. I really am a new student, and this is my first visit to the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower."
"You really are a new student?"
"As genuine as they come."
Elder Liu's interest was piqued. He looked Chen Cang up and down, clicking his tongue in wonder.
"So that's it. No wonder the well-informed Old Ni has been keeping everyone guessing whenever he talks about this year's new students. Whew, a Five-Star Dou Ling! You could make a run at the Strong Ranking right now. The Great Elder brought you straight in, didn't he? Makes sense.