Inner Academy Turmoil, Strong Ranking Showdown

(1)

The air in the Inner Academy seemed denser than in the Outer Academy. Even as Dou Qi circulated through the meridians, one could feel a slight resistance-that was the field of pressure formed by the gathering of high-level Dou Zhe. Xiao Yan stood before the Inner Academy's mountain gate, clutching the golden pass, its chill against his fingertips. Behind him, Ya Fei and Lin Xiuya waved, their smiles tinged with reluctance to part.

"Remember to write when you get to the Inner Academy!" Ya Fei's voice was carried somewhat away by the wind. "I heard the Inner Academy's library pavilion has lots of lost Dou Techniques. Don't forget to look for the fragment of the Heavenly Silkworm Art for me!"

Lin Xiuya came over too and pressed a model medicine cauldron into his hands. "I made this from black iron. It's a miniature, so you can refine medicine whenever you want. The Inner Academy's medicine pavilion has plenty of medicinal ingredients, so remember to try out some new recipes!"

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, then handed the pass to the senior guarding the gate. The senior wore a uniform embroidered with silver patterns, and the badge on his chest bore the words "Strong Ranking." His gaze grew more appraising as he looked over the pass. "A new student? Follow me. First you'll register, then you'll receive your cultivation cave abode."

The Inner Academy resembled a secret realm even more than the Outer Academy did. Ancient trees towered on either side of the roads, their trunks wrapped in glowing vines. Occasionally, the roars of high-level magical beasts came from the depths, but nobody paid them any mind. Here, Dou Ling was merely the starting point, and even Dou Wang were nothing unusual.

"The Inner Academy is divided into the ordinary zone and the core zone," the senior explained as he led the way. "The ordinary zone is the territory of Dou Ling and low-level Dou Wang. The big shots in the top fifty of the Strong Ranking live in the core zone, and the weakest of them is a Mid-Level Dou Wang. Since you've just arrived, you'll stay at Azure Wind Cave in the ordinary zone for now. Win the Strong Ranking Challenge Competition next month, and you can move somewhere better."

Xiao Yan noticed the reverence in the senior's voice when he mentioned the Strong Ranking.

[System notification: Side quest "Name of the Strong Ranking" triggered. Challenge the top one hundred on the Strong Ranking to obtain points and special rewards. Current progress: 0%.]

(2)

Azure Wind Cave wasn't large, but it was clean. Naturally formed recesses in the stone walls were just the right size for a medicine cauldron and Dou Technique scrolls. Xiao Yan had only just finished putting his things away when footsteps sounded outside. A young man in a black uniform lounged against the cave entrance, a blade of grass between his lips and a carefree look in his eyes. "New here? I heard you took first place in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition?"

The badge on the young man's chest was the ordinary zone design, but his Qi was at Beginner Dou Wang, making him stronger than the senior at the gate. Xiao Yan raised a brow. "What do you want?"

"Can't I come have a look without wanting something?" The young man walked in and casually picked up the iron ruler Xiao Yan had left on the table, weighing it in his hand. "This lousy ruler is the Dou weapon you use? That's downright shabby."

Xiao Yan said nothing. He simply circulated his Dou Qi, and golden-red flames instantly erupted from the iron ruler. Startled, the young man let go, and the ruler clattered to the ground.

"Hey, you've got quite a temper." The young man wasn't angry. He dusted off his clothes. "I'm Wu Hao, number ninety-eight on the Strong Ranking. Let me tell you something: don't sign up for the Strong Ranking Challenge Competition next month."

"Why?"

"Because you're in someone's way." Wu Hao squatted down and drew a circle on the ground with a twig. "There's a guy in the Outer Academy named Hu Gan. His older brother is Hu Tian, number forty-five on the Strong Ranking, and he announced a long time ago that he'd deal with you. And then there's Wang Teng. His uncle is an enforcement elder in the Inner Academy. I heard he's already spoken to the referees."

Xiao Yan looked at the circle on the ground and suddenly laughed. "They want to deal with me, so I should hide?"

"What else?" Wu Hao spread his hands. "Hu Tian is a Mid-Level Dou Wang. He's mastered the Wind-Splitting Palm to perfection. With your strength, you're no match for him."

"We won't know if I'm a match until we try." Xiao Yan picked up the iron ruler, flames dancing at its tip. "Thanks for the warning, but I'm definitely entering the competition."

Wu Hao froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Interesting! All right, if you really dare to get up there, I'll cheer you on! Oh, right, this is the Strong Ranking Handbook. It has information on the top hundred. See for yourself what to do." He tossed over a yellowed booklet, then turned and sauntered away.

Xiao Yan opened the handbook. The first page contained information on the number one of the Strong Ranking: "Zi Yan, Beginner Dou Emperor, specializes in speed and strength, true form unknown." Beneath it was a cartoon figure with a lollipop in her mouth, looking like a little girl.

"A Dou Emperor?" Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised. The Inner Academy actually had a student at the Dou Emperor level?

He flipped farther through the book and found Hu Tian's name on page forty-five: "Hu Tian, Mid-Level Dou Wang, cultivation method: Mad Lion's Fury, Dou Technique: Wind-Splitting Palm (Profound Tier High Grade), weakness: old injury to the left shoulder." A portrait was pasted beside it, showing thick brows and large eyes that bore some resemblance to Hu Gan.

(3)

Over the following month, Xiao Yan spent nearly all his time cultivating. The spiritual Qi in Azure Wind Cave was three times as dense as in the Outer Academy. With the Dou Qi Acceleration Card he had exchanged for and the Green Lotus Core Flame enhanced by the Associated Source Crystal, his cultivation rose steadily, and he soon broke through to Intermediate Dou Ling.

His mastery of Flame Prison also rose to eighty percent. He could now just barely use its second layer, Burning City, and when its golden-red flames spread out, they could instantly burn down half a forest. Wu Hao occasionally dropped by, and every time, the commotion from Xiao Yan practicing his moves made him jump. "Take it easy, kid! You'll have to pay if you burn the trees!"

That day, Xiao Yan was practicing the Heaven-Burning Hand outside the cave. It was the Profound Tier High Grade Dou Technique he had received as a reward from the Fire Energy Hunting Competition. It condensed flames in his palm to form a giant burning hand, concentrating its power more than the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler. He had just formed the giant hand when he heard a cold snort behind him. "Hmph, all flash and no substance."

He looked back to see Hu Tian standing not far away, wearing a uniform embroidered with a lion and carrying a giant axe on his shoulder. His gaze scraped over Xiao Yan like a blade. "You're the one who injured my younger brother?"

Hu Gan stood behind him, a gloating smile on his face. "Brother, that's him! You have to stand up for me!"

Xiao Yan dispersed the flames in his palm and looked calmly at Hu Tian. "Want to fight?"

"Fight?" Hu Tian laughed wildly. "I don't need to lift a finger to deal with a junior like you." He clapped his hands, and two young men stepped out behind him, both with the Qi of Peak Dou Ling. "You two, go teach him how to behave. Don't kill him-leave him breathing so he can enter the competition."

The two young men rushed forward with vicious grins, their fists whistling through the wind as they smashed toward Xiao Yan's face. Xiao Yan didn't even move. He merely flicked his fingertips, sending two darts of golden-red flame flying out to strike their knees with pinpoint accuracy.

"Ah!" Screams rang out as the two fell to the ground clutching their knees. Their trousers burned through in an instant, exposing charred skin.

Hu Tian's smile froze on his face. He hadn't expected Xiao Yan's flames to be so overbearing. Hu Gan was even more frightened, taking a step back as he finally remembered how ruthless Xiao Yan had been in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition.

"Looks like I'll have to make a move myself." Hu Tian hefted his giant axe, unleashing his Mid-Level Dou Wang Qi without restraint. The resulting shock wave pressed the trees around Azure Wind Cave until they bent at the waist. "Let me show you the gap between the Strong Ranking and the Outer Academy!"

The giant axe came chopping down wreathed in pale cyan Dou Qi, tearing the air with a piercing shriek. It was a variant of the Wind-Splitting Palm, even more powerful than the original.

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. Not daring to be careless, he sent golden-red flames surging from his iron ruler. "Flame Splitting Wave Ruler: Burning Heaven!"

The shadows of ruler and axe collided with an earth-shaking crash, and the shock wave shattered the surrounding rocks. Xiao Yan was driven three steps back, the web between his thumb and forefinger numb, while Hu Tian merely swayed. Clearly, Hu Tian had the advantage in strength.

"Not bad. You took one blow from my axe." Hu Tian grinned viciously and swung the giant axe again. "But that's not enough!"

His attacks grew faster and faster, axe shadows falling like a violent storm. Xiao Yan could only just dodge them using Wind Spirit Shadow-Splitting Step. He occasionally seized a chance to counterattack, but Hu Tian blocked every blow with his giant axe.

[Dou Qi remaining: 60%. The opponent's old left shoulder injury is showing a slight reaction. Attacking this area is recommended.]

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. Pushing Wind Spirit Shadow-Splitting Step to its limit, he circled behind Hu Tian in an instant, his iron ruler aimed straight at Hu Tian's left shoulder!

"You're courting death!" Sensing the danger, Hu Tian spun around and swept his giant axe sideways. Xiao Yan was ready. Using the force of the wind from the axe, he spun like a top, his iron ruler skimming past the axe blade and striking Hu Tian's old left shoulder injury hard!

A soft crack sounded, like a bone splitting. Hu Tian let out a roar of pain, his left shoulder swelling up instantly. Unable to hold the giant axe any longer, he dropped it with a clang.

"You..." Hu Tian trembled all over with rage, only to find that the pain in his left shoulder was unbearable. Even his Dou Qi no longer circulated smoothly.

Xiao Yan put away his iron ruler and looked at him. "Want to keep fighting?"

Hu Tian gritted his teeth, gave Xiao Yan a venomous look, and turned to stagger away. Hu Gan hurried after him, even forgetting to leave a parting threat.

Wu Hao poked his head out from behind a tree and whistled. "Not bad! You even dared to beat up Hu Tian. Now you're famous throughout the ordinary zone."

Xiao Yan smiled without speaking. He knew this was only the beginning-the Strong Ranking Challenge Competition would be the real hard fight.

(4)

On the day of the competition, the Inner Academy's arena was packed. A hard obsidian platform stood at the center of the circular grounds. In the surrounding stands, the big shots from the top fifty of the Strong Ranking sat in the VIP seats, including Zi Yan, who had a lollipop in her mouth and was curiously examining Xiao Yan as he entered.

"That's the new student from the Outer Academy?" a young man dressed in white asked Zi Yan beside him. He was Lin Xiuya, number two on the Strong Ranking, who shared his name with the Outer Academy's Lin Xiuya. His Qi was at Peak Dou Wang, and his bearing was as gentle as jade.

Zi Yan licked her lollipop. "Mm. I heard he's good at fighting, and he even injured Hu Tian."

"Oh?" Lin Xiuya raised a brow. "Interesting."

Xiao Yan's first opponent was Tie Shan, number ninety-nine on the Strong Ranking, a Peak Dou Ling with astonishing defense. Xiao Yan didn't meet him head-on. Instead, he wore him down from a distance with the Heaven-Burning Hand, then, when his opponent's Dou Qi began to falter, forced him out of the ring with Flame Prison: Prairie Blaze, winning with ease.

[Ding! Defeated number ninety-nine on the Strong Ranking. Obtained 5,000 points. "Name of the Strong Ranking" quest progress: 1%.]

The next few matches went smoothly. Xiao Yan's flame Dou Techniques countered most physical fighters, and with the agility of Wind Spirit Shadow-Splitting Step, he fought his way to the qualifying match for the top fifty. His opponent was none other than Hu Tian.

Hu Tian's left shoulder was wrapped in bandages, and his expression was so gloomy it could drip water. The moment the referee announced the start, he charged forward swinging his giant axe, clearly intent on avenging his previous defeat.

Xiao Yan once again aimed for his left shoulder, the flames on his iron ruler burning even more fiercely than before. After a few exchanges, Hu Tian's old injury flared up again. The pain was so severe that he couldn't even lift his axe and could only watch as Xiao Yan pressed the iron ruler against his throat.

"I concede!" Hu Tian shouted through gritted teeth, his voice full of unwillingness.

[Ding! Defeated number forty-five on the Strong Ranking. Obtained 20,000 points. "Name of the Strong Ranking" quest progress: 9%. Unlocked Profound Tier High Grade Dou Technique "Wind-Splitting Palm" (incomplete).]

After he advanced into the top thirty, the strength of his opponents increased noticeably. Ice Princess, number thirty on the Strong Ranking, was a woman and a Beginner Dou Wang who specialized in ice Dou Techniques. At one point, she trapped Xiao Yan within ice walls, forcing him to use Flame Prison: City Burning to break free. In the end, he won by a narrow margin.

[Ding! Defeated number thirty on the Strong Ranking. Obtained 30,000 points. "Name of the Strong Ranking" quest progress: 19%. Obtained ice Dou Qi resistance +10.]

When he reached the top twenty, Xiao Yan faced Wu Hao. The two stood in the ring, Wu Hao beaming. "I didn't expect to face you. Don't worry, I won't go easy on you!"

His Dou Technique was the Mad Lion Fist, fierce and overbearing. When it clashed with Xiao Yan's flame Dou Techniques, fist shadows and waves of fire intertwined, making the spectators below cry out in delight. After a hundred rounds of fierce fighting, Wu Hao deliberately exposed an opening. Xiao Yan's iron ruler swept him to the edge of the ring, and he fell with an "Ow!"

"I'll call that your win!" Wu Hao winked at him from below the ring. "The rewards for the top twenty are good. Fight well!"

[Ding! Defeated number twenty on the Strong Ranking. Obtained 50,000 points. "Name of the Strong Ranking" quest progress: 29%. Obtained Wu Hao favorability +50.]

(5)

His opponent for the top fifteen was Thunder Venerable, number fifteen on the Strong Ranking, a Mid-Level Dou Wang who specialized in lightning Dou Techniques and moved as fast as lightning. Xiao Yan's Wind Spirit Shadow-Splitting Step was almost useless against him. He was struck by lightning several times, even his hair standing on end.

"Kid, concede!" Thunder Venerable grinned viciously, purple lightning coiling around him. "No matter how strong your flames are, they can't be faster than my lightning!"

Xiao Yan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes burned with fighting spirit. He suddenly unleashed all of his Green Lotus Core Flame, and golden-red flames formed a giant firebird around his body. It was a hidden move of Flame Prison that required Heavenly Flames with a purity of over thirty percent to use.

"Flame Prison: Vermilion Bird!"

The firebird let out a clear, ringing cry and charged at Thunder Venerable with the force to burn heaven and destroy earth. The lightning crackled in the flames and was soon burned away entirely. The firebird struck Thunder Venerable, sending him flying backward with a scream. His clothes were burned clean off, leaving him in a sorry state.

[Ding! Defeated number fifteen on the Strong Ranking. Obtained 80,000 points. "Name of the Strong Ranking" quest progress: 34%. Green Lotus Core Flame purity increased to 35%!]

The battle sent the entire arena into an uproar. Nobody had expected this new student to force Thunder Venerable to use his full strength, much less unleash such an overbearing flame Dou Technique. Zi Yan sat up straight in the VIP seats, not even noticing the lollipop falling from her mouth. "These flames... their Qi feels a little like the Fallen Heart Flame's."

Lin Xiuya also frowned. "His Heavenly Flame is unusual. Its purity isn't low."

In the matches that followed, Xiao Yan advanced like a hot knife through bamboo, defeating Poison Douluo, number ten on the Strong Ranking, and Sword Venerable, number five, one after another. He fought his way into the finals, where his opponent was none other than Lin Xiuya, number two on the Strong Ranking.

"I didn't expect you to make it this far." Lin Xiuya stood in the ring, holding a jade flute, his bearing gentle. "Your flames are interesting, but they aren't enough to beat me."

He played the jade flute softly. Its melody was melodious, but it carried an invisible killing move: countless green wind blades flew from the flute, shooting toward Xiao Yan like a torrential rain.

Xiao Yan used Flame Prison: Vermilion Bird again. The firebird collided with the wind blades with a series of hisses. The flames burned the wind blades, but the firebird was also steadily shrinking.

"Your flames are indeed strong, but they consume too much Dou Qi." Lin Xiuya smiled faintly. The flute's melody suddenly grew urgent, and both the speed and density of the wind blades doubled. "It's time to end this."

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted sharply. He truly didn't have much Dou Qi left. Just then, he remembered a line from Yao Lao's notes: "Heavenly Flames can fuse all things, and Dou Qi can also borrow their force."

He abruptly poured the Green Lotus Core Flame into the ground. The arena's obsidian platform instantly ignited, and countless flames surged from the cracks in the stone, intertwining and merging with the wind blades in the air-he was actually borrowing the energy of the arena!

"That's impossible!" Lin Xiuya cried out. He had never seen anyone do this before.

Xiao Yan didn't hesitate. The Vermilion Bird of Flame Prison, now fused with the earth fire, swelled enormously and charged at Lin Xiuya with an even more terrifying force.

Lin Xiuya hurriedly played his jade flute, forming a giant wall of wind. But before the flames fused with earth fire, the wind wall was like paper, burned to nothing in an instant.

"I concede," Lin Xiuya said with a bitter smile, looking at the firebird just inches away.

[Ding! Defeated number two on the Strong Ranking. Obtained 200,000 points. "Name of the Strong Ranking" quest progress: 99%. Obtained wind Dou Qi affinity +20!]

(6)

The arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous cheers. Nobody had expected a new student who had only just entered the Inner Academy to fight his way to number two on the Strong Ranking and even force Lin Xiuya to concede!

Just as the referee was about to announce the result, a clear voice rang out. "Wait, I haven't fought you yet."

Zi Yan jumped into the ring, still holding a lollipop in her mouth. She unleashed her Beginner Dou Emperor Qi without restraint, and an invisible pressure enveloped the entire arena.

"You?" Xiao Yan frowned. He had almost no Dou Qi left.

"I'm number one on the Strong Ranking. If you want to be first, you have to beat me." Zi Yan licked her lollipop and suddenly vanished from where she stood. A second later, she appeared in front of Xiao Yan, her fist smashing toward him with a rush of displaced air!

She was too fast! Xiao Yan had no time to react and could only raise his iron ruler to block on instinct.

Clang!

A tremendous force struck him, sending Xiao Yan flying backward like a kite with its string cut. He slammed hard into the protective barrier around the ring and spat out a mouthful of blood. The flames on his iron ruler went out instantly, and he could even feel his bones groaning.

[Dou Qi remaining: 5%. Severely injured. Immediate concession recommended!]

Zi Yan landed in front of him and tilted her head as she looked at him. "You're strong, but you still can't beat me. Concede, and I can let you be second."

Xiao Yan struggled to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, but fierce fighting spirit burned in his eyes. "I haven't lost yet."

He poured his last wisp of Dou Qi into the iron ruler. The Green Lotus Core Flame danced at its tip, faint but exceptionally steadfast.

"Stubborn fool." Zi Yan shook her head and punched at him again.

Just then, Xiao Yan suddenly smiled. He drove the iron ruler into the ground and used the last of his strength to fuse the Green Lotus Core Flame with the arena's earth fire once more. This time, the flames didn't form a Vermilion Bird. Instead, they became a thin line of fire that silently snaked along the ground toward Zi Yan's ankle.

Zi Yan didn't notice the line of fire beneath her feet and continued to punch toward Xiao Yan. Just as her fist was about to strike him, the line of fire suddenly erupted, golden-red flames wrapping around her ankle!

"Ah!" Zi Yan jumped from the burn and instinctively took a step back, landing right on the edge of the ring. Her body swayed, and she fell off!