At night, Xiao Tian and the other five sat in the hall of the pavilion.
"Do you have any thoughts on the Inner Academy?" Xiao Tian sat on a chair, looking at the others as he asked.
Xiao Yan and the rest all shook their heads.
"Elder Su said before that the Inner Academy is a complex web of various large and small forces, and the academy also supports students forming such forces. I plan to establish a force in the Inner Academy. I just want to ask if you'd like to join now. As far as I know, the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda in the Inner Academy is divided into low, middle, and high-level sections. To secure a good spot in the academy's Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda, you need powerful strength and a team. Otherwise, you could be kicked out at any time."
Xiao Yan, Hu Jia, and the others looked at Xiao Tian with some surprise. Hu Jia frowned and studied Xiao Tian seriously. "Are you serious, not just joking?"
"Of course I'm serious. What, are you, Little Enchantress of the Outer Academy, scared?"
"Scared? When have I, Hu Jia, ever been scared since I was little?" Hu Jia crossed her arms and spoke defiantly. "If we're forming one, we're forming one. Whoever chickens out is a grandson."
Xiao Yan stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, "Just the few of us?"
"Currently, yes, just us. But we can recruit new students. If they enter the Inner Academy without a background or force, they will definitely be exploited by the older students. When we establish our force and spread the word, they will surely prioritize us. After all, we came in together."
After Xiao Tian finished, he looked at them with a smile.
"We'll join." ×5
Xun'er and the others no longer hesitated and joined directly. They knew Xiao Tian's strength was very formidable, and they were all very familiar with each other. Rather than joining other forces and having to endure who knows what kind of nonsense, it was better to join Xiao Tian's group.
"Since you've all joined, then from now on, you are the elders of the force. We must make our force strong and great."
Xiao Tian's face broke into a smile when he saw them agree to join.
"Then what will our force be called?" Xiao Yu asked excitedly. She, a small fry, would definitely have to stick closely to Xiao Tian in the Inner Academy; otherwise, she'd be bullied to death.
"Let's call it Boundless Gate. I hope that in the future, our ambition and power will be boundless among the strong in the Inner Academy."
Xiao Tian was too lazy to come up with a name and just used this one.
"Boundless Gate? Not bad."
Xiao Yan and the others also had no objections. It was just a name; as long as it worked, it was fine.
"Then let's work hard and make our mark in the Inner Academy."
"Boundless Gate, let's go!"
The six of them stacked their hands together, cheering themselves on.
After returning to their respective seats, Wu Hao looked at Xiao Tian with a hesitant expression.
"Wu Hao, do you have any questions or opinions?" Xiao Tian asked when he saw Wu Hao's expression.
"Xiao Tian, I want to know what realm you are in exactly, so I have a clear idea and can handle things with more confidence."
Wu Hao heard Xiao Tian's words, hesitated for a moment, and then asked.
"I am currently a Dou Wang."
Xiao Tian did not hide it. They were all part of the same force; revealing his realm would give them more confidence.
"What? You… you said you're a Dou Wang? Did you say it wrong, or did I hear it wrong?"
Good heavens.
Except for Xun'er, everyone else shot to their feet in shock, shouting in disbelief.
"No mistake. It's Dou Wang. No need to make a fuss. You all will reach it someday, or even higher. Sit down."
Xiao Tian nodded, waving his hand to signal them to sit down.
The few of them sat back on their chairs in a daze, swallowing hard. Hu Jia said distractedly, "Everyone calls me Little witch, praising my strong talent. Now, compared to you, it's truly a case of people compared to people, goods compared to goods — makes you want to die or throw things away."
"So, you don't regret joining my force, right? I'll lead you all to be recorded in the academy's history books."
Xiao Tian smiled as he looked at them.
"From now on, Boundless Gate will be managed by the five of you. I believe you can do it. Don't refuse, okay?"
Xiao Tian said a few simple words to them.
"No, then what will you do? You just formed it and you're already being a hands-off boss?" Hu Jia immediately snapped out of her dazed state, her eyes wide as she looked at Xiao Tian, full of questions.
"Me? I'm just responsible for combat power output. If someone causes trouble and you can't handle it, I'll step in. Or, how about I switch with you?"
Xiao Tian looked at Hu Jia playfully. When she thought of Xiao Tian's strength, she sullenly sat back down on her chair and said nothing.
Are you kidding? Her six-star Great Dou Master strength wasn't even enough in the Inner Academy. She'd be taught a lesson in minutes.
"Then how do we earn Fire Energy? We can't just exploit the people who join us and exploit others, can we?" Wu Hao directly asked the first step for their force to take.
"I've thought about this. We'll sell pills."
"Pills?" Wu Hao and Hu Jia frowned and asked, then looked at Xiao Yan in unison.
"Yes, in the early stage, Xiao Yan and I will refine pills for you to sell to get started. You will be responsible for acquiring medicinal ingredients, and then we will divide the profits reasonably. How we develop later depends on the situation. It would be best if you recruit some Alchemists."
"That's fine, pills are always in demand in the cultivation world. Wait, you said you and Xiao Yan refine pills — are you an Alchemist too?" Hu Jia nodded, agreeing with Xiao Tian's suggestion, and then realized something incredible had snuck in.
"That's right."
"How can you be an Alchemist? Impossible, aren't you lightning-attributed?"
"I have heavenly flame. I'm not purely lightning-attributed."
Xiao Tian said it indifferently.
"Brother Tian's Alchemist rank is even higher than mine," Xiao Yan added faintly. As for Xun'er beside them, she looked full of pride; her boyfriend was excellent, and she shared in his glory.
However, when she saw Xiao Tian's next move, Xun'er immediately covered her face, looking as if she couldn't bear to watch.
Xiao Tian silently took out his Alchemist robe and put it on.
Hu Jia and the others gritted their teeth when they saw it. Damn it, he's showing off again.
Xiao Tian took off the Alchemist robe and put it back into the Demon Flame Ring. "Alright, things are pretty much settled. It's getting late now. We've been busy all day, so let's go back and get some good rest. We'll finalize the remaining matters later."
Xiao Tian pulled Xun'er and walked upstairs. The others also felt that today had been a dreamlike day and quietly walked back to their rooms.
Xiao Tian and Xun'er parted ways at the stairwell, each returning to tidy up their own rooms.
After Xun'er tidied up her room, she came to Xiao Tian's room to help him tidy up, looking like a virtuous wife. The two chatted for a long time in the room, and finally, Xun'er, adjusting her clothes, ran out like a startled lamb.
Xiao Tian looked at his hand, then at the closed door, smiled, and began to cultivate.
In Xiao Yan's room, Yao Lao appeared and conversed with Xiao Yan. He indeed sensed a faint, unusual presence, confirming that what Xiao Tian said was correct.
"Fallen Heart Flame, you are mine, and also the item for Teacher to refine his body. I must obtain you…"
Xiao Yan stood by the window, looking at the scenery of the Inner Academy, thinking to himself.
The next day, early morning.
Knock, knock.
"Xiao Tian Gege, it's time to get up."
After the knocking, a gentle voice rang out. Xiao Tian opened his eyes, got up, and opened the door to see Xun'er standing gracefully at the entrance.
Xun'er was wearing a light green dress, looking like a peerless green lotus blooming by a quiet, secluded pond in the deep mountains. Her entire being exuded an elegant beauty.
"Xun'er, you are truly beautiful. Why are you here so early?"
Seeing Xun'er like this, Xiao Tian couldn't help but praise her, pulling her into the room.