Xun'er's face showed a shy yet joyful smile when she heard Xiao Tian's words.
"I just woke up too. I'll tidy up and then come find my Brother Tian."
Xun'er went to the clothes rack in Xiao Tian's room, took his jacket, and helped him put it on. Then she sat on a chair in the room, a cheerful smile on her face.
"Wait a moment then. I'll wash up, and today we'll go explore the Inner Academy."
After Xiao Tian finished washing up, he held Xun'er's hand and walked downstairs.
When they came downstairs, they saw Xiao Yan and the other four sitting there chatting. Among them, Hu Jia and Wu Hao had already broken through to Seven-Star Da Dou Shi. Xiao Yan's realm had also reached the peak of Seven-Star Da Dou Shi, while Xiao Yu was still a One-Star Da Dou Shi.
"Congratulations on your breakthroughs. Do you two have any plans for today?"
Xiao Tian first spoke to Hu Jia and Wu Hao, then looked at Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu.
"I had a slight epiphany yesterday, and the breakthrough happened naturally. Today I plan to go to the Arena. I heard Elder Su talk about it last night, and my hands are itching."
Wu Hao revealed a rare smile as he spoke.
"He's quite the battle maniac. I haven't decided yet. Wherever Xun'er goes, I'll go."
Hu Jia glanced at Xun'er beside Xiao Tian and said.
"Xun'er is already taken, so put away your little thoughts."
Xiao Tian looked at this Tiger Girl with questionable sexual orientation and spoke unhappily.
"Xun'er will always belong to my Brother Tian."
Xun'er chuckled lightly, linking arms with Xiao Tian. The people around them were suddenly stuffed with dog food.
"Yu Yu, I need comfort."
Hu Jia extended her demonic hand toward Xiao Yu, who was beside her.
"I refuse. I'm not into that."
Xiao Yu had known for a long time that this Little Witch in front of her was fond of women, so she quickly refused.
"Xiao Yan Zi, what about you?"
"I haven't decided yet. I plan to wander around. Brother Tian, what about you?"
Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Xiao Tian knew that he wanted to find the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda that they had talked about before.
"You can just follow me. I also happen to want to explore the Inner Academy with Xun'er."
"I want to go too." ×2
Xiao Yu and Hu Jia also quickly chimed in.
The six of them immediately made up their minds and walked out the door.
Because the six of them were among the top in this selection competition, and given their record of defeating Luo Hou's team, no shortsighted old students came to cause trouble. Luo Hou was at least among the top hundred experts in the Academy, so most forces were still observing. The large forces looked down on these small fry, and the small forces dared not provoke them.
"Wu Hao, if you see new students on the road, you can try to win them over."
As Wu Hao parted ways with Xiao Tian's group, Xiao Tian gave him a few simple instructions. Wu Hao nodded heavily, then headed toward the Arena.
Walking along the road, the group curiously surveyed everything around them. Xiao Tian's pavilion was located in the innermost and most secluded area. After leaving the pavilion and walking for a while, they reached a main road. On both sides of the main road were the residences of other new students. These houses were basically single-story, completely incomparable to Xiao Tian's.
"Why don't I see anyone else?"
Xiao Yu looked at the empty main road and the tightly closed dorm doors of the new students, puzzled.
"Perhaps everyone has already gone out. People are usually quite curious about new environments, and this is also where we will be staying for a long time in the future. My grandfather told me that the Inner Academy operates on a five-year system. After five years, everyone will go their separate ways. If you are exceptionally talented or reach the Dou Wang realm, you can choose to extend your stay for two years or apply to become an Elder in the Academy."
Hu Jia heard Xiao Yu's question and answered with a smile.
Xiao Yu nodded silently.
The five walked to the end of the main road and found their way blocked. Xiao Tian quietly pushed aside the people in front of them with gentle Dou Qi, leading them inside.
Once inside, they saw nearly twenty new students surrounded by seven or eight old students. A few new students even had red marks on their faces, indicating a conflict had occurred. Around them, many other old students watched the commotion with smiles.
As they got closer, Xiao Tian and the others overheard the conversation inside.
"I advise you to be sensible. New students paying protection fees when entering the Academy has always been a rule of the Inner Academy. Two days of Fire Energy per person. I advise you to hand it over obediently. Otherwise, a little physical pain won't be good. Pay us, and we'll ensure your safety in the Inner Academy."
A young man who looked to be twenty-four or twenty-five spoke arrogantly to the new students, constantly clenching his fists as he spoke, full of menace.
Among the new students, a young man with a flushed face said excitedly, "We naturally know this rule, but new students only need to pay Fire Energy to at most two factions, and then they don't need to pay anymore. But from last night until now, five factions have come to collect, and we've given all our Fire Energy to them. What Fire Energy do we have left?"
The young old student heard the new student's words and grinned, his eyes full of disdain. "That was the old rule. This year is different. This year's rule has changed. Didn't the new students win against the old students? So we need to treat you, talented new students, specially. Don't think we don't know — you won the competition and were rewarded with a lot of Fire Energy."
The young man's words were meant to shift the blame onto Xiao Tian and his group, since it was Xiao Tian and the others who had led them to victory.
"Don't even think about it. Forget Fire Energy, we won't even give you a fart."
The leading young new student cursed directly, and the other new students were also full of anger.
"You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Since you are so uncooperative, I will teach you a lesson. This is not the Outer Academy. The Inner Academy does not prohibit sparring. It's normal to get injured during sparring, and the Academy won't interfere. I'd like to see how hard your new students' bones are, and how wonderful they sound when cracked."
The old student narrowed his eyes, dangerously scanning the new students in front of him.
"Is that so? I'd also like to know how hard your bones are."
A voice with a faint smile came from the crowd.