Under the watchful eyes of the older students, the group arrived at the Arena.
The Arena was the most popular and bustling area in the Inner Academy, even surpassing the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda. Young people, after all, loved passion and combat. Generally, ordinary academies or forces wouldn't train students this way; only Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy did. But this method was very wise for Jia Nan Academy, located in the Black-Corner Region, as the Black-Corner Region — and indeed the entire continent — was a dog-eat-dog world. Only by this method would students graduating from here not be too naive or merely understand the superficialities of combat outside, turning into soft-footed shrimps when encountering bloody incidents.
In the Arena, one could obtain Fire Energy, combat experience, and even feel pressure to break through one's own limits. Of course, this was true for those with strength; those without strength could only offer Fire Energy in exchange for combat experience. The Arena did not restrict life-and-death duels. Any irreconcilable grievances in the Inner Academy were usually settled in a life-and-death showdown in the Arena.
Today's Arena was even more bustling than usual, packed with people everywhere, filled with clamor. Upon entering, it was like a cacophony of noise drilling into one's ears, making one's head swell. After a full day of fermentation yesterday, almost the entire Inner Academy knew about this matter, leading even more people to come and watch the duel.
At a spot that seemed to offer the best viewing perspective, many people looked toward it with apprehension. On that high platform, five or six people stood leaning against the railing, including Han Yue. Beside her stood a handsome man in green clothes and a brawny man.
"The Boundless Gate people are here," a young man beside the man in green clothes spoke.
Everyone turned their gaze. The man in green clothes initially had a slight, but not great, interest in this hot-headed youth who had organized the new students — until his gaze swept toward Xiao Tian.
"Hmm, he's a bit strange."
The man in green clothes put away his smile, his expression unconsciously carrying a hint of solemnity and seriousness.
"Han Yue, I heard you know him. Do you know his actual strength, and what do you think of this match?"
Han Yue nodded slightly. "He is at least of Dou Ling strength; I don't know the exact level. However, I believe he can win this match."
Han Yue did not tell them much about Xiao Tian's situation, and she also felt that she herself was not Xiao Tian's opponent. The reaction of the man in green clothes just now further proved Xiao Tian's extraordinary nature. The person beside him was currently ranked second on the strong ranking. For him to feel something strange, Xiao Tian certainly wasn't a simple existence.
"He's just a new student. What strength could he have? I bet I could finish him with one punch."
The brawny man curled his lips, clenching his fist as he spoke.
...
"Are these the Boundless Gate people? Their leader, Xiao Tian, is so handsome — I'm practically swooning."
"They actually have three such beautiful women there! I had my fortune told before, and the fortune teller said I was destined for Boundless Gate. If Boundless Gate wins, I must join Boundless Gate."
"If you're after the beautiful women in their faction, just say so. Don't talk about fortune-telling. I'm making keys — are you making them too?"
"I can hear your scheming all the way from Peace Town. Even if Boundless Gate wins, they might not want you to join."
As Xiao Tian and his people walked in, the viewing stands immediately erupted in discussion, the noise growing even louder. Xiao Tian led the Boundless Gate members to stand before the largest dueling platform in the Arena.
"The Bai Gang people are here."
Someone exclaimed, and from an entrance, a group of people walked in, led by Bai Cheng. Behind him stood three Dou Lings, and even Fu Ao, whose face was still somewhat pale, had come. Behind them was Bai Shan.
Bai Cheng led his people to stand three meters in front of Xiao Tian, his eyes revealing a hint of ruthlessness. Those behind him also had unfriendly expressions, glaring fiercely at Xiao Tian. Bai Cheng looked at Xiao Tian and said, "I'd like to see where you get the courage to say you'll disband our Bai Gang today."
Xiao Tian smiled faintly, his eyes full of nonchalance. "You'll see. After today, there will be no more Bai Gang."
Upon hearing Xiao Tian's words, Bai Cheng's lips curled into a cold sneer, completely forgetting his apprehension toward Xiao Tian from the day before. He probably thought he was capable again now that it was daytime. A yellow long spear appeared in his hand, and deep yellow Dou Qi continuously erupted from his body. The long spear pointed at Xiao Tian.
"Come up. Let's fight."
Xiao Tian's figure appeared like a phantom, moving to stand opposite Bai Cheng.
"Where's your weapon? I disdain to bully an unarmed person."
Bai Cheng frowned, looking at Xiao Tian, and coldly shouted.
"When you can make me use a weapon, I will use one."
Xiao Tian stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of calmness in his eyes. Bai Cheng hadn't expected Xiao Tian to be so arrogant, and an unnamed fire surged in his heart. All the Qi in his body poured into the long spear, which emitted a dazzling light.
"Arrogant! You brought this upon yourself. Don't make excuses if you lose. Let me show you the strength of a strong ranking expert."
"Boss, take him out! Make him realize that arrogance comes at a price."
"Bai Cheng, don't disgrace us older students! Hit him hard — hit him until he can't take care of himself!"
"Leader, go for it! We in Boundless Gate won't let them look down on us!"
Xiao Tian's expression remained unchanged. He smiled faintly. "Whether I'm arrogant or not, you'll know soon enough. Today, I will use my own strength to prove that from today onward, Boundless Gate will be the strongest force in the Inner Academy."
A pair of silver-pink wings appeared behind Xiao Tian, and his body slowly ascended into the air.
Boom!
A powerful aura erupted from Xiao Tian's body, pressing down on Bai Cheng and the surroundings. Xiao Tian did not hide anything this time, directly unleashing his full aura. I've laid my cards on the table; I don't eat beef. Waves of energy fluctuations surged outward like ocean waves. Xiao Tian was now at the Eight-Star Dou King realm, capable of initially using Dou Qi to project an aura.
Bai Cheng and the people around him were all pushed back half a step. This was merely Xiao Tian's unconscious Dou Qi pressure. The onlookers, and even the Boundless Gate members, were stunned in place, their faces full of disbelief, with only two words left in their minds.
"Dou King???"
Bai Cheng, who was closest to Xiao Tian, felt a suffocating sensation. His body was slightly bent by the intimidating aura. He barely managed to stand by relying on the long spear in his hand.
"Now, do you still think I'm arrogant?"
Xiao Tian looked around, then gazed down at Bai Cheng below, and asked.
Hearing Xiao Tian's words, both the surrounding onlookers and Bai Cheng lowered their heads, not daring to reply. This was the exclusive ability of the strong.
"Flame Lotus."
Xiao Tian lightly shouted and swung his fist. A brown lotus flew directly from his hand, bearing its petal as it pounced toward Bai Cheng.
Bai Cheng reacted urgently, forcefully breaking free from the aura's pressure, and spun the long spear in his hand.
"Profound High-Rank — Thick Earth Wall."
Bai Cheng roared, and a wall of yellow earth, about a meter thick, stood before him, firmly blocking him from the giant brown lotus. The lotus petal directly struck the earth wall, and the two collided fiercely. With a loud boom, cracks appeared in the earth wall, spreading continuously. Bai Cheng desperately poured his Dou Qi into the earth wall as if his life depended on it, but it was to no avail.
The earth wall collapsed instantly under the sharp petal, and the brown giant lotus slammed heavily into Bai Cheng's body.