The battle between Xiao Yan and Liu Qing was also incredibly exciting, drawing gasps and cheers from the onlookers.
The two fought back and forth, and because Xiao Yan's cultivation realm was much higher than in the original story, when he unleashed the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, the scene of a low-tier Dou Technique shocked most people. With that move, Liu Qing was directly defeated by Xiao Yan. Of course, Xiao Yan did not fall into a coma this time, but he did suffer significant injuries, and he was close to exhaustion.
The regular competition slowly drew to a close amidst a series of matches and cheers. The strong ranking from first to tenth was: Xiao Tian, Zi Yan, Lin Xiuya, Xiao Yan, Liu Qing, Han Yue, Yan Hao, Lin Yan, Qian Mo, Qin Zhen.
"I announce that the Strong Ranking Tournament is officially over. All participating contestants may leave the stage. At that time, special personnel will distribute your rewards."
Xiao Tian and the others left the stage and returned to the high platform from before. Because according to past practice, there would be several challenge matches. Some were to prove one's strength, and others were due to lingering dissatisfaction, wanting to challenge for a higher rank.
As the challenge matches concluded one by one, Xun'er did not participate in any challenges this time, knowing that Xiao Tian had already seen through her cultivation realm. There was no need for this challenge to show herself, and Xun'er also disliked such scenes.
"Xun'er, take Boundless Gate's people back. Han Yue, I still have something to do. If you have time, you can also come to Boundless Gate's headquarters for a visit."
Xun'er nodded, knowing what Xiao Tian was going to do; Xiao Tian had already told her before. Han Yue also nodded obediently and walked out with Xun'er.
Watching them leave, Xiao Tian went directly to the Grand Elder's pavilion and met with the Grand Elder.
After meeting the Grand Elder, Xiao Tian didn't waste time on trivialities. "Grand Elder, can this opportunity for Heart Flame Body Tempering be given to someone else?"
"Hmm?" The Grand Elder was stunned when he heard Xiao Tian's words. He thought Xiao Tian was going to talk about the Fallen Heart Flame seal, but it was this instead. "There's no explicit rule against it, but this is very tempting to many, and people generally don't ask such questions. Why, are you giving it to someone else? But, let's be clear, it can only be given to someone from the Inner Academy."
Su Qian was very curious who Xiao Tian wanted to give this spot to and asked with a smile.
"Xiao Yu."
Xiao Tian had already decided who to give this spot to. Among the people he knew in the Inner Academy, Xun'er didn't need it, Han Yue and Xiao Yan had their own spots, and between Xiao Yu, Hu Jia, and Wu Hao, his own family was the closest.
"That's fine, I can agree to that."
Su Qian learned a lot of information from the name Xiao Tian gave him. At first, he thought Xiao Tian was doing it for Xiao Xun Er, whose identity and background he knew. Now, from Xiao Tian's words, he could infer that Xiao Tian also likely knew Xiao Xun Er's identity. From this, it could be deduced that Xiao Tian, and even the Pure Heaven Divine Palace behind him, were not as simple as they appeared on the surface.
Xiao Tian saw Su Qian's expression and knew this old fox had some ideas. To avoid him asking more questions, he said, "Grand Elder, according to the latest intelligence from my Pure Heaven Divine Palace, recently, Han Feng has been extensively using past favors and benefits to find and gather many faction leaders famous on the Black Ranking."
Su Qian frowned upon hearing Xiao Tian's words. "It seems Young Friend Xiao Tian's conjecture is correct. The academy has also taken various measures, but the rest depends on your side. I wonder if you all…"
Xiao Tian laughed heartily. "Grand Elder, rest assured, we are already well prepared and can come over at any time. The only thing left is to confirm the timing for lifting the seal. Have you all decided?"
"The academy has decided. The time will be after the Heart Flame Body Tempering. The longer it drags on, the more likely Han Feng's side is to change. There are quite a few strong individuals in the Black-Corner Region."
Su Qian naturally knew that there were many Dou Zongs in the Black-Corner Region. If Han Feng was given enough time, and if he was swayed by his interests, the academy would only have himself as a mobile Dou Zong, with the other two in perennial seclusion and unreliable.
"Good, we will ensure the Inner Academy's safety then…" Xiao Tian gave Su Qian a meaningful glance, and he waved his hand impatiently. "Don't worry, since the academy promised you something, it will deliver."
"Then I shall take my leave. Haha." After getting a satisfactory answer, Xiao Tian did not linger and left the pavilion directly.
Walking out, Xiao Tian constantly calculated this operation. One had to know that with himself as a variable, there might even be a butterfly effect. Protective measures also had to be taken for the Hall of Souls. Of course, only guardians would come; as for those venerable elders, they would simply not appear here. The Hall of Souls had always been arrogant; a mere Heavenly Flame would not cause those venerable elders to mobilize such a large force.
Xiao Tian chose not to walk back to his pavilion but to fly back. He was now the most popular and sought-after presence in the entire Inner Academy, and there were even many people who secretly wanted to "eat" him. What if someone came up and said, "Brother, you smell so good"?
—
In a blink of an eye, four days had passed. In these two days, the entire Inner Academy was still hotly discussing the various exciting moments of the Strong Ranking Tournament. At the same time, many admirers wanted to join Boundless Gate. During this period, some people were also muddling the waters, trying to smear and secretly suppress Boundless Gate.
Finally, during a secret conflict, Xun'er, out of necessity, unleashed her powerful strength, directly oppressing a group of people with her aura. For a time, the information that Xun'er was suspected to have the strength of a Dou Wang spread. Many people lamented, thinking Xun'er was just a quiet and beautiful vase, but they didn't expect this vase to also be a dark horse that didn't show its true colors. If she had participated in the Strong Ranking Tournament, she could have easily been in the top three. For a moment, many people couldn't help but shiver.
The perception of Xun'er and Xiao Tian suddenly shifted to that of a terrifyingly talented natural pair in everyone's mouths.
During these four days, besides cultivating, Xiao Tian spent all his free time accompanying Xun'er, because he had noticed Xun'er's abnormality and knew that Xun'er was preparing to return to the ancient clan. He also had no intention of stopping her. Because only in the ancient clan could Xun'er receive the best cultivation and the most suitable resources.
As for whether she would be bullied, don't joke. This was because Xun'er had a good personality; if it were anyone else, with Xun'er's status, she would have long been a mischievous demon king. The person with the purest bloodline of the current generation, and the daughter of the current clan leader — who could make her suffer?
Just as Xiao Tian was accompanying Xun'er on a walk in the Inner Academy, he suddenly sensed a powerful aura fluctuation appearing in his Pure Heaven Divine Realm. Feeling Xiao Tian's body pause, Xun'er looked at him in confusion. "Brother Tian, what's wrong?"
Xiao Tian didn't have time to answer Xun'er's question. He immediately brought her to a standstill and entered the Pure Heaven Divine Realm. As soon as he entered, he felt a powerful energy fluctuation rush toward him. Xiao Tian quickly resisted, but he was still forced back several steps.