vncnus 7. Fire-based hunting
7. Fire-based hunting
Canaan College.
Canaan Academy is divided into an inner and outer academy, which are not connected; the distance between them can only be traversed by a flying magical beast. At this moment, within the dense forest at the entrance to the inner academy, numerous figures stood. Judging from the battle aura emanating from them, each one could be considered a formidable fighter; none of them possessed an aura lower than a Great Battle Master. Each of their garments bore a tower-shaped badge, proving their status as students of the Canaan Academy's inner academy. The leader even possessed the aura of a Battle Spirit. Hidden among the trees, they appeared exceptionally excited as they gazed upon the lush forest before them.
A man dressed in all black complained, "These freshmen are really slow."
The white-clad man beside him replied coldly, "Sha Tie, you're still in such a hurry."
Sha Tie complained, "We've been waiting for this once a year. What else can we do if we're not in a hurry? I'm waiting to advance to the Dou Ling level."
A moment later, faint sounds came from the woods.
"They're here." Sha Tie chuckled, and the dozens of people behind him also smiled. They started moving in groups of five. The inner courtyard's welcoming gift to the newcomers—the Fire Energy Hunting Competition—officially began.
Given the unpreparedness of those who are mentally prepared and the significant difference in strength, the misfortune of the newcomers is foreseeable.
Fights broke out continuously in this vast forest, while others remained completely still.
It was Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er in the forest. Xiao Yan was sitting cross-legged on the ground, and Xiao Xun'er was protecting him.
Ten days ago, Xiao Yan arrived in Canaan and participated in the competition to advance to the Inner Academy. He passed the competition smoothly without making a sound. Xiao Yan had no intention of revealing his cultivation level, so apart from the academy's leaders, few people knew that he had advanced to the Dou Huang level. When questioned by Hu Qian, the dean of the Outer Academy, Xiao Yan could only honestly explain that he came to the academy to hone his cultivation. After all, he had advanced through a fortuitous encounter, and the answer he received was that there was no problem.
The actual reasons were more complex. After Xiao Yan took out the ancient jade, Xun'er immediately stated that it concerned a Dou Di (a powerful figure in Chinese mythology) and that Xiao Yan must keep it safe. After a serious discussion with Xun'er, Xiao Yan decided to give the jade to the force behind Xun'er to ensure the safety of everyone in the Xiao clan. Xiao Yan pondered repeatedly; he didn't yet have the ability to confront the Soul Palace head-on. He could travel freely, but his father, brothers, and clansmen couldn't. He understood the principle of "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime" all too well. Xiao Xun'er immediately notified Ling Ying to contact the ancient clan. Of course, what Xiao Yan didn't know was that what he had originally intended as a bargaining chip for protection was being misinterpreted by Xiao Xun'er as an advance dowry.
Having resolved the concerns of his clansmen, Xiao Yan set his sights on the strange fire within the inner courtyard. With numerous powerful figures at Canaan Academy, Yao Lao decided to first scout out the situation outside the campus. Therefore, Xiao Yan pretended to be cultivating at a crucial moment, while in reality, he was covering for Yao Lao.
Xiao Yan didn't care about the fire energy hunting competition, and Xun'er was even less interested, but just because they weren't interested in fire energy didn't mean others wouldn't be interested in them.
"Captain, there are two strays here!" A young man in green said to Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er.
A gaunt young man looked at the two people in front of him with some hesitation. Before entering the forest, the elders would explain the rules to the people from the outer courtyard. These two people dared to be so arrogant, so they must have a companion hiding.
The thin young man said, "These two are probably among the top five in the outer courtyard. They also have three companions lying in ambush. Be careful and act quickly."
The four people behind them nodded in unison, their eyes burning with fervor as they looked at Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er—blatant, fiery passion.
The gaunt youth unleashed his fighting spirit, sending a powerful palm strike straight at Xiao Yan. The four people beside him also displayed their own techniques.
Xiao Yan's cross-legged position with his eyes closed did not change, because Xiao Xun'er made her move.
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 202ᴋᴋs.ᴄᴏᴍ]
Golden light burst forth from both palms, and with one strike, she repelled the leading youth. Her figure moved as gracefully as a wisp of smoke, and the attacks of the four men were all neutralized. The five men looked at Xiao Xun'er, whose beauty was breathtaking, but they secretly realized that something was wrong; Xiao Xun'er's strength was beyond their imagination.
Clad in flowing green robes, Xiao Xun'er moved among the five, unleashing a series of sharp fighting techniques. One by one, the five-person team fell, until the gaunt youth was struck in the chest by Xiao Xun'er's palm, completely losing his ability to fight.
Of course, this is just a small corner of this fire-energy hunting competition. In many other places, the escape of the new and the pursuit of the old are still unfolding.
"Thanks, junior. You can come find me for revenge when you get to the inner courtyard, provided you have enough fire energy!"
Consider this a lesson for you; the inner court isn't as wonderful as you imagine.
"I really don't understand why there are only five points of fire energy, and why two points are reserved for the freshmen. It's not like the inner courtyard doesn't provide meals."
Such voices continued to be heard.
Of course, Xiao Yan's cross-legged meditation and closed eyes were not yet over, so Xun'er's protection was not yet over either.
One team after another met their end at Xiao Xun'er's hands, including the Black Fiend Team of the Black and White Fiends.
When Captain Sha Tie was kicked into the woods by Xiao Xun'er, this place became the center of the forest.
"Have you heard? There's a really amazing freshman."
"How strong can they be? We've already beaten two new teams, so their strength is just so-so."
"You don't know yet, do you? Sha Tie was also defeated by her?"
"Her? Alone?"
"Yeah, one against five, and there's a freshman next to him. He's probably in a crucial stage of training his martial arts techniques. But that junior girl, wow, not only is she strong, but she's also impeccably beautiful. She's probably going to be another remarkable figure in the inner academy in the future!"
……
The Fire Energy Hunting Competition was nearing its end on its third day, but the freshmen were surprised to find that fifty senior students from ten teams had gathered together.
The white-clad youth leading the group was none other than Luo Hou, who had already advanced to the Dou Ling level. Seeing that everyone had arrived, Luo Hou said, "Everyone, I'll be frank. That junior sister named Xiao Xun'er who came in from the outer courtyard is truly amazing."
"What? Even Senior Luo Hou is no match for him?"
Luo Hou gritted his teeth and said, "Yesterday we fought Xiao Xun'er, and five against one was no match for her."
Everyone present gasped in shock. Sha Tie's defeat had already shocked them, but they never expected that Luo Hou, once a top expert on the ranking list, would also be defeated.
Luo Hou looked around and said, "To be honest, the news has already reached the inner academy. If this junior girl really gets into the inner academy, none of us will have the face to stay there anymore."
"What does Senior Luo mean?" someone asked, puzzled.
Luo Hou said, enunciating each word clearly, "Joint attack!"
……
The forest was quite vast, easily accommodating ten thousand people, providing ample space for both new and returning students. However, at this moment, a hundred people gradually began to gather. Those from the inner courtyard were naturally there because of Luo Hou's suggestion. The inner courtyard members possessed their own pride; they could be defeated, but they would not easily admit defeat, especially not to a girl who had just entered the inner courtyard.
The new students have been constantly hit hard these past few days, and they have noticed Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er who are still persevering. Their resentment towards the inner court students has led everyone to want to see them suffer a setback.
"Xiao Xun'er must win!"
"We must win over Xiao Xun'er!"
Two completely different ideas permeated the two groups of people, and a sense of impending storm filled everyone's hearts.
Luo Hou stepped out from the group of senior students and said, "Junior Sister Xun'er, if you hand over your fire energy and admit defeat, we'll leave immediately, how about that?"
Luo Hou still hoped to try to persuade them, after all, besieging a freshman was not a glorious thing.
Just as Xiao Xun'er was about to speak, she turned around and saw that Xiao Yan, who had been keeping his eyes closed, had already opened them.
Xiao Xun'er smiled sweetly and asked, "Brother Xiao Yan, is it over?"
Xiao Yan nodded, looking at the people surrounding him, and said, "Xun'er, you've gotten yourself into big trouble!"
Xiao Xun'er stuck out her tongue and said, "Then Brother Xiao Yan will be responsible for cleaning up the mess, hehe!" After saying that, she retreated behind Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan helplessly rubbed his nose. He knew all too well how powerful Xiao Xun'er was. Even he himself didn't dare say he could definitely defeat this girl. It's just that she always preferred to show off her own abilities.
Looking at the fifty people around him, Xiao Yan said, "How about we all come at him together, seniors?"
"Damn, what an arrogant brat!"
"Go! Let's teach this kid a lesson!"
"He thinks he's Xiao Xun'er, it's hilarious..."
Xiao Yan, gazing at the fifty men surrounding him with ill intent, unleashed the full aura of a Dou Huang expert. A terrifying pressure enveloped the entire forest; the older students no longer saw Xiao Yan, but rather the might of heaven! The immense pressure made it difficult for them to breathe, and those of slightly lower levels had already collapsed to the ground. The attack of fifty men instantly became a joke. Those weaker, before fainting, had only one thought: Is this freak really a freshman?
Luo Hou was the only one still standing, but his face was flushed and he was sweating profusely.
Luo Hou swallowed hard, his eyes filled with fear, and said, "You... are a Dou Huang?"
Xiao Yan smiled as he looked at the fifty men who were no longer capable of fighting and said, "Not bad, it seems I have won."
After the initial shock, a deafening roar followed.
"Well done, Xiao Yan!"
"A Dou Huang level expert is terrifying! Let's see what the people in the inner court have to say."
"Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er is terrifying! Are they really students?"
The most exciting fire-hunting competition in the history of Canaan Academy has come to a close.