On the third day of the Fire Energy Hunting Competition, Xiao Yan and the other new students had fully recovered from their injuries and replenished their Dou Qi.
"It would be great if Senior Xiao Jietian were here… but I wonder where he is now."
"Senior Xiao Jietian defeated the Black Fiends Team on his own. His strength is formidable. With him, our chances of winning would be much higher."
Several new students who had been saved by Xiao Jietian looked at him with anticipation and reverence. Even those who hadn't been rescued by him recognised his achievements in the tryouts and the hunting competition, granting him widespread respect.
"Oh? I hear someone talking about me?"
A light chuckle echoed over the gathering of new students, and two figures descended gracefully from the sky like immortal companions, landing in front of them.
It was Xiao Jietian and Xun'er. The pair had been strolling through the forest, looking for any unfortunate senior teams to stumble upon.
Seeing all the new students gathered together, they had approached out of curiosity—and happened to overhear themselves being discussed.
At the eager invitation of Xiao Yan and the others, Xiao Jietian joined the conquering party.
"This is perfect! With Senior Xiao Jietian and Senior Xiao Yan, we're guaranteed victory!"
The new students were brimming with confidence, their morale soaring at the advantage now on their side.
"In that case, let's go!"
Seeing the spirits of the new students at their peak, Xiao Yan waved his hand and led them forward like a swarm of locusts, sprinting towards the far end of the forest.
There, the defeated senior students and the Black Fiends Team were gathered. They briefly explained their defeat, then sat silently, far from the White Fiends Team, who observed with icy indifference.
Arrogant fools… they'll get their comeuppance soon. Those two freaks will make them despair, Sha Tie thought, sneering at the White Fiends Team.
As time passed, streaks of air-splitting sounds echoed through the forest.
More than twenty new students had gathered before the White Fiends Team, leaving surrounding senior students gasping in disbelief. Even Luo Hou, usually so composed, betrayed a flicker of unease.
"The new students have united… there must be someone extraordinary among them."
"Are you the final team in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition, the White Fiends Team?"
At Xiao Jietian's hint, Xiao Yan stepped forward, cupping his fists with a polite smile.
"White Fiends Team, Captain Luo Hou."
The pale young man rose, scanning the few leading new students before his gaze landed firmly on Xiao Yan and Xiao Jietian.
"New student… one of the leaders, Xiao Yan."
Xiao Yan mirrored Luo Hou's tone and introduced himself simply.
"Xiao Yan… you're quite capable."
Luo Hou nodded, then fixed his gaze on Xiao Jietian.
"Presumably, you are Xiao Jietian, the top new student. Were you the one who defeated the Black Fiends Team?"
"I am indeed Xiao Jietian," he replied with a faint smile.
"I'll deal with Xiao Jietian myself," Luo Hou said gravely, feeling the immense threat emanating from him.
He instructed his four teammates to stay close. All four had ice-attributed Dou Qi, which could combine to unleash even greater power.
"Attack!"
Xiao Yan and Luo Hou shouted simultaneously, and both sides charged.
Only Luo Hou and Xiao Jietian remained in place.
The new students' strategy was simple: Xiao Yan, Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and Xun'er each handled one member of the White Fiends Team, while the other new students, led by Xiao Yu, focused on harassment.
Soon, the forest erupted in battle. Dou Qi of various attributes lit up the area in a riot of colours, punctuated by explosive sounds.
Luo Hou frowned, watching his teammates being overwhelmed. He produced a cold iron staff, intending to strike Hu Jia, who was nearest, while Xiao Jietian remained motionless.
Just as he acted, Xiao Jietian's voice reached his ear.
"Captain Luo Hou… where do you think you're going?"
Luo Hou swung the cold iron staff behind him, the weapon cutting through the air with a sharp, whistling sound.
"Bang!"
A fist wrapped in golden lightning collided with the staff.
A deafening crash rang out. Luo Hou felt an immense force surge up his arm, knocking the staff from his hands. It spun through the air and clattered to the ground nearby. The wave of force shot up his arm, numbing it, and he stumbled back more than ten steps before regaining balance. Xiao Jietian's body hadn't even shifted.
"You're very strong," Luo Hou said, straightening, spitting a mouthful of blood before collapsing.
Xiao Jietian's punch had contained hidden force that detonated upon impact, destroying him from within.
After defeating Luo Hou, Xiao Jietian stood still, watching the other battles unfold.
"Captain…" a White Fiends Team member shouted at the death of their leader.
"How dare you! Distract me while fighting? Blood Fiend Palm!"
Wu Hao seized the opportunity, slamming his palm down. The enemy was sent flying, landing hard and unable to rise.
"Thump."
Xun'er's opponent was sent crashing from the air to the ground in a similar fashion.
The remaining skirmishes were swiftly resolved through Wu Hao's intervention and the harassment by the other new students.
With the last White Fiends Team member defeated, the Fire Energy Hunting Competition was officially over.
It was the first time in nearly a decade that new students had emerged with a complete victory.
The White Fiends Team members were gathered, and their bodies searched for crystal cards. When Luo Hou's cyan crystal card appeared, several senior students gasped while new students sighed in relief.
The White Fiends Team's Fire Energy was fairly distributed. Luo Hou took back his crystal card, feeling a small relief. He had upgraded to Dou Spirit some time ago and spent two hundred Fire Energy on his card.
"You look pleased. Shall we fight again now?" Xiao Jietian teased, noticing Luo Hou's faint smile.
"No… no…" Luo Hou shook his head violently. The punch earlier still left him trembling.
Meanwhile, Elder Su counted the number of new students and noticed not all had arrived. With a flash, he appeared before Xiao Jietian and Xun'er.
"Elder Su… may I ask why you sought me out?"
"Student Xiao Jietian, may we have a word?" Elder Su asked, studying his calm expression.
"Of course, Elder. What would you like to discuss?"
"Let's talk about you," Elder Su replied, glancing briefly at Xun'er. Xiao Jietian understood: Xun'er is my closest companion. That's fine.
Elder Su made no further remarks. He immediately erected a Dou Qi barrier, enclosing Xiao Jietian, Xun'er, and himself to prevent eavesdropping.
"Although my question may seem presumptuous, I must ask… Xiao Jietian, what is your current cultivation level?"
Elder Su did not beat around the bush.
"Dou King," Xiao Jietian replied, revealing his true strength.
He had no reason to hide. His talent alone would draw attention, and any force he built in the Inner Academy would rely on his personal strength to reach the top-tier ranks.
"You… what did you say?! Dou King?! Did I mishear… or did you misspeak?"