Chapter 170: Battle Against the Bai Gang
Boom!
With a final Glacial Palm strike to the chest of Qingshan's deputy leader, the battle ended. Qingshan's members lay sprawled on the ground, temporarily incapacitated.
"Let's go. Atai, next stop."
Xiao Yuan waved to the still-dazed Atai and his group to continue leading the way.
"Ah! Yes, Senior Xiao Yuan!"
Snapping out of his daze, Atai nodded enthusiastically and quickly resumed guiding Xiao Yuan. Behind them, Qingshan's members lay on the ground for five full minutes before finally struggling to their feet.
"That kid's background isn't simple. A secret art like that, along with that level of combat power... no ordinary force could nurture someone like him."
Qingshan's deputy leader recalled Xiao Yuan's overwhelming fighting style with lingering fear.
He had a strong premonition: if Xiao Yuan got serious, he could very well break into the top ten of the Strong Ranking!
This freshman was... outrageous.
"The Inner Academy is about to change," the deputy muttered, casting one last look in Xiao Yuan's direction.
"Hehe, Senior Xiao Yuan may already know that within the Inner Academy, many factions of various sizes exist. And rather than suppress these factions, the Academy actually encourages their formation..."
On the way, Atai hesitated before bringing it up.
"Yeah, I figured as much," Xiao Yuan nodded.
"In the Inner Academy, unless someone is ridiculously strong, trying to go solo leads to endless trouble. For example, the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower—it's the key to rapid advancement, and everyone fights to enter. Inside the tower, each level is divided into high-, mid-, and low-grade cultivation zones. The higher the tier, the better the benefits and training speed.
"Although technically anyone who gets there first can cultivate, the Academy doesn't prohibit fighting inside the tower. So if you grab a prime spot but can't defend it, someone else will take it. That's why having both power and a strong backing is crucial."
Atai paused, then grinned.
"I had planned to suggest that you form a faction and take everyone in, but I didn't expect you to be ahead of me. Honestly, judging by your strength, you probably don't need a faction—you could crush half the first-tier forces on your own."
Xiao Yuan couldn't help but feel this guy was buttering him up. Still, the flattery was pleasant enough, so he let it slide.
"I've been meaning to ask—you seem to know a lot about the Inner Academy."
Xiao Yuan looked at Atai curiously. Most freshmen didn't have this level of awareness.
"Hehe, I have some friends in the Inner Academy, so I've picked up plenty of info."
Atai chuckled sheepishly.
"I'm not going to waste too much time on faction management. If you're capable, I'll likely leave much of the day-to-day stuff to you. But that'll cost you some training time—what do you think?"
For once, Atai hesitated, but quickly replied, "Senior, managing things might affect my training, but... I assume I'll be compensated, right?"
Xiao Yuan smiled. "I'll set up a system—use Fire Energy to compensate those in leadership roles for their lost cultivation time.
"Also, I may form a force in Black-Corner Region someday. Once you graduate, if you want to join, you'll have priority. It's always easier working with your own people."
"Then I have no complaints!" Atai said seriously.
"Good. You're the General Administrator of our new faction. But if you mess up, or the others complain, I'll replace you."
"I got this, boss!" Atai replied earnestly.
Xiao Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Boss? That sounds weird. Just call me President."
"Yes, President. So, what are we calling this faction?"
"Lionheart Society," Xiao Yuan replied, a glint in his eye.
He'd wanted to call it "Student Council," but it didn't quite fit the Inner Academy's factional vibe. "Lionheart Society" had a nice ring.
"To unleash the heart of the lion and face all enemies without losing courage."
Atai grasped the meaning immediately and smiled. "President, great name!"
Xiao Yuan waved him off. "Don't flatter me. It's because you were willing to resist that I helped. If you'd rolled over, I wouldn't have wasted my time."
His original plan had been to ignore all this and head straight to the Heavenly Flame Tower to focus on breaking through to the Dou Ling level. Once he reached Dou Wang, his five Qi Reservoirs would fully connect, massively boosting his strength—even capable of challenging a Dou Huang.
"Xiao Yan and the others are Vice Presidents. But we'll mostly focus on training. That means you'll be handling most of the logistics, and your authority will be high. For tough decisions, call us in. If it's within your power—just handle it. Don't think of yourself as a lowly freshman. Be respectful to seniors, yes, but don't let them push you around!
"But don't go overboard either. This is a rare chance to crack down. Afterward, we need to get along with the majority of factions. If not, our reputation and future development will suffer."
"I understand, President!" Atai said, then pointed ahead. "We're here—Bai Gang!"
"Wreck it."
Xiao Yuan's lips curled into a cold smile.
"You got it!"
Atai and the new students perked up. Fighting might be out of reach, but trashing things? That, they could do.
With a roar, a colorful barrage of attacks blasted Bai Gang's compound into chaos.
"Who dares to act so brazenly on my Bai Gang's turf?!"
A roar rang out, and a number of figures flew from within the compound. Leading them was a burly man whose aura was stronger than Qingshan's deputy leader.
"Three-Star Dou Ling. Not too troublesome," Xiao Yuan assessed calmly.
"President, that's Fu Ao—one of Bai Gang's four Dou Ling. He led the first wave that came to extort us. Oh, and Bai Gang's boss is Bai Cheng, cousin to Bai Shan—the one you beat in the Outer Academy."
Atai explained quickly.
"Step back."
Xiao Yuan nodded, and the new students smartly withdrew. After feeling the chill from Xiao Yuan's Glacial Dragon before, they knew to give him space.
"So, it's the new brats. What's this? You here to pay tribute? Or planning to join Bai Gang?" Fu Ao sneered.
"Return the Fire Energy you stole. Or I'll beat you and take it myself."
Xiao Yuan's tone was flat.
He didn't believe for a second that Bai Gang hadn't heard about his visit to Qingshan.
Clearly, they'd chosen to ignore him.
Perfect.
Xiao Yuan grinned. "Actually, I've changed my mind—I'll be taking all your Fire Energy."
"Oh? You really are as arrogant as they say!"
Fu Ao took a heavy step forward. Boom! His deep blue Dou Qi surged like an ocean tide, enveloping him with overwhelming pressure.
"Today, I'll show you what a true Dou Ling is!"
"Indeed. The difference is obvious."
Xiao Yuan nodded in agreement.
Fu Ao's face darkened at the sarcasm. "Very well. Let's see if the so-called leader of the freshmen is truly as strong as the rumors say!"
Spectators hurried back to avoid the incoming battle. They were curious—would Xiao Yuan be able to surpass even this Three-Star Dou Ling?
"Hard to say. Fu Ao broke through just a month ago. Even if Xiao Yuan beat Luo Hou and Qingshan's deputy, every Dou Ling star makes a big difference!"
Ignoring the whispers, Xiao Yuan stepped forward, forming a string of strange hand seals. Black and white flames erupted from his Qi Cyclone and began circulating in an eerie rhythm.
As the flames completed a full loop, violent energy burst outward, spreading through his body.
"Heavenly Flame Triple Mysterious Change: Yin-Yang Transformation!"
Boom!
Black and white flames engulfed Xiao Yuan like a storm, cloaking him in fire. Moments later, the flames receded, and his aura climbed rapidly—once again reaching the level of a Three-Star Dou Ling!
"So he's forcefully boosting his power. No wonder he beat those others. But this trick won't last. It'll damage his body. This is your trump card, Xiao Yuan?" Fu Ao mocked.
Shing!
Xiao Yuan said nothing. With a gust of wind, his white figure appeared ghost-like before Fu Ao.
"Hmph! Let me show you what a true Dou Ling can do! Your crooked tricks are nothing!"
Fu Ao summoned a shimmering blue trident nearly half a meter long, its tips flickering with eerie light. With a fierce thrust, he launched it forward, space distorting in its wake.
Clang!
A Glacial Spear met the trident in midair. Sparks flew as metal clashed, ringing loudly through the field.
"Not bad," Fu Ao grunted as he stumbled back seven steps. But Xiao Yuan was already pressing forward.
Blue Dou Qi and swirling black-white ice flames battled in the sky. Steam hissed where they met. The two ghostly figures blurred through the air, their weapons clashing again and again.
Each collision shook the ground, and energy shockwaves forced the watching crowd to retreat.
(END CHAPTER)
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