Chapter 169: Battle Against Qingshan
Cheers erupted among the new students at the sight of the six newcomers. After their astounding performance in the Fire Energy Hunt, Xiao Yuan's reputation among the freshmen had reached a near-legendary status.
"Xiao Yuan? That's the one who defeated Luo Hou and his entire Bai Sha team?"
Even some of the older students spectating from the sidelines couldn't help but exclaim in shock, staring with a mix of curiosity and apprehension at the handsome young man in white.
"So you're Xiao Yuan?"
Seeing the wave of excitement wash over the freshmen, and their companion lying unconscious from a single strike, the seniors blocking the path wore uneasy expressions. Clearly, they were wary of Xiao Yuan's name. After all, Luo Hou ranked among the Inner Academy's top 100, having once made it onto the Strong Ranking, albeit only for three days. Still, to have reached it at all spoke volumes of his strength. That such a person had been defeated by Xiao Yuan made many older students cautious.
Xiao Yuan glanced indifferently at the seniors before him, his tone cool: "Yes, I'm Xiao Yuan. According to custom, I should call you seniors—but your actions don't merit that respect. If you want to fight, I suggest you all come at once. The result will be the same."
"You planning to be a hero? You might've defeated Luo Hou, but you should know—there are plenty in the Inner Academy stronger than him!"
Faced with the public eye, the seniors didn't want to show weakness. They stiffened their spines and tried to bluster.
Xiao Yuan smiled coldly. "I don't care. If you think you're stronger than Luo Hou, come find me. I'd love to see what kind of clowns pretend to be experts in front of me. These freshmen are under my protection now. I don't care who you collected tribute from—return it all before sunset tomorrow. If not, I'll come collect it myself. And then… it won't end with just giving it back."
His icy gaze swept across the seniors and then over the crowd. His voice rang clear.
Boom!
At his words, the dozens of freshmen behind him flared their Dou Qi in unison, stomping the ground with a thunderous force. The combined pressure made the seniors instinctively step back.
"Xiao Yuan, don't think numbers make you invincible! We're members of Qingshan! Offending us…"
Seeing themselves forced back, the seniors grew irate and shouted a warning. But before they could finish, a white figure flashed forward. Several dull thuds later, the seniors were all sent flying simultaneously.
"I said—don't act like experts in front of me. You have your rules—I have my truth. If you think you're strong, come challenge me. But bring enough Fire Energy first. I don't like paying tribute. These freshmen don't need to either. And to those watching—go tell the factions who've extorted our juniors: I, Xiao Yuan, will answer them personally.
Sure, murder's not allowed in the Academy. But believe me—if I beat every oppressive faction leader half to death, the elders will only praise me. No one who's trained here for one, three, or even five years has the right to lose to a freshman."
His tone was sharp, his words cutting. In one stroke, he placed himself in opposition to nearly every force in the Inner Academy.
"Kid's got guts!"
A voice of approval called out from the senior crowd.
"Atai. You know where Qingshan is? Take a few people and return these trash to their nest."
Xiao Yuan turned to ask calmly.
"Yes!" Atai nodded, then motioned to several companions to carry the downed seniors.
"Senior Xiao Yuan, this way please!" Atai said, taking the lead.
"Xiao Yan, take the others to the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower. Leave this to me."
Xiao Yan nodded without hesitation and left with Xun'er and the others.
From Xiao Yuan's earlier attack, he could already tell that his brother's strength had advanced again. Though officially a Five-Star Da Dou Shi, he had likely reached Nine-Star in terms of real power. With the Heavenly Flame Triple Mysterious Change and that strange secret art, even a Seven-Star Dou Ling wouldn't have an easy time against him.
And within the Inner Academy, there were no known Dou Wang experts. In other words, Xiao Yuan had little to fear.
Besides, if necessary, he could unseal his hidden power and battle even a Dou Wang.
Seeing Xiao Yuan not only stand up to the senior bullies but also help them reclaim what was taken, the new students burst into cheers again. The look in their eyes said it all—Xiao Yuan had earned their absolute loyalty.
"Senior! Let us go with you!"
Dozens of freshmen shouted together.
"No need. Wait here for my return. I have a task for you—there are fifty of us freshmen, minus the six of us, that leaves forty-four. Sort yourselves based on talent and ability, form a core structure. I'll review and adjust it when I'm back. If anyone doesn't want to join me, they don't have to. I'll give you one day.
You all made it into the Inner Academy, so prove you're worth it. Don't disappoint me."
With a wave of his hand, Xiao Yuan issued the order, then nodded for Atai to lead on.
"Bold kid. A Five-Star Da Dou Shi daring to make such claims. Either he's got real strength, or he's bluffing hard."
Some older students murmured among themselves.
"Hey, word is he beat Luo Hou while still at Four-Star. That kind of strength earns him the right to be cocky."
"Looks like we've got a show. Bai Gang and Yao Gang aren't easy to deal with!"
"He's alright. If someone like him had existed when we were freshmen, I'd have followed him too."
"Haha, true!"
"Let's go. Qingshan's leader and vice-leader are a Four-Star and Two-Star Dou Ling. The rest are mostly Da Dou Shi. Let's see where this Xiao Yuan gets his confidence!"
The seniors followed the group as spectators.
Qingshan's base wasn't far. Within ten minutes, Xiao Yuan stood at its gates, led by Atai.
"Carry them in gently. Also, list the factions who extorted tribute—the first two waves and the last group that resorted to violence. I want to visit them all."
Atai nodded quickly. "The first two were Bai Gang and Yao Gang—two powerful factions. Yao Gang basically controls all alchemy resources in the Inner Academy."
"And the others?"
"The violent ones were Qingshan. The other two just made threats. Maybe they saw we'd already been beaten once and didn't want to cause too much trouble."
Xiao Yuan smiled faintly. "Not bad. Good intel and a sharp head. Once we form our faction, I'll be counting on you."
Then his eyes narrowed. "They're here."
Just then, a group burst from the gates. The leader's aura was stronger than Luo Hou's—likely Qingshan's vice-leader.
"So you're Xiao Yuan. Pretty face, at least."
The man sneered, face darkening as he spotted his unconscious comrades. He had felt Xiao Yuan's oppressive aura earlier, and when he confirmed who it was, came out personally.
The implication that Xiao Yuan was all looks and no substance didn't faze him.
"I'm Xiao Yuan. If this is all Qingshan's got, better stay away from me. Next time, I won't be so nice as to return your people."
The vice-leader's face turned even uglier.
"Bold words. You think beating Luo Hou and playing hero makes you strong enough to challenge all of Qingshan?"
"Heh, and you think you're stronger than Luo Hou? You barely scraped the Strong Ranking. Don't act like some big shot."
As Xiao Yuan's Dou Qi erupted, he turned to Atai's group and said calmly, "Back up a bit. Don't want you caught in the crossfire."
They nodded and retreated.
"Come then. I'll give you the courtesy—come at me all at once."
"Arrogant brat!"
The vice-leader's Two-Star Dou Ling aura surged, joined by the Da Dou Shi elites behind him. The pressure exceeded even Luo Hou's five-man team.
"I was trying to stay low-key, but since you're all so curious—let me show you what I'm really capable of."
With every step Xiao Yuan took, his aura swelled. By the seventh step, it matched the combined pressure of the entire Qingshan squad!
"What?! What kind of secret technique is this?!"
The vice-leader was stunned. He'd heard of Xiao Yuan's secret technique against Luo Hou, but never imagined it could boost him to Three-Star Dou Ling strength.
What kind of background did this kid have?
"Holy crap!"
The surrounding spectators gaped in disbelief.
This guy was a freshman?
Give him a year and he'd be able to challenge elders!
Terrifying.
Atai and the others stared, stunned. They thought Luo Hou had pushed Xiao Yuan's limit. Now it seemed Luo Hou hadn't even made him go all out!
Shhhk!
With a wave of his sleeve, black ice spikes formed around Xiao Yuan and shot toward Qingshan's crowd.
"Hmph!"
The vice-leader summoned a cyan shield to block the barrage.
But the weaker members weren't so lucky. Some were injured outright, unable to defend in time.
"His Dou Qi technique isn't ordinary," the vice-leader thought grimly.
But he refused to show fear. He prepared to counterattack—
"Xuan Ice Dragon Soar!"
Xiao Yuan, unwilling to play fair, struck first with a high-level technique.
A black ice dragon formed overhead. Dragon Qi surged.
ROAR!
A draconic sonic wave burst from Xiao Yuan's mouth—striking before the dragon even hit.
The Qingshan squad froze in place, stunned.
Too late.
CRASH!
The dragon crashed into them like a meteor, smashing their formation and sending anguished cries echoing through the air.
(END CHAPTER)
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