The dense forest was dim and hushed, with only fragmented sunlight spilling through gaps in the canopy, painting scattered patches of light upon the carpet of fallen leaves. The gloom between the trees carried a quiet tension.
"Creak… creak…"
The silence was broken only by the sound of several figures stepping upon brittle twigs and withered leaves.
"Everyone heard Elder Su just now. In this so-called 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition,' the earlier we reach the end, the greater the rewards. But if we all travel together, how should those rewards be split?" Liu Lingfeng was the first to speak, sweeping his gaze across the group as if in jest, though his words carried pointed meaning.
At that, the others faltered. Their steps slowed, expressions turning complicated, and the air between them grew heavy.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Wang Shan asked bluntly, his booming voice cutting through the silence.
"Heh, what else could it mean? Of course it means we should scatter. Only then can we compete fairly for the reward." Shui Rou'er replied with a soft smile. Her words seemed gentle, but they sliced open the unspoken truth like a blade.
Liu Xi studied the shifting expressions around him, realizing the small alliance they'd formed was already crumbling. He sighed inwardly. Even if he spoke up, it would change nothing—ambition and pride burned in each of them. They were geniuses; none feared the threat of the older students.
He wasn't particularly interested in forcing them to stay either. With a light smile, he said, "Since you've all made up your minds, I won't hold you back. We'll meet in the Inner Academy."
"Hahaha, good! See you in the Inner Academy!"
"Liu Xi, this time I won't lose to you."
"The reward will be mine. I'll go first."
One by one, they departed, leaving Liu Xi alone on the path. He moved on calmly toward the Inner Academy.
---
Not long after, he came across a scene ahead: two groups of figures. Five were new students like himself, but instead of solidarity, they were quarreling loudly among themselves.
And above them, perched casually on the branches, stood five older students. They gazed down with mocking amusement, like cats toying with mice.
Liu Xi shook his head at the sight. 'With enemies on the outside and discord within, these newcomers are doomed.' He remained hidden, watching silently.
"Well, well… what a leisurely bunch. To be squabbling at a time like this?" one of the seniors drawled. His voice cut through the air, making the bickering new students freeze. Warily, they lifted their heads—and saw the five youths above, each wearing a badge marked with the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower's emblem.
"You're here to steal our 'Fire Energy,' aren't you?" one burly freshman sneered, showing little fear. Ranked among the top fifty in the Outer Academy, his strength was not insignificant.
"Smart boy." The leader, a young man with a scar across his face, grinned. "Since you already know, there's no need for nonsense. Hand over your fire energy, and we'll spare you some pain. What do you say?"
"In your dreams!" a skinny student spat back.
But the words had barely left his lips before the scarred youth's figure flickered forward. A vicious kick landed squarely on the boy's stomach, hurling him into a tree. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crumpled, unable to rise.
"Bastards! Attack!" the burly freshman roared in anger, charging.
Yet before his strike landed, muffled thuds echoed behind him. Whirling around, he saw his three companions already rolling across the ground like broken gourds, sent flying by three disdainful seniors.
"Listen up, brat. I don't care how highly you ranked in the Outer Academy. Once you enter the Inner Academy, dragon or tiger, you bow your head." The scarred youth's voice whispered coldly by his ear before a heavy fist crashed into his jaw, dropping him in a spray of blood.
"Hand over your fire crystal cards if you don't want more broken bones." The scarred youth flexed his knuckles with a chilling smile.
Gritting their teeth, the defeated freshmen surrendered their cards.
Snatching one up, the scarred youth's eyes gleamed. He pressed it against his own card, and before their eyes, the glowing number changed—his total climbing from 53 to 56, while theirs plummeted to 2. He tossed the depleted card back at them.
"See? That's the price for not banding together. Consider this your free lesson from us seniors." He laughed mockingly.
"Enough. We don't have time to waste." One of his companions urged, and the group left, leaving the humiliated freshmen glaring at one another before scattering.
Only then did Liu Xi emerge from the shadows, eyes cool as he tailed the five departing seniors.
---
Not far along, one of the seniors muttered, "Why is it getting colder?"
"I feel it too—the air's been dropping ever since just now." another frowned.
Their senses sharpened, and soon they spotted Liu Xi approaching.
"Ah, so it's you." The scarred youth sneered. "One of the top five from the selection, eh? No wonder you dared chase us alone. But you'll regret that arrogance."
"You think you can lecture me on survival?" Liu Xi smiled faintly, crimson flame already blooming in his palm, haloed in eerie blue. The surrounding air plummeted in temperature as all heat was devoured.
"Arrogant brat! Let's teach him to respect his seniors!"
The five lunged as one, sealing every angle of retreat.
Liu Xi's smirk only deepened. His figure blurred into a streak of ghostly blue light.
The scarred youth's strike pierced straight through, hitting nothing but air. His eyes widened in horror as Liu Xi rematerialized before the skinny youth, red flame surging on his fist. With a casual punch, he stole half the boy's body heat, dropping him shivering and gasping.
Then, in another flash of blue, Liu Xi vanished again—reappearing behind another, striking just as effortlessly.
Panic spread. No matter where they turned, they could not catch his shadow. One by one, they fell, until only the scarred youth remained, staring in terror at his twitching companions.
"What trickery is this? Show yourself if you dare!" he roared, voice shaking.
"I've been here all along. The reality you cling to has long ceased to be real." Liu Xi's calm voice echoed from every direction.
The scarred youth's eyes darted wildly, sweat dripping.
"From the moment we met, you were already caught in my illusion. You see only what I allow you to see. Hear only what I want you to hear. From that instant—you had already lost."
Even as he spoke, Liu Xi calmly replenished his Dou Qi. Then, flame burning fiercely in his hand, he walked forward. To the scarred youth, it appeared as a final flash of blue light before Liu Xi materialized directly in front of him, palm pressing to his chest.
The fiery explosion hurled him back in agony, searing his body with grievous burns.
As the illusion shattered like glass, Liu Xi's true form emerged, standing tall above the five fallen seniors. He smiled warmly, though his words were edged in steel.
"Now, hand over your fire crystal cards. Spare yourselves further pain."
Terrified and broken, they complied. Liu Xi transferred most of their fire energy into his own jet-black card. The number leapt from 5 to 213—enough for months of cultivation in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
He tossed their depleted cards back. "Don't pout. I left you with ten days' worth. I'm far too merciful."
The scarred youth bit back hatred, trembling with fury but not daring to protest.
And so Liu Xi departed. Yet before long, rumors spread through the forest—of a sinister newcomer whose methods were eerie, illusions unfathomable, temper cruel, his presence oppressive and strange. They did not know his name.
They gave him another.
Demon Lord.
(End of Chapter)
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