Chapter 51: Inner Court, Recruiting New Students

「The hunting competition is over, now distributing rewards. 」 Elder Su glanced around indifferently, seeing the old students lower their heads in silence, he coldly snorted in frustration at their lack of competitiveness.

Fifty people, all knocked off their mounts by a single newcomer, it's no wonder Elder Su isn't pleased—even that monster is from their Ganaan Academy.

「As the victors of this session's Fire Energy Hunting Competition, the newcomers present may each receive ten days of fire energy, while Xiao Li receives an extra reward: the Red Fire Crystal Card, plus fifty days of fire energy. 」

The newcomers had no objections; they'd been carried by Xiao Li the whole way, never lifting a hand, and arrived at the finish line—getting ten days of fire energy for free was already good, not losing any was fine.

The old students' eyes flashed with deep envy; fire energy is essentially the foundation for standing firm in the Inner Court, such an amount they dare not even imagine, let alone the red fire crystal card.

In the Inner Court, fire crystal cards are ranked from low to high by color: black, blue, green, red, purple—five types. The black crystal cards given to newcomers are the lowest grade, qualifying only for training on the first two levels of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, while blue cards qualify for levels three and four, and so on.

To upgrade a crystal card, one must pay fire energy; upgrading a black card to red requires a full 1000 days of fire energy.

Seeing everyone had no further doubts, Elder Su nodded slightly, smiling: 「Alright, since you've all passed the Fire Energy Hunting Competition, follow me into the Inner Court. 」

With that, Elder Su turned first and led the way up a gravel path toward the hilltop.

「After all that hard work, we can finally enter the Inner Court. 」 Xiao Li let out a long sigh; to get into the Inner Court he'd snatched fire energy from fifty senior students, feeling rather embarrassed, and when he later secludes himself in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, he'll surely not forget their generosity.

Under everyone's gaze, Xiao Li took the first step, climbing the stairs.

Xiao Li moved, and only then did the other newcomers, including Lin Xiuya, dare to step forward.

The gravel stairs weren't particularly high; after just a minute or two, Xiao Li and the others reached the top, paused, then stood on the hilltop, looking ahead—the sight that met them left everyone quite shocked.

「Is this the Inner Court? 」 a low murmur came from a newcomer on the hill.

Beyond the hill lay a vast, enormous depression, its shape like a massive meteorite that had fallen from the sky and violently carved out the land.

Towering buildings filled the depression; from a high vantage point one could see countless ant‑sized black shadows constantly flashing and leaping, the view stretching forward revealed the depression's area was astonishingly large—even at the limits of sight only towering buildings and lush greenery could be seen.

It's hard to imagine that hidden within the endless mountains behind Ganaan Academy lies such a remarkable place.

「Welcome to the core of Ganaan Academy, the Inner Court! 」 Elder Su clapped his hands, looking at the newcomers' stunned faces, and said with a smile.

「Everyone, now that you're in the Inner Court, competition is fierce; I believe unity will help us overcome hardships. Thus I establish the Thunder Sect, charging no fees, only hoping that when you face difficulties you can look out for one another. 」 Xiao Li stepped forward and spoke the words he'd long prepared.

Elder Su paused, did not interrupt, secretly glanced at Xiao Li, his eyes growing more astonished, thinking to himself.

「Not bad, kid—you actually want to swallow all the newcomers of this session; those folks in the Inner Court won't let you have your way. Though you're strong, you may not withstand the Inner Court's experts. 」

Thinking that, Elder Su grew even more eager to see what brilliance Xiao Li would display upon entering the Inner Court.

「I'm willing. 」 Lin Xiuya immediately said; he's no fool—during the hunting competition the old students' goal was clear: seize newcomers' fire energy, enter the Inner Court, and there would be even stronger oppression.

Compared to those unknown pressures, Lin Xiuya would rather rely on Xiao Li this great tree, at least he charges no fees.

Seeing the first newcomer of this session agree to join, most others hesitated no longer; only a few still clung to their genius dreams, choosing to enter the Inner Court alone, and once they're battered by reality they'll naturally know the value of Xiao Li's sect.

Seeing everyone had made their choice, Xiao Li waved his hand, his figure turning into a blur of blood‑red shadow, shooting toward the huge depression; the newcomers instantly followed, swooping down from the hill like a locust plague, and for a moment excited roars filled the sky, lingering long.

Elder Su chuckled helplessly: 「This kid really isn't ordinary—I wonder where he learned the Inner Court's rules. 」

「Being able to get it is his ability; the survival law of the Inner Court isn't just 'the able get more'? 」

Huo Qian chuckled; a seedling noticed by the Grand Elder certainly can't be judged by common sense—perhaps in a few decades even he, a peak Fighting Emperor, will have to look up to Xiao Li.

The weak are prey to the strong, the strong reign—this is forever the world's main theme; the Inner Court is no carefree ivory tower.

……

At the Inner Court's gate, many leaders of the old students' forces had gathered.

「Wang Kunyue, this time your Sunset Gate had better stay out of it. 」 a man with deep brows and eyes said lightly.

The one called Wang Kunyue was a thick‑eyebrowed, large‑eyed youth; hearing this he snorted coldly: 「Wei Ming, do you still want to swallow these newcomers yourself? 」

Wei Ming laughed heartily, not waiting for his reply, a distant figure flashed by, the sound of movement drawing all his attention.

「They're here. 」

The stern expression on Wang Kunyue's face instantly vanished, replaced by a smile, looking much kinder.

「Junior brothers and sisters, I'm here to welcome you as your senior! 」

Wang Kunyue's shout drew Xiao Li's group's attention.

Xiao Li stopped, turned to Lin Xiuya and the others, and asked: 「Is there someone to guide us? 」

Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing exchanged a glance: 「We don't know; the elder didn't say. 」

Seeing the clueless newcomers, Xiao Li helplessly rubbed his forehead, turned to Wang Kunyue, and said: 「Then thanks, senior—could you take us to our lodgings? 」

Wang Kunyue smiled triumphantly, but before he could speak, Wei Ming hurriedly stepped forward to block Xiao Li's group: 「Don't listen to him—he's from the Inner Court's Sunset Gate, wants to bring you there to recruit you; their sect exploits mercilessly! 」

Seeing Wang Kunyue's resentful look, Xiao Li understood, frowned, and thought: 「A normal invitation would be fine, but playing this trick is rather off‑putting. 」

「If it's just about joining, never mind—the newcomers behind me have all joined my Thunder Sect; there are still a dozen or so newcomers unaffiliated. 」

As soon as he said that, Wei Ming, Wang Kunyue, and the other leaders' faces changed.

「Your Thunder Sect? You mean you've absorbed most of the newcomers?! 」

(End of Chapter)