Chapter 232

Xiao Yan is a man who never stirs without profit; he has strength, yes, but he's no do-gooder, not the type to roar out at injustice.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the New Students had already expected it—after all, in the forest they'd witnessed Xiao Yan's "utilitarianism," valuing coins over people, even robbing New Students; had it not been for the Elder's reward, he'd likely have robbed the Elder too.

"Big Brother Xiao Yan, we didn't come to ask you to spare us from that harassment—we understand that as New Students in the Inner Court, being bullied by Senior Students is inevitable. I've asked around, and in past years, New Students did pay this so-called 'New Student Tribute Fee,' but never as much as us—we're being forced to pay it all. According to my friend, this year's extreme demand is because our cohort passed the 'Fire Energy Hunt,' earning a reward of twenty days' Heavenly Flame. This angered many Senior Students who'd been robbed during past Fire Energy Hunts, hence this situation."

People always fear inequality more than scarcity, injustice more than poverty.

Learning that the New Students hadn't been robbed but had instead passed the Fire Energy Hunt and earned a large reward of Fire Energy left many feeling resentful.

"We're not blaming you, Big Brother Xiao Yan—you gave us New Students twenty days' Fire Energy reward. Among this year's Inner Court entrants, Senior Student Xiao Yan now holds the highest prestige. So when we face this trouble, we can only come to you, hoping you'll intervene and stop this layer-upon-layer of exploitation. Otherwise, we won't even have enough Fire Energy to pay for entry into the Fentian Lianqi Tower, and even if we enter, we might be harassed and unable to focus on Cultivation—how can we possibly Cultivate in the Inner Court?" A Tai stared tightly at Xiao Yan. "Yesterday, we heard Sister Xun Er say you plan to form a Faction—we're willing to pay you Protection Fees. We only ask that Big Brother Xiao Yan help us."

"Oh, now that you put it that way, I'm actually interested." Xiao Yan smiled faintly, stroking the ring on his finger. After a moment's thought, he grinned at A Tai. "If there's business, I'll take it."

"Here's the deal: I've just formed my own organization, and daily maintenance, guard duty, intelligence gathering—all require manpower. I won't take advantage of you. If you're willing to join Xiao Dian, I, Xiao Yan, will provide you protection. Each month, pay ten days' Fire Energy as tribute, and completing tasks assigned by Xiao Dian will earn you more Fire Energy."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, A Tai and the others exchanged glances—Xiao Yan clearly intended to recruit them.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, they were indeed tempted. After all, Xiao Yan's strength was obvious—he'd easily defeated Luo Hou and Bai Feng.

Though Xiao Yan had just formed his Faction, his potential was self-evident.

A dozen New Students nodded. A Tai said, "Alright, Big Brother Xiao Yan. Besides us, there are at least another dozen New Students suffering the same abuse. I'll go gather them now."

"Go, go. Wait for us at the entrance to the New Student dormitory."

Xun Er and the others had heard what happened at the gate. After discussing it, they all agreed with Xiao Yan's approach.

"Let's go. Meet our members at the gate. I want to see who dares bully my Xiao Dian people." Xiao Yan waved his hand and strode toward the exit. Behind him, Xun Er and the others exchanged glances, smiled, then hurried after him.

Beyond the pavilion lay a shaded avenue, flanked by the residences of this year's other New Students. Compared to Xiao Yan's nine-person pavilion, theirs were noticeably more modest—suggesting such treatment wasn't universal.

Bai Shan had long since left the New Student dormitory and moved into the White Gang's stronghold.

When Xiao Yan and the others appeared at the dorm entrance, the gathered New Students erupted in cheers, quickly clearing a path for him.

At the avenue's exit, eight Senior Students with Tower-shaped Class Badges on their chests blocked the way. Behind them stood a crowd of onlookers—clearly delighted by the New Students' humiliation, for many of them had once walked this same path.

Opposite the eight Senior Students stood A Tai, who had just come to Xiao Yan for help. Now, he stood with the New Students, face dark with fury, facing off against the Seniors.

"Enough talk, kid. The New Student Tribute Fee is an old Inner Court custom. We haven't been harsh—you'd better hand it over willingly. Better to pay and avoid trouble—don't you understand that?" A young man, around twenty-five, smiled pleasantly at the furious A Tai and his group.

"Hmph. Don't think we're New Students and don't know the rules. Yes, New Students must pay the 'Tribute Fee' to Seniors—but the Inner Court has an unwritten rule: New Students only pay two Factions. Once you've paid those two, any other Faction demanding payment must negotiate with those two—none of it concerns us."

"Hehe, that's the usual case. But your cohort's unusually strong, isn't it? In all these years, no New Student team has ever reversed the Fire Energy Hunt and stolen from Senior Student teams. Since you're so unconventional, naturally, the rules for you must be special."

At that moment, Xiao Yan's lazy voice drifted from afar: "You know Seniors were robbed? Yet you still come here to collect Fire Energy? Do you think I'm dead?"

"Big Brother Xiao Yan!" A Tai, seeing Xiao Yan's group approach, looked as if he'd seen a savior.

Seeing Xiao Yan appear, the surrounding New Students burst into cheers. After the Fire Energy Hunt performance, Xiao Yan's prestige among New Students had soared.

Now he was their god—barely short of kneeling and shouting: "You are my god."

Hearing Xiao Yan's name, the Senior Students' faces darkened. They'd heard of him—he was a Two-Star Dou Ling who'd defeated Luo Hou and Bai Feng one-on-two.

And Bai Feng had once ranked in the top hundred of the Strong List—though he'd been knocked out after only a few days, it still proved he had some strength.

Thus, some Senior Students in the Inner Court still held a degree of caution toward Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan, this is an established Inner Court rule. We haven't even bothered you—that's already giving you face. Don't make a mistake. Though you defeated Luo Hou and Bai Feng, know this: in the Inner Court, many are stronger than them! Some you dare not offend!" The young man, unwilling to lose face before the crowd, stiffened his neck and snarled.

Hearing the young man's words, Xiao Yan laughed as if hearing a joke. "Hehe, of course there are people I dare not offend—but if you mean the Strong List monsters, the Peak Dou Lings, the so-called 'A Ma A Gou,' forget it."

Hearing Xiao Yan's arrogance, not only the stubborn youth, but even the onlookers behind him paled.

Xiao Yan's words were a direct challenge to every Faction in the Inner Court!

He'd insulted every monster genius on the Strong List!

"You… you're not just offending my Qing Gang—you're challenging everyone in the Inner Court!"

Xiao Yan showed no fear of the high-pressure title. He coldly smiled. "I, Xiao Yan, have founded Xiao Dian. These New Students have chosen to join Xiao Dian. Whoever dares bully my Xiao Dian brothers—even if it's the entire Inner Court—I, Xiao Yan, will fight through every corner of it!"

Seeing the coldness in Xiao Yan's eyes, the Senior Student's throat moved slightly. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. He felt it—the youth before him, younger than him by many years, spoke with genuine, chilling murderous intent.

With a sharp *shii*, Xiao Yan instantly appeared behind the Qing Gang disciple who'd been boasting. Dou Qi solidified into a rope, binding the fool—a mere Three-Star Great Dou Shi—in an instant.

"Y-you wanna do what?!"

"Since your Qing Gang wants to eat crab, prepare to get pinched." Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened, revealing cold intent. "Someone, hang this guy on a tree. Let those who wish to bully our New Students see the fate of those who dare harass Xiao Dian brothers."

Hearing this, A Tai trembled all over, scalp prickling. This feeling of vindication, of someone fighting back for him, cemented his resolve to follow Xiao Yan to the death.

Xiao Yan, a man who protects his own, is the very type who gathers loyalty.

"Yes, Sect Leader!" A Tai knelt on one knee and roared, then seized the Qing Gang disciple who'd been bullying him and was now bound.

Ignoring his threats, he literally hung the man on a tree—like a crab dangling from a branch!

Seeing Xiao Yan actually hang the man, the remaining seven Qing Gang members recoiled in terror, daring not utter a single threat, afraid of meeting the same fate.

Xiao Yan swept his cold gaze across the crowd. No one dared step forward to criticize him—none here were stronger than Dou Ling; they were all just spectators.

"Since everyone's here, pass on this message: Yesterday, whoever among the Factions collected tribute from New Students—within seven days, return double. Miss even one second's Fire Energy, and I, Xiao Yan, will come personally to collect. Then it won't be just double."

*Sss! * All onlookers felt their hearts sink. Xiao Yan meant to shatter the Inner Court's unwritten rules—and he was effectively declaring war on every Faction that had collected "Protection Fees" yesterday.

All Senior Students understood: this black-eyed boy was fiercely dominant and fiercely protective—he'd never take a loss, nor let his people suffer one.

Watching the Senior Students disperse after their murmurs, Xiao Yan slowly turned, gazing at the cheering New Students, and smiled.

"Sect Leader Xiao Yan, we will give our all for Xiao Dian," said the youth named A Tai, stepping forward with a respectful bow.

Xiao Yan patted A Tai's shoulder. "Good. Xiao Dian is still new—many things aren't settled yet. Since I've formed a Faction, I won't just take your Fire Energy. Those who contribute to Xiao Dian will be rewarded with Fire Energy."

"For now, follow Xun Er's orders. I'm going to the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta." Xiao Yan smiled.

Hearing Xiao Yan was going to the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta, A Tai hurriedly said, "Sect Leader, be careful—the rules inside the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta differ from the Inner Court."

"Oh? Elaborate."

A Tai continued: "Normally, whoever gets lucky and claims a good spot inside the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta may Cultivate there. But the Inner Court has no rule forbidding private fights inside. So even if you're lucky enough to secure a high-tier Cultivation spot, if your strength is insufficient, you'll still be driven out. Thus, to gain the best Cultivation conditions inside the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta, you must have either strong personal power or a solid team. That's why many in the Inner Court attach themselves to powerful Factions—to secure better spots." A Tai's gaze fixed on Xiao Yan's face, his tone grave.

Xiao Yan shook his head noncommittally. "Don't worry. Since you've joined Xiao Dian, the best spots in the Fentian Lianqi Tower won't be lacking."

Not long after, Xiao Yan's bold declaration and the founding of Xiao Dian spread instantly through the entire Inner Court—a stone cast into a thousand waves. Even Factions that hadn't touched the New Students were furious.

"Xiao Dian's Xiao Yan—what an arrogant New Student. In all these years, no New Student has dared be so brazen."

"Hey, thought reaching Dou Ling in the Outer Court made you arrogant and oblivious to everyone else. But the people in the Inner Court are far deeper than you imagine."

Beneath the surface, a current of hostility against Xiao Yan was already stirring.

Xiao Yan naturally knew nothing of this, but even if he did, he wouldn't care.

"There are so many people here. Isn't the Inner Court limited to five-year terms, only fifty students per year? How can there be so many?" Xiao Yan stood atop a height; the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta had not yet opened, and a dense crowd surrounded it.

The Inner Court certainly isn't as small as two hundred and fifty people.

Wu Hao said, "Entering the Inner Court isn't only through the selection trials. Special roles like the Enforcement Team, Pill Alchemy Division, Artifact Crafting Division, and Sealing Array Division have other entry standards—not necessarily requiring combat strength. Also, some Factions from the Black Horn Region have agreements with the academy, each year securing a fixed number of Inner Court slots for themselves."

"I see."

With a loud boom, as Xiao Yan and the other whispered, an ancient bell tone suddenly rang out across the area, and as the bell echoed, the noisy chatter instantly ceased.

"Open the Tower!"

As the bell tone faded, a withered voice seemed to emerge from within the tower.

Shortly after the withered voice spoke, the tightly shut black gate slowly creaked open, emitting a faint, scorching heat that slightly raised the infernal heat of the surroundings.

Feeling the sudden rise in infernal heat, Xiao Yan's pupils sharply contracted, and his hand clenched tightly—he desired what lay inside.

"Enter the Tower!"

"Let's go in too."

Suppressing his inner longing, Xiao Yan waved to Wu Hao and strode forward toward the mysterious black tower buried deep underground.

As they drew closer, Xiao Yan truly realized the vast scale of the black tower—this single exposed level alone was as large as a two- or three-story building. If even this corner of the iceberg was so immense, how colossal must the tower hidden beneath the earth be?

The instant Xiao Yan stepped into the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta, a transparent Heart Fire appeared within him; instantly, white smoke hissed from his body.

Beside Xiao Yan, Wu Hao—who entered the tower at the same time—now had a flushed face, and white mist likewise rose from his body.

"Heh, every year there are reckless New Students eager to rush into the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta. They deserve this suffering."

"Such naive kids—entering the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta for the first time and not even reporting first? They're getting a bitter lesson they didn't even earn," said Liu Elder on this level, shaking his head as he watched Xiao Yan and Wu Hao standing still, their bodies steaming.

Normally, New Students must register and learn how to handle Heart Fire and how to cultivate before entering the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta. Only Xiao Yan would be this impatient—and he'd even dragged Wu Hao down with him.

Seeing the Heart Fire appear, Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly; a wisp of Black Flame popped out and swallowed the transparent Heart Fire whole.

"Huh?" Liu Elder, watching nearby, froze—he had already prepared to intervene. New Students entering the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta for the first time lack experience; if they don't know how to handle Heart Fire, Elders must step in.

But Xiao Yan had already regained composure in mere moments! This was nothing like a New Student.

Xiao Yan shook his head, gently placing his left hand on Wu Hao's shoulder; a strand of Black Flame slipped into Wu Hao's body and devoured the Heart Fire.

"Hah!!" Wu Hao snapped back to awareness, gasping wildly, staring at Xiao Yan in fear. "What was that? I felt like I was burning!"

"Kuang?!" Liu Elder and several others who had been smirking stared, dumbfounded, as Wu Hao also regained consciousness. This was still a New Student?!

Xiao Yan said to Wu Hao, who was still panting, "Wu Hao, go learn the cultivation methods from the Elder first."

"What about you?"

"Me? This is only the first level. How could I stay on the first level? I'm going deeper."

With that, Xiao Yan followed a Dou Ling-level individual deeper into the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta.

Wu Hao was speechless, muttering, "This guy is a monster."

As Xiao Yan walked, he observed: inside the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta were individual cultivation chambers, divided into three tiers—the outermost were beginner, the middle ones were intermediate, and the innermost were advanced.

Above each advanced chamber hung a plaque bearing a Faction emblem—likely indicating occupation by a specific Faction.

"Why are you following me?" A cold voice rang out.

Xiao Yan turned toward the source of the voice—a girl with snow-white hair, the very Dou Ling he had been following.

"Uh..." Xiao Yan felt awkward—he had indeed been trailing her. He rubbed his nose. "I want to go deeper, but I don't know the way."

The beautiful woman frowned slightly, guessing he was a New Student, and shook her head. "Regardless of your strength, every New Student must cultivate for a full week on the first level before advancing to the next."

"What? But the first level has no effect on me. I think I need to reach the fifth level for any real benefit."

Hearing Xiao Yan's audacious claim, the beautiful woman no longer wished to speak with him. "To enter the fifth level, you need a Cyan Fire Energy Card."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, pulling out a Fire Energy Card from his storage ring. "Would this work?"

"Crimson Fire Energy Card!! How is this possible?!" Han Yue's eyes widened. Those possessing Crimson Fire Energy Cards were exceedingly rare in the entire Inner Court—and none of them were Xiao Yan!

(End of Chapter)