Under the watchful eyes of all, Bai Cheng and his group slowly approached Xiao Yan. The former’s gaze swept over the group of new students, each exuding a formidable presence, before finally resting on the faces of Xiao Yan and his companions. Meeting the eyes of the man who bore a striking resemblance to Bai Shan, Xiao Yan did not flinch at the overwhelming aura emanating from the other, maintaining a calm, unwavering gaze.
As the two groups faced off, the surrounding crowd grew eerily silent, their gazes filled with a myriad of emotions.
“You must be Xiao Yan, right? I’ve heard Bai Shan mention you often. It’s true, your presence is quite impressive,” Bai Cheng said after a brief moment of eye contact, his expression slightly grim. Suddenly, he smiled and extended his hand towards Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed as he observed Bai Cheng’s actions, noticing the undercurrent of darkness in the latter’s eyes. Smiling lightly, Xiao Yan, under the watchful eyes of the onlookers, extended his hand and clasped Bai Cheng’s.
The moment their hands met, Bai Cheng’s smile vanished, replaced by a powerful surge of energy that radiated from within, causing the surrounding crowd’s robes to flutter. Some of the weaker individuals even stumbled backward, while the hand clasped with Xiao Yan’s was instantly enveloped in a dense layer of fighting spirit.
Feeling the sudden increase in strength and pain in his hand, Xiao Yan’s expression darkened. Activating his inner fighting spirit, a wisp of cyan flame was drawn out, swiftly traveling along his meridians to his palm.
However, just as the flame was about to emerge, Bai Cheng seemed to sense something, a sneer forming at the corner of his mouth. His middle finger slightly curved, then with a minuscule arc, pressed firmly into the center of Xiao Yan’s palm.
The hidden force in the palm caused Xiao Yan’s arm to tremble, but his face remained calm as he stared intently at Bai Cheng.
Seizing the moment, Bai Cheng, while Xiao Yan’s hand was numb, swiftly retracted his own. His eyes coldly watching Bai Cheng, who had the audacity to withdraw after taking advantage, Xiao Yan flicked his fingers, releasing a jet of cyan flame that rapidly chased after Bai Cheng’s retreating hand.
Noticing the fast-approaching fiery wisp, Bai Cheng’s eyes narrowed, his palm suddenly emitting a burst of fighting spirit, forming a half-foot wide protective shield around the flame. He then quickly withdrew his hand and retreated.
“Explode!” A low, muffled voice emerged from Xiao Yan’s lips.
With a resounding boom, the cyan flame, trapped within the protective shield, trembled violently before exploding with a dull roar. A wave of intense fire crashed against the shield, causing it to ripple like a stone thrown into a lake. In mere moments, the hastily constructed shield by Bai Cheng shattered, the sound crisp and clear.
Although the explosion cracked the shield, the flame itself also dissipated after expending its energy, turning into a wave of fire that gradually faded away.
“Bai Cheng, what are you doing?!” The confrontation between the two was subtle and swift. By the time the crowd realized what had happened, Hu Jia, her face flushed with anger, stepped forward, coldly rebuking him.
Following her, Wu Hao and the forty or so members of the Pan Gate, their faces filled with fury, took a step forward, ready to engage if provoked.
“Haha, no need to rush. I was just having a little friendly spar with Senior Xiao Yan. There’s nothing strange about such things in the Inner Academy,” Bai Cheng said, brushing off his sleeves with a faint smile. “I advise you, since you’re in the Inner Academy, follow its rules. Otherwise, you’ll only embarrass yourself.”
As he spoke, his eyes never left Xiao Yan, his meaning clear. The earlier exchange had left Xiao Yan unharmed, but Bai Cheng had given him a good punch, even if it was somewhat underhanded. This gave him a slight, smug satisfaction.
Xiao Yan, his expression unreadable, waved to Wu Hao and the others, signaling them to stay calm. Pulling his hand back into his sleeve, it trembled involuntarily; Bai Cheng’s punch had been strong, likely leaving the arm immobile for days.
Although their encounter was brief, Bai Cheng’s actions and calculations revealed him to be even more sinister than Bai Shan. Despite being stronger, he had resorted to underhanded tactics, which, though distasteful, were effective.
Raising his head, Xiao Yan looked at Bai Cheng, a faint smile appearing on his face. “Senior Bai Cheng, as a renowned fighter, your skill is commendable. Today, Xiao Yan acknowledges your superiority, but I hope you remember this day. In the future, I will ask you to recall this.”
Bai Cheng’s eyebrows furrowed at the smile on Xiao Yan’s face, surprised by the other’s composure. The smugness in his eyes slowly faded as he said, “If you have the skill, I, Bai Cheng, will always be ready. You set a trap for Fu Ao, forcing my ‘White Sect’ to leave your ‘Pan Gate’ alone for six months. But after six months, I’ll make you disband your sect!”
“The Inner Academy has its rules. No matter who you are or how much potential you have, without strength, you must bow down. Your arrogance without strength is merely courting humiliation,” Bai Cheng sneered.
Seeing Xiao Yan being humiliated in public, Xun’er’s eyes flickered with a golden flame, mixed with a rare, murderous intent.
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, a chill passing through his black pupils. Reaching out, he pressed down on Wu Hao, who was surrounded by a blood-red aura, shaking his head softly. “Don’t act rashly… we’ll settle this later.”
Wu Hao hesitated, then nodded, retreating. He knew that with their current strength, they were no match for the six-star Dou Ling, Bai Cheng.
Seeing Xiao Yan and his group remaining silent, Bai Cheng let out a mocking laugh. “If others are arrogant without the means, they bring shame upon themselves. So, what about you, Bai Cheng, if you lack the means, would you also bring shame?”
Just as Bai Cheng was about to leave, a cool voice interrupted, “Hanyue! Why are you interfering again?”
A path opened in the crowd, and seven graceful figures, led by Hanyue, walked in. Their fragrance invigorated the onlookers. Hanyue, who had met Xiao Yan before, was the leader.
The women behind Hanyue, all adorned with crescent-shaped badges, were a sight to behold, especially in the male-dominated Inner Academy where beautiful women were highly sought after.
Hanyue and her group immediately drew eager gazes and whispers.
“I just can’t stand seeing you bully new students. If you have the ability, go show your power to Lin Xiuyan and Yan Hao,” Hanyue said, her icy demeanor matching her silver hair and dress, rivaling only Xun’er and Hu Jia in beauty.
“You…” Bai Cheng’s face reddened, his mouth twitching. Lin Xiuyan and Yan Hao were both among the top ten of the ‘Strong List,’ with peak Dou Ling strength and one of the top five forces in the Inner Academy. How could he dare to confront them?
Although he was angry, he didn’t dare to be too disrespectful to Hanyue, whose strength and influence matched his. Instead, he glared at Xiao Yan, his voice tinged with mockery. “If what Bai Shan said is true, you certainly attract women. Let’s see what excuse you have in six months.”
“Six months from now, the White Sect will be disbanded,” Xiao Yan said as Bai Cheng passed by, taking a deep breath.
Bai Cheng paused, a mocking look in his eyes. “I’ll be waiting. Just don’t hide behind your women.”
With a sweep of his robe, Bai Cheng left with his group.
The onlookers, disappointed, shook their heads as Hanyue approached Xiao Yan. She sighed, “I told you yesterday, keep a low profile until you’re strong. Yet, today, you’ve already caused trouble.”
“It’s not my fault. I can’t ignore someone provoking me,” Xiao Yan shrugged, then bowed. “Thank you, Hanyue, for standing up for us. If you ever need help, I’ll do my best.”
“Let’s talk about that later. Right now, you can’t help much,” Hanyue replied, making Xiao Yan chuckle ruefully.
“Open the tower!” An elderly voice boomed, silencing the crowd. The creaking of the tower door echoed as it slowly opened.
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