Entering the sixth floor of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly at the spacious and open space that was larger than the previous floors. “Such an environment and treatment, no wonder only the top powerhouses of the Inner Academy have the qualifications to enter here.” The space on the sixth floor was quite large, with the stone walls all a light red color, exuding a peculiar temperature that made one feel lazy. However, despite the spaciousness, there were very few people. As Xiao Yan looked around, he saw only a few figures standing in the vast area, a stark contrast to the crowded upper floors.
The conditions for entering the sixth floor were rather strict; even some experts from the ‘Strong Ranking’ competition did not possess the necessary qualifications. Thus, the scarcity of people was understandable. After a quick glance, Xiao Yan did not hesitate and headed straight into the depths of the sixth floor.
Xiao Yan had come to the sixth floor of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower with the intention of secluding himself. The approaching ‘Strong Ranking’ competition made him feel a sense of urgency. Although his fury and anger from the family upheaval had pushed his aura to the peak of the one-star level, and after three days of intense fighting, he had luckily broken through to the two-star Dou Spirit level, such strength was still under pressure to make it into the top ten of the ‘Strong Ranking’ competition. After all, those in the current top ten were all at the peak of the Dou Spirit level, and some like Lin Xiuya, Yan Hao, and Liu Qing had even touched upon the barrier of the Dou Wang level. Such strength was enough to rival the leaders of the Black-Corner Region, and ordinary ‘Strong Ranking’ experts could hardly pose any threat to them.
With nearly twenty days until the competition, Xiao Yan planned to use this time to boost his strength as much as possible, increasing his chances of making it into the top ten. The best place in the Inner Academy for quickly enhancing one’s strength was the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, and with the qualifications Xiao Yan now possessed, the sixth floor was the optimal choice!
As he slowly walked deeper, Xiao Yan noticed with some surprise that although the training chambers on the sixth floor were more exquisite, their numbers seemed to have drastically decreased. Pondering this, he realized that every batch of students with the qualifications to train here was small, so there was no need for too many unused chambers.
Reaching the center of the sixth floor, he found a medium-sized rest plaza with about a dozen figures scattered around. These individuals exuded formidable auras, and each one of them, if placed in the Inner Academy, would command respectful gazes. Clearly, their strength was at least within the top thirty of the ‘Strong Ranking.’
When Xiao Yan stepped into the rest plaza, the whispers in the area suddenly fell silent, and sharp yet seemingly calm gazes shot out from all directions, finally settling on Xiao Yan. A moment later, puzzled murmurs arose: “A two-star Dou Spirit? When did such strength qualify for the sixth floor? Has the Inner Academy lowered its standards?”
Not surprised by the questions, Xiao Yan, despite his reputation in the Inner Academy, was not as well-known to these individuals who were all distinguished figures. While they might have heard of Xiao Yan, few had actually seen him. After all, these hardcore cultivators rarely paid attention to matters that didn’t concern them. Thus, when they saw a two-star Dou Spirit enter the sixth floor, they were puzzled and surprised.
“Xiao Yan?”
Of course, not everyone was unfamiliar with Xiao Yan. Shortly after he appeared, a familiar voice sounded, and Lin Yan’s figure appeared in Xiao Yan’s sight.
Seeing Lin Yan, Xiao Yan smiled and greeted him casually, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Looks like your privileges in the Inner Academy are quite substantial. You managed to enter the sixth floor with just two-star Dou Spirit strength. I wonder how many people will be envious,” Lin Yan said with a smile.
Xiao Yan smiled but didn’t comment further.
“I heard you took on fifteen challenges and didn’t lose any? You must be a lucky guy. You should be thankful that the truly strong ones have been busy with intense cultivation. Otherwise, with your grand challenge, you would have faced some troublesome opponents.”
Lin Yan patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, undeterred by his silence. Though he had been cultivating in the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, he had heard some rumors.
“Yes, I was a bit lucky, but it was just to stop the endless challenges. I need to cultivate, don’t I?” Xiao Yan laughed lightly.
“You really caused a lot of trouble. I’ve been here for a year without receiving any challenges,” Lin Yan said with a hint of Schadenfreude.
Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, then looked around the rest area. Perhaps due to Lin Yan’s shout, the stares he received were now less astonished. Although unfamiliar with Xiao Yan’s face, they were not unfamiliar with his name.
“The people here are all the troublesome ones I mentioned. Be careful. If anyone causes trouble, call me. I’m also cultivating here, and I haven’t fought in a while. A little warm-up before the competition would be nice.”
Lin Yan’s words caused some people to purse their lips, but the interest in Xiao Yan in their eyes diminished a bit. After all, Lin Yan was a top-ten powerhouse on the ‘Strong Ranking,’ and few dared to provoke him even on the sixth floor.
“Thanks,” Xiao Yan patted Lin Yan on the shoulder, understanding his gesture and smiling in gratitude.
“Hehe, if you want a fight, go play with Big Brother Liu Qing. He’s also here,” Lin Yan said, waving his hand nonchalantly. Just as he was about to say more, a slightly effeminate male voice interrupted, causing his expression to darken slightly. He turned and glared at someone in the rest area, sneering, “I was wondering who it was. It’s just Yao ‘Beauty.’ Stop talking about Liu Qing. If I see you in the competition, I’ll still beat you. If you’re brave enough, come and fight. I’m always ready.”
Xiao Yan followed Lin Yan’s gaze and saw a few figures walking out. The one in front wore a light red robe, and though he had a male face, it was somewhat feminine. His face darkened further due to Lin Yan’s words.
“This guy is Yao Sheng, part of Liu Qing’s group. He has a bit of a crush on Liu Fei. Last time, after hearing about her conflict with you, he wanted to cause you trouble, but Liu Qing stopped him. Don’t underestimate him. Despite his effeminate appearance, he’s strong. On the ‘Strong Ranking,’ he’s number seventeen, stronger than Bai Cheng. He’s probably around the seven-star Dou Spirit level now,” Lin Yan explained with a slight tilt of his head.
Xiao Yan nodded, knowing that being ranked seventeenth on the ‘Strong Ranking’ was nothing to scoff at. This man with a hint of femininity in his voice clearly held no goodwill towards him, and likely even harbored hostility. However, Xiao Yan wasn’t overly concerned. Though his opponent was strong, he was not afraid. If a fight was necessary, he would not back down. With his current capabilities, a seven-star Dou Spirit was not a significant threat.
“Be arrogant now. In the competition, Big Brother Liu Qing will shut your mouth,” Yao Sheng, who hated being called ‘Beauty,’ said in a cold, iron-like tone. His icy gaze then shifted to Xiao Yan, “Don’t think you can dominate the Inner Academy just because you beat some low-class fools. If not for Big Brother Liu Qing forbidding us from causing trouble, you would have lost face in front of all the students. How could you still be so arrogant?”
Xiao Yan shrugged and smiled, “If you think you have the ability, send a challenge anytime. Your empty threats don’t prove anything about your ‘Strong Ranking’ seventeenth place.”
“Haha, well said. Who’s afraid of him?” Lin Yan burst out laughing.
Yao Sheng’s expression grew colder, and his face twisted into an ugly scowl. His gaze, like a venomous snake, locked onto Xiao Yan. He stepped forward, and a powerful aura surged out, sweeping through the entire area.
“Fine, I promised Feier to teach you a lesson. Today, it’s your bad luck,” Yao Sheng’s cold, sinister voice echoed through the sixth floor, carrying a trace of killing intent that even dimmed the surrounding fiery atmosphere.
Xiao Yan’s lips curled into a cold, sinister smile. He took a heavy step forward, and tiny cracks spread out from the hard stone floor beneath his feet.
“I’m ready to fight!”
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