Not far from the entrance of the White Gang was a spacious plaza, which had been deserted for a long time. At this moment, it was packed with people from all directions. Murmurs hung in the air above the crowd, and gazes filled with various emotions focused on the two groups of people facing off in the center of the plaza. One group was significantly larger, clustering together with at least forty to fifty members. The sheer number alone was enough to make one marvel. On the other hand, the smaller group had only around thirty members, but despite their fewer numbers, they did not show any fear; instead, they appeared brash and full of provocation.
“Xiao Yan, bringing so many people today, are you trying to intimidate my White Gang?” Bai Cheng, standing at the front of the White Gang, folded his arms and laughed mockingly at Xiao Yan across the square. Behind him stood Baisan and Fu Ao, both emanating an aura that indicated they were Dou Ling powerhouses, on par with Fu Ao’s strength.
“Bai Cheng, my Pan Gate has not provoked you, yet you obstruct our sales of pills. Isn’t this a bit too much?” Xiao Yan’s face was slightly dark, and the coldness in his voice was unmistakable to everyone.
“In the Inner Academy, fights are not restricted. These small skirmishes happen every day. Why are you making such a fuss? If you have a problem, then blame yourself for lacking the strength,” Bai Cheng retorted, indifferent as he rolled his eyes.
“It seems the White Gang is planning to break the agreement made earlier. I was indeed a bit naive, thinking that even though your character might be lacking, you would keep your promises. Now, it turns out you’re just a gang without integrity, credibility, or shame.” Xiao Yan shrugged, his voice laced with sarcasm that was clear to all.
A wave of laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd, as many of them had heard about the promise Fu Ao had made after his defeat by Xiao Yan.
Hearing the mocking laughter, Bai Cheng’s expression soured, and he glared at Xiao Yan with a cold gaze. “It seems you are not only good at relying on women but also quite the talker. We did agree not to cause trouble for your Pan Gate, but that doesn’t mean we can’t teach you new students a lesson on someone else’s behalf…”
“On whose behalf?” Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, and he sneered.
“No comment.” Bai Cheng responded with a sneer of his own. He cracked his neck and gazed at Xiao Yan with ill intent. “Since you’ve come here, I guess the agreement no longer matters. So, don’t blame us if we use our superior numbers against you!”
“You want to try?” Xiao Yan’s eyes turned icy, and he summoned the Heavy Xuan Ruler. He was determined that if it came to it, he would use the Flame Division Wave Slash and severely injure this bastard.
“Oh, quite a lively scene, isn’t it?” Just as Xiao Yan’s anger was rising, a familiar, playful voice rang out from the crowd. A gray figure darted out, appearing before Xiao Yan and his companions.
“Lin Yan?” Xiao Yan was taken aback, then furrowed his brow. “Why are you here?”
“With such a commotion, it’s almost spread throughout the Inner Academy. I naturally wanted to see what was happening…” Lin Yan shrugged and smiled at Xiao Yan. He had just finished his daily fire toxin expulsion routine when he heard the news. Feeling he owed Xiao Yan a favor, he hesitated briefly before rushing over.
Lin Yan’s appearance caused a stir in the crowd. His identity within the Inner Academy was well-known, and it seemed he was quite familiar with Xiao Yan. Whispers spread, and the pitying gazes toward the Pan Gate lessened, as Lin Yan’s support gave them some hope. After all, the name ‘Mad Axe’ Lin Yan was not something Bai Cheng could match.
Bai Cheng’s face twisted when he saw Lin Yan, especially when he noticed Lin Yan chatting amicably with Xiao Yan. Lin Yan, ranked tenth on the Strong Ranking, was far stronger than Bai Cheng, who was ranked in the thirties.
“Lin Yan, this is a private matter between the White Gang and the Pan Gate. You shouldn’t…” Despite his grim expression, Bai Cheng refused to back down, stepping forward to confront Lin Yan.
“Don’t waste words. I owe Xiao Yan, and I will help him. If you want to move against them, you’ll have to go through my Fire Separation Axe.” Lin Yan snorted, flipping his hand to summon a massive, half-yard-long red axe. With a casual swing, the sharp edge tore through the air, leaving a faint trail of red.
“You…” Bai Cheng, blocked by Lin Yan, faltered. Though he wanted to lash out, the thought of Lin Yan’s strength made him swallow his words. He turned to Xiao Yan, seething, “Xiao Yan, when will you stop relying on others? Last time it was Han Yue, now it’s Lin Yan. Who will you call next?”
“Do you have any shame left? How long have you been in the Inner Academy compared to Xiao Yan and the others? You’re acting tough against a newly formed Pan Gate, but do you dare to challenge Lin Xiu Ya’s ‘Fang Tooth’? If you do, I won’t stop you. If not, get lost. You’re just trying to provoke Xiao Yan into a one-on-one fight. If you’d spent as much time in the Inner Academy as Xiao Yan, I wouldn’t be here either,” Lin Yan snapped, causing Bai Cheng’s face to turn ashen.
The onlookers were stunned by Lin Yan’s harsh words, privately agreeing that he was indeed the craziest person in the Inner Academy. To provoke Bai Cheng to take on Lin Xiu Ya would be like asking Bai Cheng to slap himself.
Xiao Yan, similarly, was torn between amusement and exasperation. Lin Yan’s words, though venomous, felt gratifying to hear.
“Indeed, Mad Axe Lin Yan. Your skill in hurling insults is unparalleled in the Inner Academy,” a mocking voice suddenly called out. All eyes shifted to see a path being cleared through the crowd, and a large group of Alchemists, led by a man with a smug smile, entered the plaza.
“Hey, isn’t that the Medicine Gang? What are they doing here?”
“The leader must be Han Xian. Didn’t expect him to show up.”
“Sounds like Han Xian is here to back up the White Gang. This is going to be interesting. The Pan Gate has Lin Yan, and the White Gang has Han Xian…”
Bai Cheng’s ashen face brightened at the sight of the Medicine Gang, a significant force in the Inner Academy, often associated with the ‘Strong Ranking’ powerhouses.
“Hmph, looks like it’s the fake medicine peddler,” Lin Yan sneered, frowning at Han Xian’s appearance.
Ignoring Lin Yan, Han Xian’s gaze met Xiao Yan’s. The two locked eyes, sparks flying.
“Hehe, you must be the leader of the Pan Gate, the alchemist who created those three pills. I didn’t know you were also an alchemist,” Han Xian chuckled after a moment.
Xiao Yan scanned Han Xian, noting the four silver waves on his chest. Surprised, he realized Han Xian was a fourth-grade alchemist. His surprise faded into a sneer. “Senior Han Xian, I believe it was your Medicine Gang that hired the White Gang to disrupt our pill sales, right?”
Han Xian’s brows twitched, neither confirming nor denying. “If the Pan Gate is in such a predicament, perhaps you should reflect on your transgressions. As new students, it’s best to behave yourselves for the first year. Overreaching will only bring you to ruin.”
“Thanks for the advice, Senior. Whether we overreach or not, only time will tell,” Xiao Yan replied, a cold smile on his face.
“Unfortunately, there’s no room for growth. The White Gang alone is enough to ruin your reputation. Still think you can grow?” Han Xian smirked.
“Han Xian, are you saying the Medicine Gang was behind the White Gang’s actions against the Pan Gate?” Lin Yan interjected, frowning.
“Lin Yan, I advise you to stay out of this. You may be ranked tenth on the Strong Ranking, but remember, there are nine people stronger than you. If you insist, I will hire those stronger than you, even though it will be expensive, the Medicine Gang can afford it!” Han Xian glowered.
Lin Yan’s face darkened, but before he could retort, Xiao Yan held him back. “Brother Lin Yan, let me handle this.”
Xiao Yan stepped forward, facing Han Xian. “I know you fear the Pan Gate cutting into your profits, but your tactics are temporary. As long as I have my hands, I can continue to refine pills. The quality of our pills will speak for itself. Your methods will prove futile.”
“Is that so?” Han Xian’s lips curled, his eyes ice-cold.
“However, if you want the Pan Gate to stop selling pills, that can be arranged. But only if you agree to my proposal,” Xiao Yan said, a cold smile spreading across his face.
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