Chapter 172: Battle with the Medicine Gang
Atai stood stunned for a moment before recovering and casting a surprised glance at Han Yue. Then he remarked, "President, in this entire Inner Academy, you may be one of the very few male students Han Yue-senpai has ever willingly shaken hands with!"
"Well, I suppose that's quite an honor."
Xiao Yuan smiled faintly. Although it had felt pleasant to grasp that jade-like slender hand, he had only held it briefly out of courtesy before releasing it.
"I wonder, Senpai Han Yue, what prompted you to stop us?"
Xiao Yuan wasn't in a rush to confront the Medicine Gang. With a mild smile, he politely asked.
"That junior just called you 'President.' I take it you've already formed your own faction?"
Han Yue didn't answer immediately. Instead, her eyes glimmered with curiosity.
"Mhm. Everyone wanted to follow me, so I'm just doing my best to lead."
Xiao Yuan nodded with a smile.
"What a pity. After hearing of your exploits, I was hoping to recruit you into my own faction… Seems I was a little late."
Han Yue sighed in regret, her tone soft.
"But you've gone and gathered all the new students to form a faction—that's bound to bring you a lot of trouble."
She frowned, her voice turning serious.
"Uh? But as far as I know, there's no rule in the Inner Academy prohibiting a faction made entirely of new students, is there?"
Xiao Yuan looked puzzled, frowning slightly at her concerned expression.
"Well, no, not exactly... But every year, new students make up about sixty percent of the academy's population. So most Inner Academy factions expect to recruit a portion of them to maintain their strength—it's become an unspoken rule. By drawing all the freshmen to yourself, you've essentially cut off that supply, and many factions won't be happy. You've offended too many forces in the dark, and they'll certainly pressure your group in return. That's why I said... you'll be facing serious trouble."
Han Yue explained, shaking her head with some exasperation.
"Senpai, if that's the logic, then it isn't me being reckless—it's the Inner Academy factions that are in the wrong!"
Xiao Yuan shook his head with conviction.
"Oh?"
Han Yue raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"These new students followed me because they were being bullied and excluded by older students. Maybe the Academy's elders turn a blind eye to such things, and maybe no one intervenes. But let me ask this—shouldn't these factions win recruits by showcasing their strengths, not by harassing and stealing from students who barely have any Fire Energy to begin with? Shouldn't they persuade, not extort?"
Xiao Yuan's words made Han Yue blink in surprise.
Originally, she had only come over because she was curious about Xiao Yuan's reputation, not to mention that her sisters were equally intrigued by this handsome, powerful junior. She'd planned to offer a light warning, urging him not to offend the established powers too deeply.
But now, Xiao Yuan's rationale resonated. She'd entertained similar thoughts before—just never this clearly or thoroughly.
"These students—including myself—might have chosen a faction that suited us. But we've been pushed to the point where we must unite and look out for each other. I'm not bragging, but I truly believe I can make it into the Strong Ranking's top ten within a year. If that happens, our Lionheart Society won't need to fear the self-deceiving tactics of the weak. Honestly, I'm disappointed by how the so-called 'senpai' of this Academy have acted. This isn't the behavior of true elites. If it weren't for people like you, Senpai Han Yue, I might've lost all respect for this so-called top institution on the Dou Qi continent."
Xiao Yuan concluded firmly.
Han Yue nodded thoughtfully. His confidence startled her a little, but his words were not baseless.
"You may underestimate how difficult it is to reach the top ten," she said, "but you're right—true strength doesn't need to bully the weak. As for the Medicine Gang, it's not about needing your Fire Energy. They're just bitter. During the Fire Energy Hunt, their members—who are mostly alchemists—couldn't fight well and got robbed blind. So now they're trying to make up for that imbalance."
She paused.
"But provoking them means making enemies of alchemists who monopolize most of the Academy's pill trade. I don't need to tell you how influential alchemists are."
Now, Xiao Yuan understood Han Yue's reason for intervening, and his heart warmed.
"Well then, Senpai, there's no need to worry. As it happens, our Lionheart Society has a peak-tier Tier-4 alchemist who can refine authentic triple-lined Clear Spirit Pills. I doubt even Medicine Gang's leader, Han Xian, could match that."
"Triple-lined Clear Spirit Pills?!"
Several of Han Yue's companions couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
Even a regular Clear Spirit Pill could help a peak Dou Shi break into the Da Dou Shi rank. But a triple-lined version could push a Da Dou Shi up by three stars! It might fail—but if someone at Canaan Academy didn't even have the guts to try, they probably weren't cut out for cultivation in the first place.
"And as for other pills, Lionheart Society has no shortage. If the Medicine Gang insists on using pills as leverage, we might just replace them altogether."
Xiao Yuan continued with a calm smile.
"I see now that I've underestimated you, Junior Xiao Yuan."
Han Yue looked at him with renewed curiosity. She was genuinely curious now—just how far could this young man go?
"If you're serious about this, I'll consider visiting your Lionheart Society once it's fully formed. Perhaps Moonshade will be your first partner faction."
"Then I'll be waiting, Senpai."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"You're still going to confront the Medicine Gang, aren't you?"
Han Yue asked again.
Xiao Yuan nodded with a light smile.
"They're strong. Not like Bai Gang, where most of their top fighters were off training at the tower. If you only bring a handful of people... you might get overwhelmed."
She hesitated but voiced her concern.
"Thank you for the warning, Senpai. But my followers need Fire Energy to train. I can't ignore that. I must go."
Xiao Yuan cupped his hands and bowed slightly.
"Very well. I have my own training to do. If I come out and your faction is still standing, I'll find you to discuss cooperation."
Han Yue smiled softly and left with her companions, heading toward the tower.
"President, you're amazing. Even Senpai Han Yue, known for her extreme cleanliness, shook your hand—and she's clearly impressed with you."
Atai nudged him with a knowing smirk.
"Knock it off. Hurry up and lead the way. I was planning to train today. If I waste any more time, I'll make you take over as President."
Xiao Yuan rolled his eyes.
"Cough, cough. That speech you gave earlier was awesome, by the way!"
Atai scratched his head and suddenly grew serious.
"What speech?"
Xiao Yuan blinked.
"The part about the older students oppressing the freshmen!"
Atai reminded him.
"Oh, that? Just personal opinion. I once lived in a place where factions used that exact oppressive model. Some even said, 'If you won't join us, there are others who will.' I've always despised that logic. How can a faction grow powerful if that's how it operates?"
Xiao Yuan said casually.
"Exactly! And they don't even follow their own rules—demanding Fire Energy again and again just because they're jealous we beat them during the hunt? Despicable."
Atai said angrily.
"Oh, right, Atai. I've been thinking—this so-called freshman tribute fee ends with our generation. When we start recruiting next year, tell them: 'Join Lionheart, and you'll never pay tribute.' Anyone who demands it from them will be our enemy. By then, we'll have the clout to enforce it."
Xiao Yuan declared.
"Brilliant, President!"
Atai's eyes lit up. With this advantage, their faction would grow rapidly. Within five years, by the time they graduated, Lionheart could be the number one power in the Inner Academy.
"Alright. Let's move. The seniors once raided the Medicine Gang's pill stash. Let's return the favor today. Same rules as with Bai Gang—understood?"
Xiao Yuan grinned.
"Understood! We've got it down to a science!"
Atai grinned back, fists clenched with confidence.
Soon, a faint medicinal scent drifted on the wind. Xiao Yuan didn't need Atai to tell him—they had arrived.
"Leader of the Medicine Gang, I've come to talk."
Xiao Yuan projected his voice with Dou Qi, drawing a small crowd. Everyone recognized he was a freshman and watched with interest.
But the Medicine Gang didn't respond. It looked like they were giving Xiao Yuan the cold shoulder.
He remained calm, flicked his finger, and summoned a thread of Heavenly Flame. A subtle ripple spread out from his body.
Boom! Boom!
A series of explosions echoed from within the Medicine Gang's compound—furnaces detonating. Alchemists came flying out in a panic. Leading them was a man in a Tier-4 alchemist robe—likely the gang's leader, Han Xian.
"Alchemist, surname Han…"
Xiao Yuan's mind flickered to his previous life—to Han Feng, the despicable betrayer.
He snorted inwardly. The Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill was excellent—but wasted on someone like that.
Han Xian scowled, catching Xiao Yuan's faintly hostile gaze.
"What underhanded trick did you pull?! You've ruined our pill refinement. Do you know the price of interfering with our work?!"
Xiao Yuan chuckled.
"Maybe your skills just aren't good enough? Everyone's watching, you know. You sure your gang isn't cutting corners and selling substandard pills?"
"How dare you?! You dare slander the Medicine Gang? I'll make sure this disrespectful freshman learns what it means to honor his seniors!"
Han Xian snapped and lunged forward, fierce and imposing.
For most, it might've been intimidating.
But Xiao Yuan? He'd fought Dou Huang—this was nothing.
His aura surged. While appearing to activate a secret technique, he was actually returning his strength to normal.
From Five-Star Da Dou Shi to Nine-Star, then channeling all his energy through his Blackwater Qi Core, converting it to ice-element Dou Qi.
His power surged to Three-Star Dou Ling.
Black Glacial energy swirled around his fist, forming a spinning vortex.
Glacial Spiral Fist!
As Han Xian closed in, Xiao Yuan's lips curved into a cold smile. He threw a punch—black ice laced with faint white flame. At its edge, black flame fused seamlessly with the glacial energy, indistinguishable.
(END CHAPTER)
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