Chapter 170: Entering the Inner Courtyard and Assigning Accommodation
Elder Su's eyes widened as he stared at Xiao Jietian in disbelief, his voice gradually rising.
Xiao Jietian calmly met his gaze, a faint aura of Dou Wang radiating from him, and said with quiet certainty, "Elder Su… won't you be able to feel it yourself?"
Elder Su sensed the immense power on Xiao Jietian's body. It was unmistakably the Dou Wang realm—and it did not appear that he had just recently entered it.
His pupils constricted, and a storm surged within his heart. His face flickered through expressions of shock, disbelief, and a complicated mix of emotions.
Those outside craned their necks to see inside the protective barrier, all eyes drawn to Elder Su's astonishment. His constantly shifting expression was like a masterful performance, further piquing their curiosity.
"You… how did you do this? At your age… it's simply impossible."
Elder Su's voice trembled slightly. He struggled to regain his composure, for a young man just over eighteen achieving the Dou Wang realm was unheard of—not just here, but in the entire Black-Corner Region.
Xiao Jietian smiled faintly but did not comment.
"I may have been presumptuous," he said softly.
Elder Su slowly regained his composure, realising that Xiao Jietian had spoken honestly and that perhaps he had overstepped in his assumptions.
"With your cultivation, you already meet the requirements for an Elder election in our academy. Why, then, do you still wish to study here? And you are accompanied by…"
"I registered with the academy two years ago, but I was delayed by other matters. Now that I am free, I've come," Xiao Jietian replied. "I heard the academy's cultivation environment is unique, so I wanted to experience it. Most importantly… Xun'er is here, so I must be here as well."
"I do have a relationship with Boundless Heaven Hall, but I bear no ill intentions toward the academy. You can rest assured; I will not be its enemy."
Xun'er, standing nearby, heard this and her eyes lit up, emotions surging uncontrollably.
Elder Su said nothing further, staring intently at Xiao Jietian's eyes, as if testing the truth of his words.
"Very well. I believe you," Elder Su said after a long pause. "For a cultivation prodigy like you, our academy is most welcoming. No matter what, you are now a member here, and you will have access to all the resources you deserve."
Xiao Jietian smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
Elder Su withdrew the Dou Qi protective barrier and returned to the high platform. In his mind, he planned to report Xiao Jietian's true abilities to the Great Elder in detail after the competition ended, leaving the final decision to him.
Still, Elder Su intended to befriend this super genius.
Time passed quietly, with various small teams conversing. Bai Shan, who had previously abandoned many teammates, also appeared during this period.
At the start of the Shenshi period, the final new students arrived at the finish line.
Elder Su rose on the high platform, approaching the assembled students, and announced loudly, "This year's Fire Energy Hunting Competition… the winners are the new student teams!"
The surrounding old students displayed a variety of reactions: shame, anger, and unwillingness, their faces a mix of emotions.
"Previously, some of you may have been puzzled by the Green Fire Crystal Card. I will now explain it formally."
"In the Inner Academy, Fire Crystal Cards are divided into five levels, from low to high: black, blue, green, red, and purple. A Black Fire Crystal Card grants cultivation rights only on the first and second floors of the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda; blue is for the third and fourth floors, and so on. To upgrade a Fire Crystal Card, Fire Energy must be spent: black to blue costs one hundred, blue to green costs two hundred…"
Xiao Yan and the others nodded in understanding as Elder Su continued:
"As the winners of this competition, all new students present will receive twenty days' worth of Fire Energy. In addition, Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Yu, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia will each receive an extra reward: a Green Fire Crystal Card plus thirty Fire Energy. Xiao Jietian will receive a Red Fire Crystal Card plus fifty Fire Energy. And those who participated in the battle against the White Fiends Team will each receive an additional ten Fire Energy."
Xiao Jietian and the others, along with the observing old students, erupted in exclamations upon hearing the rewards.
The other new students were delighted, not with envy, but in genuine admiration; these rewards were earned through strength.
Only Bai Shan gritted his teeth, his face dark with gloom.
Among the old students, Xiao Jietian's Red Fire Crystal Card drew the most attention. Many wondered why he had received such a reward, envy clear in their eyes.
Elder Su waved his hand, and five green and one red crystal card floated through the air, stopping before the six students.
They grasped the cards eagerly. A single Green Fire Crystal Card alone was worth three hundred Fire Energy; Xiao Jietian's Red Fire Crystal Card was worth six hundred. Both new students and old students alike looked on with envy and desire.
Xiao Jietian and the others transferred the Fire Energy from their black crystal cards into their new cards and returned the black ones to Elder Su. The other new students' rewards were distributed by the steward following the Elder.
"Very well. Follow me into the Inner Academy."
Elder Su led the way up the gravel steps, with Xiao Jietian and the new students following in orderly fashion.
After one or two minutes' walking, they reached the highest point, gazing out over the Inner Academy. The vast academy lay within a massive meteor crater, its far end invisible to the naked eye.
Xiao Yan looked on excitedly, whispering in his heart, "Fallen Heart Flame… I'm here."
Under Elder Su's guidance, everyone except the six close to Xiao Jietian was sent to separate accommodations.
After about ten minutes' walking, they arrived at a quiet courtyard pavilion.
The door opened to reveal a spacious courtyard, with a three-storey pavilion at the rear.
"From now on, this will be your residence," Elder Su said, gesturing to the courtyard with a smile.
"Elder Su… you're making us three girls live with those three big men?" Hu Jia asked, slightly taken aback.
"There are plenty of private rooms here. Living in the same courtyard doesn't mean sharing bedrooms," Elder Su explained. "Any objections?"
Xiao Jietian and the others shook their heads.
"Hu girl, if you're unwilling, I can arrange another place for you. The remaining five can stay here," Elder Su said.
Hu Jia shook her head immediately. "No, this is fine. I have no objections."
She wanted to stay close to the others. Her grandfather had advised that upon entering the Inner Academy, they should remain together—alone, she might face bullying with no help.
"In the Inner Academy, unless your strength is exceptional, I advise sticking together. That's why I arranged this shared courtyard. Factions and territories exist here, but only the strong are respected," Elder Su added, giving Xiao Jietian a meaningful look.
Everyone understood Elder Su's careful consideration. Hu Jia thanked him sincerely.
Elder Su continued, "Once a week, the academy organises students to enter the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda as a group."
He then introduced the Dou Technique Hall, Cultivation Technique Pavilion, and the Arena.
At the mention of the Arena, Wu Hao's eyes lit up, eager to explore immediately.
After briefly covering other aspects of the Inner Academy, Elder Su departed, leaving the students to settle in and explore. Xiao Jietian and the others each chose their rooms.
The boys stayed on the second floor, the girls on the third, and the first floor was reserved for meetings and as a backup.