After passing the Black White Twin Devils Team, Chen Xiao faced no further obstacles upon leaving the forest.
Just as he emerged from the edge of the forest, Grand Elder Su Qian and the other two, who had been following him, appeared out of nowhere.
"Congratulations, Chen Xiao. You've won this year's Fire Energy Hunting Competition. You're likely the only winner. Because Elder Hu didn't give me a heads-up beforehand, I didn't have time to arrange more challenging opponents for you. It's a pity, but I actually hope such an unexpected event happens every year."
Grand Elder Su Qian stepped forward and announced with a hint of helplessness.
The three of them had witnessed Chen Xiao's entire process of clearing the competition.
The so-called Black White Twin Devils Team hadn't caused any hindrance at all, being scattered by a single Ice Spear.
Chen Xiao nodded slightly, waiting for him to continue.
"As the sole winner of this year's Fire Energy Hunting Competition, you will receive... fifty days of fire energy. Additionally, you are the fastest person to pass through this forest in many years. I will also reward you with an Azure Fire Crystal Card and an additional fifty days of fire energy."
"Azure Fire Crystal Card?"
Chen Xiao knew that Fire Crystal Cards had different grades.
Previously, the Black Devil Team Captain had used a Black Fire Crystal Card, which was quite poor, while the White Devil Team Captain had a Blue Fire Crystal Card. There was a clear difference between the two.
However, he couldn't recall the specific details.
"In the Inner Academy, Fire Crystal Cards are divided into five colors from low to high: Black, Blue, Azure, Red, and Purple. The Black Crystal Card you hold is the lowest grade. This card only grants you the qualification to cultivate on the first and second floors of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower. The Blue Crystal Card is for the third and fourth floors, and so on."
"To upgrade your crystal card in the Inner Academy, you need to pay fire energy. To exchange a Black Fire Crystal Card for a Blue Fire Crystal Card requires one hundred days of fire energy. To exchange a Blue Fire Crystal Card for an Azure Fire Crystal Card requires two hundred days of fire energy, and it increases by one hundred days for each subsequent upgrade."
Listening to the Grand Elder's explanation, Chen Xiao suddenly understood.
In other words, this Azure Fire Crystal Card alone was worth three hundred days of fire energy.
Including the one hundred days rewarded by Su Qian, the total fire energy reward was a staggering four hundred days!
"I understand. Thank you, Grand Elder."
"Heh heh, no need. This is something you earned with your own strength. Just transfer your fire energy to the Azure Fire Crystal Card. Give me back the Black Fire Crystal Card."
Su Qian smiled and took out an Azure Crystal Card from his Storage Ring, tossing it to Chen Xiao. It had a prominent number on it: one hundred.
Chen Xiao nodded in agreement and quickly operated it. Seeing the number on the Azure Fire Crystal Card turn into five hundred forty-five, he smiled with satisfaction.
"Alright, from now on, you are an Inner Academy student. I'll take you into the Inner Academy first." Taking back the Black Fire Crystal Card that Chen Xiao returned, Grand Elder Su Qian nodded.
"Aren't we waiting for the other new students?"
"The Fire Energy Hunting Competition won't end that quickly. Some new students are very good at hiding. It could take anywhere from two or three days to five or six days. Elder Qin and Elder Hu are sufficient to supervise here. I'll show up again later."
Hearing this, Chen Xiao said no more, nodded, and followed Su Qian's steps, climbing the stairs on the slope not far away.
The stone steps were long, but at their speed, it wouldn't even take a minute, even if they walked leisurely.
Upon reaching the top step, Chen Xiao's body lifted, and he stood on the hillside. Looking into the distance, the scene that appeared in his sight made him gasp in admiration.
Behind the hillside was an extremely vast sunken basin. Looking at its shape, it seemed as if a giant meteorite had fallen from the sky and smashed it out.
Thinking of the Fallen Heart Flame, Chen Xiao couldn't help but wonder if the appearance of this basin was related to it.
Within the vast basin, towering buildings could be seen standing tall. Figures that looked like fleas from a distance were constantly flashing and moving between the buildings.
This scene was very similar to the ninja academy he had fantasized about as a child in his previous life...
"As you can see, that is the core area of Jia Nan Academy: the Inner Academy!"
"Your strength is far ahead in the Outer Academy, but in this Inner Academy, there are quite a few students stronger than you. Little fellow, are you ready to accept the challenge?"
Seeing Chen Xiao lost in thought, Grand Elder Su Qian nodded with satisfaction and clapped his hands.
Chen Xiao came back to his senses, a look of anticipation on his face.
"The Outer Academy was just a crushing victory, with no glory to speak of. I actually hope there are more powerhouses in this Inner Academy!"
Playing chess with a bad player makes it difficult to improve.
Moreover, if one is flattered by those around them for too long and hears too many pleasant words, they will unconsciously fall into it themselves.
In this regard, Xiao Yan from Wu Tan City served as a cautionary tale.
Although Jia Nan Academy advocated for fierce competition and encouraged fighting, it strictly prohibited life-and-death battles. Cultivating here for a period of time before venturing out into the world was undoubtedly a good transition.
"Heh heh, I won't disappoint you. Cultivation has no end. You must believe that there are mountains beyond mountains and people beyond people. Let's go, I'll settle you in first. You'll gradually learn more about the Inner Academy after staying there for a few days."
As his voice fell, Su Qian's figure transformed into a blurry shadow and rapidly shot towards the huge basin.
Chen Xiao followed closely behind.
...
Inner Academy.
New Student Accommodation Area.
Su Qian pushed open the door of the small attic in the center of this area. Sunlight shone in, dispelling the gloom inside the room.
"The arrangements for each batch of new students are mostly the same. The top five in the selection competition will be assigned to live together. Of course, if you have reasonable requests, the Inner Academy will respect them and make adjustments."
"Additionally, this attic is only your temporary residence. There are many academy factions in the Inner Academy. After they develop to a certain scale, those who are capable will rent an area to accommodate their faction members, and you can move out to live there then."
Chen Xiao nodded gently. He had no objections to this arrangement.
It's just a place to live. A simple one is fine, and a luxurious one is fine. It doesn't affect cultivation.
Besides, this small attic is quite elegant.
"I understand. Thank you, Grand Elder."
"Since you have no objections, just pick a room, tidy it up, and settle in. After the Fire Energy Hunting Competition ends in a few days, I'll bring the others over."
With that said, Grand Elder Su Qian didn't linger. He smiled, clasped his hands behind his back, and left.
Chen Xiao then went up to the second floor and chose the most appropriately furnished and tidy room.
He spent about half an hour cleaning it thoroughly, inside and out, before taking out bedding and other items from his storage ring.
After getting everything in order, Chen Xiao took out a jade bottle containing an Earth Fire Lotus Seed from his storage ring.
He opened the stopper and placed it on the table.
This Earth Fire Lotus Seed could be used for fishing.
No, for fishing for a dragon!
Although it relied heavily on luck, it was still a method, hoping that the willing would take the bait.
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