Chapter 160: The Tournament Begins

Among the top ten of the Strong Rankings, aside from Zi Yan and the Little Doctor Immortal, the others would likely be defeated more often than not if they attempted to take on the recently advanced fifth-rank magical beast, the Two-headed Fire Spirit Serpent.

Giggling, once the Fire Spirit Serpent had hurled its opponent off the stage, Qinglin recalled it, skipping back to Xiao Xie’s side. “Alright, it’s my turn now,” Xiao Xie said with a gentle laugh, ruffling Qinglin’s hair. With a light push off the ground, he appeared on the arena stage in the blink of an eye.

His sudden appearance startled his opponent.

“That’s Xiao Xie! The legendary number one of the Inner Academy—he’s already reached the rank of Douhuang! And he’s a sixth-grade alchemist, too.”

“So he’s Xiao Xie—the special recruit who entered the Inner Academy alongside the Poison Immortal and the Serpent Empress. Both of them defer to him. He rarely shows himself, but he’s recognized by all as the strongest in the Inner Academy.”

“So that’s Xiao Xie. Looks like he’s set on participating in the Strong Rankings this year. I bet the top spot is as good as his.”

As soon as Xiao Xie stepped onto the stage, whispers spread through the crowd. Many recognized him, and the majority of students flocked to his arena, eager to witness the spectacle.

“Make your move. You have only one chance,” Xiao Xie said calmly, raising a single finger as he faced his opponent.

The male student across from him hesitated. Xiao Xie’s relaxed stance seemed riddled with openings—yet none were truly there. Torn by indecision, he let out a shout to steel his nerves, hefted his spear, and charged toward Xiao Xie.

A clear ring, then an explosive boom.

Facing the opponent’s full-force attack, Xiao Xie flicked his finger. In an instant, finger met spearhead, and both the student and his long spear were blasted off the stage.

A deathly silence fell over the crowd.

“Let’s go,” Xiao Xie said, appearing before Qinglin and the Little Doctor Immortal in a single step. Leaving behind only a graceful silhouette, he departed under countless admiring gazes.

He had only come to secure a spot in the top fifty of the Strong Rankings, allowing him to participate in the main tournament. With that goal accomplished, there was no need to continue overwhelming the competition.

“Come on, Sister Xian’er, let’s go!” Qinglin tugged the Little Doctor Immortal’s hand, following Xiao Xie off the stage.

“So strong!”

“A Five-star Douling, taken out with a single move! And Xiao Xie didn’t even use Dou Qi—just pure physical strength. He’s a monster!”

“He’s like a humanoid magical beast. This is the number one of the Inner Academy?”

“Such terrifying power—it’s on a completely different level.”

“So handsome!”

As Xiao Xie and his companions left, the students buzzed with excitement. Many became instant fans, awed by the effortless power of his flicked finger.

The Strong Rankings Tournament was the most intense, most watched, and highest-level event of the entire Jia Nan Academy. Its strict entry requirements ensured only the most outstanding students of the Inner Academy could compete. Those who distinguished themselves here were exceptional talents—every top ten finisher in the tournament’s history had made a name for themselves across the continent, and even the least among them had risen to the rank of Dou Wang and dominated their regions.

Though the tournament’s entry criteria were harsh, that did nothing to dampen the Inner Academy’s fervor for it. After all, it was a rare chance for so many mighty figures—often unseen on ordinary days—to gather and clash in spectacular battles. For the rest of the students, the thrill and attraction of such a sight was no less than the madness of a starving man encountering a peerless beauty.

As the tournament approached, anticipation in the Inner Academy surged to new heights. Every conversation revolved around the upcoming competition. With the date drawing near, the lower thirty ranks on the Strong Rankings shifted constantly as previously unassuming students exploded onto the scene, desperately vying for a place on the prestigious list.

Xiao Xie, the Little Doctor Immortal, and Qinglin—their strength was universally acknowledged, so no one dared challenge them over the next few days.

Five days passed, and at last, the long-awaited moment arrived.

On the fifth morning, as the first light of dawn broke, a deep, ancient bell resounded from the heart of the Inner Academy, spreading across the grounds.

At the very instant the bell sounded, powerful students all over the Inner Academy—each with a different appearance, but all exuding a formidable aura—snapped open their eyes, their gazes burning with battle intent as the ancient chime rang out, their fighting spirit swelling with the sound.

“Young master, it’s time to go,” Qinglin called, pushing open the door.

“I know.” Xiao Xie, sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes, a glint of sharpness flashing within. He fastened his belt and stepped outside with Qinglin.

The Little Doctor Immortal was already waiting outside. She smiled softly as Xiao Xie emerged, and the three set out together, unhurriedly, toward the central plaza.

The central plaza—the grandest venue in the Inner Academy—was normally closed, opened only for major tournaments. Naturally, the Strong Rankings Tournament could only be held here.

Though the plaza was vast, today it was packed from end to end. The crowd surged and murmured, their noise rising like a tide and soaring up toward the sky.

As competitors, Xiao Xie and his companions were able to use a special passage guarded by instructors, avoiding the press of spectators. They entered directly onto a prominent viewing platform with an excellent vantage over the arena.

From this height, the main plaza below was neatly divided into five stages—the battlegrounds for the first rounds.

Qinglin gazed down from above, delighted by the excited voices rising from the stands. She was, after all, still a child at heart, reveling in the lively atmosphere.

The Little Doctor Immortal glanced at the exuberant Qinglin, then at Xiao Xie, who sat with his eyes closed in quiet contemplation. She shook her head with a smile, then turned to watch the scene below in silence.

As time passed, more and more people filled the platform. Xiao Xie slowly opened his eyes and looked down to see that every seat was now occupied, a sea of heads stretching as far as the eye could see.

Suddenly, the ancient bell tolled once more, its sound echoing throughout the plaza. Gradually, the din subsided until silence reigned.

Then, with a sharp hiss, the air above was filled with the sound of rushing wind. The crowd looked up, glimpsing only blurred shadows flashing by. Moments later, they saw over a dozen elder figures—hair white as snow—appear atop a special platform overlooking the plaza.

Xiao Xie’s gaze swept over them. Most were familiar elders from the academy, but at the center stood an old man in a black robe with white hair and beard. Though Xiao Xie had never met him, he surmised this must be Su Qian, the Grand Elder of the Inner Academy.

Su Qian turned and looked at Xiao Xie, his eyes crinkling in a smile as he nodded slightly. Xiao Xie was momentarily surprised by this acknowledgment, but quickly reasoned that, though they’d never met, Su Qian must have reviewed his records and thus recognized him.

Su Qian stepped forward and raised his hands for silence. Instantly, the only sounds in the plaza were the quiet breaths of those present. His gaze swept the crowd before settling on the black-robed youth leaning against the railing, a faint smile in his eyes. Then, in a deep, aged voice, he addressed every ear in the plaza:

“Those ranked on the Strong Rankings, enter the arena!”

As his words fell, the competitors sprang into motion, their figures tracing arcs through the air, landing one after another in the plaza. Raising their heads to gaze at the sea of faces around them, a fervent battle spirit began to swell.

The true tournament was about to begin!