Meanwhile, on the other side, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were having a quiet conversation inside the ring.
"You should sign up for Jia Nan Academy," Yao Lao advised.
"I probably won't learn much there, right? Teacher already has all the cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques I need."
"Jia Nan Academy possesses a Heavenly Flame ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking — the Fallen Heart Flame. If you can obtain it, your Burning Technique will undergo a huge evolution. After signing up, you can take a leave of absence for more than a year. I will take you to the Magical Beast Mountain Range to train. That environment is far more suitable for you. Only by constantly seeking opportunities can you grow faster. Following a fixed routine is not your path."
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
The next day.
Xiao Tian set out early to pick up Xun'er and head to the Jia Nan Academy enrollment area. The Xiao Family grounds were unusually quiet today — most people had already gone to participate or watch the event.
When the two arrived at the main gate, they saw Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan, Xiao Mei, and several others already waiting.
"Oh? Our great genius Xiao Tian is finally here?" Xiao Yu teased. "Hurry up. The instructor in charge of enrollment this time is my teacher. I'll take you through the back door. Otherwise, you might still be waiting in line until tomorrow."
After speaking, Xiao Yu led everyone toward the back of the enrollment plaza.
Under her guidance, Xiao Tian and the group smoothly entered the central area.
The moment Xiao Yu appeared, a group of female students swarmed around her, chattering excitedly.
"Xiao Yu, long time no see!"
Suddenly, a male voice rang out. A young man in a greyish-white robe walked over with a fake smile plastered on his face. His gaze burned with intense heat as it landed on Xiao Yu.
"Luo Bu, long time no see," Xiao Yu replied politely, though her tone was distant.
"Are these the new students you brought? Then let them take the test first." Luo Bu glanced at Xiao Xun'er, a hint of greed flashing in his eyes, before taking out a testing crystal.
Seeing that gaze, Xiao Tian narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"This is a testing crystal. As long as your Dou Qi exceeds eight segments of Dou Zhi Qi, it will light up and you'll pass," Xiao Yu explained with slight hesitation.
One by one, Xiao Tian and the others stepped forward. Without exception, everyone passed the test easily.
"Since you've all passed, stay here and stand in the sun for half an hour," Luo Bu said, pointing at the group of new students already baking under the scorching heat.
"Luo Bu, what do you mean by this? These are the people I brought!" Xiao Yu glared at him angrily.
"These are academy rules. New students always have sharp edges that need tempering. I'm just helping them build character."
"You just want to bully new students! Don't use that excuse on the people I brought!"
"Since they were tested under my supervision, I have the right to oversee them temporarily. Of course… if you agree to have a meal with me, I can let them off."
"You're dreaming. Don't even think about it," Xiao Yu refused without hesitation.
"Oh? Big Brother Luo Bu, it seems things aren't going smoothly. Do you want me to help teach them a lesson?" A grinning young man walked out from a nearby tent, speaking in a fawning tone.
Luo Bu glanced at Ge La and thought for a moment. "Since they were brought by Xiao Yu, if one of you can defeat any of our senior students, you won't need to undergo this trial."
"Oh? Then allow me to experience a senior student's excellent moves," Xiao Tian said calmly. He gently pulled Xiao Yu aside and stepped forward.
"Xiao Tian, you…" Xiao Yu looked worried at first, but then remembered his true strength and relaxed.
Luo Bu noticed the fleeting worry in Xiao Yu's eyes and felt a surge of jealousy, especially after seeing Xiao Tian's closeness with the stunning Xiao Xun'er. He winked at Ge La.
Ge La immediately stepped up with a smug grin. "Kid, let this senior teach you what it means to respect your elders."
"I'm not interested in fighting you. You're only a one-star Dou Practitioner — too much of a good-for-nothing. I'd feel like I'm dirtying my hands." Xiao Tian glanced at Ge La dismissively, then looked at Luo Bu. "I wonder if Senior Luo Bu dares to fight me instead?"
Ge La's face twisted in anger. "You… you dare call me a good-for-nothing?!"
Xiao Tian ignored him and continued, "You don't dare?"
"What's there to be afraid of? I'm a four-star Dou Practitioner. Fighting you will end in your miserable defeat," Luo Bu said coldly.
"If you want to fight, then fight. If not, admit defeat and get lost."
"You're asking for death!"
Luo Bu's four-star Dou Practitioner aura surged. He condensed his power into his right fist and swung it toward Xiao Tian's head with full force.
Seeing him use such heavy power against a new student, many onlookers frowned.
Xiao Tian simply extended his hand and casually grabbed Luo Bu's fist. "Senior Luo Bu, did you not eat breakfast? Or is your cultivation fake? Why is there so little strength?"
"How is this possible?! What is your actual strength?!" Luo Bu struggled desperately but couldn't free his hand.
Xiao Tian looked at the red-faced senior and said calmly, "Some people are not for you to covet." Then he raised his right leg and kicked out.
Luo Bu quickly blocked with his free left arm, but the moment it connected, he felt as if he had been struck by a raging beast. With a loud crack, his body was sent flying backward, slamming hard into a wall. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and fainted on the spot.
The entire plaza fell into dead silence.
Xue Ni, standing beside Xiao Yu, stammered, "Yu'er… your cousin… what exactly is his strength? Is he really your cousin? That was terrifying…"
"I don't know either. He never mentioned it, but his talent has always been better than mine since we were young."
Meanwhile, Ge La looked at the fallen Luo Bu and secretly felt relieved. Thank goodness Xiao Tian looked down on me earlier. Otherwise, I might not even have half my life left.
"Hehe, this little fellow's strength is truly impressive. It seems I've found a real treasure this time."
A gentle, intoxicating voice drifted over. Everyone turned to see a beautiful woman in green robes appearing beside Luo Bu. Pale blue Dou Qi flowed from her hand, instantly covering Luo Bu's body. Under the nourishment of her water-attribute Dou Qi, he slowly woke up, then stood awkwardly, his eyes flashing with fear as he looked at Xiao Tian.
"Instructor Ruo Lin, Yu'er missed you so much!" Xiao Yu exclaimed happily and rushed forward to hug the woman's waist.
"Yu'er, did you enjoy your holiday?" Instructor Ruo Lin smiled warmly after embracing her for a moment, then released her. "The people you brought this time seem quite excellent."
"Of course! If they weren't good, I wouldn't have brought them," Xiao Yu said proudly, puffing out her chest.
"Alright, new students, everyone come inside now," Instructor Ruo Lin said gently to the group still standing under the scorching sun.