The Inner Courtyard Selection Competition officially began!
The referee stepped onto the stage and called out,"Participants for the next match, step forward!"
Those who dared to register were, at the very least, above the Seven-Star Dou Master level. Anyone weaker would only humiliate themselves.
Because of this, every battle was intense—especially when two evenly matched opponents clashed. It became nothing short of a dragon-tiger battle, with brilliant bursts of Dou Qi lighting up the arena again and again.
From the stands of the Huang Level Second Class stronghold, Xiao Yu watched everything unfold.
But her attention wasn't truly on the battles.
Not far ahead stood Xiao Feng, surrounded by his close companions—Xiao Yi Xian, his brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, and several members of the Xiao family who had come to support him.
They spoke calmly, analyzing every match with precision.
"The Wind Attribute cultivator isn't using his speed advantage properly…" Xiao Feng said casually."He rushed in recklessly."
Xiao Ding nodded."The Earth Attribute user is waiting for the perfect moment."
Xiao Li smirked slightly."If nothing unexpected happens, this fight is already decided."
Hearing them, Xiao Yu couldn't help but feel a trace of bitterness in her heart.
Compared to them… my talent is almost nothing.
She clenched her hand slightly, lowering her gaze.
At that moment—
"Xiao Yu," Xiao Feng called out with a smile, "if you want to listen, come closer."
His tone was the same as always—warm, natural, without any distance.
The faint sense of estrangement in Xiao Yu's heart instantly disappeared.
She walked forward, her long legs steady, while the other young ladies beside her quickly followed.
Soon, Xiao Feng was surrounded.
This sight made many students in the stands feel envious.
The male students didn't even dare approach—how could they squeeze into a group like that?
Xiao Yu stood closer now, quietly listening.
Even though she still couldn't fully keep up with their analysis, she listened with intense focus.
So… this is how battles can be understood…
On the arena below—
Just as Xiao Feng predicted, within three exchanges, the Earth Attribute cultivator seized an opening.
His leg, wrapped in dense Dou Qi, lashed out like a whip—
Bang!
The Wind Attribute opponent was struck in the abdomen and sent flying, ending the match instantly.
A look of admiration filled Xiao Yu's eyes as she turned back to Xiao Feng.
Xiao Yu pinched Xue Ni's waist lightly and whispered, her tone low but familiar,"You little troublemaker… is this how you behave? He's already my boyfriend. What exactly are you trying to do?"
Xue Ni pouted, but instead of backing away, she leaned closer with a playful smile.
Even though they had only known each other for three days since joining the academy, the two had already grown incredibly close—almost like sisters.
"I can't help it…" Xue Ni said softly. "You know me. In just these three days, I've already gotten used to sticking with you… and now I've met your boyfriend. How could I not be tempted?"
Xiao Yu rolled her eyes, though she didn't push her away.
Just earlier, she had personally introduced Xue Ni to everyone—to Xiao Feng, to Xiao Yi Xian, and even to her cousin's brothers, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, along with the rest of the Xiao family members.
She hadn't expected things to turn like this so quickly.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Xiao Yu said, her tone carrying a hint of possessiveness."My boyfriend isn't someone you can provoke."
Xue Ni blinked, then asked in a half-teasing, half-serious tone,"Then… since we're already like sisters… can I have your permission?"
Xiao Yu froze instantly.
"You…" she said, narrowing her eyes, completely caught off guard."Do you even hear yourself?"
Xue Ni clasped her hands together, smiling innocently."I'm serious! I won't cross the line… I just really like him."
Xiao Yu let out a long sigh, rubbing her forehead.
"You really are impossible…"
She paused, then stepped slightly forward, unconsciously moving closer to Xiao Feng, as if silently declaring her place.
"For now… he's mine," she said softly, her cheeks faintly red.
Xue Ni blinked, then laughed lightly."Alright, alright… I understand."
But she added in a whisper,"That doesn't mean I'll stop admiring him."
Xiao Yu shot her a look but didn't argue further.
Behind them, Xiao Feng and the others had already heard everything.
Xiao Li chuckled, nudging Xiao Ding."Only three days, and she's already calling her a sister… and now this?"
Xiao Ding folded his arms, a faint smile appearing."Our brother really attracts trouble."
Xiao Feng shook his head helplessly, a small smile on his lips.
Realizing that they might have overheard everything, Xiao Yu's face instantly flushed red.
She straightened her posture, trying to appear calm, but her slightly tense expression gave her away—
In just three days, she had gained a sister-like friend…
And also a rival.
just then referee called names,
"Profound Rank First Class—Lin Kai,Huang Level Second Class—Xiao Feng!"
The referee's voice rang clearly across the arena.
At those words, Xiao Yu's heart tightened slightly. She glanced at Xiao Feng and said softly,"Now… it's your turn."
Xiao Feng smiled faintly but said nothing. Before stepping forward, he casually brushed past Xiao Yu, lightly tapping her shoulder—a small gesture that made her freeze for a moment.
Then, under countless gazes, he walked onto the stage.
His opponent, Lin Kai, had already stepped forward. He held a dark blue long spear, a magic core embedded within it, faintly glowing with energy.
"Xiao Feng!" Lin Kai shouted, his voice filled with battle intent."Even if you're a popular figure in the Academy, don't think I'll surrender without a fight!"
Xiao Feng nodded slightly, a calm smile on his face."I look forward to your performance."
All eyes in the arena focused on the stage.
Excitement filled the air.
What kind of strength would this rising star display?
From the stands, cheers erupted—especially from the Xiao family.
"Brother Feng!""Show them!"
Xiao Yu stood quietly among them, her gaze fixed entirely on him.
"The match begins!"
The referee's voice fell.
Lin Kai took a step forward, gripping his spear tightly.
"I want to—"
His words stopped abruptly.
Clang!
The dark blue spear slipped from his hand and crashed onto the ground.
A heartbeat later—
Thud.
Lin Kai collapsed.
Xiao Feng… had not moved at all.
Silence.
The entire arena fell into a dead stillness.
Even the spectators in the stands widened their eyes in shock.
No one understood what had just happened.
A single question echoed in everyone's mind—
What happened?
How did he fall before Xiao Feng even made a move?
Xiao Feng stood calmly in place, his expression unchanged, as if everything was completely natural.
He then turned his gaze toward the referee.
The referee snapped out of his daze and quickly rushed to Lin Kai's side. After checking briefly, his expression changed.
Lin Kai had already fainted.
Taking a deep breath, the referee raised his hand and announced loudly:
"Lin Kai is unconscious… the winner is—Xiao Feng!"
The silence shattered instantly.
The entire arena erupted into discussion.
"This… what just happened?!""He didn't even move!""How did Lin Kai fall?!"
Shock, confusion, disbelief—
Every emotion spread through the crowd.
Even the participants watching from below grew serious.
Because not a single one of them could understand what Xiao Feng had done.
Among the crowd, Xiao Yu stared at Xiao Feng's figure, her eyes shining with pride and amazement.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
As expected…
He's on a completely different level.
Although the audience was disappointed that they didn't get to witness a spectacular battle, their curiosity only grew stronger.
What kind of method had Xiao Feng used to make his opponent faint instantly?
Meanwhile, the students participating in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition all wore solemn expressions.
None of them could figure out what kind of technique Xiao Feng had used.
And that was the most frightening part.
If they couldn't even understand what their opponent had done… then how could they possibly stand a chance against him?
On the high platform opposite the square, several Elders watched Xiao Feng's retreating figure, all with expressions of surprise.
"This little fellow's strength has advanced yet again," Hu Gan said with a chuckle, glancing at the stiff-faced elder beside him. "Such control over Dou Qi… even a Dou Ling might not possess it."
Fire Elder, from the Alchemist Department, kept his gaze fixed on Xiao Feng, a faint glint of pride flashing in his eyes.
"It's not just his control," Fire Elder said meaningfully. "That boy has already stepped into the Dou Spirit realm. His speed just now… that's why none of you could see his move."
Hearing this, the surrounding elders were visibly startled.
"Dou Spirit? Already?"
"At his age?"
"No wonder… no wonder the attack was completely invisible to us!"
One of the elders shook his head in amazement."Fire Elder, you've truly accepted an extraordinary disciple."
Another elder smiled faintly and added,"With both such alchemy talent and cultivation talent… this Xiao Feng's future is limitless."
Hu Gan glanced at Fire Elder and laughed."Old Fire, it seems you've picked up a treasure this time."
Fire Elder stroked his beard, unable to hide the satisfaction in his expression."That boy's opportunities are his own. I merely guided him a little."
Though his tone was calm, the pride in his voice was unmistakable.
"If he continues like this," Fire Elder added, looking toward the arena,"I'm afraid there won't be much to watch in this selection competition."
Hearing this, Hu Gan's mouth twitched slightly.
"Fire Old Man, don't just enjoy the show without thinking about the consequences," he said helplessly. "Why don't you help me come up with a solution?"
"That's your problem," Fire Elder replied lazily, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied expression.
Hu Gan shook his head. The Alchemist Department was independent from both the Inner and Outer Academies—there was little he could do to rein in Fire Elder.
"Fine… I'll think of something myself."
As he turned his gaze back to the arena, watching the ongoing battle between two students, a plan slowly began to form in his mind.
After that, several more matches were held.
Xiao Feng participated in each one—and without exception, he won them all effortlessly.
No matter who his opponent was, the result remained the same.
Instant defeat.
Gradually, a strange atmosphere began to spread among the participants.
No one wanted to face Xiao Feng.
Finally, the last day of the competition arrived.
The entire arena was filled to the brim, and the excitement in the air was far greater than before.
At this moment, Vice President Hu Gan stepped forward onto the high platform.
His gaze swept across the crowd before he spoke in a clear, steady voice:
"I'm sure everyone is already tired of the one-on-one duels from the previous elimination rounds."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Therefore… this year's Inner Courtyard Selection Competition will have a change in rules for the top fifty!"
The moment these words fell, the crowd stirred.
Hu Gan raised his hand slightly and continued, his voice carrying across the entire square:
"This round will be called—Survivor Takes All!"
"All fifty contestants will enter the square at the same time."
"And whoever remains standing at the very end… will be the ultimate victor!"
"As for the rest, their rankings will be determined by the order in which they fall out of the square or lose their ability to fight!"
Hearing this, many of the students looked at one another in confusion.
Such a sudden rule change was completely unexpected.
However, the audience reacted very differently.
Cheers erupted instantly.
To them, this kind of chaotic, large-scale battle was far more exciting than simple one-on-one duels.
"The more chaotic, the better!""This is going to be amazing!"
Their excitement soared to the sky.
Hu Gan nodded slightly, clearly satisfied with the reaction.
"Alright," he said, raising his hand.
"Now—"
"Top fifty contestants… step into the arena!"
At those words, the atmosphere instantly turned tense.
All eyes shifted toward the contestants—
Especially toward one person.
Xiao Feng.
Because everyone knew…
In this battle of fifty—
He was the one who stood above them all.