The days passed quickly.
Before anyone realized it—
The time had finally come for the students to depart for the Inner Courtyard of Canaan Academy.
Because of her unique condition and talent, Xiao Yi Xian had already been taken ahead by Su Qian as a special case.
Now—
Only farewells remained.
In the quiet courtyard, the atmosphere was unusually heavy.
Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Xiao Yu stood together, looking at Xiao Feng.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Finally, Xiao Ding broke the silence with a faint smile,
"Looks like… you'll be leaving us behind again."
Xiao Feng smiled slightly.
"It's only the Inner Courtyard, not another world."
Xiao Li snorted lightly, crossing his arms.
"Still… don't forget us when you become some big shot there."
Xiao Feng chuckled.
"I'd forget myself before I forget you."
The tension eased slightly.
Then—
His gaze slowly shifted toward Xiao Yu.
For a moment, everything else faded into the background.
Xiao Yu stepped forward, her usual confident expression softening just a little.
"You better not disappear again without a word," she said, trying to sound firm.
Xiao Feng looked at her quietly—
Then stepped closer.
"I won't."
Before she could react—
He gently pulled her closer and placed a light kiss on her lips.
Xiao Yu froze.
Her eyes widened slightly, her face instantly flushing red.
"You—!"
She instinctively raised her hand as if to hit him—
But stopped midway.
Around them, Xiao Li let out a low whistle, while Xiao Ding simply shook his head with a faint smile.
Xiao Feng leaned closer and said softly,
"I'll come see you often."
This time—
Xiao Yu didn't argue.
She just turned her face slightly, trying to hide the blush that had spread to her ears.
"…You better," she muttered.
Xiao Feng straightened up and looked at the three of them one last time.
"Take care of yourselves."
"Use what I've given you well."
"And don't slack off."
Xiao Li smirked.
"You should worry about yourself instead."
Xiao Ding nodded calmly.
"We'll be fine."
Xiao Yu finally looked back at him, her expression now steady again—
But her eyes still carried a trace of warmth.
"Go."
Without looking back again—
Xiao Feng turned and walked away.
Toward the Inner Courtyard.
Two days later, when Xiao Feng arrived alone in front of Hu Gan's study room, the open space outside was already crowded with students gathered in groups, chatting softly. The largest groups naturally centered around Han Yue, Bai Cheng, and Lin Xiuya—the most prominent figures of this year's selection. As Xiao Feng stepped into view, the bustling atmosphere quieted slightly, and countless gazes turned toward him, filled with envy and awe. His overwhelming performance in the competition—defeating opponents effortlessly, sometimes without even making a move—had left a deep impression on everyone. Compared to him, many felt insignificant, their pride as talented students shaken.
Xiao Feng remained calm, ignoring the attention as he moved to the side. Soon, Han Yue approached and nodded lightly, greeting him with composed friendliness. Bai Cheng stood nearby, his earlier hostility gone, speaking in a restrained tone, while Lin Xiuya observed quietly, his sharp gaze filled with interest. Their brief exchange was simple, yet it showed a clear shift—respect had replaced rivalry. As time passed, more students gathered, not to depart, but to witness this moment. In Canaan Academy, entering the Inner Courtyard was a dream countless students pursued, and every year, this departure drew a large crowd.
At last, the door creaked open, and Hu Gan stepped out, his aged gaze sweeping across the fifty students before him. After confirming everyone was present, he nodded and congratulated them, his voice steady yet authoritative. He explained that the Inner Courtyard, being the core of the academy, was hidden and unknown even to most instructors, and thus they would be escorted there. As his words fell, Xiao Feng's gaze lifted slightly to the sky, where ten dark figures rapidly approached. Moments later, ten massive Gryphon Beasts descended, their wings casting huge shadows and stirring fierce winds that forced many students to steady themselves.
At Hu Gan's command, the students quickly moved. Some leaped up with ease, while others slipped awkwardly on the smooth feathers. Han Yue landed gracefully, Lin Xiuya moved with precision, and Bai Cheng stood firmly, while Xiao Feng simply stepped forward, his figure flickering as he appeared atop a Gryphon Beast with perfect balance. As per tradition, the top five gathered on the same beast—Xiao Feng, Han Yue, Bai Cheng, Lin Xiuya, and another top participant—forming a group whose presence alone carried weight.
Once everyone was seated, Hu Gan and several elders rose into the air, magnificent Dou Qi wings spreading from their backs as they hovered effortlessly, drawing envious looks from below. With a sharp whistle, the Gryphon Beasts flapped their wings and ascended into the sky. The ground shrank beneath them, and faint farewell voices echoed from below. Xiao Feng glanced down briefly and raised his hand in acknowledgment before turning his attention forward.
The convoy flew across the skies, leaving the Outer Academy behind and heading toward the vast back mountains of Canaan Academy. Below them stretched an endless sea of forest, filled with powerful magical beasts. Occasionally, ferocious creatures attempted to attack, but under the protection of Hu Gan and the elders, they were effortlessly destroyed, like insects swatted from the air. After more than an hour of flight, the Gryphon Beasts finally slowed and came to a halt above a massive, bottomless ravine shrouded in mist.
Han Yue's expression turned serious, Lin Xiuya's grip tightened on his sword, and Bai Cheng frowned slightly at the ominous sight. Xiao Feng, however, remained calm, his gaze steady as he looked down into the depths. He understood clearly—
This was not the end of their journey.
But the true beginning of the Inner Courtyard.
The freshmen glanced at the bottomless mountain stream beneath their feet and then looked around. They found that besides the endless greenery, there was no sign of the Inner Academy, not even a single human figure.
"What's going on?" Lin Xiuya muttered softly, while Han Yue and Bai Cheng exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions filled with confusion.
Hu Gan simply smiled faintly. "The Inner Academy isn't that easy to enter."
Stepping forward, he raised his hand and released a streak of Dou Qi toward the empty space ahead. Instantly—
ripples spread through the air like water disturbed by a stone.
The space trembled.
Then—
A pale silver gate, towering several zhang high, slowly emerged out of thin air.
Everyone was stunned.
Bai Cheng's eyes widened. "A hidden spatial gate…?"
Han Yue whispered, "So this place… was concealed all along…"
Under everyone's gaze, the silver gate slowly opened with a crisp sound. Behind it—was another forest, seemingly no different, yet faintly carrying a deeper, more ancient aura.
Hu Gan waved his hand. "Follow me."
Without hesitation, he stepped in.
Xiao Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the fluctuation of space, then calmly followed, with Xiao Yi Xian close beside him. Han Yue, Bai Cheng, and Lin Xiuya quickly entered after them.
One by one—
Their figures disappeared into the gate.
When the last person entered, the silver gate slowly closed, dissolving back into nothingness as if it had never existed.
Stepping through, Xiao Feng felt a slight dizziness before his feet touched solid ground again.
Looking ahead—
The scenery was still a forest.
But now, several figures stood before them.
Two old men… and a few middle-aged instructors. Behind them were nearly twenty young students, each wearing a badge engraved with a tower-like symbol.
One of the elders stepped forward with a smile.
"Old Hu, right on time as always. How are this year's freshmen?"
Hu Gan chuckled. "About the same as usual."
Then he turned slightly.
"You five—come here."
Xiao Feng and the others stepped forward.
"These two are elders of the Inner Academy—Elder Su and Elder Qing," Hu Gan introduced. "If you face any trouble inside, you may seek them."
Elder Su's gaze swept across the group—
Before stopping on Xiao Feng.
A trace of shock flashed in his eyes.
"So young… and already among the top five?"
Elder Qing nodded slowly. "This year… seems more interesting than usual."
Hu Gan smiled faintly. "He is Xiao Feng—disciple of Fire Elder Huo."
"Fire Elder's disciple…" Elder Su repeated, then sighed softly. "No wonder."
Behind them, the older students began whispering among themselves, their gazes filled with curiosity—and greed.
"Silence!" Elder Su suddenly barked.
The entire area fell quiet instantly.
Then—
He raised his hand.
Several pitch-black crystal chips shot out, hovering in front of each student.
Xiao Feng caught one.
The moment it touched his palm—
A strange warmth spread through his hand.
Looking down, he saw a number engraved on it:
Five.
Bai Cheng frowned. "What is this?"
Elder Su smiled faintly.
"You don't need to understand everything now."
He pointed behind him—toward the group of older students.
"But remember this…"
"Protect it as you would your life."
At those words—
The gazes of the senior students grew even more intense.
Like predators staring at prey.
Xiao Feng glanced at them calmly, his expression unchanged, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
None of them… are a threat.
Elder Su's voice rang out once more—
"Next, you will enter this forest… and make your way to the Inner Academy."
He paused, then added with a slight smile—
"But be careful…"
"These students…"
"Are allowed to attack you."
The atmosphere instantly turned tense.
Han Yue's brows furrowed. "So this is… another test?"
Lin Xiuya's hand rested lightly on his sword. "Interesting."
Bai Cheng clenched his fist slightly, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
Elder Su continued calmly—
"The number on your chip is called 'Fire Energy.'"
"It is extremely valuable in the Inner Academy."
"And for them…"
He pointed again at the seniors.
"It is irresistible."
A few of the older students even licked their lips, their eyes filled with excitement.
"During this journey…" Elder Su said slowly, "they will use every method—except killing—to take it from you."
"Escape…"
"Or fight."
"The choice is yours."
Then—
He raised his hand toward the dense forest behind him.
"This trial…"
"…is called the Fire Energy Hunting Competition."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Elder Su's voice echoed powerfully through the forest.
"Now—"
"I declare—"
"This year's Fire Energy Hunting Competition…"
"Begin!"