The dense forest was quiet and serene, scattered sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves and falling onto the ground like starlight, giving the entire woods a dreamlike atmosphere—yet beneath that calm surface, a faint tension lingered, as if danger could erupt at any moment.
Soft footsteps echoed.
Five figures moved through the trees—Xiao Feng, Han Yue, Bai Cheng, Lin Xiuya, and another top student. Their gazes were sharp, scanning every shadow.
After a while, Bai Cheng slowed slightly. "Elder Su said the first to arrive gets the best reward… what do you all think?"
Xiao Feng didn't reply.
Han Yue narrowed her eyes. "You want to split up?"
Lin Xiuya nodded calmly. "Moving together is inefficient. We'll attract too much attention."
Bai Cheng added, "This isn't a tournament. It's survival—and speed."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"I have no objection," Xiao Feng said calmly.
One by one, they left.
Lin Xiuya vanished like a shadow.
Bai Cheng rushed off without looking back.
Han Yue paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Don't fall behind."
Soon—
Xiao Feng stood alone.
He didn't move.
Instead… he waited.
Rustle!
Branches shook.
Five figures dropped down from above, surrounding him.
A blue-robed senior squinted. "Xiao Feng… huh. I've heard about you."
Xiao Feng turned slowly. "Then you should also know… you're not my match."
The senior's face darkened. "Arrogant brat!"
He stepped forward. "Where are your teammates?"
"They left."
"…So you're alone?"
Xiao Feng's lips curved slightly.
"No. I stayed."
"To wait for you."
Silence.
Then—anger exploded.
"Attack!"
Boom!
Four seniors lunged forward at once, Dou Qi erupting from their bodies.
"Blazing Flame Palm!"
"Wind Split Kick!"
"Iron Body Strike!"
Attacks came from all directions—fast, coordinated, deadly.
But—
Xiao Feng moved.
Not fast.
Just… precise.
He tilted his head—flames brushed past his cheek.
He stepped forward—dodging a kick by a hair's breadth.
His palm struck out—
Bang!
One senior was sent flying, crashing through two trees.
Before the others could react—
Xiao Feng's figure blurred.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three more bodies flew backward, blood spraying mid-air.
Everything happened in less than a breath.
The forest fell silent.
Only one remained—the blue-robed senior.
His legs trembled.
"You… what kind of monster are you…?"
Xiao Feng walked toward him slowly.
Each step felt like a hammer striking his heart.
"Fire energy," Xiao Feng said calmly.
"I'll give it! I'll give it!"
The senior hurriedly handed over his card, hands shaking uncontrollably.
After transferring the energy, Xiao Feng glanced at his own number and nodded slightly.
"Not bad."
He tossed the empty cards back.
"Train harder next time."
Then he turned—and vanished into the forest.
Days passed.
The forest became a battlefield.
And Xiao Feng—
A hunter.
"Quick! Surround him!"
Another senior team closed in, five figures attacking from different angles.
"Seal his movement!"
"Earth Binding Formation!"
The ground beneath Xiao Feng suddenly cracked, chains of Dou Qi rising to trap his legs.
At the same time—
A spear shot toward his throat.
A blade slashed toward his back.
A palm strike targeted his chest.
Perfect coordination.
But—
Xiao Feng's eyes remained calm.
"Too slow."
Boom!
Flames burst from his body.
The chains shattered instantly.
He stepped forward—grabbing the spear mid-air.
"What—?!"
Twist—
Crack!
The spear snapped.
With the broken shaft—
Bang!
The attacker was sent flying.
Xiao Feng spun—
His leg swept across like lightning.
Bang! Bang!
Two more were thrown into the air.
The last two froze in fear.
"Monster…" one whispered.
Xiao Feng appeared in front of them.
"Fire energy."
They didn't even resist.
Another day—
"Don't fight him head-on! Use ranged attacks!"
Dozens of projectiles filled the air—fireballs, wind blades, lightning arcs.
Xiao Feng raised his hand slightly.
A thin layer of flame formed around him.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
All attacks exploded on contact—
But failed to break through.
"What kind of defense is that?!"
Before they could react—
Xiao Feng disappeared.
A blur of motion—
Screams echoed through the forest.
Eventually—
The strongest team appeared.
The White Fiend Squad.
Their captain stepped forward, Dou Qi surging violently.
"So… you're Xiao Feng."
Xiao Feng nodded slightly.
"Attack together," the captain ordered coldly.
This time—
No hesitation.
No underestimation.
Five Dou Spirits attacked at full strength.
Boom!!!
The ground shattered.
Trees collapsed.
Energy waves spread violently.
For the first time—
Xiao Feng moved seriously.
His aura rose.
Flames danced in his palm.
"Good," he said softly.
"This is worth something."
The captain roared, "Try blocking this!"
A massive Dou Qi strike crashed down like a mountain.
Xiao Feng stepped forward—
Raised his hand—
And caught it.
"What?!"
Crack—
The attack shattered.
In the next instant—
Xiao Feng's palm struck forward.
Boom!!!
The captain was blasted backward, crashing into the ground, coughing blood.
Silence fell.
The remaining members froze.
Xiao Feng walked forward slowly, his voice calm.
"Hand over your fire energy."
The captain laughed bitterly.
"As expected… number one."
He tossed the card forward.
After transferring the energy, Xiao Feng looked at the others.
They immediately handed theirs over without hesitation.
Looking at the rapidly increasing number on his card—
Xiao Feng smiled faintly.
Then turned—
And walked deeper into the forest.
Toward the Inner Academy.
The forest grew quieter as time passed, but the battles only became more intense.
Xiao Feng moved swiftly through the trees, his presence like a silent shadow—until suddenly—
Boom!
A violent clash echoed from not far ahead.
Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed.
"That aura…"
Without hesitation, he changed direction and rushed toward the source.
Through the dense trees—
A chaotic battle unfolded.
Lin Xiuya stood at the center, his sword flashing repeatedly, his movements sharp and precise—but his breathing was uneven, his clothes torn, and faint blood stains marked his arms.
Surrounding him—
Six senior students.
"He's at his limit!" one of them shouted.
"Don't give him time to recover—attack together!"
"Break his defense!"
Lin Xiuya clenched his sword tighter, his gaze still calm despite the situation.
"…So this is as far as I go?" he muttered softly.
Just as multiple attacks closed in—
A voice sounded calmly from behind.
"Step back."
Lin Xiuya's pupils shrank.
That voice—
"Xiao Feng?"
Before he could react—
A terrifying heat surged through the forest.
Boom!!!
A massive phantom suddenly appeared behind the seniors—
A blazing magical beast, formed entirely of fire, its body towering, its eyes burning like molten gold, releasing a terrifying aura that shook the surroundings.
"W-What is that?!"
"A magical beast?!"
"No—this pressure… it's too strong!"
The seniors' expressions changed drastically.
The fire phantom let out a silent roar—
Flames surged like a tidal wave.
"Retreat!"
Without hesitation, the entire senior team fled in panic, their earlier arrogance completely gone as they disappeared into the forest.
Silence returned.
The phantom slowly dissipated.
Xiao Feng stepped forward calmly.
Lin Xiuya looked at him, still slightly stunned.
"…That wasn't a real beast."
Xiao Feng nodded. "Just a flame illusion."
Lin Xiuya let out a slow breath and gave a faint smile.
"Even an illusion like that… was enough to scare them away."
Xiao Feng didn't respond. Instead, he took out a pill and tossed it toward him.
"Take it."
Lin Xiuya caught it instinctively. "Healing pill?"
"It'll stabilize your injuries."
Lin Xiuya didn't hesitate. He swallowed it immediately, and within moments, the pain in his body eased, his breathing gradually stabilizing.
After a brief silence—
He looked at Xiao Feng seriously.
"…Thank you."
Xiao Feng waved his hand lightly.
"Follow me."
Lin Xiuya raised an eyebrow. "Together?"
"It's faster," Xiao Feng replied simply.
Lin Xiuya stared at him for a moment—then nodded.
"Alright."
But this time—
It wasn't because of Xiao Feng's strength.
It was because of his judgment… his vision.
As they moved forward together—
Another battle erupted.
This time—
It was Bai Cheng.
"Damn it…!" Bai Cheng gritted his teeth, barely blocking a heavy strike as he was pushed back step by step.
Three seniors surrounded him, pressing him relentlessly.
"Still resisting?" one sneered.
"Hand over your fire energy!"
Just as Bai Cheng was about to counterattack—
A voice echoed.
"You're being sloppy."
Bai Cheng froze.
Then—
A blur flashed past him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three figures were instantly sent flying.
Xiao Feng stood calmly in front of him.
Bai Cheng stared, stunned. "…You again."
Xiao Feng glanced at him. "Can you still move?"
Bai Cheng snorted, wiping blood from his lips. "Of course."
Xiao Feng tossed him a pill.
"Take it and keep up."
Bai Cheng caught it, hesitated for a moment—then swallowed it.
"…I owe you one," he said quietly.
Not long after—
Han Yue was also found.
She was surrounded by multiple seniors, her ice techniques forming a defensive barrier, but cracks were already forming.
"Your resistance is meaningless," one senior said coldly.
Before they could finish—
A streak of flame cut through the battlefield.
Boom!
The formation shattered instantly.
Han Yue looked up—
Xiao Feng stood there, with Lin Xiuya and Bai Cheng behind him.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"You're late."
Xiao Feng replied calmly, "You're still fine."
Han Yue laughed softly.
"Barely."
From that moment—
The group was formed again.
But this time—
It was different.
They moved as one unit, advancing through the forest.
Senior teams that tried to ambush them—
Were defeated.
Quickly.
Decisively.
"Left side!" Lin Xiuya called out.
Bai Cheng charged forward immediately.
Han Yue's ice sealed escape routes.
And Xiao Feng—
Ended the fight.
"Another team defeated…" Bai Cheng exhaled deeply.
Han Yue glanced at Xiao Feng. "With you leading… this feels too easy."
Xiao Feng shook his head slightly.
"It's not easy."
"It's just efficient."
Lin Xiuya smiled faintly.
"Either way… we're getting closer."
Ahead—
The forest began to thin.
The end…
Was near.
In the dense forest, scattered sunlight filtered through the canopy, falling like starlight upon the withered leaves below, giving the entire woodland a dreamlike glow; the silence was suddenly broken by faint footsteps, approaching from afar, and soon five figures emerged—it was Xiao Feng, Han Yue, Bai Cheng, Lin Xiuya, and the others.
"Elder Su said whoever arrives first gets the best reward… what do you think?" one of them asked, but Xiao Feng merely glanced calmly, his expression unreadable, while the others exchanged looks—yet before they could decide anything further, the forest itself seemed to grow tense, as if something far more intense was unfolding deeper within.
Rumors spread like wildfire.
"Hey, I heard a freshman team is counter-hunting Inner Academy veterans!"
"What? Impossible!"
"Who else—Xiao Feng's group!"
The entire forest stirred. Veterans grew furious. Freshmen grew excited.
But at that moment—
In a wide clearing covered with dry leaves, a fierce battle was already underway.
Five veteran students stood back-to-back, breathing heavily, their clothes torn and stained. Surrounding them—Xiao Feng's group.
Bai Cheng wiped blood from his lips and smirked, "You seniors aren't as tough as you think."
"Arrogant brat!" one of the veterans roared, charging forward.
BOOM!
Before he could even complete his attack—
A figure flashed.
Xiao Feng appeared before him like a phantom.
His palm struck lightly—
Yet the impact exploded like thunder.
The veteran was sent flying, crashing into a tree with a sickening crack.
Silence.
"Hand over your fire energy," Xiao Feng said calmly, as if stating a simple fact.
"Dream on!" another veteran shouted.
This time—Han Yue moved.
Her icy aura surged. Frost spread across the ground.
"Ice Spiral Slash!"
A sharp arc of freezing Dou Qi sliced forward—forcing the remaining veterans back.
At the same time—
Lin Xiuya stepped in.
His sword flashed.
Elegant. Precise. Deadly.
Three strikes—three disarms.
Weapons fell.
Bai Cheng laughed, charging in with brute force, finishing the fight with overwhelming strength.
Within moments—
All five veterans were down.
"…We surrender," their captain muttered bitterly.
Xiao Feng took the crystal cards, his expression unchanged, then tossed them back after extracting what he needed.
"Learn from this," he said. "Strength isn't just rank."
They left in silence.
But deeper in the forest—
The true danger had just begun.
A massive clearing.
Ten figures emerged.
Five in black. Five in white.
Their auras—far stronger than the previous teams.
The Black Sha Team.
The White Sha Team.
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Sha Tie of the Black Sha Team grinned coldly.
"So… you're the freshmen causing chaos."
Luo Hou of the White Sha Team stepped forward, icy aura spreading.
"You've made quite a name… now hand everything over."
Bai Cheng clenched his fists.
"This… is bad."
Han Yue whispered, "Their strength… far above the others."
Lin Xiuya's hand tightened on his sword.
But Xiao Feng—
Smiled faintly.
"Finally… someone worth fighting."
The next second—
BOOM!
His aura erupted.
Flames surged.
A terrifying heat spread across the battlefield—mixed with an ancient, beast-like pressure.
Even the veterans' expressions changed.
"What is this… pressure?"
Before they could react—
Xiao Feng raised his hand.
Flames twisted—
Forming a massive phantom beast in the sky.
A roaring, blazing creature descended with overwhelming dominance.
"ROARRR—!!!"
The illusion alone shook the battlefield.
The weaker veterans staggered back in fear.
"Retreat!" someone shouted instinctively.
The formation broke instantly.
Taking advantage—
Xiao Feng moved.
Like lightning.
He struck once—
Then again—
Each movement precise, overwhelming, unstoppable.
Within seconds—chaos.
Elsewhere in the forest—
Lin Xiuya was struggling.
Three veterans surrounded him, their attacks relentless.
His sword blocked one—barely dodged another—
A third strike landed.
"Ugh!"
He staggered back, blood at his lips.
"End of the line, freshman," one sneered.
Just then—
A wave of heat swept through the area.
The veterans froze.
A massive flame beast appeared behind them—roaring with terrifying pressure.
"What—?!"
Fear struck instantly.
They fled without hesitation.
The illusion faded.
Xiao Feng stepped forward calmly.
"Still standing?" he asked.
Lin Xiuya let out a breath, half-laughing, "Barely."
Xiao Feng tossed him a pill.
"Take it."
Lin Xiuya swallowed it, feeling his injuries rapidly heal.
"…Thank you."
"Follow me," Xiao Feng said simply. "We're heading to the finish together."
This time—
Lin Xiuya didn't hesitate.
Not because of strength alone—
But because of trust.
As they moved forward—
They encountered more scattered battles.
Han Yue—rescued from an ambush.
Bai Cheng—fighting fiercely, then joining them.
Other freshmen—saved along the way.