An icy voice rang out across the courtyard, and then, as if conjured from the wind itself, Xiao Jietian appeared between the two groups.
"Tian Ge, you're back. They…"
Xun'er's frosty expression immediately melted into warmth and charm. Relief washed over her delicate features—her Tian Ge had returned, and now everything would be fine.
"Xun'er, leave this to me," Xiao Jietian said softly, his usual chill replaced by a gentle smile. He reached out and stroked her head.
"Okay~"
Xun'er obediently took a few steps back, joining Xiao Yu at her side.
Xiao Jietian turned his attention to Fu Ao, his face unreadable. "Come, show me this rage of yours."
Fu Ao had dared to touch Xiao Jietian's reverse scale—his women and closest relatives.
A dragon has a reverse scale; touch it, and death follows.
"Since you're so eager to embarrass yourself in front of others, I'll grant your wish. Let me show you what a Dou Ling truly is. I am no half-baked amateur like Luo Hou."
Fu Ao roared, and the aura of a three-star Dou Ling exploded outward, energy surging like a tempest.
"Sea Spirit Fist!"
He stomped the ground and charged at Xiao Jietian, fists like raging tides. The pressure of his Dou Qi made nearby spectators step back instinctively.
"Three-star Dou Ling… so powerful…" murmured those watching, trembling at the force emanating from him.
Yet Xiao Jietian remained perfectly still, expression unchanged.
"Haha! Die, Xiao Jietian!"
Fu Ao lunged, his fist glowing blue, aimed straight for Xiao Jietian's face.
At that moment, Xiao Jietian moved. A subtle wave of force surged from his raised hand, invisible yet devastating. Fu Ao's attack disintegrated under the invisible energy.
The three-star Dou Ling was sent flying backward, utterly helpless.
Xiao Jietian did not pause. With a step, he appeared behind Fu Ao, kicking him like a soccer ball. Again and again, Xiao Jietian's form flickered behind him, delivering blow after blow—half aimed at his face. After seven or eight strikes, Fu Ao crashed heavily to the ground, battered beyond recognition.
Both the Bai Gang and Pan Gate members stared in disbelief, mouths agape.
The once-arrogant Dou Ling now lay like a broken toy, unable to retaliate, not even brushing Xiao Jietian's robes. Some kicks had even struck his shoes.
Fu Ao's once-handsome face was now a mask of blood and distortion.
"What… what strength does Xiao Jietian possess? A three-star Dou Ling is like a child's toy in his hands!" gasped the crowd, awe and fear coiling in their hearts.
The Bai Gang's remaining members wanted to intervene, but Xiao Jietian's gaze froze them in place.
Step by step, Xiao Jietian approached the trembling Fu Ao. Coldness radiated from him, unyielding and merciless.
He reached Fu Ao and pressed a foot to his head.
"Thump."
The sound alone carried finality.
"Xiao Jietian! The academy forbids serious injury outside the Arena! How dare you assault Big Brother Fu Ao? I'll report you!" Bai Shan shouted, trying to invoke the rules.
Xiao Jietian looked at him disdainfully. "Say another word, and you'll be next to lie down."
Bai Shan opened his mouth, but no words came.
"This is your rage? With such strength, you dare to cause trouble? And she… she is not someone a good-for-nothing like you can covet or offend. Be smarter in future."
Xiao Jietian's foot met Bai Shan's face. Teeth flew in an arc as Bai Shan's front teeth shattered. Xiao Jietian's strike was precise, reinforced by a trace of energy from Little Fairy Doctor.
Xun'er's heart had belonged to him since childhood; any who dared harm her deserved nothing but ruin.
Xiao Jietian appeared before Bai Shan, raised his hand, and with controlled precision:
"This incident was caused by you, useless good-for-nothing. Don't ever appear before me again—or I'll beat you every single time."
"Bang!"
Bai Shan was sent flying, face swelling instantly.
"Shameless… truly thick-skinned. My hand even aches from the impact," Xiao Jietian muttered.
Bai Shan fainted, unsure if it was rage or pain that overwhelmed him.
"Take them and go! Pan Gate is not a place for you to run wild. If you return, don't expect it to be this easy," Xiao Jietian ordered.
"Scram!"
The remaining Bai Gang members carried the two battered men away using hidden movement techniques.
"Everyone, the show's over. Leave, or remain at your own risk," Xiao Jietian declared.
The surrounding older students dispersed immediately.
"You don't want today to repeat itself, do you?" Xiao Jietian asked the new students.
"No!" they roared, indignation burning in their chests.
"Then gather tomorrow and head to the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda to cultivate."
"Yes!!!"
"Alright, everyone else may leave. Ah Tai, stay."
Once the others departed, only the six-member Pan Gate and Ah Tai remained.
"Xiao Yan Zi, explain the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda precautions. Ah Tai, pass the details to the others tomorrow."
Xiao Yan recounted Elder Liu's instructions, with Xiao Jietian filling in any gaps.
"I didn't expect the Inner Academy to possess such a treasure. No wonder its members have grown so strong," Wu Hao exclaimed, eyes bright with anticipation.
Xun'er and the others, absorbing the details, shared a spark of excitement in their gaze.
"Gate Master, what about the Bai Gang?" Ah Tai asked, unaware of Xiao Jietian's true strength.
"You're most informed. Tell me about their actual power," Xiao Jietian said.
Ah Tai recalled: Bai Cheng, the gang leader, was a six-star Dou Ling; the other three were three-star, like Fu Ao.
"Then there's no need to worry. If they cause trouble, inform me—I'll handle it. With me supporting Pan Gate, you needn't fear."
Ah Tai nodded, reassured, as if he had been handed a potent shield.