Under the watchful eyes of the senior students, the Pan Gate members arrived at the Arena.
The Arena was the most bustling and popular place in the Inner Academy, even surpassing the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda. Young people craved passion and combat, and nowhere embodied that more than this place.
Ordinary academies or forces rarely allowed such open confrontation; only Jia Nan Academy dared. And it was a wise approach. In the Black-Corner Region—and indeed across the continent—only the strong survived. Those who trained here would leave not naive, but tempered, ready for the merciless world outside.
Here, one could gain Fire Energy, combat experience, and even the pressure necessary to push one's cultivation further. Of course, those lacking strength would merely exchange Fire Energy for the chance to grow.
The Arena placed no limits on life-and-death duels. Any unresolved feud in the Inner Academy was typically settled in this brutal theatre.
Today, the Arena was louder than ever, packed with students and spectators alike. News of Pan Gate's challenge spread like wildfire yesterday, ensuring even more onlookers than usual.
From a high vantage point offering the best view, several figures leaned against the railing, including Han Yue. Beside her stood a handsome man dressed in green and a towering, brawny man.
"The Pan Gate people are here," a young man muttered.
All eyes turned.
The man in green initially showed only mild interest in this hot-headed youth leading the new students. But when his gaze settled on Xiao Jietian, something shifted.
"Hmm… there's something unusual about him."
The smile vanished from his face. Unconsciously, his expression grew serious.
"Han Yue, you know him. Do you understand his true strength? How do you assess this match?"
Han Yue nodded subtly. "He is at least Dou Ling. I don't know the exact level, but I believe he can win."
She did not reveal more about Xiao Jietian. Besides, she herself was no match for him. The man in green, one of the strongest this year, feeling that something was off, only reinforced Xiao Jietian's extraordinary nature.
"He's just a new student. What strength could he possibly have? I could finish him with a single punch," the brawny man muttered, curling his lips.
Meanwhile, whispers ran through the crowd:
"Are those the Pan Gate people? Their leader… Xiao Jietian… he's so handsome, almost poetic."
"They even have three beautiful women! I must join Pan Gate if they win—it's fate!"
"Fate, my foot. If you're after women, just say so. Don't spout nonsense about fortune-telling while I'm making keys."
"I can hear your scheming from Peace Town. Even if Pan Gate wins, they may not want you."
As Xiao Jietian and his followers approached the largest dueling platform, the spectators' chatter escalated further.
"The Bai Gang are here," someone announced.
From the opposite entrance, Bai Cheng led a group, flanked by three Dou Lings. Fu Ao, pale-faced, and Bai Shan followed closely.
Bai Cheng stopped three meters before Xiao Jietian, eyes cold and calculating.
"I want to see where you get the courage to say you'll disband our Bai Gang today," he said sharply.
Xiao Jietian smiled faintly, his gaze calm.
"You'll see. After today, there will be no more Bai Gang."
Bai Cheng's lips curled into a sneer. Daylight had emboldened him, and he'd almost forgotten the unease he felt yesterday.
A long yellow spear appeared in his hand, glowing with dense Dou Qi. He pointed it at Xiao Jietian.
"Come forward. Let's fight."
Xiao Jietian floated up, his body a phantom-like figure.
"Where's your weapon? I disdain to strike the unarmed," Bai Shan shouted coldly.
"When you force me to use one, I will," Xiao Jietian replied, hands behind his back, calmness radiating from him.
Bai Cheng's anger flared. Dou Qi surged, suffusing the long spear with radiant yellow light.
"Arrogant! You brought this upon yourself! Don't complain if you lose. I'll show you the power of a strong ranking expert!"
"Boss, take him down! Let him feel the price of arrogance!"
"Leader, go! Pan Gate will not let them look down on us!"
Xiao Jietian's expression remained unshaken. A faint smile touched his lips.
"Whether I'm arrogant or not, you'll know soon enough. Today, I prove that Pan Gate will be the strongest force in the Inner Academy."
Golden wings spread behind him, lifting him into the air.
A powerful aura burst from his body, pressing down on Bai Cheng and the surrounding crowd.
I've laid my cards on the table. I don't eat beef.
Energy waves radiated outward like crashing waves. Xiao Jietian had reached the Eight-Star Dou King realm, capable of projecting his Dou Qi as an overwhelming aura.
Bai Cheng and his followers were pushed back half a step. This was only Xiao Jietian's subconscious Dou Qi pressure.
Spectators froze, eyes wide. Two words screamed through every mind:
"Dou King??"
Bai Cheng, closest to him, gasped under the pressure, his body bending slightly, barely held upright by his spear.
"Still think I'm arrogant?" Xiao Jietian's voice rang out.
All around, both onlookers and Bai Cheng lowered their heads, silent in the face of true strength.
"Thunder Lion."
Xiao Jietian flicked his hand. A four-coloured lion, fanged and clawed, erupted from his fist, leaping toward Bai Cheng.
Bai Cheng spun his spear desperately.
"Profound High-Rank—Thick Earth Wall!"
A metre-thick wall of yellow earth rose instantly. The lion's claws struck it fiercely.
Cracks spider-webbed across the wall. Bai Cheng poured every ounce of Dou Qi into it, but the barrier shattered like paper.
The four-coloured lion slammed into him with tremendous force.