Declaration of War (10,000 words completed)

Xiao Yan was not one to act without benefit; he had the strength, yes, but he wasn't a pushover, not the type to roar at injustice on the road.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the new students were not surprised. After all, they had witnessed Xiao Yan's 'utilitarianism' in the forest, recognizing money over people, even snatching from new students. If the elders hadn't rewarded him, he probably would have snatched from them too.

"Brother Xiao Yan, we came to you not to ask you to spare us from harassment. We understand that being bullied by older students is inevitable for new students in the Inner Academy. I also asked a friend, and in previous years, new students had to pay some so-called 'New Student Tribute Fee,' but not like us, who have to pay everything. My friend said that this year, it's because we new students passed the 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition' and received a twenty-day Fire Energy reward, which made some older students who had been robbed in the hunting competition feel unhappy, so this situation arose," A Tai said with a bitter smile.

People are always like this, not worried about scarcity, but inequality, not worried about poverty, but injustice.

Knowing that the new students were not only not robbed by the older students, but also passed the Fire Energy Hunting Competition and received a large Fire Energy reward, many people felt unbalanced.

"Saying this is not to blame you, Brother Xiao Yan. You gave us new students a twenty-day Fire Energy reward. In the hearts of this year's new students in the Inner Academy, Senior Xiao Yan has the highest prestige. So, when we encounter such troubles, we can only ask you to come forward, hoping to prevent us new students from being exploited layer by layer. Otherwise, we won't even have enough money to enter the 'Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower' to cultivate, and even if we enter, we may be harassed and unable to concentrate on cultivation. Then what's the point of cultivating in the Inner Academy?" A Tai stared at Xiao Yan and said, "Yesterday, we heard Sister Xun Er say that you plan to establish a force. We can pay you protection fees, just hoping you can help us."

"Oh, you saying that does make me a little interested." Xiao Yan smiled faintly, touched the Storage Ring on his finger, and after pondering for a moment, he smiled at A Tai: "Since there's business, I'll naturally take it."

"How about this, I've just established my own organization, and daily maintenance, guarding, and collecting information also require manpower. I won't bully you. If you are willing to join my Xiao Hall, then I, Xiao Yan, will provide you with protection. You pay a contribution of ten days of Fire Energy each month, and you can also get Fire Energy for completing the tasks assigned by Xiao Hall."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, A Tai and the others looked at each other, Xiao Yan clearly wanted to recruit them.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, they were actually a little tempted. After all, Xiao Yan's strength was there for all to see. He was strong and easily defeated Luo Hou and Bai Feng.

Although Xiao Yan had just established his force, its potential was conceivable.

More than a dozen new students nodded, and A Tai said, "Okay, Brother Xiao Yan, besides us, there should be more than a dozen people who are also being bullied. I'll go gather them now."

"Go, go, after gathering, wait at the entrance of the new student dormitory area."

Xun Er and the others also heard what happened at the door. After learning that Xiao Yan wanted to bring all the new students under his command, they discussed it and agreed with Xiao Yan's approach.

"Let's go, go to the door to welcome our members. I want to see who is so bold as to bully the people of my Xiao Hall." Xiao Yan waved his hand and strode towards the door. After that, Xun Er and the others exchanged glances, smiled, and quickly followed.

Outside the pavilion was a green avenue, and on both sides of the avenue were the residences of the other new students of this year. Of course, compared with the small pavilions of Xiao Yan and the other eight, theirs were slightly simpler. It seemed that this kind of treatment was not available to everyone.

Bai Shan had left the new student accommodation area early and ran to the Bai Gang's stronghold to live.

When Xiao Yan and the others appeared at the entrance of the dormitory, the new students who had already gathered together cheered and hurriedly made way for Xiao Yan.

At this time, the exit of the avenue was blocked by eight older students wearing tower-shaped Badges on their chests, and behind them was a large group of older students watching the excitement. Obviously, they were happy to see the new students being deflated, because many of them had gone through this stage in the past.

Opposite the eight older students was A Tai, who had just come to Xiao Yan for help. At this time, he was leading the new students, his face livid, confronting the older students.

"Don't talk nonsense, kid. The New Student Tribute Fee is an unspoken rule in the Inner Academy for so many years. We haven't been harsh on you, so just hand it over obediently. Disaster can be avoided by spending money, don't you understand?" A young man, about twenty-five years old, smiled and looked at A Tai and the others with livid faces.

"Humph, don't think we are new students and don't know the rules. New students should pay the 'Tribute Fee' to the older students, but the Inner Academy also has an unwritten rule that new students can only give to two forces at most. After paying to these two forces, if other forces want to collect, they have to talk to those two forces, and it has nothing to do with us." A Tai snorted coldly.

"Hehe, that's the usual situation, but aren't you new students very strong? For so many years, I have never heard of a new student team robbing an old student team's 'Fire Energy' in the 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition.' Since you are so unique, then the rules for dealing with you must be special." The young man grinned.

At this time, Xiao Yan's lazy voice came from a distance: "Since you also know about the old students being robbed, you still dare to collect Fire Energy like this. Do you think I, Xiao Yan, am dead?"

"Brother Xiao Yan!" When A Tai saw Xiao Yan and the other eight coming, he felt like he had seen a savior.

Seeing Xiao Yan's appearance, the surrounding new students cheered. After the "Fire Energy Hunting Competition" performance, Xiao Yan's prestige in the hearts of the new students was already quite high.

And now he was already their god! They were just short of kneeling down and shouting: You are my god.

Hearing Xiao Yan's name, the older students' faces sank. They had also inquired about Xiao Yan's affairs, knowing that Xiao Yan was very strong, a two-star Dou Ling, and had defeated Luo Hou and Bai Feng in a one-on-two fight.

Bai Feng had even entered the Strong Ranking List's top 100, although he was only there for a few days before being beaten down, but it also proved that he had some strength.

Therefore, some of the older students in the Inner Academy were still a little afraid of Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan, this is a rule that the Inner Academy has always set. We have already given you face by not provoking you, don't make a mistake. Although you defeated Luo Hou and Bai Feng, you must also know that in this Inner Academy, there are many people stronger than them! There are some people you can't afford to offend!" In public, the young man was unwilling to lose face and retreat, so he had to harden his neck and snort coldly.

Hearing the young man's words, Xiao Yan seemed to have heard a funny joke and laughed, saying: "Hehehe, of course there are people I can't afford to offend, but if you say those Strong Ranking List nobodies and peak Dou Lings in the Inner Academy, then forget it."

Hearing Xiao Yan's arrogant words, not to mention the stubborn young man, even the onlookers behind him changed their expressions drastically.

Xiao Yan's words meant that he was planning to challenge all the forces in the entire Inner Academy!

He had insulted all the monster geniuses on the Strong Ranking List! "You... you are not only offending my Qing Gang, but also challenging everyone in the Inner Academy!"

Xiao Yan was not afraid of this person putting a high hat on him, and said with a cold smile: "Since I, Xiao Yan, have established the Xiao Hall, and these new students are willing to join my Xiao Hall, then if anyone dares to bully my Xiao Hall comrades, even if it is the entire Inner Academy, I, Xiao Yan, will fight all over the Inner Academy!!"

Looking at the coldness in Xiao Yan's eyes, the older student's throat rolled slightly, and a drop of cold sweat dripped from his forehead. He could feel that in the words of the young man, who was much younger than him, there was a genuine, cold killing intent.

With a whoosh, Xiao Yan instantly appeared behind the Qing Gang disciple who was clamoring, and Dou Qi solidified into a Dou Qi rope, instantly binding the silly child who was only a three-star Da Dou Shi.

"You, you, you, what do you want to do!!"

"Since your Qing Gang wants to eat crabs, then be prepared to be pinched by crabs." Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, revealing a hint of coldness, and said: "Come, hang this guy on the tree, let those who want to bully our new students take a good look at the consequences of bullying my Xiao Hall comrades."

A Tai trembled and his scalp tingled upon hearing this. The feeling of finally getting his head above water and having someone help him get revenge made him determined to follow Xiao Yan to the death.

Xiao Yan, being the protective type, was definitely the kind of person who could rally people's hearts.

"Yes, Hall Master!" A Tai shouted, kneeling on one knee. Then, he grabbed the Qing Gang disciple who had been clamoring about bullying him and had been trapped.

Completely disregarding his threats, he really did hang him on the tree, just like hanging a crab! Seeing Xiao Yan actually hang the person on the tree, the remaining seven Qing Gang members retreated in fear, not daring to utter another harsh word, afraid of suffering the same fate.

Xiao Yan coldly swept his gaze across the crowd, and no one dared to step out and say a word against Xiao Yan. The strongest among them were not even at the Dou Ling (Fighting Spirit) level; they were just onlookers.

"Now that everyone's here, please pass on a message for me. Regardless of which faction collected the so-called tribute from the new students yesterday, return it to me double within seven days. If there's even a second less Fire Energy (neutral), I, Xiao Yan, will personally come to collect it. At that time, it won't be as simple as double."

Hiss!! Upon hearing this, all the spectators felt a chill in their hearts. Xiao Yan was planning to break the Inner Academy's unwritten rules, and this was almost equivalent to making enemies of those gangs that collected 'protection fees' yesterday.

All the older students understood that this black-eyed youth was an extremely strong and protective person! He would never allow himself to suffer losses, nor would he allow his own people to suffer losses! Watching the older students disperse after much discussion, Xiao Yan slowly turned around, smiled at the cheering new students.

"Hall Master Xiao Yan, we will definitely do our best to contribute to Xiao Hall (neutral)," the young man named A Tai said with a smile, walking up to Xiao Yan and thanking him respectfully.

Xiao Yan patted A Tai's shoulder and said, "Well, Xiao Hall (neutral) has just been established, and many things have not been settled yet. Since I'm establishing a faction, it won't just be about collecting your Fire Energy (neutral). Brothers who contribute to Xiao Hall (neutral) will receive Fire Energy (neutral) rewards."

"Now, listen carefully to Xun Er (feminine) and the others' instructions. I'm going to the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral)," Xiao Yan said with a smile.

Hearing that Xiao Yan was going to the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral), A Tai quickly said, "Hall Master, please be careful. The rules in the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral) are different from the Inner Academy."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

A Tai continued, "Normally, whoever is lucky enough to enter a good spot in the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral) first can cultivate there. However, the Inner Academy doesn't prohibit private fights within the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral). Therefore, generally speaking, even if you're lucky enough to occupy an advanced cultivation spot, you'll still be driven away if you don't have enough strength. So, if you want to obtain the best cultivation conditions in the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral), you must have strong strength or a team. That's why many people in the Inner Academy rely on powerful gangs, with the goal of occupying better places to cultivate." A Tai's gaze also rested on Xiao Yan's face as he said solemnly.

Xiao Yan shook his head noncommittally, "Don't worry. Since you've joined my Xiao Hall (neutral), there will be no shortage of good spots in the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral)."

...

Before long, Xiao Yan's domineering declaration and the establishment of Xiao Hall (neutral) naturally spread throughout the entire Inner Academy in an instant, causing a great stir. Even those forces that had not targeted the new students were furious upon hearing Xiao Yan's words.

"Xiao Hall (neutral)'s Xiao Yan, what an arrogant new student. In all these years, the Inner Academy has never heard of a new student daring to be so arrogant."

"Hey, he thinks he can be arrogant and conceited just because he reached the Dou Ling (Fighting Spirit) level in the Outer Academy. The waters in this Inner Academy are much deeper than he thinks."

A dark undercurrent targeting Xiao Yan was already surging in the shadows.

At this time, Xiao Yan naturally didn't know so much, but even if he did, he wouldn't care.

"There are really a lot of people here. Doesn't the Inner Academy have a five-year system with only fifty people admitted each year? How can there be so many people?" Xiao Yan stood at a high place. At this time, the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral) had not yet opened, and a dark mass of people surrounded it.

This Inner Academy definitely had more than just two hundred and fifty people.

Wu Hao (masculine) said, "There are more ways to enter the Inner Academy than just the selection competition. Special professions like the Enforcement Team (neutral), the Alchemy Department, the Weapon Refining Department, and the Formation Department have other standards for entering the Inner Academy, and they don't necessarily require combat strength tests. Also, some Black-Corner Region (neutral) forces have agreements with the academy, and they have a certain number of Inner Academy slots each year."

"I see."

...

With a loud *boom*, just as Xiao Yan and Wu Hao (masculine) were talking in low voices, an ancient bell chime resounded mightily in this area, and as the bell chime rang, the noisy sounds suddenly stopped abruptly.

"Open the tower!"

As the bell chime faded, an old voice seemed to come from within the tower.

Soon after the old voice fell, the tightly closed black door slowly opened with a "creak, creak," and a faint, scorching aura permeated out, causing the temperature of this area to rise slightly.

Feeling the sudden increase in temperature, Xiao Yan's eyes suddenly narrowed, and his palms clenched tightly at this moment. The thing he craved was inside.

"Enter the tower!"

"Let's go, let's go in too."

Suppressing the desire in his heart, Xiao Yan waved his hand at Wu Hao (masculine) and took the lead, quickly walking towards the mysterious black tower buried deep underground.

As the distance closed, Xiao Yan truly realized the vastness of this black tower. This was only the layer exposed above the ground, yet it was equivalent to a two- or three-story building. If this was just the tip of the iceberg, it was hard to imagine how magnificent the tower body hidden underground would be.

The moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral), a wisp of transparent Heart Flame (neutral) appeared in Xiao Yan's body, and instantly, white smoke sizzled from Xiao Yan's body.

Beside Xiao Yan, Wu Hao (masculine), who had entered the tower with him, had a flushed face, and white mist was also emerging from his body in the same way.

"Hehe, every year, reckless new students can't wait to enter the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral). They deserve this suffering." From the crowd, bursts of gloating laughter erupted.

"They are really two ignorant little guys. They didn't even report in advance when they first entered the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral). This suffering is a bit undeserved." Seeing Xiao Yan and Wu Hao (masculine) stop in place, their bodies emitting white smoke, Elder Liu (masculine) on this floor shook his head.

Generally, new students need to report when they enter, and even need to understand in advance how to solve the Heart Flame (neutral) and how to cultivate to enter the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral). Only Xiao Yan was so impatient, and he even led Wu Hao (masculine) astray.

Seeing the Heart Flame (neutral) appear, Xiao Yan just smiled faintly, and a ball of Black Flame (neutral) devoured the transparent Heart Flame (neutral) with a poof.

"Huh?" Elder Liu (masculine), who was watching from the side, was stunned for a moment. He was originally prepared to take action. After all, new students entering the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower (neutral) for the first time have no experience and need the elders to help if they don't know how to deal with the Heart Flame (neutral).

But Xiao Yan cleared his head in just a moment! This was completely unlike a new student.

Xiao Yan shook his head and gently placed his left hand on Wu Hao's shoulder, a wisp of Black Flame drilling into Wu Hao's body and devouring the Heart Flame.

"Hah!" Wu Hao woke up, inhaling frantically, and looked at Xiao Yan with some fear, saying, "What was that just now? I felt like I was being burned."

"Holy crap?!" Elder Liu and some gloating people were dumbfounded when they saw that Wu Hao had also woken up. This is a new student! Xiao Yan said to Wu Hao, who was panting heavily, "Wu Hao, you should go to the elders and learn some cultivation methods first."

"What about you?"

"Me? This is only the first level; how could I stay on the first level? I'm going down to take a look."

After speaking, Xiao Yan followed a Dou Ling-level person deeper into the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower.

Wu Hao was speechless, muttering, "This guy is a freak."

As Xiao Yan followed, he observed. Inside the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Refining Tower were cultivation rooms, divided into three types: beginner rooms on the outer ring, intermediate rooms in the middle, and advanced rooms on the innermost ring.

The advanced cultivation rooms all had nameplates hanging outside, with the emblems of various factions printed on them, presumably indicating that they were occupied by those factions.

"Why are you following me?" a clear, cold voice came.

Xiao Yan looked towards the source of the voice. It came from a girl with snow-colored hair, the very Dou Ling he was following.

"Uh..." Xiao Yan was a little embarrassed. He was indeed following her. He touched his nose and said, "Well, I want to go further down, but I don't know how to get there."

The beautiful woman frowned slightly, guessing that Xiao Yan was a new student, and shook her head, saying, "New students, regardless of their strength, must cultivate on the first level for a full week before they can enter the next level."

"Ah? But the first level has no effect on me. I think I need to go to the fifth level for it to have any effect."

Hearing Xiao Yan's ignorant words, the beautiful woman didn't want to say any more to him and said directly, "Entering the fifth level requires an Azure Fire Energy Card."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly and took out a Fire Energy Card from his Storage Ring, saying, "I wonder if this will do."

"A Crimson Fire Energy Card!! How is this possible!" Han Yue's beautiful eyes widened. There were only a handful of people in the entire Inner Academy who possessed a Crimson Fire Energy Card, and Xiao Yan was definitely not one of them!

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