The Strong Ranking Tournament was the highest and most intense competition in the entire Inner Academy. Those who could make it onto the strong ranking were all exceptionally talented individuals, guaranteed to reach the Dou Wang realm at a minimum in the future. Furthermore, achieving a better rank meant receiving more abundant cultivation resources going forward, and the rewards for the top ten were enough to make anyone's head spin.
Wu Hao had also made it onto the strong ranking through his own strength.
Time flew by, and soon it was the start of the Strong Ranking Tournament. After spending time with Yun Yun and Ya Fei, Xiao Tian left the Pure Heaven Divine Realm with Xun'er.
When the two arrived at the central plaza, it was already packed with people. Xiao Tian led Xun'er through the strong ranking exclusive passage. People who saw Xiao Tian along the way all made way for him.
"Brother Tian, it seems you're quite famous here; everyone steps aside when they see you."
Xun'er said playfully, holding Xiao Tian's arm.
Xiao Tian flicked her nose. "I just regret that Xun'er isn't participating in the competition."
"With Xun'er's weak cultivation, it's better not to show off," Xun'er said with a giggle, clearly enjoying Xiao Tian's intimate gesture.
"Little girl, now you're even trying to fool me. Although I can't sense your strength, you're definitely not simple. It's possible I might not even be able to defeat you."
Xiao Tian guessed that Xun'er was already a Dou Wang, and not a low-level one — possibly even a high-level Dou Wang.
"Xun'er was afraid of facing Brother Tian, so she didn't plan to participate. As for my strength, if Brother Tian wants to know, Xun'er can tell you, you know."
Xun'er still looked at Xiao Tian with a smile.
"No, I'm looking forward to the dazzling moment when you display your strength, rather than just hearing about it."
Xiao Tian stopped, touched Xun'er's face, and then walked forward.
Xun'er paused upon hearing Xiao Tian's words, then displayed an enchanting smile that captivated everyone around her, making them unable to move. "Since Brother Tian wants to see it, then I'll show you." She reined in her smile, silently recited a phrase, and then quickly followed Xiao Tian.
Inside the plaza, the entire central area was divided into five stone platforms, which served as the arenas for this competition. After scanning the area, Xiao Tian spotted the high platform where the Boundless Gate members were located. The Boundless Gate members, led by Xiao Yan and Wu Hao, had already arrived at the plaza early. That spot was one of the few good viewing positions. Other viewing platforms were occupied by people wearing various badges.
Currently, no one dares to provoke Boundless Gate. One faction with three strong ranking members — and one of them a Dou Wang. These people in the Inner Academy would rather provoke Wolf Fang than Boundless Gate. Boundless Gate was famously protective; if one person was bullied, a group would come to seek revenge.
"Brother Tian."
"Gate Master."
Hearing their greetings, Xiao Tian nodded and went directly to the foremost position, leaning on the railing and looking down.
"Brother Tian, this competition looks much more advanced than the Inner Academy selection trials."
Xun'er came to Xiao Tian's side and chuckled softly.
"It doesn't matter. Once I make a move, there's simply no opponent."
Hearing Xiao Tian's words, Xun'er didn't find anything wrong with them. She smiled faintly, her eyes full of confidence in Xiao Tian. With Brother Tian's strength, not to mention the academy, there weren't many Inner Academy elders who could fight him.
Behind Xiao Tian and Xun'er, Xiao Yan and Wu Hao were conversing. "Xiao Yan, Xun'er's strength is clearly so great, why isn't she participating in the competition?"
"Perhaps Xun'er doesn't like fighting. She's always been very aloof, even indifferent, to things other than Brother Tian."
Xiao Yan thought back to various memories and guessed an explanation.
"That's too bad. Otherwise, our Boundless Gate could have added another strong ranking member."
Wu Hao chuckled, thinking about how he had continuously pushed himself in cultivation for months to achieve this strong ranking spot, shedding countless blood and sweat. "I hope I don't run into you two freaks and those terrifying guys. Otherwise, it would be awkward."
Xiao Yan and Wu Hao continued conversing in low voices. Their personalities were quite similar; they had instantly hit it off — no, they had instantly become like old friends, both fond of fighting and desperate cultivation.
Just then, the plaza erupted in male shouts like wolf howls. Xiao Tian and the others looked over. They saw a silver, exquisitely beautiful figure leading several pretty women emerge from the passage. It was Han Yue and the members of her faction, Moon Spirit.
Han Yue, upon entering, continuously scanned her surroundings, looking for an empty spot.
"Senior Han Yue, if you don't mind, you can come over to our side. The view for watching the competition is better here."
Xiao Tian's voice pierced through space, sounding in her ear.
Han Yue subtly glanced at Xun'er beside Xiao Tian, but the observant Xun'er still noticed. Xun'er smiled and sent a sound transmission to her. Han Yue's expression changed, and then she walked toward the high platform where Boundless Gate was located.
With Xiao Tian's strength, he naturally sensed the sound transmission between the two, but he couldn't know what they had said.
Han Yue quickly led the Moon Spirit members to the high platform, greeted Xiao Tian, Xun'er, and the Boundless Gate members, then stood beside Xun'er. Xun'er, who managed Boundless Gate's affairs, naturally had quite a bit of contact with Han Yue. The two quickly started chatting to the side, but no matter how one looked at it, Han Yue appeared a bit timid in front of Xun'er, even using Dou Qi to isolate their conversation. Han Yue's face was flushed, and she even occasionally stole glances at Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian also looked at the two with a mind full of questions. No matter how he looked at them, they didn't seem quite right. Twelve parts out of ten, something was amiss.
Xiao Tian didn't have a habit of digging for answers, so he stopped paying attention to them. Girls, after all — their friendships were always established in strange ways. The way two people interacted should always provide enough personal space, rather than being solely possessive.
Other strong ranking powerhouses continuously arrived at the plaza. During this time, Liu Qing and Lin Xiuya exchanged glances; in the previous strong ranking battle, Liu Qing had narrowly lost to Lin Xiuya.
Liu Qing was active on both fronts, even issuing a challenge declaration to Xiao Yan.
With Xiao Tian, a nuclear weapon-like presence, Liu Fei hid behind Liu Qing like a shrinking turtle, and even Yao Sheng kept his head down, looking as if he wanted to be invisible. Recalling his previous kneeling on the ground and the overwhelming strength at that time, he simply couldn't harbor any resentment.
"Gate Master Xiao Tian, I hope to have the opportunity to exchange a few moves with you."
Liu Qing cupped his hands toward Xiao Tian, speaking with a serious expression.
"Of course, no problem. You're always welcome."
Xiao Tian still greatly admired Liu Qing. Although the man was a bit proud and arrogant, he wasn't a bad person.
Lin Xiuya, Yan Hao, and others also smiled and greeted Xiao Tian. Strong individuals were respected wherever they went. Of course, except for the Children of Destiny.
"Xiao Yan Zi, are you confident you can make it into the top ten?"
Xiao Tian looked at Xiao Yan and asked. Xun'er and Han Yue, who had been chatting nearby, stopped their conversation. The two now seemed like good sisters, looking at Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan.
"I'll try my best..."
"Hmm?"
Xiao Yan, hearing Xiao Tian's voice and noticing his slightly furrowed brow, immediately straightened up and replied seriously.