Three days passed quickly, and the Inner Academy Selection Competition began. The requirement to participate was to be a student on the Outer Academy's Hidden Dragon Ranking. This meant that only one hundred people from the three academies could participate in the Inner Academy selection, and only ten of those one hundred could successfully enter the Inner Academy.
Because the condition for participating in the selection competition is to enter the Hidden Dragon Ranking, the arena has been very lively these days. Many people are challenging the students who were previously on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. Many have successfully entered the ranking, while those who failed can only find those ranked lower on the Hidden Dragon Ranking and challenge them again.
The rankings on the Hidden Dragon List have changed drastically. Few people know that Qin Xin has returned to the outer academy, and he's ranked twenty-seventh on the list. No student is willing to risk challenging this rapidly rising star, so Qin Xin is focusing on his cultivation in the training room.
On the morning of the third day, as the dawn broke over the earth, the ancient and melodious chimes of the Beast Martial Academy, Weapon Martial Academy, and Earth Martial Academy resounded throughout the entire Black Dragon City.
The moment the bell rang, all the students in the courtyards and those cultivating in the Spirit Forging Tower, each with a different face but all wearing academy robes and possessing a very powerful aura, suddenly opened their eyes. A sharp light flashed in their pupils, and their burning fighting spirit rose with the sound of the bell, because they all had a common goal: to compete for a spot in the inner academy.
The inner court selection is held every three years. If you miss this opportunity, you will have to wait another three years. Therefore, many students who are cultivating outside are unwilling to miss it.
Inside a small courtyard, in a cultivation room, Qin Xin, who was sitting cross-legged on a seemingly ordinary futon, gradually opened his dark eyes. With a flick of his hand, a long, somewhat ancient staff appeared in his hand, radiating a hot, pale yellow light.
Gently stroking his long staff, Qin Xin slowly rose, a faint smile playing on his lips. Instantly, a surge of fighting spirit rose within him, and a dazzling white light began to circulate rapidly above his dantian.
"The Inner Court? I wonder what kind of existence that strange fire is!"
~~~~~~
The arena, where the three academies meet, is the largest area in the entire outer academy. It is surrounded by several towering mountain peaks, and the trading center is not far from the arena.
Although the arena was very large, it was packed with people today. Among the bustling crowd, besides some students wearing academy robes, there were also many students in casual clothes who looked tired, as if they had just returned from a far away place.
When Qin Xin arrived at the arena, he was somewhat taken aback by the commotion before him. He could only brace himself and squeeze his way in. Along the way, it seemed that quite a few people recognized Qin Xin, since he was ranked twenty-seventh on the Hidden Dragon Ranking and was one of the participants. After finding some deacons in the academy, he was led to a high platform in the arena.
The high platform offers an excellent view and is divided into three areas, each designated for students from different martial arts academies. From the platform, one can see five arenas, and there are also a few seats reserved for certain students from the academies.
"I told you the boss could catch up, but you guys can't. Pay up."
Jin Yuanbao looked at Qin Xin's arrival with a smug expression, then stretched out his somewhat chubby hand.
"Look at you, so smug! Here you go!"
A rough voice from the side spoke, and he slapped Jin Yuanbao's chubby hand, followed by a cry of pain.
"Alright, stop fooling around."
Shangguan Lingyan looked at Jin Yuanbao and Mo Wen in her mind and said coldly. The two of them wilted immediately, like persimmons that had been hit by frost, and looked at Qin Xin as if they were pleading for help.
"Oh? So you've all made it onto the Hidden Dragon List too?"
Looking at the three people in front of him, Qin Xin was also somewhat surprised, clearly surprised that they were able to participate in the inner court selection competition.
"Boss, that's not right of you. We may not be as monstrous as you, but we still have our own talents."
Jin Yuanbao spoke with his head held high, looking rather old-fashioned, which was somewhat comical.
"I am at the eighth level of the Innate Realm, and ranked seventy-second on the Hidden Dragon Ranking!"
"Ling Yan is at the seventh level of the Innate Realm, ranking ninetieth on the Hidden Dragon List!"
"That big oaf Mowen, he's at the ninth level of the Innate Realm, and ranked fiftieth on the Hidden Dragon List!"
Knowing that all three of them had made it onto the Hidden Dragon List, Qin Xin was happy for them.
"Boss, we're just here to broaden our horizons. We'll probably be eliminated in the first round," Mo Wen said, scratching the back of his head, looking a bit simple-minded.
“I think if our leader gets into the top ten, getting into the inner courtyard won’t be a problem.” Shangguan Lingyan’s cool voice suddenly rang out.
"This outer courtyard is full of hidden talents. Among the top twenty, the weakest is already at the third level of the Awakening Realm. Even if I go all out, it's probably not very likely that I can make it into the top ten."
After Qin Xin arrived on the high platform, he observed the martial artists in the three academies and was somewhat surprised to feel the strong true energy fluctuations emanating from them.
After talking with Jin Yuanbao and the others, Qin Xin stopped discussing the matter.
As he turned his head, he happened to run into Xia Yue, who was walking up the platform. Looking at her somewhat noble appearance, it seemed that Wu Ling's problem had been completely resolved, and the flow of true qi around her was very smooth. Beside Xia Yue, a cold face also made Qin Xin pause. The blue dress perfectly outlined her slender waist. Xia Yue and Zhan Qingqi were like best friends, chatting and laughing all the way.
Behind the two women, Jiang Xinghai, with his sharp eyebrows and tall stature, followed closely behind. From Qin Xin's perspective, Jiang Xinghai looked like the two women's bodyguard. After reaching the high platform, Jiang Xinghai, though unwilling, had no choice but to separate from the two women.
When Qin Xin looked over, Xia Yue simply nodded slightly, her eyes darting away, before walking towards the location of the Beast Martial Academy. Zhan Qingqi, on the other hand, avoided eye contact and hurriedly pulled Xia Yue away.
"I went to look for you several times, but you were in seclusion, so I didn't want to disturb you."
Jiang Xinghai smiled when he saw Qin Xin. After returning from the ruins of Luoshenmen, the group had become quite familiar with each other.
"You came to me for the Heart-Nourishing Pill, didn't you?"
Qin Xin bluntly exposed the truth, and Jiang Xinghai gave an awkward smile, giving Qin Xin a look that seemed to say, "You know what I mean."
"snort!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared, causing Jiang Xinghai to turn black instantly.
Qin Xin looked over and saw that it was Lin Jinglei. He had heard Jin Yuanbao say before that Lin Jinglei had not only defeated Jiang Xinghai but also humiliated him with the spiritual weapon he obtained from the ruins of Luoshen Gate. Seeing Jiang Xinghai's tense appearance, Qin Xin naturally believed it.
"Can't you see our gang leader is here! Everyone, get out of the way!"
Lin Jinglei sneered and remained silent, while Heng Hua, who was following behind him, acted arrogantly, taking advantage of the situation.
"Heng Hua, you're asking for a beating again! Have you forgotten how the boss beat you up?!"
Upon seeing the person in front of him, Jin Yuanbao immediately mocked him with displeasure.
"You're asking for it!"
Heng Hua immediately collapsed, as if his weak point had been hit.
"Hehe, this is quite a scene. Lin Jinglei only stole a magical artifact, doesn't he know his own limitations?"
A deep, resonant voice rang out. Behind the newcomer was an ancient shield, as black as cast gold, which matched his muscular physique perfectly. Upon seeing Lin Jinglei, the newcomer's face showed displeasure.
"snort!"
Lin Jinglei saw Shi Shan appear, but said nothing. He left with a few members of the Sword Gang, though a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes as he looked at Qin Xin.
"Ahem, Senior Ishiyama, please slow down."
Behind Shishan, Sanjie ran up closely, his clothes torn and tattered, as if he had been through many battles.
"Oh, Qin Xin, you're here too."
Upon seeing Qin Xin, Sanjie greeted him warmly, "If we meet in the arena, I won't hold back!"
"Of course," Qin Xin replied with a slight smile.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shishan and Sanjie headed to the location of the Earth Martial Academy. Qin Xin then saw many familiar figures, such as Mu Shuilan from the Beast Martial Academy, who was wearing a fiery red dress and greeted Jiang Xinghai after seeing him; and Pu Zuoren from the Earth Martial Academy, who was holding a long fan and spoke in a somewhat thin voice.
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