In the midst of the forest, a quiet peace prevailed.
Lin Feng was practicing swordsmanship, honing the Fiery Sun Sword Skill.
The Fiery Sun Sword Skill emphasized ferocity; once unleashed, the attack would be relentless.
After a month of rigorous training, he finally achieved some success with the Fiery Sun Sword Skill.
During this period, every morning Lin Feng would go with new students to the "Teaching Hall" to attend lectures by the Inner Academy elders, while the afternoons were reserved for free practice.
The Inner Academy elders were all martial masters, deeply skilled and knowledgeable. After a period of study, Lin Feng felt he had greatly benefited.
In the blink of an eye, Lin Feng had already been a part of the Inner Academy for a month.
That morning, Lin Feng went together with Zhang Qichu to the "Spiritual Medicine Hall" to receive spiritual medicine.
At the beginning of each month, Inner Academy disciples could receive an elixir allowance to aid their cultivation.
In front of the Spiritual Medicine Hall, people thronged. Disciples from the four major academies — Purple Light, Changhe, Starry, and Falling Moon — all gathered to collect spirit pills.
"Junior brother, even within the Inner Academy disciples, there are distinctions. For example, the top ten ranking disciples stand on high, able to receive thirty Great Strength Dragon Suppressing Pills, while those ranking in the top hundred can receive fifteen. Those ranked after a hundred can only get ordinary Qi Replenishing Pills. Even a hundred of those are not as effective as one Great Strength Dragon Suppressing Pill, which is why the competition among Inner Academy disciples is extremely fierce. Every half-year, a smaller competition readjusts the rankings, during which everyone showcases their divine skills and fiercely vies for a good ranking. The better the ranking, the more benefits one receives in the Inner Academy," said Zhang Qichu.
Lin Feng nodded. After a month in the Inner Academy, he had already understood the environment: geniuses were everywhere, but the competition was intense, far beyond what the Outer Court could compare with.
Before long, Lin Feng and Zhang Qichu received their spiritual medicine.
The two returned to the Changhe Branch.
But at that moment, a group of more than ten people surrounded them.
The clothes they wore were those of Purple Light Academy.
"Not good, it's Bai Xuanyang. He is a legitimate descendant of the Bai Family. I will hold them off; you run quickly," Zhang Qichu's expression slightly changed.
"Run? Can you escape?" The leading young man sneered coldly. His men surrounded Lin Feng and Zhang Qichu tightly.
"Bai Xuanyang, this is the Spiritual Medicine Hall. Private fights are prohibited here. Why are you surrounding us?" Despite being scared to death, Zhang Qichu braced himself and spoke.
"Zhang Qichu, you've got guts, daring to question me? Today I don't have time for you, worthless trash, get lost," Bai Xuanyang said coldly.
Humiliated in this way, Zhang Qichu's expression was very unpleasant. He gritted his teeth and said, "Bai Xuanyang, I know you're here for Junior Brother Lin, but as long as I am here, you won't touch him."
"What are you, to meddle in my affairs? Do you believe I'll break your legs?" Bai Xuanyang's face turned viciously cold.
"Look, it's Bai Xuanyang from the Purple Light Branch."
"The ones surrounded seem to be Zhang Qichu from the Changhe Branch, but who is the other one?"
"The other lad is called Lin Feng. During the Inner Academy assessment, he fought a life-and-death battle with Bai Yifei, killing him with one punch."
"Is he the bold Lin Feng? Now there's a show to watch — anyone who offends the Bai Family never ends well. Bai Xuanyang is at the Martial Artist Tenth Level, fearsomely powerful. With Bai Xuanyang stepping in today, Lin Feng is done for," many students around spat in whispers, looking at Lin Feng with pity.
"Swoosh."
At this moment, Bai Xuanyang moved toward Lin Feng.
Despite being deathly afraid, Zhang Qichu still stepped in front of Lin Feng.
This deeply moved Lin Feng.
However, Lin Feng did not want to implicate Zhang Qichu.
Zhang Qichu, at the Martial Artist Eighth Level, was formidable, yet the gap between him and Bai Xuanyang was still too vast.
"Brother, let me handle this," Lin Feng stepped forward, coldly glaring at Bai Xuanyang. "If you have business, bring it to me, and do not trouble others."
"Good, very good, at least you have some nerve. My cousin Bai Yifei died at your hands. Daring to kill someone from my Bai Family, you deserve a thousand deaths. Since the Inner Academy strictly forbids disciples from killing each other, I won't kill you today. I'll just break your limbs to save some effort," Bai Xuanyang said with a sneer.
Boom!
A terrifying aura emitted from within him, enveloping Lin Feng.
Lin Feng suddenly felt as if a mountain were pressing down on him, nearly immobilizing him.
This was the terror of a cultivator at the Martial Artist Tenth Level, whose aura was as heavy as a mountain.
"Kneel to me!"
Bai Xuanyang ordered, trying to force Lin Feng to kneel before him, clearly intending to humiliate him.
Under that oppressive aura, Lin Feng's legs trembled.
"What are you, to think you could have me kneel?" Lin Feng's veins bulged as he resisted the oppressive aura with difficulty.
"The gap is too large..." Many shook their heads helplessly, feeling a twinge of sadness for Lin Feng. Offending the Bai Family had doomed him to this predicament.
"Mm?"
Seeing Lin Feng resisting his aura and even daring to speak insolently, Bai Xuanyang's face darkened.
To the proud Bai Xuanyang, Lin Feng's resistance without kneeling was akin to a slap in the face.
Speaking insolently to himself was an unforgivable offense.
Swish.
Bai Xuanyang moved, his voice icy, "I want to see how hard your bones are."
He kicked at Lin Feng's calf, trying to make Lin Feng kneel on the ground.
"Bai Xuanyang, such arrogance." At that moment, a cold voice rang out.
Thump thump thump thump...
Bai Xuanyang was shocked into retreating several steps.
A strikingly beautiful, cold-faced, and tall woman approached.
"It's Xiao Yafei..." Many exclaimed, and the gaze of many students toward the woman was filled with awe.
"Sister Senior." Zhang Qichu's face lit up with surprise upon seeing Xiao Yafei.
Xiao Yafei, the senior sister from the Changhe Branch! After joining the Changhe Branch, Lin Feng had also heard of Xiao Yafei's name. Among the hundred thousand students of Jialan Academy, Xiao Yafei ranked third. She was the only student from the Changhe Branch ranked in the top ten.
"Bai Xuanyang, who gave you the gall to lay a hand on my Changhe Branch's disciples in the Inner Academy?" Xiao Yafei's voice was icy.
Seeing Xiao Yafei, Bai Xuanyang's face grew even darker. Xiao Yafei hailed from the Xiao Family of Jialan City.
The Xiao Family was no less powerful than the Bai Family, and Xiao Yafei's strength was leaps and bounds above Bai Xuanyang's.
Naturally, Bai Xuanyang wouldn't provoke Xiao Yafei.
"Boy, consider yourself lucky to escape today. Next time, you won't be so fortunate." Bai Xuanyang sneered, gesturing to withdraw with the members of the Purple Light Academy.
An icy voice suddenly sounded, "Three months later, a life-and-death battle on the Inner Academy Life and Death Platform."
"What? The Inner Academy Life and Death Platform? Is Lin Feng crazy?" Many cried out in shock.
Lin Feng was only at the Sixth Level of Martial Artist.
While Bai Xuanyang was at the Tenth Level of Martial Artist.
No matter if it were three months or three years, Lin Feng might not catch up to Bai Xuanyang.
In many people's eyes, Lin Feng challenging Bai Xuanyang was nothing short of a death wish.
Bai Xuanyang was momentarily stunned, then a grin spread across his face, "Ha-ha, good. I'll let you live for three more months. Three months later, I'll crush you like an ant on the platform..."