Before Yun Zi's group reached Wu Hao's group and Master Lou, a strong wave of explosions emitted from one of the dual areas at the back of a building just behind the status of the academy, which is the source of Qi in the whole academy.
BOOM!!!
A man in a red robe with a scar on the left side of his eyebrow, fine looking face, and red hair, who appeared to be in his early 20s or younger, was sent flying from the dual area by a tall man wearing a black robe whose face was full of bad intentions. Just by looking at him, it was clear that he was not a good person.
"Poffffs." The man in the red robe spit out blood before turning his head toward the dual area and facing Lu Ming, the man who knocked him out of the dual area.
"Hahaha, Brother Hong must have been too careless these past few months to allow this junior to knock you out of the dual area in less than 10 moves. Last year, you were able to send me flying in desperation just because I accidentally picked up your storage ring without even asking. Now, I'll take my revenge," the man in the black robe said with disdain toward the man with the scar on his eyebrow.
Lu Ming raised his right hand, forming a ball full of devastating energy, and threw it at Xu Hong. However, before his skill could reach Xu Hong, a tall figure with a powerful aura approached. The man's aura seemed calm, but it was hiding devastating energy inside. It was none other than Zhang Wei, who was expected to be on the top 5 list of the top students in this year.
"Lu Ming, you went too far. You can't continue the combat after your opponent is knocked out of the dual area. Do you not know the rule?" Zhang Wei said sternly and looked at Xu Hong in the eyes.
"Hahaha, Senior Zhang, this junior was just playing around. Brother Hong, I think it went a little bit too far, huh? But thanks to Senior Zhang, you came and saved him at the right time. If it weren't for Senior, he'd be in a coma right now. Hahaha," Lu Ming mocked before completely walking out of sight.
Zhang Wei knew that Lu Ming's intentions were bad, but he had no right to interfere in the dual battle. He had already broken the rule, but it was Lu Ming who broke it first.
"Lu Ming, just because you are a little stronger right now doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Do you think that I don't know that you want to steal my storage ring to get my secret spiritual training techniques?" Xu Hong said with an angry face, his voice full of anger.
Lu Ming looked at Xu Hong with a stern expression, then turned into a weird smile before walking out of the dual area.
"Haha, Brother Xu Hong must be careful in this year's competition. Otherwise, you will not make it to the top 10 this year. This junior worries about you. Hahaha," Lu Ming mocked before completely walking out of sight.
"Hump, you don't have to keep his words in your mind, Brother Xu Hong," a voice came from behind Zhang Wei. The voice contained a sweet and soft sound that could heal and calm one's heart.
Xu Hong turned his head toward the voice and saw a beautiful lady with long and smooth black hair in her pink uniform. It was none other than Yun Zi, one of the most beautiful and most outstanding students of the academy.
"Thank you, Senior Zi. It was my fault to look down on him in the first place that he got a chance to hit me twice and eventually send me flying. I didn't expect him to become this strong in a few months. It doesn't make any sense. He was just a disciple medium class a few months ago, and now he is able to come head to head and even beat me as a medium class Elder. Isn't his speed of training too scary?" Xu Hong said with an ugly face.
"It's weird actually that he suddenly became this strong after a few months, even Zhang Wei can't advance this fast," Yan Jie said, handing his hand to Xu Hong to lift him up.
Xu Hong caught his hand and thanked Zhang Wei for lending a hand to help him earlier before saying goodbye to the group and walking away.
"Anyway, Brother Zhang Wei should also be aware of that guy. He might have bad intentions toward you too. He is the type of brat that likes to take revenge," Xu Hong told Zhang Wei before leaving the group.
After that, the atmosphere became quiet.
"Alright, alright, let's not think too much. Even though that guy is strong, how can he surpass our Brother Zhang Wei? Don't forget that our Brother already advanced to Master Low class last month. Huh, hahaha," Yan Jie said, seeing the atmosphere become uglier and deciding to say something to change the situation to become lively again.
Looking back at Wu Hao's group, which had arrived a while ago and observed the situation not too far from the scene.
"Humph, that senior is a little cruel, isn't it? If it weren't for that senior coming to help on time…I don't know what would have happened to him right now," Yang Chen, one of the new students, said. His voice contained anger, and his face was a little ugly, with both of his eyebrows stern.
Yang Chen was on the top 3 list of the top-scoring students who passed the entrance test, along with Jing, who scored in top 1, and Wu Hao, who scored in Top 2. He was an introvert and a righteous man. He was tall and wore normal clothes, but he looked so dignified.
"In this Inner Academy, all matters that cannot be solved peacefully will be resolved in the dual arena, no matter if it is competitiveness or conflict between students. If one of the duals is knocked out of the ring or knocks the other opponent down, he will be the winner, and the winner is the king," Master Lou said as he turned his head and looked at Wu Hao's group, then continued.
"So, that will make that senior violate the law?" Yang Chen asked, confused. "He clearly intended to make that senior with the scar go into a coma."
"About this you are right but this old will not interfere unless it danger to life." Master Lou said while remain the same expression as this kind of activity is normal to him. "All of you new brat need to understand that in this academy, strength is everything. The strong will have the power to do what they want, while the weak will have no choice but to submit. It's as a practice for you all when you go to the outside world."
Wu Hao and his friends nodded, understanding the harsh reality of the academy. They knew that they needed to train hard and become stronger if they wanted to survive and succeed in this environment.
"However, that doesn't mean that you should abandon your morals and principles. Always remember to use your strength for the greater good and not for personal gain or revenge." Master Lou added, his voice stern and commanding.
His words struck a chord with Wu Hao and his friends, reminding them of their reason for coming to the academy in the first place. They were here to learn and grow, not to seek power for their own selfish desires.
With that, Master Lou bid them farewell and left, leaving Wu Hao and his friends to ponder over the events they had witnessed.
Before he left, he told them about their accommodation - a simple but comfortable dormitory where they would be staying for the duration of their studies in the academy.