The griffins flew in the sky, and the forest below quickly receded.
Magic Beasts occasionally flew out, approaching the griffin group.
Before the Magic Beasts could get close, the accompanying elders and Hu Gan took action one after another.
Dou Qi surged, and vigorous energy swept across the sky like thunder, killing the Magic Beasts and raising large clouds of blood.
For a while, blood rained down.
After a long time.
The speed of the griffin group slowed down and descended.
There were no green shades around, only a deep mountain ravine.
With a command from Hu Gan, all the griffins landed under the mountain ravine.
"Aren't we supposed to go to the inner courtyard?"
"What's going on?"
"Could it be that the inner courtyard is actually underground?"
All the students descended from the griffins and landed on the ground, then looked around in confusion.
"The inner courtyard is not so easy to enter." Hu Gan smiled and scanned the crowd.
When everyone quieted down, he walked about ten steps in a certain direction and waved his hand.
A majestic Dou Qi energy surged out and shot towards the empty space ahead.
Only to see ripples in that space, like when a stone is thrown into calm water, gradually a huge pale silver gate, about seven or eight meters high, appeared out of nowhere.
The gate was wide open, revealing the forest scenery behind it.
"Follow me."
With those words, Hu Gan took the lead and stepped through the pale silver gate, followed by the other students.
At the entrance of the forest, stood two old men, along with several middle-aged men and more than ten young people.
Hu Gan went up and talked with the two people for a while.
"Is the forest dangerous? Are those people here to pick us up?" Sharp eyes swept over those people.
Lin Xiu said, "The forest is indeed dangerous, but the danger doesn't come from Magic Beasts, it comes from those people."
"What's going on?" Sharp eyes filled with astonishment, moving to Lin Xiu's side.
"I'll explain later." Lin Xiu shook his head slightly, his gaze assessing those young people.
These shouldn't be elites. Their aura is stronger than ours in this batch, but not by much. Most of them seem to be around the level of four or five Star Dou Grandmasters, with a few being six or seven Stars.
Leng Bai was somewhat unhappy. Who leaves a conversation halfway? He wanted to ask.
At this moment, Su Xiao explained a few words in a low voice, and Xiu Yan also chimed in.
Obviously, the two also knew some inside information.
Realizing they were opponents, Leng Bai immediately became serious. Sensing the gaze from the other side, he didn't back down and stared back.
"Lin Xiu, come here."
Suddenly, seeing Hu Gan beckon, Lin Xiu hesitated for a moment, then ran over.
"He's Lin Xiu, the biggest dark horse in the outer courtyard this year, also a troublemaker. In this year's inner courtyard selection competition, he's considered one of the top five strongest."
Hu Gan first explained to the two elders.
The two men assessed Lin Xiu, then looked at Hu Gan with questioning eyes, "2 Star Dou Grandmaster?"
Is this the biggest dark horse in the outer courtyard this year?
Has the level of this year's outer courtyard dropped so much?
Considering in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition they will compete against the inner courtyard seniors, Lin Xiu deliberately released part of his strength today to create the illusion of a breakthrough.
"Hehe, you'll know later. This kid has a strong personality."
Hu Gan didn't explain further. Actions speak louder than words. He looked at Lin Xiu again. "These two are Elder Zhao and Elder Li from the inner courtyard. If you encounter any problems in the inner courtyard, you can seek their advice."
After that, Hu Gan introduced the identities of the two elders to the other students.
"Elder Zhao, Elder Li, nice to meet you."
Lin Xiu also heard the tone of the two just now, but he didn't have any emotions about it.
"Next, you'll face eight teams of senior students and two teams of black and white to deal with. Keep a low profile."
"Hu Gan said you're a troublemaker, let me tell you, the inner courtyard isn't lacking in troublemakers. Besides, all troublemakers become obedient before entering the inner courtyard, do you believe it?" Elder Zhao, with his long beard, said as he brushed his hand through it.
"Student always behave well in front of their elders, you can ask the Headmaster." Lin Xiu smiled.
"You have a hidden meaning in your words, quite interesting. I hope that when we meet next time, you'll still have this attitude." Elder Zhao's smile remained unchanged.
"You may go back now."
Hu Gan gestured for Lin Xiu to return to the team.
Next, Elder Zhao briefly encouraged the students, then introduced the benefits of entering the inner courtyard with the more than ten young people behind him.
Then, he waved his hand and threw out a bunch of black tokens, accurately landing in the hands of each person.
There was a number "five" on them.
"So this is Fire Energy? They're fighting over this thing?" Leng bai, after listening to Su Xiao and Xiu Yan's explanations, gained some understanding.
Those who knew about the inner courtyard were still in the minority. When Outer Court Students saw the black tokens with numbers on them, they began whispering among themselves.
"Quiet!"
Elder Zhao's voice was like a bell, instantly silencing everyone. "Some things can't be explained in just a few words, but rest assured, when you enter the inner courtyard, you will naturally understand.
From now on, all you need to remember is to protect the tokens in your hands!"
Elder Zhao's patience seemed not very good. He didn't want to waste time. After a few words, he let everyone enter the forest.
Everyone was heading towards the inner courtyard. Upon learning that the end of the forest led to the inner courtyard, they all rushed into it.
Lin Xiu also called Su Xiao, Leng Bai, and others, walking into the forest together.
"Hu Gan, all the students were present earlier, so I couldn't say it directly, but the overall strength of this year's students is too weak, much worse than the previous year." Elder Li said.
He pointed to the dozen or so young people beside him, "These are all from the end of last year, and now their strength is basically on par with the top five of this year."
With a sigh, he continued, "This year's Fire Energy Hunting Competition doesn't seem to have any fun at all."
"Elder, we will make sure to entertain them well," one student immediately said.
Hu Gan looked at the student, who was only a 4 Star Dou Grandmaster, and couldn't help shaking his head, "Don't think that just because you've been in the inner courtyard for a year, you're soaring. Be careful not to be played around with instead of playing."
Other students expressed their discontent upon hearing this.
"Now, hurry up and get lost. If you keep making noise and wasting time, you won't have time to gather Fire Energy. Rest for half an hour, and then you can start hunting."
Elder Zhao glared, scaring the young people away. He snorted, "Taking advantage and still acting all high and mighty. With lower strength, wouldn't it be better to grab more Fire Energy?"
"I have a feeling that this year's Fire Energy Hunt Contest will have some unexpected events," Hu Gan felt that Lin Xiu wasn't someone who would willingly take a loss.
Elder Zhao asked, "Just relying on that 2 Star Dou Grandmaster?"
"Lin Xiu, when he was a 1 Star Dou Grandmaster, once defeated Xiu Yan. Don't underestimate him," Hu Gan reminded.
"Really? Xiu Yan's strength in the Law Enforcement Team is not weak. Originally, he could have directly entered the inner courtyard."
Upon hearing this, Elder Li was surprised.
Just a moment ago, although the dozen or so young people around had realms on par with or even surpassing Xiu Yan's, there were probably very few who could actually defeat Xiu Yan in a real fight.
And Xiu Yan actually lost to that 2 Star Dou Grandmaster?
"Of course it's true," Hu Gan knew the other was just shocked, not doubting. "In my opinion, the only ones who can handle Lin Xiu and them are probably the top five from the previous year, like Chai Yan and Gu Zheng."
These two were both in the top five of the previous year's inner courtyard selection competition, and their strength in the outer courtyard was already at the level of 5 Star Dou Grandmasters.
"Not an estimation, it's definite."
Elder Zhao shook his head slightly and explained, "Chai Yan broke through to 9 Star Dou Grandmaster a few days ago. The strength of the team he's leading this time is only slightly inferior to the Black and White teams."
"9 Star Dou Grandmaster? That's something to look forward to," Hu Gan paused for a moment, nodding slowly.
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