Chapter 72: The Renowned Inner Academy!
Outside the forest, atop a pile of disorganized rocks, many returning students were gathered, watching the events unfold with keen interest.
These were the students previously eliminated by Xiao Ze.
As they looked at each other, there was a sense of mutual understanding and sympathy among them.
Baifeng, seated on a stone platform, furrowed his brows slightly when he saw the seventh team emerging from the forest. His estimation of Xiao Ze's abilities rose a notch.
However, this made little difference to him.
With his own strength at the level of a three-star Battle Spirit, he had already set a significant gap between himself and the other returning students!
The more veterans Xiao Ze defeated, the greater the prestige Baifeng would gain when Xiao Ze eventually lost to him.
Meanwhile, noise suddenly erupted from the group of returning students.
Baifeng couldn't help but look over.
He saw four returning students carrying someone who was almost unrecognizable on a stretcher out of the forest.
"Hey, isn't that Old Mei? Did a beast horde trample over him? Why does he look so terrible?"
Though it was hard to recognize Old Mei by his face, his teammates and others could still identify him.
Seeing the pitiful state Old Mei was in, someone immediately started mocking him.
It was evident that Old Mei wasn't particularly well-liked in the inner academy.
He had managed to maintain his presence there only because his abilities were slightly stronger than average.
"Ah, forget it, we encountered that monster freshman this time! He was extremely ruthless!"
The returning student who had been kicked by Xiao Ze spoke while clutching his stomach.
"No way, really? Was it that young-looking boy?"
"Impossible, right? He barely engaged us physically; he mostly paralyzed us with his peculiar tactics."
"Exactly, that freshman is strong, but not brutally so."
The eliminated returning students discussed among themselves, disbelieving.
After all, they had been eliminated by Xiao Ze and knew somewhat about his way of handling things.
"Why would I lie to you? Do you think we inflicted these injuries on ourselves?"
Still skeptical, some of the returning students rolled their eyes.
"Even if it was that young man, you guys must have provoked him first; after all, your popularity and reputation in the academy aren't exactly glowing!"
Hearing this, many in the group of returning students nodded in agreement.
Old Mei's teammates had originally hoped to stir up resentment towards Xiao Ze, but instead, their attempts backfired, and they were met with mockery.
They no longer dared to speak out, given the overwhelming opinion against them.
Dejectedly, they carried the stretcher away to a more secluded area.
They were very clear about Baifeng's strength.
Even that monstrous freshman would likely be no match for him.
Since they couldn't incite the returning students, they looked forward to Baifeng teaching the monstrous freshman a lesson.
Shortly after, a team dressed in black uniforms emerged from the forest, sparking discussion among the returning students.
"Isn't that the Black Sha team? Even they were defeated!?"
"It's expected, I suppose. I've experienced that guy's tactics; I think he might create a miracle."
"Do you mean by single-handedly storming through the Fire Hunting Competition?"
"Quite possibly! I believe even against Baifeng, who's a three-star Battle Spirit, that terrifying freshman might stand a chance, maybe even defeat him!"
The discussions among the returning students were lively.
Elsewhere, a group of seniors from the inner academy, having heard the rumors, also came to watch the spectacle, surprised at the elimination of the Black Sha team.
After all, the Black Sha and White Sha teams were among the strongest in the Fire Hunting Competition.
Now that the Black Sha team has failed, can the White Sha team defeat that terrifying freshman?
In the past few days, rumors have spread throughout the inner academy about this terrifying freshman.
Possessing mysterious methods, capable of instantly subduing veteran teams.
His strength is shrouded in mystery.
Baifeng listened to the discussions of those veterans with a cold sneer in his heart.
He secretly resolved to defeat that so-called terrifying freshman in the most decisive manner!
To crush all doubts!
...
Xiao Ze looked at the numbers on his fire energy card with a hint of satisfaction.
Nearly four hundred units of fire energy!
This was the result after their distribution; if he had it all to himself, the amount would be over fifteen hundred, astonishingly high!
However, Xiao Ze knew that within the inner academy, fire energy consumption was immense, and more fire energy was always better.
After dealing with the Black Sha team, it was time for the White Sha team.
He emerged from the forest, the slightly glaring sunlight making him squint.
Countless gazes fell on him, accompanied by murmurs of discussion. Xiao Ze looked towards the chaotic pile of rocks.
There were people sitting and standing there.
Most of the gazes directed at Xiao Ze were filled with awe.
After all, everyone sitting there had been defeated by him.
On the other side were some unfamiliar faces.
They wore various uniforms, likely representing different factions within the inner academy.
Were these factions here early to scout new students for future recruitment?
Xiao Ze pondered.
Just as Xiao Ze's mind was filled with thoughts, Baifeng, stationed on the stone platform, drew a pale yellow long spear.
"Are you Xiao Ze?"
Xiao Ze calmly looked at the other person and nodded slowly.
Just as Xiao Ze thought the other person was about to fight without saying a word, Baifeng suddenly said, "The one who took away my cousin Baicheng's opportunity?"
Baifeng's words caused a stir. Both the veteran teams and the seniors who had come to watch turned their gaze towards them.
They were very interested in Baifeng's mention of an opportunity, and the conflict between them ignited their curiosity.
"I took away Baicheng's opportunity? That's ridiculous; I have no connection with him."
Xiao Ze shook his head, somewhat puzzled.
At the same time, he scanned the surroundings, wanting to see where the main character of the situation, Baicheng, was.
"Hmph! I knew you wouldn't admit it easily. Wait until I defeat you with this spear, and you'll obediently return the opportunity!"
Xiao Ze watched as Baifeng quickly charged towards him, unable to help but press his forehead.
You might as well have kept quiet and started fighting directly!
What a riddle of a person!
Seeing the faint yellow aura on Baifeng's body, indicating he was a practitioner of earth attribute, Xiao Ze had an idea.
He could try out the Advanced Profound Tier technique, Azure Sea Raging Waves!
Baifeng wrapped himself tightly in a combat aura.
Although he wasn't sure what Xiao Ze's mysterious methods were, by cutting off all possibilities, he could protect himself to the utmost!
At the same time, Baifeng also gathered thick earth attribute combat aura on his spear.
He had already planned to defeat Xiao Ze in the most decisive manner!
He would use his Intermediate Profound Tier technique, Earth Splitting Spear!
The surrounding veterans also noticed Baifeng's actions, exclaiming in surprise.
"Baifeng is actually using his strongest technique, an Intermediate Profound Tier technique!"
"Although Baifeng seems indifferent to freshmen, he's actually quite afraid of them!"
"Indeed, this freshman gives me a strong feeling, I can't read him at all!"
"I'm starting to look forward to it!"
(End of this chapter)