Starting as a supporting character in Doupo

Despite his resentment and anger, Bai Shan was too injured to continue fighting. Upon hearing Xiao Fan's words, he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed backward.

Chapter 101 Inner Court Selection Competition

The news of Xiao Fan's victory over Bai Shan quickly spread throughout the entire academy.

No one expected that this freshman, who had only been enrolled for a few days, would be able to defeat the top student in the academy.

After this battle, no other students in the outer academy dared to bother Xiao Fan again.

Xiao Fan's daily life returned to immersing himself in the Fighting Skills Pavilion and honing his alchemy skills.

Inside the alchemy room, Xiao Fan's face darkened again as he looked at the medicinal herbs that had once again turned to ashes in the cauldron.

"I didn't have any problems this time either. Last time, the extraction of the Golden Sharp Flower was too concentrated, which caused an imbalance of the medicinal materials inside the pill, resulting in the failure of the refining process. This time, I added a small amount of fake water to dilute the proportion of the Golden Sharp Flower. In theory, it should have succeeded!" Looking at the ashes in the cauldron, Xiao Fan shook his head helplessly.

"Refining a fifth-grade pill is too difficult. I have tried so many times, and the closest I came was when I was about to succeed, but I failed because of energy fluctuations."

When a fifth-grade pill is about to be successfully refined, strong energy fluctuations will occur. Only by overcoming the interference of these energy fluctuations can a fifth-grade pill be considered truly refined.

Xiao Fan is currently trying a fifth-grade pill called the Tear Pill. Its function is to increase the tearing effect of his attacks for a short period of time after taking it. Its function is relatively simple and it is one of the simpler fifth-grade pills.

Even so, Xiao Fan has spent nearly half a month and still hasn't succeeded in refining it. After all, there's a clear dividing line between a fifth-grade alchemist and a fourth-grade alchemist. Shaking his head, Xiao Fan closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing, recovering the battle qi he had exhausted from refining the pill.

Half a month has passed since Xiao Fan defeated Bai Shan. Xiao Fan's strength has increased by 100 Dou Qi points as a reward for completing the mission, upgrading him to a six-star Great Dou Master. In addition, the Dou Qi points consumed during the past half month of refining pills and practicing Dou Techniques have increased even more, and he is not far from becoming a seven-star Great Dou Master.

After meditating for a while, Xiao Fan decided to immerse himself in his alchemy work again. After all, there were only a few days left until the inner court selection competition, and Xiao Fan still wanted to reach the level of an item alchemist.

"Ding! New mission triggered: First place in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament. Mission rewards: Battle Qi +200, Source Coins +3000, direct promotion to Rank 5 Alchemist, Battle Skill, Golden Eye. Mission failure: Battle Qi -300, Source Coins -5000, Alchemist level down by one, randomly draw one mastered Battle Skill, proficiency down by one level."

Golden Eyes: Able to detect the strength of a target without being detected; cannot detect those who are two major realms above oneself.

Xiao Fan: ......

"System, why are the rewards and punishments not commensurate?"

"Ding! The system reserves the right to interpret all terms. Good luck, host."

"..."

Xiao Fan looked at the alchemy furnace in front of him with a complicated expression. He had worked himself to the bone for half a month to hone his alchemy skills, and now, as long as he won first place in the inner academy selection competition, he could directly be promoted to a fifth-grade alchemist and even receive a two-star realm bonus.

Blanch!

Xiao Fan threw the medicinal herbs in his hand to the ground. He had been overthinking things. He thought that even with the system, he should work hard to cultivate and strive to reach the Dou Di level as soon as possible, so that he could beat the Soul Emperor and kick the eight major clans.

Now, Xiao Fan has stopped pretending and is giving up.

Why? If working yourself to the bone for a month isn't as fast as leveling up from a sudden system task, then why bother working hard at all?

Having figured this out, Xiao Fan's interest in cultivation waned. Cultivation was inherently tedious, and now that he had come to terms with it, Xiao Fan decided to fully experience the wonders of this other world.

After putting away the materials, Xiao Fan waved and left the alchemy room, strolling around Canaan Academy.

The outer courtyard didn't offer anything particularly appealing, unlike the inner courtyard which had fire energy to stimulate students' enthusiasm for cultivation and spending. After all, the outer courtyard primarily focused on basic courses, and Xiao Fan couldn't find anything that would attract him after wandering around.

Alright! Let's wait until we get to the inner courtyard to find some fun.

However, his enthusiasm for cultivation had waned, but fortunately, the opening of the inner court selection competition was only a few days away.

After staying indoors for several days, the inner courtyard selection competition finally began.

That day, after washing up in the morning, Xiao Fan left his room and headed towards the academy's spacious training ground. When Xiao Fan arrived, the training ground was already packed with people, but different instructors and his classes were seated in separate areas.

Xiao Fan searched through the crowd and then headed towards where Instructor Ruolin was.

"Xiao Fan, over here!"

Xiao Fan nodded to Instructor Ruolin and casually found a seat behind her. Instructor Ruolin had more than ten disciples, but only Xiao Fan, Xiao Xun'er, and Xiao Yan, who had registered but hadn't made it to the inner academy selection competition, participated.

It can only be said that the competition to enter the inner courtyard is too fierce. Without formidable strength, going up there will only be embarrassing.

Not long after sitting behind Instructor Ruolin, Xiao Xun'er arrived late, giving Ruolin an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry Instructor Ruolin, I'm late."

Ruolin smiled at Xiao Xun'er and said softly, "No, the selection hasn't started yet." Xiao Xun'er nodded to Xiao Fan and sat down next to Xiao Yu.

Upon seeing the two competitors arrive, mentor Ruolin said to them, "Let me explain the rules of the competition to you first."

"The initial battle will be conducted by the referees above. Two students will be randomly selected to compete. The winner will advance, and the loser will be eliminated. It should be a piece of cake for you." As he spoke, his eyes swept over the two students.

"There are more than 300 people participating in the selection competition. Half of them will be eliminated in the first round. The remaining 100 or so people will compete again. Those who are eliminated will have one chance to challenge again. The best of the best will be selected. Finally, the top 50 will be selected. These 50 students will be qualified to enter the inner academy. Moreover, the top five will not only be qualified to enter the inner academy, but will also have one chance to enter the fighting skills pavilion to choose a fighting skill."

Hearing this, Xiao Fan thought to himself, "I not only know about the first round of selection, but I also know that the later rounds have changed and been turned into a free-for-all." Although he knew this, Xiao Fan didn't say it aloud.

"The Battle Skill Pavilion is where Canaan Academy collects top-tier battle skills. It even contains high-grade Earth-rank battle skills. You absolutely cannot miss this opportunity!"

After speaking, Instructor Ruolin glanced at the two of them and asked softly, "Is there anything you don't understand about the competition rules?" Seeing that they shook their heads, Instructor Ruolin smiled. "Then you two must do your best. If you both advance to the Inner Academy, my evaluation as a Xuan-rank instructor this year will be a sure thing." As she said this, a faint smile appeared on Ruolin's face.

At this point, Ruolin glanced at Xiao Xun'er again, "Xun'er, it seems your brother Xiao Yan has stood me up again." Hearing Ruolin's words, Xiao Xun'er couldn't help but stick out her tongue, a look of shame on her face. "I'm sorry, Teacher, I thought brother Xiao Yan would be able to make it..." After all, Ling Ying had brought her news that brother Xiao Yan was already on his way to Canaan Academy...

Chapter 102 Yueyao

The group chatted for a short while, and then the crowd fell silent as an elderly man with gray hair stepped onto the stage.

Xiao Fan's gaze also fell upon the old man. He appeared to be just an ordinary old man, yet Xiao Fan sensed a dangerous aura emanating from him. As if sensing Xiao Fan's gaze, the old man glanced in their direction before looking away.

Xiao Fan narrowed his eyes. For a brief moment, he felt as if he had been seen through, which made him very uncomfortable.

"This is the Vice Dean of the Outer Court, Lord Hu Qian." Instructor Ruolin's voice rang out at the right moment, introducing the old man's identity to everyone.

"So it was him..." Xiao Fan murmured.

Hu Qian, as the vice dean of the outer academy of Canaan Academy, is at the peak of the Dou Huang level. Hu Jia is his granddaughter, the girl who likes Xun'er, but Xiao Fan has not yet met her.

As Hu Qian announced the start of the selection competition, a mentor came up and began to read out the names of the contestants.

"Qin Yang from Class 2 of the Xuan Rank stands opposite Han Yu from Class 1 of the Xuan Rank."

As the instructor finished speaking, the two students stepped out of their respective areas and onto the massive platform below. Following the instructor's signal, their battle quickly commenced. Qin Yang, using wind-attribute fighting techniques, relied on his agility to harass Han Yu by circling around him, making it impossible for Han Yu to pinpoint his location and allowing him to launch attacks intermittently.

"Who do you think will win?" Since it was only the beginning of the selection competition, everyone was still very enthusiastic, speculating about who would emerge victorious. Sitting not far from Xiao Fan, Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Fan, who was watching with his arms crossed, and turned to him, saying, "Cousin Xiao Fan, who do you think will win the match?"

Xiao Fan glanced at her, then looked at the two fighting on the field, and said calmly, "Although Qin Yang seems to have the upper hand, his fighting spirit is constantly being depleted, while Han Yu has been defending in place and his fighting spirit has hardly been depleted. If this drags on, Qin Yang will definitely lose."

As if to verify Xiao Fan's words, Qin Yang on the field seemed to have discovered his own weakness and launched an attack on Han Yu. However, Han Yu, who had been waiting for an opportunity, was on guard. The two fought back and forth on the field for a while. As Qin Yang's fighting spirit was exhausted in advance, he had to admit defeat.

In the following matches, Xiao Yu kept asking Xiao Fan questions, and Xiao Fan's answers were always correct, making everyone around him look at him with new respect. Even Instructor Ruolin glanced at Xiao Fan curiously. After all, just knowing how to fight doesn't make you a genius; being able to see the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents requires excellent insight and broad knowledge.

"Next one."

"Liu Ming from Class 3 of the Yellow Class, versus Xiao Xun'er from Class 2 of the Yellow Class."

As the voice faded, Xiao Fan's gaze fell on Xiao Xun'er, watching her walk onto the stands. A man from the next room also left their area and headed towards the stands.

"Hey, you said..." Xiao Fan glanced at Xiao Yu and interrupted her, "Do you think Xun'er will lose?"

"Uh..." Seemingly surprised by Xiao Fan's words, Xiao Yu shook her head helplessly. Then, she asked curiously, "If you and Xun'er were to fight, who would win?" She then revealed a sly smile.

Xiao Fan glanced at Xiao Yu, revealing a cold and arrogant expression.

"I... am invincible among my peers!"

Seeing Xiao Fan's smug expression, Xiao Yu gave him a look of disdain, and then cheered for Xiao Xun'er from her seat.

The fight between Xiao Xun'er and Liu Ming was very simple. As soon as the referee said to start, the two began to fight. They flashed and crossed paths, and each contact released a powerful burst of fighting spirit, which made the audience in the surrounding stands exclaim in amazement from time to time.

As the two crossed paths once more, Xun'er's golden palms struck Liu Ming's chest, forcing him back several steps.

"I'm honored." After defeating her opponent, Xiao Xun'er bowed respectfully, awaiting her instructor's verdict. Liu Ming also gave a bitter smile. "As expected of junior sister Xun'er, I've lost."

"Xiao Xun'er wins this round!"

As the referee shouted, Xiao Xun'er turned around and returned to the audience.

"Xun'er, you're amazing!" Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Xun'er walking gracefully towards her, rushed over and hugged her tightly.

"Next up, Xiao Fan from Class 2 of the Yellow Rank will face Yue Yao from Class 2 of the Profound Rank."

As the referee's voice rang out, Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Fan. After hearing who Xiao Fan's opponent was, she gave him a strange smile. "I heard that Yue Yao is a great beauty~" she said, winking at Xiao Fan.

Xiao Fan glanced at her, then hurried toward the stage.

The woman who stepped onto the stage was dressed in a light blue dress, and even her hair was an unusual sky blue. Looking at Xiao Fan opposite her, she bowed slightly and performed an elegant greeting, which Xiao Fan returned.

"Hello, junior, my name is Yueyao." Yueyao's melodious voice rang out as she looked at Xiao Fan with her large eyes. Xiao Fan nodded back, "Hello, Xiao Fan."

As the battle began, Yueyao said calmly, "Junior Brother Xiao Fan, be careful!"

After she finished speaking, a light blue battle aura lit up in her hand, and a wave of water spread from her feet, quickly engulfing the entire stands.

"A water-based cultivator..." As the water rippled, Xiao Fan could feel his speed being hindered within it, indicating that this was a fighting technique designed to limit an opponent.

With a slight smile, Xiao Fan said calmly, "Senior, be careful."

Immediately, cyan flames spread from Xiao Fan's body, quickly covering him and blocking the water ripples beneath his feet.

There was no shortage of discerning people in the academy, and someone quickly recognized the flames Xiao Fan was using.

"Qinglian Earth Heart Fire!"

"It's actually a strange fire. During his battle with Bai Shan, I felt that the blue crane had a strange sense of rage. It turns out it was because of the strange fire."

Yueyao glanced at the flames on Xiao Fan's body, then narrowed her eyes, knowing that her restrictions on Xiao Fan were no longer effective. She then changed her fighting style and said softly, "Junior brother, I'm going to use my strongest fighting technique now. You'll have to admit defeat." Seeing Xiao Fan nod, Yueyao raised her white hand, her light blue hair fluttering behind her.

"The ocean harbors whales!"

A pale blue whale leaped up from behind Yueyao, its massive body arcing through the sky as it descended towards Xiao Fan's location.

Xiao Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, summoning purple flames. He fused the two flames—one azure in one hand and purple in the other—into each. Xiao Fan's actions drew gasps of surprise from the stands.