Battle Through the Heavens: He possesses extraordinary comprehension and is born a Battle Emperor!

Chapter 117 Escorting the new students into the inner courtyard.

Zi Yan smiled radiantly, her eyes glistening with tears of excitement. "It's our duty to help the elders."

Xiao Chong looked relieved. "Seeing you recover is the greatest reward for us."

The three of them smiled at each other, creating a remarkably harmonious scene.

The desert winds raged, and the setting sun on the horizon was like blood, staining this boundless desert with an eerie red hue.

The old man in black robes was hunched over, a sinister smile playing on his lips. His eyes, peering through the gaps in his cloak, were fixed on the distance. The wound on his chest seemed to still throb, a stark reminder of the humiliation he had suffered in his previous encounter with Xiao Chong.

"Xiao Chong, I will repay this wound you inflicted tenfold," the black-robed elder murmured, his tone filled with hatred and resentment. Just as this thought of revenge swirled within him, a weakened soul staggered and fled at the edge of his vision, appearing utterly helpless.

The old man in black robes' eyes lit up, like a hungry wolf spotting its prey. Without hesitation, he quickened his pace, closing in on the soul. The soul seemed to sense the danger and fled even more frantically, but it was all in vain.

"Hmph, a mere wandering soul, you think you can escape my grasp?" The old man in black robes sneered, reached out and grabbed, his powerful soul force transforming into an invisible net that instantly enveloped the soul.

With a painful howl, the soul was mercilessly devoured, and the black-robed old man's aura noticeably strengthened.

The old man in black robes patted his chest with satisfaction. The energy from the soul he had just devoured was gradually merging with his body, and an unprecedentedly powerful force surged within him. A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips, and his eyes gleamed with a desire for an even more powerful being.

"The souls of this world are ultimately nothing more than nourishment for my use," the black-robed elder muttered to himself, his voice filled with undeniable confidence. Having said that, he closed his eyes, relaxing his entire body, as if savoring the pleasure brought by this increase in power.

A moment later, when the old man in black robes opened his eyes again, his gaze became exceptionally sharp, like the most brilliant star in the night sky. He took a deep breath, and his body suddenly transformed into a swirling cloud of black mist, rapidly spreading out, blotting out the sky and the sun. Even the raging sandstorms in the desert were suppressed by this power and dared not move rashly.

"It's time to leave. There's nothing left for me to linger in this desolate place." The old man in black robes' voice echoed in the black mist, revealing a hint of weariness and impatience.

Like a colossal beast awakening, the black mist began to move slowly above the desert. Wherever it passed, the air seemed to be sucked away, leaving behind a deathly silence. Finally, this mysterious black mist found a faint trace of a spatial rift, and without hesitation, plunged into it, disappearing without a trace.

Canaan College, steeped in history, boasts stone buildings etched with the marks of time, ancient trees reaching for the sky, and quiet paths winding through the landscape. In the center of the college, a vast plaza bustles with activity, a gathering of talented young people from all walks of life, dressed in matching college uniforms, discussing animatedly, their faces radiating a thirst for and excitement for the unknown challenges ahead.

"Hey, I heard that even the Dean will personally review the selections for the Inner Academy this time. Is that true?" A short-haired boy with a sly glint in his eyes asked his companion.

"Of course! Getting into the inner courtyard is an opportunity that we outer courtyard disciples dream of." His companion rubbed his nose, his tone filled with longing. "As long as we pass the selection, we can learn more advanced battle qi techniques and martial arts. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil."

At this moment, a young man dressed in a dark green robe, with a resolute face and eyes as sharp as a hawk, stood in the crowd. It was Xiao Chong. He had received Elder Su Qian's secret order. Although he felt a heavy weight in his heart at the responsibility he was about to shoulder, he was also filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation.

"Quiet, everyone!" A deep, powerful voice rang out, and everyone immediately fell silent, their eyes all turning to the podium. Elder Su Qian, a sprightly old man with white hair, stood on the platform, his presence both dignified and kind. "Today is the annual Inner Academy Entrance Day for Canaan Academy. Remember, no matter where you come from, no matter your background, here, only strength matters!"

As Elder Su Qian finished speaking, the crowd began to divide into groups in an orderly fashion, preparing to embark on their journey to the inner courtyard. Xiao Chong looked around, his gaze finally settling on several outer courtyard disciples with varying expressions; they would become his partners on this mission.

"Senior Brother Xiao Chong, which way should we go? I heard there might be monsters on the way." A pale-faced, thin boy in the group asked cautiously.

Xiao Chong smiled slightly and patted the boy on the shoulder: "Don't worry, with me here, you're all safe. However, true growth comes after weathering storms, and I hope you can all seize this opportunity and bravely face the challenges."

"Senior Brother Xiao Chong, I've heard that this journey requires crossing the Black Corner Region, where the forces are incredibly complex. Can we...can we really get through smoothly?" The speaker was another disciple in the group. He was tall, and his eyes revealed a hint of worry, clearly showing his fear of the Black Corner Region he was about to enter.

Xiao Chong remained calm, a composed smile playing on his lips: "Although the Black Corner Region is chaotic, it's mostly populated by petty clowns. Truly powerful individuals won't easily provoke passersby. As long as we keep a low profile and avoid trouble, we can naturally cross over safely. Besides, with me, Xiao Chong, here, the mere Black Corner Region is nothing to worry about."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions calmed down, and their confidence increased. In particular, the thin boy who had asked the question at the beginning had admiration in his eyes; it seemed that at this moment, Xiao Chong's image had become even more towering in his mind.

The group officially set off, their journey taking them through ever-changing scenery, from lush forests to desolate deserts, each step filled with unknowns and challenges. They occasionally encountered low-level magical beasts, but under Xiao Chong's leadership, the disciples cooperated seamlessly, successfully repelling the beasts and significantly improving each person's combat experience.

After several days of trekking, the outline of the Black Corner Region gradually came into view. It was a wasteland composed of black rocks, with a hazy gray atmosphere permeating the sky, making it seem particularly oppressive.

"This is the Black Corner Region. Everyone, be on your guard and remember what I said before: keep a low profile." Xiao Chong's voice was calm and powerful, which reassured the team.

The group cautiously traversed the edge of the Black Corner Region, attempting to avoid conflict with those forces. However, fate seemed determined not to grant them such an easy passage. On a seemingly ordinary afternoon, a sudden gust of wind whipped up sand, completely obscuring their vision.

"Not good, there's an ambush!" Xiao Chong keenly sensed the murderous aura lurking in the air and quickly waved his hand to signal everyone to be on alert.

(End of this chapter)