287: The top-ranked player versus the third-ranked player

Two figures, one behind the other, descended like shooting stars chasing the moon, landing at the entrance of the vast and ancient arena of the Inner Academy.

The massive bluestone platform stood silently, surrounded by towering stands, and the air still held the murderous aura left behind by past fierce battles.

Qin Xiao's Thunder Fire Dou Qi surged within his body, his fighting spirit soaring, one foot almost stepping onto the bluestone ground of the martial arts field.

But in that flash of lightning and flint, it was as if a bolt of lightning suddenly streaked across his mind, and a terrifying thought he had ignored suddenly exploded!

Wait! Something is wrong!

He abruptly stopped, turned his head to look at the calm and composed Jiang Donghua beside him, and then remembered Mu Chen in the Medicine Spirit Pavilion, who could effortlessly deal with a Sixth-Tier Demonic Beast and whose aura was as deep as the abyss!

What was Mu Chen's attitude toward Jiang Donghua?

It was gratitude and respect stemming from his very bones!

It could be said that Jiang Donghua had bestowed upon him the grace of rebirth, a debt heavier than the second life given by parents!

If, later on the stage, he failed to hold back, or relying on the tyrannical power of the Dual Cultivation of Thunder and Fire, he truly injured or defeated Jiang Donghua, what would Mu Chen's reaction be?

The thought of a Dou Zong, who might casually offer him cultivation pointers every day, or suddenly give him a 'friendly greeting' using Dou Zong pressure while he was eating, sleeping, or cultivating...

Qin Xiao instantly felt a chill shoot straight from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, and his calves nearly cramped!

How could this be a spar?

This was practically gambling with the peace of his entire future life!

Winning the match might mean losing the tranquility of his whole life!

"Gulp..."

Qin Xiao swallowed hard, the fighting spirit on his face receding by more than half, replaced by a hint of nervousness and lingering fear.

He grabbed Jiang Donghua, who was about to step onto the stage, lowered his voice, and spoke with unprecedented caution.

"Uh, Jiang Donghua, wait a moment!"

Jiang Donghua turned to look at him, confused.

"Hmm? Senior Qin Xiao, having second thoughts?"

"It's not second thoughts!"

Qin Xiao quickly waved his hand, his eyes shifting as he carefully chose his words.

"It's just that before we go up, there's something I need to clarify! You're not the type to hold a grudge, are you?"

"Huh?"

Jiang Donghua was momentarily stunned by the abrupt question.

Qin Xiao, however, had a solemn expression and spoke almost like a rogue.

"No, words are worthless! You must stand right here, in front of—uh, in front of this platform—and swear an oath!"

"Say that no matter the outcome of today's spar, it is purely a friendly exchange, that you will absolutely not hold a grudge, and that you definitely won't let anyone else seek retribution later!"

He was too embarrassed to mention Mu Chen's name directly, but the meaning was already very clear.

Jiang Donghua was startled at first, then seeing Qin Xiao's guilty yet feigning composure, he immediately understood what this fellow was worried about.

He couldn't help but laugh, almost letting it out loud. He managed to hold it in with difficulty, and deliberately put on a stern face.

"Senior Qin Xiao, are you doubting my character, or Senior Mu Chen's character?"

"That's not what I meant!"

Qin Xiao's old face flushed, but he persisted.

"Just tell me if you'll swear or not!"

Just as the two were locked in this slightly strange stalemate, the arena's supervising Elder was drawn by their commotion and walked over, frowning.

This Elder was usually responsible for maintaining order in the arena and handling disputes; his strength was at the Dou Wang level.

He originally thought it was some ignorant student causing trouble again, but upon approaching, sensing the undisguised Dou Wang Expert aura emanating from Qin Xiao and Jiang Donghua, especially the violent Thunder Fire fluctuations on Qin Xiao, his face immediately fell into a grimace.

"Why is it that when it's my turn to supervise, I run into such a tricky situation?"

The Elder secretly groaned inwardly.

Two Dou Wang Students sparring?

Could the commotion be small?

If they truly lost control, damaging the venue would be a minor issue, but if someone was seriously injured or even killed, he, a mere Three-Star Dou Wang, couldn't stop it!

He quickly stepped forward, blocking the space between them, putting on a professional smile, but his tone carried no room for doubt.

"Sirs, both Students! Wait before you start!"

He looked at the two figures, both possessing extraordinary presence, and spoke helplessly.

"You are both Dou Wang Experts. The commotion from your match will be too great, and I alone probably cannot supervise it properly."

He cleared his throat and delivered the most crucial line.

"You two want to spar?"

"You may! But you must wait a moment! Allow me to go fetch two more Elders to come over and serve as witnesses and provide protection!"

Having said that, without waiting for Qin Xiao and Jiang Donghua to react, the supervising Elder flashed away, hurrying toward the direction of the Elder's Hall, clearly going to summon reinforcements.

Qin Xiao and Jiang Donghua were left standing by the edge of the platform, looking at each other.

Jiang Donghua, looking at Qin Xiao, finally burst into laughter and patted his shoulder.

"Senior Qin Xiao, are you relieved now? With Elders as witnesses, we can spar to our heart's content in peace!"

Qin Xiao's mouth twitched. Looking at Jiang Donghua's hearty, yet in his opinion, slightly punchable smile, the apprehension in his heart was gradually replaced by rekindled fighting spirit.

"Good! Then let's fight to our hearts' content!"

"Explosive news! Qin Xiao, the thunder fire asura who is first on the strong ranking in the Inner Academy, is going to spar with that mysterious New Students leader, Jiang Donghua, who is also rumored to be a Dou Wang Expert, in the arena!"

This news, as if having grown wings, spread through every corner of the Inner Academy at an astonishing speed.

The first on the strong ranking versus the strong ranking third place!

A head-on clash between two Dou Wang Experts!

This was an extremely rare high-level student confrontation in the Inner Academy in recent years!

Who wouldn't want to witness the exchange between top-tier geniuses and feel the thrilling collision of power?

Thus, the original supervising Elder brought in a Five-Star Dou Wang and a Seven-Star Dou Wang for assistance. Before they arrived, the massive arena was already packed shoulder-to-shoulder by the Students who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

The stands were a sea of people, the clamor shaking the heavens. Everyone's eyes were eagerly fixed on the empty platform in the center of the field, and the air was filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Look quickly! It's Senior Qin Xiao! He really broke through to Dou Wang! Those wings are so handsome!"

"Is that Jiang Donghua next to him? He looks so young! His aura is strange too; it doesn't feel overly strong, but it just makes people dare not underestimate him!"

"A clash of the strong! We're in for a treat today!"

"Who do you think will win? I bet on Senior Qin Xiao, his Dual Cultivation of Thunder and Fire is too tyrannical!"

"I don't think so. Jiang Donghua was able to cure Senior Mu Chen; he definitely isn't simple himself!"

Just as the crowd was buzzing with discussion, three powerful auras approached from afar, instantly descending upon the high platform at the edge of the arena.

These were precisely the Elders who had gone to summon help. They stood mid-air, the light of their Dou Qi Transformation Wings slowly receding.

The three Elders looked at the bustling, fiery scene below, exchanged glances, and all saw a hint of helplessness in the other's eyes.

The Seven-Star Dou Wang Elder stroked his beard and said with a wry smile.

"These little brats, their news network is certainly efficient. It seems tranquility will be hard to come by today."

"The Elders are here!"

A sharp-eyed Student shouted loudly.

Instantly, all eyes in the arena shifted from Qin Xiao and Jiang Donghua to the three Elders, and the noise subsided slightly, replaced by reverence.

The Seven-Star Dou Wang Elder cleared his throat, and his resonant voice, amplified by Dou Qi, spread throughout the entire arena.

"Silence!"

"Today's battle is a sparring match between Inner Academy Students Qin Xiao and Jiang Donghua."

"Stop before injury; intentionally harming life is forbidden!!"

His gaze swept over the two people on the platform, lingering for an extra moment on the violently-auraed Qin Xiao and the seemingly calm Jiang Donghua, and he said in a deep voice.

"Do you understand?"

Qin Xiao cupped his fists and said loudly.

"This Student understands!"

Jiang Donghua also bowed slightly, his tone peaceful.

"I respectfully obey the Elder's command."

"Good!"

The Seven-Star Dou Wang Elder nodded and exchanged a look with the other two Elders.

The three simultaneously formed seals, and three majestic pillars of Dou Qi shot into the sky, immediately transforming into a massive, translucent energy barrier around the platform, enveloping the entire stage.

This was to prevent the aftershocks of their battle from harming the surrounding Students.

Having completed all this, the Seven-Star Dou Wang Elder's voice rang out like a great bell.

"Since that is the case, the match—begin!"

As his voice fell, the entire arena instantly became silent, everyone's hearts leaped into their throats, and their gazes locked tightly onto the two figures in the center of the platform.

The great battle was about to erupt!

Thunder and fire intertwined in Qin Xiao's eyes, his fighting spirit completely erupted, and his aura continuously soared, like a volcano about to erupt!

As for Jiang Donghua, he still stood quietly there, a faint smile playing on the corners of his mouth, except that in his deep eyes, a light suddenly flared!