Stepping out of the pavilion, a shaded avenue stretched ahead, flanked on both sides by the residences of the other new students. While these accommodations were slightly more modest compared to the small pavilions of Xiao Yan and his companions, it seemed that such a privilege wasn't universally granted. At this moment, the avenue was empty of any new students—likely all gathered at the exit. Xiao Yan and his companions didn't dare to linger, lightly tapping the ground with their feet and transforming into a thin stream of smoke, swiftly heading toward the far end of the avenue. After nearly four to five minutes of swift progress, they slowed down, looking up to see a large crowd gathered at the terminus, their voices of frustration and complaints never ceasing. With a gentle wave of his hand, Xiao Yan led the three closer to the crowd. Several new students who had gathered there saw Xiao Yan and his companions and immediately beamed with delight, only to have their enthusiasm silenced by Xiao Yan's gesture, prompting them to quickly close their mouths. After giving a polite greeting to the freshmen, the four of Xiao Yan pushed through the crowd, their eyes scanning through the gaps to focus on the exit. At the entrance, several older students—each wearing a tower-shaped badge on their chests—were blocking the way, with a large group of older students watching from behind, clearly delighted to see the freshmen struggling, as they themselves had faced similar challenges back in their days. Facing these eight older students was Atai, who had come earlier to seek help from Xiao Yan. Now, he was standing firmly with the group of freshmen, his face sternly set against the older students. "Enough talking, youngster! The freshman contribution fee has been a long-standing rule within the inner courtyard—there's no extra burden we've placed on you. So simply hand it over. It's a well-known saying: 'spend to be safe.' Don't you understand?" A young man in his early twenties smiled warmly at the stern-faced Atai and the others across the table, saying, "Each of you will receive two days' worth of 'fire energy'—that should ensure your steady and peaceful stay within the inner courtyard. This deal is quite favorable, isn't it?" For all these years, no one has ever heard of a new team taking on a senior team named "Fire and Capture" in the "Fire and Capture" competition. Since you all have such a unique spirit, your rules must naturally be a bit special too. Furthermore, you're no longer just ordinary freshmen—you're clearly wealthier than many of the seniors, and your "Fire and Capture" resources might even surpass some of theirs. Now, you're bluffing! We've already said we won't give another "Fire and Capture," no matter how much we still have—don't even think about it! Atati shouted angrily, his face flushed with rage, while the other freshmen behind him looked equally furious. The seniors had repeatedly exploited them, and now they were completely incensed. Well, well... You're truly a tough bunch. "Heard that, the elder student couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, speaking in a low, measured tone: 'Young fellows, don't forget—we're not in the outer courtyard. While the other areas here may not kill people outright, during sparring sessions, there's always some physical discomfort, isn't there?' 'If you don't pay today, I can't guarantee that you'll be treated fairly once you step out of here. Young people, don't let your pride get in the way.' 'You...' Seeing the young man's sardonic expression, the fresh-faced students were once again incensed, their eyes blazing with anger. 'No need to guarantee it, freshmen won't be paying half a unit of "thermal energy" anymore. As for you, where did you come from? Then go back there.' A quiet, dismissive laugh suddenly rose from among the group of new students. 'Who?' His face darkened rapidly, and the young man scanned the new students with a cold gaze, his fists subtly tightening. "Indeed, these freshmen have grown increasingly arrogant—more so than anyone had predicted. As seniors, we shall have to make sure they understand the atmosphere of our academy." Upon seeing the newly enrolled students suddenly energized, the senior students standing at the exit also showed signs of change in their expressions—clearly, they still held considerable respect for Xiao Yan's reputation. After all, Luo Huo himself was among the top hundred strongest students in the entire inner courtyard, and on one occasion, Luo Hou even managed to enter the "Strong List," though only for three days due to a bit of luck. His brief appearance on the list nonetheless underscored his exceptional prowess. The fact that such a formidable figure had been defeated by Xiao Yan naturally instilled some level of apprehension among certain seniors. "Under such public scrutiny, even the young man was unwilling to lose face and thus had no choice but to retreat with a stiffened neck and a cold huff. "Our new students have never intended to display any arrogance. Indeed, during the 'Hunting Competition,' we've merely found certain senior students behaving excessively so. We fully understand that, as newcomers, modesty and restraint are the best ways to integrate—so we too have adopted this approach. We will certainly fulfill our required 'tribute fees' as per the rules. However, as for the other stringent regulations, I, Xiao Yan, hereby state clearly: we will not concede an inch. Should they insist on enforcing these demands, then our forty-six new students will have to fully support them." Xiao Yan's gaze remained cool as he surveyed the room, his voice steady. "Boom!" As soon as Xiao Yan finished speaking, a wave of excitement surged across the faces of the dozens of students behind him. With a firm跺 of their feet, their ki surged forth, coalescing into a powerful collective pressure that compelled the senior students to step back several paces. "You... Xiao Yan. Don't think that numbers alone will make you arrogant. We're from 'Qingshan.' If you offend us within the inner courtyard..." The young man, startled by the surge of气势 from the group of newcomers, stepped back, his face growing increasingly displeased. He raised his voice in warning, but before he could finish, a sudden gust of wind rushed past, followed by a swift shadow sweeping across his vision. His shoulders suddenly felt the weight of a crushing pressure—only then did he realize a massive black ruler had been firmly placed across his neck. "Say it again. The fees we're required to pay have already been settled by our new students. As for the ones we're not required to pay—starting now, we won't pay a single drop of 'Fire Energy.' I don't care which faction you belong to. If you continue to waste time talking, then I'll have no choice but to be merciless with my actions, Xiao Yan," said Xiao Yan, holding the ruler tightly in his left hand, his dark eyes fixed steadily on the young man, whose body was gradually sinking under the weight of the ruler, his voice cold and firm. Gazing into Xiao Yan's cold gaze, the senior student's throat subtly rolled, a bead of cold sweat dripping from his forehead. He could feel a genuine, piercing cold intensity in the words of the younger man—though he was significantly younger than himself. "Shh..." The heavy ruler shifted slightly, sending a gust of wind that brushed against Xiao Yan's back. Xiao Yan stepped back steadily, eventually coming to a stop in front of Xun'er and the others. "You'll see!" As Xiao Yan retreated, the senior student's face flushed from pale to bluish, then, after a long pause, he waved his sleeve with embarrassment, turned, and delivered a sharp remark before swiftly leaving with his group. Watching Xiao Yan drive off the seniors, the freshmen erupted in fresh cheers. Their eyes upon Xiao Yan now burned with even greater warmth—clearly, his decisive stand on their behalf had firmly solidified his standing among them. "Ladies and gentlemen, our freshman class doesn't possess any particularly outstanding abilities, nor do we seek special privileges. As for the 'Fire Hunt Competition,' we've already mentioned before—only because the seniors were overly demanding. Now that we've entered the inner academy as newcomers, we have no intention of leveraging our position to boast or assert ourselves. All of you are seniors to us, and we, as freshmen, will certainly not fall short in meeting our obligations. Therefore, I kindly ask that you don't treat us any differently. I sincerely thank you, Xiao Yan." Xiao Yan raised his gaze toward the group of senior students gathered at the intersection, bowed slightly, and spoke with a notably courteous tone. Having just established his authority, he now spoke so politely—this conduct indeed left the seniors somewhat taken aback. After a moment, several more observant seniors quietly nodded in approval. Xiao Yan truly is someone of substance—his actions are always well-balanced and measured. Behind Xiao Yan, Xun'er and the others nodded slightly. No matter how strong they were, they could not possibly stand against the entire cohort of senior students. If, after establishing his authority, Xiao Yan showed even a hint of pride, such events would surely reach the ears of many senior students, and inevitably, some of them would come to bother them as newcomers. This time, the challengers were merely seniors of slightly lower strength; next time, they might face true powerhouses. Though they had defeated Luo Hou, who ranked only mid-tier among the seniors, they still could not afford to act boastingly. What mattered most was to firmly establish their footing within the academy, to diligently refine their skills and continuously strengthen their overall capabilities—this was the only sustainable path forward.