Once everyone had entered Azure Dragon Academy, Xiao Cangshan finally smiled and said, "The moment you step through these gates, you become students of our academy. You will be under the protection of Azure Dragon Academy."

"If you suffer bullying anywhere in the outside world, the entire Azure Dragon Academy will back you up."

"However, while we fiercely protect our own from outsiders, do not mistake this for harmony within the academy walls. On the contrary, our internal competition is far more brutal than the outside world."

"We uphold the principle that the strong are revered. Resources will always tilt toward the strong. Take accommodation, for example!"

"Our dormitory grades range from One-Star to Four-Star. Each star grade represents a different density of Spiritual Qi. The One-Star Dormitory is the standard grade. The Spiritual Qi is roughly like this!" Saying so, Xiao Cangshan waved his sleeve, sending a wave of Spiritual Qi washing over the students.

Feeling the faint Spiritual Qi brush against their faces, everyone's spirits lifted. Although it was extremely thin, it was better than nothing. Cultivating with such Spiritual Qi would undoubtedly quicken their progress.

Noting the delight in the students' eyes, Xiao Cangshan smiled faintly. "The monthly rent for this grade of dormitory is thirty Star Values. As for the Two-Star Dormitory, the Spiritual Qi is much more abundant."

With another wave, a much denser surge of Spiritual Qi emerged. The refreshing sensation instantly cleared everyone's minds.

"The Spiritual Qi is at least three times stronger than the One-Star!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"The price for a Two-Star Dormitory is three hundred Star Values per month," Xiao Cangshan said with a gentle smile.

Tang Yan sighed inwardly. Truly, you get what you pay for.

"The monthly rent for a Three-Star Dormitory is one thousand five hundred Star Values." Xiao Cangshan chuckled. He waved his sleeve again, and the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi grew astonishingly thick.

Feeling this incredibly abundant Spiritual Qi, a flash of fervor appeared in everyone's eyes. Cultivating under these conditions would be no different from constantly consuming Pills. But the price was truly beyond what ordinary people could bear.

Many looked toward Xiao Cangshan with intense anticipation. If the Three-Star Dormitory offered such Spiritual Qi, what miraculous effects would the Four-Star Dormitory have?

Seeing the eager faces below, Xiao Cangshan did not keep them in suspense. "The Four-Star Dormitory costs four thousand Star Values a month."

"At this grade, the environment provides more than just an abundance of Spiritual Qi. It also incorporates a faint trace of Heaven and Earth Dao Rhythm. Absorbing it over a long period not only weakens cultivation bottlenecks but also triggers human potential, allowing cultivators to enter a profound state of enlightenment."

"Boom!" The moment Xiao Cangshan's words fell, the crowd erupted into an uproar. Many faces flushed red with excitement as they coveted the Four-Star Dormitory.

Tang Yan had heard of Heaven and Earth Dao Rhythm before. It contained the power of the laws of all creation. Being nourished by Dao Rhythm made it far easier to gain sudden enlightenment, bringing immeasurable benefits to one's cultivation.

"Four thousand Star Values... If I pooled all my Star Values together, I could only stay for half a month. After that, I wouldn't even be able to afford the One-Star Dormitory," Du Shu clicked his tongue.

"Star Values can be earned. Let's all work hard together. It's best if we can stay in the higher-grade dormitories," Tang Yan said.

The group nodded in agreement. They were just as greedy for the Four-Star Dormitory.

However, the price was genuinely terrifying. Forget the Four-Star Dormitory; even the Three-Star Dormitory was enough to make many retreat in despair.

"Although you don't have many Star Values right now, do not be disheartened. As long as you are willing to fight for it, you will certainly earn enough."

"Furthermore, even if you lack the Star Values today, it doesn't mean you have no chance to experience the high-star dormitories."

"Every year, there is an interesting little game regarding accommodation for the new students." Seeing the hopeless expressions, Xiao Cangshan dropped a bombshell.

Everyone instantly perked up, staring at the Academy Master as if they had been injected with chicken blood. A few impatient students immediately asked, "Academy Master, what kind of game?"

"Little ones, your selection trials were divided into the four great regions: East, South, West, and North."

"The strength of the students in each region is quite evenly distributed."

"From the four regions, each group will nominate their strongest representative. In half a month, a martial tournament will be held."

"Once the rankings are decided, every single student from the first-place region will enjoy half a month in the Four-Star Dormitory!"

"The second-place region will enjoy half a month in the Three-Star Dormitory."

"The third-place gets half a month in the Two-Star Dormitory. As for whoever comes in fourth, you will just have to live in the One-Star Dormitory."

"Of course, if you have no faith in your region's champion, you can simply rent a higher-grade dormitory right now. Now then, let the East, South, West, and North regions each push forward a representative!"

The moment Xiao Cangshan finished speaking, the new students broke into a heated discussion.

Meanwhile, the senior students watching from the sidelines were also deeply curious, their eyes constantly scanning the fresh blood.

"North Region, Jing Wuhen. I am willing to fight for the North. Does anyone have any objections?" A gentle voice rang out. Following this, a young man wearing an alchemist's robe stepped out from the crowd. He was elegant and imposing. His innate aura of a powerful cultivator instantly drew the eyes of many.

"Why should it be you? What's your cultivation realm?" A few voices of doubt arose. Clearly, these people did not know of Jing Wuhen's reputation.

"Oh? If there is someone stronger, I am completely willing to step down." Jing Wuhen smiled faintly. His momentum suddenly condensed, and a tyrannical aura swept across the courtyard.

"Earth Rank!" Feeling that terrifying pressure, everyone gasped in shock.

Even the eyes of many senior students widened in astonishment. This new student was incredibly strong!

With Jing Wuhen revealing his true strength, all lingering doubts instantly vanished, replaced by a tidal wave of cheering support.

"Lang Qingyun is willing to battle for the South Region!" A refined-looking young man strode out from the southern group. An aura rippled out from his body, causing everyone's hearts to palpitate.

"Another Earth Rank!" The spectating senior students sucked in cold breaths.

Tang Yan looked at Lang Qingyun, a hint of surprise flashing through his eyes. He could say with certainty that this person had not yet comprehended "Force," but the aura radiating from him was soul-stirring. It seemed to stem from a profound cultivation technique.

Seeing Lang Qingyun step forward, the South Region erupted in cheers, immensely proud to have an Earth Rank expert of their own.

At this moment, everyone's attention shifted toward the West and East Regions.

"Xue Xiao! Xue Xiao! Xue Xiao..." Someone in the West Region started the chant. Instantly, the shouts for Xue Xiao cascaded through the crowd, their voices piercing the heavens.

The other crowds were slightly taken aback. Just who was this Xue Xiao to command such sky-high support?

"Since everyone thinks so highly of me, this little girl will fight for the West Region." A gentle, slightly husky voice rang out. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, a girl draped in purple robes stepped forward.

Tang Yan looked at her in surprise. Dressed in purple with features as beautiful as a painting, she appeared quiet and gentle. Yet, the presence she exuded felt like a drawn sword, impossible to underestimate.

The students from the other regions scrutinized Xue Xiao.

She was undeniably beautiful, but her figure was slender and frail. Could a girl who looked like she might be blown over by the wind actually fight?

Many couldn't help but break a sweat for the West Region.

"Bang!" A tyrannical aura erupted from the girl's body. Feeling that suffocating spiritual pressure, everyone instantly abandoned their doubts.

She was actually an Earth Rank too!

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