Chapter 174: Freshman Grand Competition

Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Freshman Grand Competition

After the teasing remark, Jiangtao, Guo Heng, and the others all laughed.

But as Lin Qi looked at Huo Wanyang, he had to admit that the other guy’s aura was indeed incredibly strong.

Not only was he tall, over two meters, but his muscles seemed to be sculpted from steel.

He suspected the guy was on the verge of breaking through to the Third Realm.

He was arguably Lin Qi’s strongest competitor at the moment; even Chen Li was a far cry from him.

Meanwhile, as Lin Qi and his group were observing others, others were observing Lin Qi as well.

Not far away, in the area for the Third Institute, two identical-looking, pretty girls stared at Lin Qi and whispered:

"Is that Lin Qi?"

"I heard the Sixth Institute gave up on Duan Chuchu and Li Lei, skipping right over them to choose the tenth-ranked Lin Qi."

"This Lin Qi must really have some unique strength. He surpassed Li Lei in yesterday’s Fist Power test."

"He’s definitely a formidable opponent," the two whispered to each other.

...

In the distance, Li Lei, who was built like a brown bear, was also observing the others.

To him, Lin Qi was a major rival. He was still holding a grudge about being surpassed in Fist Power yesterday.

Farther away, Ao Feng was looking only at Huo Wanyang, an excited smile spreading across his fair face.

’Among the new students, I have only one opponent: Huo Wanyang. His Qi and Blood Value is higher than mine. But in a real fight, Qi and Blood Value isn’t everything. It’s about your overall capabilities. I really want to fight him and see who’s truly the strongest new student.’

At that moment, the top-ranked new student, Huo Wanyang, stood with his arms crossed, head tilted up to look at the high platform. He wasn’t observing anyone else, lost in his own thoughts.

Suddenly, Li Zehao approached him enthusiastically from nearby. "Marquis Wen, I’ve gathered some information that might help you understand your opponents."

He was ranked 35th in the nation. Aside from the S-class geniuses, he was one of the top talents. In the First Institute, he was the strongest person under the Dean.

Huo Wanyang glanced at Li Zehao, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smirk. "I don’t need it. No one among the new students is my opponent."

"Also, who are you?"

"Am I supposed to know you?"

After speaking, he snorted with disdain.

Li Zehao’s expression darkened, and his face instantly flushed red. But faced with Huo Wanyang’s humiliation, he could only lower his head and dejectedly return to his spot.

His fists were clenched so tightly they couldn’t stop shaking.

...

As time passed, the clock slowly struck ten.

Figures slowly materialized in the ten great chairs upon the high platform. They were men and women, all exuding terrifying auras.

"Those are the vice deans of each institute. The deans are all busy, so the vice deans are representing them."

"Their auras are so powerful!" someone exclaimed in awe.

"Of course they are. Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy is the number one Martial Arts University in Xia Country. To be a vice dean here, you have to be at least among the very top of the Seventh Realm," someone else explained.

Standing at the very front, Lin Qi looked at Dean Liu on the high platform. He was sitting in a smart chair marked with the number "six," his aura calm and ordinary.

But his strength was not weak in the slightest; he was definitely a Seventh Realm master.

"The vice deans are Seventh Realm masters, the deans are all Eighth Realm Martial Artists, and the vice principals must be at the Peak of the Eighth Realm at a minimum," Guan Mountain also spoke up. "And our principal is a Ninth Realm existence."

Everyone nodded. Just from those present, there were already more than ten High Realm Martial Artists.

Just then, a figure slowly stood up from the center of the high platform. It was a middle-aged man dressed in a custom white and red robe.

He had a lean face, was about 1.9 meters tall, and wore a neat, long beard.

But his eyes were piercingly bright, as if he could see through everything.

An invisible aura emanated from his body.

"Fellow students!"

A wave of sound spread out from him, and an intense pressure erupted from his body.

In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.

The expressions of the nine Deans standing at the very front all changed.

Lin Qi frowned, inwardly alarmed. ’This man is terrifying. The pressure he just released for that split second was far stronger than that officer from the Joint Training Base. It’s the difference between a stream and a lake.’

For a moment, he felt as if he had been pierced by a Sharp Blade. Thankfully, it only lasted an instant.

The hall was utterly silent. The long-bearded middle-aged man revealed a satisfied smile and began to speak slowly.

"Welcome, new students!"

"I am one of the vice principals of Azure Sky Martial Arts University. My name is Xu Wenji."

"The first item on today’s agenda for the opening ceremony: raising the national flag!" he announced solemnly.

Behind him, a song suddenly began to play as a national flag was slowly raised.

Everyone’s expression turned serious. Even the seated vice deans of the various institutes rose to their feet and paid their respects.

The entire process lasted for three minutes before concluding.

The deans sat down again, and Xu Wenji turned back to the students and said:

"Entering a Martial Arts University is where your journey in Martial Arts truly begins!"

"High school is the stage for building your Foundation; university is the stage for making rapid progress."

"After graduation is when you will all step onto the battlefield to make a name for yourselves."

"If you want to obtain great power, our Martial Arts University can provide it. We have the best Cultivation Resources in all of Xia Country."

"The graduation standard for students of Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy is the Fourth Realm."

"Only those who reach the Fourth Realm are permitted to graduate," Xu Wenji said slowly.

Everyone was shocked. The standard was too high. For many students who hadn’t even broken through to the Second Realm yet, the difficulty was immense.

"Don’t think you can’t do it. You are students of Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy. You must do it!"

The students nodded. ’We’re students of Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy now.’

Xu Wenji continued, "Our university has a glorious history, but I won’t waste your time with that. Your teachers will cover it in your general education courses."

His gaze swept over the Deans of the Nine Great Academies and the dozen or so students in the private boxes on either side.

"Martial Arts are forged through combat. It is in the crucible of fierce competition that we must ignite our Talent and hone the strength to battle heaven and earth."

"Therefore, competition is the main theme of a Martial Arts University."

"We will arrange all kinds of competitions and assessments. Those who rank at the top will receive countless resources and cash rewards."

"If you want them, then you must dedicate yourselves to Cultivation and constantly climb the ranks."

"Continuously use resources to strengthen yourselves."

"The moment you entered Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy, the competition had already begun."

"Finally, I declare that in one month, the New Student Competition will be waiting for you all. This will be the first round of conflict in your four years at the Martial Arts University!"

"The rich resources are there for the taking. It all depends on whether you have the Ability to claim them."

"The opening ceremony is now officially over!" Xu Wenji announced loudly with a wave of his hand.

The intense atmosphere was thoroughly ignited by Xu Wenji’s words, and a thunderous round of applause erupted.

The Deans of the various institutes had different expressions, their minds already on the New Student Competition in a month’s time.

A buzz of noisy discussion filled the hall.

"The New Student Competition... I’m already looking forward to it," Jiangtao said.

"My national rank is 98. Maybe I can surpass a lot of people in the competition."

"Me too. It’s been two months between the end of the college entrance exams and the New Student Competition."

"It’s about time the power rankings were updated," Guo Heng said, nodding confidently.

"Dean Liu just messaged us. He wants us to go to the Sixth Institute’s academic building for a short meeting," Lin Qi said suddenly, looking at his phone.

Everyone nodded.

"Brother Qi, those are the geniuses from the Tenth Institute," Jiangtao said suddenly, pointing to a silver-colored private box on the second floor to the right. Several people were walking out of it, though they were quite far away.

Even so, Lin Qi could still sense the tyrannical auras they were exuding.

...