Chapter 1 The First Match
"The rules for the first individual match are as follows:
All academies will send ten disciples to engage in a series of consecutive battles. The order will be determined by drawing lots. The last person standing on the arena will be declared the victor."
The moment the rules were announced, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
"The rules have changed?"
Previously, they would draw lots to pair up against each other. Now, it had been changed to a more brutal and stringent series of consecutive battles.
This meant that if someone was unlucky enough to draw the first position, they would either have to be eliminated in the first round for the most benefit, or they would have to fight until the very end.
Otherwise, no matter how many matches they won, if they lost even a single one midway, they would be defeated.
"Damn it, these people are truly despicable! Aren't they targeting us without any pretense now?"
The disciples of Gunan Academy were filled with righteous indignation.
Such rules had never existed before. Now that they had come to compete, the rules were suddenly changed, and announced at this very moment. With the arrow already nocked and ready to be fired, withdrawing now would undoubtedly draw fierce attacks from others.
These people had clearly calculated that Gunan Academy was in a predicament where they had no choice but to proceed with the competition. That was why they were openly resorting to such petty tricks.
"Hahaha, if I remember correctly, Gunan Academy, being the first place, was arranged to draw lots first. Let me see who is so unlucky to be up for the draw. Oh, it's Yan Jiaojiao?"
"What? Yan Jiaojiao? Isn't she the team captain? Why would she be the first to draw lots? Usually, wouldn't the top players prefer to hide at the end? Could it be that Gunan Academy doesn't even have a single ace player this year?"
"Hey, what do you guys know? Actually, drawing first is the best. With ten slots, how could someone be so unlucky to be drawn to go up first?"
Yan Jiaojiao listened to the sarcastic remarks from all around, her expression unwavering.
She had already anticipated such an outcome. Therefore, the vileness of these people merely served to confirm her suspicions, and she felt no shock or revelation.
"Jiaojiao, you need to be careful."
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Yan Jiaojiao was being targeted. The people from Gunan Academy did not dare to be careless.
Yan Jiaojiao nodded, "Remember our previous strategy. If you draw the first position, immediately forfeit and conserve your strength. Do not engage in a head-on battle."
"Okay."
At this moment, everyone couldn't help but marvel at Yan Jiaojiao's foresight, having predicted even these events.
The disciples of Gunan Academy felt their hearts settle. After all, the more formidable Yan Jiaojiao was, the higher their chances of victory under her leadership.
This was what they hoped to see.
"Please, Yan Jiaojiao, draw your lot."
The referee stood on the arena, enveloped in an invisible barrier. This was set up to prevent others from attacking the referee.
It also served to protect the referee from any collateral damage if the battles on the stage became particularly fierce.
These people had thought of everything, intending to give Gunan Academy no opportunities.
A hint of sarcasm flickered in Yan Jiaojiao's eyes.
The so-called fair and just academy grand competition was nothing more than this.
Yan Jiaojiao already knew the outcome, so when she went to draw her lot, there were no ostentatious movements. She casually reached in and handed the token to the referee.
The referee glanced at it and then lowered his gaze, his voice laced with pity for Yan Jiaojiao.
"Gunan Academy, Yan Jiaojiao, Arena One."
Although it was all within expectations, an uncontrollable surge of anger arose in everyone's hearts.
The blatant targeting made them feel incredibly indignant.
Many who still possessed some conscience felt a sense of helplessness at this moment.
After all, if these people could target the former number one academy today, they could do the same to them in the future. Compared to the number one academy, their own situation was even more dire.
After all, they were just a small academy without any voice.
"Senior Brother, what they are doing is too excessive. Isn't the academy grand competition meant for students to freely spar? To go to such lengths solely to target Gunan Academy is really lacking in foresight."
In the spectator stands of Phoenix Academy, a disciple whispered to his Senior Brother with some displeasure.
The Senior Brother of Phoenix Academy was also quite a talent. He came from humble beginnings and had failed the tests at other academies before finally finding his way to Phoenix Academy. During the entrance test, he broke through on the spot and continued to break through to the Orange tier, attracting much attention.
It wasn't strange to reach the Orange tier upon enrollment, as Gunan Academy also had such disciples at that time.
Other academies also had highly talented disciples who chose to study at a decent academy nearby to avoid traveling far.
Learning is endless. As long as one is willing to study and diligently cultivate, there is nothing that cannot be improved.
However, this young man named Zhao Xu was no ordinary person.
Breaking through on the day of the test and reaching Orange tier one at once was extremely rare.
Although Phoenix Academy and others still did not know why Zhao Xu advanced during the test, his talent was worthy of admiration.
Currently, Zhao Xu was a third-year student at Phoenix Academy and one of the senior disciples leading the academy's contingent this time.
He was humble, and the disciples felt no barrier with him, willingly conversing with him.
Zhao Xu turned his head upon hearing this, revealing a very refined face.
He still looked very young, appearing like a youth, but his eyes were filled with a steady demeanor that inspired trust.
"We cannot change all of this."
Zhao Xu appeared resigned, as if he had seen through everything. Everyone knew the situation regarding the academy grand competition, but even knowing it, they were powerless to salvage it. They couldn't even lead their own academy to the top position, let alone protect a former number one.
"You all decide for yourselves. Just be able to face yourselves with a clear conscience."
Upon hearing this, the disciples nodded in unison.
This was why they liked Senior Brother.
Senior Brother never directly judged others as good or bad, but he was willing to give them the freedom to choose.
"Arena Two, Liu Yong of Three Swords Academy."
Everyone's spirits rose upon hearing this.
Everyone had witnessed the scandal that Three Swords Academy had caused before.
They had been discussing whether Gunan Academy was behind it.
Now that the two were directly pitted against each other, wouldn't this provide them with a spectacle?
The contestant for Arena Two flew onto the stage using his sword.
Coincidentally, Yan Jiaojiao and her group had seen this person before.
He was one of the disciples from Three Swords Academy who had glared maliciously at Yan Jiaojiao on the street earlier.
Yan Jiaojiao bowed respectfully. The other party gave a disdainful smile and bowed in return.
As soon as the referee's voice announced "Begin," everyone's vision was momentarily blurred.
A dazzling, blinding yellow light instantly bewildered everyone.