Disperse immediately!
This was undoubtedly devastating news for those at the Gennan Academy!
The only reason they were willing to stay was because they knew Gennan Academy was not only their second home, but also that the academy needed them.
Without the protection of Master Xuan Chen, the highest cultivation realm in Gennan Academy now was only a few sect leaders. While they were all Blue-tier experts, formidable existences on the Boundless Continent, the severe injuries sustained from the previous encounter with Aruoxi would require a long time for the sect leaders to recover.
With the absence of a Violet-tier Master, if someone were to provoke them, Gennan Academy would likely be disgraced.
The remaining disciples quietly guarded the last vestiges of Gennan Academy's glory.
But they all understood that if the Academy Grand Competition truly began, the internal problems of Gennan Academy would inevitably be exposed.
"Damn it! These academies are clearly doing this on purpose! They're taking advantage of our weakness!"
"More than taking advantage! They're outright robbing us! They want our academy to disappear forever!"
Gennan Academy had stood at the pinnacle of all academies for too long. Whether it was due to sheer inability to match their strength or an innate fear of Violet-tier experts, the academies below had never dared to challenge them. In any case, no one held good feelings towards Gennan Academy.
And this time, Yan Jiaojiao's prediction had come true. After the news spread, other academies gathered, intending to strike while Gennan Academy was down and eliminate the academy entirely, taking advantage of its lack of top experts.
If Gennan Academy finished last in this Academy Grand Competition, then the Boundless Continent would no longer know of Gennan Academy.
The disciples who had harbored a sliver of hope now wore ashen faces.
They had once been full of confidence, believing they could uphold Gennan Academy's prestige, but now they felt a sense of helplessness.
The sect leaders, facing the disciples' despair, could do little: "Everyone knows the rules of the Academy Grand Competition; a minimum of twenty participants are required. In the past, before the Academy Grand Competition, we would select participants through internal competitions. Now, as you can see, the academy has suffered such severe damage. The Academy Grand Competition might become the last straw that breaks the camel's back..."
"But regardless, you are all disciples of Gennan Academy. If anyone wishes to leave, we will still provide compensation."
Luo Guiyuan's words clearly indicated his intention not to participate in the Academy Grand Competition.
"Sect Leader!" Jiang Yiling stepped forward: "I am willing to participate in the Academy Grand Competition. Please, Sect Leader, do not give up!"
Jiang Yiling's cultivation was considered among the best of the disciples. His stepping forward brought a flicker of hope, but considering the number of participants required and Jiang Yiling himself still recovering from severe injuries, the disciples' spirits once again sank.
It wasn't that they were unwilling to step forward; it was just that a competition like the Academy Grand Competition was far more serious than an entrance exam.
If they overestimated themselves, they would not only lose their lives in vain but also occupy a precious spot, putting Gennan Academy at a disadvantage. The final team battle would undoubtedly be a loss.
The Academy Grand Competition consisted of three rounds. If the third round, the team battle, could not be fought, it meant that the preceding two rounds must be won.
However, lacking individual strength made it impossible to win matches, creating a vicious cycle.
Yan Jiaojiao scanned everyone's expressions and asked Wei Congling, "We have so many disciples, can't we gather twenty people to compete?"
Wei Congling gave a wry smile and said, "In normal years, the Academy Grand Competition selects the top ten from each school to compete, and then the top thirty are chosen to participate. Twenty are main team members, and the remaining ten serve as reserves to fill in should any accidents occur."
Yan Jiaojiao nodded, finding the rule reasonable.
"With so many disciples, finding thirty shouldn't be difficult, right?"
Wei Congling knew Yan Jiaojiao had been confined to bed and that she had only been told a partial truth. Others, to spare her worry while she recuperated, had hidden some facts.
"You don't know, but most of the disciples with higher cultivation levels have actually withdrawn from the academy. Haven't you noticed that most of the disciples here are younger?"
Yan Jiaojiao had not noticed this.
After all, Yan Jiaojiao hadn't spent much time at the academy, and she had been expelled for half a year. She wasn't close to the academy disciples to begin with, and now she might not even recognize them if she passed them on the street.
She swept her gaze around, finally understanding why Wei Congling had been so fearful earlier.
"Among the current disciples, the highest cultivation level belongs to Senior Brother Jiang Yiling. To participate in the Grand Competition and have a chance of winning, one must at least be at Orange Tier Level 8."
"And that's under the most favorable circumstances."
"Orange Tier Level 8 can at best participate; victory or defeat depends on fate. To avoid coming in last, among the twenty participants, at least ten must be Yellow Tier Level 5."
Yan Jiaojiao: "..."
No wonder even the sect leader was considering giving up. Gennan Academy had cultivated so many excellent disciples, but after Aruoxi's awakening, fearing it would jeopardize their own futures, they had all withdrawn from the academy.
Conversely, the younger disciples of Yan Jiaojiao's cohort and those preceding her, still brimming with passion, had not chosen to leave.
But these disciples only had their passion.
Wei Congling, with decent talent, was only at Orange Tier now. It would take at least another half a year to reach Yellow Tier.
In such a short time, they couldn't possibly gather enough disciples with high cultivation levels who were willing to fight for Gennan Academy's honor.
Luo Guiyuan likely understood this and felt pity for these young seedlings, which was why he hadn't brought up selecting participants at all.
After recounting these facts, Wei Congling looked even more dejected, slumping beside Yan Jiaojiao as if she had lost her soul.
"It's not that bad. Don't be too upset," Yan Jiaojiao patted Wei Congling's shoulder, offering words of comfort.
"So, you mean to say, Yan Jiaojiao, you have a solution?"
Behind the two, Yan Ruxue suddenly called out in a sharp voice.
Everyone's attention was drawn to them.
Yan Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow, turned to look, and Yan Ruxue smiled at her, her voice growing louder: "No one wants Gennan Academy to disband. I believe you don't want that either, Jiaojiao? If that's the case, don't hide your methods if you have any."
"If you can truly propose a solution, all the disciples of Gennan Academy will be grateful to you."
"Oh, right. I recall your cultivation is quite high, Jiaojiao. After all, you could even stand against that demoness. So, Jiaojiao, will you participate?"
Yan Ruxue had been driven to her wit's end by others recently. Yan Jiaojiao's name was everywhere, and Yan Jiaojiao had become Gennan Academy's savior overnight, while she was ignored, like an abandoned child.
She had been cultivated as a genius by the Yan family since childhood and refused to accept this outcome.
Yan Jiaojiao wants to be a savior?
Then she would let her be the savior!
"Our Jiaojiao is so capable, she'll surely lead the academy to first place, right?"