"Where did all these monsters come from?!" Jin Hao, the one who asked and lowest-ranked of the top five from No. 3 High, exclaimed in disbelief. "I already thought Ouyang Feng was a formidable challenge, but now there are two more who seem even more powerful than him!"
"Indeed, it seems like wave of great era should be coming up soon!" said Lin Mei, another top student.
At that moment, a burly, fierce-looking young man spoke up, his voice carrying a note of disdain. "You're worrying too much. Adding one or two people won't shift the outcome of this competition. What we really need to focus on is No. 1 High. Their team is exceptionally powerful and deserves our full attention. Isn't that right, Sister Yue?"
The burly young man was Xiang Wei, the second-ranked student of No. 3 High. The top spot, as he indicated, belonged to Yue Lian, his 'Sister Yue,' a formidable female practitioner known for her rivalry with the City Lord's daughter, Ye Ruxue.
Yue Lian responded with a cold nod. "Indeed."
At the same time, in the lounge of No. 5 High, there were also more than four elite students sitting cross-legged. Each of them carried a powerful aura and possessed a strong cultivation base. Electricity seemed to crackle through their eyes. However, they were not training. Instead, they were discussing something.
"Chu Yan! How dare he insult our school like this! I'll show him how he'll regret crossing us on the stage!" one of the No. 5 High students roared, their voice filled with fury.
"And Liu Wuxiang! Not only did he fail in his ambush, but he ended up unconscious instead!" another student from No. 5 High shouted, his anger barely contained.
The entire No. 5 High group seethed with rage. Chu Yan's actions had severely tarnished their school's reputation, and they were determined to make him pay for the humiliation they had endured.
At that moment, a student sneered quietly, "Let them revel in their moment of glory for now. I, Zhao Long, will be the one to crush No. 2 High and secure the final victory for myself."
Near the park within the Federation grounds, a robust figure reclined in a chair. The youth, appearing slightly older than his actual age of eighteen or nineteen, had a rugged, weathered face.
As he lay on the grass, the murmur of passing students reached his ears.
"I heard Liu Wuxiang was defeated by a student from No. 2 High."
"Really? That's surprising. He was so arrogant about our school. It's good to see him get knocked down a peg."
"Everyone's eager to challenge him. If he dares to step forward, there will definitely be someone ready to teach him a lesson."
"Chu Yan, huh? No. 2 High has produced such a talent? Fascinating!" The muscular figure rose to his feet, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Looks like this year's competition is going to be far more interesting than I anticipated!"
With that, he swiftly disappeared down the path, eager to witness the unfolding events.
At that moment, Chu Yan was unaware of the stir he had caused among the experts from various schools. All eyes were on him, but even if he were aware, he would remain unfazed. If he couldn't handle such pressure, he would be better off abandoning martial arts and leading a normal life.
Chu Yunfan arrived at the designated zone for No. 2 High, as assigned by the Federation. Several students were already present, attending to their various tasks. Upon seeing Chu Yan, they all nodded in acknowledgment and greeted him warmly.
After Chu Yan returned their greetings, he cast a sweeping glance over the crowd. While he noted that everyone had made some progress since a month ago, their advancements paled in comparison to the leaps made by himself and the other two. Their growth had far outstripped the others' efforts.
Such was often the nature of the world. It wasn't that others hadn't put in effort or were stagnant; rather, some individuals simply advanced more rapidly. Chu Yan, with his exceptional abilities and near-cheat-like prowess, was a prime example of this disparity.
As soon as Chu Yan and the other four settled into their seats, students from various schools began to arrive at their designated zones. The first to arrive were the students from No. 1 High, followed closely by those from No. 4 High, No. 3 High, and No. 7 High, among others. The arrival of each group brought a renewed sense of anticipation and excitement to the venue.
Not missing a beat, Chu Yan swiftly activated the panel's capabilities to assess the abilities of the new arrivals, scrutinizing their strengths and skills with keen interest.
"It looks like there are no students above B-level Upper Grade among them. Aside from Lin Chen, Ouyang Feng, and Mu Hai, the highest ranks are only B-level Lower Grade," Chu Yan reflected as he surveyed the crowd. His gaze was suddenly captured by a woman from No. 1 High, causing his heart to skip a beat.
Name : Ye Ruxue
Race : Human
Bloodline: Frostwhisper Six-Tailed Fox (Half-Awakening) [SS-Level]
Qualification : B (Lower Rank)
Realm : Fifth-Layer Martial Artist (Bone Hardening)
Training : Frostbound Body Refinement (Upper-grade)
Martial Arts : Basic Rapier Technique [Transformation] , Basic Movement Technique [Transformation] , Glacial Piercer's Elegance [Perfection], Tempest Stride [Perfection]
"Bloodline Warrior!"