Tianlan Magic High School.
Every class was broadcasting the National Mansion War.
"See that? Your senior, Jiang Yuan, is the China National Team Captain! He is the number one genius Mage of China's younger generation, and after the National Mansion War, he will definitely become the number one genius Mage in the world!!" Xue Musheng introduced Jiang Yuan on the TV with immense pride.
He had no idea how many times he had repeated this speech.
Xue Musheng never tired of saying it, and the students never tired of hearing it.
Every one of them admired Jiang Yuan immensely.
At this moment, the camera swept across the China National Team.
Mo Fan's big face appeared, and Xue Musheng immediately said, "Your senior, Mo Fan, is also a member of the National College Team. He was also a prominent figure in our school back then, but he was still a bit behind your senior, Jiang Yuan. Of course, Mo Fan is a genius wherever he goes, just slightly less so compared to Jiang Yuan."
"You all should learn from your two seniors, get into Mingzhu Academy in the future, and then join the National College Team to bring glory to our country!"
"If your performance in the next assessment is good, then I, your teacher, will invite both seniors to personally guide your cultivation after the World Academy Tournament ends!!"
"Oh!!!!"
Cheers erupted in the classroom.
… … …
At the competition venue.
"Is that the China National Team Captain, Jiang Yuan?"
"I heard he killed a Monarch-Level Undead in Egypt. He's probably the strongest contestant in this tournament."
"Heh, who knows? China ranked so low in the last tournament and has long been controversial internationally. Maybe China is just trying to build momentum for their captain, which is why there's such news?"
"Possibly, but his strength is definitely very formidable, and he's an opponent worth paying close attention to."
"."
The discussions about Jiang Yuan on the field quickly turned to the Egypt incident.
Many people didn't believe that Jiang Yuan could kill a Monarch-Level Undead by himself.
That was a terrifying Undead that only a team of Super-Order Mages could handle. If Jiang Yuan solved it by himself, wouldn't that mean he could win the championship alone?
Therefore, under the guidance of interested parties, the rumors about the Egypt incident gradually turned into something China fabricated to create momentum.
The incident was certainly real, but whether Jiang Yuan killed it alone was highly questionable.
On the stage, all the captains had finished drawing lots.
The opponents for the first round of the competition were determined.
"Old Jiang, which National College Team is our opponent for the first round?" Mo Fan stepped forward and asked.
"You guys take a look."
Jiang Yuan revealed the draw results.
The first-round opponent was Canada.
"Canada? That follower who trails behind America?" Mo Fan laughed. Dealing with a small follower was as simple as stepping on an ant.
"The opponent in the first round is generally weak, so Jiang Yuan, you don't need to go on stage yet. You can go on stage during the treasure hunt and the third round of the competition. For the first round, let Ai Jiangtu, Mo Fan, Mu Ningjiao, Mu Ningxue, and Guan Yu go on stage. What do you think?" Instructor Feng Li said.
"Alright, let's do that."
Jiang Yuan agreed. After all, it was Canada, whose ranking among the thirty-two teams was not high. Mo Fan and the others could easily handle them.
The first round of the competition was held at the Toronto Magic Arena. The opening match was China versus Canada, and the audience seats were packed.
The Magic Arena was very large, arranged by specially invited field masters, and the simulation of a wild environment was quickly completed.
In such an environment, there was no bias towards either side, allowing both to fully utilize their strength, and also letting the audience enjoy the show.
"The competition is about to begin! National College Team contestants, please take your positions!" the referee shouted.
The China Team and the Canada Team entered the arena one after another.
The cheers from all around reached their peak.
Both teams gathered to discuss tactics, and after everything was ready, they signaled to the referee.
The referee received the signal, flew to the highest point of the arena, and his voice boomed: "Both teams are ready! Salute cannons ready!"
"Bang!"
The first salute cannon fired, golden petals scattered in the sky. The cannon fire was a countdown. When the central salute cannon boomed and dreamy, ethereal water fireworks bloomed in the sky, it would be the official start of the opening match!!
… … …
"Bang!!!!!!!"
A huge sound erupted overhead, and dreamy, water-gold fireworks bloomed in the sky.
The battle was about to begin!
Due to the considerable distance, the two teams did not meet immediately.
Ai Jiangtu gazed intently in the direction of the Canada Team and reminded them, "Be careful of traps. There might be Curse-Type and Poison-Type Mages in their team. You need to pay special attention to whether there are toxins in the air or surrounding objects. Don't get ambushed by them. I'll handle the Curse-Type."
"Wind Barrier." Mu Ningxue softly released her Wind Magic.
A gentle breeze rotated around everyone, forming a thin barrier of wind. Should any unexpected situation arise, the barrier could accelerate its rotation to isolate toxins in the air.
"Let's enter the jungle ahead. Remember to constantly keep an eye on your teammates' positions and don't let yourselves get isolated. Don't underestimate the Canada Team's strength; if they manage to ambush someone, even the America Team could be overturned," Ai Jiangtu reminded them again.
"Mo Fan, don't charge in recklessly like a brute later," Guan Yu said to Mo Fan, who was beside him.
"Am I that kind of person? I possess the same extreme calmness as Old Jiang!" Mo Fan showed his big white teeth and laughed.
"If you don't listen to the Vice Captain's command, I'll use ice to make your extreme calmness even calmer," Mu Ningxue said coldly.
"Got it, got it, I'll definitely listen to commands!"
Mo Fan nodded repeatedly.
His great wife had spoken, so he had no choice but to listen!
"Alright, prepare to enter the jungle," Ai Jiangtu said.
Everyone nodded and then stepped into the jungle in front of them. The Canada Team on the other side also entered.
In the stands, Jiang Yuan and a group of instructors sat together watching the match. The Canada Team's strength was mediocre; they could only get some scraps by following the America Team and were not a team worth paying attention to.
The progress was smooth so far. Ai Jiangtu and the others were handling the Canada Team with ease.
They would achieve victory in no time.
"Jiang Yuan, do you know that your name is already on the Forbidden Curse Seed list?" Feng Li asked quietly.
"I didn't know," Jiang Yuan shook his head.
Although he didn't know, he could roughly guess from General Hua Jun's previous promise that he already had a name among China's higher-ups.
"You didn't know… It's alright, it's not something that can't be said. This matter is only known to a small number of people, and so far, no one has objected to the legitimacy of your name on the list," Feng Li said with a smile.
He continued, "You have so many Magic Elements that have reached High-Level. Relying on the star sea heavenly vein alone can at most raise two Magic Elements to Super-Level. I heard that after the tournament ends, the National Government treasury will be opened specifically for you. At that time, for however many Elements you have, the natural treasures inside will allow you to break through to Super-Level!"