A green light shimmered at my fingertips.
A phantom blue lotus silently coalesced, its petals trembling slightly.
Call out!
The lotus petal instantly transformed into an extremely condensed sword aura, slicing through the air and leaving only a faint ripple in space that vanished in an instant.
It's done!
This move, "Lotus in Motion," is more powerful and more concealed than before the seclusion.
A night of intensive practice passed quickly.
The special state of enlightenment from the [Tournament Champion's Blessing] slowly receded like the tide, and the clarity in my mind faded somewhat.
Xiao Han opened his eyes.
It's a pity that he couldn't advance further in his cultivation level, but it was also within expectations.
However, the consolidation and enlightenment gained that night were immensely rewarding.
His actual combat strength has taken another solid step forward.
In particular, the newly mastered [Shadow Avatar], although only at a preliminary level, combined with other improved martial arts skills, adds another trump card to his deck.
Now, facing his previous opponents again, Xiao Han is confident that he will win more easily.
He stood up, his bones crackling softly.
I walked to the window and pushed it open.
The morning sun was shining brightly, its warmth washing over the courtyard and dispelling the last vestiges of chill from the night.
A new day has begun.
In the distance, from the direction of the central area of the university, faint sounds of commotion could be heard.
The Academy Grand Competition is finally here.
In the past few days, the atmosphere in all the Imperial Capital Academy has become very lively.
The area around the central training ground had been newly decorated, with colorful flags fluttering in the wind, and a huge light screen suspended in mid-air, displaying exciting moments from previous competitions and the rules of this year's competition.
Countless young students, their faces filled with excitement, anticipation, nervousness, and other emotions, flocked to the registration point from all directions.
"Have you heard? Luo Bing from Zero Class is said to be in seclusion this year, attempting to the Sixth Level of the Martial Master Realm, determined to avenge her previous defeat!"
"What's Luo Bing compared to those in the Core Sequence? They're the real monsters! Especially the top three, they're said to all have the combat power of Great Martial Master!"
"And there's Xiao Han! The freshman who knocked Luo Bing out with one punch! I wonder how he'll perform this time?"
"Him? He was lucky, I heard he later challenged Shi Lei, who was in the Core Sequence, and won by a narrow margin. I guess that's about it."
"Hard to say, this guy is very mysterious..."
Various discussions and speculations abounded, with everyone discussing their favorite to win the championship.
Xiao Han listened to the faint commotion coming from afar, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Luo Bing? Shi Lei? Core Sequence?
His gaze had long since transcended these so-called "geniuses".
This competition is not only a test of his cultivation achievements during this period, but also a stage for him to truly make a name for himself in the Imperial Capital Academy, acquire more resources, and gain a firm foothold.
[Tournament Champion's Blessing], [Shadow Avatar], plus his own dual SSS+ Martial Souls and numerous fortuitous encounters that brought him hidden advantages...
He was eagerly anticipating the expressions on the faces of those so-called "hot" players when all their cards were revealed.
Feeling the surging power within him and the faint "blessing" that was supporting him, Xiao Han's eyes shone with confidence.
The annual grand event for the Imperial Capital Academy — the Academy Grand Competition —has finally begun amidst great anticipation.
On this day, the usually deserted central training ground was surprisingly crowded.
The high viewing platform was packed with people, a dense, dark mass.
It wasn't just the teachers and students from the academy; there were also representatives from major powers and members of martial arts families who had come from all over the Dragon Nation, as well as many journalists carrying cameras and microphones. The flashes of the cameras never stopped, recording this celebration of young geniuses.
Above the training ground, several huge energy screens floated, playing a loop of the exciting scenes from past competitions and the detailed rules for this one.
The air was thick with restlessness, a tension between excitement and nervousness, as countless young and passionate gazes converged on the high platform in the center of the venue.
The opening ceremony was short, but grand enough.
The academy's elderly principal, with his white hair and beard, made a personal appearance. His voice, though not loud, carried clearly throughout the hall. He spoke of the academy's glorious history and emphasized what the competition meant for each student—it wasn't just about who had the strongest fist, but also a ladder to climb higher.
Then, a senior academic official stepped forward and announced the prizes for the competition in a loud and clear voice—and those were truly substantial prizes!
Those who rank at the top will gain access to higher levels of the Star Pavilion! Inside are high-level cultivation techniques and martial arts skills that countless people dream of!
There's an even greater chance of obtaining a spot in a special secret realm trial controlled by the academy—a true meteoric rise!
The one who stands out the most might even be promoted exceptionally and directly given the position of a prospective mentor!
"Whoosh--!"
Each award presented elicited a deafening roar of cheers and shouts from the crowd.
Countless young trainees had their eyes burning with ambition, eager to rush onto the stage, defeat everyone else, and prove that they were the best.
Of course, all eyes were still on Zero Class, especially on the ten students in the Core Sequence.
They were touted as the top seeds in this competition and the biggest favorites to win the championship.
At this moment, they stood at the very front of the line, enjoying the spotlight. The subtle yet palpable pressure emanating from them made the ordinary students around them subconsciously hold their breath.
Xiao Han stood in the Core Sequence group, his position inconspicuous, yet he still attracted countless inquisitive, curious, and even questioning glances.
"Look! That's Xiao Han! The freshman who knocked Luo Bing out with a single punch right after entering school!"
"I heard he later challenged Shi Lei and won with considerable difficulty. I wonder how far he can go in this competition?"
"Double SSS+ Martial Souls... that's truly enviable, but their cultivation level is only at the Third Level of the Martial Master Realm, right? They're at the bottom of the Core Sequence."
"Hmph, just luck. He'll definitely show his true colors when he encounters a real powerhouse!"
A cacophony of voices surged forth, some expressing amazement, others envy, and still others undisguised sourness. Xiao Han seemed oblivious to it all, his expression calm as he surveyed the bustling crowd around him with a detached gaze.
He could clearly feel the power of the [Tournament Champion's Blessing] flowing slowly through his body, making his senses sharper than ever before, and bringing him to his peak condition.
Suddenly, he felt a cold gaze fall upon him. Following his senses, he looked up and met a pair of icy blue eyes as clear as autumn water.
Su Linglong!
Today, she wore a simple, moon-white martial arts uniform that accentuated her slender and alluring figure. Her stunningly beautiful face was as pure and aloof as snow, and her noble demeanor, like a phoenix blooming in the snow, instantly attracted the attention of at least half of the audience.
This former top school beauty of Beihai City is now a prominent figure at the Imperial Capital Academy. As the owner of the SSS-level Extreme Ice Phoenix Martial Soul, she is formidable and one of the favorites to win the championship.
At that moment, she seemed to be searching for something in the crowd. When her eyes briefly met Xiao Han's, a barely perceptible ripple flashed in her cool eyes. She was slightly startled, then quickly looked away as if burned. A very faint blush appeared on her beautiful cheeks, so quickly that it was almost an illusion.
Xiao Han raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. It seemed that the "accidental" kiss from last time had left a deep mark on this aloof school beauty.
Not far away, the other members of the Core Sequence were also attracting attention.