Freshman Competition

Having finished a night of cultivation, Xue Xiao Ran got out of bed feeling refreshed.

Yesterday, he and Nana Senior Sister had discussed some information about the Youth Soul Master Competition, but it was still too far off for Xue Xiao Ran at present.

Only two months had passed since the new term began. The anticipation for their new lives had vanished from all the freshmen, replaced by frustration over homework.

He did not know about Class A, but the Homeroom Teachers of the later classes had started emphasizing teamwork. Besides homework, their daily task was group combat.

But Gu Tian Yuan did not see it that way.

"Every one of you in Class A is a chosen genius. Other than those from the Support System and Food System, every one of you should be capable of taking on three opponents alone. If you can't, then get out of Class A."

"In one week, the entire first-year cohort will hold a team competition. Three people will participate per team, but my requirement for you is to enter this competition in your own names."

His narrowed eyes opened slightly, and a trace of fervor flashed within them.

"Geniuses should trample others beneath their feet as they advance. If you can't defeat the three-person teams from the other classes, then don't bother coming to class."

"One week. Fight alone, and train your real combat skills properly!"

That was what Gu Tian Yuan had said in class yesterday.

It had struck precisely at the pride of the students led by Xiao Hong Chen.

If they called themselves geniuses, what was so difficult about fighting one against three?

Xue Xiao Ran glanced at Nangong Ling, who was still asleep, then quickly left the dormitory and began his morning run.

He maintained a steady pace while circulating the Mysterious Heaven Skill. A faint violet gleam flickered in his eyes. Training three different skills at once had long become routine for Xue Xiao Ran.

A three-person team battle? Interesting.

Xue Xiao Ran saw the large poster, his expression unchanged. He wiped his face with a towel before entering the Canteen.

From afar, he could see Xiao Hong Chen and Meng Hong Chen, the brother and sister, sharing breakfast in a secluded corner.

He had no intention of going over to chat. This year, everyone in Class A was a competitor. Xue Xiao Ran could not be bothered to curry favor with a proud little brat who had not changed at all.

Xiao Hong Chen caught sight of Xue Xiao Ran from the corner of his eye but did not speak. Meng Hong Chen, however, nodded and offered Xue Xiao Ran a gentle smile.

Seeing Xiao Hong Chen's displeased expression, Xue Xiao Ran returned Meng Hong Chen's smile with an easy, carefree grin.

Meng Hong Chen's cheeks reddened slightly, and a trace of shyness flashed through her eyes. She had not expected him to look so good when he smiled.

Smack!

Xiao Hong Chen slammed his hand on the table, veins bulging as he glared furiously at Xue Xiao Ran. Xue Xiao Ran was actually seducing his little sister in public. This was utterly intolerable.

Xue Xiao Ran gave a chuckle, and Xiao Hong Chen's expression grew darker and darker.

What boring pride. Xue Xiao Ran snorted inwardly and began eating quickly.

His Soul Power Level had already risen from level twenty-five to level twenty-six. His progress was still steady. The Ice Empress seemed to have been cultivating recently and had not spoken to him.

Without having to deal with a tsundere, Xue Xiao Ran was more than happy to enjoy the peace.

Most of Gu Tian Yuan's classes covered theoretical knowledge. He often walked out halfway through class and sarcastically mocked the students from other classes training feverishly on the field, leaving them gritting their teeth in hatred.

And, incidentally, hating Class A as well.

After finishing his meal, Xue Xiao Ran wiped his mouth and headed briskly toward the classroom.

Perhaps Gu Tian Yuan was using this method to find them enemies.

Xue Xiao Ran had no objections to that. He even found it quite exciting.

After being stifled in the God Realm for so long, he found everything interesting.

"Xue Xiao Ran, what did I just say?"

Gu Tian Yuan's calm voice rang out, and only then did Xue Xiao Ran realize that he had been daydreaming in class.

"Teacher Gu was explaining the matters requiring attention for the Freshman Competition."

"That was what I said five minutes ago." Gu Tian Yuan lightly tapped Xue Xiao Ran on the head with a book. "The competition is about to begin. Stop spacing out."

"Yes."

Xue Xiao Ran answered immediately.

Gu Tian Yuan made a round before returning to the podium. Narrowing his eyes, he patted the lectern. "That is the situation of the competition. Because our class is special, there's no need for that gimmick of forming three-person teams. We have twenty students, which means we have twenty teams. Understand?"

"Understood!"

All the students in Class A answered loudly, their voices full of confidence.

Only a few Support System Soul Masters looked somewhat bitter, but Gu Tian Yuan allowed them to borrow Soul Tools from the Soul Tool Department for battle. At the very least, that gave them the ability to fight.

Seeing the confidence on his students' faces, Gu Tian Yuan nodded with satisfaction, the corners of his mouth curving upward.

Among this batch of seedlings, how many would join the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's team and represent the academy in the Youth Soul Master Competition?

It would depend on who had the qualifications.

Xue Xiao Ran smiled faintly and lowered his gaze to his book. Battles also meant opportunities and training. They were the fastest way to improve Soul Power.

It was time to use One Night Cold Rain and Hundred Flowers Chaotic Dance as well.

Light bloomed in Xiao Hong Chen's eyes as he clenched his fist tightly, displaying his determination to win.

"The top ten will become key training targets of the Martial Soul Department. In the future, whatever resources or Soul Tools you want, the academy will prioritize the top ten."

"I hope all ten of those spots belong to our class. Did you hear me?"

Gu Tian Yuan shouted.

"Heard!"

"The top three will receive not only high-grade Soul Tools, but also a Soul Bone." Gu Tian Yuan slowly drew out his words. "I heard that Soul Bone was obtained after the dean personally killed a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. What part it comes from remains a secret for now."

The moment the students heard the words "Soul Bone," their breathing quickened. Even Xiao Hong Chen and Meng Hong Chen's eyes revealed a glint of astonishment.

Soul Bones were truly something one could only hope to encounter, never seek out. Priceless and unavailable was the most fitting way to describe them. A Soul Bone could cost tens of millions at the least and hundreds of millions at the most. Unless one was a powerful magnate or royalty, the chance of buying one was virtually zero.

"My requirement is simple. Don't disgrace Class A."

Seeing that his words had achieved their effect, Gu Tian Yuan nodded in satisfaction and left the classroom with narrowed eyes.

"Class dismissed."

Xue Xiao Ran put his book into his ring. Just as he stood up, someone appeared before him.

"Xue Xiao Ran, how about we compete?" Xiao Hong Chen raised his head, his voice carrying a trace of arrogance.

Xue Xiao Ran glanced at Xiao Hong Chen. "Compete in what? How?"

"Let's see who will be first in this year's Freshman Competition. Are you in?"

Looking at the utterly confident Xiao Hong Chen, Xue Xiao Ran felt somewhat annoyed. Was this little brat really so sure he could fight his way to the finals?

"Brother!" Meng Hong Chen called out indignantly from the side.

Xiao Hong Chen's gaze did not waver. Clearly, he had made up his mind this time.

"Then as you wish. Let's see who takes first place this time."

Xue Xiao Ran spoke calmly, then strode out of the classroom.

Leaving everyone with a straight-backed figure.

Those who truly possessed confidence and pride would not act like Xiao Hong Chen, putting on an attitude every day as though he were the greatest in the world and everyone else was beneath him. Those who were truly proud would hide it all in their hearts, waiting for the right moment to show everyone how a proud person looked down upon all others.