Pre-Battle Preparations

"First possibility: the Heavenly Principle Cult's target is an important figure in our Lin City—the Guardian Lord."

"On that front, the Guardian Lord has used himself as bait, setting up an inescapable net, just waiting for the Heavenly Principle Cult to walk right into it."

"As for the second possibility, we suspect the Heavenly Principle Cult has its eye on some kind of treasure."

"Based on that guess, we've gathered all the treasures together and hidden quite a few experts nearby, planning to catch the Heavenly Principle Cult off guard."

"And the third possibility—we suspect the Heavenly Principle Cult is targeting the Lin City Prodigies."

"If they wipe out the Lin City Prodigies, before long, our Lin City will fall into a state of generational gap."

"To address this, the Guardian Lord wants you to lead the team, gather the Lin City Prodigies together, and set up a trap of our own to hunt the Heavenly Principle Cult."

The Principal laid out the plan they'd discussed, then looked at Lu Chuan with eager anticipation.

Lu Chuan didn't rush to agree. Instead, he asked, "Where are the experts coming from to ambush the Heavenly Principle Cult?"

"As far as I know, the Guardian Lord is the strongest person in Lin City. If even he's being used as bait, I really can't think of anyone else in our city who could set up an ambush for the Heavenly Principle Cult."

"Of course, Lin City doesn't have that kind of strength."

The Principal explained with a smile, "But a while back, the Guardian Lord requested reinforcements from above."

"After some deliberation, the higher-ups decided to send one of the Four Great Academies—Azure Dragon Academy—to support us."

"With Azure Dragon Academy here, the Heavenly Principle Cult is nothing to worry about!"

Azure Dragon Academy!

Hearing those four words, a flicker of shock crossed Lu Chuan's eyes.

He hadn't expected that Azure Dragon Academy, one of the Four Great Academies, would actually come to Lin City's aid.

"If Azure Dragon Academy is willing to help, then I have no objections. I'll take on the bait mission."

Lu Chuan didn't hesitate any longer and agreed outright.

"Good!"

Hearing this, the Principal's face lit up with joy. "If you perform well this time and catch Azure Dragon Academy's eye, getting a special recruitment from them, your future prospects will be limitless!"

"Even if you don't get specially recruited by Azure Dragon Academy, as long as your performance satisfies them, they might recommend you to one of the Ten Top Academies."

Dragon Kingdom had plenty of Martial Arts Universities, which could be roughly divided into five tiers.

Third-Rate Universities, Second-Rate Universities, First-Rate Universities, the Ten Top Academies, and the lofty Four Great Academies.

The Four Great Academies went without saying—anyone who entered them would at least become a Ninth Rank expert in the future!

That's right, the graduation requirement for the Four Great Academies was breaking through to Ninth Rank!

As for the Ten Top Academies, though they couldn't compare to the Four Great Academies, their teaching staff and resources were still far beyond what other Martial Arts Universities could offer.

In the entire history of Lin City, no student had ever been admitted to the Ten Top Academies.

If Lu Chuan could get specially recruited by one of the Ten Top Academies, it would bring glory to his ancestors and break the record.

"Principal, when does the plan go into effect?" Lu Chuan asked.

"Tomorrow!"

The Principal explained, "This afternoon, the Guardian Lord will use the excuse of boosting students' college entrance exam scores to form an Elite Class."

"The Elite Class will select the prodigies from the three Martial Arts High Schools, gather them together, and have experts specially train them."

"At that time, you'll be part of the first batch of students in the Elite Class and head to the training location."

"Understood."

Lu Chuan nodded, then asked, "There's one thing I don't get. With so many talented students in the three Martial Arts High Schools, why do you need me to lead the team?"

"After all, I'm only Second Rank."

Hearing this, the Principal gave Lu Chuan a strange look. "What makes you think you're weak?"

"Come on, aside from you, the strongest in the three high schools is only Second Rank too."

"And you—not only have you trained to Second Rank, but your combat strength is formidable. Even against a Third Rank Zombie Puppet, you hold your own."

"If you're not the leader, who else could it be?"

Lu Chuan blinked. Was he really that impressive?

But thinking it over, it made sense.

Lin City was, after all, just a border town with a small population and even fewer geniuses.

The so-called prodigies of Lin City, if placed in a city-level Martial Arts High School, wouldn't even stand out—they'd be nothing more than average students.

As for the provincial high schools, where geniuses were a dime a dozen, Lin City's talents weren't even qualified to attend.

"Alright, enough of that. Get yourself ready and don't mess this up."

"Making you the leader is also so you can look after the other students a bit," the Principal advised.

Lu Chuan suddenly felt the weight of pressure. He chugged a big gulp of Vegetable Juice, then started shaking violently.

Principal: ???

Is the pressure too much? Has he gone mad?

"Ahem, don't let the pressure get to you. Your teachers have everything handled. Besides, with the Azure Dragon Academy's experts present, nothing unexpected will happen."

"Alright, eat your meal first. I'll take my leave now."

The next day, early morning.

Led by Song Qing, eight high school students from Third Middle School, including Lu Chuan, who had been selected for the Elite Class, made their way in a grand procession to Thunderclap Martial Hall.

Thunderclap Martial Hall was a well-known training hall within Lin City. Its master was a Fourth-Rank Expert, possessing formidable strength.

On ordinary days, disciples came and went in an endless stream, creating a scene of bustling prosperity.

Today, however, Thunderclap Martial Hall was almost deserted.

Not only were there no disciples present, but even the hall's instructors had all failed to show up.

The reason was that the city lord had requisitioned this hall to serve as the training venue for the Elite Class.

In exchange for generous compensation, the Thunderclap Hall Master had thumped his chest and declared his full support for the city lord's decision.

Inside Thunderclap Martial Hall.

Seeing Song Qing and the others arrive, the Elite Class's martial arts instructor, Lin Zhen, clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention.

"Everyone, quiet down."

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Lin Zhen, and I am your martial arts instructor. Until the college entrance exams, I will be responsible for your training."

"Here, let me give you all a word of warning."

"Don't think that just because you've been selected for the Elite Class, you're automatically above others."

"To put it bluntly, compared to true geniuses, you're still far off!"

"Alright, next we'll select a class monitor. Anyone volunteer?"

Listening to Lin Zhen's words and observing the expressions of his classmates around him, Lu Chuan furrowed his brow.

It seemed they had no idea what the true purpose of this Elite Class was.

Then again, for something as important as ambushing the Heavenly Principle Cult, the fewer people who knew, the better.

"Lu Chuan, aren't you going to compete for class monitor?"

Just as Lu Chuan was lost in thought, Lin Xuan walked over, stood beside him, and asked in a low voice.

"No, there's no need."

Lu Chuan shook his head. With the Heavenly Principle Cult lurking like a tiger watching its prey, he had no leisure to meddle in such matters.

"Since you're not going up, then I will."

As Lin Xuan spoke, he cast his gaze toward a student from another class, his eyes blazing with intense fighting spirit.

Clearly, there was some history between the two.