The spacious conference room gradually filled with rising clamor.
Martial arts teachers from cities across the region no longer cared about keeping their voices down, discussing the matter anxiously.
At last, someone could not hold back any longer and demanded,
"Lu Jing, after the rules are changed, how will the rewards be calculated?"
As soon as those words were spoken, the discussion quieted somewhat.
The martial arts teachers all fixed their bright eyes on the short, stout figure at the center of the venue.
Previously, there had been no difference in rewards for the top ten of the New Talent Competition: five million Star Credits and one C-Rank Martial Art each.
They had brought their students here precisely to let them fight for a share of those resources.
"In a free-for-all format, there is only one winner. Naturally, all the rewards will belong to that winner."
Lu Jing grinned and said as though it were only natural,
"Whether it is first-years or second-years, the reward will be worth one hundred million Star Credits."
The hearts the martial arts teachers had been holding in suspense finally died. Looking at Lu Jing's gaping mouth, it seemed like a bloody maw.
Lu Jing's appetite was anything but small!
For a moment, public outrage boiled over.
"No, we don't agree!"
"That's right! All the promising seedlings are in Wuyi. You're trying to swallow all the rewards for yourselves!"
"Lu Jing, we're all on the same level. The rules of the New Talent Competition aren't yours to decide with a single word!"
"Everyone, don't get worked up. Aren't we here to discuss this?"
Lu Jing raised a hand in a calming gesture. His smile gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"Everyone, search your consciences. Even if the rules remain unchanged, can your students truly