At last, the bell for the finals rang amid an atmosphere of extreme oppression.
The vast arena was packed to the brim, yet the air was so heavy it seemed possible to wring water from it.
All the injustices of yesterday's Quarterfinals weighed like massive boulders upon the hearts of every commoner student.
The rules had indeed changed. The central computer would randomly draw lots to determine the order of challenges and who would be challenged.
This seemingly fair adjustment appeared utterly feeble before the overwhelming numerical advantage of the Power Elites.
Lu Jue stood in a corner of the waiting area. The children of the Power Elites and their hangers-on gathered in twos and threes around him, laughing and chatting, their gazes occasionally sweeping his way with undisguised glee at his misfortune.
They tried to find even the slightest trace of panic or wavering on Lu Jue's face.
Yet Lu Jue merely stood there in silence, straight as a pine, his expression utterly blank. There was neither the embarrassment of being watched nor anger in the face of provocation.
Soon, the enormous electronic display began flashing. The first name drawn belonged, remarkably, to a well-known young Power Elite with the surname Li.
His strength was considered near the bottom among the finalists, and his advancement had already been steeped in controversy.
The man strolled onto the stage at an unhurried pace. Not a shred of tension showed on his face; instead, he carried the composure of someone who had long been prepared.
His gaze swept across the area occupied by the commoner students before he announced loudly, "I challenge Zhang Ming!"
Zhang Ming was likewise one of the core members of the Power Elite circle, his strength evenly matched with Li Wei's.
The outcome held no suspense.
The two