Semi-Final: The First Battle

Before we knew it, it was time for the competition.

Baima Sports Stadium.

We're already in the semifinals; there will be fewer and fewer matches going forward, and the schedule will get shorter and shorter.

With the idea that each viewing is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we should cherish every moment we have.

Today, the stadium was packed with spectators, some of whom even bought standing tickets because they couldn't get seats.

When Luo Yan and his group arrived, they found all the stands packed with people, a dense, dark mass, as if the entire population of Jinge City had poured in.

The next stage of the competition.

In the semifinals, two teams will be selected from the four teams. These two teams will then compete against each other, and the winner will qualify to challenge Tiannan Academy for the championship.

The losing team automatically takes third place and receives the corresponding reward.

At this moment, in the stands, even before the match had started, the audience was already buzzing with discussion.

"The upcoming schedule is quite tight. This morning it's Lingchuan vs. Baizhan, and this afternoon it's Yujing vs. Yingtian."

"Yes, although the match between the Yujing Academy and Yingtian Academy should be very interesting, I'm also very interested in this morning's match."

"Who can argue with that? This competition has really boosted the reputation of the Hundred Battles Academy. They've made it all the way through the preliminary rounds and the qualifying rounds."

"Especially in the preliminary rounds, who could have imagined that a mid-to-lower-tier Academy would actually defeat Yishui Academy, and by a landslide? It was truly astonishing."

"Lingchuan Academy doesn't seem very strong. They don't even have any Advanced level among their second-year students."

"Do you think Advanced level are as common as cabbages, or do you believe that every Academy is like Tiannan Third Academy, with abundant resources that can easily produce Advanced level students?"

"Furthermore, Lingchuan Academy is quite special. I don't know if you've heard, but in Fengxin, where Lingchuan Academy is located, after the Giant Beast Calamity, a Forbidden Land is right next to their Undercity."

"I've heard about it. A great battle broke out back then, and I heard that many people died in Fengxin, and even the Que family was wiped out, leaving only one branch."

"The Que family's story is indeed tragic and worthy of respect."

"Enough said, look, both teams have taken to the field."

"Bai? He's out! Bai, give us a good performance today and show us another six-game winning streak!"

"Hey, is Luo Yan not using his ' City Crusher ' today?"

"Look, that's Que Tianji, the youngest son of the Que family."

"Liu Wangyue, I love you!"

When Luo Yan entered the venue, his ears were filled with the shouts of the audience. There were so many people shouting that he couldn't hear what they were saying.

But the audience's enthusiasm was palpable; the cheers and gazes were like waves of scorching summer heat.

Even before they went on stage, every student was already excited and thrilled.

"This morning, Lingchuan Academy played against the Hundred Battles Academy."

"According to the tournament's rules and regulations, the winner will compete against another opponent tomorrow for a place in the final."

"Therefore, I hope that both sides' students will perform well."

"Furthermore, regardless of winning or losing, the fact that you've come this far is already remarkable."

"Here, I suggest that everyone here give the students from both Academy a warm round of applause to encourage them to keep moving forward!"

Led by the host, thunderous applause erupted from the audience and lasted for a long time.

After a moment, the host gestured, and the audience stopped applauding.

"The competition will now officially begin."

Then, the referee stepped onto the stage. "The first match will be between the second-year students. Please invite the captains of both second-year teams to the stage."

Immediately, Liu Ruohan, Bai Qi, and Zhao Ping went up to them.

On the other side, Lingchuan Academy sent up Que Tianji, along with two other captains.

Que Tianji was still the same as when Luo Yan had seen him last time; he looked sickly, thin, and frail.

After the two captains arrived, the referee said, "You can now discuss the match format. Please decide within five minutes."

"If no agreement can be reached, then decide by drawing lots."

Let's begin.

As soon as the referee finished speaking, Que Tianji smiled and said, "The three of you, we intend to have a team competition, but to avoid wasting everyone's time, how about we each send one team to compete and decide the winner? What do you think?"

Liu Ruohan and the other two exchanged glances, all agreeing that Wei Fenghua had guessed correctly; the second-year students of Lingchuan were indeed planning a team battle.

Moreover, Que Tianji went a step further, intending to use a single team to decide the outcome.

Needless to say, that team is full of top students from the Lingchuan Academy, which will maximize Que Tianji's potential.

At this moment, Zhao Ping, representing the second-year students of the Hundred Battles Academy, stepped forward.

"What we mean is, wouldn't it be more time-efficient and effective to have a 'Captain's Choice Match,' where each side sends one captain to decide the winner?"

This is the result of their discussion yesterday.

Let Bai play the 'Captain's Choice Match'.

Bai? He was already at the Advanced level, although he was only at the first level, it was still higher than Que Tianji's level.

Moreover, Bai's 'weirdness' is quite comprehensive, capable of attacking, controlling, and defending, with no obvious weaknesses.

Now that she can field two 'weird' characters simultaneously, she also possesses explosive power.

In a one-on-one battle, unless something unexpected happens, he would completely overwhelm Que Tianji.

Upon hearing this, Que Tianji gave a wry smile, "I am no match for Bai. Among the three of us, if it were a one-on-one fight, none of us could defeat Bai."

Therefore, I regret that I cannot comply.

He was quite frank, openly admitting that he was no match for Bai, thus preventing Zhao Ping from provoking him with words.

"In that case, we'll have to decide by drawing lots."

The referee walked over, picked up a box, and said, "There are two balls in here. Ball A represents Lingchuan, and ball B represents Baizhan."

"Whichever ball you draw, that's which Academy's match mode you'll use."

Next, a public display was made so that the audience could see the two colored balls inside, one with "a" printed on it and the other with "b".

Then, the camera inside the box was turned on, allowing the audience to see the entire lottery process on a large screen, thus eliminating the possibility of manipulation.

The referee then reached into the box, rummaged around for a moment, and pulled out a ball.

B ball!

The Hundred Battles Academy's proposal was adopted.

The final competition format chosen for the second-year students is: Captain Selection Match!

Immediately, the students from the Lingchuan Academy wore long faces; for them, this was the worst possible outcome.

Then.

Bai Qi and Que Tianji faced off.

Although he had previously admitted defeat, Que Tianji still fought with all his might.

Having watched the previous matches, he knew that conventional Mystic Art combat techniques were ineffective against Bai, who could control the 'strange'.

Therefore, they unusually adopted an aggressive tactic, using a large number of offensive Mystic Art from the very beginning to try to suppress Bai and compress her living space, ultimately forcing her off the stage.

But right after the bombing, as the thick smoke dissipated, the white figure also vanished!

She used the eerie 'Black Nothingness' that hadn't yet appeared in the arena!