The Top 16 Revealed

By this time, Lin Hao had already returned to the preparation area.

"Principal Jiang, you promised that the participating players would get eighty percent of the rewards—no backing out now." As soon as he sat down, Lin Hao spoke to Jiang Weiwei. Mo Zixuan and the others felt a sinking feeling in their hearts. Could it really be true that Lin Hao had one-shot three Gold-rank fierce beasts? But his file only showed Bronze High-rank strength. If the rumors were real, did they even have a chance to step onto the stage?

"Of course." Jiang Weiwei smiled. By then, the other schools' matches had also started, and Lin Hao simply closed his eyes to rest. Mo Zixuan and the others could only twitch their mouths at the sight.

After a full day of competition, Shancheng Martial University topped the standings with a perfect five-win record. Lin Hao had fully displayed the fine virtue of a captain protecting his teammates—he went straight for five clean sweeps, taking out all five opponents each time. This left the audience, the judges, and all the Martial Arts Universities' teachers utterly stunned. After five matches, his own teammates were numb, and Mo Zixuan and the others had done a complete 180 in their attitude toward Lin Hao.

"Brother Lin, you must be tired today. How about we treat you to dinner tonight?" Mo Zixuan, Lian Chenyang, Xiaoxiao, and the others started buttering him up. His file said Bronze High-rank, but they didn't believe a single word of it now. If someone said Lin Hao was Gold High-rank, they might actually buy that.

Seeing their change in attitude, Lin Hao didn't put on airs. He brought Wang Meng, Xia Qiuling, and the others along with Mo Zixuan's group to the famous Mountain City Grand Hotel for a feast. During the meal, Lin Hao said there would be chances for them to perform. He wouldn't keep them sitting on the bench the whole time. Hearing this, they were overjoyed—if they spent the entire tournament in the preparation area, never mind the resource distribution, it would look bad for them back at their own school.

Over the next two days, Lin Hao kept his promise and let Mo Zixuan and the others shine on stage. Lin Hao handled the safety net. Seeing that Lin Hao hadn't monopolized the entire competition, Jiang Weiwei felt deeply relieved. If Lin Hao had soloed the whole tournament, the other players would have raised hell with him as principal.

Three days later, Shancheng Martial University took first place in the Preliminary Round with a perfect record. Along with Guoying Martial University, the second-place finisher in their group, they advanced to the top-sixteen finals. This was the first time in nearly twenty years that Shancheng Martial University had made it into the top sixteen.

By now, the outside hype had reached its peak. The top-sixteen finals would be held in five days, with the venue set at Modu Martial University.

Longcheng Martial University, Modu Martial University, Huadu Martial University, Jiangnan Martial University, and Shencheng Martial University were currently the five most elite Martial Arts Universities in the Xia Kingdom. Shancheng Martial University, having declined with talent shortages and insufficient resource supply, had long fallen out of the top-tier ranks.

That day, right after breakfast, Lin Hao was called to the school's conference room by Jiang Weiwei. When he arrived, he found not only Jiang Weiwei but also Su Xiaorui and all the participating students. Jiang Weiwei had Lin Hao sit down and handed out the materials in her hands to everyone present. Lin Hao took the documents and saw the title: "Hundred Schools League Top-Sixteen Participant List."

Jiang Weiwei spoke first: "I called you all here today to tell you that the top sixteen of the Hundred Schools League have all been decided. The materials in your hands are the information on the participating schools. The finals of this Hundred Schools League will be held at Modu Martial University. Not a single school that made it into the top sixteen is an easy opponent. I want you all to be mentally prepared."

"I've looked through the materials, so let me give you a brief overview. Longcheng Martial University and Modu Martial University are long-established top-tier schools. Even before Shancheng Martial University declined, they were always in the top five. Over the past twenty years, they've consistently held first and second place."

Lin Hao opened the materials in his hand and flipped through them as he listened.

Longcheng Martial University's top genius, Duan Yue, a Gold-rank martial artist, weapon: Po Jun Spear. The rest of his team were all Silver-rank martial artists.

Modu Martial University's top genius, Mo Yu, a Gold-rank martial artist, weapon: Azure Fire Nether Halberd. The rest of his team were all Silver-rank martial artists.

Qingzhou Martial University's top genius, Ye Shuangshuang, a Gold-rank ability user, Water elemental ability. The rest of her team were all Silver-rank martial artists.

Jiangnan Martial University's top genius, Liu Qingmeng, a Gold-rank ability user. The rest of her team were all Silver-rank martial artists.

Lin Hao sighed softly. Not counting his own freakish strength, Shancheng Martial University's highest cultivation was Mo Zixuan at Silver rank. The gap was enormous. Lin Hao continued reading. When he got to Jiangnan Martial University, he frowned slightly and asked casually, "Principal Jiang, why is there no information on this Liu Qingmeng from Jiangnan Martial University?"

Hearing Lin Hao's question, Jiang Weiwei replied, "Because she never made a single move. During the Preliminary Round, her teammates alone swept through the entire competition. Word has it she didn't even show up at the match site."

Lin Hao understood. Hah, hiding her strength, huh.

When he saw his own school, Shancheng Martial University, Lin Hao laughed. It read: "Shancheng Martial University's top genius, Mo Zixuan, Silver-rank martial artist, weapon: Cloud Piercing Bow." His own entry said: "Regular team member Lin Hao, Bronze High-rank ability user, Lightning elemental ability." Lin Hao gave Jiang Weiwei a big thumbs-up. Compared to hiding strength, this introduction of his was the real deal.

Jiang Weiwei continued, "For this Hundred Schools League, we've already achieved our initial goal."

She shot Lin Hao a grateful look before adding, "But we should aim higher. For the upcoming matches, just relax and do your best. Remember, don't risk your lives on stage. Your lives are meant for wiping out fierce beasts, serving the country, and protecting the people—not for playing heroes on a competition platform. For this tournament, Teacher Su and I will lead the team, same as before. All matters regarding the competition are fully delegated to Captain Lin Hao. Teacher Su and I won't interfere."

Everyone agreed in unison. Compared to the Preliminary Round, Lin Hao now held an unshakable position in the hearts of all the team members. After the meeting ended, Jiang Weiwei kept Lin Hao behind.

"What are your thoughts?" Jiang Weiwei asked with a smile. Lin Hao looked helpless. "Weiwei, the gap between the team members is just too big. If they go up, they might just be cannon fodder."

Jiang Weiwei sighed in resignation. "Aside from the talented students, every top-tier Martial Arts University has training resources we can't even compare to. It's like how I didn't want you to stay at Shancheng Martial University back then. If your strength weren't so freakish, I would have sent you to a top-tier school. That's where you'd get the best development."

"Mo Zixuan is already the highest combat power Shancheng Martial University can offer. Without you, our Preliminary Round this year would probably have fallen through again. Thank you, Lin Hao." Jiang Weiwei spoke with genuine gratitude. She truly was thankful to Lin Hao—not just because he had once killed a Platinum rank fierce beast and saved her life, but also because she never expected him to choose to stay at Shancheng Martial University in the first place.

"Hey, no need for that between us."

"Ooh, ooh, Weiwei, your eyes are practically gluing themselves to him." Su Xiaorui chose that moment to chime in. "Brother Lin Hao helped you get into the top sixteen—you should be satisfied now." Then she turned to Lin Hao. "Brother Lin Hao, you have no idea how worried Weiwei was about this. Now that you've solved it so easily, she really owes you one."

"Xiaorui, stop it!" Jiang Weiwei blushed at Su Xiaorui's teasing.

That evening, Lin Hao called Fang Yao.

When she heard that Shancheng Martial University had advanced to the top sixteen and that Lin Hao was participating, Fang Yao was overjoyed. She agreed to meet Lin Hao in Modu and said she would definitely come watch his matches. After hanging up, Lin Hao called his Aunt to tell her about his upcoming trip to Modu for the competition.

On the other end, Lin Xiaorou heard that her brother was going to Modu to compete and threw a fuss, insisting on going to Modu to cheer for Lin Hao. In the end, Lin Yueyue couldn't resist the little girl and agreed. When Lin Hao's Grandma heard about it, she was a bit surprised but said her old bones couldn't handle the trip and told Lin Yueyue to take good care of Xiaorou in Modu.

Lin Hao was helpless. He had originally planned for his family to just watch the matches on TV, but now both his Aunt and Sister were coming to Modu. With no other choice, Lin Hao called Fang Yao again and asked for two VIP all-access passes to the tournament. Fang Yao said no problem and that she would pick up his Aunt and Sister. Only then did Lin Hao relax.