The Top Sixteen Are Set

Lin Hao had already returned to the team's waiting area.

"Principal Jiang, you promised that the competitors would get 80 percent of the rewards. You can't go back on your word." The moment he sat down, Lin Hao said this to Principal Jiang. Mo Zixuan and the others heard him and immediately had a bad feeling. Could it be true that Lin Hao had taken out three Gold rank Fierce Beasts in an instant? His records said he was only a Bronze High-rank Ability User. If the rumors were true, would they even get a chance to compete?

"Of course," Jiang Weiwei replied with a smile. The other schools' matches had started by then, while Lin Hao simply closed his eyes to rest. Mo Zixuan and the others could only twitch their mouths in disbelief.

After a day of competition, Shancheng Martial University ranked first on the scoreboard with five straight wins. Lin Hao had also demonstrated the fine virtue of a captain who looked after his teammates—by going out and sweeping all five matches on his own. The spectators, judges, and teachers from every Wu University were stunned. After those five matches, his teammates were completely numb, and Mo Zixuan and the others had undergone a complete 180-degree change in their attitude toward him.

"Brother Lin, you look pretty tired today. Let us treat you to dinner tonight," Mo Zixuan, Lian Chenyang, Xiaoxiao, and the others said, trying to get on his good side. Lin Hao's records said he was a Bronze High-rank Ability User, but they didn't believe a single word of it now. If someone told them he was a Gold High Grade, they might just believe that.

Seeing their change in attitude, Lin Hao didn't put on airs. He took Wang Meng, Xia Qiuling, and the others along with him to join Mo Zixuan's group for a feast at Mountain City Grand Hotel, a famous spot in Mountain City. During dinner, Lin Hao assured them they would get their chance to compete and wouldn't be left sitting around the whole time. The others were delighted. If they spent the entire competition on the bench, never mind the matter of splitting the resources—it would look bad at their own school, too.

Over the next two days, Lin Hao kept his promise and let Mo Zixuan and the others put on a good show on stage. He stood by to cover them if needed. Jiang Weiwei was deeply relieved that Lin Hao hadn't taken every match for himself. If he had fought his way through the whole competition alone, the others would have raised hell with her, the principal.

Three days later, Shancheng Martial University claimed first place in the Preliminary Round with a perfect record. Together with Guoying Martial University, the runner-up in their group, they would compete in the Top Sixteen finals. It was the first time in nearly twenty years that Shancheng Martial University had made it into the Top Sixteen.

By then, publicity for the event had reached a fever pitch. The Top Sixteen finals were just five days away, and the competition would be held at Modu Martial University.

Longcheng Martial University, Modu Martial University, Huadu Martial University, Jiangnan Martial University, and Shencheng Martial University were currently the five top Martial Arts Universities in Xia Kingdom. Shancheng Martial University, meanwhile, had fallen into decline. It struggled to recruit talented students and lacked the resources to support them, and it had long since dropped out of the ranks of the top universities.

That morning, just after Lin Hao finished breakfast, Jiang Weiwei summoned him to the school conference room. When he arrived, he found Jiang Weiwei, Su Xiaorui, and all the competitors there. Jiang Weiwei asked him to sit down, then handed out the documents in her hands. Lin Hao took a look. The title read, "Hundred Schools League Top Sixteen Competitor List."

Jiang Weiwei spoke first. "I called you here today to tell you that all sixteen schools in the Hundred Schools League finals have been decided. The documents in your hands contain information on the participating schools. The finals will be held at Modu Martial University. Not one school that makes it into the Top Sixteen is a pushover, so I hope you'll prepare yourselves."

"I've read through the documents, so let me give you a quick overview. Longcheng Martial University and Modu Martial University are both veteran powerhouses. Even before Shancheng Martial University fell into decline, they had consistently ranked among the top five. For the past twenty years, they've practically monopolized first and second place."

Lin Hao opened the documents and leafed through them as he listened.

The top genius at Longcheng Martial University was Duan Yue, a Gold rank martial artist who wielded the Po Jun Spear. The other team members were all Silver Grade martial artists.

The top genius at Modu Martial University was Mo Yu, a Gold rank martial artist who wielded the Azure Fire Nether Halberd. The other team members were all Silver Grade martial artists.

The top genius at Qingzhou Martial University was Ye Shuangshuang, a Gold rank Ability User with a Water elemental ability. The other team members were all Silver Grade martial artists.

The top genius at Jiangnan Martial University was Liu Qingmeng, a Gold rank Ability User. The other team members were all Silver Grade martial artists.

Lin Hao sighed softly. Setting aside his monstrous strength, the strongest person at Shancheng Martial University was Mo Zixuan, a Silver Grade martial artist. The gap wasn't even close. He continued reading, but when he got to Jiangnan Martial University, he frowned slightly and asked, "Principal Jiang, why is there no information on Jiangnan Martial University's Liu Qingmeng?"

Jiang Weiwei answered at once. "Because she hasn't competed even once. During the Preliminary Round, her teammates alone swept through the entire thing. They say she didn't even go to the venue."

Lin Hao understood. Heh, so she's hiding her strength.

When he reached his own Shancheng Martial University, Lin Hao grinned. The document read: "Shancheng Martial University's top genius, Mo Zixuan, a Silver Grade martial artist. Weapon: Cloud Piercing Bow." His own entry, on the other hand, said: "Starting competitor Lin Hao, a Bronze High-rank Ability User with a Lightning elemental ability." Lin Hao gave Jiang Weiwei a huge thumbs-up. Compared with hiding his strength, his entry was the real masterpiece.

Jiang Weiwei continued, "We've already met our original goal for this year's Hundred Schools League."

She glanced gratefully at Lin Hao before continuing. "But we should still aim higher. In the matches ahead, just stay calm and do your best. Remember, don't risk your lives on the stage. Your lives are meant to be spent hunting Fierce Beasts, serving your country, and protecting the people—not playing the hero in a competition. Teacher Su and I will lead the team this time, just as before. Captain Lin Hao will have full responsibility for all competition matters. Teacher Su and I won't interfere."

Everyone answered in unison. Compared with during the Preliminary Round, Lin Hao had already earned an unshakable place in his teammates' hearts. After the meeting ended, Jiang Weiwei asked Lin Hao to stay behind.

"What do you think?" Jiang Weiwei asked with a smile. Lin Hao looked helpless. "Weiwei, the gap between our team and the others is just too big. Our guys might only end up as cannon fodder."

Jiang Weiwei felt just as helpless. "Aside from the students with outstanding talent, every top Wu University has cultivation resources we simply can't compete with. That's why I didn't want you to stay at Shancheng Martial University in the first place. If you weren't so absurdly strong, I would have sent you to a top Wu University. You could have received better training there."

"Mo Zixuan is the strongest fighter Shancheng Martial University can bring out. Without you, our team probably would've failed to qualify again this year. Thank you, Lin Hao," Jiang Weiwei said gratefully. She truly was grateful to him. Lin Hao had once risked his life to kill a Platinum rank Fierce Beast and save hers, and she had never expected him to choose to stay when he first had the chance.

"Come on, there's no need to thank me for that."

"Ooh, Weiwei, your eyes are practically throwing out strands of silk," Su Xiaorui chimed in at just the right moment. "Lin Hao's helped you make it into the Top Sixteen. You should be satisfied now, shouldn't you?" She then turned to Lin Hao. "You have no idea how worried Weiwei was about this. Now you've solved everything for her so easily. She'd better thank you properly."

"Xiaorui, there you go again!" Jiang Weiwei blushed at Su Xiaorui's teasing.

That evening, Lin Hao called Fang Yao.

When Fang Yao heard that Shancheng Martial University had qualified for the Top Sixteen and that Lin Hao was competing, she was overjoyed. She arranged to meet up with him in Modu and promised she would come watch his matches. After hanging up, Lin Hao called his aunt and told her he'd be going to Modu for the competition.

Lin Xiaorou heard from beside the phone that her big brother was going to compete in Modu and insisted on going there to cheer him on. In the end, Lin Yueyue couldn't resist the little girl and agreed. When Lin Hao's grandmother heard about it, she was surprised. She said her old bones couldn't take the trip and told Lin Yueyue to look after Xiaorou when they went to Modu.

Lin Hao was at a loss. He'd thought his family could just watch the competition on TV, but he hadn't expected his aunt and younger sister to want to go to Modu. With no other choice, he called Fang Yao again and asked her for two VIP passes to the competition. Fang Yao said that was no problem and that she would pick up his aunt and Xiaorou. Only then did Lin Hao relax.