"Great God Lin, Brother Xuan's already gone up there and made an appearance. Could you give us a chance to try, too?" Wang Meng, Xia Qiuling, Lei Yunfan, and the rest of the team were looking at Lin Hao with hopeful eyes.
Lin Hao pondered for a moment. "Then you have to promise me you won't try to overpower them. If you can't win, concede right away." Everyone hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Lin Hao said no more and arranged the order for the quarterfinals. Shancheng Martial University was bound to face Modu Martial University. Even the weakest members of Modu Martial University had Silver Initial strength. "Wang Meng, Xia Qiuling, Lei Yunfan, Xiaoxiao—you four will take the field in the order I tell you. Then I'll be the last one to go. Their weakest members are all Silver Initial, so don't let your guard down or push yourselves too hard."
"Yes, Captain." Everyone answered in unison.
Meanwhile, the round-of-sixteen matches were still underway on the competition platform.
Modu Martial University lived up to everyone's expectations. Even without their captain, Mo Yu, taking the field, they easily defeated their opponents and advanced to the quarterfinals. By noon, the list of quarterfinalists was complete. All the top Martial Arts Universities in the upper bracket had made it through. Modu Martial University and Longcheng Martial University had each swept all five of their opponents, while in the lower bracket, Qingzhou Martial University, Jiangnan Martial University, and Shencheng Martial University had also advanced with ease.
The staff in charge of the competition schedule handed the matchups to Jiang Weiwei. Everyone gathered around to look. In the upper half of the quarterfinals, Shancheng Martial University would face Modu Martial University, while Longcheng Martial University would face Huadu Martial University. In the lower half, Longying Martial University would face Jiangnan Martial University, and Shencheng Martial University would face Qingzhou Martial University.
The matches would begin promptly at 1:00 p.m.
After looking over the matchups, everyone went through the profiles of Modu Martial University's competitors in detail.
"Man, top Martial Arts Universities really are top Martial Arts Universities. Their captain's Gold rank, and every one of their team members is Silver rank." Xia Qiuling pursed her lips in a sour little pout.
"The top Martial Arts Universities have better teachers, and their students are more talented. We ordinary schools can't compare," Su Xiaorui explained.
"We're all contributing to Xia Kingdom. Why do they get more resources than we do? When we fought the Fierce Beasts before, where were they? Weren't the ones who died all students from ordinary Martial Arts Universities like ours?" Wang Meng fumed. Lei Yunfan said nothing. He was taciturn by nature, but he nodded in agreement.
"There's no helping it. The world has never been fair. We, our teachers, even the mighty figures of our country—all of us live under rules. No one can break them, so we have no choice but to follow them." Xiaoxiao leaned against the wall and sighed.
Heh. No one can break the rules? Then I'll be the first. Lin Hao was more than a little annoyed.
Jiang Weiwei clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention. "We've got half an hour until the matches begin. We should head to the competitors' area and get ready." Everyone made their way there together.
The stands were already packed. The spectators were buzzing with excitement. After all, getting to watch a martial artist competition in person was a rare opportunity for ordinary people.
At 1:00 p.m., after the host's opening remarks, the quarterfinals of the Hundred Schools League officially began.
"The first quarterfinal match: Shancheng Martial University versus Modu Martial University. Competitors from both sides, please take the field." At the referee's words, the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch. Modu Martial University represented a top school, and they were also competing on home ground. Most of the spectators were devoted fans of Modu Martial University.
"Brother Lin, I'm up first!" Wang Meng grinned sheepishly.
"Mm. Be careful, and remember, don't try to overpower him!" Lin Hao reminded him again.
"Mengzi, good luck!" The others cheered Wang Meng on as well.
Wang Meng stepped onto the competition platform. A short, unremarkable-looking competitor stood across from him. Once they were in position, the referee announced the start of the match.
The short competitor was Tong Yanbin, a martial artist at Silver Mid-tier. He didn't rush to attack, instead giving Wang Meng a contemptuous look. "What kind of trash school makes it to the quarterfinals? Weaklings ought to know their place. I'd advise you to concede already and stop wasting the country's resources."
Wang Meng flew into a rage. After all, he was a martial artist who had reached Bronze Mid-tier in his first year. Even if he wasn't a top-tier genius, he was still among the ranks of the talented. Without wasting a word, he unleashed a surge of power and a long, crimson blade appeared in his hand. He blurred forward, charging straight at Tong Yanbin.
Tong Yanbin only gave a scornful smile. Two short blades appeared in his hands. Without even releasing any aura, he merely shifted slightly to the side and dodged Wang Meng's great blade.
In the instant the blade came down, Tong Yanbin's short blade sliced a ten-centimeter gash across Wang Meng's body. Wang Meng had no time to feel the pain. He raised his blade and swept it across, but Tong Yanbin had already moved from where he'd been standing.
In a flash, Tong Yanbin appeared beside Wang Meng. His short blade flicked lightly, and another bloody gash opened on Wang Meng's body. Wang Meng tried to break free of Tong Yanbin's attacks, but Tong Yanbin clung to him like a maggot to bone.
Just two minutes later, Wang Meng had twelve cuts all over his body. He stood on the platform drenched in blood. Tong Yanbin hadn't dealt him a fatal blow, so the referee couldn't intervene.
"Brother Lin, something's wrong. It looks like that guy from Modu Martial University is toying with Mengzi." Mo Zixuan had also caught on. Lin Hao's expression had long since turned dark as water. He'd seen it after Wang Meng took the second cut. But since the injuries weren't fatal and Wang Meng was still capable of fighting, the referee hadn't stopped the match.
Jiang Weiwei and Su Xiaorui looked grave as well. "Lin Hao, call Wang Meng down. He can't beat Tong Yanbin. From what I can tell, Tong Yanbin's already at Silver Mid-tier. Wang Meng has no chance up there."
The teammates below were frantic. "Mengzi, concede already! You can't beat him!"
But Wang Meng acted as though he couldn't hear them and kept fighting. By now, he couldn't even locate Tong Yanbin. He wanted to use a Battle Skill, but he had no target. Tong Yanbin's attacks always landed just right, never inflicting a fatal wound.
Another three minutes passed. Tong Yanbin kicked Wang Meng in the chest, and Wang Meng fell to the ground, spitting blood. Before he could get up, a foot came crashing down on his head.
"I told you trash is trash. I warned you to concede, but you still didn't know your place. What a bore. I'll say it again: trash schools are trash schools. What makes you think you're qualified to compete alongside us?" After speaking, perhaps Tong Yanbin had grown bored himself. He lifted his foot and kicked Wang Meng in the head. The tremendous force knocked Wang Meng unconscious and sent him tumbling off the platform.
The referee glanced at Tong Yanbin, then announced, "First match between Modu Martial University and Shancheng Martial University: victory goes to Modu Martial University. Shancheng Martial University, please send out your second competitor."
"Mengzi!" The Shancheng Martial University team rushed toward Wang Meng. His whole body was stained red with blood, his eyes closed, and he made no sound. The medical team responsible for treatment hurried over to examine his injuries. They regretted looking the moment they saw them—even the medical instructor sucked in a sharp breath.
Wang Meng had as many as twenty-seven blade wounds all over his body, and his head had suffered a powerful impact. The medical instructor quickly had him placed on a stretcher and rushed him to the medical room for emergency treatment.
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