Wang Meng's Persistence

"Great God Lin, Brother Xuan already got his turn up there. Can we get a chance to try too?" Wang Meng, Xia Qiuling, Lei Yunfan, and the rest of the team looked at Lin Hao with eager eyes.

Lin Hao pondered for a moment. "Then you have to promise me—don't fight if you're outmatched. If you can't win, just concede directly." The group quickly nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Lin Hao didn't say more and arranged the order for the top eight matches. In the top eight, Shancheng Martial University was definitely going up against Modu Martial University. And even the weakest member of Modu Martial University was at Silver Initial-tier. "Wang Meng, Xia Qiuling, Lei Yunfan, Xiaoxiao—the four of you will go up in the order I say. Then I'll anchor the last spot. The lowest cultivation on the other side is Silver Initial-tier. Don't get careless, and don't try to be a hero."

"Yes, captain." Everyone agreed in unison.

On the competition stage, the round of sixteen matches were still ongoing.

Modu Martial University lived up to expectations. Without their captain Mo Yu even taking the stage, they easily defeated their opponent and advanced to the top eight. By noon, the top eight list was set. In the upper bracket, all the top-tier Martial Arts Universities made it through. Modu Martial University and Longcheng Martial University both pulled off one-versus-five sweeps. In the lower bracket, Qingzhou Martial University, Jiangnan Martial University, and Shencheng Martial University also advanced smoothly to the top eight.

The staff member in charge of the match schedule handed the bracket to Jiang Weiwei. Everyone gathered around to look. In the top eight's upper bracket, Shancheng Martial University faced Modu Martial University, and Longcheng Martial University faced Huadu Martial University. In the lower bracket, Longying Martial University faced Jiangnan Martial University, and Shencheng Martial University faced Qingzhou Martial University.

The matches were set to start at 1 PM sharp.

After reading the bracket, the group carefully reviewed the player profiles for Modu Martial University again.

"Tch, a top-tier Martial University is a top-tier Martial University. Their captain is Gold rank, and even their team members are all Silver Grade strength." Xia Qiuling pouted sourly.

"The faculty and student talent at top-tier Martial Universities aren't something we ordinary ones can compare to," Su Xiaorui explained for everyone.

"We're all contributing to the Xia Kingdom, so why do they get more resources than us? Where were they when we were fighting beasts before? The ones who sacrificed were all students from ordinary Martial Arts Universities like ours." Wang Meng was indignant now. Lei Yunfan stayed quiet—he was always a man of few words—but he nodded in agreement.

"There's nothing we can do about it. The world was never fair. Whether it's us, the teachers, or even the kingdom's great powers, we all live under the rules. No one can break the rules, so we just have to follow them." Xiaoxiao leaned against the wall and sighed.

Heh, no one can break the rules? Then I'll be the first one to do it. Lin Hao was pretty pissed off too.

Just then, Jiang Weiwei clapped her hands to draw everyone's attention. "There's still half an hour until the match. We should head to the preparation area and wait." So the group went to the waiting zone together.

By then, the spectator stands were packed. The audience was buzzing with excitement—being able to watch a martial arts competition live was no small thing for ordinary people.

At 1 PM, with the host's opening remarks, the top eight matches of the Hundred Schools League officially began.

"First match of the top eight: Shancheng Martial University versus Modu Martial University. Please have both teams' competitors take the stage." As the referee finished speaking, the crowd's enthusiasm hit its peak. Modu Martial University wasn't just a top-tier Martial University—they were also the home team, and most of the audience were die-hard fans of Modu Martial University.

"Brother Lin, I'm going first!" Wang Meng grinned sheepishly.

"Mm, stay safe. Remember—don't fight if you're outmatched!" Lin Hao reminded him again.

"Go get 'em, Meng!" The others cheered him on.

Wang Meng stepped onto the stage. Across from him stood a short, plain-looking opponent. Once both were in position, the referee announced the start of the match.

That short player was Tong Yanbin, a Silver Mid-tier martial artist. He didn't rush to attack. Instead, he shot Wang Meng a contemptuous look. "What kind of trash Martial University even makes it to the top eight? Weaklings should know their place. I suggest you just concede and stop wasting the kingdom's resources."

Wang Meng's temper flared. He was a Bronze Mid-tier martial artist who'd reached that level by his first year. Even if he wasn't a top-tier genius, he was still in the genius category. Without a word, a surge of aura erupted around him, and a fiery red long blade appeared in his hand. With a flicker of movement, he charged at Tong Yanbin.

Tong Yanbin smirked. Twin short blades materialized in his hands. Without any visible burst of aura, he simply sidestepped slightly, dodging Wang Meng's heavy strike.

In the gap after the swing, Tong Yanbin's short blade carved a ten-centimeter gash across Wang Meng's body. Ignoring the pain, Wang Meng swept his blade horizontally. But Tong Yanbin was already gone from his original spot.

He reappeared at Wang Meng's side in an instant, his short blade slicing lightly again. Another bloody wound opened on Wang Meng. Wang Meng tried to break free from Tong Yanbin's assault, but Tong Yanbin clung to him like a persistent shadow.

In just two minutes, Wang Meng had twelve cuts all over his body. He stood on the stage like a blood-soaked figure. Tong Yanbin hadn't landed a fatal blow, so the referee couldn't intervene.

"Brother Lin, something's off. That Modu Martial University guy is toying with Meng," Mo Zixuan noticed. Lin Hao's expression had already turned grim. He'd seen it from the second cut Wang Meng took. But since they weren't fatal wounds and Wang Meng could still fight, the referee didn't stop it.

Jiang Weiwei and Su Xiaorui also looked tense. "Lin Hao, get Wang Meng down. He can't beat Tong Yanbin. From what I can see, Tong Yanbin's at Silver Mid-tier. Wang Meng has no chance up there."

The teammates offstage were frantic too. "Meng, just concede! You can't beat him!"

But Wang Meng acted like he didn't hear them, stubbornly staying on the stage. He couldn't even find Tong Yanbin's position, and he wanted to use a combat skill but had no target. Tong Yanbin's attacks were perfectly timed—never fatal.

Three more minutes passed. Tong Yanbin kicked Wang Meng square in the chest. Wang Meng coughed up blood and collapsed. Before he could get up, a foot stomped heavily on his head.

"I told you, trash is trash. I even warned you to concede, but you don't know your place. Tch, boring. I'll say it again—garbage Martial University is garbage. What right do you have to compete with us?" With that, maybe bored himself, Tong Yanbin lifted his foot and kicked Wang Meng in the head. The force was immense, knocking Wang Meng unconscious and sending him tumbling off the stage.

The referee glanced at Tong Yanbin, then announced, "First match of Modu Martial University versus Shancheng Martial University: Modu Martial University wins. Please send out Shancheng Martial University's second competitor."

"Meng!" The Shancheng Martial University team rushed to Wang Meng. He was drenched in blood, eyes shut tight, completely silent. The medical team hurried over to check his injuries. When they saw the extent, even the attending medic gasped.

Wang Meng had twenty-seven knife wounds across his body, plus a severe blow to the head. The medic quickly loaded him onto a stretcher and rushed him to the treatment room for emergency care.