"An ability that only someone at Demigod rank could comprehend—and she just barely managed it?" Everyone was dumbfounded. "How is our Great God Lin supposed to fight her? He might as well just forfeit." Once their shock wore off, they all wore worried expressions.
Ning Feixue paid no attention to their faces and turned to Ye Shuangshuang. "Shuangshuang, tell us how you felt about the match."
Ye Shuangshuang's face was a little pale, clearly because she had expended too much Spiritual Power earlier.
Seeing everyone looking at her, Ye Shuangshuang felt a little embarrassed, but she still began to speak. "At first, when I was testing her in the match, I couldn't tell anything. But when I released my Martial Art, Water Curtain Years, she simply waved her hand and erased all the Fierce Beasts I'd summoned." Ye Shuangshuang took a sip of water. The match had indeed taken a lot out of her.
"Normally, the Fierce Beasts I summon can follow my orders. But when they got close to Liu Qingmeng, I felt my connection with them suddenly cut off. Then she waved her hand, and all my Fierce Beasts were gone."
Hearing this, everyone fell into thought. "Could she have transferred them into an Alternate Space?" Lin Hao murmured.
"That's what I think, too." Ning Feixue picked up the conversation. "To be honest, even the principals of our Wu Universities couldn't figure it out. If Shuangshuang hadn't fought her, I wouldn't have thought of it either. If she really has a Space Ability, little brother Lin Hao, your attacks might not be able to hurt her at all, just like Shuangshuang's."
After hearing Ning Feixue's words, everyone fell silent. Space power was beyond their reach—not to mention theirs, even the Diamond-rank principals hadn't touched it. So how was Lin Hao supposed to fight her? After finally making it to the finals, they'd run into a monster like Liu Qingmeng. They felt deeply unwilling, but also utterly helpless.
"It's fine, Lin Hao. Just do your best tomorrow. Since you've made it to the finals, you wouldn't agree to forfeit just like that. Don't put too much pressure on yourself." Jiang Weiwei spoke up.
"Mm, I'll give it my best tomorrow. Now that I've made it to the finals, there's no way I'm giving up. I want to have a proper fight with her, too. If I lose, I'll treat it as a chance to gain experience. Thanks for today, Sister Ning, and Ye Shuangshuang. You've really helped me out." Lin Hao spoke up.
"It's nothing. We didn't do much, really—we just told you about Shuangshuang's experience in the fight. In that case, we'll head back now. Shuangshuang just woke up, and she still needs time to recover." Ning Feixue smiled as she stood.
Everyone saw Ning Feixue and Ye Shuangshuang out, then returned to the meeting room.
"Brother Lin, you don't need to worry, either. At worst, we'll come in second. We've already gained so much from this competition. Just keep a level head." This time, the one speaking was Lei Yunfan, who was usually so taciturn. Everyone thought the sun must have risen in the west.
"All right, don't worry about me." They chatted for a while longer, then all returned to their dorms.
The next day, the much-anticipated Hundred Schools League final began amid unprecedented cheers from the crowd. Students and teachers from all the Wu Universities were present. This time, though, they were all seated in the VIP section closest to the stands. Only the students and teachers from Shancheng Martial University and Jiangnan Martial University were in the contestants' seats.
The referee today was Fang Wei, God of War of the Eastern Military Region, who was presiding in person.
Both teams were extremely nervous. Neither Shancheng Martial University nor Jiangnan Martial University had made it to the finals in many years. From start to finish, none of the Wu University principals—or even the audience—had expected students from these two Martial Arts Universities to make it to the final.
By now, Lin Hao had become the hot topic of conversation at every Wu University. There was no need to say more: for someone with Bronze High-rank strength to overcome Modu Martial University and Longcheng Martial University, the previous champions, was already astonishing.
Xing Tianhe, principal of Jiangnan Martial University, and Jiang Weiwei, principal of Shancheng Martial University, had both personally stepped onto the arena to give speeches on behalf of their schools. In truth, they were just advertising. Whichever Wu University won the championship, they would both be among the top two schools in this year's Hundred Schools League. A little publicity could help their universities attract better students in the future.
Before stepping down, Xing Tianhe smiled and said, "Weiwei, how about our two universities settle things with a single match, too?"
Jiang Weiwei smiled knowingly. "Then I'll have to thank you, Principal Xing." Needless to say, Jiangnan Martial University was stronger overall than Shancheng Martial University. Xing Tianhe was clearly giving Shancheng Martial University a chance. How could Jiang Weiwei not see that?
After Fang Wei confirmed the arrangements with the two Wu Universities, he solemnly announced before the match began, "The Hundred Schools League final between Shancheng Martial University and Jiangnan Martial University will be decided in a single match. Now, please welcome our finalists to the arena."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Hao stood up. He wasn't wearing his school uniform today. Instead, he wore a long, dark-blue robe. He'd noticed that Ye Shuangshuang and Liu Qingmeng hadn't worn their uniforms when they competed the day before. When he'd asked around, he'd learned that wearing a school uniform onstage wasn't a requirement. So today, he'd changed into a dark-blue robe that suited him better.
The moment he stepped onto the martial arena, applause thundered from below. "Lin Hao! Lin Hao! Lin Hao!" The shouts rose one after another. Clearly, his performance had left a deep impression on the audience.
On the other side of the arena, Liu Qingmeng wore a white dress, which only enhanced her sweet and graceful air. She walked onto the arena and gave Lin Hao a faint smile. "I never thought you'd be the one I'd face in the final. The principal spoke very highly of you."
"Hehe, that's just the elders being generous. I was lucky, that's all." For once, Lin Hao was modest.
Hearing his answer, Liu Qingmeng smiled again. "There's no such thing as luck on the path of a martial artist. If you made it to the final, then you have the strength to be here."
Seeing that they were both ready, Fang Wei swept his hand through the air. "The Hundred Schools League final begins!" He immediately moved away from the arena, leaving the space to Lin Hao and Liu Qingmeng.
The crowd's cheers reached a fever pitch. Reporters had their cameras and microphones set up, ready to broadcast this five-yearly Hundred Schools League final to the people of Xia Kingdom.
Below the arena, Jiang Weiwei, Su Xiaorui, and the students from Shancheng Martial University weren't the only ones holding their breath for Lin Hao. Even Fang Yao in the VIP section, along with Lin Yueyue and Lin Xiaorou, felt a chill of worry.
At the sound of the match beginning, Lin Hao swiftly took up a fighting stance. Facing Liu Qingmeng, he didn't dare let his guard down for even a moment. Black Lightning coiled around his entire body. A golden gleam flashed in Liu Qingmeng's eyes as she waited for Lin Hao to attack.
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