The plaza was crowded with new students, and it buzzed with noise.
Instructor Ruo Lin watched the lively scene, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Youth really was wonderful—so full of energy.
Just then, a deafening commotion rose from the center of the academy.
Instructor Ruo Lin paused in surprise, then quickly understood.
Had she happened to arrive during the Inner Academy Selection Tournament?
Instructor Ruo Lin thought it over and realized that, sure enough, it was time for the annual Inner Academy Selection Tournament.
A smile curled her lips. This was the perfect chance to broaden the youngsters' horizons.
"Students, quiet down for a moment!"
Ruo Lin's voice carried across the plaza with the aid of Dou Qi, and the students' chatter abruptly died away.
"Today happens to be the Inner Academy Selection Tournament. I'll take you to see what the academy's famous figures are like."
Instructor Ruo Lin smiled warmly.
"Now line up and follow me! Returning students, help get everyone organized!"
Under Instructor Ruo Lin's orderly direction, the group quickly assembled and headed for the huge plaza at the center of the academy.
Lin Ze mingled with the crowd, with Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yu beside him.
"So this is the Inner Academy Selection Tournament? It's as lively as they say. We're so far away, and we can still hear the audience roaring!"
Xiao Yu said, visibly shaken.
"According to Instructor Ruo Lin, the Inner Academy Selection Tournament is one of Jia Nan Academy's biggest annual events."
Xiao Yi Xian was equally moved. The wider world really was where they needed to go.
If she stayed in Qingshan Town her whole life, she might never see such a grand spectacle.
Lin Ze was curious, too. There should be a few familiar names among this year's famous figures.
When they arrived at Central Plaza, Instructor Ruo Lin used her status as a mentor to bring the new students inside.
Central Plaza was enormous and circular, with tier upon tier of stone stands rising around it. It looked just like an arena.
After settling the students, Instructor Ruo Lin let out a sigh of relief.
Spotting Lin Ze and the two girls not far away, she approached them with a bright smile.
"Luckily, today is only the second day of the Inner Academy Selection Tournament. If it were the final round on the third day, even I would have trouble getting you in."
"By tomorrow, the audience coming to watch the Inner Academy Selection Tournament will probably be several times larger. It'll be packed."
Instructor Ruo Lin said with a sigh.
Xiao Yu went over and slipped her arm through Ruo Lin's.
"Hehe, thanks to you, Mentor, we've gotten to see something new."
"You certainly know how to flatter me, young lady."
Instructor Ruo Lin smiled, then looked down at the plaza. Her eyes narrowed slightly before she turned to introduce the woman to the three of them.
"The one competing now is one of the academy's famous figures—and your senior student, Han Yue."
At Instructor Ruo Lin's words, Lin Ze raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected to hear a familiar name so soon after arriving.
Han Yue stood tall in the arena, dressed in a silver robe. She had fair skin, lovely features, and, most strikingly, a head of silver hair.
The silver robe and her waterfall of silver hair gave her the air of an icy beauty.
At the referee's announcement, the fight began quickly—and ended even faster.
Han Yue's long sword was wrapped in white, freezing mist. One move broke through her opponent's guard; the next defeated her.
Han Yue's opponent stared at the sword held against his neck and couldn't help shivering.
It was hard to tell whether it was the white chill surrounding the blade or the icy beauty's cool gaze.
When the referee announced the winner, the arena erupted in deafening cheers.
"Han Yue! Han Yue!"
"Senior student Han Yue is amazing!"
"Senior student Han Yue, you have to take first place!"
Even at Jia Nan Academy, the strong were revered above all.
Someone like Han Yue, who had both strength and beauty, naturally had countless admirers.
Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yu were both stunned.
Watching countless people cheer for one person, they couldn't help feeling a yearning of their own.
Just then, Instructor Ruo Lin smiled and told the three of them about Han Yue's past.
"Actually, Han Yue was already qualified to compete in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament last year."
"The top fifty in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament can enter the Inner Academy."
"Han Yue's goal is to place in the top five. Anyone who makes the top five gets a special opportunity."
"After a year of honing her skills, Han Yue has become even more formidable. Even I can't help but feel wary of her."
Ruo Lin spoke with deep emotion.
When you taught at one of the continent's top academies like Jia Nan Academy, it wasn't unusual to see students surpass their mentors.
Xiao Yu looked in amazement at Han Yue as she slowly left the arena.
"Instructor Ruo Lin, you're a five-star Da Dou Shi. If even you're wary of her, is Senior student Han Yue already a six-star Da Dou Shi?"
Instructor Ruo Lin nodded seriously.
"At least a six-star Da Dou Shi!"
Hearing the confirmation, Xiao Yu couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath.
Looking at Han Yue's youthful face, she finally understood just how formidable Jia Nan Academy's famous figures were.
Xiao Yi Xian was also shocked. She wondered to herself whether her Woeful Poison Body could help her reach Han Yue's level by the time she was her age.
Lin Ze wasn't all that surprised.
Given the overall strength of Jia Nan Academy's students, the famous figures in every year were at least Da Dou Shi.
A Da Dou Shi... I wonder how long it'll take me to reach that level.
Lin Ze's eyes gleamed, and his desire to grow stronger burned even brighter.
By the time that day's Inner Academy Selection Tournament ended, the new students were still excitedly discussing the powerful senior students they had seen in the arena.
Seeing how animated they were, Instructor Ruo Lin smiled.
It seemed the new students had settled into the academy quickly.
"All right, it's getting late. Let's get you registered and settled into your accommodations. You should get some rest."
"Tomorrow is the last day of the Inner Academy Selection Tournament. That's when the real clashes between the strongest will happen!"
At Instructor Ruo Lin's words, the new students' eyes lit up.
They had seen the senior students display their strength in the arena that day, and couldn't help feeling inspired.
They longed to stand in the arena one day themselves and shine with a brilliance all their own.
After completing his registration, Lin Ze went to the Small Courtyard assigned to him by the academy.
Jia Nan Academy was wealthy enough to provide every student with a private Small Courtyard.
Lin Ze looked around. The courtyard was decorated with simple elegance, and there wasn't a speck of dust. Someone must have cleaned it regularly.
Lin Ze flipped his wrist and took out a badge.
This was the Jia Nan Academy Student Badge. It could be used not only to verify a student's identity but also to keep track of Contribution Points.
But as a new student, Lin Ze currently had zero Contribution Points.
"Instructor Ruo Lin said the academy library is open for anyone to borrow books. I can check it out another day."
"Maybe I can find a faster way to cultivate at the Dou Qi stage here at the academy?"
"The Death Soldiers are generally still at the lower stages of Dou Qi."
"The strongest cultivator is about as powerful as Xiao Yan is now, around Dou Disciple Stage 3..."
"Hopefully I'll find something useful."
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