Chu Yuan didn't know what to say, but he could more or less understand how Jiang Fei felt. So he gave him a few perfunctory replies and hung up;
At least he'd confirmed that the old man, a warrior outside the system, was unlikely to do anything bad.
That put Chu Yuan somewhat at ease;
At the very least, he no longer had to worry that he'd go out for a Secret Realm trial and come back to find his little sister gone...
At Chenyang No. 1 High School, the senior students weren't practicing in their classrooms. Instead, they'd been summoned to the sports field...
It was worth mentioning that Ma Hui had smashed the senior students' classroom building to pieces with a single slap, but it had been rebuilt by the next day, with the Energy Gathering Array set up as well;
Apart from the possibility that the formaldehyde levels were too high, there was nothing wrong with it...
Besides their formidable combat strength, Warriors could be called nuclear-powered workhorses in every field;
For example, they could build houses both quickly and well!
They didn't even need cranes or anything like that...
They twisted the rebar by hand;
If the cement wouldn't dry, they used energy to force-dry it!
Of course, ordinary people couldn't afford to hire Warriors as construction workers...
The atmosphere on the sports field wasn't very lively. Most people seemed rather subdued;
Apart from Class Two, where Chu Yuan was, and the neighboring Class One, every other class had lost at least a few people in the Blood-Sucking Array;
Their former classmates and friends had died in sudden danger;
They themselves had nearly died, too... That kind of psychological trauma was simply too much for senior students. Two short days weren't nearly enough for them to recover.
Qi Da clearly understood this as well. He walked up to the stage without wasting words and announced solemnly:
"I have something to announce!
"The Martial Suppression Bureau and the Ministry of Education have jointly organized a Secret Realm trial. The rewards are substantial, and it's open to all senior students in Great Qin.
"Our school has three spots. After discussion, the school has decided to award them to:
"Class One: Li Hong. Class Two: Chu Yuan and Yang Yi."
As soon as Qi Da finished speaking, a small commotion stirred through the crowd;
Chu Yuan heard someone say:
"If they'd already decided, why make us come here? To watch them show off?"
"No, I know Chu Yuan and Yang Yi, but who's this Li Hong?"
"Rigged..."
"Who can blame us for not having connections?"
"Come on, man. With your talent, you think you've got a shot at a trial like this?
"You'd better think about whether you want to be a security guard or deliver food after the college entrance exams. That'd be more practical..."
"Get lost, you #￥@#￥..."
"..."
Qi Da didn't give the students below much time to discuss it. He continued, "Of course, in keeping with the principles of fairness and impartiality,
"everyone gets one chance to challenge the three of them.
"If you're stronger, you can take their spot."
The crowd fell quiet again.
"If it were really fair and impartial, why not draw lots..."
"Exactly. We haven't even learned any martial skills.
"Yang Yi's father is a powerful Warrior, and Chu Yuan got resources from the school... How could this possibly be fair?"
"Yeah, right... So it's fair if they give all the resources to you?
"The school gave me resources too. What, you didn't get any? Could it be because your talent is too lousy?"
"...When did I say that?"
"Isn't that what you meant? And what would drawing lots accomplish? Send you up there for what? To embarrass First High School?
"Or to add another achievement to your résumé for when you become a security guard?"
"...You suck up to them so much. Do they toss you a bone to eat?"
"What, you want one too?"
"I'll eat your &*&*%..."
"Fine. Don't leave after school!"
"..."
Although there was some grumbling below, most people seemed indifferent;
After all, they knew their own talent. They weren't even standouts in their own classes... Even if they could compete for the spots, there was no way they'd get one.
Still, some people were tempted—those with decent talent for martial arts;
Someone called out, "Principal, when do the challenges start?"
"Now, right here." Qi Da pointed to an open area. "Li Hong, Chu Yuan, Yang Yi, go over there."
The three of them left their respective class lines. Chu Yuan felt a little strange;
Was this... a school tournament?
But it seemed a bit too crude. It was practically a joke;
Most of the students hadn't even reached the Blood-Qi Realm. A real fight might not be as entertaining as a brawl between street thugs.
But considering Qi Da had put this together to calm the students down... it made sense.
Chu Yuan turned to look at the student named Li Hong. Sensing his gaze, the other boy turned and smiled at him;
He was handsome and sunny, with a lean, agile build.
There was something about him—gentle, confident... He seemed easy to get along with, someone you'd want to befriend.
Chu Yuan didn't look for long before turning away;
"Um... Chu Yuan, no weapons." Huang Bo reminded him.
Chu Yuan didn't mind. He casually tossed Wind Cutter, scabbard and all, into the ground, then stood there waiting for someone to challenge him.
"I challenge Li Hong!"
A girl called out, stepping forward from the crowd.
Everyone's eyes immediately settled on the brave soul who'd volunteered to go first;
Under so many stares, she seemed a little embarrassed, but she still lowered her head and walked over, stopping a few meters from Li Hong.
Li Hong spoke gently. "Are you ready?"
"R-ready..."
"...Never mind. You go first."
The girl forced herself to calm down, then sprang forward, charging at Li Hong like a little bull!
Chu Yuan was a little surprised. Had the girl already reached the Blood-Qi Realm?
Her talent was pretty impressive...
And then it was over. In the next moment, Li Hong had a hand around her neck...
Huang Bo, who'd temporarily taken on the role of referee, hurriedly said, "All right, Li Hong wins."
Li Hong let go and nodded to the girl. "Sorry..."
"No, no, thank you..."
To Chu Yuan's surprise, one person after another challenged Li Hong;
But no one challenged him—not a single person. No one even challenged Yang Yi!
And in reality, Yang Yi wasn't as strong as Li Hong!
The moment Li Hong made his move, Chu Yuan had already sensed his level. He'd actually reached the Internal Breath Realm!
As for Yang Yi... he'd only just reached the Impermeable Realm...
The challenges didn't last long. Li Hong was very efficient;
Besides, not everyone came up to challenge him. At most, four or five students from each class did...
Soon, the remaining students returned to their classes with their teachers.
Yang Yi came over, looking a little disappointed. "Tell me, why didn't anyone challenge me?"
"Maybe it's because your dad is Yang Tianlei."
"...Then why didn't anyone challenge you?"
Chu Yuan recalled the moment he'd kicked Zhou Zhe's shinbone in two and said with absolute certainty, "Because everyone respects me."
"Hello, I'm Li Hong."
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