A Sky Full of Boos!

"The contestant for Huajing University is none other than the familiar face, Qin Tianyu!"

"And representing Imperial University in this match is a freshman, Lin Xia!"

As soon as Shan Ming finished speaking, the stands erupted!

Beyond the spectators who already knew Lin Xia, those hearing his name for the first time gaped in shock, letting out cries of disbelief.

"Good heavens, did I hear that right? A freshman?!"

"Has Imperial University truly run out of talent? Why send a mere child to fight in this match?"

"Exactly! How long has school even been in session? This kid named Lin Xia probably hasn't even attended a formal combat class yet!"

"Damn it, if I'd known Imperial University's contestant was a rookie, I never would've spent so much money to come watch this match!!"

Voices of doubt echoed repeatedly through the crowd.

This prompted Principal Tao in the VIP box to wear a look of amusement, as if watching a show.

With a stiff, insincere smile, he gave a subtle nod toward Principal Yan and the others in the opposite VIP box, conveying a message with his eyes:

Do you think Lin Xia can last even one minute?

In response, Principal Yan replied with a look of his own:

Has the illness that kept you from lasting three seconds been cured yet?

At this, the corner of Principal Tao's mouth twitched; he turned and retreated to his sofa, casting his gaze toward the arena.

"The rules of the challenge match are simple!"

Shan Ming announced, "To win, you must either force your opponent to surrender or throw them off the stage!"

As he finished, the arena lights cut out, plunging the entire venue into darkness.

The next second, two spotlights hit the left and right sides of the stage.

On the right, Qin Tianyu stood wearing a black leather jacket, looking every bit the street thug.

The moment his figure appeared under the spotlight, the crowd boiled over, erupting into cheers and shouts.

But when the figure on the left appeared—Lin Xia, dressed in a green tracksuit—

He was met with a chorus of boos!

Although 1,500 students from Imperial University were there to cheer him on, their voices were instantly drowned out by the roar of the 48,500 other spectators...

At this moment, the lights came back on, and the entire venue brightened once more.

"I heard he signed up for this match voluntarily?"

A man in his forties with dark skin and a buzz cut asked in a low voice.

"Yes, General."

The young man sitting beside him, who appeared to be a secretary or aide, replied respectfully, "I conducted an investigation. Just yesterday, Qin Tianyu went to Imperial University to provoke them...

Yet, in the face of his taunts, not a single person from Imperial University stepped forward to challenge him.

Only this freshman named Lin Xia stood up.

This is his detailed file, which I have compiled. Please take a look, General."

"Mm."

General Liu Jie nodded and said nothing more, taking the document with a cold expression.

His decision to sit in the spectator stands with his aide had been a last-minute one.

As for why he asked if Lin Xia was a volunteer, it was because General Liu Jie suspected this match was just a "formality."

For two years, Imperial University had been defeated by Qin Tianyu with overwhelming disadvantage.

Therefore, he worried that Imperial University had simply given up on this year's challenge match and picked a random student to participate.

But when General Liu Jie opened the file, his brows furrowed instantly, only smoothing out after a long while.

[In the freshman tournament, he single-handedly defeated the other 39 students in seconds!]

[The first student at Imperial University to reach 'Bronze' rank within the allotted time!]

[Reached Level 7 after only two days of enrollment!]

Looking at these records set by Lin Xia, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corner of General Liu Jie's mouth.

His thoughts flashed back to an hour ago.

When Zhang Ting and her family were threatening Lin Xia in the tunnel, General Liu Jie had actually seen it.

But he hadn't intervened; he had no interest in the petty grievances of commoners.

However, from this moment on, his perspective had changed.

On the stage, Lin Xia stood tall and straight, his expression unchanging despite the sea of boos.

Long before he stepped onto the arena, he had observed that only two of the three VIP suites with floor-to-ceiling windows were occupied.

One suite held the school leadership of Huajing University.

The other held the school leadership of Imperial University.

Yet, the most luxurious suite, situated in the most central location, remained completely empty.

Clearly, this was the suite reserved for the most prestigious figure of all—General Liu Jie.

A person of such high standing would certainly not go back on his word.

Since he said he would come to watch the match, he will definitely be here.

At this moment, Lin Xia's gaze slowly swept across the spectator stands.

The audience sat so closely together that it was impossible to make out individual faces from the stage; he could only see a dense mass of figures and a kaleidoscope of clothing colors.

Trying to find one specific person among more than fifty thousand was clearly impossible.

Unless that person was unique enough to stand out from the crowd.

And General Liu Jie was exactly that kind of person.

In the entire arena, only he and his adjutant sat with stern, calm expressions, exuding a temperament that was entirely their own.

"Oh?" General Liu Jie raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with Lin Xia. "Interesting."

"This young comrade has excellent powers of observation."

The adjutant adjusted his posture and murmured a reply.

Just then, the voice of the referee, Shan Ming, rang out through the microphone, subduing some of the clamor: "Both contestants, do you have any pre-match declarations or words for each other?"

"I have nothing to say to a dead man!"

Qin Tianyu kept his hands in his pockets, lifted his chin, and looked at Lin Xia with contempt.

"Ahem..." Shan Ming coughed. "Killing is prohibited in a challenge match; that rule—"

"I was just speaking figuratively."

Qin Tianyu interrupted the referee's reminder, thinking to himself, If Lin Xia happens to run into my Wave, then that would just be an accidental mishap!

"Contestant Lin Xia, do you have anything to say?"

Shan Ming walked up to Lin Xia, held the microphone to his lips, and asked with curiosity.

"'Number One' has never been something that can be defined by a title or a stamped piece of official paper."

Lin Xia's eyes were resolute. "Referee, please start the match."

Silence! A profound silence!

The previously rowdy spectator stands were now deathly quiet!

People were pondering the true meaning behind Lin Xia's words.

Was he saying that Qin Tianyu's recognized "World's First Wave" was a sham?

Or was he implying that the title of "Great Xia's Premier University" held no real significance?

"Holy crap, how does my brother Xia come up with such profound things to say?"

Xu Jian looked incredulous.

"Pig-head, is it that anything you don't understand gets labeled as 'profound'?"

Wu Ziyang's voice rang out.

"I think so too."

Liu Yucheng nodded in agreement.

"Quiet."

Zhu Tingyu turned around, her expression cold and detached.

Because the seating in the stands was arranged by class, they were all sitting close enough to hear each other clearly.

"'Number One' has never been something that can be defined by a title or a stamped piece of official paper..."

General Liu Jie smiled knowingly. "Well said!"

"Then... contestants, prepare!"

Shan Ming stepped back quickly to ensure he wouldn't obstruct the fight between Lin Xia and Qin Tianyu, then raised his right hand and slashed it through the air. "The match begins!!"