On the plaza, the veteran students sized up the newcomers who had just arrived, their eyes wide with wonder. At long last, they could make the freshmen experience the beatings they themselves had once endured.
They'd been rained on, so they were going to tear up everyone else's umbrellas, too.
Today, the confidence of these so-called "geniuses" was bound to be shattered.
Most of the veterans looked toward the person at the front of their ranks, a hint of envy in their eyes. He was the strongest among them, and once this freshman-beating session was over, he would probably be heading to the Inner Academy.
At the front of the line, Wu Jinchang, the strongest in their group, wasn't happy at all. The strongest student usually wasn't chosen for a challenge by a freshman.
Freshmen could choose their own opponents. For those who would lose no matter whom they picked, choosing a second-year student let them lose with a little more dignity. Wu Jinchang was only there to hold the fort; the strength of an eight-star Dou Master was enough to make any freshman think twice.
Xiao Li stood among the freshmen as Hu Gan, the Outer Academy's vice dean, addressed the assembled students. Hu Gan's Dou Emperor strength was contained within him, but his aura was still vast and weighty. Even though it wasn't directed at Xiao Li and the others, they could still feel the pressure.
"Every new student may choose a veteran on the plaza to challenge. Those below the Dou Zhe level aren't required to participate, but anyone at One-Star Dou Zhe or above must. There's no penalty for losing. If you win, you'll receive a reward based on the veteran's strength."
After finishing his speech, Hu Gan left the plaza and went to the judges' platform to watch.
Several other elders from the Outer Academy were on the judges' platform.
Although Xiao Li had arrived at Jia Nan Academy seven years earlier than in the original story and the students were all unfamiliar faces, the old-timers hadn't changed. Hu Gan and Old Man Huo were still among them.
"Where's that little fellow Su Fei mentioned? I got caught up talking just now and didn't spot him," Hu Gan said ruefully.
When Su Fei and the other recruitment teachers returned, they had reported the students they'd admitted. Xiao Li, a Great Dou Master, had attracted the attention of nearly every instructor in the Outer Academy. Even several people in the Inner Academy had taken notice of the little fellow.
Old Man Huo's stiff expression didn't change. He gave a cold snort. "What a pity. A talented little fellow like him has a lightning affinity, so he can't practice alchemy."
Hearing Old Man Huo, who had practically gone mad over alchemy, Hu Gan felt a few dark lines appear on his forehead. He couldn't be bothered to continue the conversation and simply searched the crowd of freshmen for Xiao Li.
The teachers had already divided the students into two groups: those at the Dou Zhe level and those who had only reached Dou Qi. The Dou Zhe group was barely one-tenth the size of the Dou Qi group.
Hu Gan rubbed his chin. "Do you think we should add a Dou Qi assessment next year? It's hard to watch them miss out on getting beaten."
The other elders secretly rolled their eyes. "Vice Dean, their cultivation is already low. Seeing their classmates reach the Dou Zhe level is discouraging enough. There's no need to add an assessment."
"Exactly. We set up the challenge to crush those little geniuses' confidence. We can't go against our original purpose. Beating people just for the sake of it wouldn't be right."
Hearing the elders all say the same thing, Hu Gan reluctantly gave up on the idea. But then he perked up again.
"Look, isn't that kid in black Xiao Li? The energy fluctuations around him are almost stronger than those of the dozens of people beside him combined."
Xiao Li's aura couldn't hide from these big shots. A Great Dou Master's energy fluctuations stood out like a firefly in the dead of night, and Hu Gan had spotted him as soon as he had a moment to spare.
Old Man Huo, who was well-versed in alchemy, was the first to notice the details. "His aura is very solid. He must have earned his cultivation through hard work, not by taking pills."
Hu Gan nodded. That was one of the things he admired most about Xiao Li. He had monstrous talent yet kept his feet on the ground and cultivated diligently. What a fine prospect.
"Take a look. I'll go figure out what kind of reward to prepare for Xiao Li."
Hu Gan had never imagined he'd need to prepare a reward for a freshman defeating a third-year student, so now he had to come up with something on the spot.
Hu Gan stood up. There was no suspense in today's battle. Xiao Li had reached such a level at a young age, and his foundations were so solid; his temperament had to be exceptional as well. So Hu Gan hadn't arranged for the Outer Academy's top students to knock him down a peg. Once Xiao Li entered the Inner Academy, he'd find out for himself that there were even stronger people out there.
"If you leave now, you'll miss the future Dou Zong's first move in Jia Nan," Old Man Huo said, raising an eyebrow.
No one questioned his words. With Xiao Li's talent, his future advancement to Dou Zong was all but certain.
Hu Gan paused, then sat back down without a word. "In that case, let's watch."
Seeing Hu Gan put on airs as if he knew everything, Old Man Huo's lips curved into a stiff smile.
Below the judges' platform, Xiao Li and the others got ready, then lined up to approach the veteran students one by one.
The first freshman in line looked troubled. Signs stood in front of the veterans. Most of the third-years at the front were Dou Masters, while even the second-years behind them were Five-Star Dou Zhe. He was only a One-Star Dou Zhe and had no idea whom to choose.
In the end, the freshman could only resign himself to choosing a veteran who was a Five-Star Dou Zhe.
Xiao Li was near the front of the line. Around ten battles would take place at a time, and his turn was coming up soon.
"The stronger the opponent you defeat, the better the reward..."
Xiao Li sized up the veterans in front of him, then immediately fixed his eyes on Wu Jinchang at the very front.
"An eight-star Dou Master. You'll do."
Wu Jinchang, under Xiao Li's gaze, suddenly felt uncomfortable all over, as if he'd become an object on display.
Wu Jinchang looked around, then finally spotted Xiao Li among the freshmen. Seeing how openly Xiao Li was looking at him, Wu Jinchang's eyes sharpened.
Interesting. He thinks of me as his opponent? I wonder if he actually has some skill or just wants to show off.
One freshman after another was defeated. They were at most two- or three-star Dou Zhe, and couldn't beat the experienced veterans. Soon, it was Xiao Li's turn.
The veterans in the stands laughed and joked. Thinking of themselves as seniors, they loved watching freshmen get thrashed. It gave them a sense of superiority, as if they'd finally grown up.
It was just like high school students in a previous life looking down on those in lower grades. They always had a baffling sense of superiority.
Hu Gan watched with amusement. "Looks like the veterans are the ones who'll be humbled this year."
Old Man Huo wasn't impressed. "Last year it was the freshmen. Naturally, this year it's the second-year veterans' turn."
Hu Gan's mouth twitched as he looked at Old Man Huo, whose brain had been ruined by alchemy. He didn't bother arguing about whether they were even the same group of people.
"Look, Xiao Li's going up."
The elders on the judges' platform unconsciously sat up straight, watching Xiao Li step forward.
"Freshman Xiao Li challenges senior Wu Jinchang."
The calm announcement rang out, and the whole plaza erupted.
"What's this kid playing at, challenging Wu Jinchang? He's a veteran who's already got a spot in the Inner Academy lined up this year."
"Exactly! Does this kid think Wu Jinchang is one of those worthless Dou Zhe he can casually beat despite the gap in rank? Wu Jinchang is a genuine eight-star Dou Master!"
The voices from the stands didn't affect Xiao Li at all. Wu Jinchang, on the other hand, was enjoying the atmosphere. He held his longsword and put on the air of an expert.
"Kid, make sure you heard right. I'm an eight-star Dou Master, not an eight-star Dou Zhe."
Looking at the arrogant Wu Jinchang, Xiao Li let out a helpless sigh. Why were people so quick to jump to conclusions? Did they think he was stupid enough to challenge someone without being sure he could win?
"Xiao Li, Two-Star Great Dou Master. Please instruct me."
A deep-blue Thunder Armor covered him, and strands of lightning spilled out. In an instant, the crackling drowned out the commotion across the plaza.
The imposing Dou Qi Armor appeared, as if someone had pressed a mute button over the entire plaza. Then the noise rebounded like a spring compressed to its limit, and the uproar exploded.
"Good heavens, don't tell me he's a freshman! Did someone from the Inner Academy come out to beat us up?"
"A Great Dou Master–level freshman—truly terrifying!"