Inner Academy Selection Tournament

Hu Gan turned around, his gaze falling on Nalan Chenfeng's face with a hint of surprise.

The Inner Academy Selection Tournament was generally conducted in rounds, but the overall caliber of this year's students was exceptionally high, so he had considered changing the rules.

Yet he had not even told the Outer Academy elders about it. How had Nalan Chenfeng come up with the same idea?

"It's nothing. Round-based matches are just too boring for me. It'd be more satisfying if they all came at me together."

Nalan Chenfeng did not mention Han Yue. Instead, he gave a more reasonable explanation.

Since Hu Gan already intended to change the rules for this Inner Academy Selection Tournament, there was no need for him to create unnecessary complications.

"You brat may sound arrogant, but you do have the strength to back it up."

Hu Gan stroked his beard and smiled, then nodded.

For this Inner Academy Selection Tournament, he also wanted to use the strength Nalan Chenfeng had displayed to expand Jia Nan Academy's influence.

As for whether the boy wanted to show off or had some other reason, it did not matter.

The rules of a free-for-all would better demonstrate true strength. If so many people could not defeat a single Nalan Chenfeng, then those little fellows deserved to fail.

Nalan Chenfeng smiled without replying, then bowed and took his leave.

Today was the preliminary round of the Inner Academy Selection Tournament. The finals would only begin tomorrow, so he still had to participate.

As for the free-for-all format, that would only happen after the preliminary rounds had eliminated contestants and selected the top fifty. It would have to wait until tomorrow.

As Jia Nan Academy's annual grand event, the Inner Academy Selection Tournament drew tremendous attention.

During the tournament, the prominent figures of Jia Nan Academy who were rarely seen in daily life would all appear. For the male and female students who regarded them as idols or objects of admiration, that was undoubtedly an enormous attraction.

Because of this, although Jia Nan Academy had long prepared an enormous plaza as the venue, it was still packed to the brim with people.

Countless Jia Nan Academy students squeezed desperately into the seats around the plaza. Looking across the stands, all one could see were densely packed heads and hear the uproar soaring into the sky.

The plaza was circular. Around it, stone steps rose continuously upward, dividing the area into one arena after another. Everyone seated around the plaza could clearly see the entire grounds.

Jia Nan Academy was an institution with some renown across the Dou Qi Continent. In the lands surrounding the Black-Corner Region, its reputation was even greater. One could well imagine how many students it recruited.

"It's really lively..."

In the stands, Nalan Chenfeng sat together with Han Yue. Looking at the densely packed figures in the plaza and on the surrounding stands, he sighed.

"Today is only the preliminary round. It'll be even livelier here tomorrow."

"Of course, the competition will also be even more intense."

A serious expression appeared on Han Yue's pretty face as she spoke softly.

"Just wait..."

Nalan Chenfeng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the plaza.

This Inner Academy Selection Tournament posed no challenge to him, because there was no one stronger than him.

A Dou Ling held an absolute advantage over a Da Dou Shi. Against Lin Xiuya and the others, he had more than enough confidence.

"The Inner Academy Selection Tournament now begins. Next, those whose names are called by the judges will enter the arena. Anyone who fails to appear within three minutes will automatically be judged defeated."

Just as Nalan Chenfeng was quietly speaking with Han Yue, an Outer Academy elder rose from one of the seats on the central platform. After announcing the rules, he gestured for the two middle-aged judges to begin.

"Class Eight, Xuan Tier, Ai Ni!"

"Class Seven, Xuan Tier, Wang Yan!"

"..."

"Class Three, Huang Rank, Bu Fan!"

"Class Nine, Huang Rank, Liu Yuan!"

"..."

As the judges' calls rang out one after another from the central platform, the plaza and its surroundings gradually grew much quieter. Many people turned their attention toward the various arenas, concerned about the outcomes of the matches involving those they cared about.

Time slowly passed.

In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon. Due to the large number of students, the selection tournament was still ongoing.

"Class Five, Xuan Tier, Liu Fei."

"Class Seven, Huang Rank, Kano."

As the loud voice of the middle-aged judge rang out once more, a man and a woman stepped into the plaza. Without even exchanging pleasantries, they began their match.

The first to attack was Liu Fei, Liu Qing's younger sister.

Wave after wave of fierce Dou Qi fluctuations spread across the plaza, drawing cries of amazement from the surrounding stands from time to time. However, nearly half the gazes in those stands were clearly fixed on Liu Fei in her orange dress.

Though Liu Fei was arrogant in the Outer Academy, her looks were among the finest among the female students, and she had no shortage of admirers.

"An Eight-Star Dou Shi. Liu Qing's sister has fairly decent talent."

Nalan Chenfeng looked over at the orange-clad girl, whose fair cheeks carried a trace of charm and pride, and gave his assessment.

"What, you're paying so much attention to her... Don't tell me you like her?"

A flicker of displeasure passed through Han Yue's eyes, and her voice was filled with jealousy.

"You're really that jealous? I only made a casual comment. It's boring just sitting here and waiting."

Nalan Chenfeng offered a slight explanation.

"I heard Liu Fei once pursued you."

Han Yue lowered her head, feeling a stifling discomfort in her heart.

On the Dou Qi Continent, strength reigned supreme. It was common for powerful men to have multiple wives and concubines. Her father and the elders in her family were all like that.

She knew Nalan Chenfeng would not only love her in the future, yet she still did not want other women appearing by his side.

Still, she could only keep such thoughts to herself. She did not want Nalan Chenfeng to dislike her because of this.

"It's not like I accept anyone just because she pursues me. I'm not that casual."

Nalan Chenfeng smiled faintly, looking utterly unconcerned.

When he liked a woman, it could be because of beauty, feelings, benefits, and many other factors. He would never accept just anyone.

There were countless living beings on the Dou Qi Continent and no shortage of beautiful women. He was not that indiscriminate.

"Then... was I the first?"

Han Yue glanced around before asking hopefully.

She had never asked this question before, but today, she wanted to know the answer.

"Yes."

Nalan Chenfeng smiled and nodded.

Han Yue gave him a very good feeling. She was one of the types of women he liked, so when the time came to make a move, he would not hesitate in the slightest.

"That's good, then..."

The gloom in Han Yue's heart faded somewhat, and her voice gradually softened.

"Class Five, Xuan Tier, Liu Fei wins!"

The match on Liu Fei's arena ultimately ended with her victory.

"Compared to Han Yue, I'm still far inferior."

Liu Fei raised her eyes toward the stands where Nalan Chenfeng and Han Yue sat. A trace of dimness flashed through her narrow peach-blossom eyes.

Jia Nan Academy had countless geniuses. She did not possess talent like her brother's.

"..."

"Class Two, Xuan Tier, Nalan Chenfeng!"

"Class Ten, Xuan Tier, Yao Sheng."

The middle-aged judge's voice continued, instantly drawing everyone's attention in the arena.

The moment Nalan Chenfeng's name was called, the previously somewhat noisy plaza fell silent for a moment, before erupting into an even greater uproar than before.

"Nalan Chenfeng! It's Nalan Chenfeng!"

"My heavens, he's finally entering the arena!"

Countless young women in the stands rose to their feet, standing on tiptoe to peer into the plaza. Their eyes practically sparkled with stars.

Although Han Yue was already by Nalan Chenfeng's side, it did not diminish his popularity among the girls of Jia Nan Academy.

"Nalan Chenfeng..."

Though the male students were not as fanatical as the female students, they all straightened their backs and widened their eyes, afraid of missing Nalan Chenfeng's match.

Nalan Chenfeng was the most monstrous genius Jia Nan Academy had seen since its founding. A Dou Zhe at ten, a Da Dou Shi at twelve—he was nothing short of a legend.

"At last, I can see his strength with my own eyes."

On one section of the stands, a solemn expression appeared on Liu Qing's square face, his eyes burning with intensity.

Over the past two years, he had intended to spar with Nalan Chenfeng, but the latter spent most of his time away from the academy. He had heard that Nalan Chenfeng had gone to a place like the Black-Corner Region.

This selection tournament had finally given them a chance to face each other.

"Nalan Chenfeng..."

Not far from Liu Qing, Lin Xiuya's gaze was equally solemn, his handsome face taut.

Nalan Chenfeng was his most dangerous opponent in this selection tournament, and he did not have much confidence in victory.

A Da Dou Shi at twelve years old—such cultivation talent was simply too terrifying.

When he was twelve, he had not even become a Dou Zhe.

"I wonder how strong Junior Brother Chenfeng has become now."

"Perhaps he's already a Peak Da Dou Shi..."

"..."

The discussions surged like a tide as the entire plaza focused its attention in one direction.

On the central seats high in the stands, Hu Gan stroked his beard, his tiger-like eyes filled with amusement.

Nalan Chenfeng was now Jia Nan Academy's shining symbol. Before long, people across the Dou Qi Continent would likely learn that their academy had produced a fifteen-year-old Dou Wang.

"I'll be right back."

Nalan Chenfeng rose from the stands, exchanged a glance with Han Yue, then walked down the steps toward the plaza.

His moon-white robe fluttered gently in the wind. The youth was tall and slender, his back straight, his features sharply defined. Between his brows was both the vigor of youth and a steadiness beyond his years.

Nalan Chenfeng did not walk quickly, but every step seemed to land upon everyone's heartbeat.

"How did I get matched against this guy..."

On the other side of the arena, a lean youth with a sinister gaze wore a bitter expression.

As a One-Star Da Dou Shi, he was considered among the stronger contestants in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament.

But facing the renowned Nalan Chenfeng, he truly had little confidence. Even Brother Liu Qing might not necessarily be his opponent.

I just hope I don't lose too badly.