Silent Victory

As soon as Hu Gan finished speaking, the plaza erupted in an uproar.

"A free-for-all?"

"So many people fighting together?"

"This is different from previous years..."

A wave of discussion broke out. Clearly, this competition format, unlike those of previous years, had caught the students off guard.

Hu Gan raised a hand in a calming gesture, and the clamor gradually subsided.

"The rules of the free-for-all are simple. All students will enter the finals at once."

"You may use any means you wish—form teams, launch sneak attacks, gang up on fewer opponents. No matter what methods you use, as long as you remain on the platform at the end, it will not be considered a violation."

"Once the competition begins, anyone who leaves the arena will be counted. Referees will be specifically assigned to keep track. Therefore, if you can hold out a little longer in the chaos, your ranking may rise considerably."

"You might even get one of the top five spots through luck alone. So perseverance is victory."

Hu Gan swept his gaze across the crowd below, stroking the short beard on his chin as he smiled faintly and explained the rules of the free-for-all.

In the past, Jia Nan Academy's selection tournaments had basically used a round-based format. From now on, the rules could be changed, perhaps even improved further.

First select the top fifty who would enter the Inner Academy, then hold a free-for-all. That would better demonstrate the results.

However, with a freak like Nalan Chenfeng appearing this year, whether these little fellows could seize that one and only opportunity would depend on them.

Over a hundred Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi joining forces—even a Dou Ling would struggle to withstand that.

After hearing Hu Gan's rules, the plaza fell silent for a moment before another heated round of discussion erupted.

"A free-for-all format... interesting..."

"In that case, we can join forces first, eliminate some people, then compete for the remaining spots."

"Yeah, then we might have a chance to enter the Inner Academy this year too."

In the stands, Han Yue turned to look at Nalan Chenfeng beside her, a look of realization appearing on her cold, beautiful face.

"This is the method you mentioned?"

"What, isn't it good?"

Nalan Chenfeng nodded and smiled faintly.

"Under a free-for-all format, the top five spots are easier to control."

Hu Gan had changed the rules because he valued the strength of this year's Jia Nan Outer Academy students. However, this kind of rule also had its disadvantages for Nalan Chenfeng.

With more than a hundred people entering the arena at once, it would be troublesome if they all attacked him together.

Those who had passed yesterday's Preliminary Selection Tournament were all above the level of Dou Shi. Together with the dozen or so Da Dou Shi, they formed a force not to be underestimated.

Fortunately, if this group could not unite, they would be nothing more than a rabble. Besides, he was not someone who had only just advanced to Dou Ling.

Trouble did not mean the problem could not be solved.

"Good..."

Han Yue froze for a moment. Her beautiful eyes lowered slightly, a thin sheen of moisture appearing in them as she pressed her red lips together.

"If I don't let you enter the Inner Academy, it wouldn't do me any good at all..."

Nalan Chenfeng raised his hand and gently pinched Han Yue's soft palm, his words carrying a meaningful undertone.

In a few more years, he could truly have a taste of the icy beauty beside him.

"You're so young, yet you don't think about anything proper."

Han Yue smiled sweetly, yet allowed Nalan Chenfeng to hold her hand. Warmth rose in her heart.

The Outer Academy Head would not change the selection tournament rules for no reason. This year's changes definitely had something to do with Nalan Chenfeng.

And she was naturally willing to give everything she had to Nalan Chenfeng.

He was the most outstanding person she had ever seen. If Nalan Chenfeng had not taken the initiative that day, she would not have been much different from Liu Fei and the others who held certain thoughts about him.

At such a young age, he already possessed the strength of a Dou Ling. He was destined to become a powerhouse in the future. Few girls could likely resist such temptation.

"All students, enter the arena!"

Hu Gan's booming voice came from the high platform.

At his words, the more than one hundred students who had passed yesterday's Preliminary Selection Tournament rose from all around the stands and headed down the steps toward the central plaza.

Nalan Chenfeng took Han Yue's hand, and they walked together.

As more than a hundred students filed in one after another, the central plaza, spanning a hundred zhang in every direction, began to feel somewhat crowded.

Most of the students stood in groups of two or three, scattered across the plaza. They kept a certain distance from one another, sizing each other up with vigilance in their eyes.

Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, Lin Yan, Qian Mo, and other prominent figures of the Outer Academy each occupied their own side.

Among the more than one hundred people were veteran students who had spent five years at Jia Nan Academy, as well as newer students who had been there for two or three years. Dou Shi made up the majority.

Among them, two groups were especially conspicuous. They were Liu Qing and Lin Xiuya, two geniuses with great reputations in the Outer Academy.

Both had considerable prestige in the Outer Academy, especially Lin Xiuya. With his exceptionally handsome face, he had quite a few fanatical female admirers there as well.

In contrast, Nalan Chenfeng's side appeared rather quiet because of Han Yue's presence.

"In a free-for-all like this, getting into the top five..."

Lin Xiuya's expression was solemn. His gaze lingered on Nalan Chenfeng for a moment before shifting toward several other directions.

"Under these rules, individual strength does not hold much of an advantage unless one has the strength of a Dou Ling like Nalan Chenfeng."

Liu Qing stood on the western side of the plaza, his burly frame like an iron tower. His gaze swept over the surroundings as his fists slowly clenched.

"Liu Qing, how about we join forces and clear out these unnecessary people first?"

After a moment of thought, Lin Xiuya spoke solemnly.

He had no interest in provoking a Dou Ling powerhouse. The risk was too great. Even if Nalan Chenfeng brought Han Yue along, they would only take up two of the top five spots and would not affect him or Liu Qing.

If they joined these people in attacking Nalan Chenfeng and failed, they would certainly be targeted afterward. Then the top five spots would likely be impossible to secure.

He did not do things without confidence. This chance to enter Jia Nan Academy's Library Pavilion was extremely important; he could not act rashly out of emotion.

After reaching the Inner Academy and breaking through to Dou Ling, he would challenge him if he had the opportunity.

"Fine!"

Liu Qing considered it for a moment, then nodded.

If so many people attacked Nalan Chenfeng together, it was not as though they had no chance. The Outer Academy Head had changed the selection tournament rules precisely to give them an opportunity to defeat Nalan Chenfeng.

But there was no need to take that kind of risk in this selection tournament. Once Nalan Chenfeng remembered them, the eventual winners might end up being those opportunists who picked up the scraps.

Once he reached the Inner Academy and advanced to Dou Ling, it would not be too late to challenge Nalan Chenfeng.

"Anyone below Five-Star Dou Shi, get off the platform now! Don't make me take action!"

A chaotic melee erupted, with more than a hundred figures weaving back and forth.

Powerful Dou Qi fluctuations spread across the plaza one after another. Before long, some people could no longer hold on and withdrew from the arena.

"Those two are quite sensible."

Nalan Chenfeng did not make a move. He merely stood quietly with Han Yue in a corner of the plaza.

From the moment Liu Qing and Lin Xiuya began leading their groups to clear out the irrelevant people, the result of this Inner Academy Selection Tournament had already been decided.

The fewer people remained in the arena, the less threat they posed to him.

"Who would provoke a Dou Ling powerhouse for no reason?"

"Lin Xiuya and the others came to Jia Nan Academy to enter the Library Pavilion. Naturally, they would choose the safest approach."

A faint smile rested on Han Yue's beautiful face as she watched the many figures fighting in the arena.

This time, she could obtain one of the top five spots without even making a move. The feeling of not having to work for it was truly wonderful.

"The Outer Academy Head is probably going to be disappointed. Let's wait for the competition to end..."