The final ranking competition was billed as a contest between fifty people, but everyone knew they were really fighting over just forty-nine places.
After Chen Cang took the wooden token marked number one, the remaining forty-nine tokens were quickly snapped up.
Anyone who could enter Jia Nan Academy and stand out in the Outer Academy had at least some talent, and none of them wanted to fall behind. If the gap in strength was enormous, so be it. But if we're at the same level and I take twenty-sixth, what gives you the right to take twenty-fifth?
And just like that, conflict arose.
If you wanted a higher rank, you first had to convince everyone else you deserved it.
Once Chen Cang temporarily left the arena, the students eagerly began choosing opponents to challenge. But space was limited, and to give the spectators a better viewing experience, the referee had no choice but to hold the matches one at a time.
This made the proceedings clearer, but also greatly extended the selection process.
On top of that, challenged students occasionally requested a quarter-hour's rest, dragging the ranking competition out even longer.
Only when the setting sun brought evening did all forty-nine finally accept their rankings.
The results were much as everyone had expected, though a few students had delivered surprises.
Leaving aside everyone below fifth place, second through fifth went to Han Xu, a four-star Da Dou Shi; Jiang Yongsong, a three-star Da Dou Shi; An Bo, a Two-Star Great Dou Master; and Wang Si.
Yes, Wang Si had defeated another Two-Star Great Dou Master with the strength of a One-Star Great Dou Master, claiming fifth place.
He had then successfully defended his position, defeating two more One-Star Great Dou Masters who challenged him.
He was today's little dark horse!