The arrival of the latest Academy Freshmen Competition swept away the somewhat sorrowful atmosphere from before.
Reporters poured into Ink City.
Professionals were also constantly analyzing lists of standout freshmen from each school, trying every possible way to dig up more information.
Every so often, another name would be uncovered.
For example, Wu Qianqiu of Spirit Mind University had dominated the other new students with overwhelming strength since enrolling.
Han Jue of Spirit Martial High School looked very thin and frail, but possessed immense natural strength and could smash a boulder with a single punch.
Li Yihan of the Military Academy prowled through the darkness. In just one month since enrolling, he had already killed six Evil Cult followers, an impressive record.
Some of the other, second-tier schools had plenty of outstanding newcomers as well.
As for Ink Academy, everyone considered it the highest priority.
But once they learned that fighting had recently broken out in Jiangcheng and every freshman in this year's class had been seriously injured, they immediately lost interest.
The other schools, however, grew excited because of this.
Did this mean...
They had a chance to take first place in the competition?
Most importantly, the resources awarded to this year's champion were exceptionally generous. Perhaps those resources could nurture even more geniuses, and even allow them to overtake Ink Academy.
They could drag Ink Academy down from its pedestal!
Before the main competition had even begun, the schools had already started competing behind the scenes.
The underground casinos, in particular, were bustling.
Red-eyed gamblers waved fistfuls of cash, betting on the students and schools they favored.
Reporters even camped outside the Education Department, hoping its leaders would let slip a word or two.
All kinds of news posts flooded the internet, speculating about who would truly be