As Inheritors of elven blood, she was naturally exceptionally beautiful.
If it were an ordinary guy, being stared at by that reproachful yet reproachful look, he would probably be flustered and uneasy by now...
Zhou Rui remained completely unfazed, his expression as calm as ever.
Since it's a formal competition, injuries are inevitable.
Xia Lan understood this as well, and stopped complaining after she finished speaking.
At 9:00 a. m. sharp, the host took to the stage on CCTV.
Welcome to the fourth round of the National University Freshman Exchange Tournament!
Today, eight top new talents will advance to the fifth round of the singles competition!
His booming voice echoed repeatedly under the stadium's dome.
"However, before the start of the competition, on behalf of the Xia Yan Professional Alliance, I would like to officially announce the exclusive rewards for the subsequent individual competition stage."
"First and foremost, the eight contestants who advance to the fifth round will each receive a bottle of S-grade magic potion!"
The moment the words were spoken, the entire audience erupted in uproar!
"Holy crap?! It's really an S-grade potion?!"
"As expected of the Xia Yan Alliance, they're incredibly generous!"
"Hiss... An S-grade potion, even a third-tier expert would be envious and fight tooth and nail for it, right?"
"Compared to last year, this reward is absolutely phenomenal!"
"..."
The only difference between A+ and S- grades is that their surfaces are graded one.
However, in terms of actual value, the latter is dozens of times greater than the former!
"An S-grade potion? This time, we have to go all out!"
In the university's rest area, many professional athletes clenched their fists, their breathing becoming rapid.
They knew all too well that a single bottle of S-grade potion was enough to elevate their combat strength to a whole new level!
"You get an S-grade potion once you reach the fifth round, so what about further ahead?"
The thought had barely crossed many people's minds when the host continued:
The four who advance to the sixth round will each receive an S-grade resource!
"The two who advance to the seventh round can choose any epic-tier weapon!"
"And the ultimate winner will have the exclusive opportunity to have a weapon personally customized by Qi Jun, the weapon-refining master of the Xia Yan Alliance!"
4.5S-level resources!
Epic weapon!
Upon hearing the news, all the contestants who considered themselves strong instantly lit up, their pupils burning with excitement.
"We must improve our ranking!"
"S-tier resources! I can get them as long as I reach the sixth round, I'm pretty sure I have a chance!"
"Give it your all for an epic weapon!"
"..."
A surge of fighting spirit, a boiling of passion.
" The Champion's prize is actually a custom-made weapon by Master Qi Jun?"
In the rest area of Modu University, Wei He's eyes gleamed with a sharp light. "I'm determined to win this Champion!"
Meanwhile, in the rest area of Suhang University, Zhou Rui looked thoughtful:
"I understand S-grade resources and epic-grade weapons, but Master Qi Jun's customization opportunity... does that mean the weapon he forges is even stronger than epic-grade?"
"Brother Zhou Rui, Master Qi Jun is a very well-known figure in the industry."
Jiang Churan immediately added, "He rarely makes a move, but every single one of them is legendary!"
Zhou Rui paused for a moment, then whispered, "So, the Champion gets a legendary weapon?"
Shocking!
That's amazing!
It's unbelievable that a singles Champion in a freshman exchange competition deserves a legendary weapon!
Weapons for professionals are divided into five tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Epic, and Legendary.
For an ordinary person, being able to hold a gold-tier sword is already an immense stroke of luck;
Epic rank, depends on chance and luck;
Legendary items are extremely rare, even third-tier experts regard them as treasures.
Now, as long as you win this singles match, you can get a custom-made legendary weapon for free!
It wasn't just amazing, it was an incredible stroke of luck!
"The champion and runner-up may seem to be only one place apart, but the quality of their weapons is worlds apart."
Zhou Rui's gaze darkened slightly.
While the second-place Epic tier is certainly dazzling, it ultimately pales in comparison to the Legendary tier.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the individual tournament rewards have been explained. The fourth round of matches is now beginning!"
"The first to appear is Suhang University..."
After the awards were read out, the host quickly got to the main topic.
Eleven people participated in this round, including one contestant from Modu University who received a bye and advanced directly to the next round.
The remaining ten people will need to compete in five matches to determine the five spots that will advance.
"My match was ranked third, and my opponent was Feng Qiang from the Modu University Cavaliers."
Zhou Rui turned his gaze to the rest area of Modu University.
Seated there was a burly man, over two meters tall and heavily armored.
It was Feng Qiang, a level 19 knight, who followed a pure damage-dealing build and also used heavy weapons.
However, what he was carrying was a gigantic and terrifying two-handed greatsword!
"The third match is probably not until after 10 PM. Let's see how the first few matches go first."
Zhou Rui withdrew his gaze and looked back at the arena.
In the first match of the fourth round of the individual competition, Song Xialan faced off against Xia Lan from Qingjing University.
As a sharpshooter, and possessing extremely rare elven blood,
Xia Lan's strength is beyond doubt; it is so formidable that it commands attention.
Unfortunately, her injuries from yesterday hadn't fully healed, so she couldn't muster any strength. After fighting Song Xialan for over forty minutes, she finally succumbed to exhaustion and was defeated.
Song Xialan thus secured her place in the fifth round.
The second match was between Jiang Churan and Wei He.
It must be said that, coupled with her innate succubus talent, her swordplay is exceptionally unpredictable, with each move tricky and difficult to anticipate.
However, Wei He, as the captain of the Modu University, had an iron will and was almost completely unaffected by that faint, alluring aura.
A dozen minutes later, Jiang Churan was firmly suppressed and defeated.
"Brother Zhou Rui... I lost."
After the second round ended, Jiang Churan walked slowly back to the rest area with her head down, her tone revealing a hint of disappointment.
Having just reached level 19, her control over the succubus power within her was becoming increasingly skillful and effortless.
In that battle just now, she had given it her all, releasing even the slightest hint of her allure, yet she still couldn't turn the tide...
" Wei He indeed tough; losing to him is not shameful."
Zhou Rui gently comforted him, "There are still two spots left in the loser's bracket this afternoon. Give it your all, you can definitely snag one."
With Jiang Churan's strength, she should have easily advanced to the sixth round of the singles competition, but unfortunately, she ran into Wei He, the ace player from Modu University, in her first match.
In Zhou Rui's opinion, this person's strength was even slightly superior to Wang Xuan's.
Losing to an opponent like that is perfectly normal.
Before he finished speaking, he raised his hand and cast a Slow Healing on Jiang Churan.
She had no obvious external injuries; what truly depleted her physical and mental strength was...
"Mmm~~"
A gentle, verdant life energy quietly enveloped her entire body, and a warm current slowly spread from her limbs and bones. Jiang Churan unconsciously let out a soft hum.
Even after so many times, I still can't control my reaction...
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quietly turned her head away.
Unlike the simple and gentle healing methods of other priests, Zhou Rui's restoration techniques always bring a soothing and comforting sensation...
Am I just particularly sensitive?
But that doesn't make sense. She's never blushed or felt her heart race like this when others are casting spells.
Just as I was lost in thought, the host's voice suddenly rose and resounded throughout the venue:
"The second match of the fourth round of the singles competition has ended! The third match is now beginning!"
"First up is Feng Qiang, the genius knight from Modu University!"
As soon as the loud and impassioned announcement ended, the entire stadium erupted in cheers.
Waves of cheers erupted from the audience, like a surging tide. Feng Qiang's fellow villagers, relatives, and alumni stood up, shouting and waving their arms, their voices hoarse with excitement.
" Feng Qiang! Keep it up!"
Feng Qiang! You are the strongest!
Tens of thousands of people roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
"And next up on stage..."
The host paused, then his tone suddenly became more enthusiastic and full of energy.
"It's Zhou Rui, who shone brightly in yesterday's team competition and attracted everyone's attention!!!"
Previously, only Wei He had received this treatment.
At this moment, Zhou Rui and Wei He are considered the two most popular contenders for the championship in this year's singles competition.
Zhou Rui!
Zhou Rui!
Zhou Rui!
Not only were the teachers and students of Suhang University shouting, but fans from all over Suhang Province who came to watch the game and loyal supporters who followed him all the way were clenching their fists and shouting at the top of their lungs!
"My brother's on stage! My brother's the best!"
Zhou Yun, who joined via holographic live streaming, quickly created an online support group, encouraging her classmates to simultaneously flood the screen with cheers.
With over 100,000 eyes focused on him, Zhou Rui calmly rose, walked through the rest area, and stepped onto the arena.
Zhou Rui! The strongest!
Zhou Rui! The Champion is yours alone!
He was seen carrying a black, Weeping Blood Battleaxe on his shoulder and wearing a dark, Violent Dragon Light Armor armor. His figure was upright and his aura was imposing. Cheers erupted instantly, one wave higher than the next!
Some girls were so excited that they screamed, and some even fainted on the spot due to excessive excitement!
On this singles arena, which is 300 meters long and 300 meters wide, on one side stands Feng Qiang, a man with a burly physique, wearing silver armor and wielding a giant sword;
On the other side stood Zhou Rui, carrying an axe, clad in black armor, as still as a mountain.
The two stood facing each other, 150 meters apart.
" Zhou Rui, I've heard you're amazing."
Feng Qiang voice, holding the greatsword horizontally in front of his chest, gripping the hilt tightly with both hands, his entire being like a massive boulder:
Most professionals specialize in two attribute systems.
"But I only train strength, and I've maxed it out!"
"I trust this strength!"
"You can dodge for a while with your speed, but you can't break through my defense!"
"Come on, let's settle this today!"
His words, amplified by the loudspeaker, resounded throughout the hall, causing an uproar.
"Just focus on brute force? How terrifying would that be?"
"A level 19 knight has plenty of enhancement potions available; it's no exaggeration to say that a single attribute can be boosted to over 300 points!"
"That's too extreme!"
"..."
Taking a gamble and specializing in one area is indeed risky.
But precisely because of this, if you train this path to its extreme, you will inevitably become an overwhelming force in a certain area!
" Zhou Rui has shown off his brute strength in previous matches, but this time it's a real clash. Who has the tougher constitution?"
The entire audience held their breath, eagerly awaiting the moment.
"The competition is about to begin. Please take your positions, both players!"
The handsome, smiling host offered a gentle reminder.
At the same time, a holographic projection above the arena counts down simultaneously:
3!
"2!"
"1!"
"Start!"
The countdown reached zero, and Zhou Rui slammed his foot into the ground.
Bang!
Debris flew everywhere, and a small crater appeared on the spot.
He himself was already like an arrow released from a bow, skimming along the ground, covering the thirty-meter distance in the blink of an eye!
During the rush, his fingers flew across the keyboard, and a series of buffing halos lit up one after another.