Chapter 99

However, the Soul Awakening Team is very likely to face them in later matches.

After finishing their meal, Xu Jintang and his group of five quickly set off for the competition venue.

Team rest area.

Xu Jintang and his four companions, wearing ghost face masks, entered the venue in an orderly fashion.

Their appearance immediately drew everyone's attention.

Players from all the teams looked over curiously.

"Didn't they get a bye and advance? Why are they here again?"

"They're probably here to watch other teams play."

Xu Jintang and the others did not respond. They walked aloofly to the team's rest area, sat down, and began to watch the game.

At this moment, Li Xiang began reading out the various rules and regulations of the competition on the competition stage.

"Next up for the knockout stage match are Soul Awakening Team and Aisilier Team!"

A burst of enthusiastic cheers immediately erupted from the stands.

Subsequently, players from both teams took to the stage.

Xu Jintang leaned back, his gaze falling on the floating light screen displaying the game broadcast.

"This Aisilier Team seems to be quite strong overall," Yan Yuting added.

Xu Jintang pursed her lips. "Let's take a look first."

The battle began quickly.

The five members of the Soul Awakening Team were clearly well-trained and worked together seamlessly, leaving no room for error.

Xiao Linghe's mental strength level has reached the Fifth Tier. When he exerts his power, the opposing team cannot suppress him at all.

The battle didn't last long and ended quickly.

The game ended with the Soul Awakening Team emerging victorious.

Xu Jintang stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "The Soul Awakening Team is a bit stronger than we thought."

Jiang Shiyi replied, "Xiao Linghe clearly still has some strength left. If he unleashes his full power, his strength might reach the Peak Fifth Tier."

Song Tianqi's tone turned surprised, "Peak Fifth Tier? That's ridiculously strong."

In their team, Jiang Shiyi has the highest level of mental strength, at the Fourth Tier.

Secondly, there's the class monitor and him; both are at the Third Tier.

Their strength at the Peak Fifth Tier is two levels higher than theirs; how can they possibly fight them?

Yan Yuting clenched his hands nervously. "Things have come to this point; there's only one choice left."

Xue Zhongqi and Song Tianqi immediately turned to look at her, "What?"

"Let's pray we don't run into the Soul Awakening Team before we advance to the semifinals."

Two teams from each bracket can advance to the semifinals. As long as they don't encounter the Soul Awakening Team, they still have a chance to advance.

The quarterfinals are still in full swing.

After the second day of elimination rounds, some exciting news arrived: the Silver Light Military Academy Squad had also been eliminated.

Among the teams that have already advanced to the top eight, each team's overall strength is basically at or above Fourth Tier.

Only Xu Jintang and his group of five advanced entirely by luck.

"Military academy is in its final week, so you guys need to be mindful of the time. And regarding the Ability User Competition, first of all, congratulations on advancing to the top eight. While there was an element of luck involved, I believe that with your abilities, advancing to the top eight shouldn't be too difficult."

"I've said all the nice things," Zhuang Silin said with a smile. Then, her tone changed abruptly, "Now that the nice things are over, it's time for some of the more unpleasant stuff."

"You now face two difficulties. First, you need to complete the assessment task against Yan Yuhang's team before the end of the semester. Second, you need to continue preparing for the semi-finals."

"After the semifinals, you'll be just one step away from the championship, and the pressure will be immense. But as your coach, the only help I can offer is pre-competition training guidance."

Xu Jintang raised his hand, "Teacher, could the military academy provide us with some more funding for the competition?"

Zhuang Silin looked at her, "The money I gave you before, is it all spent already?"

"There's one more thing. But to be on the safe side, I'd like to prepare some other trump cards," Xu Jintang answered truthfully.

Zhuang Silin raised an eyebrow slightly, but didn't ask any further questions. "Okay, how much do you need? I'll ask my supervisor later."

Xu Jintang smiled and announced a number, "Five hundred thousand?"

Zhuang Silin's lips twitched. "... I'll try my best."

Upon hearing this, the others' eyes lit up.

Xue Zhongqi then raised his hand, "Teacher, I'd also like to apply for some more funding. Making inscriptions is quite expensive. I don't need much, just another 200,000 will be enough."

Song Tianqi swallowed hard and immediately raised his hand. "I... I... I also want to apply for funding."

"Do you military academy students get paid by the wind?" Zhuang Silin said sternly. "I can approve Xu Jintang and Xue Zhongqi's applications, but Song Tianqi, what do you need the money for? Focus on training your special ability; that's more useful than anything else."

Song Tianqi's special ability contains the bloodline of a divine beast, and after advancing to the Third Tier, there is a high chance that his bloodline will awaken.

If one can truly achieve the state of bloodline awakening, a three- or four-fold increase in strength is the bare minimum.

Upon being rejected, Song Tianqi immediately lowered his head, awkwardly touching his nose, "Okay."

Upon hearing this, Yan Yuting felt too embarrassed to speak again.

After Zhuang Silin left, Song Tianqi immediately approached Xu Jintang and asked, "Class monitor, what do you need so much money for?"

Xu Jintang smiled mysteriously and shook her finger at him, "It's a secret for now."

Chapter 99

The next morning, Zhuang Silin arrived at the villa with the funds approved by the military academy.

He handed the bank card to Xu Jintang, specifically instructing him, "This money, like the previous sponsorship, needs to be repaid. If you don't win the competition, you'll have to figure out how to repay it yourselves."

Xu Jintang accepted the star card with both hands, a smile spreading across his face. "No problem."

After receiving the money, Xu Jintang immediately transferred Xue Zhongqi's share.

She then returned to her room alone, locked the door, and went to the "Have You Earned Money?" shopping website.

This money was the budget she set aside for making the inscriptions.

To win the championship, you need to have a strong hand.

After receiving the money, Xue Zhongqi in the next room immediately logged onto the online shopping website and began making purchases.

His special ability is restricted, and the only way to improve his combat power is through array patterns. Therefore, he must completely master the level two array patterns before the semi-finals.

The villa was quite quiet that day.

Each of the five people was making final preparations in their respective rooms.

It wasn't until the afternoon, when the sun was about to set, that things continued.

The time I had arranged to meet with senior Yan Yuhang and the others was fast approaching.

Xu Jintang was the first to go out and downstairs, calling out, "We're about to leave. Get ready, we'll be leaving in ten minutes."

Ten minutes later, the five people gathered in the villa's courtyard.

Song Tianqi was completely excited. "Let's go! Let's go!"

Yan Yuting glanced at him and sighed with some worry, "I don't know if we'll succeed this time."

There is no limit to the number of attempts for the challenge; as long as it is completed before the end of the final week, it is considered a success.

So today, they're just testing the waters.

Xu Jintang looked around and, seeing that everyone had arrived, said, "Let's go!"

The duel was to take place at the military academy training ground.

When Xu Jintang and his group of five arrived, Yan Yuhang and his group were already waiting.

"Junior, you're here." Yan Yuhang waved to them from the edge of the arena.

Gu Nianwei leaned against the railing by the ring, smiling at them. "Long time no see."

Xu Jintang smiled slightly and stopped walking. "Hello, seniors. Thank you for your help today."

"No trouble at all. How can something with a reward be considered troublesome?" Gu Nianwei's smile deepened.

Xu Jintang was stunned. "What? There's a reward?"

Yan Yuhang crossed his arms and explained, "This morning, Teacher Zhuang told the five of us that if we could make you fail in your challenge, we would receive a special reward."

Gu Nianwei nodded, "Mm."

Xu Jintang's lips twitched slightly.

She remarked on how Teacher Zhuang had suddenly become so agreeable, giving money directly whenever she asked.

Previously, upperclassmen might have gone easy on them out of pity, but now, with the incentive of rewards, that's clearly impossible.

Xue Zhongqi looked up at the sky and sighed, "They really aren't giving us any way out."

Two minutes later, both of them stepped onto the ring.

The ring at the military academy has security and automatic recording systems, so Zhuang Silin is not present to accompany them today.

"The duel is about to begin. Both sides, please retreat to the sides of the arena and prepare for battle." A completely emotionless electronic announcement rang out.

Xu Jintang raised his hand and made a gesture to the four people behind him.

This hand gesture represents the formation they've been discussing over the past few days.

The four exchanged glances and quickly formed a triangle, surrounding Xue Zhongqi in the center to create a protective formation.

Seeing this, Gu Nianwei across from her had a deep look in her eyes and warned, "Those five must have figured out some tactics. Yan Yuhang, be careful later, Xue Zhongqi might use that Soul Sharing on you."

Yan Yuhang cracked his knuckles and waved his hand dismissively, "Don't worry, I was prepared."

After a countdown of ten seconds, the electronic voice sounded again, "The duel now begins."

As the sound faded, the arena's protective mechanisms activated automatically, and a protective shield slowly rose around the arena, enveloping the entire arena.

Xu Jintang's expression changed, and he quickly activated the Domain Detection effect.

An extreme chill rapidly spread along the arena, and in just a second, Chains of Ice swiftly emerged from the surface of the arena, coiling towards Gu Nianwei on the opposite side.

The ice chain wrapped around her waist, immediately halting Gu Nianwei's forward momentum.

She frowned, sensing something was wrong.

Before she could even react, Xue Zhongqi's Soul Sharing struck her. The Starlight Chain drilled into her forehead, reaching directly into her spiritual sea, and the Soul Link was immediately established.

Gu Nianwei's lips twitched.

She thought the Soul Sharing would be used on Yan Yuhang, but unexpectedly it was used on her instead.