After waiting for about fifteen minutes, everyone finally arrived.
Besides the people from Qingye City, there were also bigwigs and their one or two students from other Second Stage cities under Shuzhou City.
However, the last person to enter, a middle-aged man with a round face, seemed to be at odds with Wang Haiping.
"Yo, isn't this Director Wang? Long time no see. I wonder how you're doing in Guangchuan City?"
As soon as the man came in, his gaze fell on Wang Haiping, and a hint of surprise flashed across his face. He then briskly walked over with his student.
"So, it's Director Hu..." Wang Haiping's smile immediately faded when he saw this man.
This man was the Deputy Mayor of Zigui City, Hu Tao.
Speaking of which, there was indeed some past between Wang Haiping and Hu Tao.
Back then, Wang Haiping was young and promising with outstanding work abilities and had a chance to be promoted directly to Deputy Director.
However, Hu Tao, due to some reasons, squeezed out Wang Haiping from the position, blocking his promotion path. Until today, no new promotion opportunity had appeared.
So, the grudge between the two was quite significant.
Hu Tao's gaze fell on Su Yuan behind Wang Haiping. "Is this the student you're bringing to participate in the Divine Tree's blooming, Director Wang? The Star Power fluctuation seems a bit weak, only at the Eighth Stage? Indeed, Director Wang, you're always so unique in your actions!"
Hu Tao laughed and pushed forward a young man behind him. "Come, Director Wang, let me introduce this Qingye City's talent, this year's special admission student of Hengzhou Academy, Liu Rulong."
Hengzhou's special admission student?
Both Su Yuan and Wang Haiping couldn't help but take another look at the young man behind Hu Tao.
With short light purple hair, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a burly figure, Liu Rulong grinned and provocatively lifted his chin slightly when Su Yuan looked over.
"So, it's Hengzhou Academy's special admission student. Impressive, impressive," Wang Haiping responded perfunctorily with an expressionless face.
Hengzhou Academy was ranked eleventh, higher than the academies in Shuzhou and Wanzhou, indeed a reason for boasting.
Seeing Wang Haiping's attitude, Hu Tao's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I hope your Eighth Stage student can enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm, Director Wang. I'll be cheering for you."
Wang Haiping said indifferently, "Entering the Secret Realm is certain, so there's no need for you to worry."
Hu Tao let out a snort and then walked past Su Yuan and Wang Haiping with Liu Rulong.
...
Ji Qinghe, President of Qingye City's Star Card Master Association, was a thin and spirited old man.
However, his realm was the highest in the whole venue. He had been at the high stage of the Shining Star Level for many years, and it was said that he was only a step away from the Radiant Moon Level, ready to break through at any time.
Even Director Yan Chenfei of Qingye Education Bureau had to be courteous in front of him.
At this moment, Ji Qinghe slowly walked to the center of the hall. Seeing this, everyone stopped their discussions and looked up.
Ji Qinghe cleared his throat and said, "Since everyone is here, let's start competing for the spots to enter the Divine Tree.
To save time, the rules are the same as before: arena format, defending and attacking. Each person has only one chance. Fail, and you're eliminated.
Until no one challenges the defender on the arena, the defender wins and gains the qualification to enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm.
Does anyone have any objections?"
"No."
"We'll follow your instructions, Elder Ji."
These rules had been in place for many years, always the same.
To have two or three rounds of competition to determine the top four participants was impractical. Firstly, the number of participants was uncertain, making it hard to organize. Secondly, with nearly twenty Star Apprentices, at least the bigwigs in the Shining Star Level around wouldn't find it entertaining. It wasn't necessary.
"Alright then, let's begin," Ji Qinghe said with a smile, glancing at the many young people below. "Anyone who wants to defend the arena, just step onto the stage behind."
Behind Ji Qinghe was a huge square-shaped arena, much more professional than the duel arena at Guangchuan Fourth Middle School.
"I'll go!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice to Su Yuan rang out, it was Zhuang Xun.
Quite proactive...
Zhuang Xun didn't actually want to be the first one, but since this was Qingye City, as the hosts, they couldn't let others defend first. Earlier, Yan Chenfei had instructed him to be the first to take the Secret Realm spot!
Zhuang Xun walked out from one side to the duel arena, and from afar, he winked at Su Yuan.
Big brother, please don't mess with me!
Su Yuan initially planned to go up directly, take the spot first, and get it over with.
Although he wanted to help Wang Haiping deal with Liu Rulong under Hu Tao, seeing Liu Rulong's demeanor, he thought provoking him might make him go up immediately. Besides, in front of such a large audience, Liu Rulong wouldn't refuse a challenge.
But with Zhuang Xun already up there, Su Yuan decided to wait a while...
"Is this one of Qingye City's special admission students for Shuzhou?"
"I think so. Indeed, Qingye City has performed well this year. Not only did they have two special admission students of their own, but they also produced two more special admits from below."
"Yes, Qingye City really hit the jackpot this year. Director Yan's career prospects are limitless..."
The young students scrutinized Zhuang Xun on stage, while the bigwigs casually chatted in threes and twos.
These bigwigs didn't care who the specific special admission students of Qingye were; they only cared about the number of special admittances as this was also a performance evaluation metric from the Ministry of Education for the local educational bureaus.
"Is there anyone to challenge first?"
"I'll do it!"
A dark-skinned young man stepped forward and leaped onto the duel arena. He raised his hands and summoned a black iron hammer with a rather exaggerated shape.
The hammer was faintly covered by a thin yet heavy gray light, also a Green Star Device!
"Yanyun Second Middle School, Luo Feng!" the dark-skinned young man shouted with a deep voice.
Seeing that his opponent was no simpleton, Zhuang Xun waved his hand to summon his black and red longsword, "Qingye High School, Zhuang Xun!"
No referee was needed to call the match's start. The two eyed each other before engaging in combat simultaneously.
As a matter of fact, Luo Feng was indeed formidable, being the nephew of a Shining Star Level beginner stage Star Card Master in Yanyun City.
With a low-grade blue Soul Card and C-level strength talent, he had a solid foundation since childhood and a strong talent. Although not a special admission student, Luo Feng had long been coached by his Shining Star Level uncle and didn't think he was much weaker than those students from prestigious schools.
Luo Feng activated the Strength Enhancement as soon as the fight began. His muscles bulged, and the enormous iron hammer seemed light as a feather, whirling fiercely in his hands!
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The two fought closely several times, with Luo Feng repeatedly forcing Zhuang Xun back several steps.
Zhuang Xun suddenly exerted force to briefly suppress Luo Feng's attack, then quickly retreated.
While twisting his somewhat numb arm, Zhuang Xun couldn't help but smirk.
Goodness, this strength is truly impressive, indeed unmatched.
However, raw strength alone isn't enough... This match ends here!
Zhuang Xun grew serious. In a defending battle, not only must one win, but win decisively!
He needed to showcase absolute strength to deter others. Otherwise, if he showed weakness, everyone would want to try their luck, leading to a continuous battle. Star Apprentices had limited Star Power, and no matter how strong they were, they would be worn down eventually.
Seeing Luo Feng swinging the giant hammer and charging once more, Zhuang Xun quickly formed several hand seals. He stamped on the ground, causing dense fire elements to erupt beneath him. Among the rising flame light, six fire serpents emerged, rushing straight towards Luo Feng's face!
Alarmed, Luo Feng hastily swung his hammer at the incoming fire serpents, easily smashing one.
However, the fire serpents were highly agile, and such a relatively cumbersome weapon as a hammer had difficulty dealing with them. Luo Feng smashed three serpents but got entangled by the remaining three.
The next moment, the three fire serpents began to glow intensely!
"Oh no..."
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Explosions ensued, and the bursts of orange flames enveloped Luo Feng, leaving the student spectators below shaking in their boots.
Yet, none of the bigwigs, including Yanyun City's Deputy Director of Education who brought Luo Feng, made any move.
"Don't think you can defeat me just like this!"
At that moment, Luo Feng suddenly reached out from the flames!
His body was covered in a layer of dark green fish scales, barely resisting the fiery explosions from the fire serpents' blasts.
However, before Luo Feng could completely dissipate the residual flames, he suddenly sensed intense heat rising in front of him. He focused and saw a half-meter-diameter massive fireball rolling and surging in Zhuang Xun's hands.
The fire serpents were merely a distraction. The Flame Explosion Technique was the real killing move!
"Go, Flame Explosion Technique!" Zhuang Xun exclaimed without mercy.
The fire blazed brilliantly. The massive fireball, packed with astonishing energy, swiftly flew toward Luo Feng, who had barely recovered from the previous explosion.
Luo Feng's face turned grim. "Doomed..."
At the last moment, a figure appeared beside Luo Feng, reaching out to catch the incoming massive fireball.
It was Ji Qinghe!
The fireball, caught by Ji Qinghe, didn't explode but instead deflated like a punctured balloon.
Feeling the remaining heat from the massive fireball, Luo Feng sighed in relief.
"Zhuang Xun wins!"