Chen Chu surveyed the surroundings, taking in the sea of faces.
These fellow students were much like him. They congregated in their respective classes and were divided into more than 40 groups. The expected number of participants was around 500.
It was the first time Chen Chu had seen such a large gathering of freshmen who practiced real martial arts. All these faces were unfamiliar, as they typically practiced in different buildings. Moreover, some freshmen who had only recently laid their foundations had opted out, or there would have been even more participants.
"Quiet!"
As the announcement blared over the speakers, the crowd hushed.
Chen Chu directed his gaze towards the source of the sound, spotting more than ten teachers seated on the main stage, among them Chen Qi and Pang Long.
A bearded middle-aged man among the teachers held a microphone and spoke with authority, "I'm Lin Xiong, the head teacher of Class 1, and the teachers present today will serve as judges."
"Cultivation can be quite tedious, especially for you freshmen. Many of you may have lost some enthusiasm after the initial novelty wore off."
"That's precisely why this competition has been organized – to help you recognize the gap between yourselves and your peers, to acknowledge your shortcomings and muster the courage to work harder in your training."
"You have no idea how much the nation invests in training your generation."
"Take nothing for granted. Understand that every resource you utilize was secured by other fighters on the battlefield."
"Furthermore, every martial art was created through the painstaking efforts of its creator, hence the initial authority attached to them. Wastefulness doesn't deserve these privileges."
"By 'wastefulness,' I'm not referring to students who progress slowly in laying their foundations, but rather those who are lazy and complacent, unwilling to advance despite being granted the opportunity to practice."
"These individuals will gradually be weeded out by the school over the next three years."
Lin Xiong continued in a resolute tone, "While we're on the subject, allow me to share a few more thoughts."
"Currently, there are rumors circulating online that those who can't establish a foundation within a month lack talent for cultivation or that those who take a month to do so are less gifted."
"In my view, such claims are pure nonsense. Building a foundation is only the beginning, so what if it takes a bit longer?"
"Remember, cultivation is a journey of continuous self-improvement and pushing past one's limits. Later on, every breakthrough in your realm can take ten or even twenty years to achieve."
"Each major breakthrough represents a transformation and a higher level of life. How can this be compared to the initial one or two months of slow foundation building?"
"Understand that cultivation is a long and challenging path. Only those with strong determination and perseverance can reach its end."
The words of Head Teacher Lin Xiong filled many students who had established their foundations within a month with renewed determination. Even those who had previously given up in the auditorium found their faith in cultivation rekindled.
After all, they were only a half-month behind; why couldn't they catch up?
"Alright, it's time to discuss the rules of the competition."
"This competition consists of three rounds. In the first round, each of you will face six opponents consecutively. Each round lasts ten minutes, and you will earn one point for each victory and lose one point for each defeat."
"If there is no winner or loser within the ten minutes, the referee will determine the victor based on performance."
"After the first round, the top 200 with the highest scores will advance."
"The second round involves defending your ring. You must consecutively defeat four challengers in your ring to succeed. Each person has only one chance to challenge."
"Once the top 50 are decided, the third round of free challenges begins. Those who are dissatisfied with their current ring ranking can challenge for a place in the top ten."
"Winners advance, while losers stay put."
"By the way, although the positions of the top fifty differ, the monthly contribution points rewarded are the same."
"Now, let the competition commence. Everyone will start the first round based on the names displayed behind the ring number on the big screen."
"I am in ring number 13."
"I have ring number nine..."
"I'm number forty-five..."
"I'm in ring number 2. Hey, squad leader, Ah Chu, I'm up first." With those words, Xia Youhui eagerly headed to ring number 2 in the distance.
Chen Chu then spotted his name, listed under ring 49.
After greeting Lin Xue and the others, Chen Chu quickly made his way over.
On the ring, there was already a girl with an unremarkable appearance. Seeing Chen Chu approaching, she politely proposed, "How about we exchange ideas without weapons, student?"
"Yes," Chen Chu affirmed, placing the knife at the ring's edge.
"Pay attention to ring 49; the competition will officially start in three seconds."
With the electronic broadcast's countdown, both Chen Chu and the girl turned resolute. When the countdown reached zero, the girl on the opposite side let out a fierce shout.
"Be cautious." Chen Chu's warning echoed before the girl unleashed her astonishing speed, surpassing even Lu Haitao's swiftness from earlier.
Evidently, her chosen martial arts specialized in speed.
However... Boom!
Chen Chu's left arm held firm, stopping the girl's mid-air attempt to kick him high. His arm remained immovable, disregarding the girl's explosive force, which amounted to hundreds of kilograms.
The instant she was halted, the girl contorted her body and launched three lightning-fast kicks in mid-air. Her strikes targeted Chen Chu's vulnerable spots—head, neck, and other weak areas.
Yet, Chen Chu effortlessly deflected every one of them with quicker reflexes.
And as the girl's third kick lost its momentum, Chen Chu's body suddenly shifted mid-air. Like an elephant's trunk, he ensnared her ankle with a single arm.
Ah! The girl airborne exclaimed in surprise.
In the next moment, she experienced an immense force and was flung more than ten meters away, crashing onto the ring with a resounding thud.
Her fall from the sky left the surrounding students in shock.
Surveying the girl sitting dazedly on the ground, nursing her sore behind and struggling to stand, Chen Chu offered a slight smile, "I accept your surrender."
This girl possessed more strength than Lu Haitao and excelled in legwork and speed.
However, she had the misfortune of encountering Chen Chu, who exceeded the first-tier heaven's limits in terms of speed, strength, and reaction, and was summarily overwhelmed and dispatched.
The referee's voice reverberated from the ring's loudspeaker, "In ring No. 49, student Chen Chu emerges victorious, and the next round will commence after an eight-minute break."
Chen Chu glanced upward, directing his gaze at the camera on the pillar, and with a smile, he suggested, "Teacher, I believe you can proceed to the next match without the break."
It wasn't a display of arrogance on Chen Chu's part; it was simply that the previous opponent had proven too weak to necessitate rest and waste valuable time.
"...Very well," the teacher in the audience hesitated briefly.
Immediately, not far off, an imposing young man carrying a hefty hammer on his back bounded over with enthusiasm, leaping onto the No. 49 ring.