"Old man, let me out, I want to sign up! Why won't you let me participate in the inner court selection? Let me out!"
Standing at the doorstep of Hu Gan's house, Old Huo heard the voice, hesitated for a moment, and looked at the figure sitting inside the house.
"Come on, go eat at your place, don't mind her." Hu Gan called Old Huo and brought out some things.
"What's going on?" Old Huo asked curiously.
Hu Gan sighed, "This girl heard that Xiao Xun'er is participating in the inner court selection, and she also wants to participate. How can that be? If she participates this year, there's no chance of entering the top five."
Even though Hu Gan personally taught Hu Jia and imparted her skills, participating this year might not be a good idea.
And Hu Jia is still young, entering the inner court a year later won't delay anything.
Therefore, Hu Gan plans to let Hu Jia participate again next year.
"Last time, she suffered a loss from Lin Xiu and hasn't learned her lesson." Hu Gan was somewhat displeased.
There are many valuable things in the Academy's library, and even Hu Gan has quite a few treasures he desires.
As the Deputy Headmaster, he still cannot disregard the rules of the Academy.
Naturally, he doesn't want Hu Jia to miss this opportunity.
"Speaking of Lin Xiu, that kid has finally returned," Old Huo spoke up.
Hu Gan glanced at him, "Did he come to see you?"
"No, he wants to participate in the inner court selection and compete for the top five. The news has already spread," Old Huo said.
"Him?"
Hu Gan was slightly surprised, "Competing for the top five is too ambitious, isn't it?"
He pondered for a moment and continued, "This little guy's strength improved quite quickly before. Now, I don't know if he has broken through to Dou Grandmaster within a year. If he has, maybe there's a chance."
"Who knows? Finish your meal quickly; we have a meeting later. You always talk about changing the format of the inner court selection every year. How do you plan to select the top five this time?" urged Old Huo.
...
On the other side.
Five people sat together around a table, with food placed in the middle.
"Junior, do you feel a lot of pressure now? It seems like the entire outer court knows you're aiming for the top five, and many eyes are on you," Han Pu smiled, looking at Lin Xiu, curious.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiu smiled lightly, with a calm and relaxed expression, "As a Dou Practitioner, I can fight Dou Masters. Now I'm a 1-Star Dou Grandmaster. Han Senior Brother, do you think I would worry about opponents at the same level?"
"Seeing you so confident, I'm reassured. It's just a pity..."
Han Pu reached into his pocket and took out a booklet, placing it on the table, "I heard that you're participating in this year's selection. During your absence from the Academy, I did a lot of investigation, but it seems it won't be needed now."
Lin Xiu reached out and took a look. He saw names like "Su Xiao, Leng Bai, Xiu Yan," along with some brief information about them.
"Senior Brother, you've been considerate." Lin Xiu glanced through it briefly and closed the booklet, "When I take the first place, I'll make sure to inform Mentor and acknowledge your contribution."
Upon hearing this, Han Pu smiled.
"Junior, don't be arrogant and underestimate your opponents. Everyone competing for the top five has made long-term preparations. Be careful not to capsize in the gutter," Qin Zhi reminded.
She didn't doubt Lin Xiu's strength.
On the contrary, she understood Lin Xiu's character. Since he said it, he must have the strength to back it up.
However. Those people must have made preparations.
"Senior Sister, rest assured, when I engage in battle, I will naturally give it my all," Lin Xiu said with a serious expression.
Beside them, Lin Dun, holding his chopsticks, waited for the right moment to speak.
"Brother Xiu, so you're really aiming for the top five?" Lin Dun had always thought those rumors were baseless.
However.
Listening to Han Pu and Qin Zhi, it was clear they knew a year ago that Brother Xiu's goal was the top five.
Lin Xiu nodded, "Yes, you don't need to follow suit. Just aim to enter the inner court next year."
"..."
Hearing Lin Xiu's words, Lin Dun was stunned for a while.
Me?
Brother Xiu is overestimating me. How can I participate in the top five?
Strength, Qi Method, Dou Technique, combat experience—all of these are indispensable.
After all, the top five are the cream of the crop in the outer court.
Back at the Academy, Lin Xiu spent a week waiting for the start of the inner court selection.
He received his own identification card.
The inner court selection was conducted through arena battles, with contestants facing off in pairs. The victor would advance, and the loser would be eliminated.
After two days and over ten battles, Lin Xiu faced almost no obstacles, advancing to the top fifty.
On the third day.
The vast square was packed with people.
In the center, a large area was cleared, with fifty figures standing.
Countless eyes scanned over them.
"Is that Lin Xiu?"
"He seems to have something special; these past few days, he's been resolving opponents with just one move."
"In my opinion, the top five is still uncertain. Su Xiao, Leng Bai, Xiu Yan, those Senior Brothers also seem to be finishing opponents in just one move."
Amidst the discussions, Hu Gan stepped forward and began to speak.
Today was the real highlight of the inner court selection, as it would determine the top five positions.
As Hu Gan spoke, the surrounding voices quickly hushed.
"Today is the annual inner court selection..."
Hu Gan spoke rapidly, completing the introduction and then swung his big hand towards the sky.
Suddenly, countless streaks of light shot towards the sky.
After a brief rotation, these streaks of light descended and stopped in front of the fifty students.
Lin Xiu reached out to receive one, and as the radiance dispersed, he held a pure white jade slip in his palm.
"What's this?" Lin Xiu was momentarily puzzled, glancing to both sides where others also held a jade slip.
However.
His was white, while theirs were black.
At this point, Hu Gan's voice sounded.
"This year, I have a new idea. Now each of you has received a jade slip.
Among them.
There are two colors, black and white.
Next, we will adopt a defending championship system. Winners will continue, losers will be eliminated.
The final five standing on the stage will be the top five this time, those who will have the privilege to enter the library."
As the words fell.
Among the fifty individuals, the expressions on their faces underwent various changes.
Among them, Su Xiao, Leng Bai, and others showed relatively minor changes.
Obviously, they seemed somewhat prepared for the Headmaster's peculiar idea.
The reason for the slight change was that this format was somewhat disadvantageous for them.
If they started as defenders, they would have to face challengers continuously.
With a total of five platforms, divided evenly, they would have to defeat at least nine opponents in a row to secure their position in the top five.
Apart from them, there were those who originally had no hope of reaching the top five.
Now, upon hearing Hu Gan's new rule, they suddenly gained spirit:
A revolving battle is about endurance.
If facing Su Xiao alone, they naturally had no chance. But what if it was Su Xiao, who had already fought eight times?
A shiver ran through the hearts of everyone, becoming both tense and expectant.
Who would be the first person to step onto the stage?
At the same time.
Around the square, the onlookers, upon learning the rules for this year, gradually became excited and thrilled.
The initially clear situation, at this moment, became perplexing once again.
Even Su Xiao, who was held in the highest expectations by the crowd, could potentially lose his qualification for the top five if he was the first to step onto the stage.
"Please don't be the first, please don't be the first..."
Huo Lan clasped his hands together, silently praying.
He was not the only mentor with the same sentiment.
On the elevated platform, Hu Gan observed all these changes, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth. He was very satisfied with his new rule.
"Next, those who have obtained a white jade slip, come up to the stage!"
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