Chapter 37: Fang Che, Silent and Reserved.
The Grand Training Grounds.
A grandstand rose from the ground.
The place was already bustling with noise, crowded with people.
From the fifth grade to the new first grade, countless people came to watch.
Credit points!
They were too important.
Moreover, they were too difficult to obtain.
The channels for obtaining credit points were as follows: One, contribute to the Martial Academy; two, complete academy tasks; three, create your own technique and store it in the school's martial repository; four, personally hunt down wanted criminals at all levels of government; five, personally hunt down those rewarded for guarding the main hall; six, personally kill any sect's criminals from the Only Me Orthodox Sect; seven, personally obtain and submit various levels of heavenly materials and earthly treasures; eight, personally hunt down and submit the core of various levels of demonic beasts (starting from level five); nine, be in the top hundred in the quarterly competition (no points for being in the top ten for four consecutive seasons), ten, advance in rank in each assessment.
Basically, it was like telling the students: Fight to the death!
Each way to obtain credit points requires fighting to the death!
However, consuming credit points was very simple; they were needed for food, clothing, and cultivation. Even... if you did something wrong, damaged any of the academy's facilities, it would deduct credit points.
So, the credit points of Baiyun Martial Academy have always been a pain in the hearts of the students!
It's not that it's difficult.
It's really difficult.
Now that there is such an opportunity to get something for nothing, how could they not seize it?
Especially those losers from the past few years.
They were even more eager.
In the amazed eyes of the new students and the accustomed eyes of the old students, more than a dozen martial academy instructors brought out tables and quickly set up a betting area.
Moreover, there were various introductions to the top hundred new students outside, with pictures and texts.
It was convenient for students to consider who to bet on.
It's just very concise.
Fang Che, Huo Churan, Ding Jieran...
Age, background, ranking upon entry to the academy, and the number of points this time.
But there is no introduction to cultivation level, weapons, martial skills, etc.
In other words, it's all based on luck.
However, countless analysts have already begun to analyze that most people are focusing on the top ten or top three.
But some people are also considering the top twenty. What if there's an upset?
Betting on the top three gives a three-to-one payout, but betting on someone outside the top ten gives a ten-to-one payout.
Is this fair?
If you happen to bet on a dark horse, you won't have to worry about points for the rest of your time at the academy.
It's a sudden fortune!
The academy personally manages the bets and oversees the gambling.
—Fang Che was truly enlightened.
Seeing his name boldly listed as number one, circled in red, he looked like a top favorite.
Surprisingly, not many people bet on him.
He couldn't help but laugh and cry.
It seemed that his reputation for "playing tricks and cheating" had already spread.
As he was looking, he felt someone beside him.
Turning his head, it was Deputy Mountain Master Huang Yifan.
"Hello, Mountain Master."
Huang Yifan meaningfully patted his shoulder and said, "Take it easy."
Then he disappeared into the crowd.
???
Fang Che was somewhat confused.
Take it easy? What did that mean?
Thinking of Huang Yifan's meaningful look, Fang Che suddenly understood something.
These leaders of the academy... were a bit cunning.
They were really experienced; Fang Che instantly understood the leaders' intentions.
But what was even more meaningful was... how could big shots like Huang Yifan be around him every day?
Fang Che instantly understood.
This Deputy Mountain Master Huang Yifan must know something.
Originally, on the first day, Fang Che was doubtful, but was seventy percent sure. Today, with Huang Yifan's actions, Fang Che was one hundred percent sure!
Under the grandstand.
As Fang Che arrived, all eyes converged on him.
The gazes were complex.
With the sound of a gong, the competition officially began.
Drawing lots.
Everyone drew their opponents at the same time.
Fang Che looked up at his opponent.
Number seventy-six.
Then the rules were announced.
There were no redemption rounds. In other words, it all depended on luck. For example, if you had the strength to compete for second place, but you met the champion in the first round, then you would be eliminated in the first round.
There would be no chance to compete for a position.
One round only!
It was very simple, very casual, very rough, and very perfunctory.
...
As the first-place contestant, Fang Che was unquestionably in the first round.
"The first match, Fang Che vs. Lin Ziqing. Champion Fang Che, please take the stage!"
Fang Che was ranked first, so naturally, he was the champion.
The referee's loud voice echoed throughout the grand training grounds.
"Yes!"
Fang Che didn't say much either. With a flash of black shadow, under the sunlight, a dark golden light twinkled like a starry sky suddenly flashing in the sky.
Fang Che's figure was graceful and elegant, and he had already stood on the platform.
The rising sun in the east, with myriad rays of rosy dawn.
The young man was like Jade, standing tall and straight.
The myriad rays of dawn seemed to drape over him. It also seemed that he was walking out of the rosy dawn, stepping on the rosy light.
His eyebrows were like swords, his eyes like knives, his facial features distinct, sharp and cold, as if floating above the world.
His presence was like an orchid among jades, like an immortal descending to earth.
All the students were eagerly anticipating it. When Fang Che stepped onto the stage, all eyes were on him.
As Fang Che stepped onto the platform amidst the swaying of his black robe, the whole arena fell silent.
Even the instructors acting as referees couldn't help but secretly admire: What style! What presence!
Countless female students below felt a heavy thump in their chests when they caught sight of Fang Che. It seemed as if he had suddenly crashed into their hearts from their sight.
In an instant, there was a flurry of butterflies in the stomach.
The moon in the sky is the moon in my eyes, and the person in front of me is the person in my dreams.
It seemed that all fantasies had suddenly become real.
Fang Che first looked around the platform, looking for familiar faces.
He hadn't expected Kong Zijian to make it into the top hundred.
But as he scanned the crowd, he didn't see Kong Zijian, but he did see Wei Zihao.
He couldn't help but pause.
Wei Zihao seemed much more spirited now, perhaps a bit thinner, but Fang Che vaguely felt that he had also darkened a bit? There was a black aura around his face.
Fang Che had a deep memory of Wei Zihao, after all, he was the target Fang Che intended to bully for a long time at the martial academy. At a glance, he immediately noticed the difference.
Darker, thinner.
But before he could think deeply, his gaze swept past him.
Because he was about to introduce himself...
"Esteemed teachers, senior brothers and sisters, and fellow students."
Fang Che was straightforward, clasping his fists and bowing, standing tall: "My name is Fang Che; 'Fang' as in square, 'Che' as in thorough. My family gave me this name, hoping that I would be a proper and upright gentleman, carrying it through to the end."
He seemed to smile somewhat bashfully: "Unfortunately, I'm not quite that much of a gentleman. In our future interactions, please don't be deceived by my name."
Immediately, there was a kind of laughter from below, mostly from the girls.
There was even a voice shouting, "I'm willing to be deceived by you!"
"Hahaha..."
Laughter filled the air.
Fang Che smiled on stage, feeling a bit shy. "I have many faults, a bad temper, and some character flaws. I can only take advantage of others and not suffer losses..."
After listing a bunch of his own shortcomings, he earnestly said, "And I'm usually quiet, I treasure my words, and I'm a bit reclusive. I hope that my fellow senior brothers, senior sisters, and classmates... won't have the same experiences with me in the future."
Quiet? Treasure his words? Reclusive?!
Below, there was a lot of laughter.
Everyone felt that this guy was handsome, had good manners, and a great temperament.
And he was unexpectedly so humorous.
It was truly rare.
However, in the five years that followed, as they got to know Fang Che, one by one, they realized after the fact. Many people recalled his self-introduction today and were amazed to discover that everything he said back then was actually true!
The feeling was indescribable.
On the other side.
Lin Ziqing had also leaped onto the stage, dressed in green, also a tall and straight young man.
He was very handsome.
But standing next to Fang Che, as he was about to introduce himself, he felt damn uncomfortable...
It was like a brick being placed next to a pearl.
The contrast was too strong.
So, he silently moved three steps away from Fang Che, feeling it was still too close, and then took two more steps back.
He found himself at the edge of the platform.
"Esteemed teachers, and everyone..."
Before he could finish speaking, there was suddenly a burst of laughter from below.
Some people were laughing so hard that tears came out.
Mainly because Lin Ziqing's reaction just now was too obvious.
Everyone understood why.
Lin Ziqing was overwhelmed by the laughter, his face suddenly blank, standing on the stage with a red face, unable to say a word.
Suddenly, a surge of anger rose up. He turned abruptly, looking at Fang Che, fury blazing in his eyes.
His teeth clenched.
It's all because of you!
Fang Che was taken aback.
Wow, you're quick to shift your anger...
Lin Ziqing was furious, about to say something.
Fang Che simply stepped aside, extending his hand. "Please, Lin Ziqing!"
Lin Ziqing held his breath again, the words once more stuck in his throat.
His eyes widened in anger.
At the same time, drawing his sword, he shouted angrily, "Fang Che, you are despicable and shameless, cheating to win first place. Today, I, Lin Ziqing, will expose your true colors!"
Fang Che's face showed a look of helplessness. He earnestly said, "Don't be so loud, Lin Ziqing. The truth does not need to be shouted. Also, don't be so hasty and desperate. Even without me, you would only be in 75th place. Your anger seems a bit unjustified, as if without me, you could win the championship."
This statement was like a sharp needle, stabbing into Lin Ziqing's heart.
In an instant, his internal organs seemed to ignite.
Swish!
Lin Ziqing was so angry at this statement that his vision darkened, and he immediately swung his sword.
Fang Che dodged aside and said earnestly, "If you are not satisfied, then I apologize to you. I'm sorry for getting first place and blocking your path. Without me, you would be in 75th place. I'm really sorry."
"I'm going to kill you!"
Lin Ziqing roared, his face veins bulging as he exerted all his strength.
"Hey... Lin Ziqing, you're being too impulsive. We're classmates, we should show love and not use such words. Why don't you go down and take a rest? You're still young, it's not worth getting so worked up."
He turned his body and somehow ended up behind Lin Ziqing, extending his hand to give him a gentle push.
Lin Ziqing was already at the edge of the platform. With this push, unable to stop his momentum, he involuntarily flew off the platform. His long sword was still raised, unable to change direction, heading straight towards a senior from the fifth grade below.
That senior seemed to be the leader of a group of seniors, surrounded by many people, standing out from the crowd.
Seeing Lin Ziqing flying towards him, he furrowed his brows slightly but made no move.
With a loud bang.
Someone had already stepped forward eagerly, behaving like a show-off. With a slap, he pushed Lin Ziqing aside, wiped his hands, and angrily said, "Dare to assassinate my leader!"
Lin Ziqing had already fainted.
There was another commotion in the audience.
The announcement came from the platform: "Number One wins!"
Fang Che was meticulous in his manners, thanking everyone around, and gracefully left the platform.
He disappeared in an instant.
His battle was over, waiting for the next battle of fifty people.
Both on and off the platform, there was a certain quietness.
Because of this battle, there were too many things to ponder.
While Lin Ziqing was weakened to some extent,
Fang Che didn't seem to have gotten much stronger.
Many felt that the difference in martial strength wasn't significant, and the greatest damage wasn't from Fang Che's palm strike.
The power of Fang Che's words was more than ten times that of the physical damage!
Regardless of whether they were freshmen or seniors, male or female, everyone was thinking the same thing: This guy's strength hasn't been fully revealed yet.
But when it comes to speaking, his mouth is truly venomous.
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