Chapter 61: No One to Compete!
The selection competition officially begins!
Judges appear, allowing the students from both sides to take the stage.
Most of those confident enough to sign up for the Inner Academy selection competition are at least above the Seven-Star Dou Master level. Otherwise, they risk bringing shame upon themselves.
Therefore, the battles are exceptionally exciting, especially when evenly matched opponents face off, resulting in intense struggles.
Brilliant Dou Qi radiance frequently bursts forth.
In the base of the Yellow Class Two, Xiao Ze stands with Xiao Xun'er and Little Fairy Doctor.
They analyze the battles taking place on the square.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu stands aside, watching the matches with her group of girlfriends.
Though it seems like Xiao Yu is attentively watching, she's actually listening carefully to the discussions coming from Xiao Ze's side.
Hearing the three of them analyze the battle situation, she can't help but feel a little envious.
Compared to them, her cultivation talent seems nonexistent.
Xiao Ze notices Xiao Yu's actions and waves to her.
"Xiao Yu, if you want to listen, come closer."
Xiao Ze smiles.
Hearing Xiao Ze's familiar tone, Xiao Yu suddenly feels the faint estrangement in her heart disappear.
She strides over, and the other girls follow suit.
For a moment, Xiao Ze is surrounded by girls.
Those who are watching Xiao Ze from the sidelines can't help but feel envious.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ze's male classmates keep their distance because they're surrounded by girls.
Xiao Ze inhales the various fragrances that waft towards him and marvels at how keen his senses have become.
Even though Xiao Yu and the others approach, they still don't truly enter Xiao Ze's circle.
They don't even get a chance to interject because Xiao Ze's analysis of the battles is beyond their comprehension.
They can only eagerly listen to their analysis while watching the battles on the square, their faces filled with satisfaction.
They hadn't realized that there were so many intricacies to battles.
"Wind attribute cultivators versus earth attribute cultivators. The former didn't utilize their advantages and instead acted recklessly."
"Now, the earth attribute cultivator has seized an opportunity. Barring any accidents, they're likely to win!"
Xiao Ze watches the battle on the field and remarks, with the other two nodding in agreement.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu and her group look towards the square.
Sure enough, after three rounds, the earth attribute cultivator seizes an opportunity.
With thick earth attribute Dou Qi swirling around his legs, he delivers a powerful kick to the wind attribute cultivator's abdomen, ending the battle.
Xiao Yu and her group look at Xiao Ze with admiration in their eyes.
Snow even tries to move closer, wanting to get even closer to Xiao Ze.
But after being glared at by Little Fairy Doctor, she backs off and returns to Xiao Yu's side, receiving a pinch on the waist from Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu leans in and whispers to Snow, "You flirt, there's a way to do it properly! My cousin isn't even an adult yet, what are you trying to do!"
"I couldn't help it, he's just too outstanding!" Snow says plaintively, and Xiao Yu rolls her eyes.
"Don't blame me for not warning you, my cousin's not someone you can easily get along with!"
"Your warning came too late. I've already experienced it," Snow says with some regret.
Xiao Ze and the others can't help but chuckle at the exchange.
Xiao Xun'er and Little Fairy Doctor smile at Xiao Ze, who shrugs, indicating it's not his problem.
"Lin Kai of the Mysterious Class One versus Xiao Ze of the Yellow Class Two!"
The judge's voice rings out, and Xiao Xun'er says teasingly, "Now it's your turn."
Before going on stage, Xiao Ze ruffles Xiao Xun'er's hair.
His opponent has already taken the stage, holding a deep blue spear with a magic core embedded on it.
"Xiao Ze, even though you're the academy's rising star, don't think you can make me surrender without a fight!" Lin Kai says, brimming with fighting spirit.
Xiao Ze nods, smiling, "I look forward to your performance."
All eyes in the audience are fixed on the square, filled with anticipation.
What kind of performance will this legendary rising star deliver?
Many admirers of Xiao Ze spontaneously cheer for him, their shouts echoing through the sky.
"The match begins!"
The judge announces, and at the same time, Lin Kai begins to speak.
"I'm going to..."
But Lin Kai's words are cut off midway.
Clang!
The deep blue spear falls to the ground, followed by the sound of a body hitting the ground.
Lin Kai has collapsed.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ze remains motionless on the stage.
The entire square falls into silence.
Even the spectators in the stands widen their eyes in confusion.
They have no idea what just happened.
All those who are unsure share a common thought: What just happened? How did Lin Kai collapse on his own before Xiao Ze even made a move?
Xiao Ze looks at the judge, who quickly rushes to Lin Kai's side.
After checking Lin Kai's condition and confirming that he's unconscious, the judge raises his right hand and announces the result.
"In this match, Lin Kai is unconscious. The winner is Xiao Ze!"
This match, the shortest one of the day, leaves everyone in the audience discussing.
They certainly don't believe Lin Kai collapsed on his own. It must have been Xiao Ze's doing.
Though the spectators are disappointed they didn't get to see an exciting battle, they're also incredibly curious.
What kind of method did Xiao Ze use to instantly knock out his opponent?
As for the students participating in the Inner Academy selection competition, they all wear grave expressions.
Because they can't figure out what method Xiao Ze used! If they don't understand their opponent's situation, standing in front of him in the future won't leave them with any chance of victory.
Xiao Ze used this method in class competitions before—combining water attribute cultivation with the Hundredfold Hardship Poison.
But now, Xiao Ze's control is incomparable to before.
The effect of the Hundredfold Hardship Poison is also something these students can't resist.
However, because this is an inter-academy competition, Xiao Ze greatly enhances the effect of unconsciousness instead of causing death.
On the high platform across the square, several elders watch Xiao Ze's retreating figure with surprise.
"This kid's strength has improved yet again. This level of control over Dou Qi... Even Dou Ling might not possess it, right?" Hu Qian chuckles and says to the old man next to him.
This is Elder Huo, a top-tier alchemist in the Canaan Academy.
Elder Huo gazes at Xiao Ze with keen eyes, and says with a meaningful tone, "His peculiar Dou Qi is indeed extraordinary. It seems even the academy has no records of it."
"This is his own fortune. Let's not inquire too much," Hu Qian says calmly. Elder Huo just mentioned it casually, not delving further into it.
"If he continues like this, there might not be much excitement left in the selection competition over there..." Hearing Elder Huo's words, Hu Qian twitches his mouth.
"Old Huo, you're always one for stirring up trouble. Why don't you help me think of a solution?"
"This is your problem."
After Elder Huo finishes speaking, he leisurely leans back in his chair, looking content.
Hu Qian feels somewhat helpless. The alchemy department is independent of the Inner and Outer Academies, so he can't really control Elder Huo.
"Never mind, I'll think of something myself."
Hu Qian watches the battle between the two students on the field, a thought emerging in his mind.
(End of this chapter)