221: First Champion – Jiang Donghua

The sky had just begun to lighten, but the giant arena surrounding the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy was already packed with people, a dense mass, with spectators even filling the nearby treetops.

The air was thick with a tense yet excited atmosphere, as if the very wind had slightly congealed.

"Clang—!"

As the tolling of the bell by an Elder of the Hall of Enforcement echoed, the entire square immediately fell silent.

Everyone's gaze focused on the center of the arena, where Dean Lei Tian of the Outer Academy stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes sharp as lightning as he surveyed the crowd.

"The rules for today's selection competition have changed!"

Lei Tian's voice was like a great bell, resounding everywhere.

"Jiang Donghua is directly designated as the First Arena Master! The rest of the students may challenge him freely! The winner will take his place!"

"Whoosh—!"

The entire venue instantly erupted!

"It really is him!"

Someone whispered.

"Hmph, a Peak Dou Ling. If he's not first, who is?" Someone sneered.

"Damn it, now we don't even have the hope of lucking out and avoiding him through a draw."

Some people looked pale.

But in the eyes of many more, fierce fighting intent was ignited!

Only the top five can enter the Scripture Pavilion!

Earth-Rank Cultivation Method! Di-rank Dou Technique!

Who wouldn't want those?!

"Since it's been changed to an arena competition, there's a chance!"

A burly student clenched his fists, a ruthless light flashing in his eyes.

"Under a continuous rotation of challengers, even a Peak Dou Ling might not be able to hold out!"

"Exactly! No matter how strong he is, his Dou Qi will eventually run out!"

"Heh heh, I want to see just how monstrous he truly is!"

Someone licked his lips, fighting intent boiling in his eyes.

Meanwhile, on the high platform at the edge of the arena, several Elders were quietly observing everything.

"Hah, looks like these little guys haven't been completely scared out of their wits yet."

Elder Yan snorted coldly.

"After all, the temptation of the Scripture Pavilion is too great."

The Fat Elder said with a beaming smile.

"However, that brat Jiang Donghua is not someone who can be easily exhausted."

"Hmph, let's wait and see."

Elder Yan's gaze was profound.

Just then, a figure slowly walked onto the arena.

Jiang Donghua!

He wore a black combat suit, his expression calm, his gaze indifferent, as if all the surrounding noise had nothing to do with him.

"The First Arena Master, Jiang Donghua!"

Lei Tian announced in a deep voice.

"Challengers, you may now step onto the stage!"

The entire venue instantly fell silent, everyone's eyes fixed on the arena, waiting for the appearance of the first challenger.

Who dared to be the first one up?!

Many people in the stands also began discussing.

"Free challenges within one hour? The winner holds the spot, the loser is eliminated?!"

"Doesn't that mean that as long as you can seize one of the top five arena spots at the last moment, you can coast to victory?!"

"Hahaha! Smart! Whoever goes up first is an idiot!"

In an instant, the atmosphere across the entire square became strange.

The students who had originally been eager to try their luck now calmed down completely, their eyes flickering as they sized each other up; no one wanted to be the first target.

Especially Jiang Donghua's arena!

That was a monster at the Peak Dou Ling realm!

Who would be crazy enough to challenge him first?!

"Heh heh, since the rules don't mandate challenging the first spot, I'll go grab a top twenty position first!"

A skinny student's eyes darted around, and he suddenly leaped out, jumping directly onto the twentieth-ranked arena.

"The twentieth spot is mine, Zhao Wuhen! If anyone disagrees, come up and fight!"

This action was like opening a floodgate; instantly, over a dozen figures rushed out simultaneously, each seizing an arena.

"The thirty-fifth spot belongs to me!"

"The twelfth spot, who dares to fight me?!"

"The forty-seventh spot is mine for sure!"

The entire square instantly boiled over, battles erupting one after another, Dou Qi crisscrossing and roaring incessantly.

However, strangely, the arena for the first spot remained completely empty!

Jiang Donghua still stood quietly in the center of the arena, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression indifferent, as if none of this commotion concerned him.

"Hahaha! This bunch of cowards! They don't even dare to challenge him?!"

A student in the stands couldn't help but laugh loudly.

"Nonsense! Would you dare to go up? That's a Peak Dou Ling! A ruthless person who can knock Liu Hanshuang down in a single move!"

"Tsk tsk, it looks like Jiang Donghua has secured this first place spot!"

On the high platform, the Elders also exchanged glances.

"These little rascals are quite sharp!"

Elder Yan snorted coldly.

"Heh heh, pursuing benefits and avoiding harm is human nature."

The Fat Elder stroked his beard with a smile.

"However, if things continue like this, won't Jiang Donghua just get first place for free?"

"What's the rush?"

Dean Lei Tian's gaze was profound.

"An hour is still a long time; someone will eventually lose their patience."

Sure enough, not long after, a figure slowly walked out of the crowd and strode toward the first-ranked arena.

The entire venue instantly quieted down, everyone's eyes focused on that figure.

"Someone is finally going to challenge Jiang Donghua?!"

"Who is so unafraid of death?!"

However, when the crowd clearly saw the person, they were all stunned.

It was actually a petite young woman, dressed in white, with a cold expression, holding a slender silver longsword.

"Outer Academy, Bai Qing'er."

Her voice was cold, yet carried undeniable determination.

"I ask Senior Brother Jiang for guidance!"

The entire venue burst into an uproar!

"Bai Qing'er?! Isn't she only a Nine Star Great Dou Shi? Has she gone mad?!"

"Where did she get the nerve to challenge Jiang Donghua?!"

However, Jiang Donghua slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon Bai Qing'er, and a slight curve surprisingly lifted the corner of his mouth.

He said softly.

"Alright, I accept."

"Begin!"

The Elder of Enforcement gave the command, and his voice hadn't fully dropped.

"Bang—!!!"

A muffled explosion burst forth; the crowd hadn't even clearly seen how Jiang Donghua had struck, when Bai Qing'er's figure flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing directly off the arena!

The entire venue was deathly silent!

One second?

No, not even half a second!

Bai Qing'er landed awkwardly; the silver longsword in her hand hadn't even had time to be drawn from its sheath, and she had already lost!

Her face was pale, her eyes filled with disbelief, but soon, that shock turned into a bitter smile.

"The gap is indeed too large."

She murmured softly, then struggled to her feet, bowed respectfully to Jiang Donghua, and turned to leave.

On the arena, Jiang Donghua still stood in the same spot, not even a corner of his clothes ruffled.

He swept his gaze lightly across the entire venue, his voice calm yet carrying undeniable authority.

"Who else?"

Boom!

After a brief silence, the entire viewing platform instantly erupted!

"Ahhh! Too strong!!"

"One move! Just one move! He didn't even use a Dou Technique!"

"Senior Brother Donghua! I want to bear your children!!"

The female students went completely wild, screams rising and falling, with many of their eyes even sparkling like stars.

In a world where the strong are respected, a genius like Jiang Donghua, who possessed crushing strength and a cold demeanor, was simply the Dao companion they had always dreamed of!

"Senior Brother Donghua! Look at me, look at me!"

"Senior Brother! I'm willing to be your maidservant! Even just pouring tea and water is fine!"

"Get lost! Senior Brother Donghua is mine!"

The male students, however, looked sullen, feeling both jealousy and fear.

"Damn it, isn't this too exaggerated?"

"Bai Qing'er is at least a Nine Star Great Dou Shi, yet she couldn't even take one move?"

"What's the point of challenging him now! We should just concede!"

On the high platform, the Elders also had varying expressions.

"This kid isn't giving them even a sliver of a chance."

The Fat Elder clicked his tongue.

"Hmph, he still looks somewhat presentable."

Elder Yan snorted coldly, but a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

Dean Lei Tian narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a low voice.

"It seems we need to spice things up a bit."

Just then, a deep voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"I'll go."

The crowd automatically parted, and a burly young man carrying a massive axe slowly walked out; with every step he took, the ground seemed to tremble slightly!

"It's Man Shan! Man Shan, the strongest in the Outer Academy!"

Someone exclaimed.

"He finally couldn't sit still any longer!"

Man Shan grinned, fierce fighting intent burning in his eyes.

"Jiang Donghua, your first place spot, I'm taking it!"

Jiang Donghua slightly raised his eyes, remaining indifferent.

"You may, come and take it."