73: Chapter 73 A Mismatched Couple

After Su Mu was sent back to his villa in the morning, Yang Wendao returned to the Bailian Tower to speak with Professor Lu Ming, who was leading the training.

"Old Lu! How are things on your end?"

"The students have all gone to train; I've arranged combat practice for them."

"Are there any dissatisfied students?"

Although there were reasons for it, the selection of team members for the University Ability Competition was brutal. In previous years, there was no shortage of students who were quite strong but had to withdraw from the team due to injuries sustained during special training.

"It's nothing. The other students all saw Su Mu's situation. Most importantly, the freshman team members are all thoroughly convinced by Su Mu's strength."

After a pause, Professor Lu Ming continued, "I plan to have Su Mu participate in the individual competition and the Vicious Beast hunting points competition."

Yang Wendao was taken aback, having already picked up on the implication in Professor Lu Ming's words.

"The team battle?"

"For the team battle, let Luo Zhenyue, Li Lan, Guan Yue, Song Zhi Xun, and Huang Yuanyuan form a team. Su Mu's strength exceeds theirs by too much; it would be difficult for them to coordinate."

Professor Lu Ming actually hadn't finished what he was thinking.

Su Mu could actually take down all five of them by himself.

"That works too! Su Mu's Divine Soul was damaged this time and needs a few days of rest. Participating in the team battle would indeed interfere with training."

After a moment of silence, Professor Lu Ming spoke up anyway.

"Actually, Su Mu could participate in the team battle alone. Su Mu probably didn't tell you about the time he fought the other twelve team members all by himself, did he?"

Yang Wendao's foot was suspended in mid-air; before it could land, he nearly tumbled over.

"What did you say? One against twelve?"

This wasn't the first round of the Freshman Competition; this was taking on twelve others during the University Ability Competition selection.

It was equivalent to the second through thirteenth place being tied together and beaten up by Su Mu alone.

"In other words, if Su Mu participates in the team battle alone, there's a high probability he could directly take the team championship?"

Professor Lu Ming looked at Yang Wendao's comical expression, stifling a laugh inside.

'He's the principal, I can't laugh!'

"Yes! So I plan to arrange for Su Mu to be a substitute for the team battle. According to the team battle rules, there can be three substitute spots."

This would increase the team's flexibility, make tactical applications more diverse, and make the matches more exciting.

"Then you handle the arrangements; you're the professional in this area."

...

Recalling what Professor Lu Ming had told him, combined with Su Mu's current smug expression as he pinched his thumb and index finger together...

"Still 'got it in the bag,' huh? You brat, you're practically arrogant beyond limits."

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.

"Since you're so confident, after the individual competition ends, you should launch a Leapfrog Challenge."

The 'Leapfrog Challenge' was a bonus event of the University Ability Competition. After the top three from the individual competitions of all three grades finished receiving their awards, they would enter a 'Defying Superiors' segment.

For every upperclassman prize-winner a lower-grade winner successfully defeated, they would receive a set of S-rank Cultivation resources.

This 'Defying Superiors' was not simple; after all, there was a gap of a full year's study time.

Since the inception of the University Ability Competition, those who could successfully complete the challenge were as rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns.

"Teacher, isn't that a bit much? It's not that I'm afraid, but if I do that, won't the other schools lose face?"

Yang Wendao gave a half-smile. "What? Didn't you say you 'got it in the bag'?"

Su Mu: (｡•́︿•̀｡)

"Teacher, if I actually succeed in the challenge, that would count as bringing honor to you, right?"

*Cough, cough, cough*

Yang Wendao was instantly choked by his tea.

He was just joking around to tease Su Mu; who knew Su Mu would immediately throw down a winning hand.

The top three of the national sophomore year were, at the very least, third-tier Intermediate, and in many years, they were all third-tier Advanced.

Their third-tier Advanced status was no simple matter; they wouldn't necessarily lose even when facing a fourth-tier ability user.

"That's right, if you can successfully challenge them, it would indeed bring honor to your master. After all, none of your nine Senior Brothers and Sisters managed to do it."

Su Mu raised an eyebrow.

"Is that so! Then if I succeed, shouldn't Teacher also give me some rewards?"

Currently, Su Mu was second-tier Advanced, but before the University Ability Competition began, he could definitely reach the third tier.

At that time, relying on his full set of S-Rank Combat Skills and S-Rank Ability, it wasn't impossible to succeed in the challenge.

Moreover, if the old man's benefits were sufficient, Su Mu wasn't above using some special methods.

"As long as you can succeed, for every person you defeat, I'll add another S-rank Cultivation resource for you."

With a wave of his hand, Yang Wendao gave the reward; in the end, he wouldn't lose out no matter what.

If Su Mu really could 'Defy Superiors,' then as his teacher, he would certainly gain immense prestige.

His goal achieved, Su Mu couldn't help but reveal a smile.

For him, it was also a deal with no downside; there was no penalty for losing, and winning meant two sets of S-rank resources.

He immediately flashed his pearly whites and grinned at Yang Wendao.

"Then I'll thank Teacher in advance for your generosity."

"You brat, no sense of decorum. I've already informed Professor Lu Ming; you don't need to go to special training for the next two days, just rest well."

As if remembering something, he added another warning.

"Don't go running off to the wilderness to hunt Vicious Beasts the moment I'm not looking."

Regarding Su Mu's behavior of frequenting Vicious Beast hunts, Yang Wendao offered no judgment; everyone had their own inner knots.

Inner knots didn't necessarily have to be untied; if controlled well, they could also be a driving force for progress.

However, given Su Mu's current state, it was truly unsuitable for him to continue high-intensity Vicious Beast hunting.

Su Mu gave a bitter smile. "Teacher, I'd love to go hunt Vicious Beasts, but Qingyuan Base is still surrounded by the Rat Tide. There's simply no way to go hunting."

"And even if the Rat Tide retreats, it will take a month or two for the wilderness ecosystem to recover."

This was currently Su Mu's biggest headache; being unable to go to the wilderness meant he couldn't obtain conversion points.

Currently, Su Mu only had a little over 1,300 conversion points left, and he had been holding back from using the gacha.

Speaking of the situation at Qingyuan Base, Yang Wendao pinched the bridge of his nose, looking quite troubled.

"This is indeed a headache for me too. Currently, the students of Modu Ability University have nowhere to hunt Vicious Beasts. The board of directors has discussed it several times, but there's no concrete solution yet."

Currently, if students wanted to hunt Vicious Beasts, they had to take the high-speed rail themselves, but this meant the time spent traveling more than tripled.

"Forget it, there's no use telling you these things."

"However, by saving that little girl Guan Yue this time, you've actually established a good relationship with the Guan Family."

"Guan Family?"

Su Mu actually didn't know much about the Family Guan Yue belonged to; he only knew they seemed to have some connection with the Martial Saint Guan Yu.

"Yes, the Guan Family has always been clear about gratitude and grudges, and they always repay kindness. With this debt of gratitude, you can indeed seek the Guan Family's help if anything happens in the future."

"Then this Guan Family truly has inherited Lord Guan's Immense Righteousness."

"Right! I see that the girl from the Guan Family seems to have some feelings for you. Why don't you two give it a try? An S-Rank Ability holder and an A-rank Ability holder joining together..."

Before he could finish, Su Mu immediately interrupted.

"Right, Teacher! It's getting late, I won't disturb you any further."

After saying that, he immediately transformed into a shadow and left Yang Wendao's villa.

In front of Yang Wendao's villa, Su Mu's form reappeared.

"Senior Sister was right; older people really do love Playing Matchmaker."