19: Chapter 19 Battle of Dawn, Advancement to Rank 3

"Battle of the Dawn?"

Zhou Bai's eyes held a hint of confusion; he had vaguely heard of this Battle of the Dawn before.

However, because his talent hadn't awakened yet, Zhou Bai hadn't paid much attention.

"Yes, the Battle of the Dawn. It's a national practical combat competition for university freshmen organized by the University Alliance. Because first-year students are new martial artists who have only recently awakened their talents, symbolizing the nascent dawn, it's called the Battle of the Dawn..."

"All martial arts university students, including freshmen from Vocational Colleges, can participate in the Battle of the Dawn, and the rewards are very generous..."

Chen Jianghe slowly explained, giving Zhou Bai a general overview of the Battle of the Dawn.

"Actually, this Battle of the Dawn is like the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam of the Old High Martial Era. At that time, while talent was powerful, it hadn't yet reached the point where it determined everything..."

"Back then, schools were assigned based on the results of the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam. Talent only accounted for a portion of the weight; more depended on actual combat performance. Many with ordinary talent could still get into the Top Ten universities if they dared to fight and strive. Now, it's different. If your talent isn't good enough, you're not qualified for top universities..."

Zhao Shiyu, who was beside him, slowly added.

"I understand!"

Zhou Bai nodded, comprehending what the Battle of the Dawn was all about.

In simple terms, it was a grand martial arts competition for first-year students.

"Uncle Chen, do you mean you want me to participate in this Battle of the Dawn?"

Zhou Bai then asked.

"That's right. For this Battle of the Dawn, the University Alliance has offered much more generous rewards than before to incentivize the major universities: S-rank Breathing Technique Martial Skills, Mental Secret Arts, Body Tempering Divine Techniques, and top-tier S-rank Cultivation Resources are all available. Furthermore, schools with outstanding cadets will also receive certain support..."

"Therefore, I hope Student Zhou Bai can participate in this Battle of the Dawn. Regardless of the outcome, Student Zhou Bai only needs to do his best..."

Chen Jianghe said, looking at Zhou Bai with eager eyes.

"Alright, I'll participate!"

Zhou Bai nodded.

Although he had entered a Vocational College for martial arts, it didn't mean Zhou Bai would completely give up and slack off.

With the System and dual top-tier talents, Zhou Bai naturally wouldn't fear these cadets of the same rank.

Moreover, Zhou Bai greatly desired the rewards from the Battle of the Dawn.

Those items would also be very helpful for improving his strength.

"Good, Zhou Bai, you can use these blood nurturing pills for now. After the Main Tournament begins, I will send you more resources!"

Hearing Zhou Bai's willingness to participate, Chen Jianghe's face showed delight.

"What's the schedule for this Battle of the Dawn, and when does it start?"

After confirming his participation, Zhou Bai inquired about the Battle of the Dawn's schedule.

"The Battle of the Dawn is divided into Preliminary Rounds and the Main Tournament. The Preliminary Rounds start tomorrow and last for three days, with no limit on the number of participants. The top hundred in the Preliminary Rounds can enter the Main Tournament!"

Chen Jianghe continued.

"One hundred places? This... is the competition that fierce?"

Hearing Chen Jianghe's words, Zhou Bai was slightly stunned.

This year, hundreds of millions of students entered various universities, meaning, theoretically, one hundred million people could participate, and only 10 would be selected for the Main Tournament. The competition was indeed a bit fierce.

"Zhou Bai, S-rank Talent holders can directly advance to the Main Tournament without participating in the Preliminary Rounds. This year, there are over nine hundred Prodigy Cadets with S-rank Talent. They will compete in the Main Tournament against those who make it through the Preliminary Rounds. Since you also have S-rank Talent, you can just wait for the Main Tournament to start in seven days!"

Zhao Shiyu added from the side.

"S-rank Talent holders directly advance to the Main Tournament!"

Zhou Bai felt a jolt in his heart upon hearing this. This was truly unfair to other cadets.

However, thinking that he had S-rank Talent, Zhou Bai felt comfortable again. This was how it should be done.

"Actually, in the past, some powerhouses from the Top Ten even suggested only allowing S-rank Talent cadets to participate, as the winners are often those with powerful talents. However, the University Alliance still has many older generation martial arts powerhouses who don't want to completely cut off hope for those with lower talents!"

Chen Jianghe further added.

Zhou Bai nodded. This was indeed something those guys from the Top Ten would do.

"You should focus on cultivating for now and just wait for the Main Tournament to begin!"

Chen Jianghe said to Zhou Bai.

"Okay, Uncle Chen, I will do my best!"

Zhou Bai replied.

Then, after Chen Jianghe gave Zhou Bai some more instructions regarding the Battle of the Dawn, he left.

"Junior Brother Zhou Bai, cultivate well!"

After Chen Jianghe left, Zhao Shiyu said to Zhou Bai with a smile.

"Hmph, you came to my door and now you want to run? What do you take me for...?"

Zhou Bai grabbed Zhao Shiyu.

Zhao Shiyu's body...

...

Three hours later, Zhao Shiyu limped out of the dormitory.

"Alright, I can finally cultivate properly. These blood nurturing pills might allow me to reach Third-Rank!"

Zhou Bai opened the jade bottle containing the blood nurturing pills and poured out the pills inside.

The pills inside were lustrous and colorful, with a faint, refreshing fragrance wafting from them.

Then, Zhou Bai swallowed the blood nurturing pill without hesitation.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!!"

After swallowing the blood nurturing pill, Zhou Bai felt a surge of Qi and Blood Power churning within his body like a raging river.

"As expected of a pill worth twenty million star coins, it's much stronger than that qi and blood pill!"

Feeling the violent Qi and Blood Power within his body, Zhou Bai's eyes lit up.

If the blood nurturing pill was a great river, then the qi and blood pill's Qi and Blood Power was a small stream; there was no comparison whatsoever.

Next, Zhou Bai closed his eyes, circulated the Thunder Breathing Technique, and fully immersed himself in absorbing the blood nurturing pill's Qi and Blood Power.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, your Qi and Blood has reached 500 calories, successfully advancing to Third-Rank Martial Artist!]

More than twenty minutes later, the System's notification sound echoed in Zhou Bai's mind, indicating his successful advancement to the Third-Rank Martial Artist realm.

Zhou Bai did not stop and continued to absorb the blood nurturing pill's Qi and Blood Power.

Another ten minutes passed, and the blood nurturing pill's Qi and Blood Power was finally completely absorbed.

[Qi and Blood]: 511 calories.

Zhou Bai's Qi and Blood Power stabilized at 511 calories.

"This blood nurturing pill is truly a good item!"

Feeling the surging Qi and Blood Power within his body, Zhou Bai's heart was filled with joy.

After breaking through to Third-Rank, he could begin Bone Tempering.

Bone Tempering is crucial for Third-Rank Martial Artists, as it purifies impurities from the body, preparing for subsequent Bone Forging, Organ Refining, and Golden Body Casting.

Third-Rank is also where the gap between top prodigies and ordinary martial artists begins to widen.

Ordinary martial artists reach their limit after three Bone Temperings.

Whereas top prodigies can undergo five, or even six or seven Bone Temperings, allowing more impurities to be washed away.

It is said that those SSS-rank Invincible Prodigies can even achieve nineUltimate Bone Tempering (Extreme Bone Temperings), removing even more impurities from their bodies and unleashing stronger martial arts potential.

"Since I've already broken through to Third-Rank, let's start trying Bone Tempering!"

After the breakthrough, Zhou Bai didn't hesitate. He immediately began Bone Tempering according to the Bone Tempering Method in the Thunder Breathing Technique.

...