31: Chapter 31 Tournament Rules, Same Opponent

The next day, Magic Cube Martial Arts Arena.

Many Prodigy Cadets participating in the Battle of the Dawn gathered at the Magic Cube Martial Arts Arena.

The spectator stands of the Magic Cube Martial Arts Arena were packed to capacity; everyone was heatedly discussing the Battle of the Dawn, looking forward to the upcoming events with great anticipation.

After all, the students in the Battle of the Dawn were all top-tier talents of this generation. Among these top talents, it was highly likely that Grandmasters or even peak powerhouses of the Martial Saint level would emerge in the future.

Not to mention, the Battle of the Dawn had been held for over a thousand years, and these top universities had countless grudges between them from the competition.

It could be said that every institution had a reason why they couldn't afford to lose.

Everyone had their own enemies and goals.

However, the most eye-catching were still the students from the Top Ten. Ninety-nine percent of the champion of the dawn battle were won by students from the Top Ten.

Occasionally, there would be dark horses from the Thirty-Six Upper Colleges, but they were very few in number.

Especially now, the disparity in martial arts resources was severe. Top universities, with their superior teaching staff and abundant resources, were becoming stronger and stronger, widening the gap between them and the Upper and Lower Colleges.

The Top Ten had monopolized all the Champions of the Battle of the Dawn for nearly a century.

"Alright, welcome everyone to this year's Battle of the Dawn. After the intense and exciting three-day Preliminary Rounds, 111 Prodigy Cadets have now entered the Main Tournament..."

"These Prodigy Cadets are the future pillars of our Great Xia. Let us cheer for them..."

"This Main Tournament is divided into the Selection Round and the elimination rounds..."

"Since Imperial Martial Arts University is the defending Champion from the previous year, they can designate one person to go directly into the elimination rounds..."

"All other contestants will enter the Selection Round. Ninety-nine contestants will be selected to join the one designated by Imperial Martial Arts University, making a total of 100 people for the final elimination rounds. These 100 contestants will showcase their invincible style in the elimination rounds and compete for the final Champion..."

On the central high platform of the Magic Cube Martial Arts Arena, the host of the Battle of the Dawn was speaking passionately while explaining the tournament rules.

"However, there is a slight change in the tournament rules this time. Before the Selection Round begins, there is also a Challenge Round!"

Just as everyone was looking forward to the start of the Selection Round, the host changed the subject and continued.

"Challenge Round? What's this Challenge Round about? Previous Battles of the Dawn didn't have this event!"

"Yeah, is the Battle of the Dawn undergoing another reform?"

"It seems we'll get to see more heart-pumping, hot-blooded battles..."

The surrounding spectators spoke up one after another, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Meanwhile, many contestants in the martial arts arena felt a bit uneasy. This mysterious variable was truly nerve-wracking.

"Next, let me introduce the Challenge Round. Because this Selection Round will be held in a special venue that can only accommodate 100 contestants, it means 10 contestants will be unable to enter the Selection Round. This Challenge Round is to filter out the 10 contestants who will be eliminated early..."

The host quickly explained the reason for holding the Challenge Round.

Hearing the host's words, the contestants didn't have much of a reaction. After all, with 110 contestants and only 10 being eliminated, the probability was quite low.

What they cared more about was that the Selection Round would be held in a special venue, which made many contestants feel a bit nervous.

The surrounding spectators grew intensely excited. This was a brand new Battle of the Dawn, and it had certainly piqued their interest.

"Alright, without further ado, let the Challenge Round begin. For this Challenge Round, contestants ranked 91st to 100th in the Preliminary Rounds, please step forward."

The host continued in a deep, high-pitched voice.

The contestants who were called out all looked nervous. They never expected that after working so hard to pass the Preliminary Rounds, they would have to face such a cruel Challenge Round.

However, they had no choice unless they withdrew from the competition.

The host looked at the ten prodigies from various schools who had stepped forward and continued to introduce the Challenge Round.

"You may choose any contestant other than those in the Challenge Round to challenge. If the challenge is successful, you enter the Selection Round. The contestant who loses the battle will miss the Selection Round and be directly eliminated. Everyone has only one chance to choose, so pick your opponents carefully!"

"Choose a contestant for a duel; the winner enters the Selection Round, and the loser is directly eliminated!"

The expressions of the ten prodigies turned solemn, their hearts filled with unease. It could be said that this choice was crucial.

Then, a screen appeared in front of each of the ten contestants, showing all the available opponents they could choose from.

Everyone then cautiously selected the opponents they were going to challenge.

"Holy crap, there's a Vocational College student. I'm choosing this one from the Vocational College..."

At this moment, a grey-haired youth seemed to see something; his eyes lit up, and he immediately clicked confirm.

The surrounding contestants also began searching for the Vocational College student.

"Damn, there really is one. I'm choosing this Vocational College guy too..."

"Me too. I can't beat those from the top universities, but handling someone from a Vocational College is a piece of cake..."

"Same here. I want to challenge the Vocational College student..."

"+1~"

Soon, the other contestants also confirmed their opponents.

"Interesting. All the challengers have chosen the same opponent—Zhou Bai from Azure Bird Academy!"

Before long, the host confirmed everyone's opponents and spoke with a look of surprise.

"Vocational College? Ah, there really is a Junior College Student who entered the Battle of the Dawn..."

"Crap, I saw the Martial Arts Headlines from New Martial Media yesterday: 'Heaven-Defying Junior College Student Storms the Battle of the Dawn.' I thought it was just clickbait, but it's actually true..."

"I'm moved to tears. Finally, a Junior College Student has made it into the Main Tournament of the Battle of the Dawn, but unfortunately, he's about to be crushed..."

"Sigh, these people are too ruthless, all picking on one Junior College Student..."

"Nothing wrong with that. On the path of martial arts, if you can find a soft persimmon to squeeze, you definitely squeeze it. They aren't stupid..."

Seeing that the ten challengers had all chosen the same opponent, and a Junior College Student at that, the surrounding spectators discussed it fervently.

"Student Zhou Bai, although I feel some injustice for you, the tournament rules do not forbid choosing the same opponent. Now that they have all chosen you as their opponent, according to the tournament rules, you must defeat ten contestants in a row to enter the Selection Round. Otherwise, you will miss the Selection Round!"

The host then flickered and appeared beside Zhou Bai, speaking in a somewhat mournful voice, as if lamenting for Zhou Bai.

Hearing the host's words, the surrounding spectators felt sad for Zhou Bai. It wasn't easy for a Junior College Student to enter the Battle of the Dawn, only to face such a cruel situation.

"I understand!"

Zhou Bai nodded and said with a calm expression.

"Then, pick your first opponent. Your choice is also very important!"

The host continued to Zhou Bai.

The ten challengers were all looking at Zhou Bai eagerly, their eyes full of provocation, as if they wanted Zhou Bai to choose them.

After all, if Zhou Bai lost, they wouldn't have a Junior College Student to fight anymore.

The other opponents who weren't in the Challenge Round were all Prodigy Cadets with S-rank Talents, and they didn't have much confidence against them.

They only hoped to be picked by Zhou Bai sooner so they could enter the Selection Round earlier.

"Have them line up!"

Zhou Bai slowly raised his head and said indifferently, "Forget it, let them all come at once. I want to fight ten!"

...