166: Battle against Huaqing

Inside the Grand Stadium, after Zhao Wuyang conceded, the match between Wushan University and Blazing Dragon University officially ended.

Soon after, the participating teams from other universities also finished their respective battles one after another.

The third round of the official tournament, the top 24 to 12, had completely concluded.

As Su Jing's tall figure appeared before the audience once again, the matchup list for the fourth round, the top 12 to 6, was fresh out.

[Blazing Dragon University vs. Zhanshen University!]

[Huaqing University vs. Yuntian University!]

[Southern Saint University vs. Shuguang University!]

...

For Blazing Dragon University, the fourth round of battles remained completely devoid of challenge.

Zhanshen University's ranking in previous university competitions was even lower than Wushan University's. Having been lucky enough to enter the top 12 this year, they were already very satisfied.

Therefore, after the match list appeared and they saw their opponent was Blazing Dragon University, the contestants from Zhanshen University simply went on stage for a token gesture before cleanly choosing to concede.

Compared to those other matches where they were practically beating each other's brains out, the battle between these two sides was an entirely different scene.

This made the corners of the mouths of the team leaders from the various universities watching on the sidelines twitch.

Time passed. The fourth round of battles also ended one by one.

The teams entering the top six were, unsurprisingly, still dominated by the established elite schools: Blazing Dragon University, Huaqing University, Southern Saint University, Yanhua University, Donghuang University, and Xuanwu University.

As the fourth round of the competition concluded, the fifth round began in a flurry of activity.

However, this time... after the match list was matched, the atmosphere in the Grand Stadium suddenly went quiet.

[Blazing Dragon University vs. Huaqing University.]

Looking at this line of text on the giant screen, the audience in the arena subconsciously held their breath.

Although everyone had long anticipated that top-tier universities would clash once the fifth round began, no one expected that it would be Blazing Dragon University and Huaqing University.

Thinking of Wang Chen's domineering strength among his peers, the expressions of all the spectators couldn't help but become strange.

Although this battle had yet to take place, in the eyes of all the spectators, the outcome was already decided.

"This is going to be interesting!"

"In last year's National Freshman Competition, Huaqing University eliminated Blazing Dragon University and seized the throne of first place, leaving Blazing Dragon University to settle for second."

"But this year... the two sides are meeting in the fifth round. Huaqing University is absolutely screwed now!"

"Not only will they be unable to hold onto their status as the perennial runner-up, but this time they won't even make it into the top three!"

After the silence, the sound of discussion rose in the Grand Stadium like a tidal wave, and the expressions on all the spectators' faces were very strange.

The grudge between Huaqing University and Blazing Dragon University was long-standing; ever since the National Freshman Competition began, the ranking between the two sides had always hovered between first and second.

But this year... this situation had been broken!

Blazing Dragon University returned to the throne of first place, while Huaqing University was kicked out of the top three for the first time.

"It's fortunate they are meeting in the fifth round. If they had met in the fourth round, Huaqing University's ranking would likely be even lower!"

"Even though they won't get second place this time, they can still maintain their status as a top-tier university."

Voices of discussion rose continuously, and countless gloating gazes fell upon the group in the contestant viewing area.

"This is too bullying!"

"The match hasn't even started yet, what right do they have to assume we will definitely lose?"

Feeling those gazes around him, Lan Qianlong clenched his fists, his face looking incredibly ferocious.

This feeling of being looked down upon by everyone was enough to make him explode with anger.

Beside him, the expressions of Zuo Qingwen and the others were equally unpleasant.

As the pride of heaven who were the center of attention, they were now being unanimously written off by everyone.

This was an experience they had never felt since they were young; today, it could almost be called unforgettable!

"Enough!" Gu Wanqing sighed softly as he saw his students' state.

"What they said isn't wrong; at the current stage, your strength is indeed no match for Wang Chen."

"For the upcoming battle, just do your best. Don't tarnish the reputation of our Huaqing University."

"If you don't want to fight, it's fine to go on stage and concede directly; your teacher won't blame you!"

Gu Wanqing swept his gaze over Lan Qianlong and the others, speaking with a sigh.

"Teacher Gu?" Hearing his words, Lan Qianlong and the others opened their mouths, unconvinced, their eyes filled with deep frustration.

"It's alright!" Seeing this, Gu Wanqing shook his head: "You have had a smooth journey all along; experiencing some setbacks can be a good thing for you."

"Besides, so what if Wang Chen is showing overwhelming strength right now?"

"His profession is, after all, a Giant-Beast Master. The further you go, the smaller the gap between you will become."

"Perhaps even..." Gu Wanqing paused, his tone becoming somewhat relaxed: "When he faces a future where he can't find giant beasts to contract and his strength stagnates, you might just be able to surpass him!"

"Remember, temporary strength or weakness does not define a lifetime!"

"Go and compete; just show the state you ought to have!"

Hearing his words, Lan Qianlong and the others were stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily, their eyes once again filled with Battle Intent.

They felt a strong sense of anticipation for the future Gu Wanqing had described.

However... what they, and even Gu Wanqing, did not know was that beast pets were never an obstacle to Wang Chen's strength.

With the god-tier skill "Beast Pet Fusion," Wang Chen's future strength would snowball and grow ever larger.

Lan Qianlong and the others were lagging behind now, and in the future, they wouldn't even be able to see Wang Chen's back.

Hum, hum, hum!! Space shifted. When Wang Chen's feet touched the ground again, he was already standing on the arena of the battle Secret Realm.

Opposite him stood Zuo Qingwen, with her petite figure and exquisite appearance.

"I won't say anything superfluous... Wang Chen, your strength is indeed far superior to mine, but I am definitely not weak either. One day, I will catch up to you."

Zuo Qingwen looked at Wang Chen with complex eyes, speaking with a firm tone.

During the preliminary rounds, she had still been brooding over Wang Chen taking first place, thinking it was just because of her bad luck that Wang Chen had snatched the lead.

But in the subsequent matches, seeing the strength Wang Chen displayed, Zuo Qingwen felt her previous thoughts were somewhat laughable.

This Prodigy was absolutely not someone she could contend with at her current stage.

However... Teacher Gu Wanqing's words had allowed Zuo Qingwen to regain her confidence.

Temporary strength or weakness could not determine forever; she still had a chance in the future.

"Are you ready? Let me see just how big the gap between you and me really is?"

As her voice fell, Zuo Qingwen waved her hand and produced an ice crystal staff, watching Wang Chen with determined eyes.