48: The rules for the freshman competition have been released; are all participants prepared for this?

On the eve of the Freshman Grand Competition, the auditorium of Tianqiong War God Academy was packed to capacity.

The domed hall, large enough to hold over ten thousand people, was currently filled with a chilling atmosphere.

A massive holographic projection floated in mid-air, displaying the promotional video for this competition—burning islands, mechas in fierce combat, and roaring giant beasts.

This was the most important assessment to test the results of the freshmen's first week since enrollment, and it was also a crucial battle that would determine future resource allocation.

All the freshmen were ambitious, their eyes filled with longing.

Except for a corner in the last few rows.

Gu Fan was sleeping with sunglasses on, Wangcai was prone at his feet snoring (although ordered to shrink to the size of a Husky, that scent of flames still kept people around from daring to get close), Lin Xue was massaging Gu Fan's legs with a face full of deep resentment, while Xiao Fan was nervously memorizing the "Wilderness Survival Guide."

"Silence!"

An aged yet majestic voice rang out.

DeanZhuge Qing appeared on the rostrum. His expression was majestic, his gaze sweeping across the entire venue, finally lingering for a second, intentionally or otherwise, on Gu Fan's corner.

"For this year's Freshman Grand Competition, the rules have been reformed."

Dean didn't waste words and cut straight to the point, "To simulate the most realistic battlefield environment, we will activate the 'Virtual Reality · Survival Island' System."

"All freshmen will be randomly deployed onto a virtual isolated island with a radius of a hundred miles."

"There are only three rules:"

"First, survive. There are Vicious Beasts, toxic miasmas, natural disasters on the island, and... other competitors."

"Second, seize points. Everyone starts with 10 points. Eliminating an opponent earns you half of their points. Supply crates and point monsters will also randomly refresh on the island; point cards obtained from killing monsters will be synchronized to the virtual interface on your wrist."

"Third, no restrictions. Except for not being allowed to use prohibited weapons from reality (guns are allowed), any means can be used. Alliances, betrayals, traps, ambushes... on the battlefield, there is only victory or defeat, no right or wrong."

"The competition lasts for three days. Final rankings will be based on points, and the top ten will directly obtain the qualification to enter the 'Spiritual Origin Secret Realm' to Cultivate!"

The entire hall broke into an uproar.

This Gu-style rule undoubtedly pushed the competition to the most brutal level.

"This is simply a Battle Royale!"

"Too exciting! I want to take on ten!"

Just as everyone was discussing animatedly, there was movement over by the Student Union.

Zhao Zhengyi, with Band-Aids still on his face and leaning on a crutch (he took quite a fall last time), was supported by several confidants as he quietly walked among a group of seemingly powerful freshmen.

They were elites from various departments, some practiced Muay Thai, some used throwing knives, and several were collateral descendants of the Four Great Families.

Zhao Zhengyi had a gloomy face as he pulled a thick stack of credit exchange vouchers from his robe, lowering his voice to say:

"Everyone, the Dean said any means can be used in the competition."

"I have inside information. For this competition, the Student Union has set up an additional 'Special Bounty'."

He pointed at Gu Fan, who was sleeping in the back row, his eyes filled with malice. "Whoever can eliminate that Gu Fan and make him a laughingstock... I personally sponsor one thousand credits! And I'll guarantee your admission into the core departments of the Student Union!"

"One thousand credits?!"

Greedy light immediately burst from everyone's eyes. In the academy, one thousand credits were enough to exchange for a Profound Rank Cultivation Technique or an Advanced gene serum!

"Senior Zhao, rest assured, that kid just has a bit of good luck. Once we're on the virtual island, that's our home turf!"

"Exactly! With so many of us, we could drown him with just our spit!"

"Get him! We must get him!"

The news spread through the freshman group like a virus.

In less than ten minutes, almost everyone had reached a certain tacit understanding—first join forces to take out the 'uncertain factor' Gu Fan, split the bounty, and then have their internal duel.

Sitting in the corner, Gu Fan suddenly felt the surrounding air grow somewhat cold.

He took off his sunglasses and glanced at the System panel.

Holy cow!

The malice points, which were originally only a few hundred, were now jumping frantically at a rate of dozens of points per second!

In his field of vision, bright red exclamation marks popped up over the heads of the surrounding freshmen.

[Source of Malice: Passerby A. Intention: Gang up.]

[Source of Malice: Passerby B. Intention: Sneak attack.]

[Source of Malice: Zhao Zhengyi. Intention: Murder with a borrowed knife.]

[malice points soaring...]

Instead of being afraid, Gu Fan almost laughed out loud with joy.

"This isn't going to a competition, this is practically going to a buffet!"

Gu Fan rubbed his hands excitedly, "So many people want to mess with me? How polite, really too polite. How much experience is this going to give me?"

Beside him, Xiao Fan also sensed that something was wrong.

"President... why does it feel like everyone's looking at us with... hunger?" Xiao Fan swallowed hard, feeling like a sheep targeted by a pack of wolves.

"Have some confidence, remove the 'feel like'."

Gu Fan patted Xiao Fan's shoulder, "They're just jealous of our looks. Don't panic, this is the treatment for the strong."

At this moment, Lin Xue leaned over, her gaze becoming meaningful.

This was a perfect opportunity for her. On the island, there were no blind spots for surveillance, and the chaotic environment was most suitable for assassination. As long as Gu Fan was besieged by the crowd, she could stab him fatally in the back, and no one would ever know.

"President, let's team up."

Lin Xue pretended to be very scared, "I'm so frightened, I want to be with the President."

"Team up? Sure."

Gu Fan waved his hand and entered the roster on the nearby teaming terminal.

[Team Name: Lying Down Winner Team]

[Captain: Gu Fan]

[Members: Xiao Fan (Tank), Lin Xue (Cleaner), Wangcai (Security).]

[Team Slogan: As long as we aren't embarrassed, it's the others who lose.]

Looking at this haphazard team configuration, Xiao Fan covered his face, feeling like the future was boundless.

Lin Xue sneered inwardly: Good, very good. Taking me along will be your biggest mistake. When the time comes, I'll let you know what a real 'Cleaner' is.

And Wangcai, hearing its name, gave an excited bark (it had almost forgotten it was a lion), spitting out a small flame that nearly singed the hair of the girl in the front row.

Gu Fan stood up, stretched, and his gaze pierced through the crowd, landing accurately on Zhao Zhengyi in the distance, who had a sinister smile on his face.

Their gazes met.

Gu Fan wasn't angry; instead, he made a big "heart" gesture toward Zhao Zhengyi.

His mouth formed the words: "Thank, you, for, the, treat."

Zhao Zhengyi froze, then couldn't help but shiver.

"This kid... still so arrogant with death at the door?"

"I'll see if you can still laugh once you're on the island!"

With the Dean's order, a massive virtual teleportation gate slowly opened in the center of the auditorium.

Blue light swallowed everything.

"Depart!"

Thousands of freshmen turned into streaks of light, charging into that unknown virtual battlefield.

Gu Fan walked in leisurely at the very end, his face wearing his signature punchable smile.

"Everyone, are you ready to face the storm of backlash?"

"On this island, whoever targets me is the biggest 'unlucky bastard'."

A survival competition destined to be recorded in the academy's history—the most absurd and most soul-crushing one—commenced.