189: Reactions from all sides!

Watching the black car slowly approach, many reporters at the Imperial Capital city gate were stunned.

But they quickly reacted, pointing the lenses of their cameras at the black vehicle.

In their preconceived notions, Star Academy had suffered such a major crisis that it was highly unlikely they would participate in this year's Academy Tournament.

After all, all the students of Star Academy were severely injured and unable to recover in a short period. Even if they came, they wouldn't achieve good results.

Furthermore, given Star Academy's special status, even if they didn't participate in the Academy Tournament, no one would think less of Star Academy.

However, Star Academy actually sent people to participate in this Academy Tournament, which made many reporters smell a hot search opportunity.

What confidence did Star Academy have now to participate in the Academy Tournament?

Were they not afraid that this Academy Tournament would completely tarnish the glory that Star Academy had maintained for so many years?

For a moment, many reporters' faces were fervent as they continuously filmed the black car with their cameras.

Regardless of Star Academy's intentions or whether they truly had confidence, Star Academy participating in this Academy Tournament was still hot headline news!

They would not miss such an opportunity.

However, Star Academy's exclusive vehicle was clearly modified. No matter how they filmed, they couldn't see the people inside through the windows.

As a result, they had no idea who from Star Academy was participating in the competition this time.

Slowly, the black vehicle entered the Imperial Capital city gate.

Given Star Academy's status, there was no need for it to go through the Imperial Capital city gate's inspection. Moreover, there were countless powerful individuals in the Imperial Capital, so the city gate inspection was merely a formality.

After all, any member of the Demonic Sect entering the Imperial Capital would be discovered.

“Quick, follow them! We must get Star Academy’s participant list for this Academy Tournament immediately. This is big news!”

Watching Star Academy's exclusive vehicle slowly drive into the Imperial Capital, the surrounding reporters, clutching their cameras, rushed into the Imperial Capital, wanting to follow the car and get Star Academy's participant list as soon as possible, thereby securing the headlines immediately!

However, the black car sped through the streets of the Imperial Capital and soon arrived at an ancient courtyard.

On the gate of the courtyard were several large characters.

“Star Pavilion!”

This was Star Academy's lodging in the Imperial Capital, specially built by the Imperial Capital for Star Academy to facilitate their participation in the Academy Tournament.

In every Academy Tournament, Star Academy's people rested in the Star Pavilion.

In fact, not just Star Academy, but all Five Great Academies of Great Xia had exclusive resting places in the Imperial Capital, just with different names.

One reason for building these resting places was to provide some privacy convenience for these academies.

As the car slowly drove into the Star Pavilion, the reporters who had rushed to follow could only watch helplessly as the car entered the Star Pavilion's premises, unable to proceed further themselves.

After all, it was Star Academy's territory. Without Star Academy's permission, they were not qualified to enter.

However, this did not deter their passionate work ethic. They stayed put, aiming their cameras at the Star Pavilion's gate.

“We can't go in, but you’ll eventually come out, right?”

“Before the Academy Tournament starts, you're definitely going to leave, right? As long as you leave, we'll get the news immediately!”

This was what these reporters thought. They simply stayed at the gate of the Star Pavilion, eagerly awaiting the news they desired… Xuanji Courtyard!

As the lodging for Xuanji Academy, one of the Five Great Academies, Xuanji Courtyard covered a large area, roughly the size of three traditional courtyards.

And at this moment, in the main hall of Xuanji Courtyard.

An old man in a white Daoist robe sat quietly in the main seat, holding a mobile phone, which seemed very out of place with his attire.

Beside him were four or five young men and women, also dressed in white Daoist robes, sitting on chairs, their gazes fixed on the old man.

“Star Academy, they actually entered the competition!”

Suddenly, the old man slowly spoke.

At these words, the young men and women in the hall all showed surprised expressions.

“Star Academy actually chose to participate in this year's Academy Tournament? Aren't they afraid of missing out on first place this time?”

A young man couldn't help but ask.

The other young men and women also nodded, all sharing the same doubt.

Star Academy choosing to participate in this year's Academy Tournament was not a good choice!

After all, everyone in Great Xia knew about Star Academy's situation. They didn't have enough confidence to win first place in this year's Academy Tournament, and if they didn't get first place, Star Academy's undefeated myth would be completely broken this year.

Star Academy might not care about the rewards for the Academy Tournament rankings, nor about how many resources the Martial Alliance and the military gave them.

But they placed extreme importance on Star Academy's reputation.

If they couldn't get first place, could Star Academy truly endure seeing the first place they had held for decades be taken by other academies?

For a moment, these Prodigies from Xuanji Academy, one of the Five Great Academies, couldn't help but be puzzled.

What exactly was Star Academy up to?

The old man slowly turned off his phone, gently stroking his beard and hair. After a moment, a glint of light flickered in the old man's ancient eyes.

“Based on my understanding of Star Academy, they wouldn't act without reason. Since they chose to participate, they must have confidence!”

“But I really don't know what Star Academy's confidence is.”

“This is a bit strange!”

The old man slowly spoke, his words seemingly full of doubt.

After a moment, the old man shook his head: “Forget it, forget it. Star Academy's participation is unexpected. Regardless of whether they have any trump cards, our Xuanji Academy's goal this time is at least top three!”

“Only by achieving a top-three finish can our Xuanji Academy contend for the position of leader among the Five Great Academies in the next Academy Tournament!”

“So… I leave it to all of you!”

The old man looked at the students of Xuanji Academy around him.

These young men and women exchanged glances, and confident expressions appeared on their faces.

“If we can't get into the top three after preparing for so long, then we don't deserve to be students of Xuanji Academy!”

A young man slowly spoke. His face, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, was like a graceful Young Master from ancient times, and his whole being exuded an extremely gentle aura.

The old man glanced at the young man, and a trace of pride appeared in his eyes.

“In that case, I won't say much more. When the Academy Tournament begins, let all of Great Xia witness our Xuanji's splendor!”

The old man's impassioned voice echoed in the hall… Hidden Dragon Academy!

Hidden Dragon Academy itself was located in the Imperial Capital, and the Academy Tournament's venue was also within the Imperial Capital, so there was naturally no need to build any lodging.

At this moment, in a conference room at Hidden Dragon Academy.

A portly middle-aged man, with a beer belly, sat in the main seat of the conference room, a benevolent smile on his face.

To an outsider, he would seem like a very ordinary uncle next door.

However, only those from Hidden Dragon Academy knew that this seemingly benevolent, plump middle-aged man before them had an extremely terrifying reputation throughout Great Xia!

Chen Tianxing, Vice Principal!

One of Hidden Dragon Academy's vice principals, and also a top-tier Dao Entry Realm powerhouse. Among all Martial Artists in the Entering Dao Stage throughout Great Xia, he could be considered among the top twenty.

His combat power was extremely terrifying. He once faced two Demon Sovereigns alone, fought for an incense stick's time, and then killed one Demon Sovereign and severely wounded another, making the Demon tremble in fear.

“Heh heh, Star Academy even participated. Everyone… any thoughts?”

Chen Tianxing, Vice Principal sat in the main seat, smiling as he looked at a young man in a Hidden Dragon Academy uniform beside him, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

Just by looking at his smile, it was impossible to fathom what he was truly thinking.

A cold young man near Chen Tianxing, Vice Principal said faintly, "I don't care if Star Academy participates in the Academy Tournament or not. I only care if Gu Changge from Star Academy has come!"

The young man said, looking at Chen Tianxing, Vice Principal.

Chen Tianxing, Vice Principal's eyebrows twitched slightly, a smile still on his lips, and he shook his head.

"He hasn't come. The list of participants from Star Academy hasn't been submitted yet. However, Gu Changge from Star Academy is still in seclusion healing his injuries at Star Academy, that much is undeniable."

"If that's the case..."

The cold young man withdrew his gaze.

"If Gu Changge doesn't come, Star Academy poses no threat. This time... first place belongs to my Hidden Dragon Academy!"

The faint voice from the cold young man carried an undeniable aura of dominance, as if the champion's position in the Academy Tournament was already in his hands.

Facing such overbearing words, the surrounding Hidden Dragon Academy students not only showed no surprise but instead displayed expressions that suggested it was only natural.

It was as if the outcome of the Academy Tournament was truly as the young man had said.

Chen Tianxing, Vice Principal smiled, glanced at the cold young man, and said softly, "Even if Gu Changge hasn't come out of seclusion yet, the participant list for Star Academy hasn't been submitted, so we can't let our guard down!"

"If, at the last moment, Gu Changge doesn't appear on Star Academy's list... then it's time for the first-place position to move from Star Academy to our Hidden Dragon Academy!"

Chen Tianxing, Vice Principal's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint bursting forth from them... Not only Xuanji Academy and Hidden Dragon Academy.

The remaining Five Great Academies, Profound Sword Academy, Purple Thunder Academy, and First Military Academy, all reacted to the arrival of Star Academy.

However, no matter how hard they thought, they couldn't quite grasp Star Academy's confidence this time.

So, after some deliberation, the leaders of these academies stopped thinking. In their view, Star Academy had suffered a major setback this time, and perhaps it was the best opportunity for them to rise from Star Academy's suppression!

And while they were at it... to end Star Academy's decades-long reign as champions!

Of course, this wasn't to say they were kicking someone when they were down. Rather, when facing a respected opponent, one should always go all out, as that is true respect for the opponent.

If Star Academy hadn't participated in this Academy Tournament, they would have understood, as Star Academy was fighting for Great Xia, for Great Xia's front lines.

Even if they missed this year's Academy Tournament, in their hearts, the champion's throne would still belong to Star Academy.

But now that Star Academy had joined... these Five Great Academies, suppressed by Star Academy, naturally had to go all out, no matter who Star Academy sent. This was a sign of respect for Star Academy!

Of course, being able to defeat Star Academy, even if only for this one year, would be a joyous occasion for them.

As a result... gazes from all directions of the Imperial Capital fell upon Star Pavilion... within Lin Xuan's courtyard at Star Academy.

Under the stone pavilion, Lin Xuan was savoring his tea.

Suddenly, a young man in black arrived, carrying a sword wrapped in bandages on his back, its appearance obscured.

He walked slowly, and with every movement, a sharp aura emanated from his body.

He was like an unsheathed sharp sword; once drawn, an extreme sharpness would bloom between heaven and earth.

He walked to the stone pavilion, looked at Lin Xuan, frowned slightly, and said in a deep voice, "Principal, I don't understand why you won't let me fight for the Academy?"

The young man's voice slowly reached Lin Xuan's ears.

Lin Xuan also looked up slightly, smiled at the newcomer.

"Oh, Changge, are your injuries healed?"

The newcomer was none other than Gu Changge from Star Academy!

Gu Changge's name was very famous in Star Academy.

Even Lu Sheng and the others knew him.

This was simply because Gu Changge was the foremost student among all students in Star Academy!

Though he still had about a year until graduation, Gu Changge had already stepped into the Spirit Transformation Realm, an existence that was unmatched among his generation across all Martial Arts Academies in Great Xia.

Gu Changge frowned tightly and said in a deep voice, "They healed long ago. I can completely participate in the Academy Tournament, but I don't understand why you won't let me, Principal?"

Gu Changge looked at Lin Xuan, as if he wouldn't give up until Lin Xuan gave him an explanation.

Lin Xuan smiled slightly and said softly, "If you make a move, what's the point of this Academy Tournament? Just treat it as... a chance for your junior brothers and sisters to train, alright?"

Gu Changge shook his head, "But the Academy's honor cannot be broken!"

"I've heard of Lu Sheng and the others. Their talent is good, and it won't be long before they might even surpass me, but with their current strength, they are still a bit lacking if they want to defend the Academy's honor."

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, he took a sip of the tea in his cup, and said softly, "What if... they can defend the honor?"

"Hmm?"

Gu Changge was startled, looking at Lin Xuan with some confusion.

Lin Xuan's gaze lingered on the clear tea in his cup. He gently blew on it, and ripples spread across the surface of the tea.

"Those five... are not as simple as you imagine!"

...And at the same time, inside Star Pavilion.

Lan Zhan sat in the hall, and Lu Sheng and the other four also found seats and sat down.

Lan Zhan held a document in his hand. After glancing at it, he looked at Lu Sheng and the other four and said in a deep voice, "If there are no problems, I will submit the list of participants for this year's Academy Tournament!"

"Once this list is submitted, you five will be Star Academy's participants. And in this competition, we have no reserve members, which means... you will continue from the first round until you win or lose!"

"If someone is severely injured midway, the remaining people will also have to carry on without the help of any reserve members!"

Lan Zhan's voice echoed in the hall.

He looked at Lu Sheng and the other four, seemingly waiting for their confirmation.

The five exchanged glances. Long Tianxing leaned lazily in his chair, waving his hand, "Old Lan, just submit it. It's just the Academy Tournament anyway. We just need to get to the third round, it's not that difficult!"

Hearing Long Tianxing's address, veins bulged on Lan Zhan's forehead.

This annoying fellow truly didn't know how to respect elders. He was his teacher, yet he addressed him like that!

"No, I can't hit him. If I injure him, our Star Academy will subtly lose a person!"

Lan Zhan constantly reassured himself, otherwise, he probably would have already laid hands on Long Tianxing.

"Teacher Lan, submit it. We will preserve Star Academy's honor!"

Lu Sheng spoke lightly, but his words were filled with an undeniable certainty.

"Everyone... am I right?"

Lu Sheng then looked at the others, smiling slightly.

Gu Yun, Xia Kong, Yu Qianqian, including the somewhat annoying Long Tianxing, all nodded at this moment.

Lan Zhan watched this scene and took a deep breath.

"Since that's the case, I will submit this participant list!"

Having said that, Lan Zhan stood up and walked out of the hall.