190: The competition begins

Teacher Lan appeared outside the Star Pavilion and then quickly walked towards the Great Xia Martial Alliance headquarters.

The reporters waiting outside the Star Pavilion, upon seeing Teacher Lan, their eyes were like stray dogs who had wandered for years, seeing delicious dog food.

They instantly followed behind Teacher Lan.

Only when Teacher Lan's figure entered the Great Xia Martial Alliance headquarters did they stop.

They then quickly took out their phones and opened the Martial Alliance's official website.

The competition roster for the Academy Tournament's participating academies would be uploaded to the Martial Alliance's official website at the same time after each Martial Arts Academy submitted its list.

This meant that the Star Academy's participant list would soon appear on the official website.

They would not miss this headline news opportunity.

Soon, a few minutes later, the Martial Alliance's official website directly announced the Star Academy's participant list.

However, when this group of reporters saw the participant list, they were stunned.

"Lu Sheng? Long Tianxing? Yu Qianqian? Gu Yun? Xia Kong?"

"No, who are these people!"

A reporter looked up in confusion, asking his colleagues.

But those colleagues also looked at each other with bewildered eyes.

They... knew nothing about the participants on the Star Academy's roster!

"Could it be Star Academy's hidden ultimate weapon??"

Someone thought, then immediately began to investigate the identities of the five.

However, when the identities of the five were uncovered, the group of reporters fell silent.

Lu Sheng was fine; they found a video of Lu Sheng killing a member of the Demonic Cult in Iron City.

However, in that video from Iron City, Lu Sheng only killed one Peak Shackles Realm Demonic Cult member before being completely exhausted.

Such strength, considering Lu Sheng's age, would undoubtedly be terrifying.

But... Lu Sheng and the others were facing the Academy Tournament, where all the Martial Arts Academies' Prodigies would be present.

Not to mention Peak Shackles Realm, there were Prodigies in the Body Storage Realm, and even some Prodigies at the Peak Body Storage Realm.

Could Lu Sheng's strength... help Star Academy defend its honor?

Besides that, the identities of the other few were also dug out one by one by this group of professional sleuths.

Long Tianxing! Young Lord of Tianlong City, a rich second-generation! Strength unknown!

Gu Yun, Ancient Tomb Sect successor, strength unknown!

Xia Kong, Ancient Barbarian Bloodline, strength unknown!

Yu Qianqian, Sword Immortal successor, strength unknown!

Lu Sheng, Sword Saint successor, Peak Shackles Realm strength!

And in the suffix of these five people's information, there was a common piece of information.

Star Academy's 45th batch of new students!

What did Star Academy's 45th batch of new students represent?

It meant they were in the same batch as the students currently taking the Martial Arts College Entrance Examination!

It was just that due to Star Academy's special admission method, they were admitted early.

But even so, what could these new students learn from Star Academy in one year?

Although Lu Sheng's video made many marvel at his talent and combat power, in the same batch, Lu Sheng's combat power was definitely on another level.

However, facing the Prodigies of the Martial Arts Academies, Lu Sheng's strength was, after all, a bit lacking.

And with the appearance of Star Academy's participant list, both these reporters and the Great Xia Human Clan fell silent.

Why did Star Academy choose to send new students to compete?

Could it be that Star Academy intended to give up its ranking in this Academy Tournament?

However, if they wanted to give up, they could have just not come; that way, they could avoid having their first-place position taken, and everyone would understand.

But to specifically send a group of first-year new students to compete, wasn't this looking down on the other Martial Arts Academies?

Did they think they could easily defeat them with just new students?

For a time, ideas about Star Academy's decision constantly appeared on the internet, with many speculating about what Star Academy was trying to do.

However, no matter how they speculated, in their opinion, if only Lu Sheng and his group participated, Star Academy's first-place position was bound to be taken this time.

And when the Five Great Academies learned of Star Academy's participant list, they also fell into a long silence.

Not only did the other citizens not know what Star Academy was thinking, but even they couldn't quite figure out Star Academy's intentions.

Did... Star Academy's people think that merely relying on first-year new students could shake them?

This was perhaps a bit too condescending.

Time slowly passed amidst the speculations of the Great Xia Human Clan.

Soon, two days passed.

The Imperial Capital became even livelier, with figures filling every street and alley.

They all walked towards a mountain range near the Imperial Capital.

Today... was the day the Academy Tournament began.

The Academy Tournament was divided into three rounds.

Except for the second and third rounds, which were judged by arena battles in the Imperial Capital, the first round was held in a Secret Realm within a mountain range near the Imperial Capital.

If one wished to watch, they still needed to go to the mountain range, where the Martial Alliance and the military had specially built viewing seats.

A black car, carrying Lu Sheng and the others, slowly drove out of the Star Pavilion and headed towards the mountain range.

The moment the black car appeared, it attracted many gazes.

Star Academy's participant list also led to much speculation, but no matter how they guessed, they couldn't understand why Star Academy would let these young ones participate.

This... clearly wasn't the stage for Lu Sheng and the five!

However, no matter how confused they were, the list had already been submitted, and Star Academy's true intentions would be revealed with the start of the Academy Tournament!

Soon, the black vehicle, bearing Star Academy's emblem, swept past the dense crowd and entered the mountain range through a special passage.

The mountain range had a road specially built by the Martial Alliance and the military, allowing vehicles to ascend.

After navigating the winding mountain road, finally, after a certain amount of time, Star Academy's exclusive vehicle reached the halfway point of the mountain.

And at this halfway point, a huge plaza had been built, covering a very spacious area.

Even accommodating tens of thousands of people simultaneously, it did not feel crowded at all.

Within this plaza, there were also special seating areas, and these special seats were specifically prepared for the various Martial Arts Academies.

After all, the participating parties always needed their own resting areas.

The door of the black car slowly opened.

Teacher Lan was the first to step out, and behind him, Lu Sheng, Yu Qianqian, Gu Yun, Xia Kong, and Long Tianxing followed closely, and under everyone's gaze, they quickly arrived at Star Academy's exclusive resting area.

"This feeling of being in the spotlight is really great!"

Long Tianxing clasped his hands behind his head, seemingly enjoying the attention.

Teacher Lan said indifferently, "When you get blown up in the spotlight, then you'll know what it means to be overjoyed and then suffer a misfortune!"

Long Tianxing's expression immediately straightened: "What are you talking about! Teacher Lan, what are you saying! I, Long Tianxing, am the Young Lord of Tianlong City after all, could it be that I am inferior to people from other Martial Arts Academies?!"

"It's normal for others to look down on us, but why don't you, Teacher Lan, have confidence in us either!"

Teacher Lan was already somewhat numb to Long Tianxing's exclusive appellation for him.

He was just thinking of giving this guy a good lesson after the Academy Tournament ended.

Teacher Lan rolled his eyes at Long Tianxing and said indifferently, "I have a lot of confidence in you all, except for you!"

Crack!

Within the resting area, a sound of a breaking heart seemed to echo.

Lu Sheng and the others held back their laughter.

Long Tianxing was indeed their lively character, very useful for lightening the mood.

"Alright, the competition is about to begin. We still need to get the ticket to the second round first, and then talk about other things. If we can't even qualify, it'll truly become a joke!"

Lu Sheng found a random seat and sat down, saying softly.

Perhaps it was because Lu Sheng was the strongest among the five, but the other four young ones actually listened to Lu Sheng's words.

Even Long Tianxing, the usual live wire, quieted down at this moment.

Seeing this, Lan Zhan took the opportunity to say, "Although you've all seen the intel I gave you, I still need to give you a reminder before we start!"

"The number one person of Hidden Dragon Academy, Mu Tianyang, his cultivation is roughly around Body Storage Realm eighth layer. Of course, this cultivation level was updated last month. As for what his current cultivation is, we don't know. But what we do know is that among all the contestants listed for the Academy Tournament, he has the highest cultivation!"

"This guy is also a formidable opponent for us!"

"Besides Mu Tianyang, Mei Yun from Xuanji Academy, Zhang Jue from Purple Thunder Academy, Lu Xingkong from First Military Academy, and Zhao Ge from Profound Sword Academy are all the most threatening people to you!"

"In the first round, although the competition won't be too intense, if you encounter people from the Five Great Academies, try your best not to get too entangled with them. Otherwise, if other Martial Arts Academies pick up the slack, that would be troublesome!"

"It's still the same thing: in the first round, there's no need for us to clash with them. Even if they speak provocatively to you, our most important goal is still to secure a spot, understood?!"

Lan Zhan said to the five people in a deep voice.

"Alright, alright, we get it, Old Lan. How come you've become so long-winded after not seeing you for a few months?!"

Long Tianxing waved his hand dismissively.

Looking at Long Tianxing's attitude, Lan Zhan silently clenched his fist. He felt that if Long Tianxing continued to act so provocatively, he really wouldn't be able to hold back.

Fortunately, at this moment, a figure suddenly appeared in the plaza.

With the appearance of this figure, everyone's gaze was instantly drawn to him.

A an old man in a black robe, treading through the Void Realm, with his hands behind his back, walked step by step through the air above the plaza.

The old man was hunched over, yet from his hunched figure, one could feel an extremely terrifying pressure.

"Silence!!"

A faint voice came from the old man's mouth, like a muffled thunderclap, suddenly reverberating throughout the entire plaza.

As the old man's voice fell, the entire plaza instantly quieted down.

In fact, many people looked at the old man with respect on their faces.

"I didn't expect Elder Zhang to preside over this first round!"

Lan Zhan said with some surprise.

Lu Sheng's brow twitched slightly: "Teacher Lan, this is..."

Lan Zhan explained, "This is one of the leaders of the Martial Alliance, Elder Zhang Ming. Elder Zhang's seniority is very high among all the Great Xia Martial Artists. It is said that Elder Zhang's grandfather was a contemporary of Senior Xia Wuji!"

"Aside from his seniority, Elder Zhang himself is an expert in the Dao Entry Realm, and his strength is extremely formidable!"

"It was Elder Zhang, along with other Seniors, who founded the Martial Alliance to protect the Great Xia Human Clan, and it has continued to this day."

Listening to Lan Zhan's explanation, a hint of respect also appeared in Lu Sheng's eyes as he looked at the Elder.

This founder of the Great Xia Martial Alliance was worthy of Lu Sheng's respect!

"This Academy Tournament will be presided over by this old man. Everyone, do you have any objections?"

Elder Zhang's cloudy gaze swept across the entire plaza as he spoke indifferently.

At these words, there was dead silence.

What a joke, who would dare to object?

Anyone with an objection would be treated as a member of the Demonic Cult!

This person was one of the founders of the Martial Alliance, who had protected the Great Xia Human Clan for hundreds of years.

"Since there are no objections, then this old man announces that this Academy Tournament officially begins!"

Elder Zhang glanced around, pausing for a moment in the Star Academy's resting area, then spoke indifferently.

As the Elder's voice fell, suddenly, within the plaza, rays of brilliant light instantly shone forth.

It was as if colorful stars had suddenly fallen in the center of the plaza.

Buzz, buzz, buzz!!!

Bursts of humming sounds exploded in the plaza, accompanied by a terrifying energy fluctuation, seemingly shaking the Void Realm.

So much so that... a part of the Void Realm in the plaza was instantly torn apart.

Within that torn rift, a white jade-colored gate slowly emerged.

"Now... all participating Martial Arts Academy contestants, prepare to enter the Xuantian Secret Realm!"

As soon as the white jade-colored gate appeared, Elder Zhang's voice also sounded at this moment.

"Let's go!"

Seeing this, in the Star Academy's resting area, Lan Zhan looked at Lu Sheng and the other four, speaking softly.

Lu Sheng nodded, slowly stood up, and the four people, Gu Yun, also got up and stood behind Lu Sheng.

"Go!"

Lu Sheng uttered a light sentence, and then led the way towards the plaza.

Not only Star Academy, but other Martial Arts Academies also came out at this time.

In just a moment, the plaza was filled with contestants.

There were many Martial Arts Academies in Great Xia, roughly over a hundred, and each Martial Arts Academy had five official contestants.

That made about five to six hundred people.

"Enter!"

Elder Zhang said indifferently.

As his voice fell, the contestants from each Martial Arts Academy lined up according to their respective academies and walked into the white jade-colored gate one by one.

Lu Sheng and the other four naturally also obediently lined up, waiting to enter.

However, just as Lu Sheng and his group reached the white jade gate, a cold voice suddenly sounded.

"Why isn't Gu Changge from Star Academy here?"

Hearing this voice, Lu Sheng couldn't help but look over.

He saw a young man in blue standing quietly in the direction from which the voice came. Behind him, there were also four young men and women dressed in blue.

On their blue robes, a flood Dragon was depicted, circling amidst the clouds, appearing and disappearing.

Looking at the blue robes, Lu Sheng instantly knew the identity of the other party.

Hidden Dragon Academy!

As for the leading young man, he was none other than the number one person of Hidden Dragon Academy.

Mu Tianyang!

A month ago, he was already a Peak Prodigy at the eighth layer of the Body Storage Realm!

Looking at all the young generations in Great Xia, he was definitely considered a Peak existence.

"I'm asking you a question, answer me!"

Mu Tianyang frowned slightly, seeing that Lu Sheng had not spoken, and said in a deep voice.

"This guy... is a bit overbearing!"

Lu Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly, then he said indifferently.

"Senior Gu is severely injured and recovering. Why?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed across Mu Tianyang's brows, and he then said indifferently, "If Gu Changge doesn't come, you won't get first place!"

Lu Sheng couldn't help but laugh at these words.

Is this guy so confident?

However, just as Lu Sheng was about to say something, Mu Tianyang directly led the people from Hidden Dragon Academy past Lu Sheng and his group, heading straight for the white jade-colored gate.

"Hmph, the people from Hidden Dragon Academy are this arrogant?"

Long Tianxing said indignantly.

"I feel like beating them up!"

Long Tianxing waved his fist, saying fiercely.

Lu Sheng smiled calmly: "There will be plenty of opportunities later, but can you really beat him?"

Long Tianxing chuckled, revealing a mysterious expression, and said nothing.

Seeing this, Lu Sheng was also slightly surprised.

Long Tianxing's reaction... he probably has some hidden cards.

Indeed, no one who could be admitted to Star Academy was simple.

Lu Sheng chuckled to himself, shook his head, and then led the group towards the white jade-colored gate.

Soon, it was Star Academy's turn.

When Lu Sheng and the five appeared next to the gate, a burst of discussions instantly resounded throughout the plaza.

However, Lu Sheng seemed not to hear these discussions at all, and directly led Long Tianxing and the others, stepping into the white jade-colored gate.