153: Chapter 153 One Shot, One Kill

The lead instructor from Shanghai Jiaotong University wore an expression of unprecedented gravity.

He stared fixedly at Qin Yan on the arena, as if trying to see right through him.

"Peak Bone Forging stage! His base Qi and Blood must absolutely be above 49 ka, possibly even close to 500 ka!"

He made the judgment based on experience. This level of raw strength had already surpassed their own ace students—Chen Hanshan and Lin Qingyin!

He took a deep breath, turned to look at the few remaining reserve team members, and let out a helpless sigh.

He said solemnly, "For the upcoming matches... go up and fight freely.

Just experience the atmosphere of the competition and accumulate some experience. Don't push yourselves too hard."

"Instructor, is this Qin Yan... really that strong?"

Seeing the instructor's arrangements, Chen Hanshan couldn't help but frown and ask.

The lead instructor nodded heavily and quietly informed the core team members of his observations: "He's strong! Extremely strong! In terms of Qi and Blood foundation alone, he's above you and Qingyin.

And his Spear Technique... is unfathomable. I couldn't even tell how much of his true strength he used in that last thrust."

All the Jiaotong University team members who heard this were shocked, their faces showing expressions of disbelief.

They hadn't expected this Qin Yan to be so powerful.

"What you need to do now is conserve your energy and adjust your condition."

The instructor earnestly advised, "Strive to fight your way out in the upcoming losers' bracket matches!

At that time, even the worst ranking will be firmly within the top twenty!"

The format of this exchange competition was: the top fifty would be decided on the first day, the top twenty-five on the second, and the top twelve on the third.

Simultaneously, on the third day, all the defeated martial universities would enter a losers' bracket round-robin tournament, engaging in fierce battles once more.

Ultimately, the top eight teams from the losers' bracket would earn a "revival" qualification and be promoted to the winners' bracket.

At that point, there would be a total of twenty teams.

12 from the winners' bracket + 8 from the losers' bracket.

They would then commence the most brutal and comprehensive test of overall strength: the grand round-robin tournament!

Every martial university would have to face each of the other nineteen universities in one round of matches!

The final 1st to 20th rankings would then be determined based on the total number of victories!

This round of competition would be the longest and most intense!

It not only tested individual combat prowess but also the entire team's endurance reserves, tactical arrangements, rotation strategies, and... the crucially important level of medical and logistical support!

It was an all-encompassing, ultimate contest of a martial university's comprehensive strength!

...

On Arena Number Three.

When Qin Yan saw that the student representing Shanghai Jiaotong University was a reserve team member, he understood their strategic choice—a tactical forfeit, preserving their main force's strength to prepare fully for the losers' bracket.

Since that was the case, he no longer held back.

It was still a simple, sweeping spear thrust.

The Jiaotong reserve member desperately tried to block, but it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. He was knocked off the arena without any suspense.

"Next." Qin Yan's tone was calm.

The fourth Jiaotong team member stepped onto the arena, his face tense.

Another single spear thrust.

His figure flew backwards.

"Next."

The fifth member, also Jiaotong's final participant for this match, stepped onto the stage almost resigned to certain defeat.

The result held no surprises; he was dealt with by yet another single spear thrust.

Qin Yan had only swung his long spear four times in total.

One shot, one KO. Like cutting melons and chopping vegetables, he effortlessly and gracefully ended the entire match!

He accomplished the feat of single-handedly sweeping through four opposing team members!

"Arena Three, Shanghai Martial University wins, advances to the top fifty!"

The referee loudly announced the final result.

"Roar——!"

Even more enthusiastic cheers and applause erupted throughout the venue!

The absolute dominance Qin Yan displayed in such a short time left an extremely deep impression on all the spectators.

Under the gaze of countless shocked, admiring, and worshipful eyes, Qin Yan's expression remained unchanged as he slowly retracted his spear.

With unhurried steps, he walked off the arena and returned to Shanghai Martial University's preparation area.

After Qin Yan returned to the preparation area, Lu Youyou immediately bounded over with a giggle, patted his shoulder, and lifted her snow-white, slender neck.

Putting on an air of maturity, she praised, "Not bad at all, junior brother! Really impressive! You've brought great honor to our Shanghai Martial University!"

Qin Yan smiled slightly, his tone still calm. "You flatter me, senior sister.

They were all just reserve members, their strength was limited.

The only one of their regular team members who had a bit of strength was only so-so. It wasn't even enough to warm up."

It wasn't even enough to warm up; the Qi and Blood within his body hadn't even begun to boil.

"Alright, today our Shanghai Martial University has successfully advanced."

Instructor Fang Yan looked at the returning Qin Yan, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

He clapped his hands and said to the team members, "You are free to do as you please now.

You can go to the spectator stands to observe matches from other strong schools and gather intelligence;

or you can return to the estate to rest and adjust your condition.

Instructor Lin Jian and I will stay here and keep a close watch on the performances of those potential rivals."

Hearing this, a look of unconcealed delight instantly bloomed on Lu Youyou's delicate face.

By nature lively and active, she had long grown somewhat impatient in the tense atmosphere and rule-heavy preparation area.

Upon hearing Instructor Fang Yan announce they were free to go, she linked arms with her close friend Xiao Wangshu beside her, and without further ado, grabbed the sleeve of Qin Yan, who was next to her.

She chirped excitedly, "Come on, come on, junior brother, come with us to the observation seats. It's too boring here!"

With that, she pulled the two of them away from the enclosed preparation zone.

They arrived at the exclusive observation seats located at the front of the spectator stands, specially designated for competing team members and related personnel.

The view here was excellent, and it was relatively independent and quiet.

Lu Youyou skillfully picked up the smart glasses equipped on the seat and put them on her small nose bridge.

Adjusting them, she excitedly suggested, "Watching us freshmen rookies peck at each other is so boring! We need to broaden our horizons!

Let's go watch the fourth-year seniors' duels. That's where the real excitement is!

True Qi crisscrossing, techniques reaching for the heavens—it gets your blood pumping just watching!"

Hearing this, Qin Yan's heart also stirred slightly.

Unreserved clashes between powerful martial artists, for a young man from a small city like him, truly only existed in legends. He had never witnessed one firsthand.

Now, with such an excellent opportunity to observe up close the contests of the nation's most elite young martial artists, he naturally didn't want to miss it.

Beside him, Xiao Wangshu, as cool and detached as snow, didn't speak but silently picked up a pair of glasses and put them on as well.

The three of them put on their observation glasses, quickly switching and elevating their perspective.

Finally, they locked onto the highest floating layer of arena space—the one belonging to the fourth-year students.

(One more chapter. Seeking gifts~ Mwah!)