177: Chapter 177 The Party Ends!

Just like this year, if it weren't for the sudden emergence of Qin Yan, a dark horse from Modu University of Martial Arts.

Xiao Wangshu's grandfather is the Dean of the Second Academy.

Therefore, Xiao Wangshu applied for Modu University of Martial Arts.

Without these two, Modu University of Martial Arts would certainly have been weaker than Jingdu University of Martial Arts.

As far as he knew, Chen Tian, one of the Kyoto Twin Stars, was originally a local from Modu, yet he ultimately chose to head north to Jingdu University of Martial Arts.

When a student doesn't choose the top institution in their hometown and instead travels far away, at its core, isn't it because they believe Jingdu University of Martial Arts is superior to Modu University of Martial Arts?

Before long, the voice of Great Grandmaster Xiao Shan rang out from the rostrum.

“Will the freshman champion team of this Exchange Competition—Modu University of Martial Arts—all members please come onto the stage for a commemorative photo!”

As the voice fell, the entire venue instantly erupted into applause and cheers like a mountain tsunami.

All lights and all eyes focused at this moment on the arena leading to the highest glory.

Under the brilliant spotlights, the 'Golden Dragon Trophy,' symbolizing the supreme honor of the freshman stage, was held steadily in Qin Yan's hands.

He stood at the very center of the Modu University of Martial Arts champion team, his posture as upright as a pine tree, with a faint smile on his face.

To his left was Xiao Wangshu, as cold and aloof as a solitary plum blossom under the moon; her cold profile seemed shrouded in a faint lunar glow under the lights. She just stood there quietly, gazing calmly at the camera, possessing a sense of solitary tranquility detached from the world.

Right next to Xiao Wangshu was Lu Youyou, with bright eyes and a charming smile; her eyes were curved like crescents, her brow full of joy.

On the right, Lu Qingfeng's expression was steady. Although he still carried a lingering murderous aura that hadn't fully dissipated, his gaze had softened significantly;

Leng Feng stood with his arms crossed, a rare, extremely faint curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

The other five reserve members stood behind them in order.

Though not as dazzling as the five in front, everyone's face beamed with the excitement of shared glory.

Qin Yan had no intention of occupying this most central and conspicuous 'C-position'.

But before the photo, Instructor Fang Yan clapped him hard on the shoulder, his tone leaving no room for doubt: “Qin Yan, don't decline.

In this Exchange Competition, from the initial breakthrough to defeating strong enemies, and finally to that bloody battle with Lin Qingyue and Chen Tian that decided the outcome—everyone saw the effort you put in and the risks you took.

You deserve to stand in this C-position; it is rightfully yours!”

Hearing this, the other team members nodded in agreement.

Lu Qingfeng even said bluntly: “Qin Yan, don't be modest. Without you, we wouldn't have been able to take down Jingdu University of Martial Arts.”

Leng Feng also spoke up rarely: “You earned it.”

Lu Youyou gave him a playful push from the side, giggling.

Though Xiao Wangshu didn't speak, her look of silent approval said everything.

With everyone's unanimous support, Qin Yan finally stepped into that position.

“Click!”

A flash of brilliant white light, and this champion photo—condensing sweat, blood, glory, and friendship—was frozen forever.

With the conclusion of the award ceremony, the National Martial Arts University Exchange Competition, which had lasted several days, finally officially came to a close.

The spectators in the stands slowly filed out, their hearts filled with complex emotions.

Meanwhile, the representative teams from various martial arts universities that had participated in the fierce competition returned to their hotels under the guidance of their respective instructors.

After battling fiercely all day, these young geniuses were nearing their limits, both physically and in spirit, and were even overextended.

Especially for contestants like Qin Yan and Chen Tian, who had experienced life-and-death struggles, they needed complete rest to recover their vitality.

Furthermore, according to the tradition of past Exchange Competitions, on the evening of the day following the official end of the matches...

There would be a 'friendly gathering' led by the organizers, involving all the young students from the participating martial arts universities.

This wasn't an official requirement, but it had long since become a tacitly understood custom.

On the field, they were opponents who gave their all, 'enemies' fighting for the honor of their respective schools, showing no mercy as they vied for victory by the narrowest of margins.

But everyone understood a deeper truth: once they left this arena and truly stepped onto the vast battlefield to resist alien races and protect the human race, these opponents who had once pointed swords at each other today would very likely become comrades-in-arms who fought side-by-side and entrusted their lives to one another!

Allowing this younger generation—the future backbone of the human race—to get to know and communicate with each other in a relatively relaxed environment after intense competition...

Building preliminary connections and trust was far more significant than the outcome of a single match.

This was also a tacit understanding that the high-level leadership of the human race was pleased to see.

In addition, many leading instructors had another important matter weighing on their minds.

It concerned that noble 'Princess Anya'.

Thinking of this, many instructors, while arranging for their students to rest, also began to ponder the situations that might arise at tomorrow's gathering.

...

The towering main gate of Modu University of Martial Arts was brightly lit.

Zhou Yuan and several other old friends were currently looking at Qin Yan with gazes full of indescribable complexity.

Having walked silently from the Martial Arts Arena to the school gate, they had rarely said a single word.

It wasn't due to estrangement, but rather the indomitable, fight-to-the-death ruthlessness and power Qin Yan had displayed on the arena.

It had completely overturned their perceptions.

Especially that final, extremely tragic mutual exchange of blows with Chen Tian; it was deeply etched into their minds, bringing a massive shock.

All of this far exceeded their imagination of a 'martial arts university student'.

When the crowd in the stands shouted 'Uncrowned King' like a mountain tsunami, they shared in the glory.

But they also truly felt that Qin Yan had stepped onto another path that they could hardly reach.

“Brother Yan, just walk us to here; we have to head back.”

Zhou Yuan finally spoke, breaking the silence.

After saying this, he subconsciously looked around—many spectators who hadn't dispersed yet, students from other martial arts universities, and even some media reporters were glancing this way, intentionally or otherwise.

Zhou Yuan winked at Qin Yan, implying that there were too many eyes and ears here and it wasn't the time for a long, nostalgic talk.

Qin Yan understood and a sincere smile appeared on his face: “Be safe on the road.”

Before parting, he specifically whispered an instruction to Zhou Yuan: “Yuanzi, those things on the arena... don't tell my family.”

Zhou Yuan was Qin Yan's best friend and frequently visited Qin Yan's home; he was very familiar with Qin Yan's parents and younger sister.

Qin Yan didn't want his parents, who were ordinary people, to truly understand the cruelty and bloodshed of the martial artist world, adding unnecessary worry and fear.

As for his sister, Qin Xiaoxi, she was only in her third year of middle school—an age of innocence and romance; she shouldn't be exposed to these things too early.

“By the time Xiao Xi takes her university entrance exams, I should have already graduated from the martial arts university.”

Qin Yan silently calculated in his heart.

Given his currently displayed potential and speed of strength improvement, reaching the Fifth-Rank realm by then was almost a certainty.

A Fifth-Rank Martial Artist, in the entire Huaguo, was already an existence that could oversee a region and be respected as a 'powerhouse'.

At that time, he would have enough ability to provide his family, especially his sister, with a peaceful sky and broader choices.