84: In the freshman competition, Han Lie directly faced Wang Rui

September 1st, the highly anticipated opening ceremony and freshman competition finally arrived.

All 1521 freshmen received a notice to gather at Shanghai Martial Arts University's First Martial Arts Field before 9 AM. After putting down their phones, their hearts were filled with uncontrollable excitement, and their fists clenched.

Before long, everyone arrived at the Martial Arts Field. Though 1521 freshmen sounded like a lot, compared to the vast field, they were like grains of rice dropped into a rice bin.

This place was enormous, covering nearly a hundred acres, about the size of ten football fields.

The teachers hadn't arrived yet, so everyone could only whisper among themselves.

"I heard the competition format for this year is out. It's extremely simple and brutal, something like a ring battle!"

"A ring battle? No way!"

Someone asked, "We all come from different parts of the country. Besides Han Lie and Wang Rui, who are recognized as the top scorer and runner-up, no one else has a ranking. How will they determine the matchups?"

"Who knows!"

Someone who was clearly well-informed said, "Last year's selection method was also very simple. I heard it was weighted marching, said to test the students' physical strength. If it's like that, then a super-stats monster like Han Lie would have a huge advantage!"

"Not necessarily!"

Someone shook his head, "There are just too many amazing people in our class. And haven't you heard what the seniors said? Usually, those who were dazzling before the Martial Exam all fade after officially enrolling. You have to know, everyone has cultivated a Breathing Method!"

"Yes, yes!"

This statement received approval from many. "After learning a Breathing Method, one's strength changes drastically compared to before. Whoever has a more profound Breathing Method truly holds the advantage!"

During the discussion, more and more students gathered at the Martial Arts Field. Many were the focus of attention, recognized as the strongest from various provinces. These individuals all shared one trait: they were taciturn and rarely paid attention to others.

That's right, there weren't many who could be their opponents.

Thus, although all 1521 freshmen were outstanding individuals, they could be divided into several groups. One group consisted of the top-tier, veteran Martial Overlords, like Wang Rui. Their strength was formidable, and they looked down on everyone else, too lazy to gather information on opponents. It wasn't excessive arrogance; they all knew that any information they could gather now was basically false and held no reference value.

The second type were challengers who had comprehended top-tier Breathing Methods and whose strength wasn't as strong before. Their strength was not top-notch nationally, but after comprehending a top-tier Breathing Method, their strength skyrocketed, boosting their confidence and ambition, wanting to challenge everyone who was once above them.

The third type was the mainstream. Their strength was not top-notch nationally, and the Breathing Methods they comprehended were not top-tier. Compared to others, they knew their place. They only hoped to achieve a relatively good ranking, and most of their energy was spent on investigating opponents' situations, gossiping about strong competitors, and so on...

..............

As time passed, many agile martial artists with playful, curious eyes appeared around the Martial Arts Field. These were the sophomores and juniors, and every year at this time, this place would regularly refresh these NPCs.

For martial artists, there was nothing more interesting than watching martial arts competitions, especially these freshmen, who were walking the path they had once walked. This gave them an even greater sense of immersion and participation.

They were also discussing.

"I heard this year's competition format is a ring battle!"

"So, it's all about combat power then?"

"Then I'm rooting for Wang Rui! That kid is my direct junior. He's practically inhuman. His qi and blood were terrifying even in his first year of high school; many second-years couldn't beat him. Later, he crushed everyone to win the national championship. He's practically a protagonist template!"

"Your news isn't up-to-date. Do you know about that freak among the freshmen named Han Lie? He scored 600,000 points in the Martial Exam, breaking the national record!"

"Holy crap, 600,000?"

"I really hadn't paid attention. Then things just got more interesting! This is a collision of Mars and Earth!"

"Hahahahahahaha, the school really knows how to have fun. Fifteen hundred top scorers, fighting among themselves to determine the top three. Damn, it sounds interesting!"

"Heh heh, why didn't you think so last year?"

.............

More and more people gathered at the Martial Arts Field.

At this moment, a handsome guy happened to pass by.

Oh, no, he rode his electric bike to the bike shed, then walked circuitously to the Martial Arts Field. Han Lie and Bai He Wan looked closely, "So many people!"

"Yeah, yeah!"

"Didn't they say to be here by 9 AM? How are they all here by 8:30?" Han Lie sighed, marveling at how a group of freshmen hadn't changed their high school habits, truly frighteningly punctual.

After familiarizing themselves during the month of early arrival at school, Han Lie and Bai He Wan had already learned some of the excellent traditions of their seniors, including the innate skill of arriving at the classroom just in time.

Seeing Han Lie arrive, everyone inevitably discussed him.

But they couldn't discuss much, because they focused more on analyzing strength, and there was really nothing to analyze about Han Lie.

"Terrifyingly mysterious!"

For the national champion, they naturally wouldn't rashly assume Han Lie was wasting his time without understanding anything. So, the less they understood, the more they imagined him to be mysterious.

This was a! MYSTERIOUS! EXPERT!

............

Before long, a middle-aged man suddenly appeared on the main platform at the front of the Martial Arts Field. After appearing, he simply made a gentle downward gesture with one hand.

"Quiet!"

At that instant, even students who hadn't noticed the middle-aged man's appearance, no matter what they were chattering about, clearly heard the quiet reminder in their ears.

Many instinctively chose to be silent.

But some still wanted to speak, yet a pressure descended, as if the air had suddenly become ten times heavier, making it hard to breathe, let alone speak.

The middle-aged man on the platform then spoke.

It seemed effortless, yet everyone could hear him.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Wei He, Dean of the Combat Academy at Shanghai Martial Arts University. I am very pleased to be in charge of your freshman competition this time!"

"I don't like to talk much, nor do I like trouble, so let's get straight to it—"

As he spoke, he used some unknown ethereal power, and above the vast empty space in the Martial Arts Field, one by one, standard-sized martial arts rings suddenly appeared.

"Bang—!"

All the rings fell almost simultaneously, resulting in only one huge sound and a cloud of dust.

"This competition is very simple!"

"As you can see, there are only 100 rings in front of you, with corresponding numbers from 1-100. It is 9 AM now. I will return at 3 PM. Whoever is still standing on a ring at that time will receive the ranking corresponding to that ring's number!"

After speaking, Wei He didn't consider whether the students understood and simply turned and left.........

He turned and left.

"Holy crap, no way?!"

Han Lie was utterly stunned. This method was too simple and brutal, and this Dean, he was really good at showing off, wasn't he?

And what kind of operation was this? Space ring? Void power?

These top-tier martial artists were too incredible!

As he was marveling, someone had already stepped onto Ring Number One beside him, and with eyes downcast, mind focused, completely disdaining to pay attention to his surroundings.

Everyone recognized him.

Wasn't this Wang Rui, who had been the national martial arts competition champion for three consecutive years of high school, only narrowly defeated by Han Lie in the Martial Exam?!

Perhaps there were fans in the crowd who knew him or admired him, quickly reminding him:

"Wang Rui!"

"The teacher said it ends at 3 PM. If you go on stage now, you'll easily face a continuous onslaught from everyone. Isn't that just pointlessly draining your energy?!"

What he said made sense.

Clearly, this competition rule was simple and brutal, but also full of loopholes. Going on stage at 9:00 AM now and becoming the target of everyone's encirclement was hardly a wise move.

And Wang Rui, he was standing on the first one.

Many people reminded him, but Wang Rui seemed to find it a bit noisy.

He waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter!"

"You all can challenge me as much as you want..."

"Once I make my move, no one will dare to challenge me again!"

..............

"???"

The whole hall was shocked.

Han Lie immediately exclaimed, "Holy crap!"

"There's another master of showing off?"

No, I couldn't figure out that one before, but I can't figure you out either?

Han Lie had goals before coming: first, to see the effect of the Invincible Posture; second, to practice the application of the Breathing Method in martial arts attacks as much as possible; third, to win first place; and fourth, to find a way for Bai He Wan to get a good ranking.

He originally thought he couldn't achieve all these things, but he didn't expect the teacher to come up with such a flawed competition method.

Well, here it comes!

"Heh heh!"

"I just love to deal with show-offs!"

While others hesitated, Han Lie stepped onto the ring. Everyone exclaimed, "Holy crap, Mars really did collide with Earth!"

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