58: Brother Bai is a tough guy who doesn't talk much!

The Class Exchange Competition was held on the sports field.

Thirty massive 30x30 platforms had already been set up on site.

Many people were seated in the spectator stands, making the scene extremely lively.

"Yo! Isn't this Brother Kun? Haven't seen you in a few months, still slacking off?"

"I heard you're taking the assessment? We'll have to call you Senior Da Wa from now on!"

"It feels like there are fewer people at this year's Exchange Competition."

"Nonsense. Many Third Year Students are busy graduating and aren't interested in these minor competitions. Most Second Year Students are out on missions. How could they find time to return? It's mostly First Year Students."

"Among the Second Year Students, who has the potential to win first place this time?"

"Uh... are you asking who from the Gemini Class is participating?"

"Hiss! That's reputation for you! Everyone automatically assumes the Gemini Class will take first place!"

"That's not necessarily true. Who knows what possessed the Gemini Class this year, but the Second Year Students sent two rookies to compete."

"Rookies? Holy crap! That arrogant?"

"Do they think they can just send anyone and still win first place?"

"Damn it! It seems they're so careless because I'm not competing."

"Oh, please, cut it out!"

"..."

...In the judge's panel, several Middle-aged Men and women were seated, with the Vice Dean of the Martial Academy, Qi Baichuan, occupying the center seat.

And the beautiful teacher of the Space Element, Yu Hongyi, was seated to his left.

As for the Vice Dean's right side, the seat was empty.

"This year's batch of students is quite lacking."

Qi Baichuan sighed aloud.

Yu Hongyi said flatly, "They are indeed lacking. Not many Second Year Students in this batch have experienced actual combat. I believe the Vice Dean owes us an explanation?"

Qi Baichuan looked slightly embarrassed upon hearing this, then cleared his throat a few times and said, "Cough, cough! I was just considering that the Alien Space has appeared frequently in the last two years, and those Churches are becoming increasingly rampant. This was to reduce the mortality rate!"

Yu Hongyi curled her lip: "What's the difference between what you're doing and raising flowers in a greenhouse? Even if they graduate in the future, they'll die faster!"

Qi Baichuan slowly nodded: "I understand. We'll let them go out and gain experience once the situation in the Alien Space stabilizes."

"Besides, aren't there a few promising talents this time? Like A Xiu from your class, Xiao Yuan of the Earth Element, and Fang Bai and Qi Tian—their recent performances have all been good."

Qi Baichuan chuckled, "Although they were specially recruited, after being baptized by the Alien Space, their growth will lay a solid foundation."

Yu Hongyi did not speak again.

Qi Baichuan smiled, then glanced at the seat next to him and clicked his tongue: "That kid is always late. I must deduct his performance points!"

Amidst the noise, the participating classes entered the venue one after another.

Accompanied by waves of cheers and applause, the excitement on site began to surge!

"Holy crap! Look! The people from the Gemini Class are entering!"

Someone shouted at the top of their lungs, and immediately everyone's gaze fell toward the entrance of the sports field.

A group of people could be seen walking over slowly.

The Middle-aged Man leading the group had his hands in his pockets, wore sunglasses, and had his hair meticulously styled, looking handsome but not greasy.

Behind him was a group of students. Unlike the serious, solemn, and expectant demeanor of students from other classes, they appeared... very calm.

People could even sense a faint... bandit aura emanating from them?

Just like Ruffians walking into the street.

Those newly enrolled First Year Students also looked at them curiously.

Is this the Gemini Class? They truly don't look like much!

Fang Bai and Qi Tian followed behind Mo Ming, also surveying their surroundings with some curiosity.

"There are quite a lot of people at the Martial Academy!"

In front, Mo Ming spoke faintly: "Since the Spiritual Energy Revival, the human population has sharply decreased, dropping from 1.1 billion to the current 300 million."

"Out of 300 million people, the Dragon Kingdom has recorded twenty million Awakened Ones, but the number who genuinely became Martial Artists is less than ten million. This is based on last year's data."

Fang Bai asked doubtfully, "So many Martial Artists? Are they all defending against the Demon Race at the border?"

Mo Ming slowly replied, "Four or five out of ten, perhaps. After all, low-level Martial Artists still make up the majority."

"Across the entire nation, Martial Academies have been established in all the surviving provinces. Of course, the Martial Academy isn't the only power; there are also highly representative forces like the Demon Slaying Army, the Shadow Pavilion, and the numerous Great Martial Arts Clans. This world is far from simple—there is always someone better, and heights beyond the sky."

Fang Bai looked thoughtful.

This world is still too dangerous.

"Go Gemini Class!"

"Great Sage Qi Tian is so handsome! I love you!"

"Our Brother Bai is a menace! A man of few words!"

"Gemini Class is the best!!!"

...At this moment, a burst of cheers suddenly erupted, stunning everyone.

What's going on? True fans?

Even the veteran students were dumbfounded.

Fang Bai's expression immediately turned strange: "What's happening? Are we this famous in the Martial Academy?"

Qi Tian said proudly, "This Young Master hired a bunch of Shills. A thousand yuan per person, ten thousand for a few shouts. This is how we look impressive!"

Fang Bai was speechless.

Mo Ming gave Qi Tian a meaningful look and chuckled: "You've got the fame, but if you lose later..."

He had plenty of strength and methods to deal with him.

Qi Tian immediately said seriously, "Teacher Mo, don't worry! Old Bai guarantees the win!"

"???

Fang Bai: How did I get dragged into this?

Following the high-profile cheering of the cheer squad, almost all the students from every class looked towards Fang Bai and the others.

In the crowd, Xiao Yuan looked at Fang Bai, scratched his head, and gave a simple, honest smile.

He had reached the Second Rank.

However, it was a pity that Xiao Yuan couldn't compete, as there were many experts in his class.

A Xiu looked at them from a distance, but did not speak.

She had qualified to compete.

But for her, no matter who the opponent was, she would give it her all!

At the judge's panel, Mo Ming walked over calmly and sat down next to Qi Baichuan.

The latter gave him a strange look: "You see a leader in the classroom and don't greet him? Aren't you afraid I'll make things difficult for you?"

Mo Ming casually picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and said flatly, "This is the Martial Academy; we don't bother with that formalism. Vice Dean, you wouldn't want the Dean to receive a letter of complaint about you, would you?"

Qi Baichuan chuckled: "How could that be? I have always enforced the law impartially. Ahem, Mentor Mo Ming left his post without authorization. Deduct 100 points!"

"Pfft!"

Mo Ming spat out a mouthful of tea and stared fiercely at the Vice Dean: "Are you embezzling?"

Qi Baichuan chuckled: "The deducted points go to financial management. What does that have to do with me, the Vice Dean?"

Mo Ming sneered: "Who doesn't know that you, the Vice Dean, hold multiple positions?"

Qi Baichuan patted his shoulder earnestly: "Old Mo! You're still too young. By the way, I've communicated with the Dean. If your class doesn't take first place this year, the Gemini Class's benefits will be cut by one-third."

Mo Ming: "???

The Vice Dean slowly stood up, ignoring the microphone on the table, and his voice, infused with Alien Energy, spread throughout the venue: "I announce the 179th Martial Academy Exchange Competition..."

"Is now starting!"