57: Freshman qualifying competition begins

Bai Mo chewed a few times, saw Wen Yu's expression, and almost burst out laughing, quickly swallowing: "Hahaha~"

“You still have the nerve to laugh!” Wen Yu, who had come to her senses, angrily punched Bai Mo a few times.

After they had their fun, Zhang Ling also came out of the small quiet room.

Looking at Wen Yu and Bai Mo fooling around, a hint of envy and a smile flashed in her eyes: “As soon as I come out, I see you two like this, showing off your affection!”

Zhang Ling sat down in front of a chair: “Phew, recent cultivation has been exhausting, but fortunately, the ranking competition is tomorrow, so I can finally rest!”

These days, everyone has been extremely diligent, spending most of their time cultivating, apart from eating, drinking, and using the restroom.

Why are there fewer troublemakers? Because they are either cultivating, doing missions, or exploring secret realms.

Who has the free time to look for trouble or cause problems when they're bored? In this era, it's extremely competitive!

Even if you have S-rank spiritual power talent, if you don't work hard, you might be surpassed by some competitive A-rank.

No matter how high your talent is, you still need to cultivate! Unless your talent is so high that you can grow stronger just by breathing, otherwise, it's better to cultivate properly!

Unless it reaches a point where simple cultivation no longer makes you stronger, then it might be different.

Basically, once spiritual power breaks through 1000 points, the higher you go, the higher the demands on talent, and the harder it becomes to accumulate and improve spiritual power.

One's own limit becomes more and more obvious. For those with poor talent, without opportunities or resources, they might be stuck there for a lifetime.

“This time's ranking competition, I don't think there will be too many changes in positions…” Wen Yu shook her head slightly and said.

Although everyone has been cultivating during this time, they are still paying attention to various rankings and academy matters.

The ranking positions change very quickly, basically every day.

Of course, the top ten of the New Student Overall Ranking have never changed.

Most of the changes are in the lower ranks.

However, all of this is just on the surface for now. When the real ranking competition begins, that is, after the first month, when the allocation of resources is truly decided by the rankings, that's when all sorts of formidable individuals will show their true strength.

At that time, we'll see who the dark horses are!

“Bai Mo, you should be able to climb a few spots.” Wen Yu said to Bai Mo with a smile. With Bai Mo's strength, it shouldn't be difficult for him to climb a few spots.

“I should be able to!” Bai Mo nodded.

He might not be able to defeat the top three, but he could certainly contend with those below them.

For the top ten, every spot climbed brings a considerable reward. Moreover, Bai Mo felt that the higher he climbed, the greater the impact, and the more source points he would likely receive!

“Hmm~” Zhang Ling pouted, wondering if she would become the worst one!

Although Zhang Ling is currently ranked tenth and Bai Mo is twelfth, it's mainly because Bai Mo hasn't participated in rankings during this period. Since the first day of enrollment, after being challenged and demonstrating his strength, people realized that even a "bottom-ranked" student like Bai Mo was so strong. How much stronger must the monsters above him be!

It's precisely because of examples like Bai Mo that the first-year students of Class 1 in the Martial Arts Department have had such a comfortable month, with almost no one challenging them.

Furthermore, up until now, after so long, their positions haven't changed.

They themselves know that everyone is holding back.

But others don't know that!

They still think that their strength is just that strong! Everyone is a favored child of heaven, who would indulge you and let you be above me!

Maybe they've already sparred internally, and since there haven't been any changes until now, it's probably true that their strength is divided this way!

At least, although this ranking is only for reference, it is still very accurate.

During this time, everyone has been cultivating, sparring, and doing missions together...

Zhang Ling knows Bai Mo's strength. For the ranking competition... she wonders if she can hold onto her tenth place. In her opinion, Bai Mo will definitely climb higher!

As for herself, she will try to defeat the ninth-ranked person, then her top ten position will be secured.

“Then let's rest well today! See you tomorrow!” Wen Yu said with a smile. Today's activities concluded here.

…

The next day.

One of Beiling Academy's traditions, the New Student Ranking Competition, officially began!

As an annual grand competition, it also determines the level of this year's new students.

Countless people are paying attention.

Even older students who are outside, if they don't have important matters, will return to watch this competition!

And there's no need to mention the various clubs; the New Student Ranking Competition is also the club recruitment season.

Many actual combat capabilities and situations that cannot be seen from "data" can be observed through this ranking competition.

Who has more potential can be seen, including a person's character, style of action, and so on.

Various organizations don't just accept you if you have talent; of course, if your talent is truly very high, the standards and requirements will naturally be lowered accordingly. There's no way around it, that's reality!

Genius always has more privileges and conveniences; that's reality!

At the martial arts training ground, there are dedicated venues provided, and for the New Student Ranking, there are specific arrangements. If you don't come, it's defaulted that you forfeit your position...

And this ranking is not about who is arranged to challenge whom, but rather, you choose your own opponent!

Multiple classes proceed simultaneously.

Fortunately, the number of people admitted to Beiling Academy each year is not large, only one or two hundred.

After all, the admission threshold is too high, and there is another school of the same level, so having one or two hundred people is already quite good.

Class 1 occupies 12 people.

The remaining hundred-plus people are divided into Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4, making a total of four classes.

Yesterday, if you already had a "preferred" opponent, you could apply in advance, and today the challenge would be arranged directly.

“Bai Mo, who are you choosing?” Wen Yu asked.

“The fourth-ranked one.” Bai Mo said, nudging his lips.

Wen Yu followed Bai Mo's gaze and saw a male.

Wen Yu's mind displayed the opponent's information:

Yang Tao - New Student Overall Ranking Fourth.

Spiritual Power Talent: S

Spiritual Power: 368

Blade Spirit Talent: S

Blade Spirit: Hubbub (Wind Element)

Special Ability 1

His strength seems pretty good.

Just in terms of spiritual power, he has 122 more points than Bai Mo.

“Okay! Give it a try!” Wen Yu nodded. If Bai Mo successfully challenges, he'll be fourth. Then let's see about Zhang Ling! She wonders what rank Zhang Ling can achieve.

Everyone is a genius, except for a few; for the others, it's really hard to say who is stronger or weaker.

However, their "organization" already occupies three spots in the top ten of the New Student Overall Ranking, which is already very good!

“What about you?” Bai Mo asked.

“Me, well…” Wen Yu pursed her lips and looked towards a certain arrogant-looking male standing there with his arms crossed: “Of course, I’m going to challenge this strongest new student and see what abilities he truly possesses!”

Wen Yu is currently ranked second overall. She either waits to be challenged, or if she challenges, she can only challenge the first-ranked.

The New Student Ranking Competition lasts for three days. Theoretically, each person can challenge once or twice a day, because after an intense battle, it takes some time to recover. Although they won't die, the consumption won't recover on its own, including non-fatal injuries.

“What about you?” Bai Mo looked at Zhang Ling.

“I’ll challenge… the ninth-ranked person!” Zhang Ling said, pursing her lips. “My goal isn’t high. Once I succeed, I’ll try to move up again tomorrow!” She knows her own level. At most, she can reach fifth place; going higher than that is unlikely.

“Mm! That’s not bad either!” Bai Mo and Wen Yu nodded. It’s good to climb even one spot, because after the top ten, there’s a difference in resources and academic credits gained each month for every rank.

The further back you are, the greater the gap, and the harder it is to make up and catch up.

You must contend in the early stages! You must!

Cultivation is about contending! Contending with heaven! Contending with people!