121: Chapter 121 Public Opinion Explosion
Qin Wushuang's roar was like a spark thrown into a powder keg, instantly igniting the emotions of all the freshmen present.
"Right! It's unfair!"
"On what basis can someone who didn't even participate in the competition be ranked first?"
"We worked hard for a whole month—is it all just a joke?"
"Shady dealings! This is definitely a backroom deal! We demand an explanation from the academy!"
The long-suppressed dissatisfaction and doubt erupted completely at this moment, like a mountain torrent.
The entire Martial Arts Arena instantly turned into a chaotic mess.
Countless agitated students surged toward the high platform, surrounding Instructor Shi Yan so tightly that not even a drop of water could trickle through.
They needed an explanation.
A reasonable explanation that could convince everyone!
From atop the platform, Instructor Shi Yan looked down at the impassioned students, his resolute face showing no ripples of emotion.
It seemed he had long anticipated such a scene.
He simply stood there quietly, radiating a powerful aura as steady as a deep pool and as immovable as a mountain, preventing the students trying to rush the platform from advancing even an inch.
"Quiet!"
Shi Yan's voice boomed like a clap of thunder once again!
The noisy plaza was forcibly suppressed into silence once more.
"I know you are not convinced."
Shi Yan's gaze swept slowly across every face like a hawk's.
His gaze finally landed on Qin Wushuang, who stood at the very front of the crowd, eyes bloodshot and fists clenched tight.
"Especially you, Qin Wushuang."
Shi Yan's voice carried no trace of emotion.
"You think that because you won the ranking tournament, you are the strongest among this year's freshmen, is that right?"
"Is it not?!" Qin Wushuang looked up, his narrow eyes filled with indignation and humiliation. "I defeated every opponent; I was the last one standing! And what about Wang Pingan? From start to finish, he was hiding in the medical center! On what grounds is he ranked ahead of me?!"
"Just because he got a million credits? Just because he used the back door to please some higher-ups?!"
Qin Wushuang's words voiced the inner thoughts of the vast majority of students present.
They also wanted to know exactly what this Wang Pingan had to offer!
"On what grounds?"
A meaningful expression appeared on Shi Yan's face.
"On the grounds that all of you added together aren't enough for him to fight alone."
Whoosh—!
Shi Yan's statement caused another uproar.
"Too arrogant!"
"Who does he think he is? A Rank Seven Martial Artist?"
"Instructor Shi Yan is showing blatant favoritism! We won't accept this!"
Even Qin Wushuang was trembling with rage.
"I don't believe it!" He pointed at Wang Pingan, who had remained silent in the corner, and roared, "Unless he fights me today in front of everyone! Use strength to prove he's stronger than me!"
"Right! A fight! A fight!"
Calls of agreement immediately rang out from the crowd, one after another.
Everyone's eyes simultaneously turned toward Wang Pingan, who had looked like an outsider from the very beginning.
Their eyes were full of provocation and the desire to watch a spectacle.
Come on!
Aren't you recognized as number one by the academy?
Then do you dare to accept Qin Wushuang's challenge?
Use your fists to defend that ridiculous glory of yours!
In the corner, Wang Pingan felt the countless hostile gazes and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
"Sigh, what a hassle."
He had originally just wanted to watch the excitement and see how his 'cheap fellow townsman' Lin Zhan performed.
He hadn't expected to be pushed to the center of the storm once again.
He looked up, glancing at Instructor Shi Yan on the platform who had a 'let's see what you do' expression, and then at Qin Wushuang nearby, who was nearly blinded by rage.
He knew that this matter likely wouldn't end peacefully today.
Just as he was preparing to step out and resolve this trouble in the simplest and most direct way...
...Instructor Shi Yan spoke again.
His voice wasn't loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"A fight?"
An expression full of pity appeared on Shi Yan's face.
He looked at Qin Wushuang as if looking at a poor fool who didn't know the heights of the heavens or the depths of the earth.
"Qin Wushuang, I am doing this to protect you."
"You are not his match."
Insulting!
This was the ultimate, undisguised insult!
Qin Wushuang felt his head go blank with a buzzing sound.
He stared fixedly at Shi Yan, his eyes shot through with blood vessels.
"I don't believe it! I don't believe it!"
He roared like a madman.
"Unless... unless you can give me a reason that truly convinces me!"
"A reason?"
Shi Yan shook his head.
"Fine."
"Since you all want to know on what grounds he stands..."
"...then today, I will make you understand."
Having said that, he raised his hand.
He lightly snapped his fingers toward the giant holographic screen behind him.
Snap.
The crisp sound of the finger snap was exceptionally clear in the silent plaza.
In the next second.
The holographic screen displaying the 'Freshman Comprehensive Strength Rankings' changed once more.
Behind the name Wang Pingan...
...a new line of small characters, radiating a piercing golden light, emerged.
[Name: Wang Pingan]
[Cultivation: ???]
Initially, the cultivation column still showed three question marks.
This caused everyone to freeze for a moment.
But immediately following that, the three question marks began to flicker and change rapidly!
Finally, before everyone's suddenly constricted pupils...
...it settled firmly on four large characters!
[Rank Four, Peak!]