134: Chapter 134 The Unconvinced Troublemaker
Instructor Shi Yan and Teacher Liu Qing were a bit bewildered by Wang Pingan's sudden change.
They looked at each other, both seeing a trace of confusion in the other's eyes.
"Wasn't this kid just acting like a rascal, swearing he wouldn't go even if it killed him, just a moment ago?"
"How come he's suddenly acting like he's been injected with adrenaline the moment he heard about the 'Universe Law Fragments'?"
"Could this thing have some special meaning to him?"
Instructor Shi Yan took a deep look at Wang Pingan, a glimmer of thoughtful light flashing in his sharp eyes.
He did not ask any further.
He knew that everyone had their own secrets.
Especially a monster like Wang Pingan, whose whole body exuded an air of "mystery."
"Very good." Instructor Shi Yan nodded, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. "Since you have made your decision, things will be easy to handle."
He pulled up a list from his personal terminal and sent it to Wang Pingan.
"This is the list of the other forty-nine members of the delegation."
"They are all the top elites selected from this Freshman Ranking Tournament."
"Assemble at the Central Martial Arts Arena at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
"As the captain, I hope you can familiarize yourself with your team members as soon as possible, and let them 'familiarize' themselves with you as well."
Instructor Shi Yan deliberately emphasized the word "familiarize."
The meaning was self-evident.
These little guys were all proud children of heaven, arrogant and conceited.
To make them obedient, relying solely on the empty title of "Number One" was not enough.
You must use your fists to make them truly convinced and submissive!
"Understood, Instructor."
Wang Pingan nodded knowingly, a warm, harmless smile on his face.
He loved doing this kind of "convincing people with virtue" thing the most.
...
The next day, at nine o'clock in the morning.
Central Martial Arts Arena.
Forty-nine young men and women wearing the special combat uniforms of Xuanyuan University were standing in neat rows here.
Every one of them had a composed aura and sharp eyes.
They exuded the confidence and arrogance that belonged to geniuses.
They were the forty-nine strongest people among the current freshmen!
Lin Zhan still had his unchanging iceberg face, holding his black spear, standing alone on the far left of the team.
A fierce, unapproachable battle intent radiated from his body.
From time to time, his gaze would glance toward the entrance of the arena.
That look was full of anticipation and longing.
On the other side of the team, Qin Wushuang was also prominently listed.
After a night of treatment, his internal injuries from being angered to the point of vomiting blood by Wang Pingan had healed.
But his handsome face was still deathly pale, and his eyes appeared somewhat unfocused and hollow.
Everything that happened yesterday was simply too big a blow to him.
All his pride and self-confidence had been crushed into pieces by that young man in the most barbaric and unreasonable way.
Now, whenever he saw the three words "Wang Pingan," he would subconsciously feel a sense of palpitation and fear.
The few aristocratic children who used to follow behind him were now keeping their distance, their eyes dodging, not daring to meet his gaze.
When a wall falls, everyone pushes it.
This was reality.
Besides them, there were many familiar faces in the team.
For example, Zhou Tai, who ranked just behind Lin Zhan during the Dragon Gate Baptism.
And that lightning-type ability user, Lei Qian, who also performed brilliantly in the ranking tournament and ultimately took third place.
Every one of them was a one-in-a-ten-thousand monster from their respective planets.
At this moment, they were gathered here, and although they looked calm on the surface.
The air was filled with a subtle, competitive, and gunpowder-like atmosphere.
They were all waiting.
Waiting for that legendary "captain" who had been forcibly placed over their heads by the academy.
"Hmph, it's already nine o'clock, why hasn't that Wang Pingan arrived yet? He's certainly putting on airs."
A burly, dark-skinned young man who looked like he had a fiery temper couldn't help but mutter in a low voice.
His name was Shi Lei, an earth-type ability user known for his powerful defense, who had achieved a good result of fifth place in this ranking tournament.
"Exactly, does he really think that just because he got first place, he can do whatever he wants?"
Someone next to him immediately chimed in.
"Shh... keep it down, are you tired of living? Didn't you see what happened to Qin Wushuang?"
"What is there to be afraid of? I admit he is strong, Fourth Rank Peak, really impressive. But a captain isn't just someone who is strong! He also needs leadership skills and a big-picture perspective! Why should a 'lone wolf' who only knows how to hide and cultivate by himself from start to finish lead us?"
That lightning-type ability user named Lei Qian also snorted coldly, his tone full of defiance.
Like Shi Lei, he was from a commoner background and had reached where he was today step by step, relying on his own talent and hard work.
What they despised the most was someone like Wang Pingan, a "connected person" who relied on "luck" and "backdoor dealings" to reach the top in one step.
Their words immediately resonated with many people.
Whispers began to arise in the team.
Obviously, the vast majority of people were unconvinced about Wang Pingan, the "parachuted" captain.
Just then.
A lazy voice, sounding as if it hadn't fully woken up, drifted over from the entrance of the arena.
"Yo, so lively, huh?"
"Are you... discussing how to welcome me, your new captain?"
Everyone's voices stopped abruptly.
They all turned their heads in unison.
They saw Wang Pingan with his hands in his pockets, walking over unhurriedly with that familiar, arrogant stride.
He had a warm, harmless smile on his face.
That calm and composed demeanor formed a stark and glaring contrast with the tense, sword-drawn atmosphere around him.
Everyone's gaze instantly focused on him.
There was curiosity, scrutiny, jealousy, but more than anything, it was a kind of... undisguised provocation!
The figure of Instructor Shi Yan also appeared on the high platform at the right moment.
He looked at the strange scene below, a smile of watching a good show appearing on his face.
"Wang Pingan, your team members are all here."
"From now on, they are handed over to you."
After saying this, he turned around and left directly.
As if he wasn't interested in what would happen next at all.
At this, the atmosphere became even more subtle.
Wang Pingan walked to the front of the team, scanned the forty-nine young faces full of "defiance," and the smile on his face became even brighter.
"Very good, very good."
He nodded solemnly.
"Looking at everyone's spirit, it's quite abundant."
"However, I am a person who prefers quiet."
"So..."
His gaze finally landed on Lei Qian, who had just been clamoring about being "unconvinced."
"I think we need to have a 'deep' 'exchange' first."