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--- Chapter 311 ---
In a big venue, countless new students assembled and patiently waited for the Deputy Headmaster of the Outer Court. Thankfully, Hu Gan didn't make them wait for too long and slowly stepped onto the podium with a kind smile on his face.
"Students, you gathered today in the Jia Nan Academy to learn and prove you're the best of the best. Train hard, eat well, rest fully, and reach your full potential." Hu Gan kept it simple and opened the tournament with a spirited opening line, riling the new students' spirits.
"I believe you can make a name for yourself in the future!"
"Without further ado, let the competition begin!"
The new students cheered after Hu Gan's opening speech. Not long after that, some professors appeared and assigned them to the great arena in the center of the venue. There are thirty-two big arenas, each containing several mini-arenas occupied by numerous new students.
Han Yuan is assigned to one of the arenas right away, where he faces a 6-Star Dou Practitioner who has cultivated a yellow-rank dou technique. The opponent isn't even a Dou Master, so Han Yuan easily pushes him out of the arena. He gave him a favor.
"Winner, Han Yuan," announces the professor acting as judge. "Continue to the next fight!"
Han Yuan pays no mind to the several curious looks directed at him as he walks to the next assigned arena, waiting for his next opponent. In fact, he isn't the only one drawing attention; Xiao Yixian, Gu Xun'er, and Qing Lin also defeat their opponents with ease.
As the matches progress, everyone—both new and returning students—begins to recognize the frontrunners for the top one hundred.
The elders and professors also have a good idea of who will emerge as the strongest newcomer today.
Han Yuan continues to win fight after fight, effortlessly defeating his opponents.
His movements are swift and non-lethal, sending anyone unfortunate enough to face him flying with a mere flick.
Before anyone even realizes what's happening, a gust of wind sends them flying out of the arena.
However, not everyone views Han Yuan's approach as merciful.
Some interpret it as humiliation.
Yet, the truth is that most of these disgruntled individuals are simply jealous, particularly the male students.
What about the female students?
They cheer every time Han Yuan defeats someone!
Yes, they are fangirling!
If any of the girls got chosen to face Han Yuan, they would flirt and then graciously admit defeat afterward. They couldn't help it.
After all, Han Yuan is not only tall and handsome but also possesses a very mysterious strength, adding to his attraction for the young girls who are just beginning a new chapter in their lives.
Ruo Ling rubbed her forehead helplessly, "I knew this would happen..."
"Hmph, what a playboy," Xue Ni agreed, nodding. "Don't you think so, Xiao Yu?"
"Xiao Yu?"
"Ah, yes, you're right," Xiao Yu answered absentmindedly, her eyes fixed on the handsome figure in the arena. "What a playboy..."
"..." Ruo Ling.
"..." Xue Ni.
Xue Ni clicked her tongue in amazement. "You're actually smitten! Don't tell me if Han Yuan asked you to spend the night with him, you'd agree immediately."
Xiao Yu blushed and softly smacked Xue Ni's shoulder. "What are you saying? There's no way I would do such a thing..."
'Or would I?' she secretly wondered to herself.
The qualification tournament heated up as the top hundred locked in after a while. Several extraordinary geniuses moved to the eight main arenas to determine who the top eight are.
Qing Lin faced a mean-looking boy with red hair and red eyes.
"Uncle, what are you doing here?" she asked in confusion.
The red-haired boy twitched his mouth in disbelief. "What do you mean by uncle? I'm only fifteen this year!"
"Oh, my bad! I thought you were an uncle. You looked older!" Qing Lin giggled innocently as she waved her sword sheath. "Well, I won't bully you too much then."
As the match began, Qing Lin suddenly vanished into azure-green mist, stunning everyone.
The red-haired boy, who also practiced sword techniques, looked around warily. What happened next shocked not only him but also the elders observing the fight.
"Misty Mountain Sword Art - Morning's Dew on Blade of Grass." Qing Lin suddenly appeared beside him.
"Don't underestimate me, kid!" the red-haired boy shouted as he swung his blood-red sword at her.
But Qing Lin was merely an afterimage.
A gentle drop of water materialized on the tip of his chest, and he was unexpectedly knocked out cold by a sword strike.
Bam!
Qing Lin stood calmly as she watched the red-haired uncle fall, nodding in satisfaction. "Mm, I held back!"
"What an exquisite movement technique and sword strike. This girl possesses immense talent," praised one of the elders hidden in the shadows.
"True, her mastery of sword techniques is impressive, and the technique itself is at least Earth-rank, but you should see the other girls as well," another elder remarked with a sigh.
"They are just as impressive, if not more monstrous than this girl!" he continued in awe.
The other elders shifted their attention to the sixth and seventh stages, where one cold-looking girl froze her opponent in a dark ice block, and another was 'faintly' surrounded by extremely hot white flames that forced her opponent to surrender.
"This Han Yuan kid, the girls close to him aren't ordinary either," said one elder in exasperation. "This is a bit too much."
A female elder snorted. "What do you mean by 'too much'? Isn't it normal for great talent to attract others?"
"If I were the same age as those girls, I would do anything to get to know him," she added.
"Whoa, whoa, Elder Su. Remember, you have a husband, a son, a grandson, and even a great-grandson!" some of the elders voiced their concern.
The female elder pouted. "Late husband! I'm single now, and I'm just saying..."
"I'm not shameless enough to target a young kid like Han Yuan."
'No, no, no, now you're making us worry!' the elders thought uneasily as they observed Elder Su's reaction.
Top one hundred.
Top sixty-four.
Top thirty-two.
Top sixteen.
Top eight!
Without anyone realizing, the time passes, and the moon has replaced the sun. Additionally, the qualification tournament has become more intense after the top eight are determined.
First Stage, Gou Ban.
Second Stage, Yun Peng.
Third Stage, Lan Muyu.
Fourth Stage, Han Qinglin (Qing Lin).
Fifth Stage, Kong Zetian.
Six Stage, Han Yixian (Xiao Yixian).
Seventh Stage, Gu Xun'er.
Eight Stage, Han Yuan.
Hu Gan clapped his hands and praised the top eight, "Congratulations to the eight students who have come this far. Now, it's time to start the next fight!"
Han Yuan stared at Hu Gan and thought in amusement, 'I wonder what Deputy Headmaster's reaction would be if he knew the top twenty new students were from my Martial Union.'
Yes, the top eight are actually Han Yuan's own people. They came from different branches, though. Some of them are also impressive enough to catch Han Yuan's attention a bit.
Yet, they won't expose their identities unless Han Yuan orders them to because Jia Nan Academy wouldn't think kindly of his plan.
What is Han Yuan's plan?
Of course, to usurp the Jia Nan Academy and make it his true base of operation in this world!
'Fallen Heart Flame, two of them at that...' Han Yuan chuckled. 'There is no way I am letting them go.'
'Not to mention, the Tou She Ancient Mansion, which is 'literally' located beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower in the Inner Court of Jia Nan Academy...'
'Only fools wouldn't seize such a good spot!'