Zhang Meng, Tu Xiaoshan, and Li Mufeng were top students from Class 1, after all. They were quite strong, and their equipment, made from materials sourced from the Breeze Forest, gave them a significant advantage in stat bonuses. All three advanced after the first round.
At the same time, news arrived that Miao Feng from the second year had also successfully advanced.
This was to be expected. After all, since taking the Experience Pill, Miao Feng's gene level had skyrocketed, surpassing most of the second-year students. He had long since become one of the top contenders in his grade.
As the first round of matches concluded, the second round was already underway.
The students who made it to the second round were clearly much stronger overall. Many dark horse contestants had also emerged. After all, there was a certain degree of unpredictability in a Mage's cultivation; often, awakening a talent suited for them could lead to a massive leap in strength.
Additionally, due to differences in cultivation paths, many students were at a disadvantage in one-on-one duels. This was especially true for Defense Mages like Tu Xiaoshan and Gun Magic Masters like Li Mufeng, who found it difficult to achieve good results in arena battles.
Fortunately, before the third tier, cultivation paths had yet to fully solidify, so the differences weren't too pronounced.
Once they entered an Advanced Academy, individual duels would be divided into brackets, with students competing against others of the same type.
"It's just a damn competition, what's with all the dawdling?!" Feng Hao had climbed onto the combat stage early and was getting a little impatient.
After his performance in the first round, the number of students watching him from below the stage had noticeably increased. Zhang Meng and his two friends had wanted to come cheer him on, but he had dispatched them to the second- and third-year competition grounds to gather intelligence.
First, he didn't need any cheering. Second, his own matches were boring anyway. It was always just one slash per kid!
As for why he was gathering intelligence on the second and third years, Feng Hao had his own plans. You see, each grade had a [Magic Soul] as a prize, and how could he be satisfied with just the one from the first year?
"He's here, he's here! The opponent is here! It's Xu Ziang from Class 3!" A sudden stir went through the crowd.
Immediately after, a well-built student ascended the combat stage. Wielding a sword and shield and clad in heavy armor, he cut a rather imposing figure.
"I hear Xu Ziang trains in both offense and defense. He's even awakened a shield-wielding talent. He can probably block Feng Hao's damage."
"I doubt it. Feng Hao uses Dark Force. Armor without any Dark Force protection is just dead weight. Only the shield is of any use. It all depends on how well he wields it."
"What do you guys think Feng Hao's first-tier talent is? His damage is way too high!"
"From what I've heard from Class 9, it seems to be [Dark Force Fifth Layer]."
"[Dark Force Fifth Layer]? No wonder his damage is so high!"
...
Feng Hao had no interest in listening to the crowd's discussion. His gaze locked directly onto Xu Ziang as he remarked with mild surprise, "Well now, a sword-and-shield Warrior. The academy is truly teeming with talent."
"You're Feng Hao, right?" Xu Ziang's expression was grave, but with his sword and shield in hand, he was filled with confidence. "I heard you defeated Song Shu in a single move. It's your bad luck you ran into me. I'm not as fragile as he was."
"What's with all the chatter?" Feng Hao said impatiently. "Come on, come on! Let's get this started!"
As he spoke, he dual-wielded his Dark Moon Daggers in a standard and reverse grip and charged straight at Xu Ziang.
"Your damage is so high, you probably don't have much Qi Blood, right? As long as I block a few of your attacks, you'll never withstand my counterattack!" Xu Ziang said to himself, holding his shield at the ready.
Feng Hao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 'This kid is adorable. Providing his own running commentary is one thing, but he's actually revealing his entire strategy.'
"Eat my blade!"
Feng Hao roared, thrusting straight forward with the dagger in his right hand.
Just as he'd predicted, Xu Ziang straightforwardly raised his shield to block. Faced with such an adorable kid, Feng Hao almost felt bad about what he was about to do.
"Fooled you."
The instant Xu Ziang raised his shield, Feng Hao swiftly retracted the feint with his right hand. He ducked down, using the shield's blind spot to circle behind his opponent. A dark gleam flashed from his dagger as a solid Dark Force strike landed true.
Xu Ziang had no time to react. His Qi Blood instantly dropped below ten percent, reaching the threshold for defeat.
Xu Ziang felt his Qi Blood roil within him. He involuntarily spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and knelt on the stage, leaning on his sword. "Impossible... I train in both offense and defense!"
"Don't think holding a shield automatically makes you tough. That's not how you use a sword and shield," Feng Hao couldn't help but offer a bit of advice to the earnest kid as he casually strolled off the combat stage.
At this point, the crowd erupted. They stared at Feng Hao's departing back as if they had seen a ghost, trembling in awe.
"He's terrifying! Truly the strongest auditing student in history."
"Yeah, probably only Zhou Chen can stop him!"
"Surely not? The priority classes still have plenty of experts."
"What the hell do you know? Which of those 'experts' you're talking about can end a fight in a single blow?"
"..."
After his easy victory, Feng Hao went back to watch the matches below Combat Stage 1.
Since she had drawn the number one slot, that girl Xi Yueyao was certain to be competing on Combat Stage 1.
To Feng Hao's surprise, Yue Linglong, who had been absent for the previous round, was also there. Seeing Feng Hao approach, she looked slightly puzzled. "What's this? You didn't go to your match?"
"It's already over!" Feng Hao stepped forward with a light chuckle. "It was just bullying a kid. Did you expect it to take me three days and three nights?"
Yue Linglong was taken aback, clearly finding this hard to believe. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure." Feng Hao gave her a speechless glance and asked, "Speaking of which, where did Teacher Yue disappear to during the last round?"
Only then did Yue Linglong believe him, though she couldn't help but feel a little shocked. When she heard Feng Hao's question, however, a blush rose on her pretty face. "I wasn't feeling well earlier, but I'm much better now."
"Oh." Feng Hao nodded with dawning comprehension, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
Seeing Feng Hao's knowing expression, Yue Linglong grew even more flustered and quickly changed the subject. "Xi Yueyao's combat experience has become quite seasoned. Did you teach her?"
"That's right," Feng Hao admitted freely. "So, do you still think combat techniques are useless?"
Yue Linglong's lovely brows furrowed slightly. She huffed coldly and said, "It's all just flashy theatrics. Useless in the face of absolute power."
"Er... I can't argue with that," Feng Hao said, nodding in surprise. He then retorted, "But have you considered a situation where the gap in strength isn't that large?"
"When the gap in strength is small, Secret Techniques, talents, and equipment are the keys to victory," Yue Linglong said with a resolute expression.
"Alright, fine. There's no point in saying any more." Feng Hao shook his head helplessly. 'This woman is like she's been brainwashed; she just can't think outside the box.'
While they were talking, Xi Yueyao had already finished her fight. She stood on the stage, brandishing her long whip and spouting off, "Haha...! You trash from the other classes! Class 1 is the strongest!"
The crowd below instantly flew into an uproar. The students from the other classes gritted their teeth, looking like they wanted to rush the stage and beat Xi Yueyao down as a mob.
Facing their anger, Xi Yueyao was completely unafraid and continued her taunts, "Anyone who's not convinced can come up here for a duel! I haven't had my fill of thrashing people yet!"
Hearing this, several students, their eyes red with fury, cursed loudly and looked like they were about to charge the stage.
"What do you think you're doing? This is a competition!" the referee's authoritative voice boomed, instantly silencing the scene. "Contestant Number One, please exit the stage. Don't delay the next match."
"How boring." Xi Yueyao pouted, clearly not having had her fun yet, and listlessly walked off the combat stage.
Yue Linglong's face darkened with exasperation. Xi Yueyao's mass taunt was a gross violation of the school's code of conduct; even she, as the class teacher, found it hard to watch. "That girl is getting more and more out of hand. She didn't learn this from you, did she?"
Feng Hao felt like he'd been hit by a stray bullet. He was speechless. "I swear on my conscience, I know my limits!"
"Ever since you showed up, Class 1 hasn't known a moment's peace," Yue Linglong said, a teasing note in her voice.
Feng Hao was actually speechless.
...
For some inexplicable reason, he ended up getting lectured by Yue Linglong alongside Xi Yueyao, to the point where they were nearly forced to recite the entire school handbook.
The third round of matches was about to begin. Feng Hao was simmering with pent-up frustration and finally had a chance to let it all out.
However, fate enjoyed playing tricks. His opponent for the third round turned out to be none other than that kid, Tu Xiaoshan. As their leader, he couldn't very well take his anger out on one of his own, so he could only grit his teeth and hold it in.
Upon facing Feng Hao, Tu Xiaoshan naturally didn't put up a fuss. He simply conceded and left the stage.
But this just made things worse for Feng Hao. He had a belly full of frustration with no outlet, and could only wait patiently for the next round to begin.