Qin Shou was close to tears.
Even Xiong Er had a girlfriend. Why did he not have one?
He still kept that auntie’s phone number from the train station.
Just as Qin Shou was wallowing in self-pity, a holographic projection suddenly appeared above the arena.
Han Menglu, wearing a white lab coat, squinting with a radiant smile, materialised in the hologram.
Jiang Nan blinked in surprise. Was the technology this advanced now?
Han Menglu smiled. “Since this is everyone’s first academy ranking tournament, let me go over the rules once more.”
“In the melee elimination round, there are no restrictions on rules or time. The match ends when only 100 participants remain.”
“Serious injury, loss of consciousness, fainting, or being judged unable to continue counts as elimination. You may also remove your headband to forfeit.”
“The victors advance to the next round. Eliminated students will compete in ranking matches for positions beyond 100.”
Everyone nodded. Jiang Nan grinned broadly. He loved unrestricted fights the most.
Han Menglu continued. “Intentionally endangering an opponent’s life is forbidden. Violators will be expelled.”
“However, you may fight without holding back. Do not fear injury. The academy has professional medical teams ready to treat you at any time.”
In the stands, Li Bing led a group of young nurses wearing caps, smiling and waving at everyone.
Jiang Nan clenched his fist, his eyes resolute.
He would rather die than eat little ginseng. That was settled.
“Now, the ten class leaders will vote to select the battle map.”
“We have over ten terrains available, including desert, rainforest, snow mountain, swamp, and more. Majority rules.”
Jiang Nan was stunned. So professional? They even let you choose the map?
Worthy of Menglu’s toy house. Everything was perfectly arranged.
Different ability users excelled in different terrains. For example, an earth-type fighter. Make him battle on the open sea and see how he fares.
Jiang Nan turned back. “Lads, what do we pick?”
The Class 10 students began discussing eagerly.
“Rainforest. Plenty of cover. Easier to manoeuvre.”
“And the elements are diverse and balanced. Less risk of being countered.”
After much debate, everyone agreed on rainforest.
Class 10 discussed heatedly, yet the other nine classes remained silent, as if waiting for Jiang Nan to decide.
Jiang Nan grinned. “We choose rainforest.”
The other nine class leaders replied in unison. “We choose desert.”
Jiang Nan’s smile froze.
Zhong Yingxue and the others stared at the other classes in shock.
What was this?
So perfectly synchronised? Had they planned it in advance?
Then why bother voting at all?
Hang on. Planned in advance? They had not formed an alliance, had they?
The Class 10 students swallowed hard.
Han Menglu smiled. “Nine to one. Desert it is. Enjoy yourselves.”
As she spoke, the central platform began to sink. Under astonished gazes, a vast desert thirty thousand metres across rose in the arena’s centre.
Dunes rose in waves. Yellow sand filled the sky.
At that moment, led by Wang Dong, all 450 students from classes one to nine gathered in a tight mass.
They sneered wickedly at Jiang Nan’s group of fifty-one.
Not only Class 10, but everyone in the stands was momentarily stunned.
Hiss.
In past years, at most four classes had allied.
This time, nine classes. A 450-person grand alliance?
Was this a joke?
Had they formed a massive coalition specifically to oppose Jiang Nan?
They really had been pushed to the brink.
Up in the stands, Tao Xinyi grew anxious. A nine-class alliance?
That meant Jiang Nan’s group would face an entire year’s worth of students.
Seeing the other nine mentors grinning smugly, Tao Xinyi’s eyes reddened. “You’re bullying us.”
“Eh? It’s within the rules. How is this bullying?”
“Besides, we knew nothing about it. The students organised it themselves.”
“Tsk tsk. A 450-person alliance? Quite the spectacle.”
Tao Xinyi stamped her foot, her face full of worry as she gazed at the arena.
Wang Dong shouted. “Lads, orders. Put on gas masks.”
The students pulled pre-prepared gas masks from their bags and fitted them.
Wang Dong looked triumphant. “Haha. South God, you didn’t see this coming, did you? We’re ready. You won’t stink us out this time.”
Xu Qingliu smiled. “What do you say? Forfeit now? Getting beaten first and then forfeiting would be embarrassing.”
“South God. Why not withdraw? If you do, our South-Slaying Alliance disbands. We won’t target Class 10. How’s that?”
Gao Xingyu added. “You’re certainly strong, but this way, hardly any of your Class 10 will reach the top hundred.”
Facing the 450-person alliance, Qin Shou and the others turned pale.
“Damn. These sneaky bastards. Forming teams behind our backs?”
“Surrounded by 450? It’s over before it even starts.”
“Still time to take off the headbands?”
“South God. You have too much face. What kind of treatment is this?”
The Class 10 students wore bitter expressions. They had thought they were hugging a big thigh. Instead, they were about to be besieged by the entire world.
Could they be any unluckier?
Jiang Nan narrowed his eyes, but his smile remained bright. “No problem. Small scene. Just hold the line.”
These little darlings were clearly planning a rebellion.
A few days without discipline and they were getting bold?
A 450-person alliance? So what?
He had fought thousand-man spirit warrior units before.
Seeing Jiang Nan unfazed and still able to smile, the others felt a measure of reassurance.
In the stands, Zhao Dezhu spoke worriedly. “Are we really letting that kid Jiang Nan compete?”
“Just give him first place and be done with it. Have you forgotten the cat-and-mouse game? Be careful or he’ll collapse the whole thing again.”
Xiao Chuohuo laughed. “How could it collapse? Let Jiang Nan join. It’s good for these greenhorn brats to recognise the gap.”
“Otherwise, where’s the motivation to catch up?”
“A blacksmith forges a sword to kill, not to admire. Jiang Nan is a killing sword. A blood-drinking blade. The perfect example.”
“Besides, I want to see what kind of combat power a human-pet combination can unleash.”
Zhao Dezhu covered his face.
He hoped it would motivate them, not crush them.
Someone who had razed District 53 and returned alive was not on the same level as these new students.
Only the seniors, tempered over three years through countless trials, were worth watching.
The South-Slaying Alliance below had no idea. Zhao Dezhu was not worried for Jiang Nan. He was worried for their safety.
Jiang Nan grinned, pulling out his three-metre blood-drinking halberd and resting it on his shoulder.
“Little Dimple. Lion form. Riding size.”
Little Dimple replied cheerfully. “Okay, Master.”
Leaping from Jiang Nan’s shoulder, Little Dimple’s body surged to three metres tall.
Her crimson crystal feathers gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight. Majestic and divine.
Jiang Nan teleported onto her back. Void chains extended, binding man and pet tightly together.
Across the vast desert, a breeze stirred, raising rolling clouds of sand.
One rider, one mount. Crimson beast. Scarlet halberd.
The red headband on his forehead fluttered in the wind.
The halberd blade trailed along the ground. His gaze was razor-sharp.
Zhong Yingxue’s eyes sparkled.
Xia Yao’s jaw dropped.
“Xuexue. Look at Xiao Nan’s back. Mum, he’s killing me with coolness.”
“Yes, yes. You hit my spot. I’ve got goosebumps everywhere. My god.”
Bunny pulled out her phone and frantically snapped photos.
Wallpaper material.
She had only ever seen scenes like this in anime.
Qi Yu was green with envy. It could act as a telegraph and double as a mount. Ahhh.
“Little dragon. Later when you go full beast form, can I ride you? Dragon knight. I’d definitely look cooler than South God.”
Ye Xinghe scowled. “Get lost.”
At that moment, Wang Dong and the others were genuinely shaken by Jiang Nan’s presence. Their hearts wavered.
Wang Dong swallowed. “Cough. Everyone, don’t be afraid. Jiang Nan’s spirit pet is only gold peak. We’ve taken down platinum before. We’ve got numbers.”
“Yes, yes. Numbers mean no fear. Today we have to be the dads.”
“Charge him. Lads. Go.”
In an instant, 450 voices roared as one. They charged with overwhelming momentum.
Jiang Nan licked his lips. “Little Dimple. Charge.”
Red spiritual light flared around Little Dimple. The skill Heavenly Travel.
Her four eagle claws stamped the ground.
Boom.
A thunderous explosion. Little Dimple and Jiang Nan shot forward like a crimson arrow.
Two sonic booms deafened the ears.
Jiang Nan gripped the halberd with both hands. Muscles taut. Excitement surging.
A fully metalised Gold 7-star spirit warrior led the charge.
“Skill. Steel Wall.”
“South God. Dare to clash with me head-on? Haha. My…”
Before he could finish, Jiang Nan used Little Dimple’s momentum. He swung the halberd with full force. The blade split the air.
The warrior only saw a red flash.
Bang.
The halberd head smashed into his chest.
Little Dimple’s speed plus Jiang Nan’s full-power swing. Terrifying force erupted like a mountain torrent.
Just like swinging a baseball bat.
The metalised warrior soared high, trailing a long wail through the air.
He flew across the entire desert arena.
Boom. He crashed into the seniors’ competition ring. Head first. Half his body buried in the platform. Legs kicking wildly.
The two seniors mid-battle flinched in shock.
“Fuck. What just flew in?”
“From the melee zone? Hiss. It’s that intense over there? Knocking people out of bounds already?”
“This… a home run.”
