Chapter 82: Dueling Rules

"Everyone knows the theme of this year's entrance exam, it's a dueling competition!"

"After the scoreline is announced, the rules will also be sent to all major high schools. I will now explain them in detail, so please take note."

"In the dueling competition, only the use of spells is allowed. The use of elixirs, magical artifacts, and formations is strictly prohibited. Of course, to test combat talent and to create more possibilities during the duel, allowing the underdog a chance to win, the Dao Academy and the College of Learning have agreed to permit each student participating in the entrance exam to use talismans."

Upon hearing this, the 18 students at the sixth level of Qi Cultivation, who had previously looked listless, instantly became excited, their eyes wide as they focused on the principal's next words.

Even Chen Mobai's eyes lit up.

Although he was very confident in himself, if he faced an opponent at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Cultivation, he felt his chances of winning purely through spells were not high.

But if he could use talismans, he felt he could sweep through everyone.

After all, he was now a successful talisman trader. During the duel, he could carry a hundred or so talismans, and even prepare a couple of second-grade Yi Wood Divine Thunder talismans. Even someone like Gong Xiangyu could be struck down.

"Principal, won't this just benefit the rich?"

"Yes, we are from ordinary families. We might not even be able to afford a single second-grade talisman. How is this different from allowing the use of magical artifacts and formations?"

"If those rich kids come to the arena with a hundred talismans in their pockets, we might as well surrender without a fight."

Hearing the complaints from his classmates, Chen Mobai felt a bit ashamed of his earlier thoughts.

Yes, winning with money would go against the original purpose of the entrance exam.

It's so unfair.

"Don't worry, allowing the use of talismans is to give ordinary students a chance to win against stronger opponents."

"The use of talismans will not be unlimited. The Dao Academy and the College of Learning have set limits: one first-grade superior talisman, two first-grade medium talismans, and four first-grade inferior talismans are allowed during the duel."

"If you want to achieve good results, the combination of talismans is crucial. It's best to have a systematic approach with no obvious weaknesses."

After He Jingshan finished speaking, the students immediately began discussing which talismans would provide the strongest combat power or best suit their cultivation techniques.

Chen Mobai listened and found that half of the students at the seventh level of Qi Cultivation had already converted their Five Elements cultivation techniques to other techniques more suitable for their spiritual roots. These students already had clear goals, as the attributes of their cultivation techniques determined which talismans would be most effective.

Those still practicing the Five Elements technique had a wider range of choices, as they could build a Five Elements system or a mixed system, making it harder to be targeted during the duel.

However, the self-adaptive spiritual energy of the Five Elements technique is balanced and might not fully unleash the power of a first-grade superior talisman.

There are advantages and disadvantages.

"Alright, I've finished speaking. Please fill out your preferences, and I will help you with some references."

He Jingshan pointed with his right hand, and the preference forms on the podium flew to each student's desk.

"By the way, after you fill out the forms, if you have any ideas about talismans, you can also consult me and the four teachers at the school. One of us is on duty from Monday to Friday, and you can come for advice."

He Jingshan picked up a piece of chalk and wrote the names of the four teachers on the blackboard.

Chen Mobai glanced at the names; he only knew Ding Jinglue, but the other three were also teachers who taught first and second-year spell courses, and their expertise in talismans was reliable.

However, if he were to ask for advice, he would definitely ask either Ding Jinglue or He Jingshan, as the former was his teacher, and the latter was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, clearly more experienced.

With this in mind, Chen Mobai filled out his three preferences.

For his first choice, he wrote the Jumang Dao Academy. Although the scoreline for the four major Dao Academies is traditionally 350 points, it wouldn't hurt to fill it out. What if there was a special case and he was admitted?

After all, it's one of the four major Dao Academies.

Chen Mobai glanced at Song Zheng and saw that he had also chosen the Buxian Dao Academy. Looking around, he saw that Mo Simin had chosen the Wuchi Dao Academy as her first choice.

Only Yan Bingxuan, who had not taken the college entrance exam and was already guaranteed admission to the College of Natural Sciences, did not fill out any preferences.

It seems everyone had the same idea. This was a tip their homeroom teacher had given them: with three preferences, the first one is used for this purpose.

As for why Chen Mobai chose the Jumang Dao Academy among the four major Dao Academies, it was mainly because Qingnü had already been guaranteed admission there. If he got lucky and was admitted, he would have a familiar companion to study with.

For his second choice, there was no need to think much: the Chunya College of Learning.

For his third choice, the Taiyuan College of Learning.

After filling out his form, Chen Mobai waited a bit, and then He Jingshan collected all the forms.

He went through each one, calling out names for students to come up.

Some students were too greedy, choosing their preferred colleges despite not having the required scores, and He Jingshan would have them change their preferences; others were too conservative...

Soon, it was Chen Mobai's turn.

"Alright, with your score, you're almost guaranteed to be admitted to the Chunya College of Learning. Work hard there and strive to reach the Core Formation stage, bringing glory to your alma mater."

Speaking to the top student in the school, He Jingshan was gentle, and his words made many in the audience change their expressions.

Chen Mobai wasn't like Shi Yuanqing, who had been famous for a long time. Many people still doubted his sudden rise to the top.

Chen Mobai completely ignored this.

It wasn't that he looked down on these people; it was that no one in the room could match him. Even the three students at the eighth level of Qi Cultivation, with the use of talismans, would still have a hard time defeating him.

He quietly waited in his seat until He Jingshan had reviewed everyone's preferences.

"Let's go."

After the meeting, he stood up and waved to Yan Bingxuan.

Mo Simin, standing nearby, opened her mouth in surprise, as if a bit confused. Didn't they just say in class that they were just classmates? Why does his tone and actions seem off?

"Simin, come with us."

Compared to Chen Mobai's lack of concern, Yan Bingxuan hesitated for a moment but then called the class monitor to be a buffer. If the three of them went to eat together, there would be fewer rumors.

"Song, why don't you come with us?"

Chen Mobai, who now had a bit of money, didn't mind treating a couple more people to a meal.

"No."

Song Zheng simply said two words and left the classroom.

"He seems to really dislike you?"

Chen Mobai, perceptive, asked Yan Bingxuan.

"During the first and second years, he never won against me in the spell practice class. After being beaten so many times, he's like this."

Yan Bingxuan said indifferently. Her spiritual root talent was better than Song Zheng's, and she had always been the top student in the class. It was only after she started practicing the Condensing Frost technique in the third year that her cultivation level lagged behind, allowing him to catch up.