Chapter 26

Today at Nangfeng Academy, the atmosphere was more intense than usual, all because the preliminary exams were about to begin.

The so-called preliminary exams are a screening process within the academy, ultimately selecting the top twenty. These twenty will represent Nangfeng Academy in the final exams.

The final exams encompass all the academies in Tianshu County, and the ultimate goal is to secure a place at the Holy Xuan Star Academy.

In other words, only those who pass the preliminary exams and enter the top twenty of the academy have the资格 to compete for a place at the Holy Xuan Star Academy.

Of course, many students understand that the Holy Xuan Star Academy is far too distant for them. However, if they can achieve a good ranking in the preliminary exams, they can choose to attend other prestigious academies within the Daxia Kingdom.

Although these prestigious academies are far inferior to the Holy Xuan Star Academy in terms of scale, strength, and reputation, they still offer a viable path.

Therefore, the preliminary exams are their last chance to prove themselves.

...

At the central square of Nangfeng Academy.

Today, the place was teeming with people, with dozens of arenas set up as the venue for the preliminary exams.

When Li Luo and Zhao Kuo arrived together, they were both stunned by the roaring crowd.

"Wow, it's really lively," Zhao Kuo said with a laugh.

"Although it's just a preliminary exam, for the vast majority of students, this is their last chance to showcase themselves at Nangfeng Academy," Li Luo said.

Zhao Kuo nodded, scratching his head with a hint of melancholy, "I wonder if I can make it into the top twenty this time."

Due to Li Luo's sudden burst of strength, Zhao Kuo is now considered the second strongest in the Second College. In the entire Nangfeng Academy, his chances of entering the top twenty are not small, but he still needs some luck. After all, if he encounters some formidable opponents in a row, leading to a poor record, it might be a bit risky.

"It depends on your luck, but luck is a matter of mutual influence. I predict you won't last more than a few rounds," Li Luo said, looking around and speaking casually.

Zhao Kuo's face turned green, and he cursed, "Bastard, may you meet Lu Qing'er in your first match."

"Curse rebound."

"Rebound again!"

As the two were engaging in this silly and childish interaction, a sharp and clear voice suddenly rang out from the high platform in the square. Many eyes turned to see the old principal Wei Cha leading the mentors from various colleges appear.

"Students, the preliminary exams officially begin today. I hope you will do your best to show your strongest state, as this ranking will affect your future."

"The preliminary exams will last for three days, and the match schedules for each day will be posted on the stone walls around the square for you to check."

"I won't say more. I hereby announce that the preliminary exams have begun."

As the old principal's voice fell, the excitement in the square intensified.

Li Luo and Zhao Kuo then went to a stone wall at the edge of the square. A projection crystal hung at the top of the wall, with a stream of text flowing down.

After a while, they found the match times and opponents for today.

Zhao Kuo immediately breathed a sigh of relief, clearly his two opponents today were within his expectations, so he felt he could pass this round.

Li Luo's expression was relatively calm. His two opponents today were from the First College, and their strength was even less than that of Bei Kun, whom he had previously faced.

However, it was normal. With nearly a thousand students across the several colleges of Nangfeng Academy, it wouldn't be easy to encounter strong opponents.

On the contrary, he and Zhao Kuo might be considered strong opponents in the eyes of many.

"I'm up soon, I'll go prepare. You do your best too," Zhao Kuo said, checking the time, and then eagerly disappeared into the crowd.

Li Luo shook his head and also turned to another arena. His first match was about to begin.

At the designated arena, Li Luo waited for about half an hour. When the referee called his name, he leaped onto the stage.

Li Luo's appearance drew a lot of attention. Since he defeated Bei Kun and two others in a single fight, his reputation in Nangfeng Academy had once again risen.

However, some students had not witnessed that battle firsthand, so they were still skeptical about Li Luo's sudden burst of strength. Therefore, seeing Li Luo on the stage, they naturally wanted to observe him closely.

Li Luo's opponent was a lean youth at the Sixth Seal realm. The youth's expression was somewhat bitter. His Sixth Seal strength was considered average in Nangfeng Academy, not bad, but who would have thought he would encounter Li Luo in his first match.

And Li Luo, who had awakened his affinity and showed signs of rapid improvement.

"Begin."

The referee, seeing both sides on the stage, immediately declared the match to begin.

The lean youth did not hesitate to unleash all his affinity power and immediately entered a defensive state, clearly planning to remain unchanged to deal with any situation.

But Li Luo did not hesitate either. Blue affinity power surged, flowing like water over his body.

His figure shot out like lightning, and a powerful affinity technique erupted.

The battle ended much faster than anyone imagined.

In just a few minutes, the lean youth, under Li Luo's relentless attack, collapsed and decisively chose to concede.

Cheers erupted around the arena, and many eyes, filled with shock, turned to Li Luo, especially those of the students at the Sixth Seal realm, who all had serious expressions. They could see that Li Luo's brief burst of strength seemed even stronger than when he faced Bei Kun.

Li Luo, however, paid no attention to those gazes. After the referee declared his victory, he jumped down and disappeared into the crowd.

Li Luo's second match did not take long to start, and it was even easier than the first. His opponent did not even want to fight and directly chose to concede.

Thus, Li Luo's matches for the first day ended with a perfect record.

After finishing his matches, Li Luo tidied up and was about to leave. He still had to go to Xi Yang House to continue learning the Phase Refinement Technique from Yan Lingqing. After a period of practice, he felt that he was close to successfully refining a first-grade Spirit Water Odd Light.

However, just as he emerged from the crowd, Li Luo saw a graceful figure staring at him—it was Lu Qing'er.

Today, she was wearing a tight white training suit, with long, slender legs and a slim waist. Her long hair was tied in a ponytail, complementing her clear and beautiful face, making her extremely eye-catching.

However, seeing her, Li Luo could only smile helplessly and greet her, "Are you done with your matches today? It shouldn't have been too difficult, right?"

This was a completely redundant question. Lu Qing'er was the top student at Nangfeng Academy, and anyone who faced her could only consider themselves unlucky.

Lu Qing'er's beautiful eyes sized up Li Luo and said, "Your strength has improved again. I just want to ask, what level do you plan to reach in this preliminary exam?"

Li Luo smiled indifferently, "Making it into the top twenty and securing a spot in the final exams is enough for me."

He truly had no interest in competing for a higher ranking, as it was unnecessary. After all, even if he ranked higher in the preliminary exams, it wouldn't have any substantial benefits and might even lead to being targeted by other academies.

Hearing this, Lu Qing'er frowned and said, "I feel your strength could compete for a top ten spot."

Li Luo smiled, "You have such high expectations for me?"

Lu Qing'er said, "Li Luo, I don't think you need to hide too much. Showing your true strength at the right time will make those who doubt you shut up completely."

Li Luo felt somewhat helpless. Lu Qing'er appeared calm, but she was extremely competitive. Perhaps this was why she always kept an eye on him. Back then, Li Luo was the only one who could surpass her, so she had a special recognition for him.

However, Li Luo's personality did not want to expose all his strength unnecessarily. Perhaps it was a self-protection habit formed over the years due to his special circumstances.

"I understand, I'll do my best."

However, Lu Qing'er had no ill intentions, so Li Luo could only respond casually and then find an excuse to slip away.

Lu Qing'er watched his back, feeling somewhat helpless, and then turned to leave.

Just as they parted, neither of them noticed that on a nearby arena, Song Yunfeng, who had just finished his match with a crushing victory, was watching the scene.

His eyes followed the direction Li Luo left, with a shadowy look.

"I warned you..."

"Do you really have to provoke me?"

...