Chapter 322: The Tournament Begins
Chapter 322: The Tournament Begins (Please Vote Monthly)
"It's getting late now."
"We've already organized and sent all the materials to you."
"Everyone should memorize the profiles of these geniuses after returning home."
"As the saying goes: know yourself and know your enemy, and you'll never be defeated!"
"Failing to understand your opponent and losing is simply getting what you deserve!"
"The meeting is dismissed!"
After Teacher Wang earnestly reminded everyone, she announced the end of the meeting.
As soon as she finished speaking, she logged out first, followed by Xu Wenji and Dean Liu.
The students remained in the conference room, in no hurry to log out as they began chatting casually.
"There are so many strong opponents this time. The matches will be randomly paired once the tournament starts."
"Win to advance, lose and you're eliminated. After several rounds of battles, it'll be our turn when reaching the top 250."
"Half of the awakened geniuses will be eliminated by the top 125, and by the top 63, even our Xia Kingdom won't know how many of us will remain." Wan Ming said.
"We're the geniuses of Azure Firmament Martial Academy. At the very least, we should make it to the top 63." Xia Lian replied.
"Brother Qi, with your strength, you should definitely reach the top 32!"
"Maybe even get the chance to enter the top 16!" Wan Ming added, leaning toward Lin Qi.
Lin Qi smiled. "I'll just do my best."
He wouldn't say his goal was to win the championship—he'd keep that to himself.
...
A few minutes later, inside the quiet Martial Arts Training Hall.
Lin Qi logged out and stepped out of the white Neural Pod.
"Xiaochan, open the profiles of all the awakened geniuses from different countries!" Lin Qi commanded.
"Yes, Master!"
The blue-robed Xiaochan nodded obediently. She raised her hand, projecting a massive green screen. A large file had been sent by Teacher Lu Wei.
Lin Qi clicked it open. There were 230 files in total. He opened them one by one, carefully studying the information of each competitor.
He memorized every contestant's details.
Although his goal was to win the championship, he wouldn't underestimate any opponent, no matter how weak they seemed.
...
In Japan, inside a luxurious traditional villa.
In the wooden-floored living room, two figures knelt face-to-face.
"Kazunari-kun, the official tournament starts tomorrow."
"You're Japan's only SS-Rank Genius this year. A true swordsmanship prodigy."
"We have high expectations for you!"
The speaker was a slender middle-aged man in a black-and-white kimono. His expression was calm, his breath unremarkable, but his gaze pierced like a blade.
Opposite him sat a handsome young man in a white kimono embroidered with pink sakura. His eyes burned with determination.
"Teacher, this time I'll do my utmost to win the Global Freshman Competition championship."
"I'll show everyone the true power of Japanese swordsmanship!"
The middle-aged man nodded with satisfaction.
"We believe in your abilities and innate talent!"
...
At the same time, SS-Rank Geniuses in various countries were doing the same.
They were the strongest talents among freshmen in their respective countries, supremely confident in their strength.
And their goal was singular—to defeat all rivals and claim the championship!
...
Martial Dao Calendar, April 27, Clear Weather
In the Eastern and Western hemispheres divided by time zones, freshmen from martial arts universities in different countries entered the Scarlet Realm via Neural Pods.
Created jointly by the Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion and the Xia Kingdom, the Scarlet Realm was a virtual world now linked globally. No other country possessed Xia Kingdom's advanced technology.
Azure Firmament Six Colleges, Villa 01 Martial Arts Training Hall.
"Whoosh~"
Violent winds howled within the training hall, accompanied by black lightning-like figures.
Moments later, Lin Qi in a black martial arts robe halted his movements.
[You have completed a Body Technique cultivation session. You've gained deeper insight into the "Thunderflash Instant Kill Step." Body Techniques +3%]
[Body Techniques: Tier 3 47% → Tier 3 50%]
...
Looking at the golden Status Panel, Lin Qi shook his head, dissatisfied.
"Although I've intensified my Body Technique training recently, making rapid progress..."
"I hope to break through to the middle stage of Tier 3. I can't afford any weaknesses."
Lin Qi knew well that some special abilities could dramatically enhance one's speed.
Combined with advanced Body Techniques, combat power would skyrocket.
With fewer openings, he'd become even harder to defeat.
After all, no matter how powerful a technique was, it was useless if it couldn't land.
Minutes later, after changing into a clean martial arts robe, Lin Qi entered the Neural Pod, logging into the Scarlet Realm for the Global Freshman Competition's global qualifiers.
"Buzz!!"
When he opened his eyes again, he had been teleported to a new space. The surroundings were wide open, and he felt the solid ground beneath his feet—similar to the Floating Isles.
A cacophony of languages from different countries echoed in his ears.
"Brother Qi!"
Turning around, he saw people from Azure Firmament Six Colleges, including Ao Feng and Duan Chuchu—Academy Head-level geniuses—as well as the Ten Institute's S-Rank awakened geniuses.
The crowd had thinned—those eliminated had vanished. Everyone present made it into the top 1000 list.
It wasn't just their academy. The entire Floating Isle was filled with competitors from the Eastern Region.
India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Chishima...
Top talents gathered from every country, their powerful auras radiating.
"Whoosh~"
The Floating Isle beneath their feet began moving.
On the horizon, a dark spot approached rapidly until they recognized it as another massive Floating Isle.
Colorful flags fluttered in the wind beneath them, revealing young figures standing beneath the banners.
"It's the Western Region competitors!" someone shouted.
Everyone turned their gaze. Golden-haired, blue-eyed, dark-skinned, or towering figures—diverse yet radiating terrifying pressure like wild beasts eyeing their prey.
"Brother Qi, the Western Region competitors are so tall and muscular!" Jiang Tao frowned beside him.
Lin Qi nodded. In the Martial Arts Epoch, physical transformation made martial artists much taller and stronger than ordinary people.
The average height was already 1.9 meters, with giants like Huo Wanyang, Wei Peng, and Li Lei exceeding 2.1 meters.
But compared to the Western competitors, they looked smaller overall.
Many Westerners surpassed 2 meters, with massive frames and exaggerated muscle mass.
As if sculpted from stone, exuding overwhelming pressure.
"They're the Eastern Region competitors?"
On the Western Floating Isle, someone gazed toward their direction.
"Just as expected, television lied."
"They look more delicate and fragile than on TV, not even as strong as our high school students."
"I'm worried we might accidentally crush them!" someone sneered.
"Ha ha!"
The crowd broke into laughter.
"Stay vigilant!" a blonde, blue-eyed beauty warned.
But no one listened.
Many Eastern competitors frowned. They'd clearly been underestimated.
"Brother Qi, we've been underestimated!" Jiang Tao smirked coldly.
"Pay no mind to the opinions of clowns." Lin Qi remained calm.
"All competitors!"
In the air, countless light particles reassembled, forming Xu Wenji's colossal figure. This time, he wore a crimson robe.
"Welcome to the Global Freshman Competition's official tournament, competitors and spectators."
"Clap!!"
"Applause!!!"
As Xu Wenji finished, thunderous applause and roaring cheers erupted.
Looking down, they realized the Floating Isle had transformed into an endless grand arena below.
The audience stands were divided into regions for 76 countries. Lin Qi couldn't count how many spectators were present, but he saw Xia Kingdom's sector overflowing with red—over a million viewers.
"Brother Qi, unlike our country, other nations can't provide Neural Pods for every student."
"Many couldn't log in. Otherwise, there could be tens of millions of viewers." Jiang Tao explained.
Lin Qi also noticed massive floating screens above the arena, displaying messages like live comments—all translated into Xia Kingdom's language.
"India will definitely win!"
"Our White Eagle Federation will secure enough victories!"
...
"Competitors, I'll be hosting this Global Freshman Competition!"
"Let me introduce myself. I am Xu Wenji..."
"Now, viewers will witness the two thousand competitors on the Floating Isles!"
"They are the champions among freshmen from martial arts universities worldwide."
"In the upcoming days, they'll compete for the ultimate championship!"
"Who will claim the final victory? Let's wait and see."
"Now, allow me to explain the competition rules."
Xu Wenji paused before continuing.
"Round One of the official tournament will randomly pair the two thousand competitors, determining the one thousand who advance to Round Two."
"There are no revival matches. Lose, and you're permanently eliminated."
This statement sent a ripple of tension through the audience. No one had room for error now.
Every match required full commitment to ensure victory.
"Additionally, every competitor entering the official tournament will receive ten million Xia Kingdom currency!"
At this announcement, the audience stands erupted.
"Ten million Xia Kingdom currency? That's outrageous!"
"This is just the first round!!!" viewers gasped in shock.
"Argh, I almost made it to the official tournament!" someone lamented.
Lin Qi and Jiang Tao exchanged glances, their eyes sparkling.
"Wow, ten million currency just for the first round!"
"Win a few more rounds, and we'll earn tens of millions!" Jiang Tao exclaimed.
Lin Qi thought further. His goal was the championship. With at least ten rounds of matches ahead...
The prize money would be unimaginable.
No wonder Dean Liu said winning the championship would allow him to purchase the Elixir of Regeneration without affecting his cultivation.
"Matching begins now!"
Xu Wenji announced, raising his hand. A massive Yin-Yang Taijitu formed, spinning rapidly until it shattered into countless black and white particles.
They recombined into a vast red scroll listing 1000 matches.
(End of Chapter)
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