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Chapter 329: High School League
Chapter 329: High School League
Although Li Wu had already started making his way back, Chang Ping and Jiangnan were still some distance apart.
Moreover, Li Wu's journey had attracted quite a bit of attention, and with a larger group, their progress was naturally much slower.
By the time Li Wu returned to Fort City, it was already May 18th.
Coincidentally, this was the day of the High School League's final qualifying round.
Well, to be honest, it wasn't exactly a coincidence. Zhang Wentao, knowing that Li Wu was due to arrive home today, had specifically rescheduled the event for the 18th.
The reason for this was to ensure that Li Wu could make it in time for the opening of the finals.
Li Wu, however, felt rather helpless about this.
"Uncle Zhang, do we really need all this formalism?"
"Whether I'm here or not, the finals opening ceremony will be the same."
Hmm, while he said this, his body language told a different story, as he actively prepared his speech for the event on his way back.
On the other side of the arena, the news that Li Wu would be personally attending the finals had spread.
Fort City's First Training Ground was abuzz with excitement.
Many who hadn't initially planned to watch the finals made a special trip today, just to catch a glimpse of Li Wu.
And Li Wu did not disappoint them.
As the finals commenced, his three giant skeletons led the way, with Li Wu riding on the back of a Bone Dragon, accompanied by Dudu and Xiao Skull, and followed by thirty Bone Skeleton Elites.
The spectacle was grand.
This entrance alone was enough to make the audience feel like their tickets were well worth the price.
The focus now shifted to the competitors.
Many of these competitors were already fans of Li Wu.
Seeing their idol make such an entrance, many of them were thrilled.
Even those who were initially neutral were now filled with excitement.
The entire arena erupted in cheers the moment Li Wu arrived.
The only ones who felt a bit awkward were the three groups of outsiders.
Yes, that's right, this year's High School League still had participants from other regions.
After all, Jiangnan's weakness wasn't something that had developed overnight, and the presence of Li Wu last year didn't guarantee that Jiangnan would produce exceptional talents this year.
Even if there were such talents, it would still be relatively easy for these outsiders to secure a spot in the top three.
The benefits of placing in the top three were simply too good, so this year, there were still teams from other regions scouting for talent, and they had all made it to the finals, even securing the top three spots without any surprises.
This was the reason why many people didn't want to watch this final round.
After all, Li Wu had won the championship just last year, giving Jiangnan a moment of pride, and now they were about to be brought back down to earth. Who could bear that?
Old Zhang relentlessly pushed Li Wu to return, urging him repeatedly.
Once again, Jiangnan's reputation was at stake.
There was no choice but to rely on Li Wu's return to salvage their honor.
Indeed, Li Wu's homecoming did restore some of Jiangnan's reputation.
Many who hadn't planned to come initially ended up attending.
They knew that even if they lost the competition, they still had Li Wu.
Li Wu alone could suppress the entire league's younger generation and carry the banner of Jiangnan's revival.
As long as Li Wu was there, Jiangnan's pride would never truly falter.
Under these circumstances, the return of Li Wu naturally elicited cheers from the Jiangnan supporters, while the outsider teams and their backers felt a bit awkward.
The cheers and celebrations belonged solely to the people of Jiangnan.
These outsiders had nothing to do with it.
All they had was the championship.
Hmm, yes, although it was a bit awkward, the thought that the awkwardness was temporary and the rewards were abundant made the backers of these outsider teams feel much better.
As long as they didn't feel awkward, the only ones feeling the embarrassment would be the people of Jiangnan.
Of course, although they maintained this mindset, no one dared to cause any trouble. They sat quietly in the corner, ready to make a fortune without drawing attention.
After all, Li Wu's reputation for being cunning was well-known.
Offending him would likely lead to an unpleasant outcome.
They were even prepared to back down and act weak if Li Wu confronted them.
However, to their surprise, Li Wu didn't seek any trouble.
He calmly proceeded with the opening ceremony and delivered his speech.
He encouraged the participating competitors as expected.
Then, um, he had a not-so-typical chat with the top four teams.
Those three outsider teams, who had gone up on stage nervously, now returned with faces flushed with excitement.
The gazes directed at Li Wu intensified, burning with an unprecedented heat.
Those who had recruited these students early on felt a sense of unease.
However, upon further thought, they didn't see any reason for concern.
If Li Wu had returned earlier, they would have feared him nurturing a few teams to win the competition.
But now, the situation was clear, and they didn't believe that Li Wu's return would guarantee a championship for the Jiangnan teams.
It was impossible; the victory was undoubtedly theirs.
As expected, after the competition concluded, the rankings were announced.
The top four of the High School League were dominated by these three foreign teams, securing the top three spots.
The Jiangnan team managed to secure only the fourth position.
In a 6-9-1-9-1-8-0 version, it was a sight to behold!
The atmosphere at the venue became awkward.
The competition arena fell silent, and the participating students lowered their heads, afraid to look up and face Li Wu's disappointed gaze.
On the other hand, Li Wu remained composed.
He immediately stood up and applauded, "Congratulations to 066, 077, and 088 for securing the top three spots in this High School League."
Li Wu's words of congratulations made the nine members of the three teams unable to lift their heads.
Their faces turned red, feeling as if they had disrespected their idol and were somewhat embarrassed.
"Lift your heads up. I've witnessed your performances during the competition, and they were all impressive.
The top three positions are well-deserved, earned through your abilities and a fair fight. There's no need to feel embarrassed."
"Of course, those who didn't perform well, don't be discouraged. Although you may have fallen behind temporarily,
one competition doesn't determine your future.
You've seen this year's University League, right?
Our Jiangnan University team, hum, Ye Ruhuo, Su Lan, and Wu Wei, they are all freshmen like me.
Last year, some of them didn't even make it to the top eight, but this year, they shone brightly in the University League.
If you don't reject yourselves, I welcome you to Jiangnan University, and we can grow together."
"And to you all!
Jiangnan University is not just for Jiangnan, but for the entire Alliance. If you're interested in Jiangnan University, its doors will always be open to you!"
When it comes to public speaking, it's a combination of language organization, stage presence, and personal charm.
The same speech delivered by different individuals can have entirely different effects.
If Zhang Wentao had given this speech, it probably wouldn't have had much impact.
But with Li Wu, the atmosphere transformed; the initial gloom and despondency vanished.
The students were filled with excitement.
Even the three foreign teams gazed at Li Wu with heightened intensity.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Wu took the stage, personally hosting the award ceremony.
He presented awards to the three foreign teams, and during the ceremony, he discreetly poached some of their members.
Who could resist Li Wu's influence now?
Two of the teams immediately expressed their desire to join Jiangnan University.
This thrilled the Jiangnan spectators; although the top three weren't from Jiangnan, their decision to join Jiangnan University salvaged some face.
The forces behind these two teams, despite their displeasure, had no choice but to endure it. They couldn't provoke Li Wu, so they had to tolerate it.
At that moment, they truly understood the saying, "Someone else's celebration is your misery."
As they watched the excited students and participants on the other side, and the students Li Wu had already swayed, the two teachers felt a sense of loneliness.
Just when everyone thought the High School League was about to conclude, a casual voice suddenly echoed through the First Training Ground.
"Hey, the atmosphere is great! Mind if I join the fun?"
The audience was perplexed by this unexpected voice.
Almost simultaneously, a figure appeared on the award stage.
Donning a white top hat, black shirt, white jacket, and a skull brooch on his chest, it was none other than Feng Xiu, one of the Five Great Envoys of the Zero Organization, who had just defeated the Bone Overlord.
Upon his arrival, he removed his hat and bowed slightly to Li Wu, "We meet again."
...
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