https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-41-Conspiracy-and-the-Start-of-the-Mana-Competition/13686446/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-43-The-Alliance-and-the-First-Stage-of-the-Mana-Competition/13686448/
Chapter 42: Mana Competition Lineup
On the bus.
Since the Mana Competition was held at different times for the senior, sophomore, and freshman classes, the large bus rented by Songyang High School currently carried only the contestants from Zhang Yu’s year.
He Dayou glanced toward Zhang Yu, reflecting on the other’s recent efforts. With his Martial Energy now reaching 15.4, Zhang Yu had climbed to the top of the grade. Yet, as He Dayou thought about it, he couldn’t help but feel indifferent.
All that time devoted solely to boosting Martial Energy? He Dayou doubted it was wise.
“Is it just for the Mana Competition?”
“Mana Competition isn’t just about raw Martial Energy levels.”
He Dayou reminded himself: if it weren’t for the importance of solid fundamentals—mastering control over one’s energy—he could’ve easily secured the top spot long ago with his family’s wealth. That was why, at Songyang High, students from wealthy families only began to truly pull ahead in the sophomore year. Their families knew: first year was for laying the groundwork.
Pushing too hard for high Martial Energy numbers too early often led to poor control—something that could take years to recover from.
He Dayou mused: In a Martial Energy competition, raw energy is just the baseline. What truly determines ranking is mastery over that energy…
A quiet sigh escaped him. At the end of the day, unless it’s a physical sports event—something Songyang excels at—our performance here is just a formality. We’re basically cheerleaders for the freaks at the top three schools.
On the opposite seat, Zhang Yu watched Bai Zhenzhen, who sat with eyes closed, resting.
“Hey,” he asked, “can you finally tell me who we’re meeting?”
Bai Zhenzhen shot him a sidelong glance, then pulled out her phone and pointed it at Zhang Yu.
He saw the message appear on screen:
Ears nearby. Chat on phone.
Zhang Yu quickly typed back: So who exactly are we meeting this time?
Bai Zhenzhen: Other schools’ poor kids.
Zhang Yu’s eyes narrowed. You mean… other schools have poor students with the same idea as us?
Bai Zhenzhen: Yes.
Zhang Yu’s curiosity flared. Which school?
She sent a female symbol, then added a tilde: ~
Zhang Yu blinked. A Black girl?
He felt a jolt of surprise. Could there really be… Black people in Kunxu?
Bai Zhenzhen rolled her eyes. She had no idea what “Black girl” meant in Zhang Yu’s mind. She typed again: I mean female students. And spirit cultivators.
Zhang Yu instantly understood.
Right. Why would any wealthy kid undergo gender transition surgery—or even abandon their physical body—just to get into high school?
Mangshan High and Sheng Nui Academy were natural strongholds for the poor. The top-ranked students there were almost certainly from humble backgrounds.
After pushing through years of struggle to achieve stellar grades, how could they not want to break through the barriers and get into top-tier universities?
Wait—Zhang Yu suddenly asked: Can spirit cultivators even participate?
Bai Zhenzhen shook her head. They’re not here to compete. They’re helping with judging duties, reporting the events, and just… watching.
…
The bus slowly rolled into a high school campus.
This was the venue for this year’s Mana Competition: Hongta High School, one of the three elite institutions in Songyang City.
As the Songyang High group followed Teacher Yan into an indoor stadium, they found it already filled with students from various schools.
Colorful, diverse uniforms—each representing a different high school across Songyang—created a vibrant sea of youth.
And when the Songyang contingent stepped inside, dozens of eyes immediately turned toward them.
One whispered: Songyang’s here? Another powerhouse.
Another studied them closely, murmuring: So intense. This is what elite school geniuses look like.
A third sneered inwardly: Big deal. Even the top schools still have to come here and play second fiddle.
After being assigned to their preparation area, Teacher Yan began reminding everyone of key points.
“Today’s competition has three events. Pay attention to how you allocate your Martial Energy. Don’t stress—treat this like a regular practice session.”
After Teacher Yan gave permission to use the restroom, Qian Shen darted off to check the list of participants.
He pulled out his phone, cross-referencing names with recent scores.
Bailong High School, Song Hailong — previous Monthly Exam: 682 points.
Ziyun High School, Le Mulan — previous Monthly Exam: 678 points.
“Damn…” Qian Shen’s breath hitched. These are all monsters.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu was dragging Bai Zhenzhen toward the restroom when suddenly, the air around them thickened—like a sudden drop into deep water.
Spiritual energy… stirring.
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen turned sharply toward the source.
A group of students in pristine white uniforms had just entered the stadium. Each wore a number—1 through 10—on their uniforms.
Zhang Yu frowned. Ten Blades?
He didn’t know this was Bailong High’s signature uniform. Each student’s outfit displayed a number that updated after every Monthly Exam, reflecting their ranking.
The numbers 1 to 10 now marked the top ten in their grade.
But Zhang Yu knew the true source of the spiritual disturbance came from the figure leading the group.
A towering giant, two and a half meters tall, with wild, spiky hair that stood straight up like a flame.
When he noticed the stares, the giant grinned sheepishly, scratching his head. “Sorry about that, everyone. New Celestial Spirit Root—still adjusting. I’ll try to keep it under control…”
With a low growl, the oppressive pressure in the air slowly dissipated, returning to normal.
Bai Zhenzhen stared, deadpan. Show-off. Real rich kid behavior.
Yet, as she thought about the competition ahead—where she’d likely lose to these people—her expression darkened with resignation.
After days of tutoring and practice, she’d finally accepted one truth: her raw control over Martial Energy still lagged far behind Zhang Yu’s. This competition was going to be nothing more than a cameo role for her.
Qian Shen, meanwhile, stared at the Bailong High students’ uniforms, eyes flashing with the scores he’d just looked up. Matching the numbers to the names, he locked onto the giant.
That’s Song Hailong, then? The top dog of this year’s batch at Bailong High. A 682-point monster. A super-species so far beyond us, we’re already in reproductive isolation.
He Dayou watched Song Hailong, eyebrows lifting. Show-off. But bringing a Celestial Spirit Root to compete? His Martial Energy’s bound to spike uncontrollably. How can he even hope to control it?
Just then, a deafening roar split the air outside.
A massive flying vessel descended, hovering above the stadium.
The sight sent a wave of shock through the crowd—especially the students from ordinary high schools. The sheer aura of wealth radiating from the craft left them breathless.
From the ship stepped a group of students in deep purple uniforms. Among them, Zhang Yu recognized one face instantly—Lian Tianji, the one he’d met at the art exhibition.
Afterward, they’d added each other on messaging apps. Zhang Yu often saw Lian Tianji ranked in the top three of the daily step count.
Lian Tianji spotted Zhang Yu and waved with a smile. He turned to the girl beside him, said something, then pointed at Zhang Yu.
The girl—pale and expressionless—followed the gesture, then gave Zhang Yu a distant, polite nod from afar.
Zhang Yu thought to himself: A real ice queen. Not like Zhenzhen’s fake icy act.
Qian Shen turned to Ziyun High’s group, pulling up Le Mulan’s photos online, comparing them to the girl beside Lian Tianji.
Finally, he locked onto her.
That’s her—Le Mulan from Ziyun High. A 678-point elite. Anyone scoring below 650? Probably just dirt in her eyes.
Not long after Bailong and Ziyun High arrived, the host school—Hongta High—finally made their entrance.
But when Zhang Yu spotted the most prominent figure in their group, his mouth dropped open.
What… the hell is that?
Bai Zhenzhen instantly leapt sideways, pointing at Zhang Yu. Hey! Watch your words! That’s Yao Yi, Songyang City Resident.
The student wore a standard uniform—but his red, glossy fur, thick tail, and round face made him unmistakably a young panda.
Zhang Yu stared, a faint but undeniable aura emanating from the creature.
Wait—how did a little panda even get into Hongta High? Not on cuteness alone, right?
Sure, the panda’s smile was genuinely innocent… but Zhang Yu knew there had to be something special about him to make it into a top-tier school—and here, competing.
Bai Zhenzhen shrugged. Yao Yi residents usually excel in Physical Strength Level. But judging by his build… I could probably knock down three of him with one punch.
So his strength must lie in Martial Energy, then?
As they finished their business, Zhang Yu followed Bai Zhenzhen, guided by messages on her phone, up to a balcony on the second floor.
Two girls were already waiting. Zhang Yu recognized one—Wu Qingqing, the girl from Sheng Nui Academy who’d also attended the art show.
His gaze lingered on the second girl.
This one must be another top-tier student from Sheng Nui Academy.
“Hey, long time no see,” Wu Qingqing greeted with a grin, stepping forward.
Behind her, the other girl—still clutching a book—remained motionless, one hand gripping Wu Qingqing’s sleeve as she followed, eyes fixed on her book.
It was as if Wu Qingqing could lead her straight into traffic, and she’d still just keep reading, silent and obedient.
“These are Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu—Songyang High’s poor prodigies,” Wu Qingqing introduced. Then she gently pushed the girl forward.
“This is Ye Xianyun. Our first-year top student at Sheng Nui Academy.”
She added proudly: And the only girl in our honors class who hasn’t undergone any surgical modifications.
Zhang Yu: …Seriously, what’s the big deal about that?
Ye Xianyun lifted her head, gave a quiet nod to both of them, then immediately returned to her book.
(End of Chapter)
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