Chapter 453: Top Ten – Jinguang University
The competition arena of Jinhe University was a simulated mountainous region. Glancing at the undulating terrain, lush greenery, and dense forests, Zhang Yu remarked, “I don’t know about Jinhe’s other strengths, but one thing’s for sure—this place is massive.”
Mo Ejin nodded beside him. “If we compare total area—calculated by multiplying floor space per level by the number of levels—Wanfa University City actually has a larger footprint than Jinhe University.”
“But Jinhe has almost no Spirit Veins running through its land. That makes the property value far lower than ours. So when they develop it, there’s no real height restriction, and the whole layout ends up sprawling across a much larger space.”
“It’s just how it works—expensive land leads to dense construction; cheap land tends to remain open and spread out.”
As they spoke, Zhang Yu and his team arrived at the entrance to the competition field.
There were no spectators, no cheerleaders, and even the referees had not yet appeared. After all, it was recruitment season—Jinhe’s students had little time or energy to physically attend the match. Even if they wanted to watch, the Spiritual Network allowed remote viewership from anywhere in the world.
Zhang Yu turned to face his opponents—the Civil Engineering Competition team from Jinhe University—and noticed they were already observing them. But as soon as they caught his gaze, they quickly looked away, flustered.
Zhang Yu silently noted: Clearly nervous.
At that moment, Mo Ejin said, “Get ready. Stick to the plan we discussed earlier…”
---
Just as both teams warmed up and prepared to enter the arena, a spiritual world projection quietly descended from the skies above the spectator stands.
A young man, his body seemingly coated in golden paint, stood with arms crossed, eyes cold as he stared down at the two competing teams.
His name was Chan Rong—the prodigy from Jinguang University, ranked among the Top Ten.
Chan Rong’s Ling界 Projection was nearly indistinguishable from his physical form. On his bare, unarmored flesh, faint lines traced the structure of his Blood Body, each section labeled with a price tag.
Many students from Jinguang University did this—assigning monetary values to different parts of their Physical Bodies. Marking high-value areas on their skin served both as a display of strength and wealth, and as a form of self-promotion.
And once a part of the body was sold for a high price, the funds could be used to upgrade to stronger Spirit Armor.
Moments later, another spiritual world projection landed beside the golden figure, chuckling. “Zen Rong, you’re really here watching Wanfa’s match? After all, your next opponent is Wanfa, isn’t it?”
He glanced at Chan Rong’s Projection, scanning the price tags on his body. “Hey, your Physical Body’s value has gone up quite a bit. Looks like you’ve made serious progress over the past year.”
Chan Rong turned, eyes narrowing at the figure—a round, barrel-shaped being. “Wan Gouxuan?”
He recognized this man: the top student in the Civil Engineering Department at Xianbing University, whose team had ranked third in last year’s inter-university competition—behind Tianyao University and Wanfa University.
Chan Rong studied him and said, “You must be wondering how much your own body is worth, right?”
Wan Gouxuan: “Huh?”
Chan Rong: “If you want to know your body’s market value, just go to the Secondhand Body Platform—Tuoshen Zhai. Thanks to selling my right hand there, I made an extra thirty Lingbi…”
Wan Gouxuan: “Wait—I didn’t ask!”
Chan Rong: “Old Spirit Armor, unused Physical Bodies—anything you don’t need can be listed for recycling. Tuoshen Zhai handles it all on the spot: inspection, verification, instant payment.”
Wan Gouxuan: “…That’s it?”
Chan Rong: “It’s part of the school’s new mandatory weekly assignment—promote Tuoshen Zhai to one outside person. Appreciate your cooperation.”
Wan Gouxuan: “Jinguang University really knows how to pressure students into advertising.”
Chan Rong asked, “So you’re here to watch Wanfa’s match?”
Wan Gouxuan’s barrel-shaped projection replied, “Last year I lost to Mo Ejin. This year, their first match? I wouldn’t miss it—even more so since I heard he’s injured.”
Chan Rong turned his gaze back toward the field, observing Zhang Yu and his teammates. “Too bad… Mo Ejin isn’t here. Probably still recovering, or maybe just doesn’t feel like fighting this one. But aside from Li Zhen, the rest are all new faces.”
He analyzed: “Judging by the impact of the Qiongjiang Coin incident and Mo Ejin’s injury, Wanfa’s team strength may have taken a serious hit.”
Wan Gouxuan nodded. “I was hoping to see how Mo Ejin’s doing. But now, I won’t get that chance.”
“Hope he recovers soon.”
“For the past year, I’ve been training hard—just so I can defeat him myself.”
“If he can’t represent Wanfa, this year’s rankings won’t mean much.”
As they spoke, the competition officially began.
Shi Huaixu and Su Yanyang launched a combined assault, summoning a storm of mud and sand that surged forward like a tsunami, engulfing Jinhe University’s construction site in an instant.
---
Wan Gouxuan commented, “The Wanfa Civil Engineering Seven Supreme—these two have solid fundamentals. Beyond Xiao Sanhe, they’re seamlessly integrating other Seven Supreme Techniques into their attacks, constantly shifting tactics.”
“Their Spirit Armors are also top-tier brands and models.”
“Overall, solid performance—but still far behind Mo Ejin.”
Chan Rong watched intently, recording every move. “Jinhe’s team pulled back immediately at the start. They clearly know they can’t win head-on. They’re going for guerrilla tactics.”
“Probably planning to secretly complete their construction elsewhere, then bring it back before time runs out.”
“Wanfa’s team is acting like blind flies—rushing around aimlessly. This year’s roster lacks anyone skilled in detection.”
Suddenly, Jinhe’s players burst up from underground, launching a surprise attack toward Shi Huaixu and Su Yanyang.
After a brief clash, they retreated instantly, wounded but already pulling away.
Chan Rong observed: “Speed is insane.”
Wan Gouxuan added, “Jinhe’s team focuses heavily on Speed. Fast movement means higher efficiency, better evasion, and fewer injuries—saving money. It’s the perfect strategy for those with limited resources.”
Over the next few moments, Jinhe repeatedly struck from beneath the ground—each attack delivered, then immediately withdrawn.
Though each hit was countered and left them wounded, they’d recover significantly before launching another assault.
Wan Gouxuan said, “Jinhe must have someone skilled in Yin Yang First Aid Studies.”
“Given their focus on Civil Engineering and Mutual Cultivation, they’re likely using the technique during the match to temporarily heal injuries.”
“Constructing, fighting, healing—all at once. That’s their entire strategy.”
Watching Xiao Yunji effortlessly repel an incoming Upper School student, Wan Gouxuan added, “Xiao Yunji isn’t weak, but his Spirit Armor coordination is off. Synchronization rate is low—clear weaknesses, easy to exploit.”
His gaze shifted to Xiao Qingxuan. “That’s a full set of Ji Hu-brand Spirit Armor… How did he even make the team? And why’s he got over ten thousand Lingbi in debt?”
Wan Gouxuan frowned, mentally marking Xiao Qingxuan for further scrutiny—still unsure of his true background.
Then he turned to Zhang Yu, who was hard at work on the construction site. “This Zhang Yu is clearly the team’s dedicated builder.”
“Construction efficiency is impressive—but he’s fighting with nothing but his body. No Spirit Armor at all? That limits adaptability, especially under high-stress conditions.”
“Most likely a reserve. If Mo Ejin were playing, he’d be benched.”
After assessing each team member, Wan Gouxuan finally turned to Li Zhen and said, “As expected—among all these new recruits, the most formidable player is still this veteran.”
Li Zhen opened his mouth and spat out a stream of glowing green Di Shasha Qi.
The tainted energy traced through the air, tracking down Jinhe’s hidden team members, who were attempting to heal in secret.
---
As Li Zhen’s Di Shasha Qi swept across the battlefield, the Jinhe players’ Eye Armors flashed red warnings.
“Pollution level is sky-high!”
“No way—I’ll get Cancer if I keep going!”
“The prize money’s barely enough. If I get Cancer, I’ll lose everything!”
“Surrender!”
One by one, Jinhe’s team members threw in the towel.
---
Wan Gouxuan sighed. “So it’s clear—apart from Mo Ejin, the only real threat is Li Zhen. Then there’s Xiao Qingxuan—someone we still don’t understand.”
He turned to Chan Rong. “Well, Chan Rong? Next up is your match against Wanfa. Any confidence?”
Chan Rong replied coolly, “These new Wanfa players are strong. And Li Zhen—master of Di Shasha Qi—is a serious threat.”
“If it were a year ago, I wouldn’t have had a clear edge against them.”
“But now? If Mo Ejin doesn’t show up, Wanfa is already defeated.”
---
On the sidelines, Zhang Yu glanced at the match conclusion notification, then stared blankly at his completed construction work.
Top Ten teams and regular officers are still too far ahead. Even if I didn’t compete, this was just a walkover.
As they left the arena, Shi Huaixu turned to Mo Ejin and asked, “Why did you leave Zhang Yu to keep building? Against opponents like this, his presence would’ve ended the match much faster.”
(End of Chapter)
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