77: Hu Qian’s new ideas

"Old man, let me out! I want to sign up! How dare you not let me participate in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition?! Let me out!"

Standing at Hu Qian's doorstep, Old Huo heard the voice, paused, and looked at the figure sitting upright inside the house.

"Come, come, come, let's eat at your place, don't mind her." Hu Qian gestured for Old Huo to bring the food.

"What's going on?" Old Huo asked curiously.

Hu Qian sighed, "This girl heard that Xiao Xun'er is participating in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition, and she wants to participate too. How can that be? If she participates this year, she won't have a chance to enter the top five."

Although Hu Qian personally taught Hu Jia and taught her many skills, it wasn't impossible for her to participate this year.

But it was always risky.

And Hu Jia was still young; entering the Inner Academy a year later wouldn't delay anything.

Therefore, Hu Qian planned to have Hu Jia participate next year.

"She suffered a loss to Lin Xiu last time, and she hasn't learned her lesson at all." Hu Qian was somewhat displeased.

There were many good things in the Academy's Hidden Scripture Pavilion, even Hu Qian had many treasures he wanted.

And as the Vice Dean, he still couldn't ignore the Academy's rules.

So, he naturally didn't want Hu Jia to miss this Opportunity.

"Speaking of Lin Xiu, that boy has finally returned." Old Huo spoke.

Hu Qian glanced at him, "He came to find you?"

"No, he wants to participate in the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition to contend for the top five; the news has already spread." Old Huo said.

"He?"

Hu Qian was slightly startled, somewhat surprised, "Contending for the top five is too exaggerated, isn't it?"

He pondered for a moment, then added, "This little fellow's strength improved quite quickly before. Now, after a year, I wonder if he has made a Breakthrough to Great Fighter. If he has, perhaps he really has a chance."

"Who knows? Hurry up and finish eating, we have a meeting later. You always say you want to change the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition format every year. How do you plan to select the top five this time?"

Old Huo urged... On the other side.

Five people sat around a table, with food laid out in the middle.

"Junior Brother, are you under a lot of pressure right now? The entire Outer Academy seems to know you're aiming for the top five; so many eyes are on you." Han Pu smiled at Lin Xiu opposite him, asking curiously.

Hearing this, Lin Xiu smiled easily, his expression calm and relaxed, "I, a Fighter, can defeat a Dou Master. Now, as a one-star Great Fighter, Senior Brother Han, do you think I would worry about opponents of the same Realm?"

"Seeing you so confident, I'm relieved, but it's a pity..."

Han Pu reached into his in my arms, took out a booklet, and placed it on the table. "I learned you were participating in this year's selection competition. While you were away from the Academy, I did a lot of research, but it seems it won't be needed now."

Lin Xiu reached out and took it, seeing names like "Su Xiao, Leng Bai, Xiu Yan" and some brief information about them written on it.

"Senior Brother, you're too kind." After a quick glance, Lin Xiu closed the booklet, "Once I get first place, I'll definitely tell the instructor to record a merit."

Hearing this, Han Pu smiled.

"Junior Brother, don't be arrogant and underestimate your opponents. Everyone competing for the top five has made long-term preparations. Be careful not to capsize in a ditch." Qin Zhi reminded.

She didn't disbelieve Lin Xiu's strength.

On the contrary, she understood Lin Xiu's character; since he said it, he naturally had the strength to back it up.

However.

Those people must have made preparations.

"Senior Sister, don't worry, when I fight, I will naturally go all out." Lin Xiu's expression was serious.

Beside him, Lin Dun held his chopsticks for a long time, finally getting a chance to speak.

"Brother Xiu, so you really are aiming for the top five?" Lin Dun had always thought those rumors in the Academy were just that.

However.

Now, hearing Han Pu and Qin Zhi's words, it was clear they had known Brother Xiu's goal was the top five a year ago.

Lin Xiu nodded, "Mm, you don't need to learn this. You just need to strive to enter the Inner Academy next year."

"..."

Hearing Lin Xiu's words, Lin Dun was stunned for a long time.

Me learn?

Brother Xiu thinks too highly of me. How could I participate in the top five?

Strength, Cultivation Technique, Fighting Skill, and combat experience—each item is indispensable.

After all, the top five were the elite of the Outer Academy.

After returning to the Academy, Lin Xiu stayed for a week, finally waiting for the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition to begin.

He received his own number plate.

The Inner Courtyard Selection Competition involved arena battles, two-on-two combat, with winners advancing and losers eliminated.

After two days and more than ten battles, Lin Xiu advanced to the top fifty with almost no obstacles.

The third day.

The vast square was packed with people.

In the very center, a large area was cleared, where fifty figures stood.

Countless gazes from around swept over those people.

"Is that Lin Xiu?"

"He seems to have something going for him; these past two days, he's almost always defeated his opponents in one move."

"In my opinion, the top five is still uncertain. Aren't Senior Brothers Su Xiao, Leng Bai, and Xiu Yan also defeating their opponents in one move?"

Amidst the discussions.

Hu Qian walked to the front and began to speak.

Today was the real highlight of the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition, as the top five would be decided today.

As Hu Qian spoke, the surrounding noise quickly subsided.

"Today is the annual Inner Courtyard Selection..."

Hu Qian spoke very quickly, finished the preamble, and flung his large hand towards the sky.

Immediately, countless streaks of light shot into the sky.

After some rotation, those streaks of light fell and stopped in front of the fifty students.

Lin Xiu reached out to catch one. The light dissipated, revealing a pure white Jade Slip in his palm.

"What is this for?" Startled, Lin Xiu's gaze swept to both sides; they also held a Jade Slip in their hands.

However.

His was white, while theirs were black.

At this moment, Hu Qian's voice rang out.

"This year I have a new idea. Now each of you has received a Jade Slip.

Among them.

There are two colors, black and white.

Next, we will adopt a Arena defense method: winners continue, losers are eliminated.

The five people who are finally standing on the Arena will be this year's top five, and they will have the right to enter the Hidden Scripture Pavilion."

As his voice fell.

Among the fifty people, everyone's expression showed different changes.

Among these people, those like Su Xiao and Leng Bai showed slightly smaller changes.

Clearly, they seemed to have been mentally prepared for the Dean's peculiar idea.

The reason for the small change was that this competition format was somewhat disadvantageous to them.

If they were the defenders from the start, they would have to continuously face challengers.

With a total of five Arenas, on average, they would have to defeat at least nine opponents consecutively to secure their top five ranking.

Besides them, there were those who originally had no hope for the top five.

At this moment, hearing Hu Qian's new rules, they suddenly became energized.

A continuous battle was about attrition.

If they faced Su Xiao alone, they naturally had no chance, but what if it was Su Xiao who had already fought eight battles?

Everyone's hearts tightened, becoming nervous and expectant.

Who would be the first to step onto the Arena?

At the same time.

Around the square, the spectators, after learning the rules for this year, gradually became excited and thrilled.

The once clear situation now became unpredictable.

Even Su Xiao, who was given the greatest expectations by everyone, might lose his top five qualification if he was the first to step onto the Arena.

"Please don't be the first to go up, please don't be the first..." Huo Lan clasped his hands, silently praying.

Many instructors shared his sentiment.

On the high platform, Hu Qian took in all these changes, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth, very satisfied with his new rules.

"Next, those who received the white Jade Slip, step onto the stage!"