101: Chapter 101 Freshman Competition: Come at me if you dare!

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and today was the day Qing University held the New Student Grand Competition.

The seven o'clock morning sun was exceptionally gentle, shining warmly on the body, bringing immense comfort to body and mind.

The Qing University training grounds were already packed with people; not only were there over a thousand New Students, but also a large crowd of returning students.

A figure of unparalleled beauty and grace, like a celestial being descending to the mortal realm, calmly stepped through the air and slowly landed on the main stand.

All the students stared blankly at that peerless figure, their hearts filled only with admiration and awe, daring not to harbor any disrespect.

The person who arrived was naturally Dean Mu, Mu Qianqian of Qing University.

Mu Qianqian swept her gaze across the entire venue, finally spotting Lin Yuan's figure at the side of the main stand, and gave him an almost imperceptible nod.

Then, she looked towards the neatly arranged line of New Students below and slowly began to speak:

"First, welcome to our new classmates. Welcome everyone to Qing University. I hope that during your time studying at Qing University, you can all grow into powerhouses and expel the savage beasts for Great Xia and for humanity!"

"You are all martial artists, and martial artists must compete. Today is the day of the New Student Grand Competition. Our rules for the competition are very simple: we will draw lots for a round of arena battles. One fight determines the winner, and the victors will then proceed to a free-for-all brawl.

During the competition, causing injury or death to others is strictly forbidden. The academy has rewards for the top ten finishers in the Grand Competition. I wish everyone the best results!"

"Let's start drawing lots by small groups!"

As Mu Qianqian's voice faded, staff members were already carrying drawing boxes toward each row of teams.

The lot drawing was soon completed, and everyone had their opponents.

Next up was the arena battle round. Qing University's training grounds were vast enough to accommodate hundreds of arena matches simultaneously.

The largest arena in front of the main stand was the main stage where the top ten would ultimately be decided. It was currently empty, while the other arenas already had two New Students standing on them respectively.

All contestants were in position, and Mu Qianqian's clear voice immediately rang out:

"I announce, the Grand Competition begins!"

At her command, intense battles erupted simultaneously on a hundred arenas. For a moment, various elemental powers filled the air, and the sounds of roaring impacts were incessant.

Lin Yuan did not participate in the lot drawing; instead, he stood at the side of the main stand, smiling as he watched the matches.

If Mu Qianqian hadn't asked him to come watch, he truly wouldn't have been interested. In his eyes, they were merely like a group of children fighting.

This was not Lin Yuan being arrogant, but given his current strength, he truly had the right to say that.

The battles proceeded quickly. As soon as one ended, a replacement would immediately step up.

An hour later, the arena battles were all concluded, leaving only five hundred victorious New Students on the field. Each of them was an elite among their peers.

Jiang Sheng surprisingly didn't even make it into the top five hundred, while Li Yuxuan and Tang Wanrou both managed to enter the top five hundred.

All five hundred people arrived on the main stage, looking up at Mu Qianqian on the main stand.

"Congratulations to you all! You have successfully advanced. Next will be the free-for-all brawl. The five hundred of you will proceed to the final ranking based on the order you remain, from first to last. If there are no objections, we will begin the match now," Mu Qianqian said to the crowd.

Yu Tao was also among these five hundred people. He had long since noticed one issue: Lin Yuan was not among the New Student Grand Competition participants.

After searching everywhere, he finally discovered that Lin Yuan hadn't participated in the competition at all, but was standing to the left of the main stand watching them compete.

Upon this discovery, Yu Tao sneered inwardly: "Lin Yuan, oh Lin Yuan, you truly are a coward. Afraid that everyone will know your title as the national top scholar is undeserved, you actually fled the competition. I'd like to see if you can keep hiding!"

When he heard Mu Qianqian ask if there were any objections, he stepped out of the formation. He raised his head proudly and spoke with righteous indignation:

"Dean Mu, the New Student Grand Competition must be participated in by all New Students. Why is Lin Yuan allowed to evade the competition?"

Yu Tao raised his hand and pointed at Lin Yuan: "Lin Yuan, are you scared? Don't you dare step onto the stage to fight us?"

Mu Qianqian's expression immediately darkened upon hearing this: "This student, Lin Yuan's situation is special. The academy has permitted him to skip participating in the New Student Grand Competition. In the upcoming Holy Academy Exchange Tournament, Lin Yuan will take the stage to demonstrate, and everyone will be able to see his performance then."

"The Holy Academy Exchange Tournament? As far as I know, only the strongest New Students from each Holy Academy are eligible to compete in the Holy Academy Exchange Tournament. Why is the academy pre-designating Lin Yuan to compete? Shouldn't the truly strongest New Students be qualified to compete? I do not accept this!!" Yu Tao immediately expressed strong opposition.

The scene instantly became noisy...

"That's right, why does he get to be pre-designated? Isn't he just the national top scholar? Is having high scores so amazing? Everything must be settled by strength!"

"Exactly, it's unfair, we protest too!"

"Yes, we are not convinced, we protest!"

Someone in the New Student formation immediately spoke up in agreement, protesting Lin Yuan's absence from the competition.

The returning students, however, all wore expressions as if watching idiots...

"These New Student brats truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. The academy is protecting them, yet they think the academy is pulling strings for Junior Lin."

"Haha... If Junior Lin gets on stage, what are they even competing for? They'll just be beaten senseless."

"Junior Lin, since they're itching for a fight, why don't you stretch a bit!"

"Yeah, Junior Lin, stretch a bit, let these kids fly!"

...

Mu Qianqian looked at the noisy scene and became instantly furious. She roared out:

"Quiet! Are you all trying to rebel? Are the academy's decisions things you can question? You must be too used to being spoiled at home, right? You have no rules at all!"

Mu Qianqian's powerful aura instantly stunned all the New Students. One by one, they lowered their heads, but their faces still held expressions of dissatisfaction.

"Dean Mu, I think... Since they are unconvinced, it doesn't matter if I stretch a bit."

Just then, Lin Yuan's calm voice suddenly sounded.

Mu Qianqian's expression immediately softened upon hearing this, and she nodded slightly. Since Lin Yuan was interested, she would let him play around a bit. She immediately said:

"Since that is the case, it's good to polish their rough edges a bit. You watch your measure."

"Don't worry."

Lin Yuan walked step by step onto the main stage. His calm face showed no ripples.

As for the crowd of New Students, upon hearing what the Dean actually said—that Lin Yuan was allowed to temper them and to watch his measure—they immediately became greatly incensed.

They were practically itching to rush up and tear off the mask Lin Yuan was wearing. Why him? What right did he have?

Lin Yuan swept his gaze over the five hundred New Students and spoke lightly:

"Yu Tao, you are unconvinced, right? Are there any others who are unconvinced? Come out!"

Hearing Lin Yuan's arrogant words, the crowd immediately became agitated and started cursing him one after another.

"Lin Yuan, what are you pretending for? Aren't you just the top scholar? Look how smug you are!"

"Brothers, let's cripple him first, then we'll decide the top ten."

"Right, take him down! Let him keep acting smug!"

However, there were still a few exceptions among the New Students. Led by Li Yuxuan and Tang Wanrou, over a dozen people jumped off the stage, choosing to forfeit.

These New Students had arrived at the academy early and were naturally aware of Lin Yuan's strength.

If the rumors were all true, wouldn't they just be sending themselves to be beaten...

"Don't pay attention to them. If they forfeit, let them forfeit. They are all cowards. With so many of us, a mere Lin Yuan can be easily handled," Yu Tao said dismissively upon seeing some people forfeit.

Lin Yuan heard this, smiled, and beckoned to the crowd:

"The rest of you are the ones who are unconvinced, right? Very good, then come at me all together!"