41: Tens of thousands of people gathered

A group of 600 people from the four cities of Anqiu, Luohe, Donglin, and Yueshan marched grandly toward the nearby bridge.

Their massive presence caught the attention of the Trainees along the Dragon Fish Platform.

"Where are they going?"

"To fight."

"Fight?"

"That's right. Over 600 people from Anqiu, Luohe, Donglin, and Yueshan have gathered, ready to have a showdown with those guys from the Prefecture City."

"They won't win, right? Yunchuan City was just wiped out yesterday."

"Hmph, even if we can't win, we still have to fight." The person speaking reeled in his fishing rod and stood up to leave.

"Eh? Where are you going?"

"To join them. The people of our Yunhai City have already lost their spirit from being beaten. I don't want to be such a coward. Please help me return this fishing rod later."

After saying that, the Trainee followed the main force from the four cities of Anqiu.

"Hey, wait! Take me with you."

"Which city are you from?"

"Yunhai City, Xing Nan."

"Welcome. Anqiu City, Fan Ming."

The people from the four cities of Anqiu walked with powerful strides toward the bridge not far away. More and more people joined along the way, gradually forming a long line.

The newly joined Trainees kept sending messages in their respective groups, calling for everyone to come together.

In a certain city's group chat.

"Wait for me, I'm coming right now! Damn it, if I die, I die. At worst, I'll just take a swim in the Luo River. Those bastards from the Prefecture City think they're some kind of landlords. Those sons of bitches, watch me beat them to death."

"Count me in, I'm going too."

"I'm going as well."

In less than twenty minutes.

Xiao Weiqing and the others hadn't even reached the bridge yet.

The team quickly grew from 600 to 1,000 people, and it was still increasing.

"Xiao Weiqing, it's just as you thought. More and more people are joining us."

Xiao Weiqing said, "This is just the beginning."

"These are all spontaneous. Those major cities with 300 to 400 people haven't even organized yet. Don't worry, there will be more people in a while."

Ye Lingfeng asked, "Xiao Weiqing, what makes you think they'll join us?"

"Let's get this straight, I'm not afraid of being eliminated; otherwise, I wouldn't have brought over 200 people from Yueshan City with you."

Xiao Weiqing explained, "Today is the sixth day of the assessment."

"Since yesterday, the number of people from the Prefecture City on the rankings for the Upper Academy and Middle Academy has gradually increased to over half. Especially on the Upper Academy ranking, they occupy more than 60%, and 55% of the Middle Academy ranking is also their people."

"If this continues, after today, it's estimated that over 70% will be their people, or even more."

"But, what if the assessment were to end now?"

Ye Lingfeng said, "How could it possibly end? If it ended, that would be great. I'm currently ranked 95th, so I could enter the Upper Academy."

In fact, Ye Lingfeng also felt that entering the Upper Academy was hopeless and chose to take a stand; otherwise, with his Level 5 talent, it would be too embarrassing if he couldn't get in.

Fang Lingyun's eyes gradually brightened as he understood Xiao Weiqing's meaning. "You mean flipping the table."

"Exactly."

Xiao Weiqing nodded.

"If everyone is out, or the vast majority are out, the assessment might not technically end, but it would effectively be over. Everyone's points would be locked and no longer increase."

"There will always be a few smart people in every major city. I believe they can see the current situation clearly. Instead of letting the Prefecture City people gradually eat away at us, it's better to take a gamble."

Qin Sheng chimed in, "Especially those Geniuses with Level 5 Extraordinary Talents who are still in the assessment. If they end up not being able to enter the Upper Academy, that would be truly shameful."

On the bridge.

Xiao Weiqing was the first to step onto it.

However, there were already two teams there: one with about 300 people and another with nearly 400.

The two leaders walked over.

"Ke Yingtian from Huaidong City, Level 5 Extraordinary Talent: 'Body'."

"Liu Ren from Guchi City, Level 4 Extraordinary Talent: 'Technique'."

"Greetings. Xiao Weiqing, Level 3 'Technique.' Welcome."

Qin Sheng said, "Doesn't your Guchi City have someone with a Level 5 'Skill' talent?"

"Sigh, don't mention it. He was eliminated by those bastards. If Li Zhe hadn't stopped us, we would have fought them yesterday."

Li Zhe was the Genius with the Level 5 Extraordinary Talent from Guchi City.

Qin Sheng said, "It's not too late now."

"Haha... right, it's not too late. Eliminating all those scumbags only benefits us and has no downsides."

"Exactly, I've been annoyed with those bastards for a long time."

"Oh, it looks like we're late."

Another team of 300 people arrived on the bridge.

"Haha, not late. There are still twenty minutes left."

Xiao Weiqing glanced down from the bridge. Large groups were continuously arriving, making him feel greatly reassured.

It looked like they had already reached 2,000 people, and they believed reaching 3,000 would be no problem.

Next was the wait... Luo Jiang Academy.

The top floor of an office building.

Over a dozen teachers were observing a huge surveillance screen.

The screen showed a bridge on the Dragon Fish Platform, densely packed with figures.

"Looks like a fight is about to break out."

"Good grief, that's nearly 6,000 or 7,000 people."

"This batch of little guys has quite some spirit," said a burly man in the lead.

The burly man had a cigar in his mouth and a face full of stubble. He wore a black tank top, large shorts, and a pair of flip-flops on his feet.

His exposed bronze skin was covered in scars, and his palms were very thick, a size larger than an average person's.

This man was named Ning Xing, one of the vice principals of Luo Jiang Academy. He was in charge of this batch of new Trainees, though it was mostly just a nominal role; today was his first time coming here.

"Principal Ning, are we just going to leave it like this? Won't something happen?"

Ning Xing spoke, his voice like thunder, "What could happen?"

"How much strength do these kids have right now? They can't kill anyone. Have the Dragon Fish Platform side send more rescue teams, and remember to use drones for timely retrieval."

On the Luo River Bridge.

There were only a few minutes left before the agreed-upon hour.

The Prefecture City side had already gathered a massive crowd that stretched as far as the eye could see. The three leaders were Qin Tian, Duan Shuyu, and Xue Cheng.

The side from the various regional cities had also gathered nearly 3,500 people, standing ready.

Ke Yingtian said, "Xiao Weiqing, we know your strength. That Duan Shuyu across from us is the second-ranked Genius of the Prefecture City this year, with a Level 5 'Technique,' the Thunderous Astral Art. He's yours."

"The top-ranked one is Qin Tian, that mature-looking young man in the middle."

"Qin Tian has a Level 5 'Body' talent, the Five-Turn True Body; he's very strong. However, currently, he's only strong in power; his speed isn't that fast yet. We'll hold him off first, and you finish off Duan Shuyu as quickly as possible."

"Once we've worn Qin Tian down enough, you come and finish him off. If we really can't beat him, we'll have to use human wave tactics and drag him straight into the river."

Xiao Weiqing nodded, "Alright."