84: Chapter 88

2

Jiang Haojie returned to the arena with the others; the stands were packed, and buzzing discussions echoed under the dome.

Ma Chenyu and several judges entered the arena.

He raised his hand for silence, and the surroundings gradually grew quiet.

"There are three people in the final round; one will receive a bye."

Ma Chenyu was concise. "Who gets this lot depends entirely on luck.

Now, the drawing of lots begins."

The large screen behind the judges' seats suddenly lit up, and two photos appeared side-by-side with the contestants' information.

"First match: Longcheng University's Jiang Haojie vs. Nanyu Academy's Mu Luo.

Song Gaoling receives a bye."

"Contestants, please enter the arena."

Jiang Haojie stood up and walked toward the stage bathed in spotlights.

A sudden burst of shouting erupted from the stands; his name was repeated and layered over and over, merging into a surging wave of sound.

Occasionally, there were voices cheering for Mu Luo, but they were quickly drowned out.

Mu Luo stood on the other side of the stage, his expression solemn.

Against others, he might have had some chance of winning, but against Jiang Haojie... he took a silent breath.

The mere fact that Jiang Haojie had killed Lu Baichuan was already beyond common logic.

He asked himself, and there was no way he could slay any Fifth-Order Awakened; at most, he could barely hold his own. If it were truly a life-and-death struggle, he wouldn't even have the certainty of winning.

"The match begins."

The referee's voice fell.

Mu Luo no longer hesitated and took out a short, dark red wooden staff from his robe.

Knowing his opponent was formidable, he held nothing back, starting with his full strength.

Even if the outcome was already decided, he would give it his all.

The short staff traced a complete circle in the air.

Blazing fire emerged from the void, condensing into a burning ring.

In the next second, a fire snake with distinct scales lunged out from the ring, hissing as it pounced toward the other side of the stage.

Jiang Haojie did not move.

He focused his breath, and the aura around him suddenly changed.

A massive, nearly transparent phantom of a lion's head emerged above him, its mane like flames, letting out a silent roar—

"Roar—!"

It wasn't an actual sound, but a pure sonic shockwave, like a physical hurricane, sweeping through the entire venue in an instant.

As Jiang Haojie's realm climbed again, the power of that sonic wave martial technique also surged.

Previously, when he used this move, the observers only felt their blood and qi vibrate slightly; now, as the sonic wave swept through again, many felt their internal organs churning.

Some low-rank and mid-rank Awakened even had blood seeping from their ears and noses, their bodies swaying.

The arena was suddenly in an uproar.

What kind of method was this? It actually had such terrifying power.

"Quick, activate the protection!"

Ma Chenyu realized something was wrong and immediately gave the order.

A thin but tough energy barrier rose from the edge of the stage, isolating the audience seats.

Only then did the crowd catch their breath; when they looked at Jiang Haojie again, their gazes were filled with deep apprehension.

But Mu Luo, on the stage, was not so lucky.

He bore the brunt of it, completely enveloped by the invisible sound wave.

His consciousness felt as if it were being shaken out of its shell, and even his originally dense offensive was difficult to maintain, forced to collapse halfway.

The only saving grace was that the injuries he sustained were not fatal.

"Does anyone recognize this technique?"

Chen Minan's brow was tightly furrowed. "For its power to be at this level."

Gu Qian shook her head slightly. "The heritage of Ancient Martial Artists has been severed for a long time. Who can say for sure about those lost martial arts styles nowadays?"

Principal Yuan Changqing of Beihua Academy pondered, "Strange.

The intensity of this strike is already comparable to a full-power attack from a Sixth-Order Awakened.

Where does he get such deep energy to support it?"

"Perhaps he is hiding secrets that we don't know about."

Gu Qian's tone was indifferent.

As soon as she said this, the people around her nodded in silence.

If someone said Jiang Haojie had no secrets, no one would believe them.

Otherwise, how could one explain his ability to challenge strong opponents across two entire major ranks?

"How is that matter progressing?"

Wang Changxiao turned to Sun Wanyu and asked in a low voice.

Sun Wanyu wore a bitter smile. "There is no definite reply yet; I am also waiting."

This time, in running around for Jiang Haojie, he had truly exhausted his favors and face.

He knew very well the difficulties involved.

Because of this, he insisted on letting the tournament continue—if Jiang Haojie could take the top spot, he would obtain that entry permit for the Holy Academy.

With this reliance, even the Lu Family would have to act with more caution.

On the stage, Jiang Haojie did not take advantage of the situation to pursue.

He dispersed the inner energy flowing around him and looked calmly at his opponent.

"Do you still want to continue?"

A trace of bitterness appeared at the corner of Mu Luo's mouth.

The victory was decided; setting aside everything else, this impossible-to-defend sonic wave offensive alone was already more than he could handle.

And his own physique could not withstand a second identical impact.

"I forfeit."

Although unwilling, he still chose a graceful exit.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a sense of shared plight with Wang Xiaodong, who had previously lost to Jiang Haojie.

"The winner of this match is Longcheng University's Jiang Haojie!"

The referee's voice rang through the venue at the right time.

"Next match: Longcheng University's Jiang Haojie vs. Beichen Academy's Song Gaoling."

Liu Jinglong's fingers tightened slightly around his phone as a heavy sigh from Meng Shaojie came through the receiver. "The Old Chairman personally contacted that person from the Lu Family,"

Meng Shaojie's voice sounded weary. "The other party's attitude... is very firm."

"Even with the Old Chairman stepping in, it didn't work?"

Liu Jinglong's brow furrowed into a knot. "Will it really come to that? Will Jiang Haojie have to use that trump card?"

"Let's wait and see for now.

The Old Chairman has already set off for Su City; perhaps there is still room for maneuver."

Meng Shaojie paused, a hint of doubt in his voice. "Also, does Jiang Haojie have some connection with the Shen Family?"

"The Shen Family?"

Liu Jinglong was startled and quickly searched his memory. "I haven't heard him mention them.

Why do you ask?"

"Someone from the Shen Family also sent word to the Lu Family, but the result was much the same as the Old Chairman's."

Meng Shaojie didn't hide anything. "It seems this tournament has affected more than one party."

Liu Jinglong was secretly shocked.

The Shen Family has always kept a low profile, yet they are one of the deep-rooted families in the Dragon Nation.

That kid Jiang Haojie can actually move two heavyweights at the same time? He suppressed his racing thoughts and replied, "I understand.

I'll contact Jiang Haojie later and tell him to stay calm. Since the Old Chairman is personally going to Su City, the situation will surely be brought under control."

After ending the call, Liu Jinglong's gaze fell on the live broadcast of the match.

Let's wait for this duel to be settled first.

On the stage, Jiang Haojie and Song Gaoling stood facing each other.

Song Gaoling's expression was exactly the same as Mu Luo's before—solemn and alert.

She wasn't fully confident, but her martial heart would not allow her to retreat without a fight.

As soon as the referee's command fell, Song Gaoling's figure retreated rapidly while her hands moved swiftly.

Whistling sounds of breaking air rang out as dozens of sharp wooden spikes suddenly erupted from the ground, biting toward Jiang Haojie like venomous snakes.

"Golden Bell Shield."

With a slight thought from Jiang Haojie, a layer of invisible air wall instantly enveloped his body.

He had intended to use the Lions Roar Technique to settle the fight quickly, but these sharp wooden spikes made him change his mind—it was a good chance to test the quality of this newly acquired defensive method.

The moment the invisible air wall came into contact with the wooden spikes, ripples visible to the naked eye appeared in the air around Jiang Haojie.

All the wooden spikes were like they had hit a brass wall or an iron bastion, snapping and bouncing away one after another, failing to penetrate in the slightest.

A low sound of surprise and doubt rose from the audience.

Song Gaoling's pupils shrank.

As expected, Jiang Haojie still had trump cards he hadn't revealed.

She didn't dare to hesitate, her hand seals changing again.

The ground of the stage rustled as thick, blue-black vines burst out, weaving into a net that covered the sky and earth as they wrapped around Jiang Haojie, intending to lock him within.

Jiang Haojie was quite satisfied with the defensive effect of the Golden Bell Shield, but this technique had one limitation: while maintaining the skill, it was difficult to launch an offensive at the same time.

With a shift in thought, he actively withdrew the protective air wall, and the internal energy in his dantian surged upward.

A nearly transparent phantom of a lion's head condensed strikingly above his head.

Song Gaoling's face changed drastically; she tried to pull back and retreat, but it was already too late.

"Roar—!"

The deafening roar did not come from a physical object but was a torrent of sonic waves condensed as if they were solid, exploding outward with Jiang Haojie as the center, instantly swallowing the entire stage.

Song Gaoling's figure was completely submerged by that violent, invisible power.

A buzzing sound echoed deep within Song Gaoling's mind, as if her entire consciousness had been violently struck by an invisible force, causing all her previously gathered attacks to dissipate in an instant.

Fortunately, Ma Chenyu had already ordered people to set up a Protective Barrier around the stage; otherwise, the fluctuations caused by Jiang Haojie's low shout would likely have affected the crowd watching below.

When she steadied her mind and looked up, the opposite side was already empty.

Song Gaoling's heart shivered; just as she was about to flash backward, a voice so calm it was almost cold rang out next to her ear:

"Let's stop here; you can't win."

Her figure suddenly froze. After a moment, a trace of a helpless smile appeared on her lips, and she said clearly and decisively, "I forfeit."

It wasn't that she was willing to bow her head easily, but Jiang Haojie's existence itself was like an unsolvable puzzle.

Before him, any attack seemed pale and powerless; even her best musical rhythm attacks could be easily dismantled by his simple shout.

"The winner of this match is Longcheng University's Jiang Haojie."

When the referee's announcement fell, Song Gaoling felt the chilling aura that had been locking her down quietly dissipate.

She nodded slightly to Jiang Haojie, who had returned to his original position at some unknown time, and turned to leap off the stage.

"The current Inter-school Tournament has come to a successful conclusion. The champion is—Longcheng University's Jiang Haojie!"

Ma Chenyu's voice spread throughout the venue via the amplification system, and cheers and applause rose like a tide.

In the audience, Xu Qing, Bai Yang, and the others looked pale, their gazes fixed on the figure on the stage, almost grinding their teeth to pieces.

On the other side, Qin Qinglan and Su Qingxue simultaneously relaxed their clenched palms.

On the other end of the live broadcast, Liu Jinglong and Zou Wenlin both breathed a long sigh of relief.

Zou Wenlin, in particular, had eyes that were faintly red—it had been so many years since Longcheng University had shone so brightly before everyone.

And all this glory was tied to that single youth.

He had secretly decided to erect a statue for Jiang Haojie in the academy's square.

Let every future generation of students remember this name.

Ding.

[Mission completed.

The Mystery Gift Box has been delivered to the system space; please check it.]

The notification sound ringing in his mind caused the corners of Jiang Haojie's lips to unconsciously curl into a faint smile.

"Now, the champion's rewards will be presented."

Fireworks popped and boomed, and colorful ribbons fluttered down.

Ma Chenyu and a group of judges slowly stepped onto the stage, smiling at Jiang Haojie.

"Congratulations, Jiang Haojie."

Ma Chenyu patted his shoulder. "You have created a miracle."

The other judges also cast friendly gazes.

If Jiang Haojie were just an ordinary Third-Order Awakened, he might not have been worth such serious treatment from them.

But his ability as a Third-Order Awakened to nonchalantly crush a Fifth-Order opponent was enough for anyone to foresee—this boy's future is limitless.

Jiang Haojie calmly returned the smile.

At this time, a staff member came forward carrying a dark wooden box.

The moment the lid was opened, Jiang Haojie's eyebrows twitched slightly.

The rewards for the champion were unexpectedly generous.

A B-grade longsword, along with several boxes of high-level cultivation resources, was roughly estimated to be worth nearly ten million crystal coinss.

He didn't care much about the weapon, but those resources... taking them back for his parents would be just right.

The parchment scroll lay quietly beside the awards, its yellowed surface shimmering with the luster of accumulated years.

He naturally recognized it; it was the entry permit to the Holy Academy.

And deep within his Storage Pouch, another identical invitation was already stored.

Ma Chenyu handed the rewards to Jiang Haojie, his gaze hiding an unfathomable depth: "Jiang Haojie, this is that invitation letter.

There may be replacements for the other items, but this one—you must keep it safe."

Jiang Haojie accepted with a smile.

The surrounding gazes were a mix of envy and heat.

"Wait... I suddenly remember, didn't Jiang Haojie seem to have already received an invitation before?"

Someone in the crowd whispered.

"So that means he actually has two in his hands now?"

"Exactly! Only one is needed to enter the Holy Academy. If we can persuade Jiang Haojie to transfer the other one..."

"That makes sense! We must find an opportunity to discuss it with him later."

Whispers spread like ripples, quietly igniting the calculations in many people's hearts.

---

The light outside the gymnasium was somewhat dazzling.